On Earth (to)Day

Earth Day had its beginning on April 22, 1970.  I didn’t know about it then, nor do I think I have ever knowingly observed it despite the fact that this seems odd for someone so closely connected to the land. Earth Day has always been just another day.  However, April 22 is etched in my mind, my heart…my very being.

On the fortieth anniversary of the first Earth Day (I remember hearing the mention on the news), our eldest daughter, her husband of just 7 months and their dogs were nearly snatched from us forever by another person’s reckless behavior.  As they returned from a pleasant evening of errands, a juvenile driver, reportedly under the influence and definitely over the speed limit, passed another car on a blind hill, in the dark on a country road and hit them HEAD-ON with an impact estimated in excess of 100 mph.  It took the rescue squad an hour to extricate her from the wreckage and they gave hear about a 5% chance of survival as the helicopter lifted off to transport her to UVA. I will skip the details…but, to say that the situation was grim would have been an understatement.

We thank God that Stuarts Draft Rescue and Aircare 5 were successful in their heroic efforts to save our daughter’s life.  SiL#1 was also injured, but far less severely. He was a rock throughout the entire ordeal. He will probably never appreciate how much he touched this mama’s heart… (and for those who may wonder…yes, the dogs survived as well.)

In survival mode, there was no time to ask the pressing questions.  That was a good thing. We all just “hung on”…did what we could, and held onto each other a little tighter.  If anything, the horrific episode just served to make us all a little more caring and concerned for our fellow humans.

From the moment that the incident occurred, we began to see the work of the “ordinary angels” among us.  First responders, far-flung family members and total strangers impacted all of us in some amazing ways.  At the time, I attempted to chronicle the details to note all those involved…to say thank you to each one…but, I failed miserably...

Many of the “systems” failed our kids and us that night and in the following days…and there was never any possibility for real restitution and NO hope for justice.  But, because of all those “ordinary angels”, a lot of that didn’t matter.  The love and concern that was shown our family will never be forgotten.  Phonecalls, visits, letters, contributions…some from complete and utter strangers…

34 days at UVA (17 of those in ICU) were followed by months of healing and waiting to begin the physical therapy stage. Physical therapy was difficult and was followed by a lot of hard work to get back to “normal”. But, those “ordinary angels” were the folks who got us through the whole, long ordeal. There are some amazing people in this world, and this experience granted us all a new appreciation of those among us who are willing to put others first, to grant encouragement and love to others with little concern for the cost to themselves.

I have always loved this song by Craig Morgan.  The events of the past two years have given it new meaning.  To each of those who reached inside themselves and found that “superman ready to take flight…and save a life”, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I can only hope that when faced with the opportunity to touch another’s life in meaningful way, I will be able to respond in kind.

Two years later, the date gives me pause.  We do not let the day pass without making a point to thank all those who worked so hard to give us the best possible outcome. The passage of time has caused the scars and memories to fade…but, unfortunately, there are still hard parts to work through.  The question as to WHY may remain forever unanswered. There are some things we might never fully understand and the Spring of the year is a bittersweet reminder of the past.   Hopefully, one day it will just be a day for rejoicing.

In the meantime…

We’re so glad these two are still on Earth TODAY!

LOVE YOU!

Zoned - Exclusive Ag

-wall art from the heart.com

On this Monday of Ag week, we’re marking a bit of an anniversary here on the hill.

19 years ago today (March 14, 1997), our offer to purchase this little bit of Augusta County was finally accepted. 

In reality it was in fact our counter-offer that was accepted.

This was a big deal.

A VERY BIG deal.

We had spent the six previous weeks (yes, six weeks, it only seemed like eternity) “walking in the wilderness” after experiencing the single-most shocking, horrifying and heartbreaking experience of our lives. (for the abridged version…click THIS)   We had looked high and low to find a place to begin our lives anew.

This acreage was the very last entry on the list the realtor gave us.

Somehow, we figured we could make this into a new home.

We made a fair offer...

And, the seller turned us down. Flat.

To say we were devastated would be an understatement.

We ran the figures again and made a counter-offer. It wasn’t much more, but amazingly it was enough to satisfy the seller. The acceptance of that offer was our life-line. It didn’t matter that there was no house, no barn…nothing.  It just mattered that it was ours. (although, we didn’t actually take possession for another 10 days)

We didn’t have any real ideas on what to do next and we certainly didn’t have a BUSINESS plan. (and, we still don’t…have a business plan)

But, wait a minute! You said that it’s Ag week…and what on earth does this story have to do with Ag? (I’m getting there…really)

Augusta County boasts more farm acreage than any other county in the state of Virginia. We were already living in the northern end of the county and something about the wild, rural scenery spoke to our souls. So, when we were looking for a spot to rebuild our lives, we knew that Augusta County and Agriculture would play a part somehow. But, our meager purchase didn’t look like a FARM in anyone’s mind. (and, quite honestly, it still doesn’t)

Homestead Hill in March '97
"potential"

However, this property was zoned EXCLUSIVE Ag. 

