June
2010
The work which fuels my week.
Saturday market was washed out by rain, snow, hail, and ample wind. We still went to the market and some real troopers came out to support us. The term “after market” pops into my head as I think of what we looked like arriving at the house, dirt splattered, movements slowed by exhaustion, rain soaked clothing grinding past itself with every movement. A warm soak in the tub was uppermost on my agenda. I managed to justify this indulgence even while the weight of farm chores weighed on my mind.
Sunday was the productive farm day.
So much was accomplished it makes me smile even now. Volunteers came to help yet again. Marina, a volunteering neighbor, and I decided that shoveling was our call to duty for the day and shovel we did. A quick count yielded a total of at least 720 holes dug and readied for this year’s potato crop. Asanara and Todd cleaned around each of the greenhouses, making some degree of order spring from the hodgepodge which is our accumulated building materials. Felicia and Kevin found an assortment of tasks to do including planting potatoes in their newly created homes, watering plants, and feeding animals. All told we managed quite a productive day. OH and I almost forgot the amazing salad Asanara created. Every available green was harvested into a large bowl which we each drew our own combo of the freshest possible mix of green goodness. This was topped with a freshly created salad dressing with golden balsamic vinegar, spices and olive oil, also a gift of Asanara’s creation. I was quite surprised at how perfectly every plant the greenhouse had available meshed together into a perfect flavor combination.
Monday – the surprise holiday.
Somehow, even with multiple reminders and knowing it was a holiday; it had totally escaped me that I would not have to work at the INL on Monday. I remember looking at the weather forecast early last week, seeing rain every day but Sunday and Monday, I cheered at the opportunity for planting on Sunday while simultaneously wishing Monday wasn’t a workday so I could plant even more. It was not until Sunday night as I get a phone call to remind me about visiting graves on Monday that it occurred to me that I wouldn’t have to work the next day. What a great surprise it was and the day was certainly used. Marina and I planted many more potatoes, dug out more raised beds in a greenhouse, and once again Todd and Asanara crafted more order from our chaotic, accumulated, materials. Another amazing meal was had amongst the group with salad and dressing, complimented by great conversation.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this weekend happen. From Laura Ann with Lau Family farms who lent us her tarp to keep the pelting hail from destroying out booth and plants (much less the wind from blowing us away.), to Marina who tirelessly dug a field of homes for our future potato crop, to Felicia who came to the farm for the first time not knowing what to expect and yet so very open to whatever the farm needed of her, to Todd and Asanara for creating order and wonderful food.
And now, back to work at the INL I feel ready to settle back into a desk job, tired enough to enjoy the recouping that sitting in a chair and talking on the phone a