Silent Morning
Morning on the farm is as peaceful as it is beautiful
The Sound of Silence
While this could apply to the quiet in your home after Thanksgiving guests have departed, I am referring to the sound of the farm. It is deafeningly quiet here – except when Jim is running the chainsaw. I can sit outside and hear the brook running over the stones and logs on its way to the river. It is the nasally “peent” call of the woodcock that signals that spring is coming. It is always the peepers and wood frogs that tell us spring is here and the sugaring season is over. The coyotes yip and howl, the owls hoot all year long and we hear it all. Those of us that pay attention to birds are always in a friendly competition to hear the first of a spring migrant. Today, even during snow showers, the chickadees and nuthatches announced themselves with their familiar calls. But is it too silent?
This past summer there seemed to be fewer birds – both diversity and abundance. Others in town noticed (or thought they noticed it too). There is no science in this statement, just a feeling. Recently, we were out of town and with other people that pay attention to birds, and they expressed the same sentiment, fewer birds. It makes me worried and watchful. Now that our neighborhood bear has retired for the winter and the bird feeders are out, it seems noisier. It is such a treat to look out on a cold morning and see the birds at the feeder. Better still to go outside and listen to the birds and nothing else.
Jim disturbing the quiet on the farm
Farmwork
It’s been a while since the last newsletter and we have experienced spring, summer and now fall and are gearing up for sugaring season again. Honestly, we are always gearing up for sugaring season. Fall is a time for cleaning. We cleaned the evaporator and the tanks. We have evicted the mice from what they were hoping would be winter homes. December is when we head into the woods to fix our lines clean up any downed trees we have missed. To me the beauty of sugaring is getting outside when better choices seem abundant. I may not want to go outside but I am always happy I did when the day is over.
You have to get in them to clean them
Adopting and Adapting
Kelly and I adopted a dog a year and a half ago. We’ve always had two dogs – a labrador and an “all American.” This has been a successful formula for us and the dogs, until this time. “Sitka” was terribly abused the first 4 years of her life, which we did not know when we adopted her. There was a lot we were not told and honestly if we were told we would never have adopted her. In fact, we tried to give her back after she cowered in the bathroom for a couple months. We just did not think our home was a good fit for her. We were told she would be a great farm dog, and she was barely a dog. We stuck with it and her, and she still isn’t right, but she is mostly happy. I cannot describe the joy we all felt the day she first ran playfully. She now does “puppy zoomers!” It has been amazing to watch her unfold, relax, and find joy. She has made me quieter, softer, and more empathic. A big thanks to everyone who takes in a damaged or unwanted soul. It is some hard work that may lead to self-discovery and personal adjustments, but it is such rewarding work to watch that soul blossom.
After a long day, it is good to use up all those coals from the evaporator to make burgers from our neighbor's cows.
Also, thanks to all of you for supporting our small maple business. It continues to be a tough row to hoe for farmers. We are dealing with increasing costs and increasing uncertainty with weather and funding opportunities. Your continued support is crucial to small farms across the country.
Happy and safe holidays to you and all those you encounter. Be well.
Come See Us
We will be at the Berkshire Grown Winter Market in Housatonic on December 20th and every third Saturday of the month through April.