“The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.”
HDT

Make the Most out of a Rainy Day.

As JaseJase did here.



If you can see the mud behind my dear duck, that is just a small amount of the actual amount they seemed to have created, in todays rain storm.

About a quarter of the fenced in chicken yard (which a quarter is a large amount) is now entirely mud.  I can't even walk in it.  Its deep.  Its slippery.  It stinks like old man breath.  And its mudddddd.

Ducks make the best out of every weather situation.


It is almost an art form to watch them.  Sling, nibble, throw, play, and I swear to you --- create mud.


And they love it.



The chickens on the other hand, seem pretty appalled.



I've been told - even by the lady who sold us the ducks ( and loves ducks herself) that "ohhhh there so messy....they're sooo dirty, right?!"

Well yah.

Thats their job.
and its a good job at that!





Loving these guys:)

ITS THE FINALLLLL CCCWWWWOOOOOUNNNTDOWN!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMRA0r92iachttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMRA0r92iac



.....But I'm not a magician, and my name isn't Gob.



(anyone?)


SO-  this is it!   The final countdown to alot of things!

This weekends opening!
The broodyboo hen hatching some eggs
A-rod getting suspended......(had to add that)



And well- I guess thats it.
Its been more exciting sounding in my head this past week, thank I guess it might actually be for the rest of you......let alone read about it.


So let me make use of your time now that I have your attention.



































You still there?



Ok-




So tomorrow we head on down to Southern (more south than us) Maryland to the produce auction.  Its run by Amish farmers, who practice organic farming, sell in bulk to peeps like us, and its one awesome time.
I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing familiar faces there, and the little Amish children running around barefooted and on the back of horses.  (it is quite an expierence.....and a beautiful one at that).


We WILL finally be opening our stand this weekend!!!

Whooo!!!


So how does it work?

Let me put it simply-


We (small time farmers who grow only a big enough graden to support our own appetites) Go to the Amish auction.
We bid on seasonal "duce." (farners talk for produce)
We bring it back on up here.
We sell it at comparable prices to any good local yokel and folk who happens to stop by our stand.
We "hopefully," make some money.

You ever see them watermelon stands on the way to Ocean Shitty? ( I mean City?)
Yah-  thats what they do too.  Bid on about 500 melons- hopefully get half the lot, and then resell.

Its how it works.

There is no way we could get quality produce the same way that these Amish farmers can.  Our soil is different.  Our acerage is forest preserve.  Our skill is in providing the quality- but not being the ones growing it.


So why do this?
So we can be "the local," you all talk about on your bumper stickers.
So we can work good work.
So we can worry, not about traffic but about the weather and how that will affect prodcution and growth, and prices of crop.
So we can be the ones to provide the quality. Tomatoes that are actually red when you cut them open. Watermelons that are sweet, and don't taste a thing like water.
So you can see the dirt still on the cucumber you are adding to your salad.
So you can know that the onion in your hand has passed through two hands before yours- The picker, the bagger, then you.
So when you talk about eating organically.  You actually are.
To do my ancestors proud.
To be in an American industry. Small.  Simple.  Important.








*sigh.


Someone que up a country song or something please-  I'm getting all heartfelt.


The second countdown we have going on is Broodyboo---


This Monday or Tuesday she will hopefully be hatching out some eggs- eleven (as of last count ) total.

Excited more so this time.  All eggs seem well, and Momma hen a bit more healthy, and relaxed looking.  She has even gotten off her nest a number of times (on hot days) to eat and drink (and kick ass)




Well I don't really know how to end this entry soooooooo I'll end with a quote

“Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.” 
― Anthony G. Oettinger