Carry the Load

When life gives you a heavy load, sew totes to carry it in. The latest Bundaflicka totes hanging from the rafters...

Reba

Reba, the bloodhound/coonhound/beagle we found in the neighbor's field, is settling in very nicely. I just can't imagine how she ended up in a field by herself with no collar or tags. She is such a home-body and loves being in the house, sleeping on the sofa, or watching me cook. Reba follows us everywhere we go and doesn't run away. When I take the dogs out Reba does her business and runs back to the house with me. I really appreciate that behavior, especially when it's in the wee hours of the morning and the cold wind is blowing hard. She has taken a particular liking to Matt and gets real excited when he comes home. One thing we can't figure out is why Reba does not bark. Not even when she hears something outside and the other dogs are barking like crazy. Matt heard her bark once, a woof-woof, at something across the road. That's the only time in the three weeks or so that we've had her. I can't imagine a coon/bloodhound/beagle not barking. Just doesn't seem right. I don't mind. Reba has a good home with us, if no one claims her

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So Much Work...

The farm requires sooo much work, sooo much money, and sooo much worry, but it is soooo beautiful. I love to climb the hill and watch the clouds drifting by. There is so much that needs to be done on the farm I rarely have time to linger. The work is never done and I can be sure it will be waiting for me whenever I get to it.

Sheep are Safe

I have a shepherd friend who recently had her prized Cormo ewe attacked by a neighbor's dog. She had Cornell vets come out to treat the ewe, who is half way through carrying lambs. The neighbor's dog has not been back and the ewe is hanging on. Thor, Finn and Knut keep dogs, coyotes, bear and mountain lions away from the sheep. Good doggies!

Sun Spots?

Rough day at the office, but that's the nature of the beast. I'm heading home to the farm to face a whole new set of challenges. As daunting as it can be, the farm definitely keeps my mind off work and thoroughly absorbed in the world I have created for myself out in the wilds of Brookfield Township.

Ashes to Ashes

It's hunting season now. Hunting is a way of life here in Northern Appalachia and many families depend on it to feed their families. As much as I hate it, I can understand the need to put food in the freezer. I'm not crazy about the absentee land owners who buy land here and only come for the "fun" of killing deer. It's not like we have an "overpopulation" problem here in the wide open spaces. I don't know who pulls my No Hunting signs down year after year. I didn't put up any this season. Why bother? I would climb down a culvert and up the bank to nail the rigid sign on a tree trunk just to have someone do the same to yank it down. People know there is no shooting on my land, and the deer who hide in my apple orchard are safe with me.

Making Sheep

Yes, I keep sheep but in school we are making sheep. Our librarian invited us to make a holiday display in the library window case. I took the liberty of picking a sheep theme and calling it "Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night" after the Bible verse and popular hymn. Robin, my trusty aide, and I experimented with a design for wooly sheep the students can make without too much trouble and fuss. We'll roll up my Rambouillet roving into balls and gently mash them in warm water and soap to make them felt. Black felt will be glued on to make ears and faces. Hopefully tooth picks painted black will be enough to stand them up. We plan on making a rolling, paper mache landscape for the sheep to stand on with their shepherds. Little silver stars will be pasted to the sky along with dangly white lights. We'll fashion a larger Star of Bethlehem and position the sheep to be looking in that direction. I'm excited about this activity and the opportunity to put my student's names on the display. Pictures to follow, ofcourse.

Forever Plaid

I've wanted a pair for about 20 years now, but never wanted to pay the price LL Bean was asking for these gorgeous jeans. Low and behold, Anne Fisher, my daughter's Mother-In-Law, sent me a gift package with not only one, but TWO brand new pair of them. They are a perfect fit, with the legs just long enough that I can turn up the cuffs to show the cute red plaid lining. Here I am with my favorite Liz Claiborne blazer and vintage red plaid wool scarf rescued from Chez Tractor Shed. The black patent leather Danskos were a particularly lucky find last fall at the Bargain Box in my hometown of Morristown, New Jersey. They are as comfy as sneakers, even more so, and perfect for playing basketball with my students. I asked Beasty Boy to take a picture of me in the jeans to show Anne Fisher and thank her for her thoughtfulness.

What's on the Machine?

I'm working up some lovely Bundaflicka knitting totes for the holidays. This fabric is so beautiful and the orange lining sets it off so nicely. Wish I had bought more of the orange. In the store it was a bit much, but when I got it home I loved it. I'll enjoy making clay buttons to go on this tote.

