Today is a lovely day. The sky is oh so blue and the clouds are fluffy with hints of gray. The wind is rather strong and the clouds move quickly across the sky, but together with the emerging green of the grasses and budding trees, it is altogether a healing sight.
I gave up trying to load Sarah's graduation video. All I can figure is that the dial-up connection I have takes too long to load as the MB and Quicktime format is certainly within proper parameters. Oh well. When I feel more like messing around with it I'll try loading it somewhere else and putting a link to its location on this blog. Our girl is now somewhere with the Army's 783rd. Most of her "stuff" is (of course) back with us or scattered hither and yon with her cousins.
The dandelions are blooming so it's time to plant corn and potatoes. The cold weather belies that adage, but I'm going to try and get out today to get at least the cool weather crops in the ground. It's only been a couple of days that I've seen guys out with their tractors because it's been so cold and wet. The County must have lifted the road restrictions because yesterday I saw my first logging trucks.
Did I tell you I managed to get all the witch hazel, elderberries and hickory nut trees planted? I am waiting for the trillium to show their heads so I know where to put the golden seal and astragalus plants. I figure that all I need to do is one task a day and by the end of the season, I will have accomplished a lot. One step at a time.
I get very tired, but I think it is all the worry about Tom and taking care of Lara and Ed. I miss my chickens and I want to get out in the field but the in-the-house tasks won't let me. I try not to let it bother me; I know that everything happens for a reason and I've learned it doesn't pay to push things. I try to get as much sleep as I can because I seem to be able to get more done if I am well rested. My best time for working in the field is between noon and 3:00 p.m. Otherwise, I can do things close to the house. I'm glad I moved most of the berries by the house.
Mary is stopping by today with the cavalier's plates. I baked a couple of cherry pies this morning so I have something to offer with a cup of coffee. Johnny picked up Sarah's car and I am sure he is off and running with it. It was a cute car for a kid. I am sure Sarah will buy something more satisfying when she comes home.
Just a note that the Phillips Farmers Market is opening next Saturday, May 24th, and runs from 9 until noon. I don't know if there will be any vendors though because I don't know anyone who has been able to plant anything yet because of the cold. If you are looking for something, best to call the vendor ahead of time and see if they have anything yet.
Well, time to check on the laundry. Talk to you later.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Sarah's Graduation
Well, we survived the trip to Carbondale and Sarah's college graduation from Southern Illinois University. We are SO PROUD of her! She earned two B.A. degrees, one in Administration of Justice and the other in English. It was a herculean effort on Sarah's part as she was under severe pressure to complete 18 credit hours of school work, working a s*** job for a miserable old battleaxe, being told by the Army that they were transferring her to an MP unit and sending her to Afghanistan, not to speak of having to fly to Detroit (where her luggage with all her uniforms was lost) to meet her new unit and for training in Minnesota (during finals week so she had to make arrangements with all of her teachers in order to even finish the English degree). And, of course, after graduation, she had to clear out her apartment, which gives her three or four days before she has to join her new unit. We don't know when we will see her again. We went to eat at the 17th Street Bar and Grill in Marion, the #1 place in the nation for ribs. They WERE great ribs. No doggie bags with our crew! Sarah's cousins, Melissa and Theresa, and her godmother, my sister, Theresa, were all with us to enjoy the evening. It was a happy time.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Spinning Round and Round
When I looked out the kitchen window this morning, the temperature was already 50F. The day was cloudy and the snow is receding rapidly. But I hardly noticed. It's time for a farm update.
We are having a horrendous 2008, and so are many of our friends! Our Tom was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and has had two surgeries so far. It's been back and forth to doctors between Park Falls, Minocqua and Marshfield, and I expect the travel to increase. Last week I took Lara for annual bloodwork, and yesterday took her to see our new regular doctor. Today, I took the truck to Wheelway in Fifield to get fixed (the engine malfunction light has been on and we found the engine needed a new valve). Tomorrow I take Lara to Minicqua to see her neurologist, and tomorrow night is the re-scheduled Price Direct meeting at 7:00 p.m. in Phillips. I plan to take the van and hope it runs ok -- Tom says it is leaking transmission oil. Next week I take Tom back to Marshfield for his post-op appointment and maybe get his stitches out. Some time next week I will probably have to take him (hopefully to the oncologist in Minocqua) to get the drain taken out of his leg. Also have the tree and shrub pick up in Phillips next Friday (can't wait to get my witch hazel and hickory nut trees!). And so far this month I've put $240 in the gas tank.
Our other news is about our Sarah. She is hopefully graduating SIU on May 9 (if the Army lets her; she has to go for training during finals week and she is hoping her teachers will give her a grade based on her current work). She is being sent to the Middle East and has already been transferred to a different unit. So, IF we make it to the graduation (depends on Tom's cancer treatment schedule)and since Tom can't drive or lift anything, my sister, niece and I will box up Sarah's stuff while Tom sits with Lara and Ed, take care of the landlord (and just pray that Sarah did the paperwork she was supposed to and doesn't have to pay June or July rent)and we will say our good-byes the day after graduation. I am sure we will be staying an extra night in a hotel somewhere because there is no way I can pack that kid up and then drive 11 hours back here to the farm with stops along the way to catheterize Lara and for Tom to get his insulin. Besides, I'll probably be sobbing the whole trip. Then Sarah will ride back to Chicago and stay with my sister until she leaves to join her unit. She plans to sell her car to one of her cousins (who can duke it out over who gets the car).
