One of my CSA farms needs more members. The weeds are relentless. They seem to pop up by the time you get to the end of a row. I marvel how my family operated a farm on a daily basis. I’m only working 4-5 hours a week. If gas prices were not an issue, I’d go out there every morning.
Images like this just fill me with awe.
With all the trouble in the world, I can’t help but feel hopeful when I see a wood frog,
These frogs migrate long distances to breed, so the sight of this reptile means that there’s sufficient habitat to support them on one of my favorite trails .
I did find a few milkweed buds to eat before these flowers burst into full bloom.
A mocking bird stopped by to check me out while I was foraging. I feel like I’ve succeeded in blending in with the natural world when animals approach me.
Last Tuesday morning while fulfilling my CSA commitment, I was soaked in sweat pulling thistles out of the veggie patches at 5:30 AM. Yesterday, I was drenched by the water clinging to the garlic scapes. I harvested enough to fill two wheel barrows.
There are no words to express my gratitude for this abundance. The seeds we planted in April and May are delivering their promise of green leafy vegetables, broccoli, and my personal favorite - peas. Snow peas, snap peas, old-fashioned peas - when I pluck the pea and bite in, I’m am in a sacred place. The only thing better than fresh-picked peas, is fresh picked corn. I’m enjoying the anticipation.
I feel guilty this morning for putting the lamb’s quarters and chickweed into the compost. But after a four-hour work shift, another hour harvesting and then the rest of the day washing, drying and getting it all into the fridge or freezer, I’m exhausted. I forgot how hard we worked on my family farm.
I cannot ignore the devastating floods in the Midwest. This just adds to my concerns about our food supply. I’m beginning to think that it would be a wise investment to purchase a freezer.
Conserve energy. Human energy, machine energy, all energy.
I broke that rule yesterday, the fourth day of a heat wave. I had access to water and I swam vigorously. It felt really good to move. But I didn’t drink enough water. I had water. I just felt cool and refreshed, so I didn’t drink water.
Dehydration, like hypothermia, can be deadly. I need to re-train myself to drink water every 20 minutes. (more…)
Here is a bird nest I found trailside. The photos do not reveal the delicate layered weaving of what looked like pine needles or grasses on the inside. Barry Keegan pointed out the milkweed fiber woven in to the outside and top of this nest. That’s probably what’s woven inside, too.
This chicken mushroom popped out at the right time. I harvested the only the tender edges, and still had enough to fill an army.
I haven’t hiked this trail in several weeks. This is the earliest I have seen a rattler taking in the sun.
I’m always torn between enjoying my discoveries and my concerns about global warming.