Chaplain Oliver

AJ is now a full fledged US Army Chaplain. I'm very pleased and proud. It's been a long haul since he first started on this road, and he stuck with it. It seems like yesterday we were at Fort Benning, Georgia, watching him graduate from boot camp. Since then he's been deployed to Cuba, attended Chaplain School at Fort Jackson for two summers, graduated from Rutgers College, attended three years of seminary school, been ordained an Orthodox Priest, participated in many drills and encampments, been flown to remote parts of the Nevada desert to minister to troops in the wild, and comforted families who have lost loved ones in war. This is just the beginning of a lifetime of service to God and Country.

Lovely Weather

The sheep are enjoying this gorgeous weather. Luckily they are still eating green grass on the hillside.

What's on the Wheel

I'm spinning some of the lovely chartreuse roving I recently got back from the mill. I hope to knit a vest for myself with it someday. It will look good underneath my favorite grey flannel blazer.

Moon Set

Up early at five or so. Body doesn't know there's no school today. That's okay, I don't need to stay in bed. There's too much to miss to lay in the darkness. I've been spinning the lovely chartreuse roving I want for a vest. This wool just wants to be spun more fine than the worsted weight I usually do. I got the doggies out just as the sun was coming up behind the ridge, illuminating the barn and silos so nic

ely. The setting moon was just about to disappear in the western sky. I ran back in to get my camera, slow going in the new snow, always fearful of stepping in a fence pole hole or something (a past foot fracture will do that) but when I got back out to the perfect spot in the lower front field the translucent moon was gone. Maybe tomorrow morning. I found some Winken-Blinken-Nod bacon in the back of the refrigerator and thought I would get that going, but had to go out into the barn in search of eggs. I have some cute little free-rangers that like to lay eggs in the cat carrier I have on the milk room steps, propped up on a hay bale. The tiny little hens had formed a queue, lining up to get in the box and offer their gifts. I didn't have the heart to disturb the process, confident that I'll get them later. These eggs are always clean and pristine, though tiny, unlike the chicken room eggs which are usually dirty from the big hens who like to mess up their nest boxes. My students call them Poo Eggs. Eggs should not be washed with water, as the dirt will then permeate the pourous structure and soil the food. The dirt should really be sanded off and chicken companies sell little egg sanders for this purpose. I found one lovely green Araucana egg, and a few under the ledge. This has been a sore spot for a while. There is a platform in the chicken room, formerly a "calf room" where calves are separated from their mothers so the milk can be taken by humans. I should have removed the platform before I put chickens in there, but I thought they would like to sit on it, etc. Instead, they go under there to lay their eggs where I can't reach them. As eggs are needed on the farm for dog/cat/human food, I get on my knees (not a pleasant posture in the chicken room)and reach into the darkness to get them. I am always pecked by the hens who are intent on hatching their eggs, which is why they laid them under there in the first place. My fingers occasionally collapse into a rotten egg, or I get one that has a half formed chick inside. These eggs are always given to the kitties, who will eat any egg unless it has become green foam, then the chickens will eat it. Yuck! I went back inside to my bacon, which was cooked perfectly - amazing. I always burn it. The grease goes on to the doggie kibble to make the dry stuff more palatable. A lot on my pallet today, hopefully none of it will require leaving home. The ground is covered with snow and the weather looks lovely. We had a few hours of steady snow yesterday, once again making me glad I don't have to go far to get to my animals. The snow obscured what would have been a beautiful full moon. Oh, well, she'll be back next month.

Thank You

If you like speaking English, attending the house of worship of your choice, and voting for whoever you like in any party, thank a vet. I'm the daughter of two US Army vets and the very proud mom of one veteran son and one who is currently active duty military. Thank you boys.

Let Them Eat Cookies

It's a good thing I discovered them on the last day of the Hamilton market. These sisters from Hubbardsville, just north of Brookfield, make the MOST delicious cookies. They call their business Appleberry Pantry and also sew vintage aprons and make fabulous hand-made applesauce. I'm really impressed with these young ladies and thought about having them make a cookie platter for work at Christmas. Or maybe not. I have no defense against really good cookies, like their Pecan Sandies. I just can't eat one... Three day weekend coming up with much to do on the farm. Dreary rain and cold is back. The glorious weather couldn't go on forever.

