It all began at Genesis.
Actually it began on the 10 hour trip to Genesis on June 2 '14. What began?
Just another crazy adventure.
It was brought to our attention that the staff at Genesis
Garden house was short of workers and that things were a little stressful
there. Since our June and July were
fairly quiet we decided to spice them up a little and head north to NJ and back
to the Garden.
We arrived about 5:00 p.m. on Monday 6/2. Met
everyone and Judy took us to where we’d be staying. There is a little cottage up by Bread and
Roses that will be our dwelling place for the next few weeks. We decided that we have three weeks at the
max but we also realized that we may drop before then.
Judy fixed us supper the first evening. We ate at the garden house. It was good to get caught up with her. It was good to be back on the farm.
Tuesday, being distribution day, we were up bright and early
and reported for work at 6:00 a.m. You
kind of hit the ground running on distribution day. Normal working day is 8:00-6:00. On Tuesdays and Fridays it is 6:00-6:00. Fact is that most of the time things run past
6:00.
It is hard to remember just what one does during the
day. The chores kind of run in to one
another. My first job was to harvest and
wash the chard. Then most of us
harvested spinach. I worked pulling
radishes. Other jobs this week included
but are not limited to – helping to put up a pea fence, weeding dandelions, not
pulling them out but weeding around them.
Seems that some people like to eat there fresh dandelion. I’ve washed planting pots, gathered eggs,
learned how to feed the chickens and put them to bed, planted squash, about 7
different varieties, in the planting pots, soaked the planting pots and put
them to bed in the green house. I’ve
become the su chef for the cook of the day, they take turns. Lunch is quite a production, all fresh
greens, beets, onions, etc. There are
anywhere from 7 to 14 people eating on any given day. I also have volunteered to do dishes while we
are here. That one thing I feel that I
know how to do.
During the afternoon if I still have any energy left I pull
the old lady act and usually land an inside job. Jerry on the other hand is the energizer
bunny, keeping up with the young interns.
Not only does he show his muscle he also shares his brain. After 3 days of no hot water in the intern’s
house, they decided that he was their hero after finding and fixing the problem.
The evenings are spent sitting in our little cottage,
usually hunting down stink bugs. We try
to stay awake in order to but the chickens to bed about 9:00. Jerry being more of a night person than I am
has graciously offered to do that.
Usually the interns have that job.
Someone however thought it would be fun for us to do while we were here. So at 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 we have a
chicken encounter.
We have also had a duck and doorbell encounter on Thursday. While Jerry was putting the chickens to bed I
heard a duck outside our bedroom window.
Wrong time of day for a duck and certainly not the right place. When I decided to investigate I realized that
it was the alarm on my phone going off, reminding us to feed the chickens. Then about 10:00 Jerry sat up straight in bed
and asked me if I had heard the doorbell.
I hadn’t, it didn’t go off in my dream land. He said that it happened before and he got up
and looked out the door. Mind you we are
in the middle of pretty much nowhere. Not
only was there no one at the door, there wasn’t even a door bell. Spooky!
After a few minutes of trying to figure things out I checked my phone
only to realize that someone who shall remain nameless sent us a text at
10:00. Really, Maria just because we’re
in another state doesn’t mean that we’ve changed our sleeping habits. We’re still the same old mom and dad.
Today (Friday) was another distribution day. Hit the ground running but before we reported
for work at 6:00 a.m. we had to let the chickens out of the coop and feed and
water them. The coop is about ½ mile away
from the cottage we are stay in. Nothing
like a walk in the wet morning grass carrying 2 jugs of water to get you
excited about the day.
More harvesting, chard, turnips, radishes were my lot. It is all good, I’m not complaining.
We lunched with Judy at the Runway Café, one of my most
favorite places in the world. Not that
the food is anything special but it is right next to a runway where, if you are
lucky, you can watch gliders and their lead planes take off.
This afternoon I rested.
My body is complaining. In a
little while I’ll join Jerry again at the farm for our 6:00 p.m. chicken duties
and then wash the eggs we collected and carton them. It’s all good.
The weather has been good although the farmers would
appreciate a little more rain it think. There has been a delightful breeze blowing
which makes the sun’s rays a little easier to handle. Evenings are rather cool. Definitely long sleeve temps.
Saturday brought with it an early morning trip to the
Laundromat. Although it opens at 5:00 I
got there a little before 6:00. Except
for one other person for a load of wash it was just the way I like it, all to
myself. I hit the A&P on the way
home for some odds and ends and then back to the cottage. Jerry put in a 9:00-2:00 day with the rest of
the crew. I just didn’t have the energy
so I just hung around at ‘home’. After a
quick bite to eat we headed over to the river walk to put in a little over 2
miles. It was all good. In the evening we drove over to Judy’s and
then visited Rita’s for a gelato. Nice
down time. Home just before dark and
early to bed once again, after Jerry tucked the chickens in for the night..
