Jill Winger

Watching children and families walk through the doors of our newly opened charter school two weeks ago was a surreal moment. To most of them, it was simply the first day of school. But to us, it felt like a dream. Over the last 15 months I've dropped hints about the charter school we were helping to open in our tiny town, but I haven't shared the full story. At least not yet. Why? Because honestly, I didn't know how to ...Continue Reading

  A few weeks ago, I found myself feeling strange. I felt unsettled... unsure.. and maybe even a little... bored? It’s a foreign feeling for me. So when it hit, I was caught off guard.  It’s not that I don’t have anything to do… I’m gearing up for THE book launch, the charter school recently opened, and of course, there’s plenty of work in the garden. Yet, I was feeling a suspicious absence ...Continue Reading

Our annual horsemanship clinic wrapped up a few weeks ago. It always takes me a while to process everything I learn from these.  While there are many takeaways for me this year, one lesson stands above the rest: Sometimes action is the only cure. Forethought is advisable. Preparation is crucial. Mentorship is important.  But there’s no substitute for just doing the thing.  Case in ...Continue Reading

The call came early, as I was wiping the sleep from my eyes. “I need help!” my sister's voice was laced with excitement and concern. I could hear meowing in the background. Twelve hours prior, she’d taken in an orphaned kitten. The kitten’s eyes were open and she seemed healthy, but she didn’t want dry food. I offered her advice from our experience with orphans over the years: offer formula (it’s expensive, so get the ...Continue Reading

I recently spent two days at the Homestead Festival in Columbia, TN. It was glorious. Events like these feel like coming home.  I experience a deep sense of relief when I get to to hang out with people just like me. They don’t raise an eyebrow when I mention milking a cow. They commiserate when I talk about animals dying or the struggle of balancing it all. They share knowing laughs when I tell of my husband ...Continue Reading

“NO ONE would ever choose to live here on purpose.” His declaration hung in the air as we locked eyes over the soda fountain counter. I cleared my throat before replying. “Well… I live here on purpose….”  He stared at me in disbelief. Our conversation ended on a light-hearted note as he walked out the door, but his words stayed with me for the rest of the day. I know it doesn’t make sense at first glance. Why ...Continue Reading