SHORTY-THE FARMERS MARKET-GARDEN REVIEW-NIGHT TIME ON THE FARM

GREETINGS

SHORTY

The dynamics of this house has changed considerably with the loss of three cats.  Shorty now tends to disappear every afternoon to a secret hiding place that I have yet to find.  He missed a vet appointment so no more appointments will be made for him in the late afternoon.  Yesterday he did get to the vets  for a shot.

 

Big Sam should be arriving here next weekend and that should change things considerably.  The house does feel empty now.

THE FARMERS MARKET

Instead of doing  work on the rug I  worked on the mat for the 2 Hooking classes I am teaching this fall.  I hope to have it completed by the weekend.  It is a smaller version of the Farmers Market Rug.

My friend Jill came down and spun yesterday while Jane joined me later.  I was not in my usual spot but found that the place I moved to was better.  Under a tree so I didn’t have to set up my umbrella.  It was a beautiful day at the market and Eric played some lovely tunes on the bagpipe.  There was much interest in our spinning and hooking.

GARDEN REVIEW

This being the last weekend in summer I thought it was time to do a review of the garden.  The cukes are doing so well, so many this year I have found the proper spot for them.  Herbs are still doing well and I should have many pumpkins.

 I am disappointed in the tomatoes and hope to remedy that.  I think the soil is too rich causing more growth to go into the leaves and stems, although I do have lots of tomatoes on the vine but the plants themselves are 6 feet tall.  The peppers got a late start but growing them in less rich soil has done the trick and I will have plenty to freeze.

The very late start with beets will bring me some small beets in a month or so.  

I really need to start planning out the hoop house and start buying the supplies for it.  Because of the cooler weather this summer tomatoes have not done their best so when I do get the hoop house  set up I will grow them in there.  I will be able to start them earlier and they will produce later.

NIGHT TIME AT THE FARM

I love night time on the farm.  In the chicken coops all are trying to get their favorite sleeping places,

 The sheep also have their favorite eating spots, Its a quiet time in the barn with the sounds of sheep munching on their hay.

CAROL K

  I enjoy those peaceful sounds as I sit in my chair outside looking at the fading  sunset while filling their water buckets.

Many thanks for reading my blog on this delightful summer day.  Carole

GOODBYE ANGUS

HELLO

 

 

GOODBYE ANGUS

Angus passed away today peacefully in the Vets office.  Dr. Funk found a large mass on his liver and we were sure it had spread to his lungs.  3 cats in 2 months is a lot  to handle.  He was 17.  I have had him since he was born.  Now I only have one cat from the Maryland family that is Shorty.

He will be missed.  Angus was and interesting car with a weird purr.  He wanted to be an only cat and for a while I thought he would get his wish. He will see his Mom and siblings Over The Rainbow Bridge.  I appreciate every day that he lived with me he brought me joy and laughter

Thank you Ricky for helping me today.

Carole

 

 

 

SWIMMING ON THE DEERFIELD- RIVER-BACK ROADS OF COLRAIN-ADOPTION PROCESS

GREETINGS

 

Yesterday was a delightful summer day, Angus back to the vets and has gained on tenth of a pound hopefully he is getting back to his old self.  I found periwinkle in where the sheep were so it was a hectic moment getting them out of there.  The plant is a poison to sheep and goats.  I am going to pull it up in that area and  reseed the area in Orchard grass and clover seed.  I discussed it with Joe yesterday and he is the leading authority around here on hay.  Because I have such a small area for them to graze Orchard grass will come back quicker and clover has a good root system.

Some of the Maple trees are starting to turn colors already. My Dad used to say that this was a sign of a weaker or damaged tree.

SWIMMING ON THE DEERFIELD

RICKY

 

In this section of The Deerfield River there are many large boulders and pot holes in the rocks left by glaciers.

 

Ricky is here for a few days and he loves the river so we went yesterday afternoon.  I think the water is too cold for my arthritic legs but i sat in a chair in the water.  Ricky swam for well over an hour.  The water is beautiful with fast moving currents.  Plenty of rocks to dive or jump off of.

ADOPTION PROCESS

I have started a cat adoption process.  I found a wonderful 1 year old tuxedo cat on pet finder.  His name happens to be Big Sam.    He has a sad story as most animals for adoption do.  I hope that I will be able to get him. I found him on Petfinder which so many people use these days.  I should know by he weekend.   

