Sunday Walkabout 6-8

 “AND what is so rare as a day in June?

Then, if ever, come perfect days…”

                                              -James Russell Lowell

June brings with it some of the most brilliant and beautiful skies of the year. 

When I was a child, it was a near certainty of life that at least once during the month, my grandmother would begin to quote one of her favorite poems. And now, many years after her passing, I find myself remembering snippets of verse every June.  Here’s the entire poem.

This week we had some beautiful, summery weather.  It was bright and hot and slightly breezy.

haymaking at neighbor's

  The kind of weather that is perfect for haymaking. Saturday was a gorgeous day for the neighbor daughter’s outdoor wedding. I’m trying to put a positive spin on it and not give into any sort of “rain-covetousness” that often happens this time of year as we watch the storms fire up all around us, dropping precious moisture everywhere but here on the hill. We did get a little rain and it was greatly appreciated.  There is nothing like rain to make the whole place feel brand-new. (on the other hand, we pray for those we know who felt the devastating effects of too much rain and wind and hail!)

the okra is loving the hot, dry weather
look at 'em pop!

planting the winter squash

The winter squash was planted and mulched in.  They seem to have adjusted well despite the white, hot sunshine. There should be an abundance of butternut squash come September!

checking the irrigation on the winter squash
(Waylon is "supervising")

Tuesday, we hauled lambs to Edinburg to be processed.  We had about 800 pounds of lamb in the back of the truck that will be processed into chops and roasts and sausage (and other goodies).  We’ll go back in about 2 weeks to pick up the load of deliciousness.  But, speaking of rain…it poured on the way to the processors.  We had never delivered lambs in the rain before.  And, quite honestly, I don’t want to do that again.  They were wet and smelly…and totally uncooperative. …and I hit my head trying to get them to go the right direction.  But, that job is done.  Until next time.  We haul lambs four times throughout the season, hopefully the next batch will behave a little better. I suppose it says something about us that I spent the majority of the trip checking the radar to see if we were getting the deluge at home. (we weren’t)

The rest of the week went as weeks generally do around here in the summer.  Too quickly.  

when lambs hang back from the feeders...
they're probably sick

A fair amount of time was spent doctoring a couple of sick lambs. Both seem to have recovered, and I will spare you the details…but, I’m not real fond of farming when it involves maggots. Just sayin’… 

 

never a good sign

Then, when the Boss went to bushhog the front fields, the PTO shaft broke.  That required a trip to town.  The trip to town proved to be a learning experience as we found that tractor parts are NOT necessarily universal in fit.  A little online shopping got the right part on the way and the Boss will be back bushhogging by mid-week. Of course, my town trip now involves a visit to the farm store to return the unneeded part. (not the first time that’s happened--and I'm fairly certain it won't be the last)

welcome to my Friday office

As always, Friday was spent picking and packing.  

aren't these chard stems beautiful?

Here are a few of the items we took this week...

baby walla walla onions

cabbage

cauliflower

bright lights chard

chinese cabbage

garlic scapes
(don't know what a scape is?
read this!)

We had lots of vegetables for Saturday’s Market.  However, we were still sold-out of most stuff by 10AM. 

the Market stand is getting pretty crowded
(and there's more in the trailer)

Yes, this week we will be planting more, more, more lettuce, spinach and other greens. …it won’t be long for squash and green beans, either.

lots of transplants in the greenhouse

bean blossoms

The upcoming week promises more of the same, although we are hoping for at least a little rain, as there is a chance every single day.  That fact means that our hay guy won’t be making hay this week! He won’t take a chance with the hay getting wet. His delay is a good thing, we need to clean up/re-organize the barn before stacking any hay.

So…there you have it.  Just another week on the hill.

my favorite view of Mbrook

Thanks for stoppin' by!  Sure hope you enjoyed your visit...and...

  have a Happy Sunday!

Come back and visit again real soon!