Skip to main content

The State of the Farmlet Address

The farmlet is glistening in the February sun.

I have never failed to appreciate February in Washington, which brings a break from the precipitation (usually—so far, this is holding true in 2011), warmer temperatures, and the first crocuses of Spring.

We have some mud, and my gravel dreams remain with me—before October, I'd like to acquire 24 tons of 3/8ths inch minus (plus fines) and 12 tons of coarse sand. Still, it's not too bad. One mule, three goats, and a flock of chickens seem a manageable population for this one acre, and they have some green grass even now.

Our salad greens are pushing up in the greenhouse, and we should be eating spinach, lettuce, arugula, and baby kale before too long. Our celeries are germinating on the windowsill, and we're finally employing the baseboard heat in our dining room to warm their feet. Kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, scallions, leeks, and onions are poking their heads into the light.

Fenway Bartholomule is getting slightly fitter after his very relaxing winter, and we're committing to at least one real ride and one brief exercise session each week. I'd like to make it four and two, respectively. I, for my part, am lifting weights again, a hobby which I used to enjoy but which evades me now as a regular habit. I need to reestablish it, as it was a healthy and rewarding one.

My husband has ripped the gross carpet out of our bedroom, and the besplattered plywood underlayment is actually a refreshing substitute. There will be time for hardwood later.

The fruit trees are sending out suckers, and we're afraid to touch them. The overpruning of '09 still haunts us, with it's years of fruit-suppression.

The compost piles have grown beyond our ability to use them, and we're on the lookout for a needy gardener. Well aged manure—free! I've added a second gate to the pasture, hoping to facilitate truck access when we eventually find a taker.

 (to be continued)

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks in Advance for Your Mulish Opinion!

Popular Posts

Here are the Cloud Dog's X-Rays

Here, for your edification, are the X-rays of dear Paisley's leg. There is, apparently, no new break (since his Monday siezure) but there is, of course, a great deal of abnormality caused by years of living with a shortened ulna. His pronounced lameness, the vet says, may temporarily improve. Unlike me, Fenway Bartholomule, poor cloud dog can't expect much in the way of a full recovery.   Not having the $$$$ for surgery to fuse the joint, we are working on making some sort of rigid splint to support the limb and prevent further degeneration. That is, the humans (with their space-age material inventions and their opposable thumbs) are working on making a splint; I am working on giving cloud dog brayful looks of support and encouragement every time he totters into the yard to relieve himself. As always, he fears me (me?!) and keeps his distance.  Ears to you,  Fenway

Vegan Spring Rolls

I, Fenway Bartholomule, am a vegan: of course I only eat plants, not people! My human is too, so I'm sharing my blog with her today so that she can participate in the 2014 Virtual Vegan Potluck ! When you're done perusing the recipe for these delicious spring rolls, click "back" or "forward" for the entire potluck experience! Virtual Vegan Potluck: Spring Roll Appetizers Beautiful? Check. Healthy? Check. Delicious? Check. Easy? Check. Fancy? Check. Quick to clean up after? Check. Vegan? OF COURSE! If you're looking for something portable, colorful, and crowd-pleasing for your next potluck, look no further than these simple vegan spring rolls! The best part? You can substitute ANYTHING. I never make these the same way twice, so play around with cilantro, kale, cabbage, scallions, or whatever you think sounds good! Ingredients Veggie mix: 2 carrots (grated) 4 oz mung bean sprouts 1/3 cup chopped peanuts (raw, or roasted and salted) or ...

Mowers and raccoons and steers, oh my!

In my informal Facebook survey I learned that the majority of Friends of the Muleness want more stories—All the Stories!—and that the story they want most of all is the story of the raccoon.  Farmwife says it's hardly a story at all, and that it would be something to talk about had the raccoon been in my barn, or touching my body, or gesticulating at me with it's bizarrely human little fingers to indicate that it would like a little snack or help with its homework. Alas, this is not that kind of story.  Before I tell you about the raccoon I have to go backwards and tell you that I am feeling very good in my body these days. My track through the forest has been expanded, my laminitis is at bay, and my health has been very largely excellent since I came here to the Atomic Ranch in December. I am feeling so good, in fact, that I have been cleared for long walks around the neighborhood! Puck, Farmwife, and I sometimes make the long loop up Saratoga and back around Fox Spit, which ...

To Boot or Not to Boot

There're boots (FarmWife's, pictured) and and then there're boots (mine, below) and boots (suspensory). And THOSE—suspensory, support or protective boots—are what I want to talk about today. (And yes, I know that there are a million other kinds, too, but a mule has only so much time.) I love my Easyboot Epics, and I would gladly wear a second pair on my hind hooves if the opportunity presented itself. So far, it hasn't, but it's only a matter of time until a mule of my caliber starts seeing the corporate sponsorship love. All in due time!  In the meantime, FarmWife wonders about protective or supportive boots. You know, the kind that make a mule look very fancy, ready for anything, and primed for tremendous athletic accomplishment?  Really, I would love to have some. I think they'd look sassy. The arguments in favor of wearing something like a Sports Medicine Boot are thus: I love to a...