By 1987 our children were grown and on their own. We were happy empty-nesters and ready to begin a new chapter of life. And Louise had a dream.
A city girl who was born in New York City and grew up in Miami, Louise had for years longed to live in the country. I, on the other hand, grew up in the country and had no burning desire to return, but -- I love my wife, so what can you do? Besides, she had helped me achieve my dream of becoming a professional photographer. How could I refuse to help make her dream come true?
We had already begun to look for country property, both in Georgia and Tennessee, not really expecting that we might find something in McLemore Cove. But in 1985, a newspaper ad led us to 30 acres on a ridge with frontage on Chickamauga Creek, and on the day before Christmas, 1987, we moved into a 12x40-foot refurbished mobile home on our property, which we named Deer Run Farm (because the deer ran through it).
Living in the country was not enough for Louise. She wanted the whole farm experience. So the next summer, without consulting me, she bought four steers, which we fattened up and sent to market. We didn't have good fencing at the time, so it was. . .interesting.
After the steers were gone, I received my first out-of-the-US assignment: three weeks in Haiti, Chile, and Peru, documenting the work of Church of God Missions. When I got home I was surprised to find that we were now the owners of four pregnant cows. That was the beginning. For the next 25 years, I spent an average of 20 hours a week (my estimate) running the farm, plus my studio and travel photography. It was an interesting, sometimes strenuous, life.
By 2012, I was 75 and Louise was worried that I would get hurt working the cattle. There were also some other indications that it was time to, reluctantly, call it quits. We sold the cattle to a neighbor, and in 2013 they went to their new home. Our life became easier, but not as much fun. We miss those days.
The photo was made with an Olympus E-PL1. My first mirrorless digital camera.
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Photography and text copyright 2025 David B.Jenkins.
I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.
Soli Gloria Deo -- For the glory of God alone.
Tags: photography digital photography McLemore Cove farming Deer Run Farm Olympus E-PL1 camera McLemore Cove North Georgia cattle Chickamauga Creek