Sunday we did a walking tour of the farm. Got a little lost in the woods but nothing
serious. We visited the Cherry Valley
Winery where Len was playing in the afternoon and then back to Judy’s for
dinner with Len and Justin. Very nice
evening. Again we were home just before
dark and in time to turn in at the respectable hour of 9:00. After Jerry put the chickens to bed. Good day.
Today, being Monday, started with laying in bed listening to
the rain fall. A gentle refreshing
sound. Jerry once again graciously took
care of the chickens at 6:00 a.m. letting them out in to their fenced in yard,
looking forward to a day of pecking in the dirt and at each other
.
Monday’s around the farm start with a walk through the
fields. Since it was raining and my work
in the fields was becoming more limited due to – shall we say old age (we could
say leg cramps and pain, achy back, the reoccurrence of what seems to be carpel
tunnel syndrome and headaches that are occurring more frequently) I decided to
forgo the walk in the rain. I reported for work at the leisurely hour of
9:00 a.m. I put in time coaching the
cucumbers back in to place, planting brussel sprouts and corn in pots for the
green house.
I’m not sure if it was the rain or the fact that it is
Monday or just what but today seem to be slower paced and a little
quieter. We ate lunch at the cottage,
Judy joined us. The rest of the
afternoon was spent weeding beets. I
however, took the afternoon off and stayed at the cottage waiting for it to
rain today.
At lunch Jerry figured out that last week even with starting
work on Tuesday he put in a 44 hour work week.
My time was probably about half of his.
Odds and Ends – Have I mentioned the stink bugs yet? They seem to be just about everywhere. But I suppose it could be worst. The garden house certainly has its
share. Our cottage..Jerry removes about
a half to a full dozen each day. We now
have a resident mouse (hopefully just one) but when you live in the woods I
think that is to be expected.
Jerry is talking about making a beer run tonight. We’ll see what his energy level is like after
he feeds the chickens at 6:00.
It is Tuesday – I think.
Being a pick up day we clock in at 6:00.
Chickens first. I hit the
chard. Picked 46#s worth today. The the pea patch. Nice stand up job. We picked mostly yellow peas today and some
green. Busy, busy, busy. Produce has to be ready for pick up by
noon. Luckily there were some work/share
people joining us for the peas and turnips. No scheduled lunch today, too
busy. My day ended about 2:00. Jerry ate lunch and carried on. I joined him to help with washing the eggs and
I also managed to get some computer work done.
Sad news. Yesterday I
found out by way of facebook that Julie Williams died. I still have a hard time wrapping my head
around it. Wish I knew of something to
do or someone to contact. So sad.
It is now Friday (the 13th)
The week was a long one yet it went fast. Heavy on my mind is the death of Julie. The children, Matthew all wanting a place in
my mind as if somehow that could change things.
Julie is at peace but it is hard to imagine how the family will move on
gracefully for this. Yet I know they
will. Their faith is deep and
lifegiving. I feel disconnected. I do not know any of her friends or
family. I was just out there alone on
the receiving end of her occasional phone call.
Listening to her cheery voice and her positive attitude.
Farm life continues on.
Planting seed. Waiting with hope.
Working in the rain and sun. Harvesting that which someone else planted many,
many days ago.
Jerry continues to keep up with the young ones. 10 hours days Monday, Wednesdays, Thursdays,
12 hour days Tuesdays and Fridays and on Saturdays, 4 hours. Then there are the chickens. Feeding at 6:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.. Putting them to bed, closing the coop door at
9:00.
Found a second tick on me yesterday and saw a snake in the
green house today. Ah, farm life. All is well.
Still I stand in admiration of the young people who work
these long hours. Who are learning the
language of growing things. Who are the
hope for the future of life with meaning.
So it is now 5:30 p.m., still Friday. According to my weather app we received 2.51
inches of rain this morning. About an hour
ago the sky darkened and the thunder rolled across the mountains. Decided to grab a cup of tea and sit on our
tiny porch to watch things develop. It
was that or vacuum the floors. The porch
is so tiny I could not sit there long so I moved to the living room, opened all
the curtains and watched things blow up.
