So far

Not according to plans, I am not yet interning with Jeff Poppen, the Barefoot Farmer. I am, however, working three days a week with Mike and Rob of Henley Hollow Farm. It is scortching hot, and I drink a Bubba keg of water every morning and never have to pee because I sweat so much (tmi?). But I love it. I love waking up in the morning when it's still cool and the sun isn't baking the ground yet. It is so beautiful here. I was staking tomatoes, and I paused to wipe off the sweat that was pouring down my forehead. The sky was brilliant blue, white puffy clouds were meandering over the jewel green hills, and it was just magnificent. I was overcome with the feeling that I couldn't imagine myself being happier doing anything else or being anywhere else at that moment. I can say with absolute certainty that I never experienced that feeling in my office. There is no amount of money that can buy that feeling of bliss.

So what have I accomplished on our farm? Nothing. I have weeded some, but not as much as I had originally intended. I have not even started doing battle with the osage oranges or box elders yet. I have been adding to our compost pile and bought a load of beautiful black dirt. I planted a very small bed of scalloped squash, rainbow chard, and bush beans and am starting purple broccoli, Tuscan [black palm] kale, and cabbage to be transplanted sometime in September. And that's pretty much it. It's hot.

I have learned some take home lessons from working with Mike and Rob. One, it you want it trellised, install the trellisses when you plant; if you don't, it won't be ready when the plants need support. You might have every intention of doing it tomorrow or the day after, when it rains and the ground is softer, blah blah blah. But the point is, you won't have it done. Coincidentally, this is exactly what Rich at Bumpy Road Farm in Tallahassee told me. Two, all farmers, or even just people who work outside, need a good pocket knife. Three, weed regularly. This kind of goes along with number one. If you don't do it now, you'll suddenly be wondering what happened to all those squash or tomato plants that used to be in that row---oh wait, there they are... under the towering perilla and pig weed. Just do it. Now.

Kevin and his family arrived on Sunday, sans the farm truck. This is now the third trasmission that has been laid to waste on the drive from Tallahassee to Dowelltown. His Sierra was the first this past March, my parents' truck was the second, and now our future farm truck. If all goes well [knocking on wood] the truck and Kevin will be back this evening. His parents' first visit went very well. Everyone got along famously, we ate like hogs, and they even got to go in Pie's swimming hole on Dry Creek. Update: The truck isn't ready, so maybe Kevin will be back tomorrow.

Tomorrow the plan is to start shuffling stuff around the barn so that we can begin building on Friday. We'll be starting off building the stairs and the floor. I use the pronoun "we" lightly, as I will, by far, be the least useful person on the jobsite. Mostly Kevin and a man named Michael will be building the stairs and floor. I'm so excited to start construction on the apartment!

I am currently subjecting my horse to daily torture--the grazing muzzle. This is because he's a fatty fat-fat, which is bad for horses; it can lead to founder and founder is bad news. We are truly blessed to count Alison not only as an excellent friend but a phenomenal farrier, so Partner is well shod and comfortable... minus the flies.