Farming 101

Today I will present you with a basic outline on how to become a farmer. First you start in a distant city, say Denver or Mumbai. Then you look online and buy a house in rural PA, like the one pictured below.


After you have acquired such a house, you move in and read books about raising animals and vegetables. You become friends with the Amish neighbors and ask them questions. You let everyone you meet know that you wish to become a farmer just in case there is an extremely generous person at your church who will give you two pregnant dairy goats to get you started. A pair like these will be great.


Then you go to your local Tractor Supply store and buy chicks. 30 or so is enough to get you started. These 30 some odd chicks then live in a refrigerator box in your sun room.


Soon there after you must go to a local livestock auction and obtain a pygmy goat and three kids of your choosing. Make sure the kids are still bottle feeding, and that you have plenty of questions so you can pull into the Amish neighbors driveway with a carload of goats on your way home and ask them to come over to give you advice on how to keep them.


While you have been busy with all of this, you need to have purchased seeds with which to plant your garden. Aim for 60-80 varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs your first year. Plant in flats and keep in the sun room with the chicks.


The overall theme here is to try anything and aim high, welcome to the life of a farmer! (at least our style of farming!)

Daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud

that floats on high o'er vales and hills,
when all at once I saw a crowd,
a host, of golden daffodils;
beside the lake, beneath the trees,
fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
and twinkle on the milky way,
they stretched in never-ending line
along the margin of a bay:
ten thousand saw I at a glance,
tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
a poet could not be but gay,
in such a jocund company!
I gazed-and gazed-but little thought
what wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
in vacant or in pensive mood,
they flash upon that inward eye
which is the bliss of solitude;
and then my heart with pleasure fills,
and dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth

Blessings of Today

awake
birds songs
fresh air
cool, crisp
clouds break
sun beams
peace
stirrings
smile and hug
roll pastry
fresh apples, sliced
sweet and spice
open oven, in
sitting
feeling, sharing, laughing
warm aroma
galoshes
hi goats!
open windows
catch the goat!
walking, tromping, wading
sam on shoulders
bright beams warm
kitchen
mincing, slicing, chopping
heat and stir
sing
dancing, cooking
scoop roll smother
family, friends
friends, family
laughing
munch, sip, speak
learning and loving
congratulations!
spicy, spicy
cutting serving tasting
sweet
laughing
bunny trails
donation dawn
farewell
driving, thinking
serving and helping
frustration
patience
going home
bright moon, drifting clouds
peace, beauty
soft flannel
open window
cat and dog
relax pray
sleep

Psalm 25

I lift my inner being to you, Adonai;
I trust you, my God.
Don't let me be disgraced,
don't let my enemies gloat over me.
No one waiting for you will be disgraced;
disgrace awaits those who break faith with no reason.

Make me know your ways, Adonai,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me;
for you are the God who saves me,
my hope is in you all day long.
Remember your compassion and grace, Adonai;
for these are ages old.
Don't remember my youthful sins or transgressions;
but remember me according to your grace
for the sake of your goodness, Adonai.

Adonai is good, and he is fair;
this is why he teaches sinners the way [to live],
leads the humble to do what is right
and teaches the humble [to live] his way.
All Adonai's paths are grace and truth
to those who keep his covenants ans instructions.
For the sake of your name, Adonai,
forgive my wickedness, great though it is.

Who is the person who fears Adonai?
He will teach him the way to choose.
He will remain prosperous,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
Adonai relates intimately with those who fear him;
he makes them know his covenant.

My eyes are always directed toward Adonai,
for he will free my feet from the net.
Turn to me, and show me your favor;
for I am alone and oppressed.
The troubles of my heart are growing and growing;
bring me out of my distress.
See my affliction and suffering,
and take all my sins away.

Consider my enemies, how many there are
and how cruelly they hate me.
Protect me and rescue me;
don't let me be disgraced,
for I take refuge in you.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
because my hope is in you.

I found this to be a powerfully moving prayer today. I really appreciated the specific wording of this translation. 'inmost being' feels more personal than 'soul' to me, and what a blessing to know that the Maker of the universe 'relates intimately with those who fear him'! This whole psalm touched me today, just wanted to share!

A Prayer

Adonai, I look to you for everything I need in my life. Help me to put all of my expectations in you.

My soul, wait in silence for God alone, because my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

A Very Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was my birthday and it was great, thank you to my wonderful family and friends! Who could resist being happy if they are greeted first thing in the morning with this cheerful face and an enthusiastic "Happy Birthday!"?


Here is the beautiful display of gifts from Val, Amol, Sam and my parents.

We have started a great birthday tradition- cake for breakfast! Here is the cake Val and Amol got for me:


One of my gifts is a beautiful shawl my mother crocheted, it is very soft. Thank you Mom!


We also had Matt over for our weekly lunch. This week I made multi-grain pizza dough, and we each made our own personal pizza, just the way we wanted! Matt was excited at the idea and promptly donned an apron, what a kitchen whiz!


We had a terrific 3 hour lunch packed with delicious food and even better company. That afternoon my friend John came up from Grove City to join Val, Amol, Sam and me for ice cream and a movie. (Insert contented sigh here) Thank you all again for a wonderful time, my day was made special by all of you!!

A Tribute to the Wonderful Things

There are many wonderful things to experience in this life, and I believe one of these experiences is having a small child fall asleep on you. How comforting it is to feel the weight of their body pressed against yours. How sweet to listen to their soft breaths as they slumber. How mesmerizing it is to watch their expressions as they dream-of what, we know not. Today I spent three hours with Sam as he napped in my arms. (This was a special occasion, for this is the first time he has fallen asleep for me!) I treasure these times, and I enjoy taking the opportunity to lay hands on the special sleeping wee one and pray over them.

For Samuel:

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

I pray that you will be conscious of the Lords guiding hand, and still that you may hear the Spirits whispers; I pray that you will be bold and courageous for Adonai your God, and observant of His commands all the days of your life.

Samuel, you not only have the potential, but the ability to accomplish many amazing things. I am blessed to watch you as you grow, and I am ready to support and encourage you in any way possible. I am proud of you, and I love you very, very much!

Roses are Red, Violets are

Goats!

We are now the proud owners of two goats! Val and Amol finished the structure today, then we all piled into the cars, drove to a nearby farm and collected our goats from a generous friend who is helping us stock our new farm with animals.

Introducing Violet


and Lavender


(No mom, we did not name them, they already had names. These two are special anyways, they are the first ones!!)