Eyes to the Skies

This time of year, the sunrises and sunsets are amazing.

 Simply amazing.

I’m sure there is some sort of scientific explanation…ice crystals in the atmosphere…angle of the sun.  But, rather than try to explain the technicalities, I would just like to enjoy the beauty.

During daylight hours, the cloud formations make for some amazing sights as well.  Sometimes the sky is dark and angry looking as a storm approaches, other times the combination of bright sky and puffy white clouds is utterly dazzling.

By stopping for a moment to appreciate the beauty, we are granted a quick re-charge and a new appreciation of the place we live.  …and some very nice sky shots.

I cannot imagine living where you couldn't see the sky or watch the light and shadow change over the fields and hills.

Keeping my eyes to the skies...I'm given a gift each time I look.

I might see amazing cloud formations, gaze on vivid hues and gorgeous light...or experience some moment of wonder...

 

                                                                        ...any and all of which make me thankful on this Thursday.

Let There Be Light

When the pleasant scent of woodsmoke hangs in the little hollows because of that very real chill in the air…when there is frost on everything, not just the pumpkins…when we change the clocks because it’s the date to “FALL” back…we know it is time. 

Time? 

It is time to remove the shadecloth from the hoophouses.

All Spring and Summer, we shaded the tender greens in order to keep them growing well.  By shading the houses and providing good air circulation, we are able to have lettuce even in the hottest part of summer.  But, once the angle of the sun changes, once the temperatures begin to drop and the hours of sunlight diminish greatly, it is time to get as much warmth and light in the hoophouses as possible. (well, within reason)

This seasonal dance is one we know well.  In the Spring, we pull a  shady deal. (read this) But in the Fall, we need to remove the shadecloth and expose the plants to the light necessary for their vigorous growth.

Generally, the shadecloth is neatly folded, then rolled up and stored for next season. This year it was rolled for storage, but not quite so neatly.  Next season we will have to replace one piece due to the damage from the Derecho .  Read this. But, we were able to salvage a good portion of it and will save it for other uses in the future.  There isn’t a lot of refuse on the farm…a lot of “trash” is saved because it can be put to other uses. The real challenge may be remembering where we stored it when Spring comes.

It is amazing to note just how much the shadecloth SHADES.  Once it is removed, we will have to closely monitor the daytime temperatures and regulate irrigation and airflow.  With the added light, new growth may be seen as early as tomorrow.

The additional light coupled with the types of hardy crops planted in the hoophouses should allow us to have FRESH greens ALL winter. Yep…ALL winter!  The hoophouses are an amazing place in the middle of a frigid winter day.   Sheltered from the cold winds and frequent freezing precipitation, the hoophouses remain an oasis of green growth and warmth.

Let there be light...so the plants can grow!

Under the Weather

All the talk about hurricane Sandy…a big Nor'easter…the very real possibility of a Frankenstorm made it easy to overlook that little scratchy feeling at the back of my throat.

The preparations for said storm as the predictions became more and more dire… meant that I tried not to think about the fact that I was beginning to feel like I was catching a cold…even after I had several sneezing attacks…seven times in a row!         ACHOOO!

I hoped that my headache and that odd feeling in my sinuses were simply the product of an entire day staring at the computer screen as I entered sales and expense information, balanced the checkbook and generated earnings reports. Perhaps it was the change in barometric pressure as the storm system blew through.

Maybe I wasn’t paying attention.  That would explain why I kept saying “huh?” repeatedly. 

I guess the multiple trips out in the ongoing snow probably didn’t help anything.

I don’t like to even entertain the thoughts of being sick…”under the weather” as it were.  We can't take sick days, we have no health coverage, and honestly…I feel really wimpy when some microscopic organism gets the best of me. 

But as I walked back home from the Post Office, it finally dawned on me.  I really didn’t feel “right”.  My head was pounding, my nose was stuffed up, my throat was really sore and I was oh, so tired.  Oh, bother!  I truly hate to fall victim to a cold.   But, it happens. L Time to attack this “bug”.

As I dosed myself with Echinacea, Goldenseal and Garlic, and stirred up a pot of chicken soup, I scoured the pantry for the yarrow tea.  Yarrow tea always seems to work on a cold.  (One thing I am certain my daughters never miss in their grown-up lives is yarrow tea.  Even the addition of honey does nothing to mask the herb’s bitter taste.  However, it does help tremendously with a cold.)

