Most of you know I raise the livestock and James raises the vegetables. We do, however, need each other's help now and then. The past two days we had to take care of some things that required 4 hands and 2 brains. Or maybe just one brain and 4 hands.
Yesterday was one of those anxiety-filled mornings of loading and driving a bull and 2 hogs to the butcher. When we're done I'm always very proud of us but while it's going on it's stressful. It was no trouble getting Franklin in the trailer. He charged right in. Unfortunately, so did Lennon and Mo and it took a while to get them out. The pigs, Honey and Badger, weren't as easy but eventually we bribed them and they went in a side door. Our livestock trailer is ancient, rusty and needs me to do some welding and other fixes to prevent animals from escaping while we're driving the curvy, mountainous route to Green Valley Butcher. We've never had that happen but we always worry about it. For all of this, James lets me call the shots and does what I ask (open gates, brings more food, helps close trailer doors, etc), because I know the animals best. In 3 weeks we'll have approximately 200 lbs of pork and 600 lbs of beef so if anyone wants to buy some, let me know.
Today it was James' turn to be the boss. We installed a drip system in his garden. He's been working really hard on it this year. He's put a tall fence around 6 of the gardens, got rid of all the grass paths, which are now mulch, and created smaller paths between rows so you can walk in the
gardens without stepping on things.
This drip system is pretty cool, but the air wasn't while we worked. I don't know if I stunk more yesterday after mucking out the livestock trailer or today after sweating a bucket or two. We laid out 4 main water lines and then attached many tiny drip hoses that go between the rows. It's hard to see them in this picture.
We work pretty well as a team. At least I think so.
Yesterday was one of those anxiety-filled mornings of loading and driving a bull and 2 hogs to the butcher. When we're done I'm always very proud of us but while it's going on it's stressful. It was no trouble getting Franklin in the trailer. He charged right in. Unfortunately, so did Lennon and Mo and it took a while to get them out. The pigs, Honey and Badger, weren't as easy but eventually we bribed them and they went in a side door. Our livestock trailer is ancient, rusty and needs me to do some welding and other fixes to prevent animals from escaping while we're driving the curvy, mountainous route to Green Valley Butcher. We've never had that happen but we always worry about it. For all of this, James lets me call the shots and does what I ask (open gates, brings more food, helps close trailer doors, etc), because I know the animals best. In 3 weeks we'll have approximately 200 lbs of pork and 600 lbs of beef so if anyone wants to buy some, let me know.
Today it was James' turn to be the boss. We installed a drip system in his garden. He's been working really hard on it this year. He's put a tall fence around 6 of the gardens, got rid of all the grass paths, which are now mulch, and created smaller paths between rows so you can walk in the
gardens without stepping on things.
This drip system is pretty cool, but the air wasn't while we worked. I don't know if I stunk more yesterday after mucking out the livestock trailer or today after sweating a bucket or two. We laid out 4 main water lines and then attached many tiny drip hoses that go between the rows. It's hard to see them in this picture.
You are always soooo busy. Makes me tired to read about it, but you have a lovely place and your work shows.
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