July Already

It's July already, and the middle of July at that. We are now on the farm full-time. The house in the city sold and we closed on the property on July 4. We're making headway unpacking, but it is a slow process because we have no closets in which to hide things.

The pigs and chickens are growing. As are the weeds in my garden. The pigs have double in size since we brought them home. Their snouts are now at my knees and any time I go into the pen to get their feed container I get pig kisses (at least I hope that's what they are, and they aren't thinking about making me a snack). As a result my pants are covered in mud from my calf to my knee.

The first back of chicks now look like full-grown hens. They still have some filling out to do and some are trying to crow. On Wednesday we heard a commotion at the pen and when we looked out there was a hawk sitting onto of the chicken wire roof.

The meat birds are partially fledged; they still have bald patches here and there which makes them appear partially plucked.

I picked a flat of berries today. It is the end of the strawberry season and picking was slow going. There's nothing like the smell of a berry field, the ripe sweetness of the berries tempered by the smell of dry grass. My hands are stained red by the juice of berries past their ripeness. There is a certain luster and glossiness to a perfectly ripe berry. Too dark a red you can be sure the bottom is soft, or a slug has snacked on it. Too orange and it won't be sweet. The berries are small this year due to the cold season we've had. However, hulling the flat will keep me busy this evening and freezing berries and making jam will keep me out of trouble tomorrow.
I've started working from home and commute into the city one day a week, unless there is a business need to have me their more. It's working out well so far, and I love it when I finish the day and walk out into the fields.
I showed the fields to Peggy, Mark, Sam and their friend Amanda yesterday. It's wonderful to share this property and its views with family and friends.