Many thanks for reading my blog on this sunny day  I hope you have a glorious day.   Carole

BACK ROADS OF COLRAIN

MR. PEEPERS AND CHICKEN LITTLE-THE GRANGE FAIR-VISIT WITH FRIENDS-THE PATHWAY

GREETINGS

Its a cool morning here on the farm.  The kind of morning where you fingers start to tingle just a little.  A sign of cooler days.  The yellow jackets were out in full force even stinging Jane one of the weavers.  

GOOD MORNING WORLD

The two boys delightful crows are nice to hear in the mornings.  The crows are not as harsh as Hazel’s and not as deep and loud as Murphy’s.  Maybe that will change as they age they are only 4 months old

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkPkhluPqj8

 

THE GRANGE FAIR

I spent a wonderful afternoon at the Grange Fair in SHelburne.Visiting with old friends from The Springfield Weavers Guild and friends from the area. 

THE SPRINGFIELD WEAVERS GUILD

There was a good interest in spinning and Jane and I  thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

A friend that I haven’t seen in years stopped by, Barbara.  SHe brought her dog Henry, what a beautiful and well mannered dog.

Its always a treat to see the entries.  Canning, quilting, flowers and more.

Barbara from Barberic Farm was there and she has keets for sale.  This is the farm where Carol K and Maude came from.

 

THE PATHWAY

The pathway to the side yard is delightful to walk in after a little rain.  I think the rain enhances the smells of the Rugosa Roses , Tansey and the Phlox.  The combined smells linger in the air.

Many thanks for reading my blog today and I hope your day is enjoyable.  Carole

 

CONTINUING FAMILY TRADITIONS-ANGUS-THE TWO BOY’S

GREETINGS

CONTINUING FAMILY TRADITIONS

Today I canned tomatoes.   It’s a long tradition in my family.

 On steamy, hot summer days in Maryland, the small gas stove in my Grandmothers basement  was lit.  The women in the family were busy cutting and peeling tomatoes right from the garden.  As a child it seemed like a day long project they were only finished when all the tomatoes were done and the jars were on the shelves in the basement.  These women, my Grandmother and her daughters knew how important it was to have food on the shelves.  They had gone through the depression.  My Grandmother fed many Hobo’s tomato sandwiches, they were appreciative and it might have been the only meal they would have had that day.

My Mother continued the practice and I can vividly see the stocked shelves in our basement..  Jars and jars of blueberries picked from the farm, peaches from our own tree, tomatoes, beans and corn from our garden, and pickles of all kinds.  She always made Mustard Pickle with a recipe that was handed down from my Dad’s Mom.  I wish I could find the recipe.

Today I am also cooking diced tomatoes in the crock pot.  Herbs,garlic and peppers from the garden are added to the tomatoes and some diced onions from the farmers market top it off.  These will be put in packets and frozen for sauces for this  coming winter.

 

I am hoping to dry some peaches and more herbs.  Plan to freeze the string beans and some corn and make pickled beets.

ANGUS

 

Angus went to  the vets yesterday.  He had been having all sorts of problems.  He will celebrate his `17th birthday next week along with his brother Shorty.  His blood work and tests came back in the okay range so fluids were given and he has to take an appetite enhancer.  He hates pills and will hold them in the side of his mouth for as long as 10 minutes and then you  see him spit it out!  Dr. Funk showed me how to do it.  He has to go back today for more fluids.  He was so happy to be home.  He likes living upstairs now.

Its been raining here for a couple of days now so I did not do the farmers market yesterday.  It’s a gentle rain so that is good.  The cukes are starting to ripen and there may be enough for making bread and butter pickles later this month.  Chris will be leaving on Sunday and Ricky will be here for a few days.  He will be helping me to inventory all the family items in the house.  We will take a picture of the item and then he will write a narrative.  So many things have been handed down to me I want my family to know where these things came from.

THE BOY’S

Here is the latest photo of the boys.  They are grand roosters.  They have marvelous crows and are very friendly.  When it gets cooler they will be living with the sheep upstairs for the winter.

Hope you have a wonderful day and many thanks for reading my blog.  Carole

 

.