View from a tractor

Here's the view I had this week while working. My sister pointed out that it is a convertible. It was a gorgeous day and it was great that we were able to finish the first cutting of hay. (Normally, at this time of year, we would be working on the 3rd cutting of hay.) We haven't had many periods of three days without a forecast of rain.

Not the prettiest tractor, but it works great for raking hay. It is also forgiving for a novice tractor driver like me!

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." '

Massachusetts August 2009

Make way for ducklings bronze statues in Boston. We bought the book, posed with the ducks and bought the t-shirt!














4 y.o. with the Auntie A














On the tractor with Uncle B















Me and my oldest brother



















My husband on the T-boat from the Boston aquarium to the U.S.S. Constitution.














Us at the Boston aquarium. (I'm posing kind of funny because I was trying to keep the 4 y.o. from falling off the ledge!)


















Eating at Quincy market in Boston.














Oldest brother, niece, Memere, nephews, kids.

We had a great trip to Boston August 12-18th. We went to the graduation party of one of my nephews, visited Boston with one of my sisters, and my husband was able to meet most of my family for the first time. There were several things I wanted to do, but we didn't have time - like visit several friends I haven't seen in years and visit the Calvin Coolidge historical museum in Vermont. Perhaps next year when I go back for one of my nieces weddings!
The day after getting home, 17 y.o. started public school. I've home schooled him for the last three years, but felt it was best at this point for him to go back to public school. New teacher, new curriculum, etc. He is a junior.

We hoped to come home to finish the first cutting of hay. However, between the day before we got home and the day after we got home we had 5.5 inches of rain! We did finally finish the first cutting this week.

I did get some more story ideas while I was in Boston. I also worked on an article since I've been home. I hope to submit it to my instructor (Institute of Children's Literature) today.

This is the verse I am trying to instill in my 17 y.o. so he has a strong work ethic: Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Writer's cabin

IMG_4768, originally uploaded by 2009 Writer's Retreat.

Here's the temporary "writer's cabin" that we set up for the retreat! Perhaps if I sell a book or two, I can erect a more permanent structure?!

Writer's Retreat

Last weekend, we had the 1st Annual Oakdale Farm Writer's Retreat! Attendees were from Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

Just as half the women arrived, a calf was being born. The women enjoyed watching and seeing the newborn calf. One author, Dori Butler, helped with chores and bottle feeding a calf. Her last two blogs were about the weekend as well (with lots of photos). Go here: http://dorihbutler.livejournal.com/

Several of us wrote in the "portable writer's cabin" (which was a tent!) next to the pond. Two ladies writing under the pear tree (not in the tent) had pears dropped near them by a squirrel. The fish and frogs were jumping a lot. The weather was very cooperative and beautiful.

We wrote a lot, ate some terrific food and award-winning pies, played several loud games, and just had fun getting to know each other better. The women, perhaps, got an appreciation for farming - or at least some some fodder for future writing projects! I got some work done on the biography I'm writing (rewriting).

Farm news: haven't had many periods of three dry days in a row. We should be on the third cutting of hay and we are still on the first! The garden has suffered a little from not being able to get in there and weed, the tomatoes have some blight from all the rain, but overall it's doing pretty well. Will be canning beets, pickles, green beans, corn, salsa, tomato juice, in the next couple of weeks.

Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."