by Susan | Jul 8, 2013 | On My Mind
With the end of the weekend, so went the hot and humid conditions. Rarely do we endure such uncomfortable weather as we have the last four days. Summer along the Maine coast usually means warm days and comfortable nights. We don’t have air conditioning, just...
by Susan | Jul 4, 2013 | On My Mind
In 1776 John Adams wrote of Independence Day: It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. And it was. Happy 4th of...
by Susan | Jun 25, 2013 | On My Mind
This weekend I discovered two nesting Phoebes under the back lean-to. They’re very shy; every time I tiptoe to the back yard to snap a picture, they abandon their nests and watch me from a distance. After snapping these pictures, I gave up capturing the Phoebes...
by Susan | Jun 17, 2013 | Family, On My Mind
Hannah has taken to making her own cards for special events. I think they are the best. She knows Paul longs for some goats to add more commotion to the Farm. Hence the subject for her Daddy’s Day card. When did she become such a talented artist? Don’t you...
by Susan | Jun 16, 2013 | On My Mind
It was a gorgeous weekend. Sunshine, seventies, and cool breezes. Picture perfect.
by Susan | Jun 10, 2013 | Family, On My Mind
It’s been a long week full of firsts and endings. Hannah graduated from 8th grade tonight and officially moves on to high school. She has anticipated this day for weeks, excited about moving on to high school. The reality of it left her (and me) feeling a bit...
by Susan | Jun 3, 2013 | Backyard Birds, On My Mind
Sitting on the porch yesterday, I spied what may have been a bit of courtship going on between these two unidentified birds. There was a lot of posturing and hopping about going on. Cute!
by Susan | Jun 2, 2013 | On My Mind
After two beastly hot and humid days, today was a gem. Still quite warm, breeze off the water kept the things comfortable in the shade of the porch. I had a bit of work still sitting on my desk, so I bounced back and forth from my office to the porch, fitting in some...
by Susan | May 26, 2013 | On My Mind
It has rained for seven days straight. And not just drizzle, but on and off steady, solid downpours. I wouldn’t be surprised if the peas, beans, and squash I planted last weekend have drowned. I’ve been busier than I’ve ever been on the work front....
by Susan | May 13, 2013 | Family
This week in Pennsylvania visiting my folks has been blissfully slow-paced. On the first sunny day, Dad and I went for a drive in search of a mountain overlook where he thought I’d enjoy taking pictures. After two hours of driving, we admitted defeat and...
by Susan | May 6, 2013 | On My Mind
Pictures like this are the payoff for wearing a camera around my neck as if it were a necklace. A little cumbersome, but worth the results!
by Susan | May 4, 2013 | Family, On My Mind
Hannah needs an updated photo for 8th grade graduation festivities in the works, so we had a mini photo shoot this afternoon. She’s happy with my amateurish attempts. 8th grade graduation already? She’s growing up entirely too fast!
by Susan | Apr 30, 2013 | On My Mind
The past few days have been a delight – beautiful weather and an amazing assembly of birds on the farm. Never have I seen such a variety of birds here at one time. The regulars: Dark-eyed Junco Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Crow Mourning Dove Red-breasted...
by Susan | Apr 20, 2013 | On My Mind
I was in our public library yesterday for a meeting when I saw this counter emptied and sitting on a hand truck. The librarian, a friend, told me it was on the way to the dump! Much to Paul’s dismay, I gave it a last minute stay of execution. Along with another...
by Susan | Apr 7, 2013 | On My Mind
The first signs of spring! A brave crocus popping up in the garden. The chickens and ducks have yet to discover it. And the pond is defrosted. Porch weather is clearly on the horizon!
by Susan | Apr 4, 2013 | On My Mind
My journey with chicken farming started two years ago after I read The Omnivore’s Dilemmia by Michael Pollan. The first year we raised 35 cornish cross rock chickens for the freezer. Last year we raised 50 freedom ranger chickens. Today we begin year three with...
by Susan | Mar 20, 2013 | On My Mind
I woke up on this first morning of spring to a foot of snow. This feels like such a setback after a stretch of sweatshirt weather. Just the other day I noticed my day lilies poking through the ground and the pond was melting around the edges. I was longing to move...
by Susan | Mar 10, 2013 | On My Mind, On the Farm
After almost a month of snowy weekends (or the threat of snow), I welcomed the opportunity to spend some time outdoors. Even it came in the form of physical labor. We have been systematically clearing out dead trees from the woods surrounding the house – like...
by Susan | Mar 9, 2013 | On My Mind, Out and About in Maine
After doing some chores today, the last thing I wanted to do was hang around inside. The last two weeks have been crazy busy with work and all I’ve done lately sit on my behind. With mud season looming, hiking isn’t a great choice, so we opted for an...
by Susan | Feb 23, 2013 | On My Mind
In addition to my regulars – the Mourning Doves and Chickadees, some new visitors have been distracting me from work. I find myself wandering from the office to the kitchen to see who’s visiting the garden bird feeder. This female Common Redpoll spent an...
