Ron and I went out the THF on Sunday morning just to pick more rocks.  We were bored, you see.  Still no friends showing up to help. What is with that?? He had decided that we would stop at 11:30, this after he spent most of Saturday out there by himself. Ron used a 4 tined cultivator to pick up rocks;  he has always been a tool guy. Me, on the other hand, I am down there in the dirt. Picture rice field planting. Apparently our goal is to get as many rocks out of the field as we can. Taking that to heart, I snag just about every one I can. Ron and Jo tend to focus on the larger ones.
With the lunar eclipse happening that night, we decided that we would set up the burn barrel so we can come back at night to watch it. Out on the farm, the light pollution would be much less an issue. When we got that finished, Ron told me that we had a stop to make – North Star Orchards in Westmoreland. They make the best pumpkin cake, but only in the fall and now, only on Sundays. He had called to order 8 pieces for me. Sounds like a lot I know, but I cut them into 3 smaller pieces and then freeze them. Now I can have yummy pumpkin cake whenever I want it. We did make one stop first, at Old McMarley’s Apple Farm in Clinton, NY. There cider is fabulous.   And they are our source for apples for dehydrating into chips.
Back home and I headed out to get  some shopping to get done. Then it was time to get our normal Sunday chores done and wait for 8 pm to get here. Pack up chairs, lighter (most important), bug spray just in case, headlamps, camera and jackets. Of course I grab the nearest one, turns out to be much too light.

Practicing for the zombie apocalypse.

The moon was so bright, we almost didn’t need our headlamps.
Even with the fire burning nicely, I was so cold that Jo felt sorry for me and switched jackets with me. Next time I will bring two jackets. Just in case.

Once the moon was totally in the sun’s shadow, we could see all stars. For the first time, I actually saw that shot that you see on TV, with thousands of stars across the sky.  My trusty Canon camera which has taken fabulous photos since I got it when Jo started cross country in school  over 10 years was just not up to this task.

This was the best shot I got. So does not do justice to the scene.  We didn’t stay out on the Farm until the eclipse was over.  Just too tired.  We are early morning folk, not late nighters.  Our normal wake up call at 4 am comes around awfully early.

The last few weeks have been crazy leaving me with no time or inclination to post. Car troubles have put a serious whammy on us. Started out with my Camry. I took it in for an oil change and discovered that there was some seriously wrong. The dealership ran some tests, which we failed. That actually was good news as it meant the repair would be on Toyota. I was supposed to drop it off at the dealer on July 22 but the special tool they needed was on back order. We left with instructions to keep an eye on the oil level. We are still waiting.
Ron’s Transit was next. First the brakes needed to be replaced. Then the ball bearings, both sides. Not even a week later, Ron was back at the shop because it was making some weird noises. This was a bad one, the transmission was going. Now it was time to cry. We had some serious thinking to do. Ron had applied for and been accepted into a week long workshop called “Armed to the Farm”. It was being held at Houghton College about 150 miles away. Reliable vehicle definitely needed. He would be leaving on Aug 2nd and would not be home again until the 7th. I had been so looking forward to that. We were both getting a vacation. All you married women know just what I am talking about.
Dishwasher was fixed on July 28th when the repair man found a watch battery sticker in the drainage hose. Must has gotten stuck on the bottom of a dish and then made its way down until it could go no further. Ron said that there was no way we could have figured that one out on our own. It was nice to have it working again.
Our decision was made; Ron would drive the Corolla, Jo would use the Camry and the Transit was coming to work with me. In the midst of all this Ron’s computer was again showing its age. I had been setting money aside and nagging him to agree on buying a laptop. It took a couple more computer crashes but he finally caved. We ordered one and hoped that it would be here in time for his trip. Lovely day when it arrived in plenty of time. I got it all set up and he was a happy camper. One less thing to cause us aggravation.
On Sunday we loaded up the car. He was taking a fan, sleeping bag, sheets, pillows, clothes for a week, snacks, his laptop, small coffee pot… boy, was he missing his Transit. One last hug and kiss and he was off.
Monday all went well. Jo and I both off to work then home. Dinner cooked, a few things done and then off to sleep. Tuesday I went to work as usual but my trip home was anything but usual. I got into the Transit and headed out of the parking lot. When I turned onto the road there was suddenly a horrible noise. Like something had fallen off and was being dragged. I pulled off into another parking lot and looked underneath. Nothing. Started up again and the same noise. With nothing else to do, I called Ron. We assumed it was the transmission going. I needed to get Transit back in my work parking lot and call Jo to come and get me. It was 50 yards maybe back to the parking lot but halfway there, I totally lost first gear. That was scary. I had enough momentum to get to the turn in and then was able to coast. I tried 2nd gear and it caught. I got into a parking spot and turned it off. Now I needed to figure out a ride to work on Wednesday. Back into work to catch Jenn before she headed home. Thank goodness she was still there and more than willing to pick me up the next day. Jo arrived and home we went. Now this was officially the worst week possible. Ron called and we talked about our options. We really had no choice now to but to get the Transit fixed. Even if we had wanted to try and sell it, we would get next to nothing selling it as is.
Wednesday Jenn picked me and my fun day began. I had to call AAA about getting a tow then meet the driver outside with credit card in hand. Call the dealer about getting the Transit in to be fixed and still get my work done. I was so ready for a strong drink by the time Jenn dropped me off. It was an odd relief to have the decision made though. Bless her heart, Jenn was my ride to work for the rest of the week. Jo came and picked me up and we got through the week. But it was all ruined. None of my planned projects got done. The current situation took up all my thoughts. It was great to have Ron home again on Friday. It wasn’t all on me now. But we were a 3 car family with 2 cars. That was going to take some juggling. Of course he came with the Corolla now making a rattling noise. The heat shield had partially fallen off. So we had to get that fixed and will be down to 1 car for 3 working people. And guess what, the dishwasher isn’t draining again. Thank goodness Jo wasn’t working on Wednesday so we dropped it off Tuesday night to have it fixed. Ron and I drove to and from work together. Until Wednesday when he got the call saying Transit was ready. So now we have all three cars back and life can get back on track. Deep breath in, let it out and move on.
Back to THF business.