To our minds, that was exactly what we needed. No restrictions on the type (or number) of livestock…no homeowners’ association to dictate what the place looked like. BUT…(you knew that was coming, didn't you?) ...Exclusive Ag also means that the income generated from the property must be somehow farm-related. (there are exceptions/options, but we didn't have the $ to pursue them)  That meant that the business we were hoping to make our living from, the one that the Boss honestly seemed the best suited for…wasn’t gonna happen…at all.

We were going to have to “drop back and punt” again.

Life had thrown us more than a few curve-balls…and honestly, the story of our lives together should be titled …SUBJECT TO CHANGE…(but, that’s for another day)

So…re-think this thing.

And that means…Agriculture.

What on earth can you do with Agriculture when you have just purchased twelve acres of rocky hill? Just 12 acres. And, it’s mostly hill. A hill made of rock.

The plan didn’t make itself clear to us all at once. We actually have to thank friends, neighbors and probably a few complete strangers for the odd and random insight that helped us to re-invent ourselves and develop what is now a working farm…Homestead Hill Farm.

If it wasn’t for that EXCLUSIVE Ag zoning, we would have never begun to “think outside the box”, to consider new and creative ways to generate income, to use the opportunity to teach our children about life, to grow as human beings and understand animal husbandry…and appreciate and love this land that we have been granted to care for.

We probably wouldn’t have become farmers’ market vendors, which now defines us in many ways. 

We wouldn’t have discovered the strength and fortitude that forging a life on a tiny piece of property requires.

So, personally, Agriculture actually means far more than just…

“the science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products.”

Agriculture defines me. Ag gives me hope, direction and purpose. (and pays the bills)

dawn at the barn

 It’s Agriculture Week…does Ag mean anything to YOU?

A Day In June

 

“what is so rare as a day in June…”

There is nothing quite like a beautiful June day…the brilliant blue of the sky, dotted with puffy white clouds that float by as the scent of freshly cut hay or the perfume of honeysuckle wafts through on the gentle breeze. Birds singing, flowers blooming…ah, yes!

This is summertime in all its golden promise, before the heat and humidity send us scrambling for a cooler spot and the bugs and garden pests cause us any sort of aggravation and discouragement.  

This year first of June seems significant in another way…

We spent June 1, 2021 at the hospital waiting and waiting and waiting for the first surgery. (after his initial emergency room visit on mothers’ day and subsequent unsuccessful treatments) He wouldn’t be discharged until 12:30AM. (which made for a truly “interesting” trip home) This began the seemingly endless saga that included countless scans, visits to the Emergency room, surgeries and doctor visits. If he wasn’t IN a procedure, he was recovering, or awaiting the next one. It was an arduous ordeal, to say the least, with little opportunity to do anything else.

Eventually, he was referred to another surgeon at another medical center. This meant more tests and another surgery…that’s where we left off last month. He had the planned surgery, but they needed to wait a couple of weeks to decide what was next.

And, then on June 1, 2022, he went for yet another scan.

This time they were looking to see what the kidney function was after all the procedures and without the stent in place anymore. It was almost certain that they would not do the involved surgery that had been discussed (and the reason for going to the university specialist) but, there had been talk of removing the kidney, if it had failed completely.

Long story, short…the kidney is still functioning…although barely. But, there is no reason for any further surgeries. No kidney removal, no major surgery…he made it through.

When you get to the “we’ll just check on this in six months” stage of an acute health issue…it is cause for rejoicing, believe me.

So…June 1^st this year is cause for some sort of celebration. Or at the very least a big sigh of relief. We did it! We reached the end of yet another saga. Now, maybe...just maybe we can think about other things for a while...

morning light on fuschia blossom

While we are in the odd place of adjustment to a life without the Market…still. We haven’t come up with any great and interesting new plan. (maybe we won’t) Between the pandemic and a year-long illness, things still feel unsettled and strange. The world in general seems a hostile and hateful place. However, there are still amazing things in the natural world that surrounds us.

It is said that being in nature grounds you…puts you in touch with yourself and the earth and just makes you feel better.

I am grateful that I live in a place where this is possible…that I have a life where this is part and parcel of every single day. A place where I can make a conscious decision NOT to focus on the awful, horrible, very bad stuff that is happening in our world today. A place of peace and beauty…and quiet tranquility.

Where I can acknowledge this “one perfect moment”. Enjoy it. Savor it.

