Bramblewood Stables

10/31/2024

🍂 Field Notes from Kim: False Fall 🍂

Since Hurricane Helene, the farm has entered a season of strange calm what Kim is calling False Fall. There’s a hushed, almost unsettling stillness here, as if the land itself is catching its breath. Fallen branches, exposed roots, and pockets of quiet remind us that the landscape—and maybe the people — have shifted in some way.

The horses, as always, remain the same in quiet wisdom.

Kim’s reflections this week capture these moments of resilience and the lessons that only nature can teach. For those wanting to support others in our community still feeling the storm's impact, she’s included resources for direct aid and resources for people who are seeking help.

Read or Listen Here 🍁

https://stableroots.substack.com/p/false-fall

Nature's afternoon is weird after Helene

10/24/2024

🌾 Hey Bramblewood family! Just a reminder that Kim shares a weekly blog, diving into the heart of what we’re all about here at Bramblewood—community, resilience, and our deep connection to the land we love.

This week’s post, Bearing Witness: Bitter Roots Are Medicine in the Post-Helene Landscape, looks at the region’s processing after Hurricane Helene and how our roots, both in the land and in our relationships, help guide us through. It’s an important read for anyone who loves the nearby mountains and the farms that keep it thriving. 🌿

In times like these, we need to stick together. Let’s continue supporting one another as the mountains rebuild, share stories, and keep moving forward. 💚

Read the latest post and be sure to share with your friends. We’re stronger when we stand together.

https://stableroots.substack.com/p/bearing-witness

10/17/2024

🐴 Join the Bramblewood Stables Team! 🐴

We’re hiring a part-time barn staff member to work Sundays, Mondays (8-11 AM & 1-3 PM) and Fridays (8-11 AM). If you love horses and want to be part of an amazing barn family, this is your chance!

What You’ll Do:

Feed & care for our horses 🥕
Turn in / Turn out 🌳
Keep stalls clean & cozy 🧹
Why You’ll Love It Here:

Prior horse handling experience 🐴
Reliable & committed to top-notch horse care 💪
Ready to join a team that’s changing the horse world? 🌍

Message us or text 864-363-3737 to apply!

10/17/2024

Three weeks ago, Hurricane Helene ripped through Appalachia, leaving a path of destruction that is still being felt across our region. Here at Bramblewood Stables, we want to make sure this story stays in front of people, as the headlines begin to fade.

The people of this region are strong, but we can’t do this alone. We need your support to keep the conversation going, to raise awareness, and to ensure that those affected have the help they need. This isn’t just about rebuilding structures—it’s about rebuilding lives.

If you read (or listen) to this latest piece, here’s what you’ll discover:

🌲 Stories from the heart of Appalachia: True accounts of what life looks like for communities still fighting to recover.

👐 Ways to make a real difference: How you can help effectively, with donations and support that truly reach those in need.

⚠️ The complexities of relief: Why some well-intentioned efforts can backfire, and how to ensure your contributions are helpful, not harmful.

🏚️ Small businesses at risk: A look at the challenges faced by local businesses trying to stay afloat during these difficult times.

🗣️ A community of resilience: Inspiring stories from people who refuse to give up, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Please don’t let this story slip out of focus. Share it, talk about it, and keep spreading the word. Your support matters, and the road to recovery will be a long one.

🔗 Read, or listen to, the full story here:

https://stableroots.substack.com/p/field-notes-from-appalachia

Thank you for helping us keep the mountains in the spotlight.

10/14/2024

NEXT STEPS TO RECOVERY: Village businesses met with Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) representatives to establish temporary shops for the fall and holiday season. The economic relief effort will establish a special Western NC Main Street shopping experience at TIEC. The shops are tentatively scheduled to open October 26. A big thank you to TIEC for generously providing their facilities to help businesses recover economically as they rebuild their stores and restaurants in Chimney Rock Village and across western NC. More details to come!

10/06/2024

WHAT TREE? Michelle is going to have this made for Christopher on a t-shirt.

The first day of the storm, the Shulers arrived and helped us cut access paths to the fields and start to erect temporary fencing. They left their Ego 18” chain saw for us to use. At the end of the day Christopher said, “I’m pleased with how far we got with me never having used a chain saw before.”

We had no idea until he said this.

Yesterday Zac Raby arrived from Atlanta because he’s an incredible person and figured we needed some help. He cut a path through a massive fallen oak that led to the sheds with his 48” chain saw. We are immensely grateful for him just showing up and going where he was needed. Thank you! ❤️

After he left, Lowes delivered our 18” Ego chainsaw and I went off to teach while Christopher played with it. And by sunset, most of the tree was gone.

Never underestimate the power of someone’s dedication and a little battery powered chainsaw. I cannot say this enough — Christopher was out hand-leveling the driveway with a rake before the storm had even truly passed. Deep rivets made the gravel impassable. You can’t even tell it was washed out now. We would not be operational right now if not for this man.

That the barn is safe for the horses, that we have turn out for them to use, that we had water via generator for the farm, that anyone can come down the driveway is solely because Christopher put his entire life — when he was needed elsewhere — on hold to be the lifeline of this farm that he only inherited because he loves me. Horses are not his thing. Farming is new to him. He drove a tractor for the first time last week.

He was with me at 10 PM Tuesday night digging out the hay room in the barn that was steaming with heat and at risk of combusting from all the water that it had taken in. And then he put off a cold shower to go out and find us all food.

Christopher, I love you and I could not have made it through last week without you. This entire farm and its community are filling you up with our love and appreciation. ❤️

10/05/2024

I've received word from someone who works to aid food scarcity in upstate SC area saying the shelves of staple goods in many non-profits serving the community are bare. Many organizations that fed communities pre-storm lost refrigeration and those supplies are slowly becoming restocked, but there is a gap.

I see many posts stating that Greenville is fine and all resources need to go to WNC. And it's true that WNC needs everyone's focus and love right now. But, Greenville was slammed, many are still without power, and people are hungry. Many people have been out of work this week, which compounds the problem. Grocery stores are still meagerly stocked and people who could not afford food before the storm are doubly having trouble finding it now.

From my friend who serves the upstate: “Give local. Don’t hesitate to just call an organization and ask what they need. Food, funds, volunteer hours. We are all very busy right now and yes, we still want those calls. We depend on them. If the person on the phone isn’t 100% polished or perfectly gracious, remember that they are working in crisis conditions, or they may be unused to taking calls from the public. It doesn’t mean that your call isn’t appreciated and necessary.”

I’m adding these organizations to the resource list I published the other day, but something is going on with that link and people are clicking and unable to access the list, so here are groups that could use your help in Greenville and surrounding areas TODAY:

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LOAVES & FISHES: needs donations and non-perishable food donations. Bread is particularly scarce this week. 864-232-3595
https://werescuefood.org

LIVEWELL GREENVILLE: make huge shifts with a small staff. Call them and ask what they need.
https://livewellgreenville.org/greenville-county-food-resources/

PROJECT HOST: call them and ask what they need. They’ve been working overtime and then some getting food into neighborhoods.
https://www.projecthost.org

GREENVILLE MEALS ON WHEELS: hasn’t stopped since the storm hit.
https://mealsonwheelsgreenville.org

FEED & SEED in Judson Mill: have been doing heroic work getting food to where it is needed.
https://feedandseedsc.com

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10/02/2024

Use your words to help the world understand the true destruction on the ground here