Friends Who Disappoint You

Dark Shadow & Georgie Girl

Without going into details, I am feeling much disappointment and shock over finding out a friend is not what, or who he seems. Many times through out life, you will meet someone who you really look up to. Then some years later, find out that they don't live up to that image. It isn't your fault that you couldn't see what was going on in that person's head or private life. The fact is, that nobody could see it, as they kept it that way. Presented themselves, and their lifestyle as one you would like to live. Then you find out, it is not what you thought.

Tawny getting her hooves trimmed!

In those cases, what I felt after I got over the shock of the situation, is that I am in a better situation than they were all along. That my life is MINE, and mine alone. I make my own choices along the way, and some work out, and some don't. I try to be nice to others, and not step on anyone's toes along the way. Support the people in my life as much as possible in their choices. I never force my lifestyle or choices on my grown child or other family members. They are free to make their own choices, right or wrong.

Hurrying to the barn!

Friends will disappoint you many times through out your life, and there is nothing that can be done about that. So will family members. I wish I had gained this knowledge when I was in my twenties instead of now. Sometimes you want to help someone not make the mistakes you made, but that is how they learn. That is just life.

Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2012  Kathleen G. Lupole

Making Friends Online

Photo Source: Petr Kratochvil

The funny thing about the internet is that you can do your business on it. You can plan your meals from it, from your menus to your recipes to your shopping list. You can broaden your knowledge, getting into some subject and researching it and studying it online. You can do you banking and paying bills on it. Even pay your taxes on it. And you can even make friends on it. "Friends? Oh how can that be?" I can hear you now.

 Photo Source: April Sommers

What is a friend anyway? According to The Free Dictionary it means:

1.  a person known well to another and regarded with liking, affection, and loyalty; an intimate
2.  an acquaintance or associate
3.  an ally in a fight or cause; supporter
4.  a fellow member of a party, society, etc.
5.  a patron or supporter a friend of the opera
6. be friends (with) to be friendly (with)
7. make friends (with) to become friendly (with)

The truth is, that I have had made some very good friends online. In fact, some of them know more about me than ones I know in person. The reason I think that is true is because I am a writer. So when I talk to people in person, it is just that small talk sort of conversation. When you write a email, a blog post or a forum post, you can express yourself much better. No one interrupts you. No one corrects what you are saying. No one acts bored with your conversation. In fact, they really listen (or read). Then they have time to reply back after having looked at your message again if need be. My NY homesteading forum all met online and now we have met each other in person many times. Even been to each others's homes. 

In person, I find that I can't keep up with friendships. I am very busy at home. Driving somewhere to meet for a lunch or dinner is not something I really like to do. In front of my computer, I can devote my time and thoughts on what I am writing. Not worrying about what time it is or how bad the roads are, or if I have enough gas to make it back home. 

Over the years I have met some very awesome people on my computer. I reconnected with some people that I knew in person. Many people that I had lived near and gone to school with. I thought I'd never see any of them again!  Just a few months ago, I reconnected with my own cousin. It seems to me that we get to know each other so much more by writing. It may be an old fashioned method of developing a friendship. Such as letter writing was in the past. But now with the computer and internet, it has become modern technology! 

Copyright © 2011 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2011  Kathleen G. Lupole unless otherwise stated.

My Friend, Terrianne Jones

I am pretty excited by the fact that my best friend and her spouse are going to be purchasing a house not too far from me. She is my oldest friend. Now, I don't mean that she is around 100 or so. Actually, she is a few months younger than me. What I mean, is, that she is the person I have had as a friend longer than anyone. And the kicker is - that she became my friend because she started going out with my brother in the 70s! That is surprising, because usually his girlfriends or wives are history after they break up. But my friend was different. For one thing, my mother always loved her as if she were her daughter. I always felt like she was my true sister. She has always been there for me.

The house isn't just up the road. When you live in the country, you expect to drive a bit to get to a neighbor's or to a friend's. I guess I am pleased as I found this house on the for sale by owner web site. We looked for over four years to find our house. I think that houses in the country are getting hard to find. More people want to leave the cities and live out in the country, so that property becomes hard to get and can become very pricey.

I get a few homesteading magazines by subscription, and the one thing I always notice ,is how people will put ads in these magazines for "homesteading properties", and put a hefty price tag on it as well. As if, since these type of properties are hard to find, a wannabe homesteader would pay anything for one! No way! Homesteaders are very frugal and are going to be looking for a bargain and don't mind a "fixer upper" or even raw land. Now maybe "horse people" would be another story! They will often pay big bucks for the comfort of their horses. As long as it has a good barn, fences and pasture, they aren't that concerned about the house.

Have a good day and I will be back tomorrow! 

Copyright © 2005  Kathleen G. Lupole