Change...

Change...
in a childs dictionary
... to make different or
replace with another

in Webster's
... to undergo transformation
... to give up one thing for another

As a child, I was oblivious to changes as my days were filled with hugs and play time...surrounded by cousins, always outdoors playing, stretching our imaginations...
bouncing on long low branches for horses, cowboys and Indians, dressing barn cats in doll clothes, swinging on ropes in a hay mow, playing jacks - onesies, twosies, eating pepperoni swinging on a back porch swing, running through summers rain...to name a few.


My dad was a coal miner at Robena Mines his whole life, as his father and grandfather before him. There had been a gas explosion at the mine when I was 8. Within months, mid winter, we were packing up for a move. My dads only sister had convinced him to move south..Florida..leaving nearly all our treasures behind. I think dads thoughts were if it didn't fit in the Uhaul, you didn't need it.

Little did I know my life was soon to change...drastically..from a rural farming community to sand and sidewalks.

Through the years I have learned to adapt to change. I don't think change is ever easy.

A few weeks ago the neighboring farm across the road sold. The auction for household miscellaneous and farm machinery brought many. Whether to purchase canning shelves to weathered paned windows, tractors and antique machinery.

Walking through the farm one last time brought much sadness to my heart, as change was soon to be. Within weeks the new owner has divided the 68.5 acres from 5 acre to 20 acre lots. This is not a change I want to adapt to....but know I must.

Notes from the garden

94 degrees.

Afternoon harvest, heirlooms doing well in the heat. First time 'Russian Purple' are exploding in size - their flesh sweet and juicy.

'Juliet's', I am favoring over the common 'Cherry Tomato' or 'Grape Tomato' in flavor and size.

My beans are struggling this year... different from years past. High production with first picking, they're giving into the heat. Shaena and I strung some of the biggest beans onto strings to dry, hoping to save them for later in the year.

Most surrounding gardens were stricken with an air blight. My pickles and English cucumbers are starting to show signs today. Hoping the nearby Amish will have small pickling cucumbers for me to purchase. I need to do a run today to the Amish in hopes of finding onions and more peppers for zucchini relish tonight.

Heat or no heat, canning time is now.

Getting things started

I live in an old farm house, approximately 1831. It was rented out and badly abused for 35 years, until we rescued it, painted it red and have been rehabbing it through the years. This old house sets on a 5 acre plot of land, surrounded by the whispers of nature. Deer, fox, coyote, rabbits, geese, owls, birds of all kind inhabit our land and surrounding land.

In the spirit of a year full of big projects, I think it would be fun to share some of the goings on in our life on the farm. This is my first blog, and I'm hoping to share some of the fun and informative things in my life with family and friends.

"It's the red house on the corner.... you know the one..."