17.4.11

Hot Buttered Rum

I actually have no idea what to write! I've only been here four and half full days and apparently that's not enough to process the transition.
I did get thrown directly and immediately into the working-mix waking at 630 Wednesday morning the day after the previous evening arrival.

From 630am to 7ish, we drink as much morning caffeine as we can, work till 830 - developing the compost piles; apprentices with assigned chores feed the animals, or bring them to pasture. Breakfast runs till 10, then work again in the greenhouse transplanting seedlings, sowing seeds for new seedlings, or in the fields mulching the already planted vegetables to support water retention during the dry summer, and suppress the feisty weeds.

With a pre established schedule, an assigned apprentice will break at 1130 to begin preparing lunch for 1pm. Back out to work at 2… Assigned apprentice breaks at 530 to begin preparing dinner (a rotation between lunch and dinner with breakfast prepared as an 'everyone pitches in' affair) to eat at 7. By the time we've eaten, had a beer or two, washed the dishes and maybe played a hand of cards, it's bed by 10!

The small town of just over 1,000 counted residents  - the 14 Indian tribes aren't included in this total, which would bring the number closer to 3,000) has the basics: library, town meeting hall, IGA grocery store, coffee shop, Trading Post for used clothing…. And an abundance of open valley land surrounded by a sprawling spread of mountains, tops of which are heavily dusted in snow.

Our half work-day Saturdays are a blessing without disguise - afternoon naps happen without trying, and staying up late on a Saturday night was impossible, even after we'd made it into town to see a screening of Godzilla (not to be confused with King Kong).

Did i mention the Apprentices? They are truly AMAZING. Matt, Kim and Becca are welcoming, good hearted, funny, kind, hard working and totally dedicated to farming and the homesteading life (Matt and Kim are featured in the photos, Becca will be captured soon enough:)) and are introducing me to some good blue grass tunes and reminding me that i need to re-learn the skill of playing a musical instrument. The Decaters, Steve and Gloria who own and operate the farm are busy each day, and finding time to get to know one another will be a work in progress.

And Yes! There are the obligatory pigs, sheep, lambs, cows and work horses, plus two domesticated cats, and two dogs - my favorite is Sophie a bundle of love and seeker of attention. The barn animals are Adorable (!) and when I've got my camera on hand during a sunny day, will be sure to catch some photos and post.
till then… hope you're all well xo


to prove it Does snow in california!

look close to find more snow!





bedroom before
bedroom after:) work in major progress

7 comments:

souly nomadic said...

love love love!
that's an intense schedule but incredibly exciting with such gratifying work!
love the pictures of the farm and your room is cute!
can't wait for shots of pigs, sheep, dogs and lambs!

Unknown said...

you are fantastic! enjoy every second and keep me posted. Love you

Unknown said...

love hearing the details!!! and seeing pictures. waiting or pics that capture the mountains too. and the little piglets once they are born. your pkg is going out today and will have your "wall decor" in it as well. xoxomom

Nxt Bloom said...

awww thanks you guys. i miss you both SO MUCH! animaly pictures are to come! love to you both

Mishy said...

Am loving the photo of the owl --- what a treat. Wish you were at our Passover table last night, but it is so absolutely clear that you are where you need to be, doing what you need to do. Overjoyed that you are settling in. Sending much love, as we rev up for what will be my 4th Seder!

Piet and Sara at the Smith Farm said...

This looks so GREAT!!! I can't wait to read more and see lots of pictures! You're going to have such a blast there!

xoxo
Sara

Nxt Bloom said...

thanks sara for the support:) i remember what you siad before i left and keep it in mind - no surfer-bro culture here so far! hope you're well. x