Long time, no post

It's been a long break from the blog! After musing about the farm and its possibilities over the winter we've decided to commit to recruiting at least 10 families to grow food for in the coming season. I've got some idea about the amount of work this may be, but until it's time to harvest, we can't be sure. Strawberries were booming last year and we had an abundance of pumpkins. Also, my basil patch was a delight after the initial slow start. We're hoping for better leeks this year as well as carrots. The kale and broccoli shined last season and we're hoping for more in the coming months.

Seedlings are started in the sunroom and have just broken through the dirt. It's a good reminder that spring will truly join us at some point soon. I'm working on growing about 50 baby sunflowers to give out with our Farm information in hopes of attracting those 10 families. Wish us luck!

Summertime Fun!

Welcome to summer. We are in the thick of it with a patio project, visits with family, bike rides, picking blueberries, and picnics in the park. A busy four weeks for us since school ended and summer began. Allergy season arrived a little late and is hanging on. Lucky for me the worst of it is over.

I've finally snapped a few photos of the Donalds, and I'm including pics of Richard and the soon-to-be beautiful patio, and another of Anna jumping on the trampoline at Jeremy and Derrik's house.

Planting Day!

Today we planted our garden. Carrots, onions, beans, cucumbers, winter squash, pumpkins, and more. Anna helped and was able to stay with it until she got hungry and had to break for lunch. And then later we had to break for a snack. In between eating times though, we did manage to get quite a lot done. Keep your fingers crossed for another fun pumpkin patch!

A blogging hiatus? Perhaps...

We've been working to get our garden in, spreading compost, keeping up with Anna, and generally, well, living I guess. It has also been a few weeks of reflection for us with regard to the planting and the overall farming plan. Richard will be going part time in the fall and I am in the process of looking for new (and different!) clients. It is coming together, albeit slowly, and for that we are grateful. Our original timeline didn't account for many of the things of life, so we are readjusting, and learning to love the unexpected as we go.

So our life can feel haphazard and up in the air, but truly it is not. We are trusting our collective dream, and doing the work to make it happen in the meantime. This year we've decided to plant food for us, experiment with varieties, and do our best to get the soil to happier place in the remainder of the planting area. Thanks to the help of the OSU extension folks and other local farmers it looks like we'll find our way.

In other news, on Mother's Day I had the chance to throw pots all afternoon! Many pots came to be that day and I just recently picked up some of them from the studio. Glazed and (for the most part) beautiful. Overall I am so disappointed with the Craft Center and the inconsistency in their glazes...lucky for me this time I ran into a seasoned potter while I was there to glaze and she directed me to the "sure thing" glazes. In the fall I'll be moving to the studio at the Benton Center. Professional potters, great glazes, and just a better vibe.

Anna continues to look forward to the James Taylor concert in July. We discuss this nearly everyday, at her urging. Today she announced that she would dance AND clap her hands during the "best" songs. I can hardly wait!

A farm plan, revisited

Over the last few months we've been trying on the idea of growing something other than vegetables. With this growing season upon us the reality once again of a disappointing crop is looming. (As I've mentioned in previous posts, our soil is not what it needs to be to grow what we'd like.)

So, trying to find the bright side, we've discussed possibilities like berries, lavender, and my all time favorite--pumpkins. So far, no solid decisions on what's next.

More about the bright side--it looks like Richard may get to go part time in the fall. This has been a goal since we moved here as it would give him more time with Anna, as well as more time to farm.

In other job-related news, I am working hard to secure new clients after my Boise client of 3+ years has decided to hire an in-house writing staff. Their business has steadily picked up over the last year, and I remain one part-time writer and full-time mom. It's great news for the agency, and after my initial adjustment, will be great news for me as well. And with Richard going part time I have plenty of incentive to get out there and find some work!

In duck news, the Donalds are now five weeks old and sporting most of their feathers. In spite of heavy handling as youngsters they are spooky and don't like to be cuddled now. I suspect this is just part of being a duck. They do follow us around a bit and enjoy being outside.