On Saturday June 30 Jo and I spent the morning at the CNY Fiber Festival in Bouckville NY. I am a knitter from way back and have finally discovered a taste for the good stuff. Yarn, that is. Jo wanted to go so she could see an alpaca. For some reason she has decided that she would like to have one. And Ron, blast him is encouraging her, but Jo has conceded that she has to wait a few years. Apparently she has been researching this online and has learned just how much an alpaca will cost to take care of.
It was a lovely day and we had a good time. Jo bought some gluten free chocolate chip cookies and a pair of alpaca socks. I found a cute snowman Christmas ornament made out of fleece in the first tent we went to, but it took me three trips through all the tents to find the yarn I wanted to buy. I came home with enough to knit two hats, now I just have to decide which pattern I want to use. That’ll take awhile.
Ron wasn’t home when we got back, he had headed out to the farm before we left. His plan was to use the weed wacker to clear out some of the underbrush in a couple of spots. It really is a major production when he goes out to work. Has to take the high boots, 4 wheeler and trailer, bug spray, water bottles, assorted tools, hat, and his helmet. Then it all has to come back with him.
Ron was delighted to see us home already. We could now help him get two more of his mushroom cribs out to the farm. Did I tell you he is not only planning to grow shiitakes but also red wine caps? Which is a whole different procedure. More on that later.
Since he had come home with all his trappings he now had to make two trips back. One to take the wheeler back and then again with the cribs and us.

Don’t I look smashing? Ready for creek crossing. Had some serious rain Friday night and the water is running both high and fast. The waders got me safely across, but the current was much faster and it made for an unsteady trek. Then we had to get from the creek out to the hemlock forest. There is water everywhere. It comes from the creek, the swamp and the spring resulting in washed out paths, drowned new trees and mud and more mud. Ron underestimated how much trouble the muck was going to cause him. We almost had to take one of the cribs off so that he could get up one of the small hills.
His innate stubbornness got him through though. Then we had to get them off the wagon and into the spot Ron had cleared for them. Six are out there so far, but we have 9 more to go. I may cry.
On the walk back I caught my foot in some roots and went down. Serious jolt through my whole body but no damage. Every time we go out to the farm it is different. Nature is amazing, but Ron is determined to figure out a way to reduce the flooding because it is going to continue to cause troubles.

Do you see the red flags? Each one is where we planted a tree. Anybody have a herd of goats they need to feed?

I so need to be careful what I wish for. We have been planning for Ron to retire at 62, now 3 years from now. I knew he would need something to do, that he could not just sit around watching TV and searching the net. Well, he could, but not forever. He needed to find something that interested him and would keep him from making me crazy cuz he was bored. Did not expect this though.
When Ron and I were first married back in 1987, we lived in Hilo, HI and one of his favorite things to do was explore the island. We would head out in the car and take whatever road appealed. I called our trips – Ron’s Adventure Tours – and we had great fun on them. This latest adventure is certainly his biggest. We are not yet 6 months in and have years to go before The Tiny House Farm is established. But he is having a ball. Jo and I are just hanging on for the ride.