Comfort Food and Friendship

The weather is changing.  The air is cooler, the light of day  darkens as threatening clouds build. The rain suddenly starts to fall.  The feel is, no longer summer, more like autumn.  It is time to cuddle up beneath a cozy quilt and read a book, or take a nap.  Either will do.

I have the making of squash bisque simmering on the stove - a  member contributed recipe that will be included in my next cooking column for the newsletter of the Friends of Gladys Taber. I kitchen test every recipe included in my column.  I harvested just enough acorn squash this season to meet the required amount of  that cubed  veggie.  (It was not a good year for squash of any variety.) Not much, but I know the taste will be better than using store bought produce.  I will make my homemade focaccia bread closer to dinner time. Fresh corn on the cob, dripping with butter, will be added if anyone is willing to go out in the rain to pick a few ears off the stalks.  (Note:  Glenn just came in from collecting the sweet corn.  I was expecting 5 or 6 ears, he brings in 50+.  I see a corn freezing mission in my immediate future.)

Becky is visiting and baking her version of oatmeal cookies.  The aroma lulls me toward that nap rather than reading a book.

I will consider today the actual start of 'comfort food season'....my prerogative.

As I begin to doze surrounded by smells of seasonings and spices, my mind wanders to yesterday....

 I spent the day with my friend Ann.  We were celebrating her birthday - it was in June.  We went out for a tasty lunch at what has become our favorite restaurant, Hollywood. The food always satisfies.  Onto the cinema..we lucked out and were actually able to choose a good movie to enjoy for a change  - The Help. 

But, mostly, we talked.  And talked, and talked.  Ann and I have to make more of an effort to see each other. The last time we got together was April 15th (I checked my personal journal).  OMG!  We live in the same county, Ann in the south and me in the north,  only about a 35 minute drive between us.

Ann keeps extremely busy with out-of-the area grandkids and I keep extremely busy with our farm - no excuse, but that is the only realistic reason I have. 

Even though it is not New Year's (you know,  the famed resolution),  I promise myself to make more of an attempt to see Ann regularly...I like Ann, I enjoy sharing time with Ann, and I am glad that Ann is my friend. 

I need to start behaving more like a true friend.

Yard Trails

I have obvious narrow trails through my yard.  Do you?

If you have a dog, you probably do.

What?

Both Jake and Buddy are creatures of habit.  They use the same path from the front of the house to the back of the house, and vice versa.  They use the same path through my various flower beds to get to the other side,  rather than go around.  As a result, I have permanent trails through my immediate yard.

Jake and Cricket (coming around the corner)

Permanent - where the grass has been either well worn or worn down to bare ground, or where flowers/plants have been completely destroyed - due to the continuous back and forth of four paws.  Now, multiply that by two dogs, and there are eight paws.  Correction....two cats also partake....16 paws.  That is quite a bit of traffic over the same spot; day after day, trip after trip.

There is not much I can do to improve the lawn situation, but I do take steps to reduce the unsightly trails through my perennial beds.  I judiciously plant around the trails, keeping the actual pathway open. (I got tired of constantly replanting the damaged areas.)  This results in, what looks likes, a deliberate plan and reduces the unattractive, dog-caused peculiarities.

Buddy's shortcut - he jumps off the rock wall and continues through the
flower bed rather than taking the long way around.

We are all happy.  Or, at least, I am happy.  The dogs and cats really do not care as they just continue their practice of walking along the same route; oblivious to MY problem.

SweetLips

Back in August, when we bought our 72 hair sheep; SweetLips, the llama, came along.  Her job was to protect the sheep from predators.

But, when we moved the flock in with the cattle (now a flerd), the llama did not move.  SweetLips was afraid of the cows.  She ran off and remained at the back corner of the paddock - her safety zone.  SweetLips was not alone. She companioned with the two buck lambs, one ram, and Ember, Becky's horse. Unfortunately,  SweetLips was not fond of Ember.

Over the past month, however;  SweetLips has adjusted to Ember to where she can now graze within the vicinity of the horse.  SweetLips has made her way, slowly over the weeks, closer to the barn area when the rams were fed grain.  Corn stalks, from the garden, thrown into the paddock seemed to entice her even closer.

Every day I would call out, "SweetLips....Hi SweetLips".  Her ears would perk up and she would turn to look at me.  I wanted her to become familiar with my voice. 