The Future Father Aaron

I think this was the best year of AJ's life. He was deployed as an infantryman with his National Guard unit to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. See picture - AJ is second from the right. AJ spent a lot of time riding around the island in a Humvee, up top with his 50 caliber machine gun, providing external security for the prison. He lived in a hut with 30 Spanish-speaking soldiers from New Jersey. They spent their free time wrestling on the floor or watching Spanish MTV. Many of them had personal problems, usually with girlfriends or wives, and they would talk to AJ about them. I think this is where AJ first starting thinking about becoming a chaplain. The rest is history. Tomorrow that journey will come to fruition when AJ will receive his US Army Chaplain bars. I am so very proud of my son.

So Proud

Tomorrow AJ, Father Aaron, Lt. Oliver, will officially be a full-fledged US Army Chaplain. We are very, very proud of AJ, and wish we could be there to celebrate with him. AJ is working very hard as a chaplain, taking care of the members of his National Guard unit in Nevada. AJ's unit has been deployed multiple times and is very much in need of his services. Members of AJ's unit were victims of the horrific IHOP shooting recently. It has been a long road of recovery and healing for them, and AJ is helping every way possible. AJ joined the National Guard shortly after September 11, 2001, and was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for a year, where he did external security around the island. It is there, I believe, that AJ was called to the church when he counseled the mostly Hispanic members of his unit. AJ came home to finish his Rutgers education, then entered the seminary. We were all together last summer when he was ordained as a priest.

Mother Moon

It is so bright outside you can almost read a book. The waxing gibbous is lighting up the sky beautiful. There are feathery wisps of clouds here and there, with a lingering jet stream or two. Venus is glowing orange, although she was more visible last night. The growing moon glow is not diminishing Jupiter, who is following his Moon-Mate across the sky. I can appreciate the sky much more in the country. The wide open fields and giant hillside make for an enormous sky and fabulous viewing of celestial bodies. I try to ignore the city-slicker neighbors across the road who have a flood light on. I keep the barn as dark as possible so as not to diminish the moonlight. I can just imagine what it looks like up in the Adirondacks. Soon we'll have a snowy landscape, lit up by moonlight. There is nothing more beautiful...well, the aurora borealis would help. I hope to see it in my lifetime.

It's Dark

I hardly have time to take the dogs out and change before it gets dark - even with getting out of work earlier than most people. Work was great, with a student who we feared we lost returning to the fold. We were so happy we thawed the very last of the piggy ribs in the classroom freezer. Mr. Potter cooked them to his famous secret recipe, and the aroma was wildly tantalizing, but he decided to take them up t

o the cafeteria and share them with so many friends that I barely got a taste. Time to change and start chores in the little bit of daylight we have a 5 PM. Whoops, looked out the window and it's dark. I found some old Christmas lights in the tractor shed and will start to put them around to light up the darkness.

Behind the Teacher's Desk

You never know what mysterious things are lurking behind the teacher's desk. You may find tote bags filled with all kinds of weird props to help a teacher get through the day. I have a spinning wheel stashed behind my desk for those tough days when I need to fall back and regroup. I spin for a minute or two when the kids are not in the room and everything manages to fall into perspective. I even teach the students to spin.

The wheel of life goes round and round.

A Different Kind of Book Bag

Some teachers carry bags full of books and computers. I carry baskets of wholesome, nutritious food to cook with my students. This morning's basket was particularly pretty and staff members made many comments are I carried it in. This is our last cabbage soup for the winter.

A Little Bit of Soap

My soap stash is going down. I need to make more for the Plowshares Craftsfair and Peace Festival on December 3-4 in Syracuse at the Nottingham High School. Time is getting short. I better get the soap pots boiling.

New Bundaflicka Totes

I was happy to have one more chance to display my Bundaflicka totes in Hamilton last Saturday. The brilliant sunshine set them off very nicely. I didn't have too many lookers, as market attendance was down due to the cold, but one lady was so taken with a new tote that she had to go home with it. I was particularly taken with her desire to adopt this new one, as she petted it and moaned over it, then brought her husband back to look at it. She didn't have quite enough money, then asked her hubby for the rest. He said, rather impatiently, don't ask me for any money - I only have 57 cents!! I gave her the tote for the money she had with her, happy to see how much she wanted it and how thrilled she was to walk away with it.

Susanne Farrington's Pottery and Felting

My friend, Susanne Farrington, long-time potter and felter, had some fabulous creations on display at the Hamilton market last Saturday. Susanne trades Mother Fiber for her mugs that I use for my shaving cups. Susanne paints adorable animal figures on her plates and bowls. I don't know how she does it, but her pottery is very hard wearing, and does not chip like so many do. I love to see what Susanne does with my fiber. She had some really cool felted hats out for customers to play with. Nobody makes hats quite like Susanne. They cover your head nicely and are impervious to moisture. The brilliant sunshine showed the beautiful colors I put in my Mother Fiber ("because wool is the Mother of All Fibers").

