Optimism

I remember reading somewhere, at some point, an author’s view that gardeners (and by extension, farmers) are intrinsically optimistic due to the nature of their work.  In the interest of full disclosure, among my friends and family I am not particularly known as an optimist.  But I’m already happily planning for next year, as well as planting for this winter.  We’ve been slowly increasing what we can bring to the farmers market, as well as increasing our sales.  Truly, nothing is as encouraging as regular customers with rave reviews of one’s produce, and I only wish we were able, this year, to offer more variety.  (Next year!)  Our standbys - remember, folks, we’re on the coast - have been various lettuces, arugula, and kale, with garlic and basil as recent additions, and cameos by sugar snap peas and bush beans.  We’ve had a few types of herb and vegetable starts to fill out our table, and have had pretty good success with those.

Matt spent today working on the temporary enclosure for the chicks, who won’t go out with the rest of the flock until they can eat layer feed - in a few months.  So our dog Sammy kindly gave up his house, and Matt fenced and bird-netted the surrounding area.  Tonight is their first night out of the garage, where their brooder was located.  I spent today transplanting, and cleaning up the greenhouse.

We’d had dreams of getting away a little this summer, but realize it’s not really possible.  Our entertainment has to be here.  A bit of goofing off with the goats is always good fun!