Of Dirt and Wildflowers: A Memoir on Growing the Courage to Bloom by Kylee J. Marshall shares how her hardworking nature was forged while growing up on her family’s ranch. During her time at home, her future husband compared her to an ant, because she took on more work than she could carry and pushed through it without asking for help. Her pleasant memories of childhood included her mother taking her outside on some nights to gaze at the stars, explaining the constellations to her, and reading horoscopes from the newspaper each morning even though Kylee didn’t understand much about them. Everything Kylee learned during her years at home, in college, and moving, before settling down in her own home taught her important lessons about those she loved and about herself.

Of Dirt and Wildflowers by Kylee J. Marshall, is a beautiful memoir full of life’s ups and downs that anyone reading it can relate to on many levels. I enjoyed the memories the author shared and how she would ponder them while encountering new joys and setbacks in the present. The concept of understanding where you are going based on your personal experiences from the past is an important lesson for anyone. Marshall’s insights into her overworked stubbornness and how she grew to understand that she needed to settle down are inspiring. This memoir is a reminder that not everything comes easily. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about the trials of life that shape people into who they become. The author encourages the reader to reflect on their upbringing and gain an appreciation of the journey to becoming an understanding, well-adjusted adult.

Of Dirt and Wildflowers; A Memoir: On Growing the Courage to Bloom by Kylee J. Marshall is a non-fiction guide that is part inspirational and part self-help, all wrapped up in a series of vignettes in which Marshall shows us her own personal “I am...” The construction of this book is unique in that it is a tightly threaded tapestry of all the experiences, and the experiences of others with impact, that culminate in who Marshall is today. Each section begins with a short but powerful introductory poem, followed by a tale that begins with “I am.” These include pieces like I Am A Jeep Wagoneer, in which she describes her Korean War veteran grandfather and how she became his 'left-hand girl', each filling a void that the other loved; and I Am The Corner Window, wherein Marshall claims a space and learns the true power of settling down.

Nobody will ever be able to accuse author Kylee J. Marshall of not having the courage to bloom after reading Of Dirt and Wildflowers: A Memoir, and even though I have finished the book I find myself going back and rereading some of the parts that touched me deeply. I love the honesty that Marshall displays, addressing fears and finding what they are rooted in. None of the stories is very long and the result is a book in which a reader is given bite-sized morsels of wholesome wisdom that pack a heavy punch. The standout to me is I Am A Clearing In The Woods, the chapter is titled Dandelion Fields, and Marshall speaks straight to my heart about how disconnecting completely, and setting those boundaries, are the most important ways to reconnect with ourselves. Overall, this is a beautifully written inspirational memoir and I would give it a whole bucket full of stars if I could.

Kylee grew up on a ranch and helped her parents to maintain it from her early years, so she knew the hardships firsthand. She had met death, delivering dead sheep to be taken away by the "Death Wagon." She was proud to be a hard worker that everyone could trust. As an adult, the time came when Kylee realized that her perfectionism had ruined her life and taken away the simple joys of childhood from her children. She worked as a school teacher for seventh graders and dreamed about becoming a writer. This is a collection of stories about Kylee's inner growth, her journey toward self-fulfillment, finding the love of her life, the importance of her humble background, and her cherished family heritage. Of Dirt and Wildflowers: A Memoir on Growing the Courage to Bloom by Kylee J. Marshall is a philosophical and thought-provoking book for fans of memoirs and motivational literature.

Of Dirt and Wildflowers is a book that leaves a profound impression. It's a memoir that inspires us to look deeper within ourselves and grasp the true value of things. Kylee J. Marshall speaks about ordinary things like old typewriters or wildflower seeds. She openly and genuinely shares extremely personal convictions hidden deep inside her heart, like God or what baptism means for her. She relates a shocking story about an injury sustained during a skiing accident when she refused to ask for help despite unbearable pain. Kylee warns that extreme self-reliance can ruin us physically. Her journey toward the acceptance of her limitations and a new willingness to rely on others is remarkable and eye-opening. I liked Kylee's lyrical writing style and her wonderful poems at the beginning of every chapter. Her autobiography reminds us that we need a good amount of dirt to be rooted and fruitful on our path in life.

Of Dirt and Wildflowers is Kylee J. Marshall's story about her transformation and growth in different life stages. We see how her environment, family, and childhood shaped her to become independent and goal-driven as an adult. Interestingly, Kylee's decision to return to skiing after more than 20 years of being away from it left her with a blessing in disguise, an injury. But, then, she would never have thought the damage would lead her to new, joyous beginnings. Though her physical movements during her recovery were painful, she was learning to accept help from others and slow down to enjoy the beauty of the world around her. By relating how she started listening to, seeing, and feeling the earth's gifts and her responses to them, Kylee helps us find our connection to both our external and internal worlds.

Kylee J. Marshall's artistic use of language and illustrative words help open closed doors in the mind to new ways of seeing life and appreciating it in all its splendor. As the title suggests, the book contains several metaphors and words involving the earth, living things, and the earth's seasons. Since I'm a nature lover, I was thrilled by this, and I smiled every time I came across such picturesque descriptions as "the tiniest yellow blooms of a budding rabbitbrush." Furthermore, Kylee's words inspire deep thoughts about mindfulness, growth, changes, nature, expectations, workaholism, healing, breaking free, and various other disparate topics. In summary, Of Dirt and Wildflowers reads like a poetic memoir, leaving you with several vivid images and wise lessons to help you align with your own life's purpose. I loved it, and I thoroughly recommend it!