Market Babies

I love to see the little kidlets at the Hamilton market. These lovely young ladies were having a wonderful time in the park on one of the last glorious days of the year.

Last Market Day

It was reeeeeally cold Saturday morning, but the sky was crystal clear with zero precipitation forecast so we packed up and took off for Hamilton. I wanted to put in an appearance and see my market friends on the last day of the season. Many of my vendor friends were missing, but some key people were there and the hardy patrons willing to brave the cold were appreciative of our attendance. The incredible sunlight made for some lovely shots of people and products.

Happy Birthday Dingy

My little brother had a birthday yesterday. His name is Mark Edward, but we always called him Dingy. Dingy was crazy about trains as a little kid. He would get so excited when we pulled up to the railroad tracks and the guard rail came down with the bell ringing furiously - ding - ding - ding - ding. So we called him Dingy. Trains figured very prominently in my childhood. We always had elaborate train sets. There was a train yard on Staten Island where Dingy and I were born after our parents came home from service in German after WWII. After attending services at the First Baptist Church we would stop at the train yard where my father had put Tootsie Rolls in the parked box cars. We would climb into the cars and find the candy. We spent our summers in my mom's home town of Sandersville, Georgia. We would pile into the car and drive to the nearby town of Tennille to watch the Nancy Hanks locomotive pull in with the seemingly endless line of cars behind her. That was a real big deal. I don't see Dingy very often these days. We were together at Mia's wedding, but prior to that it had been years. Life does throw us some twists and curves. Dingy is a real estate broker in Boston, where he graduated from BU and decided to live. He is the father of Emma and Charlotte and the husband of Melinda. I love you, Dingy.

One More Market Day

Tomorrow is the last day of this year's Hamilton Farmer's Market. I'm planning on going, and have the silk underwear and heavy wool pants ready. I better throw in bunny mittens and Kimmie Cornerstone's famous handspun Rambouillet earflapper hat. It will be a cold morning, indeed. I want to put out these recent fabulous bags and see what happens. I'm hoping to pick up a good supply of Robin Mizrahi's incredible homemade granola. Maybe Candace and Chris will be there, and, as always, my veggie-man, Ron Wagner. My students are enjoying soup made with his cabbage every day. Robin's granola is delicious in milk or as finger food. Commercial granola just can't compare. I'll make some creme tonight after chores. I've been using it as underarm deodorant and find it to be better than any rub-on stick I've ever used. No sweat - no odor. Could it be the lavender? Or the Borax? don't know and don't care. One less thing I have to purchase for myself. I'll always have my hand creme in the house. I found a fabulous, long, warm, wool tweed man's overcoat at Mrs. B's consignment shop and "warehouse" in Norwich for $12.00. Nice surprise - Kathryn MacNichol, local shepherd, shearer, and weaver, has a studio in Mrs. B's place. I asked Kathryn to help me get my Swedish floor loom warped and working. She said she would come here and do it - I was thrilled. I'm really anxious to start weaving my fabulous mohair and sell rugs from my booth at Maryland. I just have to get the walls and ceiling painted and the pine floor installed in the room adjacent to the apartment, then find all the loom pieces in the tractor shed. What a huge effort that all that will be, but so worth it. Better light the wood stove as my fingers are almost too cold to type.

Downhill Slide to the Weekend

The weather is so lovely today. Work was a little better as both Mr. Potter and Mrs. Price were back with me. Mr. Potter wore a very spiffy Argyle sweater vest which served to cheer me up nicely. The morning was fine but as the day wore on so did the students ability to cooperate and do their work. It's a long stretch for them and us, but somehow, together, we get by. I taught one student how to knit with the little bit of bulky handspun he made on a good day. I promised him I would bring in some black worsted I found in the tractor shed to help him knit a watch cap. We'll see how that goes. One can only live and hope. I came home to walk the back field, which requires some bushwhacking through spiky hawthorn bushes and lots of scrubby growth. This is the field I hope to fence off for the goats someday. I sat on a huge outcropping of shale, left from the glacier that scraped out this valley, and surveyed my farm from a view I hardly ever take in. There won't be too many days like this. The clocks go back this weekend. I have lots to do with making product for the Earlville Opera House fundraising craft show and the Plowshares Peace Festival, my other "favorite" show in New York. No sheep there, in the crowded, hot, noisy high school gymnasium, but the mood is joyous, the crafts are amazingly phenomenal,

and the entertainment is so much fun.