THE SKUNKS ARE GONE-THE LAVENDER FESTIVAL-THE EGG-THE TUESDAY FARMER’S MARKET IN GREENFIELD

GREETINGS

HOT and humid weather is with us now, it makes the garden grow.  Much needed rain may come tonight and tomorrow,  What we really need is a day of gentle rain.

THE SKUNK’S ARE GONE

 

To my sadness I found that they have been trapped and killed.  These joyful little things running and playing are now gone and  I have spotted one river  rat in my barn.  

The most shocking thing I found that My own state allows this to happen.  A person has the right to trap these animals and they MUST kill them immediately.   So now in my neighbor hood we have no skunks or opossums  Both may dig up lawns so they are not wanted.  Now we have ticks and rats..  I live in a country and community that think they can do anything they want to do with nature, kill anything they want to ,over fish the oceans and there will be no consequences.    Well there are consequences and they are here and all over our country.  Karma will and has come back to bite us all.  Fortunately there are many people who care about the land and animals and do their best to protect the environment.  But  there are lots of unintelligent people who do the opposite. I have sought help from the environmental Police but so far only information has come forward.  It’s all politics .  Anyone have any suggestions?

THE LAVENDER FESTIVAL

The weather was perfect, the crowds the best ever.  It was a wonderful two days.  I met loads of wonderful people and saw many old friends.  There were new vendors, sheep and Angora goats and a potter it was perfect.  Mark you calendar for the end of June next year.

THE EGG

I don’t know who laid this wonderful egg but its weight is off the scale

TUESDAY FARMER’S MARKET IN GREENFIELD

Located near Greenfield’s Market

Come on down, fresh veggies, yarn, soaps, salves, hot sauce, honey and so much more.  Today I have some cute pot holders and I will be working on a rug hooking project. Hope to see you there.

These pot holders will be there

THE WOOD PILE AND THE SWEET PEA VINE

Slowly the wood pile is getting stacked.  I may not have to buy wood this year, my son and I are thinning out some trees.  

I bought the sweet pea vine last summer.  It was  almost dead but revived but never grew much.  I don’t have luck with sweet peas but I love them so much.  This vine is dong so well, I can’t wait to see the flowers.

Many thanks for reading my blog on this cloudy, humid day. The bleeding hearts have gone and now the beautiful wild roses and Lilly’s have taken over.  

MORE HAY-THE LAVENDER FEST-THE WINTERBERRY BUSH-GREAT CLASS AT SHEEP AND SHAWL

GREETINGS

Cool nights and warm days, my idea of summer.  It was blanket weather last night but will warm to the mid 80’s today.  More gardening to get  done..  The weekend will be sunny, perfect weather for The Lavender Fest.

MORE HAY

Joe called last week and was haying.  I bought 20 bales to start my winter supply.   Hoping  to get 50 more bales from him next month and slowly increase my supply to 100 bales.  This will be the hay I use when hay is scarce in April through June.    John, whom I get my hay from now assures me that there will be more than enough. It always makes me feel secure when I have a barn full of hay.  We never can count on a winter like last year.

10 bales fit in my van!

THE LAVENDER FEST

My favorite show is coming up.  Be sure to come and visit, the weather will be perfect and there will be good food on hand.  Lots of vendors and some fiber animals will be there.  Bring you spinning wheel, rug hooking or knitting and join us.

THE WINTERBERRY BUSH

In my plans not to have to buy holiday decorations I planted 3 Winterberry bushes about 5 years ago.  First of all it was hard to find a place that sells them.  Then finding the perfect place for them.  Only one survived and this year is full of blossoms.  Last year there were few flowers and only one berry which was eaten by some lucky bird.  This year the bush is full of tiny flowers.  I may cover it later in the year.

 

CLASS AT SHEEP AND SHAWL

How lucky we are to have such a unique yarn shop nearby.  Last night I attended a workshop given by Emily who works at Sheep and Shawl.  I have been wanting to take it since I found this sweater and its instructions and hand-spun yarn in a bottom of a trash can full of wool.

