I have been remiss. Earlier this month I took one of the final steps along my road to recovery and I didn't write about it.
The hero's journey has been a long one. Those of you who have walked it with me know it had both highs and lows. But like yin and yang, they pretty much balanced each other out. These days the journey has dwindled to a couple of side trips as I make annual pilgrimages to visit with my two surgeons (mentors), and hopefully there will only be two more of those.
No this side trip was of a different nature. It was the final step of reconstruction and rebuilding the body after tearing it down. I visited my final mentor, the tattoo artist.
The reconstruction happened in two phases. The breasts were shaped and formed using the muscle from my back and saline-filled implants. Several months later the nipples were surgically created. On November 7, I visited Amber at Adept Tattoo on Quinpool Road to have the finishing touches, the cherry on the sundae if you will. She applied pigment to make the "Girls" look as good as new. The side benefit is it covers some of the scaring around the nipple area as well. Now if you were to see me on a topless beach at 15 metres (which I don't see ever happening) you would never know I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction.
I'll admit I was ambivalent about it. It seemed, excessive, unnecessary. But now I'm glad I took this final step. It symbolically closes the cover on that chapter of my life. I can look back at cancer now and say thank you. You didn't defeat me, you made me stronger, you helped me develop focus... but I don't ever want to see you again.
The journey has led me to the path I walk now and I love our life on the farm and I hope you continue to share the rest of the journey with me as I learn how to live sustainably and with joy.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Ice on the Water Bucket
I don't know where the time goes, but here it the end of October and two mornings this past week the water bucket had a skiff of ice on the surface. Hunting season started Friday, a sure sign that the year is slowly winding down.
We added the summer's pullets to the laying flocking, giving us a total of 18 birds in the chicken coop. I spent two days of my vacation earlier this month cleaning out said chicken coop. There was years worth of detritus in one corner from the previous owners. I took it all out and sorted out what could be reused. I made some new roosts and nesting boxes and then introduced the flock.
It took a few days, but eventually the feathers stopped flying and everyone, including duck, is settling into a routine. Best of all, the new hens and duck are beginning to lay eggs. It seemed all summer we were only getting two eggs a day, after having a steady flow all winter it was a little surprising. Now we're up to about eight a day. Which is great because I've had several people ask about obtaining some eggs from us. In fact at last weekend's municipal election I ran into to two neighbours who both expressed interest. With 18 fowl in the coop I hope get up to a dozen eggs a day.
The duck eggs are pretty and we don't notice any difference in the flavour. She's also a riot to watch. We have noticed she doesn't quack as much now that she's free range. The flock roams all over the yard and down into the paddock where they sort through the hay Dahlia and Joe drop.
I went to a garlic workshop this weekend. It was very informative. Today I planted three varieties of garlic. Hopefully it will all grow and thrive.
We've spent the last week putting the wood in the barn and getting it out from the weather. We've already got a start on next year's pile.
We added the summer's pullets to the laying flocking, giving us a total of 18 birds in the chicken coop. I spent two days of my vacation earlier this month cleaning out said chicken coop. There was years worth of detritus in one corner from the previous owners. I took it all out and sorted out what could be reused. I made some new roosts and nesting boxes and then introduced the flock.
It took a few days, but eventually the feathers stopped flying and everyone, including duck, is settling into a routine. Best of all, the new hens and duck are beginning to lay eggs. It seemed all summer we were only getting two eggs a day, after having a steady flow all winter it was a little surprising. Now we're up to about eight a day. Which is great because I've had several people ask about obtaining some eggs from us. In fact at last weekend's municipal election I ran into to two neighbours who both expressed interest. With 18 fowl in the coop I hope get up to a dozen eggs a day.
The duck eggs are pretty and we don't notice any difference in the flavour. She's also a riot to watch. We have noticed she doesn't quack as much now that she's free range. The flock roams all over the yard and down into the paddock where they sort through the hay Dahlia and Joe drop.
I went to a garlic workshop this weekend. It was very informative. Today I planted three varieties of garlic. Hopefully it will all grow and thrive.
We've spent the last week putting the wood in the barn and getting it out from the weather. We've already got a start on next year's pile.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Fall Chores
I finished digging the potatoes today. Overall I'd say we ended up with 25 to 30 pounds. Not bad for our first year and considering how dry it was. I used some of them today in what I like to call my harvest vegetable chicken soup.
