The Journey



A lovely gravel road in the Flint Hills near the Gardens.

I believe this journey started before I learned how to walk.  My mother knew she needed something to keep her firstborn occupied while she tended the vegetable garden.  Her solution?  Plant two rows of sweet peas and set the little one between the two rows to happily pick and gum the tender green goodies.  I don't remember the experience, yet I don't remember a time when I didn't feel happy and at peace around plants.

During my childhood years I learned how to grow and pick other vegetables in the garden, fruit from the trees and prepare the harvest for storage through the winter.  I became the master mulberry picker for my grandmother's mulberry pies, conducting numerous quality checks as I picked to ensure the best possible mulberries for the delectable desserts.  I still remember the joy of climbing the large trees along the shelterbelt, sitting on the branches and turning purple while I picked the fruit.

As a young adult I had dreams of changing the world and left my outdoor life and plants behind.  I did, however, take one small plant with me to keep me company and brighten my otherwise drab dorm rooms and apartments.  After a few years I found myself missing the simple pleasures of growing my own food and playing in the dirt.  Fortunately, I fell in love with a man who preferred the great outdoors and as soon as we could afford it, we moved to the country.  Shortly thereafter, a vegetable garden sprang to life and I was at one with the earth again.

Me and my husband as hosts of his high school class reunion last year.

I felt blessed to be living in the country and my blessings continued when I landed a job at The Coleman Company, Inc.  For someone who loves the great outdoors, an outdoor recreational company is the perfect place to work.  The blessings continued through the years as I rose up the ranks and thrived through three company mergers.  My career kept me busy, yet I managed to find time for a small garden and a few fruit trees.  There were many days when I picked veggies by Coleman lantern light.

Picking tomatoes by lantern light.

My career with Coleman's parent company, Jarden Corporation, came to an end earlier this year.  After two years of assisting in the merger between Jarden and Newell Brands, it was time to bring this chapter of my life to a close.  I was sad to leave so many wonderful and talented people behind, yet excited to begin a new chapter in my journey.

This new adventure began on February 1st.  I'm taking a mini-retirement to set up Kimberly's Bluestem Gardens, a small eclectic farm providing fresh fruits and vegetables; dried herbs; succulents; and various handcrafted items relating to food and drink.  I'm looking forward to carrying on the family tradition of providing food to others and hope to make my forefathers proud.

Thank you for taking the time to read my humble story.

Kimberly

The field at Kimberly's Bluestem Gardens.