Stick a Fork In It

Put a hay fork in it because the brushhogging is done. 60 acres, 2 miles of trails, 45 hours, 45 gallons of gasoline, 2 flat tires, one new tire and tube, done. I estimate that I traveled a total of 110 miles. Worth it? Well, it looks great. The weeds and shrubs are under control for one more year. And the deer are loving the new re-growth.

I enjoyed the time watching the mice and rabbits scurry away, the hawks watching for an easy meal, the little fawns jumping up in front of me. The swallows and king birds swooping after the insects. Dodging the rocks the bears had rolled out of the hedgerows, and on the trails, a rotten tree stump or two they had tipped out, all in search of a tasty meal.

I recalled the days riding on the back of the hay baler while Grandpa baled the hay. The mechanical knotters on the old New Holland baler were always skipping and it was my job to yell when it missed so we could stop and tie the bale by hand. I sat on the bale chute and felt the hay slide through under the seat of my pants, until I wore out a few pair of pants and we decided we should put a board there. Mostly, it was great fun just spending all that time with my Grandpa.

On the steep side hill above the homestead, I remembered that this was just about the spot where we were riding the hay wagon while it rolled over. Not exactly an uncommon occurrence on our hilly farm. We were taught to move to the upper side of the wagon if it started to tip over. Never jump off, especially to the lower side, lest the load of hay or wagon would fall on you. It was fun when it happened, but a chore to reload the wagon.

And now I realize that there are too many stories and memories to relate all at once.

Dr. Wadsworth Trees

It is told that a Dr. Wadsworth, reportedly from the western area of upstate NY, was a strong proponent of leaving trees strategically in the middle of cleared crop fields. Presumably a veterinarian, he championed this cause far and wide in order that these trees would provide shade from the hot sun for the teams of horses working the land. I have only anecdotal evidence of this but was encouraged to find at least one reference on the internet despite an exhaustive search. The sole evidence? This photo entitled "Dr. Wadsworth Tree" on display in the George Eastman House museum by photographer John Pfahl, taken in Chautauqua County, NY, 1999, lends credence to this story. Apparently, the trees have come to be known as Dr. Wadsworth trees.

We have several large mature trees in the middle of the big field behind our house. I always assumed that they just grew there from an existing rock pile. After hearing this story I began to wonder, could these trees be Dr. Wadsworth trees? I think so. I find it totally plausible that when the settlers cleared this land, they left these trees on purpose. The advanced age (and size) of the trees suggest this is possible and there seems to be no other agronomical purpose for not having removed these trees when the rest of the field was cleared.

Regardless, they continue to serve the same purpose, though I wouldn’t call me a horse. While brush hogging this summer, the seeds from the mature grasses would eventually build up on the radiator of the tractor, causing it to overheat. So I would pull under the shade of one of my own Dr. Wadsworth trees, shut off the tractor, clear the radiator, and the Ford and I would cool off for a few minutes. Dr. Wadsworth trees, a very humanitarian idea indeed.

Andrew's Apartment

It's the day we've been waiting for! Andrew moved out. Back to school. This year, his senior year, he decided to rent an apartment off campus, ostensibly to save money. Not to mention the quiet for greater quality study time......

Of course his Mom and I have been planning for this day for a long time. Storing spare pots and pans, stuffing our attic and basement with furniture. So we cleaned out the house and I think he ended up with a pretty well furnished apartment. Who knew that a sleeper sofa would fit in a minivan?

So everything packed up, then unpacked, moved in, Jann says goodbye through the tears while Andrew happily waved, kinda like the first day of kindergarten, many years ago. I asked Jann if she was really that upset? She said, "Yes! He has a nicer apartment than either of our houses!"

Here's a couple of pictures of Andy and his roommate Matt getting moved in.

Keuka Lake

Lynn, Gail, Mckenna, and Tommy vacationed on Keuka Lake last week. We were able to get up to see them Monday night, enjoy a campfire, and their neighbors had fireworks shows.

Geschwender's Visit

This is shameless, or just plain lazy, I know. But I am going to do it anyways. The Geschwenders came for a visit a few weekends ago and I am just going to give you the link to Bonnie's blog of her vacation and let her tell the story. She took some great pictures of Biscuit Hollow. If you click on one of her pictures, it will take you to her FlickR site and you can watch a slideshow of all of her vacation pictures. I stole one for my computer wallpaper.

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-W8QFpo40Y6X3li6LCh8vFWNGaw--?cq=1&p=350

Can anyone tell me when the summer doldrums begin? I haven't seen them in a long time!

Time Troubles

Can't we just slow things down a bit? There are just way too many things in life to enjoy to experience them all! And I have been running out of time to share some of them with you. Magic moments, some not even captured on film. Visiting Herb and Iris, and Nancy and Benny in Indiana last weekend. Our first campfire of the year and floating around our pond today. Bonnie, Bill, and Tristan staying in Biscuit Hollow and getting to visit with them, leisurely, but never enough. Going to the Woodhull races tonight and watching Nick race, and do well. Watched Mike's car (he wasn't driving) involved in a rollover accident. Memorable moments, but just not enough time to tell the colorful details. Celebrating our anniversary yesterday with dinner and a movie, receiving many warm congratulations. But never enough time together. There's just never enough, but it is all good.