I cooked a chicken earlier in the week and tossed the leftover carcass in the stock pot with onion, garlic, carrot and a couple of bay leaves plus salt and pepper. I let is simmer for a couple of hours.
Meanwhile, I drove down to Goucher's Farm Market outside of Kingston, and picked up a sweet potato, squash, onions, celery, garlic and carrots. When I was home again I cut up all the veggies, including a few potatoes and put them in a roasting pan.
Just for future reference, an axe works really well when it comes to chopping up squash.
I poured olive oil over all the veggies and sprinkled them with ginger and curry powder. I left them to roast slowly in the oven for a couple of hours. Once done I strained the bones cooked veggies out of my stock. Added the roasted vegetables (except for the celery which I felt was too stringy) and then used my handy immersion blender to mix up the soup. I tossed in the separated chicken.
Now Rob and I have a seasonal, hearty soup for supper which will be delicious.
Rob spent the weekend working on the woods road connecting the big field to the new property. He's just about through. Meanwhile I trimmed the grass and weeds all along the fence line. We also collected wild apples for the horse and cow.
We certainly got a lot done this beautiful fall weekend, but the to-do list is still long. We have to fix the floor in the woodshed, bring the wood up from the field where it has been drying, cut kindling, fix up the chicken coop and install a couple of windows in it and in general clean up the yard.
Rob wants me to get a coat of paint on the end of the house and he plans to build a new cover for the septic tank. I think we've got enough to keep us out of trouble for a few weekends.
I did take time to take Joe for ride. It was perfect weather for just meandering around the fields and through the woods.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Tomatoes
The rains have come. First we had not enough, now we are bordering on too much.
I picked tomatoes this afternoon, decked out in my rubber boots and Rob's over-sized rain coat.
It was hard to collect enough for any type of cooking purpose as many of them are suffering from blossom rot. The end of the tomato turns dark and starts to rot. My research indicates the cause was likely inadequate water when the fruit was setting. The plant has a calcium deficiency; without the water it can't pull the calcium out of the ground.
Too much nitrogen in the soil will also slow down the absorption of calcium. Given the fact the pigs were in the plot last summer, the nitrogen issue may also be a problem for me.
Next year I'll put bone meal in the planting bed and hopefully we'll have our water management system set up so if it is dry, I can water the plants with water we've collected and saved.
Not all is lost though. Some of the fruit is fine and I was able to pick enough to make a small pot of sauce on this rainy afternoon.
I grew San Marzano tomatoes this year. The seed is from Annapolis Seeds, a local company. The San Marzano is a paste tomato used by the Italians for sauce. I'm making a simple sauce - onions, garlic, olive oil and tomato.
Of course, being the first batch I'm making this year, I totally forgot to take the skins off the tomatoes. Now I'll either have to fish them out of the sauce or puree the whole batch. I'm leaning toward the second idea.
But the smell; well it's divine. I can't wait until supper.
I picked tomatoes this afternoon, decked out in my rubber boots and Rob's over-sized rain coat.
It was hard to collect enough for any type of cooking purpose as many of them are suffering from blossom rot. The end of the tomato turns dark and starts to rot. My research indicates the cause was likely inadequate water when the fruit was setting. The plant has a calcium deficiency; without the water it can't pull the calcium out of the ground.
Too much nitrogen in the soil will also slow down the absorption of calcium. Given the fact the pigs were in the plot last summer, the nitrogen issue may also be a problem for me.
Next year I'll put bone meal in the planting bed and hopefully we'll have our water management system set up so if it is dry, I can water the plants with water we've collected and saved.
Not all is lost though. Some of the fruit is fine and I was able to pick enough to make a small pot of sauce on this rainy afternoon.
Homemade tomato sauce served over linguine and sprinkled with parmesan. Wagner photo
I grew San Marzano tomatoes this year. The seed is from Annapolis Seeds, a local company. The San Marzano is a paste tomato used by the Italians for sauce. I'm making a simple sauce - onions, garlic, olive oil and tomato.
Of course, being the first batch I'm making this year, I totally forgot to take the skins off the tomatoes. Now I'll either have to fish them out of the sauce or puree the whole batch. I'm leaning toward the second idea.
But the smell; well it's divine. I can't wait until supper.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Celebrations
September is an important month for us.