Years ago, with two young children, a VERY limited income and NO health coverage of any kind, I took it upon myself to study herbal medicine.  I hoped that this would enable me to diagnose and treat most common illnesses without having to run to the doctor all the time.  It worked! While our daughters learned to do everything in their power to avoid “mama and her herb stuff”, we managed to keep everyone relatively healthy for a LONG time.  In the past fifteen years, we have only visited said doctor a handful of times despite the fact that we can actually WALK to the clinic. 

Following the herbal protocol that I used to "inflict" on the entire family, I could feel the symptoms begin to ease after a period of time.

Fortunately, a full-fledged head cold never made an appearance.


Whew…crisis averted.

         …and just in time for Market Day!

Thank God for Kids

Last Saturday, a young woman asked if she could take pictures of our stand for a class project.  Of course we said "YES!"

It was fairly late in the morning and things were rather slow, so she and I got started talking about her project.  She’s studying early education and while assisting in a pre-school she was astounded at the fact that most children thought their food originated with McDonalds or Chik-fil-A.  When pressed, they then assured that Martins and Walmart made their food.  She was hoping that her project would provide some much needed connection to actual farms and farmers. 

While I am always confounded at these stories, I am not really surprised.  Most folks are at least two generations removed from the farm.  Many people have never had a garden or even planted a seed.  The thought of food being grown and not just appearing on the grocery shelves is foreign to a lot of folks.  I am constantly amazed how many people, older women in particular, have absolutely no clue what to do with raw vegetables.

I take this knowledge for granted.  I grew up eating homegrown, home-cooked food.  Often the preparation method left something to be desired, but it was fresh! The Boss and I raised our own daughters eating homegrown, home-cooked food.  We taught them the subtleties of picking and preparation. We all appreciate that farm-fresh and home-made goodness. Many market customers are looking for the same type of quality.

There are scores of young shoppers at the Market these days. Young family folks looking for high quality and good nutrition for their small children.  Young adults concerned about the planet and the source of their food.  Teens and tweens that come for the atmosphere…or because their parents dragged them out of the house.  But, the teeny, tiny customers are the most engaging.  Life is still a big adventure to the pre-schoolers.  They ask their parents a million questions, exclaim with delight over the sights and sounds of the Market and pet every single dog they can.

There’s Jack with his chivalrous southern attitude who always greets me with a cheery, “Good morning Miss Barbawa!” as he returns egg cartons or helps pick out vegetables.  There’s Ava who is always dancing and singing and likes to help me with the calculator. Not too long ago, she made a special point to show the “farmer lady” her lollipop from the bank.   Charlotte stopped in the middle of the sidewalk once to exclaim, “oooh, Mama….these peppers are SO CUUUUTE!”  I met Hudson for the first time when she wanted to buy the teeniest, tiniest potato we had as a treat for her newborn baby brother.  Each of these children has been one of my special little Market friends since our very first meeting. There are many others, each with his or her own distinct flair for shopping at the Market. These very young shoppers are part of the reason I love Market day.

While we don’t often hand out treats to the little shoppers, (food allergies are very real…and VERY scary), we do make it a practice to at least attempt to engage these young folks in the whole process of KNOW YOUR FARMER, KNOW YOUR FOOD. By remembering their names and having some sort of conversation, that very human connection between farm and food has been forged. Sometimes we do have little veggies that didn’t quite make the cut that we can share with our little friends (after a quick check with mom or dad). Their enthusiastic reaction to these offerings is always amusing.

Perhaps our encouragement and friendship will have some impact on their future lives and occupations.  I trace some of my own love of growing things in part to a garden visit when I was just a very little girl. Read THIS!

All the young folks at the Market are the very future of the Market…these little ones may one day be shoppers or vendors. Their questions keep us on our toes and their enthusiasm is truly gratifying. They should be encouraged in their food trying adventures and praised for their comprehension of the connection between food and farm. They certainly make our Market mornings far more interesting!

It seems appropriate to end this Thankful Thursday with the lyrics from a song recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys back in 1982.

If it weren't for kids have you ever thought
There wouldn't be no Santa Claus
Or look what the stork just brought
Thank God for kids.

And we'd all live in a quiet house
With-out Big Bird or Mickey Mouse
And Kool Aid on the couch
Thank God for kids.

