I am the writer known to online readers throughout the United States and abroad as simply "firefly". I am relatively new to New York, having only been here for about two years now.

Back in 2006 I was living in Los Angeles, where I had lived with my family for more than thirty years. Before that, I lived as a child about 25 miles outside of Charlotte, North Carolina and spent much time on my two grandmother's farms up near Mt. Airy near the Virginia border. The many years I lived in Los Angeles, California never "took" in my spirit, and I longed to return one day to the country way of life.

In late January of 2006 I was doing some online research and came across an niche online dating site, "FarmersOnly.com" and by chance met a man living on a farm in Western New York. A "gentleman" farmer, engineer, and pilot ... I found him to be quite interesting. One thing led to another and by the end of April that same year, we married and I moved to Wheelman's Rest to be with him.

Since that time I have fallen in love with our home, just as I fell in love with the man. The environment is constantly moving through the subtle changes of the seasons in the signs of nature as well as the acitivities of man. The community has a rich farming heritage and we are surrounded by corn fields, wheat fields, apple orchards and vineyards.

Wild flowers are in constant bloom from April through November creating a constantly evolving, breathtaking landscape I find delightful and engaging to behold.

As a writer, photographer, and painter I find that I am constantly inspired and soothed in this beautiful and abundant environment. Surrounded by water and lush wooded areas as well as fields and orchards, I find my soul's yearning for green fields and flower filled meadows is finally fulfilled ... on a daily basis.

Wheelman's Rest has a beautiful history, and as I have time to fill in the story on this website I will. I will also share with you--via my writing, photography, and paintings--the many things I love and find beautiful about our farm and the surrounding environment throughout Orleans County in Wester New York.

Meanwhile, you can learn more about our story and the environment here on my weekly blog.