Yesterday, we wormed the rams and clipped their hooves.  SweetLips needed worming, too.  In fact, we were told, that llamas need worm medication about every four weeks, especially when they are near deer.  We have plenty of deer.  So, we add another chore to the forever lengthening 'to do' list.

But, to date, we had never been able to get close enough to SweetLips to restrain her, she would always run away from our outstretched arms.  What were we going to do?

We easily got Ember and the rams into the barn lot. SweetLips did not follow.  SweetLips remained in the paddock; but curious as she watched from her 'corner'.  So, I called her.  To our surprise,  SweetLips started to strut in our direction.  Slowly, step by step, she got closer to the barn lot.  As she got to the gate, Glenn was able to grab her halter and quickly attach a lead.  Success, we had SweetLips in our custody.

Glenn went to get her some cut-up apples (again, according to the literature - a treat for llamas) while I softly talked to her and stroked her thick coat of wool.  I continually watched her mouth for signs of a potential spit, but SweetLips exercised refrain - thank you.  Glenn brought the apples back, but she wanted nothing to do with the apples or with Glenn for that matter;  she became a bit agitated.  So, Glenn quickly gave her the injection.  I talked to her a few more moments before releasing her.

 SweetLips calmly rejoined her friends.  A major coup.  It was a good day.

Today,  I made an apple pie and took the bucket of parings out to SweetLips before taking the left overs to the chickens.  SweetLips slowly walked over to the bucket (she has never done this before), put her head in, took a whiff, removed her head, and flashed a crinkled nose at me before turning and walking away.  Evidently, the literature is incorrect - not all llamas think of apples as treats.  SweetLips does not.  The chickens were thrilled as they indulged. 

Now, to figure out what is a treat for our SweetLips.....

A Walk in the Woods - Fungi Find

Today,  I woke to the fairly loud serenade of crickets outside my window.  The darkness camouflaged the time, the crickets did not - it was early morning - 5:30 to be exact. Time to get to work.

But, I lingered thinking about yesterday.  Glenn and I took a late afternoon walk in the woods.  The day was very warm, but under the shade of the thick canopy of leaves, we were quite comfortable.  A few birds sang, but for the most part, we were enveloped by quiet.  Oh, so pleasant, so comforting.

Buddy raced ahead of us, as he always does.  Glenn walked with his usual long, and quick pace.  I strolled always being careful of each step - holes, fallen branches, rocks to be avoided.  Glenn always looking up at the tall trees, I am always looking down to keep from tripping - it has always been this way.

Occasionally, a break in the leaves allowed the late afternoon sun to stream through the dense woods to the ground lighting patches of the compact, but soft organic matter (built-up leaf fall over the years); spongy beneath our feet.

I would stop to take a photo of a single mushroom, a group of mushrooms, a colorful mushroom.  Each fungus/fungi provided one  frame, a snapshot, of a particular environment; all coming together as a total of the wooded surroundings.  I would take only a few more strides before stopping for another photo.

I also collected downed acorns to plant in my yard.  I have been trying to start a few oak trees, over the past three years, without much success.  I will keep trying until I get five oaks growing in the spot I have allocated for them.

Soon, I was alone.  Glenn was gone.  Buddy was gone.  I was at peace, for a minute.  Then I remembered what a neighbor had asked, "Have you seen the mama bear and her two cubs?" Fright took over as I scanned my immediate area for bears.  I noticed scat, was it from a deer or from a bear, for the first time.  My pace quickened.  My breathing quickened.  I was on my own.  I started back in the direction from where I came, I thought.  No.  The woods were different, not as open, more shrubby.  Was I headed in the right direction - out, or was I going deeper into the forest?  Keep calm, do not panic. Minutes seemed like eternity.  Another photo op...yeah, I have a second to spare as I snapped the shutter fast - I hope I did not blurr the picture....another sweeping look as I continued to hasten my stride.  The only sound was the crunching of dried leaves coming from my own steps - that was good in a sense - no bears, but no Glenn and no Buddy either.  Where is that dog when I need him?

Finally, I made it safely out of the woods.  Glenn caught up with me within minutes; asking where I had gone.  I responded, "Want to see my neat pictures?" as my breathing returned to normal.

At night, I went to bed listening to the sound of a light rain, water gurgling down the gutters, and knowing I was safe inside my home. I thought about the day as I drifted off to sleep.

I slept well.