So…I want to share that with y’all today.

baby grapes

the "woods" beside the farm

backlit fern

begonia on the front porch

angus cow taking a Sunday swim

bumblebee in the comfrey

 

(excuse the quality-it was 6am)
button buck in the barnlot
yes, he IS sticking out his tongue
and he very possibly went INSIDE the barn

calf reflected in a pond

catch-fly plant under the birdfeeder

country kitty

our "cute" little garden
this is the smallest the garden has ever been!

making hay across the valley
been watching this process, in this field for probably 20 years now

 

downie woodpecker in a fencepost

late frost on a dandelion

fuschia on the front porch

hanging basket flowers

indigo bunting 

inside a chard plant

 

locust blossoms

   

   

 

looks like I wasn't the only one checking on the fruit at the lane...

mulberries in the sunlight

oops, they saw me!
then they disappeared

multiflora rose on the fencepost
I don't care if this is a "weed" 
it's so pretty and smells SO good

sunlit rose in front yard

Come what may…the beauty of nature is always here…all around us…just waiting for us to notice. (or sometimes, not notice...like the deer, the bunny and the birds)

the first asparagus

little bunny washing his face

catbird watching me

columbines

fuschias after the rain

tiny mushrooms in the spinach

Karma
being Karma

baby ladybug

melon blossom

miniature petunias

morning sky

petunia on a post

Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful day!

Canadian goose family out for a Sunday morning stroll

 

 

 

Sunday Walkabout 11-4

Saturday afternoons you can find me at my desk, editing photos from the week, attempting to craft our sometimes meager activities into an interesting post. Occasionally, this also involves trying NOT to fall asleep after a busy morning at the Market. This week, I realized that this routine activity is actually more for my mental well-being than your reading interest. (sorry ‘bout that)

Going over those photos, considering our actions of the week help me to "center" to focus on what really matters and  gather strength to face whatever stress or worries the upcoming week may involve. (lately that’s been a big undertaking) And, quite honestly, viewing the successes or the projects completed keep me feeling positive about what can often be a “hard way to make an easy living". (apologies to Toby Keith)

This week included what seemed like an inordinate number or roadtrips, a birthday celebration, and a another torrential downpour. So, I don’t have much to show for the week and at least one project requires a do-over. But, that’s just the way things go.

burning bush on a cloudy day

Kman's Jack-o-lantern

shopping with MrB

mom and dad got the boys a gator!

brother love

ANOTHER rainy day!

the mountains are SO beautiful in fall

gum leaves

cool cloud at sunrise

"PaPa's" birthday cake
his only wish?
PEAS on earth and goodwill to men...HAHA

We took the last lambs on their one and only roadtrip. In other words, we took them to the processor. It’s always good to get that project completed. Hauling lambs (or anything, really) up the interstate is one of those necessary things that I truly dread. It seems that every single day there is at least one serious incident on I-81 somewhere in the Valley. Last week, there were multiple incidents in one day, and at one point traffic was backed up for over 10 miles. Fortunately, this did not happen while we were driving with the lambs.

You would not be alone in wondering WHY we travel so far to get the lambs processed. In order to sell lambchops (or other meats…except chicken) retail, the processor must be under USDA inspection. (this means you can’t do it yourself in your backyard) These facilities are few and far between. I can think of just 3 in the entire Valley. While we have checked out the others, the folks we deal with in Edinburg are simply the best. They have won awards for their humane treatment and they make our product look great. And, they are really, really nice folks.

and it makes for a nice drive through our beautiful Valley!

We will head back on Friday to pick up the packaged meat in order to offer it for sale for the final two Markets of the season. I don’t think there will be much to offer our Winter Customers this year. (which reminds me…I need to get cracking on my “off-season” email list)

Demand for lamb has skyrocketed this year. Such a phenomenon makes it truly tempting to buy more sheep and expand the operation. More sheep would mean more lambs which would mean more income…(and, that would be good, believe me!)

Except.

Nothing operates in a vacuum. More sheep would mean more hay and feed. (and, seriously, that stuff is not cheap!) And, keep in mind we live on a tiny parcel of land. The chances of obtaining more is slim to none. We couldn’t afford the lot next door fifteen years ago and it has quadrupled in price since then! Then, there is lambing season. As much as I love lambing season (I have often said it’s like Christmas on steroids), it is physically taxing, and I don’t know how long my hands will be able to handle the strain. Without being able to handle lambing season by ourselves, we would have to add vet costs into an already slim profit margin. Then, there’s the hauling and the processing fees. It seems best to be satisfied with the status quo. And, maybe start thinking about some other venture…(if I only knew what that was!)

