“The Spring Sprint”
I must have used the term three times in the past week before
someone finally asked what I was talking about. So, I guess an explanation is
in order. (and, now I wonder what else may need explaining…)
The Spring Sprint isn’t an actual thing. As a matter of
fact, I invented the term. We used to refer to it as “sprint season”, you can
read this old post.
It starts when the earth finally wakes from its long winter
nap and it’s time to do all the things. The grass that was so brown and lifeless
now looks like waves on a huge green ocean when the wind blows just right. You
can almost watch the “corn pop up in rows” (thank you, Tim McGraw) Flowers bloom, birds sing. New life surrounds us. The urge to get out
there and do something/anything is overwhelming.
To those involved in Agriculture, this awakening is just the
beginning of what can be a long, hard struggle to “make hay while the sun
shines” (literally) as we attempt to get crops of all kinds to maturity. It is
quite possible to feel like there are not enough hours in the day, and you will
never be able to run fast enough or hard enough to get everything finished. The
stress to be successful can overrun the appreciation and celebration that the
new season should bring.
 |
| stress-relieving view of home |
In all reality, Spring Sprint is probably a misnomer…it is
truly more a type of marathon. A test of endurance. But, there is something
to be said for alliteration…
Spring Sprint is always complicated by the weather. And,
this year has been no exception. First it was too cold. Then it was too wet.
Then it was too hot. Then with the wet again… much of the fieldwork and
planting is running behind last year, adding a new level of pressure to an
already stressful time of year. All too often, you get one shot at a crop, and
if things don’t go just right, it fails and you can’t try again until next
year. I reckon that’s why they say farmers have more faith than anyone.
It’s all too easy to start running off in every direction
trying to get everything done at once, particularly on a nice day. On the other
hand, if you’re in this for the long haul, it’s better to just keep plugging
away at your planned course. We need to keep in mind that in order to be
sustainable, we also have to be able,
remembering to care for our resources, and that means taking care of ourselves as well as our tools.
Once, in my haste…under the influence of the stresses of
Spring Sprint, I tripped over the greenhouse hose. Now, before you dismiss this
as just another of my klutzy moves (like I did) let me explain further.
As I pulled the hose out of the greenhouse in order to hang
it up, it caught on something. So, I yanked a little harder. It gave way and
tangled around me. In my attempt to step out of the hose, my bootlace caught on
the big watering can. In trying to free myself, my foot landed IN the can. As I
worked to extricate my foot, I lost my balance and went tumbling face first
into the backyard. Extending my hand to catch myself, the hose sprayer hit my
arm, squirting water in my face. As I face-planted, my foot finally came free
and smashed the watering can into the back of my calf. I must have jerked my
head back to keep from losing my glasses in the free-fall, because mercifully
they stayed on. But, my neck paid the price. (Later, the doc said he thought it
was a major case of whiplash) As I lay in the grass, I didn’t know if I should
laugh (that must have looked like some crazy cartoon) or cry (everything, and I
do mean everything, hurt).
I headed inside for a little break, figuring that 10 minutes
and some ibuprofen would get me back on track. Spring Sprint was in full swing,
I couldn’t give it any more time. There were far too many things vying for my
attention to give into the pain.
That was TWO
YEARS ago. (seriously…I marked the calendar...May 12, 2016)
And, every picking day since has been a pain in the neck.
Anything and everything caused it to flare up again. Walking, working the
sheep, picking anything, even computer work and holding grandbabies.
We spent hundreds of dollars on doctor visits and two
different chiropractors. Tried a neck brace and exercises. Endured a weird
interaction between pain prescription and my heart medication. Nothing granted
any long-term solution. So, it was actually a relief when other health issues
side-lined me late last summer.