I started this in the early 90’s in a workshop. then put it away.  I am grateful that I liked baggy clothes then as I have put on some weight as I have aged and the sweater will still fit me when finished.    I have had to relearn the Linen Stitch and hope to have all the decreases of the arm holes done by next Wednesday night.

Do you have a project you would like to do but need help or like me many unfinished things call Sheep and Shawl and get  started.

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

 

HAY-THE SEAMUS RUG-MAUDE AND FRIENDS-MY GRANDMOTHER’SQUILT

GREETINGS

Summer days are upon us with bright blue skies and balmy weather.  I am still planting my garden, better late than never. I took this picture of Charlie the Chipmunk this morning.  I was wondering where all my tiny strawberries were.  His mouth is covered with  juicy strawberries.  There is plenty for all.

 

HAY

Next years hay for the sheep is in the making now.  I have found a reliable farm to buy my hay from.  A farm that has been in existence for over 100 years.  The farming practices have changed with the times.  From Milking cows to hay, compost and straw.  Its long grueling work but so satisfying.  John takes good care of his fields and has a long list of people whom he sells to.   Below is a picture of the hay in progress.

THE SEAMUS RUG

Progress has been made on the Seamus Rug.  I hope to finish it this coming weekend.  I hope to get a class gong at SHeep and Shawl but first have to make a small sample.

MAUDE AND HER FRIENDS

On my second time up to the barn this morning I noticed that Maude and a pink spot on the side of her face.  Now she could have gotten this from rubbing on the barn door.  Her fleece is very greasy and that can be itchy.  I looked up onto the hill and saw a piece of a fence that had popped up.  It must have been buried and with all their walking and eating it came to the surface.  It was easy to pull up and all is well.

MAUDE

Maaaaaaaaaaaa there is not enough clover in this hay was the morning call from Lucy

MY GRANDMOTHER’S QUILT

I am giving the small South Bedroom a through cleaning and decided to wash the quilt.  No easy job as it entails taking out the stitches of the bottom and removing the wool batting.  While attempting to do that I see some wear and tares  in  some of the fabric.  An easy job may take days to fix.     I will spend the afternoon and evening getting it back in shape.

 Many thanks for reading my blog today and I hope you have a lovely day.  Carole

MY GARDEN

GREETINGS

The heartfelt sorrow and sympathy to the people in Orlando is felt by all of America and the world..  The only question is are people willing now to do something about it.  I believe a group called the NRA is responsible for laws not being passed.  They frighten people by saying that the government will take away all your guns.  That is not the aim and more and more people are coming on board  with our way of thinking.  Why should people have automatic weapons which can shoot many rounds in a second.  What is the need for that.  If  the man in Orlando only had his pistol the death toll would be so much less.  We have to start somewhere let us start now.  If one of the people who died in this senseless event was your brother, sister, father, uncle,daughter or son you would feel different I can guarantee it.   

I really want my blog to be about uplifting things, I always want to share the good  and not so good things about my life on the farm.  Even the bad things here on the farm have meaning and purpose .  Today I felt I had to share my feelings about guns. I hope you will take this in the way it was intended. To be educational and  to see both sides of the this tragic event.

MY GARDEN

My parents Bill and Ann were the best parents in the world.  They gave me things money could never buy and these things have stayed with me my entire 69 years.  I can never repay them.  I was so lucky, not everyone gets good parents.  My friend, Francine and I were only children.  Our parents  doted on us and gave us a wonderful life.  We had each other to share things with.  We still keep in touch to this day.  Our love of gardening and animals remains with us too.

The garden in my childhood home was made of love.  My Grandfather and Uncle Roger took a hilly area in back, brought back stones from old ancestral homes and built a stone wall and steps and a stone walkway.  Much cow manure was brought back in our sedan (a stinky ride) from the family farm in Chesterfield.  My Grandfather built a large sifter and all the dirt in the back was sifted and every rock thrown into a pile .  It was a sight to behold. 

