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Yesterday, Richard worked on cleaning the Rock Wall. He used Vacuum, Broom, Brushes, Water, Old Tooth Brushes, Rags. 1st, he went over the surface, cleaning out the excess Mortar "crumbs". We borrowed the term "crumbs" from the Kitchen. In fact, Melanie is making Bread Crumbs for Eggplant Parmesan as I clatter away at these keys. Stone Masons of the Old Cloth probably had a different term.

2nd: The Mortar had "wicked" onto the surface of the Stones leaving a white surface and interfering with the original Beauty of the Stones. Richard carefully cleaned each and every Stone with Water, Brushes and a fair amount of Elbow Grease. We laughed when we thought that Our Dentist would look closely and wonder deeply at what happened to those 3 Sacrificial Toothbrushes. After the Stones dried and the white had re-appeared, Richard tended them again, until the white was removed. The Stones now carry their original color and pattern, which was a factor in their selection.

The Rock Wall and Hearth are now complete. We have a phone call into the Folks who will install the Wood Stove. Hopefully that will happen in the next few days. The Weather is perfect for firing it up.

As we look at the Beauty of this Wall, we conclude that whole project is a labor of love and work of art. I am happy to report that this project has firmly made this little House our Home.

~~~~Note: Do you see "Big Bird"? This little Child's Toy was a favorite in our Garden in the North Country. Somehow, it is quite fitting for Big Bird to appear along the Stone Wall. Many of these Stones would have been his companions in our Garden up North. Plus, his presence completes our design with a reminder that Whimsy is an integral part of our practice too.

Permitted

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I posted

no entries

on the Blog

prior to 8:20 p.m.

today.

It is permitted.

However,

stuff is stirring tonight.

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Thanks

Rachel came to the Farm today to visit and to help. I don't know what it is about Harvest, but to me, it just invites Community. She and I worked on shelling the Dry Edible Beans. We got all but 1 variety done.

While shelling Beans, I was struck by the abundance that the Earth is launching toward all of Creation at this Season. For many years, I missed this. But now, I see it and I am in awe. How does one say "Thanks"?

Mr. Sweet Potato Duck

It seems that our past and our present are being woven together quite nicely. For those who have known Richard for some time, they know that he has studied Ducks and other Waterfowl as a Professional Biologist for Decades. As he and Melanie dug the Sweet Potatoes on Friday, we discovered one that looks like a Duck: Mr. S. P. Duck. We really got a chuckle out of this one. I can imagine that if any of his former Colleagues and fellow Birders get to see this, they will chuckle too.

When we moved to North Dakota in the mid 1970s, the local Weatherman on TV would often feature unusual Vegetables that People shared with him. The Cameras would do their best to get close up shots and Dewey Berkquist would add stories too. Just thinking about such antics is a reminder of the changes in our times. Such sharing would clearly be beyond the frame these days.

But back to Dewey: As Dewey would close his part of the Evening Report, he would often have a few extra seconds. If he did, he would announce a "Dewey Stare Down" with his audience, followed by "You're dismissed." The Camera and Audience would then move on to other things.

If I may borrow from Mr. Berkquist, "You're dismissed."

Harvest

During these Days of Intense Harvest at the "Frost Line", all Horizontal Surfaces in the House seem to be full of Produce. Sometimes that includes various sections of the Floor. Most Large Storage Containers (2 and 5 Gallon Buckets, Pots, Bowls, Cardboard and Plastic Storage Boxes) seem to be full to overflowing.

As the Food is processed and stored, Spaces are beginning to open up. As we look into the Refrigerators and the Freezers, we are inspired by the Gifts of the Earth and the Promise of Culinary Delights in the Months ahead.

Harvest began in its fullness right on schedule about the 1st of August. It has been going strong since then and will be mostly complete by the end of October. Some periods during that time have been pretty rushed and full. However, a rhythm and flow has mostly ensued which is gentle, persistent, and always moving forward.

For the 1st time in the last 3 months, I began to see that some rest is on the Horizon. Winter is a Natural Time of Rest and Slumber for the Earth. Oh, yes, we 3 C's have painting to do and storage shelves to construct, but I think we will find times to take it a little easier soon.

Gardening Tidbits

We need to watch the times when the Locals perform their Gardening Tasks. We really need to get our Antenna out on this one. For example, 3 Gardeners have talked about harvesting Sweet Potatoes in these last 2 weeks. We did not pick up on it. We simply missed the Clues.

The Rains came. Digging Sweet Potatoes in Mud is not the best idea for Gardeners or Garden or Sweet Potatoes for that matter.

We 3 C's wonder if Fall Rains are common in these parts. There seems to be a window of opportunity for Harvest and preparation for Next Year's Garden just before those Rains. As another example, I left my Mayflower Beans in the Garden too long. As a result, I have some but I lost a lot due to mold. I don't want to do that again.

So on Next Year's list, listen to those Clues all around. As relative Newbies to Gardening in these parts, we surely do know that is important. As examples, get the Sweet Potatoes out before the Rains and all those Dry Edible Beans too.

Harvest

These pictures were taken in our scurrying Friday, October 9, ahead of the Frost. Harvest included: Sweet Potatoes, Celery, Celeriac, Basil, Green Tomatoes, Holy Basil, all those Gorgeous Peppers (hot and sweet), the varieties of Eggplants, Chives, Parsley, fall Potatoes, Peanuts, Lettuces, Thyme. Melanie even found some Peas. There weren't many, but they sure were a treat. I gathered Seeds from my Benary's Giant Zinnias and the Marigolds from Mother. We will be gathering more Seeds for our Stash over the coming days.

Post Harvest, we are now processing some of the Produce into our favorite foods: Chili, Roasted Peppers (for Soups, Pizzas), with more to come. These wonderful dishes and embellishments will make their way into the Freezer, which is full. Now that should be quite a puzzle.

Melanie is exploring uses for the Green Tomatoes. We will wrap some in Newspapers which Mother has always done. Somehow, they ripen there. I am not sure how, but extending Ripe Tomatoes from the Garden is a good idea as long as they still have that wonderful Garden-fresh Flavor. Last year, we even had a ripe Tomato at Thanksgiving.