Between health issues, surgery, recovery and then a 6-week
battle with bronchitis, I spent the better part of six months doing nothing more than the bare minimum for survival. Basically,
feeding the humans, the pets and sheep, and doing laundry. (But, I only missed
one week of Market) The rest of the time I was sitting. I wasn’t working on the
great American novel, or even keeping up with the bookwork. (and, the house was
a wreck) I was just sitting. I watched a whole lot of Netflix and even took
some naps. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t productive. But, in the long run, it was
probably necessary.
Needless to say, the 2018 season didn’t start out with a
bang. Without being able to work during the winter, there was no way we could
have early Spring harvest. But, by that point, I looked and sounded healthy. No
one could understand, and it was getting a little monotonous to attempt to
explain the lack of greens (our signature product).
Despite the weird weather, a host of growing issues and an
ongoing battle with the mouse population, there were finally enough greens to warrant
a harvest.
When I headed out to the hoophouse for Friday’s harvest, it
was with great trepidation. I really didn’t think I could endure another season
of pain. But, we really need the income that the hoophouse crops generate and
we hadn’t figure out any sort of back-up plan. And, I said I would do it.
So…off I went.
 |
| picking lettuce |
I am a firm believer in “all things work together for good”.
(although I must constantly remind myself
of this) Even when you can’t see it at the time, things will eventually work
out. Even when it seems hopeless. Even when it takes a LONG time. Things DO
work out.
This time was no exception.
 |
| Market Stand 5-26 |
There was lettuce to pick…finally!
I was able to harvest it…without pain…finally!
The customers were happy to see our product…finally!
So, I guess some good came of those six months of “forced relaxation”.
Not necessarily the way I would have chosen to resolve the issue, but it seems
resolved nonetheless.
 |
| sunrise through the wisteria |
But, maybe the whole idea of forcing ourselves to maintain
the whole Spring Sprint mentality needs re-thinking. Maybe it’s time to re-visit
Aesop’s Tortoise and the Hare and keep in mind that “slow and steady wins the
race”. Certainly, something to think about when keeping up with the ongoing,
routine farm jobs.
To that end, I’ve been trying to take time to slow down and notice what’s going on all around us.
 |
| took a walk with Blondie and Blake this is Creambrook Farm just down the road |
 |
| Watched K and G blow bubbles on the porch |
Look around...
 |
| wonder WHY there is at least one egg in the feeder every single day |
 |
| even weeds can be beautiful |
 |
| not a fan of tent caterpillars but, it did look cool in the grass |
 |
| check out the sunset |
The fledgling wrens are just about ready to fly.
 |
| mama wren with supper |
 |
| going to feed the babies |
 |
| big babies |
 |
| hungry babies |
There is a barn swallow nest in the rafters of the barn.
And, we got a couple of planting jobs done ahead of the big rains associated with the first named tropical system of the year.
 |
| tidy hoophouse |
 |
| winter squash |
 |
| weeding in the hoophouse |
I made an effort to curtail any destruction by the marauding deer
herd, so we might actually get some grapes.
 |
| baby grapes |
 |
| deer protection |
 |
| the wild blackberry crop looks prolific let's hope the Mbrk bear doesn't find out! |
The Boss got the potatoes tilled and hilled, the brassica
garden looks a lot better after weeding.
 |
| hilling potatoes |
 |
| garden after weeding |
It won’t be long before haymaking
around the county gets into full swing.
 |
| lush grass growth means good hay crop |
 |
| there is an upside to grass pollen it means the hay crop is nearly ready! |
The sheep are scheduled to be shorn tomorrow.
 |
| ewes graze at sunrise |
Blondie and I have been spending Memorial Day shearing sheep for nearly 10 years...you should read this. It remains to be seen if this year's job will warrant its own post.
…and so it goes…
Gus and Karma are vying for the prettiest napping spot...who wears it better?
 |
| Gus |
 |
| Karma |
Thanks for stopping by to check in with us.
Have a Happy
Sunday!
 |
| thanks to Malcolm's Market Garden beautiful strawberries made YUMMY icecream! |
Come back and “visit” again soon!
Click the link below and take a "virtual" tour of the Staunton Farmers' Market.
