Around the Farm

The pigs are happy, we've moved them out of the stable, into a pen, under some pine trees. They have been rooting around, discovering lost items from previous owners, like a clevis pin and an powerline insulator. We have 3, 2 males and a female.







They lay around a lot. On warm nights they sleep outside of their hut, side by each, with legs resting on each other. We can see them from the window over the kitchen sink.








These are blueberry blossoms. Beautiful in a delicate and subtle sort of way. In an attempt to avoid the poor harvest conditions we had in '06, we made arrangements this winter with an organic beekeeper to place some hives at our place during the blossom season (late May thru mid June, after the cherries and apples). The plans fell thru when her bees didn't make thru the winter and her replacements arrived in similar shape. Since there was no backup plan, we had to rely on the natural bee population. John went out and provided lots of encouragement to the bumblebees and butterflies (mostly swallowtails). Our fingers are crossed.

Adam Figures has been making bimonthly visits to the farm to lend a hand. Although he prefers to work with his hands, I was able to convince him to climb on the tractor for this picture. Notice his Deere green colored cup AND the plowed field in the background. Those who visit us to pick berries in August should notice some agricultural changes to the farm.

In the hopes that this is a good omen, our cherry trees seem loaded with the early indications of fruit. Last year the trees were covered with blossoms but only a couple (blossoms, not trees) became cherries. This year Genny decided to take matters in hand and used a feather duster to pollinate some of the trees. Didn't seem to matter as all the trees are loaded.