When I was around 5 my parents allotted me a space in the middle of the garden for me to grow anything I wanted.  I was a kid in heaven.  It was about 5 feet X 10 feet.   I planted so many things in that garden.  Built walkways with treasured rocks brought from afar.  Worked  and helped my parents plant things.  I planted beans and cukes, radishes and a shrub.  I fenced in my space, the things that garden taught me.  I watched seeds sprout and picked the things that I planted.

One fall day we all packed up and went to Eastern State Exposition.  We did this every year,   We walked and walked through barns of animals, jars of put up foods and the state houses.  We were in the Maine state house where they were giving out Christmas Trees.  I got one and planted it in my garden.  I believe it was a blue Spruce.  I watched it grow and it grew into a wonderful tree.  Years later my Mom said its time to cut the tree, she was thinking of moving to Florida.   I didn’t want to do it but it had to be done. Tears flowed, memories came flooding back of my wonderful childhood and the sadness that I would not be able to come home anymore.  The tree looked beautiful and it was the best tree we ever had.  So full and round and straight. 

The house got sold and is not being taken care of, I wish it was still in our family.  A simple small house in a developement but the stone walls hold such memories which will always be with me.

I have gardened almost every place I have lived.  My love of it has not faded although its harder and harder for me to keep up. Darn Jewel weed!!!!!!  My love of animals has never faded either.  My parents gave me so much.  If you have a grandchild, son or daughter give them a small piece of your garden.  It will thrill them and give them a lifelong love of gardening and being self-sufficient.  What a gift to give a child.

Many thanks for reading my blog today and I hope you have a lovely day.  Carole

 

FAMILY WEEKEND-MY ROSES-CAT DROP OFF

GREETINGS

I am so glad that I didn’t put all my winter clothes away.  It is so cold here today.  The winds are blowing and temps are cold enough for mittens when feeding the outside chickens.  Now I did complain about the hot weather but I guess we do need that to keep the plants growing.

FAMILY WEEKEND

Some pictures of Cindy’s graduation.  Chris drove me back and on Sunday David and his family, myself, Chris and Lilly ad went to Wayland for Ricky’s graduation.  Rick made all sorts of wonderful food and Ricky made Pizza on a new wood fired pizza oven.    It was a wonderful day.

Chris.Cindy.Rick and Ricky

MY ROSES

I was so sadden this spring when my large Rugosa rose didn’t sprout leaves.    How would I replace such a beauty.  Recently I decided to cut it down and look for another one.  Lo and behold there was new growth hidden by jewel weed.  

 

CAT DROP OFF

I would love to know why people think that this is a wonderful drop off place for unwanted cats.  I have rescued cats for years.  I love taking in animals that need homes but  there is a limit.  How can these people live with themselves.  There should be a law that every animal be chipped then the people who do these unspeakable things can be fined.  There are three cats living at my son’s barn.   I will trap the latest cat as it is small and probably won’t survive in the wilds long.    A sadness comes over me when I think about animals and people in need.  People think animals have no feelings.  Its taken my Sammy some time to understand that there will always be food and water here.  When a dish gets close to being empty he will stand by it till it gets filled.  It also took him a while to understand that when I reach down to him I am not going to hit him I just want to pet him.    I don’t have a lot of hope for the world.  Yes there are a lot of good people in it but so many child and animals abusers.  So many people hungry and homeless and we here in America can’t seem to do anything about it.  It’s all about corporate greed and now the two people running for president are both corporate people.  I would love to move to a country that cares about its people and animals.  I could see my self living in Nova Scotia.   Well I am here to stay and make the best of this life I have been given.  I love taking care of the animals I have and am becoming more self-sufficient.  I have distanced myself from the corporate world as much as possible and will try give back to people in need.

Many thanks for reading my blog on the cold, windy day, hope its warm where you are.   Carole

On our way to get hay on Saturday Chris and I came across these two.   Herself was on one side of the road squawking and himself on the other.  We stopped and let her cross and all was well.  They look like they had been out for a stroll and were headed back to the barn.