Saturday, August 19, 2006

Had a short visit to the farm

I was at the farm for 2 days and nights this week. I helped with some harvesting- of things like onions, and of things like tomatoes and squash. I got to see a hornworm, something I'd like to never repeat (ugh!) and throw out tons of tomatoes that had blossom end rot. They have a lot of food harvested and that they are storing in Herman's storage container. Apparently that container was sold, so they will have to move all of that stuff into a new (rental, again, I guess) container. This wouldn't have to happen if the steel building had been erected when they bought it. But Shelley overspent and didn't have money for its foundation or erection.

Chris's dad stopped in for a visit and a tour with his dad's brother in law and his partner. It's interesting to see what mannerisms come from his dad.

I slept SO good the last night- I took melatonin and I properly used an earplug on the right side for sleeping. I was still really tired that night, and today, but that could be due to whatever stomach bug it is I get every time I go there (I think it's from the water from the tap in the trailer). I took a sponge bath for the first time in ... probably ever.

I guess they are planning to set up a CSA with 10 customers, I think that's including a box or two for them and the parents. I only caught a little bit of the discussion about how much of which things Herman had calculated need to be planted. On Thursday, Chris was setting up the tables and stuff in their new greenhouse so Shelley could start some seeds. It's definitely cool enough to do that now. The weather was gorgeous. The wind was pretty strong on Weds. PM, and the north wind came up on Thursday, but was not hot.

Herman was doing the alfalfa irrigation again. Apparently the stuff that's been harvested and baled already this season has been sold, so they (not sure if the money goes to Herman or to Shelley, and apparently he's not 100% sure either-- danger! danger!) might see some money from it. I have a hard time helping him, because I sink into the mud so quickly and my boots or sandals threaten that the only way I can take my foot out is if I leave the shoe behind. Then all my energy is focused on this foot struggle, instead of whatever carrying of pipes I'm supposed to be doing.

I miss getting to work with plants and stuff. And compost.

I will post photos soon. Well, one is up on themahtin.com. It's a picture of the house, which at some point will start to consume all of Chris and Shelley's time for the rest of their lives (once they move in, I guess). They just have to get a loan to finish the foundation and the septic system and whatever else.