As We Remember 9-11-01

As all of America remembers the tragedy inflicted on our entire nation by terrorists ten years ago, let us all reflect on what this nation represents, FREEDOM!

Freedom for me, freedom for you, freedom for the legal immigrants searching for a new place to call home.

My grandparents immigrated from Europe; came through Ellis Island in the early 1900's as children with their families. They were expected to learn English; conform to the standards of their new, adopted country; and to work diligently to support all their family members.  No  entitlements, no handouts were expected - none were wanted! They desired a better life and they were willing to work relentlessly toward that goal.  For most of us, that goal has not changed .

Terrorists, progressives, disgruntled citizens want to destroy the dreams of others.  Why?

If you do not like your life - change it, but not at the detriment of others.  Do what is morally right, not wrong.  Do not be a coward, be a hero.   Be that better person - it is all up to you!

We all can be free!

Peace Rose

Grass is Grand

Grasses, the ornamental variety; not the lawn variety, are a wonderful addition to any formal or informal garden.  And, there are so many choices - enough to satisfy any garden's inclination. 

     

Miscanthus - vertical-striped

Short through extremely tall; green, red, yellow; solid, variegated and striped - there are so many, almost unlimited, choices.  Grasses offer a welcomed boost, a fresh texture to any section of my gardens - an accent, a zing.   Let's face it;   I am a huge fan of grasses. 

Bamboo - Glenn's nemesis

Japanese Blood Grass

Blue Dune Grass

Northern Sea Oats

Zebra grass

The fountain-like growth of the taller Miscanthus imparts a dimension of calm as the breeze blows the long, slender blades in a relaxing back and forth motion.  Late in the season,  the seed heads develop as feather-like pinnacles. Their released seeds, near weightless and floating in the wind currents, gives the calm a more ethereal ambiance - a peace.

Overkill to add another grass to my plant collection?  Nah!

Note:  While wandering outside today, I am noticing signs of fall - leaves falling from the walnut trees (they are always the first tree species to shed), hints of foliar color change, a crispness in the air, birds gathering and flying in flocks...I think the signs are a bit early this year -  I hope that means that we will have an extended autumn and not an early and long winter...

Vet Check/Sheep Wellness Exam

Today, we scheduled a farm visit with our long time vet, Mike from Blue Ridge Animal Clinic, to come out to check our sheep and to give us some management tips.  As previously mentioned,  we are new to the sheep business.

We decided, since the sheep are a fairly new addition on our farm, a basic wellness exam for each ewe was in order. This included:  an injection for potential parasite complications (sheep are prone to worms), an eye membrane color check which indicates the level of worm infestation present (white - high, pink - moderate to low, red  - low to insignificant), examine hoof condition, and clip the overgrowth of the hoofs (yes, all four).

Mike started us off, going step by step with the first couple of sheep, demonstrating proper techniques.  Glenn and Becky practiced with Mike providing guidance. Soon, he had to leave for his next appointment.   Then, Glenn and Becky took over the physical labor, while I recorded ear tag numbers, the treatments, and refilled the syringes.

The ewes are lifted onto what I call a sheep hammock - a framed netting that supports the sheep's body.  Once placed on their rear ends, the sheep are easier (relative term) to handle.  Without said hammock, each ewe would have to be held in this unorthodox sitting position by sheer human strength.  After one or two 200+ pound ewes, that would be quite exhausting for any fit farmer, not to mention one (Glenn) who is 60 years old. 

70 sheep took nearly five straight hours of toil supplemented with a lot of sweat.  My finger nail slightly separated from the thumb with all that syringe filling - you know how painful that can be - poor me. By the end of four hours, Glenn was starting to cramp up (every part of his body); but continued to the end, one hour later - poor Glenn.  Becky, dressed in a tank top, received quite a sunburn - she will be a hurtin' tomorrow - poor Becky.  Ahhh...the life of a farmer!

Notice Glenn leaning on the gate, notice Becky's red shoulders....

Glenn is still in cramp mode five hours later. Stretch, stretch, stretch...eat a banana...

The sheep....not one let out any type of baaing - not one; (The cows are quite vocal when they receive any kind of treatment.)  not one had any major infestation of worms - not one. 

And, what better way to get to know your animals than with a one-on-one, hands-on personal exam.

Oops..forgot the rams up at the barn - we, minus Becky, will do those three tomorrow - that is if Glenn gets his muscle strength back.