October 23, 2020
This week marked the true beginning of sheep breeding season as we delivered “Samson” to Hill-Stead. I am sure he thought the worst awaited him as we loaded him into the trailer, only to be thrilled to realize not only did the abattoir not await him at the end of this journey, but a pasture of 40 ewes did. That was one happy boy. The next time you drive down RT 4 please avert your gaze....
After one hard frost our katydids, the iconic troubadours of New England's summer nights, stopped serenading us , and oh, how I miss them! The night seems poignantly empty without them. These last few months Anne and I came to depend on their song for peace of mind . - and yes, I know it's never a good thing when your sanity depends on an insect - but when the world seemed particularly upended we found solace, in the surround sound of nature which reverberated through the air. We are so very lucky to be living here on this farm, nestled gently in the woods.
The shiitakes have gone wild with what little rain we did get this week. All their pent up energy from this summer's drought exploded with the sudden moisture in the air. What we can't sell fresh, we will dehydrate and sell dried over the winter.
We got our Clatter Ridge Farm calendars back from the printer, and while I rarely hope for the passage of time - I am in fact glad 2020 will eventually end, and hope that perhaps 2021 will be better!