We closed on the farm on September 1, 2010. This weekend marks our second anniversary here; our first as full-time residents. And, I just had my third cancer-free appointment at the Breast Health Centre.
We've always loved the fall. For me, Labour Day weekend always marks the end of the summer, far more than the autumnal equinox later in the month. The days may shorten, but the nights cool, the bugs are fewer and there's still warmth in the sun.
I'm hoping we get rain this week and if we do I'm going take advantage of the late summer sun and try to get some lettuce and spinach in the ground for late season harvest. Wally gave me the frame from his old "garage" and I'm going to cover it in plastic and make myself a green house. I won't heat it, but by virtue of protecting the plants from the frost and cold, I should be able to harvest them through November and December. It will also protect by tomato plants through the early frost, before the tomatoes are ready.
I'm making my second batch of plum sauce from the plum tree growing in the front yard. Rob and I dug up our potatoes this weekend. We don't have lot, my canning pot is full to the brim, but given the challenges of the dry weather and the chickens digging through my garden, we're pleased with the results.
This weekend we dispatched the two roosters and all but four of the cockerels. We also got back to work clearing a road from the largest field to the new property. Hopefully, before the fall is over, I'll be able to ride Joe through it.
Rob checked his camera cards and saw pictures of two does and a nice buck. Hopefully, we'll add one of those to the larder this fall as well.
Rob dug out his bow this week and started practicing and Joe and I went riding twice. Both good workouts each time.
We closed on the farm on September 1, 2010. This weekend marks our second anniversary here; our first as full-time residents. And, I just had my third cancer-free appointment at the Breast Health Centre.
We've always loved the fall. For me, Labour Day weekend always marks the end of the summer, far more than the autumnal equinox later in the month. The days may shorten, but the nights cool, the bugs are fewer and there's still warmth in the sun.
I'm hoping we get rain this week and if we do I'm going take advantage of the late summer sun and try to get some lettuce and spinach in the ground for late season harvest. Wally gave me the frame from his old "garage" and I'm going to cover it in plastic and make myself a green house. I won't heat it, but by virtue of protecting the plants from the frost and cold, I should be able to harvest them through November and December. It will also protect by tomato plants through the early frost, before the tomatoes are ready.
I'm making my second batch of plum sauce from the plum tree growing in the front yard. Rob and I dug up our potatoes this weekend. We don't have lot, my canning pot is full to the brim, but given the challenges of the dry weather and the chickens digging through my garden, we're pleased with the results.
This weekend we dispatched the two roosters and all but four of the cockerels. We also got back to work clearing a road from the largest field to the new property. Hopefully, before the fall is over, I'll be able to ride Joe through it.
Rob checked his camera cards and saw pictures of two does and a nice buck. Hopefully, we'll add one of those to the larder this fall as well.
Rob dug out his bow this week and started practicing and Joe and I went riding twice. Both good workouts each time.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Summer
It is late August and I see by the timeline I haven't updated my blog all summer.
Joe has settled in nicely and we ride several times a week. Alissa Cue of Rohan Wood Stables has been out three times to provide private lessons at the farm and to help Joe and me work through getting to know each other. The last few rides have been very good.
Dahlia, our calf, has also arrived. She is flighty and suspicious, but she's starting to come into her stall at night with a bribe of grain.
Joe seems to think Dahlia is part of his herd and he's always trying to make her graze where he wants to graze. He also chases her sometimes. I expect by the spring we'll have to have separate pastures for them.
Speaking of pastures, it has been a dry, dry summer. We've tried to rotate the pasture by sectioning it off with wire, but the rains have been intermittent and the grass is not coming back as quickly as anticipated. Rob and I are fencing the middle field today in order to provide more grazing area for Dahlia and Joe.
Kelly, Steven and I picked strawberries at Kenny's Strawberries in Kentville. I picked two flats of berries some of which I froze and some of which I made into jam. This weekend past I picked blackberries. Last night I turned those into jam. The woods are full of berries and chokecherries so I expect I'll make more jam or jelly next week.
I picked up local peaches this week and preserved those as well.
Joe has settled in nicely and we ride several times a week. Alissa Cue of Rohan Wood Stables has been out three times to provide private lessons at the farm and to help Joe and me work through getting to know each other. The last few rides have been very good.