My phone gave me a severe thunderstorm warning. (I didn’t know that it could do that.) Things got darker and the thunder, lightning
and wind were continuous. Nice
storm. No damage done around the
cottage. But I was sitting on that fine
edge between fascination and fear. There
are flash flood warnings out now and we’re suppose to get another wave of rain
yet this evening. It will be interesting
to hear the total rainfall for today.
The garden house has a rain gauge but apparently it had a hole in it.
My bet is this is the weather maker that will change things
to hot and humid in the coming days.
Saturday – and Jerry is working over at the intern house
with some members of the Genesis Farm board.
They are fixing and repairing.
The interns and Judy are working in the fields or in the garden
house. I was up about 5:00 and headed
for the Laundromat by 5:30ish. A short
stop at the A&P and I was home by 8:30.
Jerry left at 9:00. I straightened
things up a little, out the laundry away, called Aunt Joy and then just took it
easy. Hot shower followed by blow drying
my hair, i.e. a walk down the lane with the breeze blowing. Walked a path by the cottage which lead to
two benches sat in a clearing. The
supports for the benches were shaped like snakes. Intriguing. The weather is on the
bubble. Bight and sunny one minute and
then looking like it might pour down the next.
Someone is cutting the grass invading my quite. They seem to do this quite often. Second time in the time that we’ve been here.
Last evening was a little slower. Jerry was up from the farm by 6:00. Supper was before the usual 7:00. It seemed good. We’ve had no TV, no radio. I should admit that I have listened a little
to my iphone music, but not much. For
the most part it has been just quiet.
Good!
Just had the idea that perhaps Jerry and I should try to
find a cabin somewhere once a year or so just to be quiet. Camping is fine but it is work and there are
usually campers around and if there are not sometimes I’m a little
uncomfortable. But a place with just the
necessities. Where we are now there is
one pot, a small skillet, two knives, one fork, (two plastic forks if they
count), and three spoons. There is a tea
pot and a coffee maker, two plates, a few glasses and a saucer. There is a TV, dvd player and vcr. We have listened to a Wendell Berry CD that
Judy left with us, his poetry set to music.
Or at least I have. It has been
good. We’ve been tried and tired of farm
work and tired of chickens. But the beat
goes on and it has been/is good.
Saturday afternoon we walked down to the garden house to use
the computer. Judy was still there. We sat and talked for a bit. We were hoping to go out for supper but I wasn’t
feeling 100% so we decided to make a beer run instead. Rode down Main Street in B’town. Got out and walked around a bit. Marveled at the interesting buildings. Walked up on to Blairstown Academy
campus. Apparently it is known worldwide
and has an international enrollment.
Judy said that it creates future CEOs.
We did see a Great Blue Heron on campus along with a deer. They looked quiet normal.
After buying the beer we stopped at the Foot Bridge
Park. Reminded me of a lot of city parks
that we camped in last year. Came home
to sandwiches and a quiet, early evening.
Father’s Day – 6/15.
Up in time to do the chickens. I
went with Jerry and took a little video of the event. I sent it out to the kids. They seemed to enjoy it.
We went to the Boat House in Swathburg for breakfast. It was about a 20 minute ride. Beautiful morning, nice ride. The Boat House is situated on a lake. Imagine that.
It was a wonderful setting. Near
a state park. Food was good. A great start to the day.
Came back to the cottage.
Rested a while. Took the long way
to Judy’s by way of Delaware Water Gap and skirting S’burg. Supper consisted of clams which I think Jerry
enjoyed along with the liquor. We also
had brats, chicken salad, greens, strawberries and ice cream and cookies. Best part was the company. It was good to spend down time with Len and
Justin. Home by 9:15.
Monday brought a nice sunrise along with the usual bird
songs (and stink bugs). Work was as
usual. Jerry spent the day out in the
field. I filled flats, dibbled and
planted. Lettuce seeds this time. I appreciate Judy giving me work in the
gardenhouse. It does get a little lonely
but out of the sun is good.
Judy usually stops up in the evening for ‘a half of a
beer’. It good time to be with her and
talk a little although we’re all somewhat beet.
Tuesday = pick up day.
For me that means harvesting chard and pickin’ peas. 3 hours in the sun pickin’ pea did me
in. I just don’t have the stemma or the blood pressure to keep this up. Distribution day seemed to come together
rather smoothly. Judy came up and stayed for supper. Time is short, we want to make the most of
it.
Wednesday was clean up and pack up day for me. Jerry hit the fields once again, weeding
onions and such. I went down for lunch
but then topped off the tank and did one last beer run. Cleaned a little but can’t put the finishing
touches on until Jerry’s one last shower,
The cottage was been good for us. We are certainly grateful. Hoping to hit the long road home bright and
early tomorrow. Well, at least early.
