A BUSHEL OF YUM

Our garden has begun offering up it's great bounty, in truth, it's manifested itself into it's own entity and, like a seen out of Robin Williams "Jumanji", may well consume the entire farm before all is said and done.  Just a few short weeks ago I was complaining of the misses in the seed and, having written my green thumb off for a more dismal shade of gray, fully expected we'd have very little to put in the freezer this winter.  However, despite the dry year, we are thrilled to see our garden flourish, and I've been doing a bit of freezing with the early veggies, spinach, broccoli and onion greens.  Our beans and peas have leaped into production this past few days as well, and after keeping close watch for some time with no beans visible, I almost missed a good pile of them having almost over ripened in a day or two.

The most imposing constituents among our garden kingdom are the pumpkins, their long tentacles seem to creep before our eyes, claiming their corner of the garden, then flowing over and transcending on their Corn, Carrot and Brussel Sprout neighbours, before advancing into the pasture and hay fields around them.  Having assumed an all consuming existence, they must frequently be put in their place with a good trimming and redirecting of their vines.

Naturally in the midst of our bountiful garden fare is a bumper crop of weeds which require daily removal and even at that continue to get the better of us.  This has worked to my favour as I've been quite derailed in my fitness routine and have managed to shave 5lbs off while gardening in the last week and a half.

TODAYS BOUNTY

THE GARDEN PATCH

The farm is at a lull for the time being as we are between hay crops, Jamie has been using the time to do a motor conversion on our White tractor which has required several head gasket jobs over the past few years.  He is switching the engine from it's original Perkins to a Cummings which has required a great deal of research and out right grunt work on his part, as the tractor has to be broken down from many angles, and of course the engines exchanged.

We've been taking time to tidy up loose ends in our home, apart from gardening, Jamie has split and packed our winters wood into the woodshed and we have been working on my new round pen to start getting some work done with the horses.  This lull is welcomed and has offered us the opportunity to spend some time as a family and soak up some summer weather by enjoying time on the water in our oyster dory, and at the beach.

Grace's adventures of late have been in regaining her confidence as a Cowgirl.  She has been working incredibly hard with Hiccup and today she lead him on a trail ride which took us about a kilometre from home, as I walked behind them, assisting where needed, I noticed Grace wilting in the 30 degree sunshine and asked her if she would like to ride on Hiccup for a bit.  This brought out her best "are you nuts" look, which I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised when the look passed, she took a deep breath and said "sure", this is huge considering a month ago she wouldn't even lead him, after having several horse related scares.  She rode Hiccup all the way back to the farm, offering him so much encouragement and praise, that it was obvious it was not just for his benefit.  Yet she was able to quell her insecurities and could have ridden the squirliest of broncos, in her mind, by the time we got back to the barn.

A LITTLE R&R

HELP FROM A FRIEND

After recharging with some lunch, Grace decided a bike ride was in order and she and her cousin Zack, whom is visiting for a couple of days, struck out while I put Bethany down for her nap. It seems that Grace, still riding high after her adventure on Hiccup, decided that she no longer needed her training wheels and had her Dad take them off for her.  They spent the rest of the afternoon practising in the pasture fields, Grace pedalling with all her might and Jamie and Zack following along for support and "just to get her started".  After recieving one of several progress reports, I headed out to water the garden and Jamie and Grace struck out for another practise run, I briefly heard Jamie suggest she try riding on the road before a terrified screech, followed by resounding sobs could be heard.  Pushing aside the urge to run to her and tell her that she never had to ride her bike again, I allowed Jamie to handle whatever the situation was, and prayed that no news was good news.  Assuming all was well when no status report came back, Grace returned about an hour later with several scrapes, a couple of bruises, a Texas size smile on her face and a story to tell.  As she ran down our hill to the garden she announced that she "pickle flipped'er", having forgotten to use her brakes as she veered wildly through a shallow ditch and into Jamie's Grandmothers "Forever Green Trees".  I interjected with all the necessary gasps and looks of shock, hugged her with pride, then knowing Grace's common philosophy of "trying is the first step to failing", I asked her if she got back on the bike.  Flashing me the same huge smile, she proudly told me "yup, I got back on and Zachy wouldn't get out of my way, so I squeaked my horn at him and pickle flipped'er agin."