Well! What this all means is that there will be no chickens or eggs available this year for sale. I simply will not have the time to care for livestock. (I miss my chickipoos, too!) I am feverishly working to pot up my seedlings in the basement as I can't get out to the high tunnel yet, and I want to get more vegetable flats started. The Wong Bok Chinese cabbage and Copenhagen Market cabbage look really good, as do the Southport Red Globe onions, St. Valery carrots, and collards. Some of the herbs are coming up well (I seem to have more trouble with starting herbs). With all the troubles though, I have a good feeling about the garden this year, so we will just have to see how everything winds up.
With all the snow receding I can see we have a lot of tree limbs down. Maybe I won't have to work too hard to get the wood for my hops trellis and fence posts -- I have to have SOMETHING to do to reduce my stress level! :D
Lastly, on the way to town to get the truck fixed I saw a bull moose between Swamp Creek and The Midway tavern! I slammed on the brakes when I saw it I was so surprised. The thing looked right at me. He had a bull rack and boy did he look scraggy. He was huge! I had heard that there was a moose cow sighted around here but as far as I know, no one has seen a bull moose. Tom said it was too bad I didn't have the digital camera with me.
There are some really tough astrological aspects going on now and more coming up soon, so the hard times are going to continue, especially for people with many water signs and then earth signs in their charts. Just remember that everything passes and sooner or later, one way or another, you will get past the difficulties. Let's all just keep taking things one day at a time!
We are having a horrendous 2008, and so are many of our friends! Our Tom was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and has had two surgeries so far. It's been back and forth to doctors between Park Falls, Minocqua and Marshfield, and I expect the travel to increase. Last week I took Lara for annual bloodwork, and yesterday took her to see our new regular doctor. Today, I took the truck to Wheelway in Fifield to get fixed (the engine malfunction light has been on and we found the engine needed a new valve). Tomorrow I take Lara to Minicqua to see her neurologist, and tomorrow night is the re-scheduled Price Direct meeting at 7:00 p.m. in Phillips. I plan to take the van and hope it runs ok -- Tom says it is leaking transmission oil. Next week I take Tom back to Marshfield for his post-op appointment and maybe get his stitches out. Some time next week I will probably have to take him (hopefully to the oncologist in Minocqua) to get the drain taken out of his leg. Also have the tree and shrub pick up in Phillips next Friday (can't wait to get my witch hazel and hickory nut trees!). And so far this month I've put $240 in the gas tank.
Our other news is about our Sarah. She is hopefully graduating SIU on May 9 (if the Army lets her; she has to go for training during finals week and she is hoping her teachers will give her a grade based on her current work). She is being sent to the Middle East and has already been transferred to a different unit. So, IF we make it to the graduation (depends on Tom's cancer treatment schedule)and since Tom can't drive or lift anything, my sister, niece and I will box up Sarah's stuff while Tom sits with Lara and Ed, take care of the landlord (and just pray that Sarah did the paperwork she was supposed to and doesn't have to pay June or July rent)and we will say our good-byes the day after graduation. I am sure we will be staying an extra night in a hotel somewhere because there is no way I can pack that kid up and then drive 11 hours back here to the farm with stops along the way to catheterize Lara and for Tom to get his insulin. Besides, I'll probably be sobbing the whole trip. Then Sarah will ride back to Chicago and stay with my sister until she leaves to join her unit. She plans to sell her car to one of her cousins (who can duke it out over who gets the car).
Well! What this all means is that there will be no chickens or eggs available this year for sale. I simply will not have the time to care for livestock. (I miss my chickipoos, too!) I am feverishly working to pot up my seedlings in the basement as I can't get out to the high tunnel yet, and I want to get more vegetable flats started. The Wong Bok Chinese cabbage and Copenhagen Market cabbage look really good, as do the Southport Red Globe onions, St. Valery carrots, and collards. Some of the herbs are coming up well (I seem to have more trouble with starting herbs). With all the troubles though, I have a good feeling about the garden this year, so we will just have to see how everything winds up.
With all the snow receding I can see we have a lot of tree limbs down. Maybe I won't have to work too hard to get the wood for my hops trellis and fence posts -- I have to have SOMETHING to do to reduce my stress level! :D
Lastly, on the way to town to get the truck fixed I saw a bull moose between Swamp Creek and The Midway tavern! I slammed on the brakes when I saw it I was so surprised. The thing looked right at me. He had a bull rack and boy did he look scraggy. He was huge! I had heard that there was a moose cow sighted around here but as far as I know, no one has seen a bull moose. Tom said it was too bad I didn't have the digital camera with me.
There are some really tough astrological aspects going on now and more coming up soon, so the hard times are going to continue, especially for people with many water signs and then earth signs in their charts. Just remember that everything passes and sooner or later, one way or another, you will get past the difficulties. Let's all just keep taking things one day at a time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)