Visit to the Farm

[helwen]

Went to Ashfield yesterday. fitzw wanted to learn how to work the new evaporator -- it's very shiny, and seems to be more economical of fuel and is definitely much faster than the older, larger one. And we both wanted to take a walk through South Pasture.

The boiling wasn't going to happen until around 3pm, so after fitzw helped with some hay bales, we went up the hill across from the pasture across from the folks' house, and onto one of the lumber roads (lumber is one of the many things produced at the farm, half of which is wooded). There was quite a bit of snow on the hill still, so it was slow going, especially for me, being only 5'3". Also, there is mud in places where there isn't snow :D I had borrowed Doris' duck boots, as I'd forgotten how snowy it could be up there. We found some wood to use as walking sticks. Plenty of dead branches on older trees, where the lower story doesn't get enough sunlight in summer to support them, and also downed branches from storms and such. It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day -- I had on my winter coat, but unbuttoned. We didn't go all the way up to the ridge for most of the way. We found the old apple orchard, which is mostly gone and decayed, much of it without a trace. There are a lot of white pines there now, and in other places there are a lot of hemlock. Too many -- the land is unbalanced in a number of areas on the hillside. I expect some of the lumber work is to balance some of that out, but more tending is going to have to happen over the next few years. Then we came to a cross road and I saw some grand maples. Sadly, we found later that they're on a neighbor's land, but I don't think he'd mind that we admired them and said 'hello'.

Then we went up onto the crest in this area, where there was a much better balance of trees and everything seemed to be under less stress. More sunlight there too, which might be part of the answer, but I think also the higher elevation (more like winter should be) and being further from the road help. It was wonderful being up there, felt like it could be home... unfortunately, turned out that was part of the neighbor's land too! But it's right next to South Pasture, and much of the higher parts of that also look like they'd be similar in feel -- fitzw assures me I'll like it even better :)

I was too tired to check it out though, what with having trudged through snow for a few miles at this point, and I hyper-extended my right knee a couple of times when my heel sank through the snow faster then the rest of my foot. We walked right next to one of the bounds for South Pasture on our way out, though, and an old county road (we don't know yet if it was abandoned or discontinued, but I hope to find out at some point). There's a spring in S.P., comes down over rocks on the hillside, and goes right over the road. Beautiful to see and hear, bright, secret, and joyous, all at once. I stood in the stream where it crossed the road, feeling the water go by and under my feet. Very soothing and calming.

We came out on Baptist Corner Road and walked down the hill, pausing to look at Curtis and Sherri's house, then past what used to be Charlie's place (now owned by Alden), and then Doris saw us as she was coming back from town with lunch. I was game for a ride by then. There was only room for one really, so fitzw insisted on me going; Doris came back for him after dropping me and the pizzas off at the house. Overall, I think he did much better on the walk physically than I did, but it was still a great walk.

We talked with nephew Curtis about house-hunting and such. The cousin we thought was interested in their house bought a house in town. Curtis wants to do some more fixing up of the house over the next year, before selling it. We're going to talk to him next week about setting up a walk-through, to see what he's done since we were last there. Seems with three kids that they'd like a little more space, among other things. Property is about 4 acres. Not as much as we'd eventually like to be working, but it would do for a start, and we'd be out of Holyoke.

I need to look into the local farmers' market, find out what's involved and if I can get a space in it. At the least we can sell maple syrup products, and maybe some other things as well.

Next Saturday we'll be up at the farm again for another walk. There should be less snow, which will be a help. I'm kind of hoping we can walk in from Baptist Corner Road next week, so we can spend more time wandering around S.P. proper. I'm working on rebuilding strength and endurance, but I'm a long way from where I was 20 years ago!

I'm very much looking forward to seeing the changes in the woods from one week to the next. This time of year things can change quite quickly!

***
Got home late, but still took a nice soak in the tub to get out some of the aches. Thought about meditating but could only focus on the bubbles at first. Then it occurred to me to think about our relationship with water. We're surrounded by liquid even before birth, and humankind has a long history of fascination with springs, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc. Most spas include a bath and/or pool of some sort. Submerging oneself in water can be soothing, calming, invigorating, healing, and fortifying. Powerful stuff!

Comments

[shalmestere.livejournal.com]

Submerging oneself in water can be soothing, calming, invigorating, healing, and fortifying. Powerful stuff!

Indeed--that's my favorite mood equalizer :-)