Thursday, August 27, 2020

The very hungry caterpillars

 I planted bronze fennel in the potager specifically for the pollinators to enjoy, and while picking veggies yesterday evening, look what I found!






These were all up and down the fennel, in the process of munching away at the foliage. So happy to host them and if we’re lucky we’ll get to see cocoons!

Also, my mom had to go to the ER last night due to what turned out to be gastroenteritis. They ruled out stroke and other age-related things, and she is already back home. If you’re so inclined, please send her good thoughts and/or prayers - whatever you send I’m grateful for! She’s 87 this year and has been quarantining in her home where my brother takes amazing care of her. So grateful for him and the fact that she hasn’t needed to go into a rest or nursing home. 

Stay safe and healthy, all! 

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Blooms and butterflies and bees: NY Ironweed and spotted horsemint

 It’s a busy week, again, and I feel like I’m ruled by the daily list of things to do. The car’s in the shop getting some routine maintenance and a few small repairs (thinking of Shawn Colvin’s album A Few Small Repairs, a classic that is still so wonderful to listen to), our amazing farm helper is making a larger repair on the barn door that Keil Bay kicked, and the electrician was here making a plan for some barn updates. I’m very happy that all this is getting done, but meanwhile the quiet of an average day on November Hill is just not happening. 

Yesterday in the midst of unloading grocery pick up, pet food delivery, and a heavy mail/package day, I stopped and walked along the pollinator beds to enjoy what’s blooming there right now. 

Butterfly enjoying NY ironweed.



Bee on spotted horsemint.




The colors, the layers, the joy.




Full shot of butterfly, oh how lovely.


I have to remember during busy times to stop and look and take it in, and soak up what I see. 

Thursday, August 20, 2020

November Hill farm journal, 107

 The main thing I can report is that we’ve gotten some things checked off our list this week and last. The plumber was out and installed a hook-up for water to our camper, and then the well guy was out to install the hand pump so we can access well water when power is out. Yay! 

I’ve resumed work in the camper: moved some kitchen items from the house out there, and bathroom towels, and measured for and ordered a new/better mattress, bedding, and a little bit of decor. Some is already here, some is on the way. 

I also removed the dining table and have turned it the “long” way - until I can remove the bench seating and install a permanent meal/work bar with stools, this at least gives more room. I also moved two new yard chairs out there and I’m really excited to have made this progress.

If you imagine that the front half of the bench in the foreground is removed (I can’t remove the back half because the heat vents through there), and imagine the entire bench seat to the right is gone, you’ll get more of an idea of what my plan is. I’m going to get a new and slightly narrower table that will sit a bit further to the right all the way to that wooden wall, and two stools that will fit underneath, for the overall effect of a “breakfast bar” area for eating and for working on laptop. The metal pieces on the floor are over the vinyl flooring, so once I remove them there will be some screw holes that I can caulk and cover with a rug if needed. Changing the floor plan like this will open up several feet of floor space that will make the whole camper feel bigger. I think it’s nicer to face the window anyway, as it faces our barn, and who wouldn’t want to look out at Keil Bay’s handsome face? He and Cody go right up and peer in. 

Inside the house, I’m still waiting on the framed prints for the new work garret, and I have a couple of final, minor things yet to do in there but it’s for all practical purposes finished!

In other news I finally made it off the farm to a doc appointment for routine bloodwork and to my chiropractor for a much-needed adjustment. I was impressed with both places - one patient in the offices at a time, lots of precautions, including, of course, masks worn by all. I feel like a new person already - everything was out of whack chiropractically. I felt the endorphin buzz and odd but wonderful absence of “whack” after she was done. Whew.

Eggplants are getting ready to bloom, and we’re getting tomatoes, cucumbers, and basil. The kale and chard are actually coming back as our temps have cooled down some. I think the zucchini and yellow squash are done. Our fall CSA starts mid-September so we’ll be getting our extra large share of veggies each week until December, when winter CSA begins. 

I need to get the area for the new pollinator bed set up because planting and transplanting time will be here before we know it. So far I’m planning to:

Transplant tall goldenrod, purple coneflower, spotted horsemint, and rattlesnake master, and...

Add new Culver’s root, anise hyssop, blue vervain, and spice bush. 

Working on my order at the local native plant nurseries. 

That’s about it for the week. I’ve started my third remote session of Writing In The Dark with Jeannine Ouellete and Elephant Rock, and signed on for a ms revision workshop with her in November and December. I’m thrilled to have my writing time planned out for the remainder of this year. 


Monday, August 17, 2020

Bloom update: my most favorite pollinator plant of all, Monarda punctata, or spotted horsemint

 


I don’t know what it is about this plant and its flowers, but whenever I look at them I feel total joy. I’m sure the colors are part of it, but also the textures, the layers, the spots, and the stacked flowering are also visually alluring to me.

I stood today and gazed at the first rush of blooms. In a week or so, the entire area will be full of these lovely flowers. So much joy.


En-JOY.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Front Porch Blessings

 Yesterday evening I had the front door open and had forgotten the herd were in the grass paddock. A loud but soft snort sounded and when I got up to look out, this is what I saw:


What a view - all five at once. I felt fortunate to have these beloved members of the family front and center. During these days of uncertainty and stress, seeing them is a balm. 

I hope you’re finding the little (and yet so very big) blessings in your life this week.