Since it seemed I spent a lot of time elsewhere this week, I didn’t get much (read, anything) accomplished. As a matter of fact, my accomplishments went backwards… Somehow, I overlooked watering the greenhouse and all the lovely little lettuce plants got cooked in the bright autumn sun. So, today I will have to start all over again. While that is annoying, at least the mouse that has been eating in the greenhouse has been caught. And, these greens were for personal use, so no one at the Market will be disappointed at my failure. Somehow without the pressure to produce, I can find renewed pleasure in growing things. And, I do love the greenhouse.

demolition continues

So, it’s kind of sad to watch the Boss disassemble the house-greenhouse (not to be confused with the shop-greenhouse). While we both agreed that this should come down, I really didn’t realize how sad it would be to see the remains in a heap in the backyard. That little greenhouse has served us well for a LONG time, and I find I am feeling somewhat nostalgic about it. But, time moves on and I will NOT miss the wailing noises that it made in the wind. Or cats using it for a shortcut to the roof.  In time the backyard will find a new purpose and we will figure out what direction we should be taking as we change things up a bit. And, one day I will get used to the unobstructed view of the sunrise from the backporch!

building greenhouse 1999

B starting seeds 2000

sunrise through greenhouse

Karma, on the other hand, has taken great pleasure in the demolition of the greenhouse. It’s a fantastic place to dig…a treasure trove of junk to chew on…and a new vantage point from which to survey her domain. In other words…she’s driving me crazy! Not only does she drag logs from the woodpile to chew on, now she’s taking bits and pieces from the greenhouse. One day she had a 10-foot piece of wiring, the hose holder (and the board it had been attached to) two other boards and a mousetrap out in the driveway. As I picked those up, I found a five-gallon bucket of hardware (and an errant caterpillar) out there as well. Yes, she had taken the entire bucket! The problem with big dogs…big messes.

Karma-queen of the junkpile

While Karma’s puppy antics do try our patience, she is developing into a good dog. She is far more protective than Gus, she loves the sheep and she is turning into a fearsome huntress.

At some point on Friday night, they found a ‘possum. I can only surmise that the critter population must be overwhelming, because this is an ongoing nocturnal activity. Fortunately, this battle didn’t include the usual racket and I slept right through it. Since she was carrying a limp ‘possum around while we loaded the Market trailer, I figured everything was said and done and I would deal with the dead ‘possum later.

But.

When I headed out toward the barn to do chores, the ‘possum was sitting on top of the demolished greenhouse, growling at me, its beady little eyes full of what I could only assume was anger and outrage.

Oh, great! I don’t know about you, but doing battle with an opossum at 5am is not how I like to start the day. However, I guess if you start the day bludgeoning a ‘possum, things just HAVE to get better. 

Right?

Now, the ‘possum really needed to be “dispatched”, I am not just a blood-thirsty killer of marsupials. It was injured and angry and I was worried the dogs would get hurt. A shovel works well for this job (in case you ever find yourself in the position of needing to “dispatch” an opossum).  But, Karma was having no part of it. I got in one blow and she growled and snatched it away. That was HER ‘possum and she wasn’t letting Mama (or Gus) anywhere near it.

Fine. That was one responsibility I didn’t want anyhow!

it was "good and dead" by the time we got home from Market

So, I finished up chores and left for Market.

leaving for Market 11-3

Market at opening time

the cold wind was blowing
it was dark

The Market in November is not for the weak of heart. It is dark and cold and the customers don’t come out until late. And, once again, I had customers who had no idea that the Market was opened this time of year. (sigh) However, despite the cold and dark AND the fact that we only have potatoes, meat and eggs (no greens, no other root crops...nothin')…it was a fairly good sales day. Honestly, we are exceedingly thankful for any sales at all this year. It’s been a hard one and I know I am not alone in my eager count-down to the “off-season”.

but, the leaves at the Market were gorgeous!

The incredible change in weather, the repeated exposure to cold bugs (love them babies, but dang, do they attract germs!) and a morning in the cold wind, left both the Boss and me fighting some sort of cold-thing. So, today will probably be a slow one. That’s okay. That’s what Sundays are for…rest and renewal.

I hope you’re having a Happy Sunday! 

I would be remiss if I closed this post without reminding you to VOTE. And, quite honestly, I would like to assure myself that everyone will vote BLUE. But, I realize that is neither my place to request, or expect.  So, I will leave you with this link to one of my favorite authors. I hope you’ll read it.

  https://johnpavlovitz.com/2018/11/02/the-most-important-tuesday-of-your-life/

Thanks for stopping by. Come back and “visit” again, soon!

 

dogwood leaves over Lewis Creek

Here's the link to the Boss' Market Facebook photos. 

https://www.facebook.com/stauntonfarmersmkt/photos/pcb.10156361056921141/10156361052296141/?type=3&theater