Thank God for kids, there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why
The nearest thing to heaven is a child.

When you get down on your knees tonight
To thank the Lord for His guiding light
And pray they turn out right
Thank God for kids.

Daddy, how does this thing fly?
And a hundred other where's and why's
You really don't know but you try
Thank God for kids.

When you look down in those trusting eyes
That look to you, you realize
There's a love that you can't buy

Thank God for kids...

Batten Down the Hatches!

When you make your living by the land, you have to take notice of the weather forecast.

Frankenstorm!  

Well, that headline got our attention.

This picture made us sit up and take notice.

The multiple high wind warnings gave us even more cause for concern.

After the Derecho experience in June, any mention of wind has this area on high alert.  This is not without cause.  A lot of damage still remains.  The “widow makers” (broken trees that have not yet fallen) will cause power outage and “issues” for some time in the future. The winds associated with a tropical storm, hurricane, or in this case, a possible re-play of “the perfect storm” of 1991, are always a concern in the higher elevations of our beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

I realize it sounds odd to say “higher elevations in the Valley”…isn’t that the ultimate oxymoron? 

We are near the edge of the Valley…close to the Allegheny mountains.  Sitting at an elevation of about 2,000 feet above sea level, the weather here is often far different than the weather conditions in nearby Staunton (1395 ft)  and Stuarts Draft (1410 ft).  We often spend a day being socked in by fog and clouds while the surrounding lower elevations are sunny and warm.  We generally have cooler temperatures year ‘round “out here”.  While it is an amazingly beautiful place to live, it does come at a price.

Remnants of hurricanes have struck the Valley with disastrous effects on many occasions.  Remember Camille in 1969?  Fran in 1996?  Isabel in 2003?  There have been others, but those specific storms still stand out in the collective memory of the residents.

Of all the various weather elements, WIND is always our biggest concern.  If I've said it once, I've said it a million times “VIEWS, VIEWS, VIEWS” is just real estate lingo for WIND….WIND…WIND!  We are not nestled in the Valley.  Nope, we are perched on the top of the hill…clinging on for dear life it seems sometimes. With multiple hoophouse structures, the wind is a constant consideration. Nothing like seeing the side of the  hoophouse waving at you in the wind.While I love this place and hope to be here ‘til I die... I absolutely hate the wind!

WIND in the forecast means we make a trip to town for gasoline.  We are fairly self-sufficient in other aspects, but it is essential that we keep our generator running.  This time of year we have small layer chicks that need warmth and light…in addition to that bank of freezers stocked with meat and vegetables that would be lost should we lose power for any length of time. We absolutely cannot afford to lose any of those things for they are our future income.

We know the wind preparation drill all too well. Loose items are secured, the hoophouse doors closed tightly, chickens and gates latched securely, flashlights and candles assembled, some water set aside…and then, we wait. The chilly temperatures meant that the Boss stocked the woodbox, too.  In case of a power failure, which we are thinking is almost a certainty, we won't be cold and we will just cook camp-style for a while.

We know that any damage in our area will be just an inconvenience in comparison to those along the coast.  They will be in our thoughts and prayers as the storm finally makes its anticipated landfall. The newscasts contain frightening words such as “mass transit shutdown”, “devastating damage”, and huge storm-surge”.  I shudder to think what it would be like to be in a big city with this monster storm bearing down on the area.

Presently, the forecast is for a couple of inches of rain and wind between 35 and 45 mph, gusting to 60+ mph.  There have been rumors of snow flurries. We've seen this sort of weather a number of times in the past. It doesn't seem to warrant the media hype, but you never know. We’ll have to wait and see what things look like later in the week after the storm.

For right now….Batten down the hatches, ‘cause the wind is gonna blow!

Wastin' Time

October sunrise

Sometimes I think...

I just don’t do enough around here.

I must work harder…make an effort to succeed.

I should do more here on the farm. Plant more seeds, be more organized, work a little harder…

I really need to get some focus.

If I was seriously committed…I would work dawn to dusk and then some…EVERY day!

If I was a real farmer… I wouldn’t even think of taking a break!

Maybe I should learn to apply myself. Perhaps I ought to put a whole lot more effort into this venture!

moth on hoophouse

Nope.

                          

                No way.

Let’s just face facts. 

