I stumbled onto the Statesboro Farmer's Market last Saturday and felt an unexpected wave of pure happiness. I picked up a violin near Main Street, that my thoughtful bro and sis-in-law had restrung for me. I was very touched by this brotherly generosity. The Sun was out, everyone was smiling...and that Dido song Thank You played over the sound system ...and it synched with my mood.... I want to thank you for giving me the best day of my life Oh just to be with you is having the best day of my life Since I was new to the market, I got five tokens to spend on local produce in their "My Market Club" program. I bought a blueberry bush from Longwood Plantation, some onions from a humorously persistent young salesman at the Walker Organic Farm booth and red potatoes. I also bought a handmade berry minty soap from the lovely Amelia (seen above) from Wee Farm from Dover in Screven County. Wee Farm's website has eye candy for food lovers. And I spotted this on her bio, which fits with things Sandor and I discuss about preparing for our golden years. Amelia writes, "I'm coming to see this way of life as a retirement plan, and it's not that I want to spend all my time planning for forty years from now, however, I'll begin reaping the benefits now. Acquiring skills not everyone has and investing in tangible material goods and land means I won't be dependent on someone else to look out for me or feed me when I get older. Not to mention I find few things in life more satisfying than getting dirty and creative, inventing, being resourceful...that and picking food fresh from my backyard for dinner." Thanks to all these wonderful vendors for one of the best days of my life....I'll be back! Sandor has been working with Beau T with short riding sessions of walking, trotting and cantering. He's a golden steed, now that he's lost his winter coat. Today he spooked seeing the giant spinning cardinal (from last post), so we hid it away in the greenhouse. Sandor is letting him run, but also working with him to slow down on command without a lot of pressure on the bit. We are going to get a bitless bridle when we can -- this is the way to go. Doing some companion planting this year going by tips from the Sow True catalogue.. this is kale with radish in the middle. We started potatoes late, because of flooding, but they're looking better than last years crop. Because of the biblical amount of rain, we raised these beds higher. And to keep them from rotting, Sandor made a basket of hay under each seed potato, for a layer between it and the wet bed. Sandor took this today. When we first saw this place, there was a hawk on the old dead tree. The "littles" are on their own now at just over 2 mos. This is a time of danger for them -- no longer in their mother's care, and small enough to be carried off by winged predators. They are a flock on their own and sticking close together in safe places. Inside the greenhouse today....salad greens, tomato seedlings, spinach, arugula and another group of seeds (in trays). Sandor wants me to say this is 600 sq ft and is made from recycled materials, plus $200 investment. So a bargain, for early greens and to get seeds started. I'm getting excited about Spring planting....soon.
Beau T stood nicely for the farrier. Mr. Gerald gave his honest observations of his condition, age, and did some on-the-spot dental work. He's used to getting a mani-pedi, at his age, not a senior, but no spring chicken.... "With these two hands..." Mr Gerald, farrier, blacksmith and artist is 75 and in semi-retirement. We're lucky he came out, and I took notes since he's got great tips and contacts. I found out he loves fried green tomatoes and mustard greens, so I'll be making sure we have plenty of both coming up in the garden before his next visit out!
Beau Toby is enjoying the menu, and lots of TLC. His winter coat is coming off, and Mr. Gerald the Farrier comes tomorrow to trim the hooves. We are busy getting his paddock ready and getting to know him better. Beau T is curious and witnesses lots of drama, like this kitty stand-off on the car yesterday. Zippy (left) and Pixie Jr. (right) ...will they ever accept each other, we wonder?!
This is Beau Toby, a horse that needed a home in a hurry. We've been keeping our new friend on free choice hay & alfalfa, apple treats and carrots from the garden. He's somewhat underweight with a rasta mane. Feels like a dream come true.... Thanks to Linda & everyone at Norwood Stables for the ride. |
AuthorAll images (c) Molly & Sandor Related
Archives
April 2016
Categories
All
|