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What it’s like to open your backyard up to the public
Owning a business that is open to the public 7 days a week is often rewarding, fun and exciting.
But sometimes it can be a little over whelming.
Having folks here every day means we must make sure our entire property is neat and tidy.
This includes keeping the lawn cut and raked and having our gardens free of weeds.
The bird baths have to be clean and filled with fresh water.
All our little buildings must be clean and have fresh coffee, tea and cookies ready for our guests.
All the plants in the buildings have to be watered and we put fresh flowers out regularly.
In the winter we must snow plow our very long driveway and parking lot, shovel snow from walkways and steps.
With each season we must change the décor in our little buildings and around our grounds.
We do all of this so that our guests will have a good experience when they come to visit. We want them to feel like they have just stepped into the pages of a beautiful country magazine.
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The Studio Room - ready for guests to sit and relax.
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Having our home open to the public every day also presents some difficult challenges.
I want to share a few of these challenges because I feel like I need to explain why we have some of the rules we do and hope you understand.
For the most part, we have been very fortunate that the majority of our guests are very respectful of our property.
We find very little trash lying about and most people are respectful and understand why we have to have a few rules.
But there are always some who leave us feeling like we have disappointed and let them down.
As you may know, the Winter Wheat grounds are expansive and feel like a park.
This leads some folks to think that Winter Wheat is a public park so they let their children play and run about our grounds all by themselves.
Unfortunately, this often leads to kids running through the gardens and crushing delicate plants or flowers. Once I watched in disbelief as kids pulled handfuls of plants out of my gardens and fed them to my goats. It made me sad and frustrated since other people enjoy them so much and I had spent time growing and tending them.
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Our fall gardens putting on a show for guests |
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One of the saddest events that happened this summer was the loss of our little goat Zoe.
According to the vet, she was fed too many cookies and although we have signs posted saying the cookies make the goats very sick they were ignored and Zoe died.
We feel bad when we have to remind parents to keep their children with them at all times.
Most folks are very understanding but some are offended and leave. We aren’t sure how to make it clear to them.
We are sorry if we have offended you or someone you know and we hope you understand.
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Our backyard - open to the public 7 days a week. |
We have also had to struggle with reminding folks not to smoke on our grounds.
You see, this is our home and if there were to be a fire we would lose absolutely everything we cherish.
Smoking is a very high risk for starting fires especially on our wooded property.
I also do not like picking up cigarette butts that are tossed on the ground.
Of course we have signs clearly posted at the entrance to our property.
Sometimes it’s hard to understand how some folks can ignore our wishes.
This also happens when visitors bring their pets along for a ride in the country. When they get to our property they let their pets out for a walk.
I think when they see our park like property they think it would be okay to let their pets out to stretch their paws.
Unfortunately, we have to tell them it’s not okay to do this because of the risks it involves. We have other animals on site and other people too. We just aren’t prepared for pet guests.
It has been suggested that we designate an area for folks to smoke and walk their pets. But for safety, legal and health reasons we feel this is something we cannot do right now.
We truly hope you and your friends understand. |
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Although I have dwelt on the challenges of inviting guests to visit our backyard, I want you to know that the many good experiences far out weigh the bad.
It’s the good experiences meeting interesting folks from all over the world that makes it worthwhile.
Many folks have blessed us with their kind wishes and thoughts. They have made us smile and feel good over the years.
These are folks who are no longer strangers visiting our backyard but dear friends and guests. |
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Guest books at Winter Wheat -
guests use these books to write down wonderful, heartfelt messages that are a source of encouragement for Mike and I.
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Special Messages
There is nothing that is more precious to Mike and I than the wonderful heartfelt messages folks write in our guest books.
It helps on the days when things might not be going the way we would like and on days when life is good.
So to our customers a heartfelt THANK YOU.
We now have over 50 guest books filled with wonderful comments.
Below is a small sampling of the messages from folks who write in our guest books.
Jan. 27th 2009
“Hi, I am originally from Uganda, East Africa. Your woods took me down memory lane to my childhood. It is so cozy and beautiful. You are so lucky to be living in such a tranquil place surrounded by nature.” -Gulshan
Jan. 31st. 2009
“Hello! I love this place! I’ve been coming here since I was a baby (I’m 10) When I’m older I hope this place is still around, because then I will bring my kids here through their childhood and they could keep the line going” -C. Futcher
Feb. 15th 2009
“What can we say that hasn’t been said before, but true perfection in every way. Like a forest Disney World. It must be amazing to know that your life’s work is our heaven!
Your place makes people happy….what could be any better.
Bless you both!” -Vickie & Paul
March 18th 2009
“Another visit to Winter Wheat –perfect.
I cannot thank you enough for sharing your inspirational place.” -Love Kathy
March 19th 2009
“Your home is beautiful. Even through these hard times, it has sincerely and truly brought a smile to my face and has warmed my heart. Thank you for your hospitality and beautiful art work.
It has helped me more then you know.
Thanks for everything.”
April 18th 2009
“Love every square inch!” -C. Sinnett
April 19th 2009
“We’re falling in love with each other in your woods! Very, very romantic indeed!” -J. & A.
The following little message was handed to me by a regular visitor. He used all the letters that spell WINTER WHEAT to write how he feels when he visits us.
Whimsical
Interesting
Natural
Tremendous
Ethereal
Relaxing
Wonderful
Homey
Excellent
Awesome
Terrific!
W. Butler
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