Summer... Finally

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." -Russell Baker
Lost some squash this past week. It frosted on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th.

The greens and peas are loving the hot days and cold nights.
Happy chickens. That's our ameraucana rooster in the bottom right hand corner.
Wild flowers are kicking. False Salomon's Seal.
Whale rocks on thunderhead hiking trail.
Columbine.
Another rough day in paradise!

Self Reliance

Hermit Jim posted this essay this morning. I thought it was well worth passing along.

American Self-Reliance

by J. Ollie Edmunds

This country was not built by men who relied on somebody else to take care of them. It was built by men who relied on themselves, who dared to shape their own lives, who had enough courage to blaze new trails with enough confidence in themselves to take the necessary risks.

This self-reliance is our American legacy. It is the secret of that something which stamped Americans as Americans. Some call it individual initiative, others backbone. But whatever it is called, it is a precious ingredient in our national character, one which we must not lose.

The time has come for us to re-establish the rights for which we stand, to re-assert our inalienable rights to human dignity, self-respect, self-reliance—to be again the kind of people who once made America great.

Such a crusade for renewed independence will require a succession of inspired leaders, leaders in spirit and in knowledge of the problem, not just men with political power, but men who are militantly for the distinctive way of life that was America. We are likely to find such leaders only among those that promote self-reliance and who practice it with strict devotion and understanding.

There are very few who could provide for themselves. We've become spoiled brats. A far cry from what we we once were and what made us great. Put on your boots and work gloves cause we've a lot o' work to do!

New Old Watering System

Revived the old gravity fed watering system for the gardens. Diverted a little irrigation water from our upper hay meadow.

Into an old catch basin,
that funnels into a pipe which fills a stock tank.
Down the hill in our new lead free hose to the splitter. one line for the back garden, one for the front.
And presto! Happy plants without relying on pumps. Happy gardening!

Blessed Rain

It's that time of year again when things really start growing. First poppy of the season.
Peas climbing and lettuce leafing out.
Got a good soaking rain on Saturday and showers on Sunday. Look like we'll be getting some typical afternoon build-up all week.Still a little snow on the mountain.Looks like it dumped up there Saturday night.
We received over two inches of rain and it was just what the doctor ordered as thing were starting to get mighty dry.Taters up and exploding.
A little moose damage out in the market garden. What, am I in Alaska or something?
Never seen a moose here at the Barn before. After he wandered though the garden, he passed though the hay shed. He then crossed the drive way where he charged the sheep sculpture. Here he is moseying on up the hill.

Dry and Breezy with a Chance of Summer

Has been awfully dry and breezy in these parts for the last while.


Well sure am sorry not to have posted in a while but working full time and starting an organic farm doesn't leave a whole lot of time for chit chat. Gains are sprouting.
onions are planted. All 2500 of them!
carrots are up.
Potatoes are in.
Working out the wrinkles in the new ditches.Out back things are starting to pop.Early broccoli loving the out of doors.Lettuce peas and radishes sharing a row.Freshly watered rows of greens.Remember the fallen. Building walls for the flat bed.Chickens are fully feathered and enjoyin the sunshine.
Dig dirt all weekend in the garden and then go to work and dig dirt all week. trail work is always fun. More to follow.