"What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - that is God's gift to man." (Ecclesiastes 3: 9-13).
The salty perspiration flows from my brow across the tip of my nose and down around my neck.... following gravity.... the air thick with water, oppressive in heat. Yet the weeds do not stop, the planting continues, the harvesting progressing. The life of a farmer - rain or shine, sun or sleet, rain or shine. The blueberries finally done but not before the carnage of Japanese beetles.
They attacked my blueberry bushes; sucked the sweet juices of the fruit and decimated the foliage. I stripped the bushes off the best I could - trying to harvest the last of the good fruit - and then, yes, I sprayed. Sprayed those 1600 bushes to save them. I then put up seven traps with garbage bags attached on the west side of the field while we had a wonderful west wind. The spraying dislodged the buggers from the plants and the trap pheromones drew the bugs off the field. Within thirty minutes the bags were half full of creepy, crunchy, smelly beetles. By the time the week had past I had collected over 35 gallons, yes gallons, of those plant-devouring creatures. There remain a few stragglers, but the field should recover.
Much to think about while weeding. Dreaming of next year already. Thinking of ways, of methods or techniques to make this farming easier and more efficient. Enjoying the beauty of the flowers while listening to the hum of the bees & viewing the soft floating ventures of the butterflies.
"Pete" our new black kitten and his brother "Re-Pete" have been joined by yet another black kitten "Three-Pete" to our farm. Applesauce had four kittens this spring as well. So our little farm home is filled with curious, playful, cuddly kittens.
Our new Market trailer! Gary and I will build the shelves and organize it so that we can haul everything in the trailer safe from weather and travel wind - and without having to drive two cars every week.
Last week the wind came hurricane-ferocious for 15 minutes accompanied by torrential rains. Four major branches of this elm fell - just feet from Ben's car. Other trees around the farm also suffered damage. Yet the promise reminder of the rainbow reminds me Who is in control.
And the basement floor and heating have been installed! Ready for the Morton guys to start their construction. Gary dug the trenches for the drain tiles and will backfill with gravel rock this week. It will start to look like something really soon!
Today's Journey Joys: Cooler temperatures, blueberries planted, garlic harvested, chickens plump, flowers blooming in vibrant colors, music while weeding, Ben recovering from wisdom teeth extractions, sweet melons and soft food, squash and pumpkins forming.
