A Little Construction Project

The little Hennies are growing. In fact, they are looking like Big Hennies, without their Combs. It's amazing how fast they have grown and right before our eyes.

Not only are they bigger, but they are outgrowing their Little House. That means they are just about ready to move to the Big (Hennies+1 Rooster) House. Before they can move in, we need an Addition to the Big House to accomodate them all.

Richard has been working on and off again on the Addition to the Big House. The Rains with other distractions have slowed his work. While he was waiting for that perfect moment to do the outside work, he built most of the pieces for the Addition. The moment to put it together arrived yesterday. He was up and at it as soon as there was enough light. Hollis and Melanie joined him as team. For the most part, the (Big) Hen House was complete by Noon, with just a few details waiting for attention. It has been wonderful to hear the sounds of the saw and the hammering of nails, and smell that new cut wood on the Farm.

The Big Hennies didn't seem to be bothered by all the commotion. They moved in and out of the House doing their usual routine: eating, laying Eggs. I think they are pretty thrilled with their new Digs.

Preservation Summary-August 4

We have preserved the following through August 4, 2008. That does not count all we have eaten along the way nor the Gifts from other Dear Ones.

• Strawberries (Frozen)-23 Quarts
• Strawberry Jam-30 1/2 Pints
• Black Raspberries (Frozen)-16 Quarts, 3 Pints
• Black Raspberry Syrup (Canned)-4 Small Containers
• Black Raspberry Jelly-2~1 and 1/2 Cup Containers
• Beef Stew Meat (Canned)-10 Pints
• Lamb's Quarters (Frozen)-9 Small Containers (Our Spinach didn't germinate; this wonderful wild Green filled in.)
• Sugar Snap Peas (Frozen)-7 Pints
• Green Arrow Shell Peas (Frozen)-7 Pints
• Pesto (Frozen)-10 Small Containers
• Cilantro (Frozen)-5 Small Containers
• Dewberries (Frozen)-7~2 cup Portions
• Peach Jam-13~1/2 Pint Containners
• Peaches (Frozen)-11 Quarts
• Peaches (Dried)-5 Cups
• Peaches (Canned)-20 Pints
• Spiced Peaches-6 Pints
• Green Beans-14 Quarts
• Fermented Dill Pickles-Started and in the crock
• Blackberries (Frozen)-8 Quarts, 7 Pints
• Cherries (Frozen)-10 Quarts
• Tomatoes (Canned)-10 Quarts

Such noting becomes Gratitude, Thanksgiving and Prayer.

Harvest

Our Human-Centered Culture tends to live outside of or oblivious to the Cycles of the Earth. Such living on this Earth is artificial, disrespectful of our Host, and probably short-lived.

As we 3 C's try to live lifestyles more harmonious with the Earth, we note 8 distinct times during the year when Earth's cycles make a marked shift. August 2, which is celebrated or noted by many Traditional Peoples in the Northern Hemisphere, marks Harvest. The Earth pushes considerable bounty which will be evident over the coming weeks.

As I reflect on my experience of a lifetime, I would agree. The season beginning August 2 differs with other times during the year. Several notes can be made within the broad frame of the Masterpiece of which we Humans are a small part.

The Sun no longer rises and sets as far to the North on the Horizon. Daylight is shorter. The weather is hotter, which produces conditions under which many Warm Season Plants seem to thrive. Check out the Tomatoes, Watermelons, Squash, Corn.

I like to think of this Season on the Meadow as the "Yellow Season". Sunny Yellow seems to be a dominant color of the Late Summer Flowers. Many Plants there take on a soft brown look. Some of this color comes from the ripening seeds. Many Birds, who have completed their nesting cycles, now have Little Ones on the wing. Some are gathering on the telephone and power lines, perhaps beginning to plan those Big Adventures ahead. Purple Martins will soon begin their annual migration back to their Winter Homes.

In the middle of these things, I am amazed and inspired watching the Earth's Big Push. Fireworks come to mind. The Beginning and Middle of the Show are usually quite moving. But the Grand Finale keeps one expectantly watching the Sky. When that Finale begins, I think of that sound "Ker-THUNK" with its resonant boom. One can almost see a Giant drop kicking those last big splashes of Colors into the Sky.

Human Shows of Fireworks pale beside the Earth's Magnificent Show at Harvest. While we 3 C's have certainly harvested considerable abundance since the Gardening Season began in April, we will witness the Earth's Big Push through the months of August, September, and October. Not only is that inspiring but it is also a glimpse of the Abundance which underpins our survival as we continue our Humble Walks on this Great Planet Earth.

Traditional Peoples mark this time with awe, celebration, wonder, and gratitude. In our own small ways, we try to do the same.

Meditations on Blackberries and Peaches

Blackberries and Peaches are the Produce of the Day. This morning, Richard joined his brother Hollis in picking the Biggest Wild Blackberries either of them have ever seen.

We froze 7-two cup portions, and 4-four cup portions of Blackberries. The latter are perfect for Pies. We worked up most of the last of the Peaches. We canned 20 pints (without sugar). After supper, we will make Spiced Peaches, a favorite recipe we've reclaimed which has at least 80 known years of history in my family.

As I write this, Richard is tidying up Mrs. Peach Tree. She pushed an abundance of Peaches, holding fast to her charge through all of those Storms. Her branches were heavily laden with fruit, so heavy that some became broken. She needed some pruning for "air" so that She and her future fruit crops will be as healthy as can be. Taking care of Her as She has taken care of us seems like a fitting thing to do.

How did the Earth create these things? Why did She create these things which would mean our sustenance (along with many other creatures)? In all of our marked achievements in the Human World, all pale in comparison with these wondrous things.

Rainfall

So how much rain have we gotten?

We do not have specific data for the Farm, which would be nice. WeatherUnderground shows a total of 43.47 inches of Rain for Kirksville this year. The average is 22.36 inches. This so far has not been an average year.

Race

We walked the Gardens this evening. That is our usual ritual as the Daylight, the Chickens, and we 3 C's prepare for bed. It's one of my favorite times. Our chores are pretty much done. We just walk about the Plants, checking in with them as if they are Good Friends of the more stationery variety.

After the often intense activity of the day, the teachings of the Plants and the Land are more clear during this time. It is almost as if when we still our own frenetic energy and our own agendas for the Land, the quiet voices of the Plants and the Land can at last be heard. These are our musings on these things on this beautiful Late Summer Day.

These days, we are watching carefully the triumphs and challenges of our Plant Friends. Melanie said "It's like a race. Which will be 1st: the Tomatoes or the Wilt?" After all the intense challenges of the season so far, do the Plants have enough vital energy to complete their cycle?

We held them as little Seeds, with all the promise and wonder that Seeds can hold. We made a commitment to raise them with all the growing skills we have. They made a tender promise to feed us. Some have. Some will. Some won't. Some have made it. Many have not.

In tending these Plants, the Gardens and this Land, they tend us. We see deeply the connection between Survival of the People and the Planet's cycles. We are filled with a mix of honor, gratitude, awe, sadness, humility and joy.

Shhh...

Richard picked that 1st Ear of Corn from the patch out by the Sorghum Cane. He has a variety of tall plants in that Garden with the Sweet Corn tucked inside.

He looked at me and I looked at him: "Shhh... Don't anyone tell the 'Coons."