Today I turned 40 years old with a bottle of champagne and my family on a summit overlooking the North Cascades. We kicked off the weekend on the Pacific Crest Trail at Harts Pass near Canada. The PCT was the first “big girl” trail I hiked after moving to Seattle in 2013. Spending time in complete silence (for hours) was a first for me. It truly changed my life. When I finally grew comfortable paying attention without immediately reacting, I was really able to listen and see life around me in a way I never had before. If someone asks what really led to the end of my career, it was an internal shift I have a hard time describing but ultimately resembles self-awareness, and it probably began on the PCT. I met several through hikers this weekend who started at the Mexico border and were almost done. I asked what they planned to do after such an accomplishment. “Go home and get back to work,” most said. At first it seems anticlimactic but I remember Trent Peterson, a young man whose story I told years ago, as he rode wild mustangs along the PCT. He used to say that the PCT is just a trail, what matters is that we slow down, pay attention and see clearly whatever path we’re on. I looked up a quote from that report to share with you all.
“This isn't to advocate for the PCT. The PCT is just a trail. Get out of the rat race and slow down. Pay attention to the little things, not just the big things, because it's the whole picture we need to be aware of," he said.
Dairy farming is next level insanity. Someone asked me recently, where we would have to go to get raw milk if we did not produce it here. I said “our friend delivers right to our door.” She said “why do you go through the trouble to do it yourself then?” I did not really have a good answer. 🤣I suppose it’s mostly because we love raising our kids this way, learning about where their food comes from and developing relationships with the animals. There is great value in this way of life, even if it makes no sense financially.
And speaking of the benefits of dairy, it is one of the best sources for vitamin K2, which you need for your bones to absorb vitamin D. That is why the fermented cod liver oil from Green Pasture is also mixed with a concentrated butter oil. Without the two together, you don’t get as much from either, which is why many fish oils are a waste of money. So go check out https://www.greenpasture.org/ and use promo code “ALISON” at check out for 10% off.
Got the pregnancy test results for our mini Jersey cross, Maisy after her second artificial insemination! Any guesses before you watch the video?!
The dairy cow pregnancy roller coaster is real. I think I was only a little more nervous finding out my own pregnancy test results. 😜 Good thing I have the great nutritional benefits of Green Pasture’s fermented cod liver/butter oil blend to reduce inflammation brought on by all the inseminating, testing, expenses and waiting. (Hint: think twice about buying a dairy cow based solely on the idyllic Instagram accounts you follow!) If you want a real food, not a supplement, to give your body a boost, go check out https://www.greenpasture.org/ and use “ALISON” as your promo code at check out for 10% off. They have lots of great stuff! I take the cinnamon tingle flavored gel for the cod liver /butter oil.
I was asked by TruDave Gear to do an honest review of these boots and I have to say, I would 100% buy them. They’re affordable, comfortable with a super cushy insole, and don’t get too hot in Florida weather. I wear them to ride my horse, feed chickens, milk goats and garden. They did not pay me anything to say this. They just sent me the boots to try. These are the women’s deck boots but they have many different styles. I recommend going up a size if you’re a half-size. Check them out! https://www.trudavegear.com/
Greece Moves to End Anonymous Social Media Accounts - GreekReporter. com
https://greekreporter.com/2026/04/29/greece-end-anonymous-social-media-accounts/