I waste time.  I waste a LOT of time.  …and ya know what?  I don’t really care.  …and I’m not planning on changing. (for the record, the Boss is in absolute total agreement)

There are no timeclocks in our little paradise here on the hill.  It’s been more than 25 years since I “clocked in” anywhere and I haven’t missed it at all! (although that mental calculation made me feel more than a little old)

While there are times when we work incredibly hard, there are also times when we revel in the opportunity to do absolutely nothing at all.  Those empty spaces allow us to re-charge and enable us to work through situations that require that we give way more than 100% effort.

Squeekie catching a mouse

I waste time when I pet the cats and dogs, when I stand in awe at the sunrise or sunset, when I watch the cat capture a mouse, and when I take countless photos of things that happen routinely. But those "wasted" moments grant me a sense of peace and wonder and the desire to persevere in the face of adversity.

I know I could be working when I am standing outside for 10 minutes trying to get THE shot.  But, sometimes that photo is amazing.  Sometimes that photo touches someone else, teaches them something, or reminds them of something pleasant.

Occasionally, I get lost on a rabbit trail of research, when I really should be doing something else.  But, sometimes that rabbit trail is exactly what was needed to resolve a thorny issue.

I realize that when I sit down at the computer to send an email or silly message to someone that I could be doing something “really productive”, but sometimes that message soothes the heart of one of my fellow humans. Sometimes, it grants a much-needed smile to an aching heart.

Sometimes, when I should be working on a project, I get side-tracked by texting/talking with one of my kids or friends.  The projects can wait… people can’t.

A couple of years ago, I found out just how very unpredictable and incredibly fragile life is.  While it was not my own “near death” experience, it was too close for comfort and it had a profound impact. I’d always been incredibly goal-oriented and a slave to my list-making. Never again will I assume that tomorrow will just be another day. For that matter, I cannot even assume there will BE a tomorrow. Life comes with absolutely no guarantees.

So…I’m wastin’ time.  

Taking pictures, writing notes, reading about interesting things, doing a little blogging, and yes…sending those silly Facebook messages.

2012 garlic crop has sprouted!

Don’t worry; I get all my work done!  (although I KNOW I could do more) and I still have my OCD moments when I’m making a million lists and freaking out that NOTHING ever gets done…but most of the time...

                       

                      

                          I’m so thankful to have time to waste!

For I am fairly certain that when I get to the end of my days, I’m pretty sure I won’t be thinking…"man, I REALLY should have planted more cabbage!"  

EVERY Day Should Be Food Day

Today is Food Day. 

Did you celebrate?

Did you do something special in observance?

Did you even KNOW?

I must admit...this one sneaks up on me.  I mean to get the word out...I mean to talk it up, blog about it...whatever...but, generally my hands are too dirty with the mess of everyday living to get anywhere near my keyboard!  And so far, all my mental messages to those in cyber-space have gone unanswered.

However,

 “Food Day provides our community with an important opportunity to raise awareness for eating healthy, locally produced food. Purchasing local food is important for our community because it supports our county's farmers, boosts our local economy by keeping our food dollars in the community and provides our families with healthier food choices.” (Gore’s Meat Processing)

Across the nation, Food Day was observed in a variety of ways. There were celebrations, tastings, a few festivals and perhaps even a few sales.  While the goals of Food day are rather broad and sweeping, perhaps a little too vague in their message, they are worthy of consideration and conversation at the very least. 

Here on the hill, every day is food day.

  

Really.

FOOD! 

That’s what we do around here.  We grow food, promote food, harvest food, eat food, talk about food, and ENJOY food. 

Every. Single. Day.

It seems that everyone is talking about food of late.  Good food, bad food,healthy food, trendy food, and food/drink that should be banned, taxed, or eliminated…after years and years of taking our food for granted, folks are finally starting to give some consideration to what they put in their bodies.

There are a lot of concern about the food supply and system here in the good ole U S of A.  While it is easy to identify the problems, I’m not so sure we’re going to find the answers easily.  It will take a good deal of thought and discussion and some very real, perhaps very difficult changes as society takes a good long look at FOOD.

In the meantime, here’s a little “food” for thought…

Learn about what you are eating—where it comes from, how it is produced, what all those weird words mean.  You might be surprised at what you learn.  You have absolutely everything to gain, and quite possibly everything to lose if you don’t.

I think EVERY day should be Food Day!