by Susan | Jun 2, 2013 | On My Mind
After two beastly hot and humid days, today was a gem. Still quite warm, breeze off the water kept the things comfortable in the shade of the porch. I had a bit of work still sitting on my desk, so I bounced back and forth from my office to the porch, fitting in some...
by Susan | May 26, 2013 | On My Mind
It has rained for seven days straight. And not just drizzle, but on and off steady, solid downpours. I wouldn’t be surprised if the peas, beans, and squash I planted last weekend have drowned. I’ve been busier than I’ve ever been on the work front....
by Susan | May 13, 2013 | Family
This week in Pennsylvania visiting my folks has been blissfully slow-paced. On the first sunny day, Dad and I went for a drive in search of a mountain overlook where he thought I’d enjoy taking pictures. After two hours of driving, we admitted defeat and...
by Susan | May 6, 2013 | On My Mind
Pictures like this are the payoff for wearing a camera around my neck as if it were a necklace. A little cumbersome, but worth the results!
by Susan | May 4, 2013 | Family, On My Mind
Hannah needs an updated photo for 8th grade graduation festivities in the works, so we had a mini photo shoot this afternoon. She’s happy with my amateurish attempts. 8th grade graduation already? She’s growing up entirely too fast!
by Susan | Apr 30, 2013 | On My Mind
The past few days have been a delight – beautiful weather and an amazing assembly of birds on the farm. Never have I seen such a variety of birds here at one time. The regulars: Dark-eyed Junco Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Crow Mourning Dove Red-breasted...
by Susan | Apr 20, 2013 | On My Mind
I was in our public library yesterday for a meeting when I saw this counter emptied and sitting on a hand truck. The librarian, a friend, told me it was on the way to the dump! Much to Paul’s dismay, I gave it a last minute stay of execution. Along with another...
by Susan | Apr 7, 2013 | On My Mind
The first signs of spring! A brave crocus popping up in the garden. The chickens and ducks have yet to discover it. And the pond is defrosted. Porch weather is clearly on the horizon!
by Susan | Apr 4, 2013 | On My Mind
My journey with chicken farming started two years ago after I read The Omnivore’s Dilemmia by Michael Pollan. The first year we raised 35 cornish cross rock chickens for the freezer. Last year we raised 50 freedom ranger chickens. Today we begin year three with...
by Susan | Mar 20, 2013 | On My Mind
I woke up on this first morning of spring to a foot of snow. This feels like such a setback after a stretch of sweatshirt weather. Just the other day I noticed my day lilies poking through the ground and the pond was melting around the edges. I was longing to move...
by Susan | Mar 10, 2013 | On My Mind, On the Farm
After almost a month of snowy weekends (or the threat of snow), I welcomed the opportunity to spend some time outdoors. Even it came in the form of physical labor. We have been systematically clearing out dead trees from the woods surrounding the house – like...
by Susan | Mar 9, 2013 | On My Mind, Out and About in Maine
After doing some chores today, the last thing I wanted to do was hang around inside. The last two weeks have been crazy busy with work and all I’ve done lately sit on my behind. With mud season looming, hiking isn’t a great choice, so we opted for an...
by Susan | Feb 23, 2013 | On My Mind
In addition to my regulars – the Mourning Doves and Chickadees, some new visitors have been distracting me from work. I find myself wandering from the office to the kitchen to see who’s visiting the garden bird feeder. This female Common Redpoll spent an...
by Susan | Feb 17, 2013 | On My Mind
If it’s the weekend, it must be snowing – at least that’s what it seems like lately. Although the ducks didn’t mind and protested as darkness loomed and it was time to head in for the night.
by Susan | Feb 14, 2013 | On My Mind
Paul and I shopped separately for our Valentine’s gifts for Hannah. What are the odds we both end up giving her the same card? Purchased in another town? Hope you spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart!
by Susan | Feb 10, 2013 | On My Mind
A walk through virgin snow. Click on the thumbnails for a larger view. Shadow of faded flowers. Shadow of summer chairs. Critter tracks and tunnel. Forgotten rosemary. The shadows of Silver Maples. Snow covered moss. Frosty seed pods. Barren potato basket. Faded...
by Susan | Feb 10, 2013 | On My Mind
We survived Blizzard Nemo. It snowed and the wind howled for the better part of 24 hours. As a result of the high winds it’s hard to tell how much snow fell. In some areas it’s up to your hips, in others your knees. I cannot remember such a ferocious storm...
by Susan | Feb 8, 2013 | On My Mind
There’s no way you could have missed the talk of the Nor’easter named Nemo heading toward the Northeast. It seems like every time I turn the news on, the projected snowfall has risen by an inch. Here’s a snapshot to show where we are in this mess. We...
by Susan | Feb 7, 2013 | On My Mind
Hannah, age 13, has an email account. It’s rarely used. In my ongoing effort to watch over her and keep her safe online, incoming messages are copied to my email box. Midday, I saw a message allegedly from her arrive in her inbox and took a peak. The message was...
by Susan | Feb 6, 2013 | On My Mind
Feeding the birds this winter has resulted in some uninvited guests. I’m careful about putting out suet before the bears hibernate. From time to time our neighbors’ feeders are raided by black bears. We’ve yet to have the pleasure. I like to think it’s the Ginger...
