Mishmash #2

Since I can't seem to come up with a single theme for a post - we'll do the mishmash thing again.

1. Easter at the farm was enjoyable.  We were pleased to be joined by Rob's parents and his brother and family.  And, there was a visit from that bright orb in the sky.  What was that thing called again?
2. Now that I have begun typing, a catten (not a kitten anymore and not quite a cat) is trying to sit on my arms.  She will either win or leave.  We shall see.
3. The giant maple tree we had taken down early last Winter is slowly, but surely getting cleaned up.  We rented a chipper for the afternoon and got as much as we could done.  My hands and arms still feel like they're shaking around a bit.
4. We've been pleased to be able to provide greens to the Waverly Child Care from our high tunnel this Spring.  It's good to know that some fresh produce is getting to the kids and staff that works so hard to care for the children.
5. Grading is now in earnest for Tammy.  She abides by her own rule that she will not grade during Easter weekend.  But, of course, it has its consequences.
6. In a continuing effort to work smarter and be more resilient in the face of potentially adverse weather - we have made another purchase for the farm.  We hope to receive delivery of a new BCS walk behind tractor for the farm.  It's more than a tiller, but not quite a full tractor.  Trust us, it's a good investment that comes highly recommended by others who do what we do.  Our hand was forced a bit with the breakdown of the JD tiller attachment last Fall.
7. Speaking of the weather.  Have you noticed something about the rain so far this year (don't say this too loud)?  Forget your worries about it not being perfectly warm and sunny.  That will come soon enough.  Consider this:  How many downpours have we had this year?  Thankfully - we count ZERO so far.  Just some liquid gold coming down at a rate that can soak into the ground and give us wonderful moisture for growing things.
8. We spent time with a service trip group stacking cages neatly on the east side of the farm a while back.  Well, strong winds have rearranged that a bit.  Ah well - when you work with the weather it can sometimes have its little jokes.
9. The farm was able to donate five dozen eggs to our church for the youth breakfast on Easter Sunday.  It's nice to be able to do that.  Often, we find that we are rich in many ways that have little to do with money.  And, if is even better when we can find ways to help others share in that richness.
10. A new high tunnel learning curve issue.  Aphids like high tunnels in the Spring.  And, the natural predators a slower to catch up to them.  It's not the end of the world, but it does require lots of extra time cleaning the lettuce.
11. And, finally....Number 11.  People wonder why I sometimes seem a little reticent to embrace the coming of Spring.  Don't get me wrong - I love Spring.  It's a wonderful time of year.  The Chirpa Chirpa bird (brown thrasher) just showed up here, as did some swallows.  I just saw my first Pasque Flower this morning as well.  Excellent stuff.  But, April and May are the months during which my body has to go through the 'toughening up' process.  I won't lie - it hurts.  And, if you think working out during the Winter can remove this - just ask some of the folks who have worked on the farm.  They can vouch for me when I say - you're still going to hurt for a while.

So, until the next post.  Ow.