I.T. Geek to Farm Girl Freak: Leaving High Tech for Greener Pastures

"I.T. Geek to Farm Girl Freak" is a fabulous book, especially in times like these. This book is a follow up book to Sherry Molteni's book, "Her Name was Half-Calf", which I read some time ago. While the news on the internet make us believe that the majority of people is yearning to live the lifestyle of the rich and famous, whose wardrobe and houses we can see now up close Sherry Molteni shows us the charm of living with nature and animals, up close and personal. The interesting thing is Molteni makes a 180 degrees change to get to this junction. She worked in IT in a high midlevel position; thus, for her, rearing baby cows (Jersey cows and Angus cows), chicken, bunnies, hens and adopting Jasmine the dog, who is supposed to watch the animals is anything but the good old of anything. My favorite story in the book, is "the Chicken and the Eggs". It all begins with a phone call from an annoyed postmaster and ends with beautiful hens. I was particularly thrilled to find confirmation that these organic eggs taste differently than what stores sell. I have been saying for a long time that foods used to taste differently when I was a child. Now I found confirmation from an expert who knows. Readers will be delighted to read about cows , Sweet Pea, the duckies, Tom-Tom, Tyler and Tanner, and so many other animals. Molteni has added pictures, which show the adorable bunch. I would be surprised if the book would not make a few readers wonder, if they should not up for a life on a farm. Loved it. Gisela Hausmann, author of the 'naked' – no fluff – books and blogger

The author has done what many of us have dreamed of: ditching the nine to five world for a bit of acreage to use as a hobby farm complete with an assortment of domesticated animals. This book is a collection of her interactions and experiences with these critters. There is an introduction, which takes up about one-third of the book, that explains the author's background and the path she took to become an information technology worker (aka geek) and then outlines the reasons behind her decisions to leave the corporate world and move back to her home state of Florida and to the hobby farm. The animal stories show that animals, much as with people, have distinct personalities beyond the traits of their species. Each vignette is ended with a "Lesson Learned" drawn from the circumstances of the animals arrival, time of residence at the farm, or departure. There are also a few photographs of the various animals that have found at least a temporary home on the farm to go along with their stories. I found that I could relate to much of what the author had to say since I also did the corporate computer science thing before dropping back to a more rural and low-tech lifestyle. I haven't gone the farm and animal route, but I could easily understand the why behind her choices and then go on to enjoy the experiences she had with her not-quite-pets vicariously. Recommended as a pleasant diversion.

This is a short book with each chapter telling about the various farm animals on their hobby farm. The stories were all either entertaining or interesting or both. I believe there is a 2nd book. I personally would have preferred one bigger book .

Hobby farmer is the term I learned from one of S. A. Molteni's other books. That term makes me feel better about what I am about to do. As a vegetarian, moving to an acre and wanting chickens and goats, I feel like I am a betrayer either of 'real' farmers or of fellow vegetarians. I realize I am a newbie or 'greenhorn', but I am not going into this to kill animals, but rather to enjoy my space with them. Ms. Molteni shares how she cares so deeply for her cows, pigs, chickens, and other farm beasts. Her stories are so personal and yet open for others to wander through her worlds. When I say worlds, it is how this book reflects the title I.T. Geek to Farm Girl Freak: Leaving High Tech for Greener Pastures. We meet her in her high-pressure job, ride with her as illness takes her elders, then how she and her husband live the farm life. Maybe that doesn't sound all that great to others but I know I felt a lot better the last time I lived as a hobby farmer. There is a great peace living with and caring for animals and they give so much back. Ms. Molteni illustrates this peace and adventure that happens with the furry and feathered friends. This particular book has some of the stories I have read in her other books but rather than skipping over them I enjoyed the stories again. They are stories that are good for your soul. By the way, this one is only $.99 and I think for a little peaceful time it is well worth it.

I really enjoyed this collection of stories about farm life. Having grown up in the rural lifestyle myself, the book reminded me of some of my fondest memories of childhood. The anecdotes were often funny, and sometimes touching. I think if I had any complaints at all, I might have wished the book could have been a little bit longer. It seemed to be over in the blink of an eye, alas! But the wonderful thing about stories from real life is that there are constantly more of them, and I hope someday the author is able to collect enough to form a second book. It would be well worth the read. Anyone who enjoys the farm life or just likes to imagine it will love this book.

Really funny, lovely photos, sad in places.

OK but feels as though being written for people who have very low IQ!