Dahlia, our calf, has also arrived. She is flighty and suspicious, but she's starting to come into her stall at night with a bribe of grain.
Joe seems to think Dahlia is part of his herd and he's always trying to make her graze where he wants to graze. He also chases her sometimes. I expect by the spring we'll have to have separate pastures for them.
Speaking of pastures, it has been a dry, dry summer. We've tried to rotate the pasture by sectioning it off with wire, but the rains have been intermittent and the grass is not coming back as quickly as anticipated. Rob and I are fencing the middle field today in order to provide more grazing area for Dahlia and Joe.
Kelly, Steven and I picked strawberries at Kenny's Strawberries in Kentville. I picked two flats of berries some of which I froze and some of which I made into jam. This weekend past I picked blackberries. Last night I turned those into jam. The woods are full of berries and chokecherries so I expect I'll make more jam or jelly next week.
I picked up local peaches this week and preserved those as well.
Canned peaches in a light, spiced syrup.
The garden has been providing some meals for us. It was a constant battle to keep the chickens out of it and they enjoyed meals of cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and lettuce. We ate beans, peas, Swiss chard and potatoes. If all goes well I will have a bumper crop of tomatoes to preserve. We may need cover it with plastic to protect it from frost while the fruit ripens.
There is nothing quite so rewarding as knowing you have the skills to provide for yourself. I know this fall will be busy with preserving food for enjoyment this winter with Mother Nature providing lots of wild edibles for our use.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
A Check on the Life Wish List
I don't know when I first realized I wanted a horse. I'm sure if you asked my parents they would say it has been on every Christmas list and every birthday candle wish since the day I first knew what the word meant.
We had horses board at the farm when I was little. In fact one of my earliest memories is being high above Dad as he led me around the pasture on a palomino. When I grew older, my cousin Helen had a pretty little Standardbred. We all learned how to ride on her by racing around the fields riding double. I would go up and muck out the stall just to be near her. And I can tie a western saddle cinch with my eyes closed thanks to all the practice Helen enforced.
I became very good at borrowing horses from the neighbours. And for a brief year we boarded a horse at the farm when I was in my teens. I think Queenie was older than I was and a lot smarter, but I learned a lot from her and was sad when she returned to her owner.
Today, a life-long dream was filled when Joe moved onto the farm. Joe is a 12-year-old Canadian-Percheron with a tail which practically touches the ground. He's saddle and harness broke. I'm incredibly excited to have him here. Cole and I just sat for the last hour watching him eat.
Rob and I have laboured over creating the pasture for weeks. We've cut back brush, pounded posts, nailed insulators and strung wire. Today we connected it all together and turned on the power. We still need to make a few adjustments, but it is done and it will hold Joe in the field.
It's not every day a girl has a dream come true. But today is one of those days. I hope Anne and Fred know how much love and affection Joe will receive. Crystal deserves kudos for helping me find him and Rob, well Rob deserves a medal for helping make this dream come true and for every nail, every post and every foot of wire.
We had horses board at the farm when I was little. In fact one of my earliest memories is being high above Dad as he led me around the pasture on a palomino. When I grew older, my cousin Helen had a pretty little Standardbred. We all learned how to ride on her by racing around the fields riding double. I would go up and muck out the stall just to be near her. And I can tie a western saddle cinch with my eyes closed thanks to all the practice Helen enforced.
I became very good at borrowing horses from the neighbours. And for a brief year we boarded a horse at the farm when I was in my teens. I think Queenie was older than I was and a lot smarter, but I learned a lot from her and was sad when she returned to her owner.
Today, a life-long dream was filled when Joe moved onto the farm. Joe is a 12-year-old Canadian-Percheron with a tail which practically touches the ground. He's saddle and harness broke. I'm incredibly excited to have him here. Cole and I just sat for the last hour watching him eat.
Rob and I have laboured over creating the pasture for weeks. We've cut back brush, pounded posts, nailed insulators and strung wire. Today we connected it all together and turned on the power. We still need to make a few adjustments, but it is done and it will hold Joe in the field.
It's not every day a girl has a dream come true. But today is one of those days. I hope Anne and Fred know how much love and affection Joe will receive. Crystal deserves kudos for helping me find him and Rob, well Rob deserves a medal for helping make this dream come true and for every nail, every post and every foot of wire.
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