Womenwise Marketing Seal of Approval

Kelly Watson, at Womenwise Marketing, is someone I've read for quite a while. I suppose I'm the perennial student in that there's always something I can learn...every day. I enjoy reading how other women are running their businesses and what they are doing to market, promote and publicize themselves and their businesses.

Mark Twain said, "Every man is my superior in that I may learn from him". How true. Each of us have something to teach the world and each of us have much to learn from each other. He also said...and I insert this because I have a small flock of sheep -smile- ... "To create man was a quaint and original idea, but to add the sheep was tautology. How absolutely funny!

Twain was quite pithy, worthy of reading and while his life held joy it held much sorrow too.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Every man I meet is in some way my superior." This also is true in that each and every one of us are made in the image of God. That boggles my mind, especially when someone is being rude, mean, angry or, just in general, a donkey's rear end. Or, cringing here, when it's me being rude, mean, angry or, just in general, a donkey's rear end. That's when I remember it's not through my will, strength, mercy, grace, love, etc. but through His.

Kelly teaches me something each time I read her newsletter, website or blog. Recently, she had a loss and I sent her a condolence note but also shared how County Magazine had honored me with a four page diary article. That note led to discussion on how I market, promote and publicize Thistle Cove Farm. She was interested and, being a clever woman, came up with the Womenwise Marketing Seal of Approval Award. I'm the first receipient of this award and honored Kelly would find my story interesting.

She says some really nice things about me...and I'm grateful for those comments as well...but one thing she said really struck my ear. "Many business owners are afraid to reveal their personality, fearing it will make them look unprofessional."

What a shame! I know there are crazies who take advantage of folks and putting myself "out there" in blogland is, somewhat, dangerous but...but...how dare I not LIVE this one wild precious...and I add perfect...life God has given me! Perfect because it is a gift from God and not because of anything I do or have done.

From A Summer's Day by Mary Oliver ~

"I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"

Thistle Cove Farm is me and I'm Thistle Cove Farm. This is where my heart has found a home, where my life has meaning, where God gives me the strength to do the work He has set before me. I see no separation between Thistle Cove Farm and Sandra. When I die, my request is to be cremeted and the ashes scattered on the pasture, to be united in "body" with this farm united in sprit with God.
To live on this farm, in this valley, to scrabble gardens in the dirt, to tend to the animals, our home, ourselves...this is heaven on earth. To quilt, sew, spin yarn, knit, felt, cook, bake...yes, even clean house and iron...is my gift to Dave and to myself but, ultimately, to God. To honor Him in the small ways as well as the large; to try...as opposed to being trying -smile-...to be a good wife, daughter, sister, friend, steward.

Kelly, thank you for being a visitor to this blog and for the Womenwise Marketing Seal of Approval. I am honored. Please forgive me for being a low tech geek but I don't know how to put the button award on this post but have but it in my sidebar; thanks!

I am honored when each of your read this blog, even more joyous when you comment. It's enjoyable connecting with "like-minded" women, to know we're united in ways that matter, to know we're praying one for another or, at the very least, thinking good thoughts. Thanks to each of you, know you're tucked into prayer. It's the most I can do for you and counts in all the right ways.

Blessings ~ Kelly ~ Womenwise Marketing ~ Thistle Cove Farm ~ awards ~ readers ~ commenters ~