Florence Walrath on her Tennessee Walker.

People assume that I’m moving to the New Bedlam Farm to downsize or save money (I do plan on saving money) but I think Florence Walrath drew me and Maria to this new place even more than her pony. I was struck by her when I first met her – her strength, her independence. She told me her house was her “dream home,” and that she had lived in it for 80 years. Before that, she lived in the house next door.

I admire individuals who live their lives, and she was that. I tend to think women age much more gracefully than men in many cases, and Florence was beautiful to the end. She had a country view of animals – Rocky was just fine out in the pasture, he didn’t need much fussing or attention. She was very attached to her family, and thought about them and spoke of them. She seemed to be loved in a way that spoke very powerfully of her. She was determined to stay in her home to the end, and she did. Rocky kept her faithful company for the last years of her life, as well as her family.

I spoke to her a few times, but I couldn’t say I got to know her well. She was quite deaf by the time I met her and it wasn’t easy to talk to her. She reminded me quite a bit of Maria – they are different, but they both are proud and independent, and Florence had an artistic streak that was pronounced in her home. She had been a paperhanger and like Maria the windowsills were all dotted with the small and precious objects that she loved. Maria sensed this connection right away. This photo hangs in our new home, and I don’t know if the family is taking it or not. I’d love to keep it there, but it’s up to them. This is still her dream house, and will always, I think, be her dream house. We are just passing through.