A Year In Review

Unprecedented and unusual are the words that seem to sum up the year of 2020. I am tired of the un side of the last 12 months and will take a moment to look at the other side of farm happenings.

Our longest ever hay season that was caused by tiny showers on every bit of hay we had mowed, finally ended after a month of torture. Although it was not our best quality, it was a large hay crop and the barns were filled to capacity. Our beef herd will have enough to take us through the winter and into the spring when the grass begins to grow.

The slowdown/lockdown that the world was, has been, still is experiencing caused us to have steady work without a slowing of demand from any of the three main products of the farm, cattle, timber and firewood. (Demand is a mixed blessing for sure, but I’m keeping positive here.)

The cattle are not affected the world events and have been consistent with their behavior, needs and births.

The Chanterelle mushroom crop lasted a long time with a most surprising summer gather in July and they are still growing as I write this story. I have gotten much better at pickling the fungi and am enjoying lobster mushrooms with this new, for me, way of preserving the crop.

After a couple of series of minor heart palpitations with just the concept of cutting hair, Mike is now able to take the clippers in hand and have a go at whacking away at my unruly mop (I still have to force him to do it, but at least he doesn’t hyperventilate or feel woozy when giving me a good shearing like he did back in June).

Most of my friends, club members, board members and relatives have helped me stay connected with the technological side of internet meetings and greetings so I don’t feel so far removed from the rest of humanity.

And the tires on my car will last for several years rather than the 6 months regular life span.

Definitely not my usual list of things to be grateful for, but we here on the farm continue to putter along without any major issues and that is a wonderful thing to be thankful about.

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