And finally, I just read Bill's post (http://fromfattotri.blogspot.com/) and am so excited to share that he took 2nd place at a triatholon last weekend! I am so bummed to have missed this podium moment. Also, take a look at their latest tatoos. So beautiful.

Observations From an Ironman Spectator

I’ve been thinking about the best way to describe my experience at the Ironman last weekend in Tempe, AZ. My brother and sister-in-law competed—and finished. (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 mile run)

Many words have come to mind—dedication, determination, inspiration, awe, crazy folks—but none of these seem to describe my lasting feeling about my experience that day.

It is a mystery to me why anyone would do this. (Keep in mind that I am speaking from a place of limited fitness as a brief walk each day is what I aspire to.) That said, I do not believe training for and competing in an Ironman is about fitness alone. I believe it’s about proving something, pushing limits, expanding the concept of self—and just plain ole’ dig yer heels in and finish even if it kills you kind of perseverance.

I started out the morning in Tempe pondering this question. It was almost 6 am as my Mom and I looked for Bill and Jen in a mass of people—probably about 4,000 including spectators and volunteers. This alone seemed a little crazy to me.

When I am fortunate enough to attend, it is an important ritual for me to see Bill before he begins a race. It is reassuring to see his face and to know that he is OK and feeling ready.

When we found them they were smearing deodorant behind their knees (I didn’t ask) and straining to get into their wetsuits. The loud speakers were—well, loud—and along with the music was a guy delivering warnings about the forecasted heat, a lost bag of gear, and general words of encouragement.

We took a few photos, checked in about how they were feeling (Jen=ready to get going! Bill=calm and confident), and then watched them walk into the crowd to start their day.

I don’t want to minimize or downplay the effort and accomplishment that goes into this kind of event. Bill and Jen are committed, exceptionally fit, and likely mentally stronger than most folks in that they are able to push themselves beyond limits they had once observed. It occurs to me as well that they likely know themselves better now than ever before. Not only in a physical sense, but in a whole-person sense as well.

I believe there is a spirituality not only in the accomplishment of finishing the event, but in the process of training—of honoring their bodies enough to prepare adequately and to pay attention, and make adjustments as they go.

Training and racing have permeated their lives. It has restructured their social group and their interests. It has focused their energy not only on fitness, but on the mental battles behind getting out of bed to run in the rain, going swimming with a sinus infection, and just moving off the couch and, well, moving.

The harmony of breath, adrenaline, and fatigue must be a powerful force. I can only speculate here because I have never pushed myself in these ways. There is power, nonetheless, no matter the source or combination of factors.

Congratulations does not seem an adequate sentiment to express at the end of such an accomplishment. But then the reward must be an internal one anyway. I am proud, I am awed, and I am inspired by their dedication and commitment to their goal, and to their ability to tough it out. So, congratulations guys! You are Ironmen!

Here's a link to Bill's blog if you'd like to read his full account. http://fromfattotri.blogspot.com/

Welcome spring!

We are welcoming the spring weather and are happy to be finally rid of the snow. Last week was some crazy weather, but we still had a great time!

We visited the beach and were so lucky to find the sun and then two days later were making a snowman (really it was a snow bunny) in our back yard. All in all, a very resting spring break for our family.

In farm news, Richard attended an all day meeting/class at a Biodynamic farm in Junction City and came home revived and hopeful. He's familiar with these methods and their success after spending time at a large Biodynamic farm on the east coast. We've moved into a space of taking a longer view of our farming plan and are working to incorporate lasting, sustainable practices that work not only on a biological level, but support our lifestyle as well.

That said, we've got seed starts going and have been collecting soil implements based on soil studies we had completed last year. We're also planning another pumpkin patch this fall!

In pottery news, I've spent many hours the past few weeks throwing pots and playing with clay. Still working out the kinks with regard to back pain, but suggestions and advice are plentiful on blogs and forums on the web. No photos of any pots yet...I'll take some and post them next time around.