Welcome to our farm, a place deeply rooted in history and personal growth.  in the beginning, In 1971, my husband and I took a leap of faith, moving from Austin, Texas, to a ranch in West Texas to work alongside the esteemed historian and writer, Fred Gipson, known for his beloved tale "Old Yeller." Little did we know that this experience would profoundly shape our lives.

Nestled on the banks of the Llano River, our cabin became a sanctuary where I learned invaluable lessons from Fred. He taught me the art of fishing, the joy of cooking catfish, and the beauty of nurturing a garden—especially herbs. One memorable lesson involved prick pear, which Fred transformed into a soothing poultice for his eye. He showed me how to scrape and burn the prickly spines and then pulverize the plant into a mucilaginous poultice. He wrapped it in a cloth and put it on his eye which had developed a sty. He kept it on his eye most of the day and when he went to bed that night. The next day his eye was normal.This farm is not just a place; it's a testament to the bonds we forged and the wisdom we gained in the heart of Texas. It was then I found my love for making salves and healing the body. 

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Now, many decades later we decided to leave Texas and plant our roots in the SW Missouri Ozarks, where we have raised our children and grandchildren and we continue to use these salve recipes to heal our cuts scrapes and bruises. 

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