When I fell down the rabbit hole that is Plurk (if you haven’t joined yet, c’mon on over and play!!) I had no idea how much MORE of the amazing knitting community I would have the pleasure to get to know better. As a direct result of more time with some really amazing people, I found the Plurkette’s Hencircle. While the initial reaction was I don’t have time for MORE, once I thought about it, the more I read about the Henhouse, the more I knew I had to jump in.

I grew up in the suburbs. My mom had a very very green thumb and was able to grow plants all over the house, almost instinctively knowing what needed water or trimming or feeding or whatever secret things she did to make them all so lush and green. She grew a small vegetable garden in the back as well. I inherited a bunch of things from my mom but not her green thumb. I actually joked often about my Black Thumb Of Doom. Ya know those plants they say, oh don’t worry, you can’t kill it? Yes, I could. And did.*

But I’ve come to realize that being a farmgirl isn’t just about plants. It’s a spirit of community, learning and growing and sharing. There are merit badges and many areas in which to become a better person, for myself and for my sisterhood. When I clicked the link, I was pleased to find so many of them fell into areas I was already interested in exploring – but now, I can do it with people who I already share common ground.

I used to joke I was born in the wrong era – that if I could take my internet and some basic comforts (like indoor plumbing, AC, and a coffee maker) I would prefer to live in a time and space that truly fostered community – that exemplified expressions like “it takes a village to raise a child”, that was better able to take stock of the small pleasures in life. The older I get, the more I look around at the waste and greed and the growing sense of entitlement of the public at large, the stronger that belief is.

I proudly joined the Plurkette’s Hencircle in the hopes of doing more of the things that resonate true to me, while learning from and about my FarmGirl sisters, and nurturing the type of environment for me and my honey to live happily and healthfully. And to embody much of the love and human touch my grandmother held in such high regard. I carry her with me in my cooking, baking and knitting, and look forward to expanding the list.

*in the interest of full disclosure, I have been successfully growing a Pothos plant the past 10 months. And we’re in discussion to get started on some barrel planting in the next few weeks.