BORN NOVEMBER 14,1980 LEFT US JANUARY 05, 2004 An old soul who was kind, generous, loving, adventurous, smart, handsome, friendly.  The best son, brother, friend.  We miss you every day.  Forever in our hearts. If you feel alone and you’re struggling, it’s okay to share your feelings. Call, text, or chat “988”. Help is available 24/7.... The post In Memory – Nathan Scott Harrell appeared first on Iron Gate Farm ..read more

An Inspiring Song A few weeks ago, I was watching the CMA’s (Country Music Association) and my all-time favorite performer was on the show.  His name is Alan Jackson.  In recent years he has been going through a health battle and hasn’t been performing that much, but he came out to honor his friend, Jimmy... The post The Older I Get… appeared first on Iron Gate Farm ..read more

Why Decorate with Cardinals at Christmas? The older I get the more I think about my loved ones who have crossed over and how much I miss them, especially at Christmas.  I’ve always been told, when you see a cardinal, it means a loved one is near.  This year I decided to include cardinals in... The post A Cardinal Christmas appeared first on Iron Gate Farm ..read more

My Dream for the Tobacco Stick Cottage What’s In a Name? Why is it called the “Tobacco Stick Cottage”?  This building in its former life was a curing barn for tobacco.  Almost 20 years ago we needed a place to house workers from Honduras who were working for Gene in his fencing business and helping... The post The Tobacco Stick Cottage appeared first on Iron Gate Farm ..read more

Since I retired in May, I now have time to get out and go places.  Usually, it’s me and my sister Meleady.  We have various reasons for why we go to these places, but mostly we get inspired creatively.  Also, we like to eat, too. Caswell Mercantile – Yanceyville, NC Meleady and I grew up... The post Day Tripping appeared first on Iron Gate Farm ..read more

Next to digging in the dirt to keep me sane I also need a project or two to work on.  Through the years I have renovated my share of bedroom pieces, tables, chairs, sofas, kitchen cabinets.  Something happens to me when I see a piece of furniture that needs a little help.  My heart races,... The post From Trash to Treasure appeared first on Iron Gate Farm ..read more

Everybody needs that one thing that keeps you sane.  I love to dig in the dirt!  Nothing gives me as much peace as planting flowers and bushes.  All the cares and concerns of this world melt away as I dig.    When I can look around my yard or around the winery building and see the... The post Where the Flowers Grow appeared first on Iron Gate Farm ..read more

A couple of months ago I saw something that looked like a red fox at first running across the driveway to the back of the shop.  Every time it saw me it ran for its life.  I could tell it was coming to eat the same food I put out for the barn cats.  As... The post Where’s Red? appeared first on Iron Gate Farm ..read more

In the early spring of 2001 Gene and I were preparing the soil and pounding the posts for our first acres of grapevines.  We had contracted with a “grape growing specialist” to advise us on where to plant.  Gene was on the tractor ripping open the rows of soil so water and nutrients could reach... The post People I’ve Met – Rett Davis appeared first on Iron Gate Farm ..read more

My Rock House Journal April 15, 1998 First day at the Rock House!  Gene and his crew of men arrived at the house around 3:00 pm.  They began cleaning off the fence line, cutting down weeds and bushes, picking up trash-paper, broken bottles, beer cans.  I got to the house around 4:30 pm.  I picked... The post My Rock House Journal appeared first on Iron Gate Farm ..read more