The Art of Country Life

I spent a sunny but windy Sunday at Willowgait Farm in Knotts Island, NC. One of my art students, Carol, hosted an artisan fair at her farm, where she invited me to participate.

What a delightful day! I got to meet a lot of great people, most who live in that area and look at life from a smaller community standpoint, with many farms and equestrian-lovers amongst them.

As I enjoyed the banter and girly talk from the four young equestrians selling their handcrafted items at the table next to mine, it was refreshing to see how they were given much responsibility and respect from the various people who came by during the afternoon. I think they probably outsold most of the rest of us!

Along with handmade scarves and jewelry, the fair boasted goat milk soaps, wreaths, folk art painted signs, photographs and cards, aprons and other sewn items, pottery, embedded stepping stones, lucky horseshoes and other fun and interesting items. I added my own art and craft works - some oil paintings, cards and prints of my paintings, soaps, jars of Friendship Tea mix, and scherenshnitte silhouettes. (You can view more of my art at http://www.loisgalloart.com/.)

Between minding our booths and taking an occasional break, we enjoyed chit-chatting, inspecting everyone’s handiwork, and visiting with attendees. No one seemed to mind Carol’s two dogs meandering in and out of the barn where the show was, and through the groups of people gathered here and there outside. They didn’t bother going through the adjoining fenced pasture area to check on the three horses grazing there. I assume it was because there was more action where the people were, and too much standing water by the fence from two days of heavy rains. An accordion player showed up mid-afternoon to spice things up with everything from pop to polkas.

There’s nothing like spending an afternoon in the country to remind you of your roots and what’s real in life. These people were just who they were – friendly and respectful, no matter what your age or talent – and supportive of each other. There was an unspoken code among them. I recall sensing that as a child, living in a village whose economy and lifestyle were primarily agricultural-based. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, you might want to watch “The Waltons” or “Little House on the Prairie.” The Amish folk have that same kind of mentality: "We’re all in this together – it ain’t easy – and we’d better help others, ‘cause there may be a time we’ll need that help ourselves!” That’s probably also part of “how the West was won!”

How are you winning over the challenges in YOUR life? Do you have the same open, giving, helpful and supportive type attitude towards others? Or do you just look out for #1, trying to keep you life as simple as you can? Are you happily involved with others in your community? Or are you happily uninvolved – and perhaps not really so happy?

One thing I’ve learned is that only what you give away you get to keep – and you always get more of it back than you give away. Put the word “Love” in that phrase and think about that – or anything else that you may be missing. It could be” Friends” you’re missing if you’re lonely. So you should go and be a friend to someone who needs a friend. Then you’ll have a friend too!

Give what you want to receive…just a little spin on the Golden Rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!” And a little dose of country hospitality never hurts!

Thank you, Carol, for sharing your lovely farm, family, friends, and community with me!

For more insights into Knotts Island community, you can visit www.willowgaitfarm.com.