Relationships
-November, 2021 –
Early Fall Mornings on the Farm
Done. Or done enough - with all the fall chores. Gardens put to bed, hoses drained, leaves raked, lawn furniture stored, and evaporator cleaned and ready to go. Our farmers markets are coming to a close this weekend and next. Have you noticed that as soon as you finish one thing, there is urgency to move to the next? We are never done. And so this week we also started rolling out lines and walking in the woods, tallying all the chores for the next list. There is much to do and the days are short, which for me, means more reading and more time to cook good food and spending time with good friends.
Abby doing the thankless job of cleaning the evaporator for this sugaring season
The other morning, I sat reading before dawn. I am reading Braiding Sweetgrass, which is proving to be transformative for me. The author, Robin Wall Kimmerer, is an eloquent writer and her book is causing me to think in new ways about my relationship with the land, plants, and the critters. As I sat reading, the first hint of daylight peeked over the eastern horizon. Light first, then orange, pink, and blue. It takes a while in late fall for that first glint of light to give up the sun. But then the sun peaks over the horizon and I can see and feel the warmth of the coming day. The frost starts dripping off the metal roof of the sugar house and steam rises from the field below. The incessant crow of the rooster and nudging of the dogs tell me it is time to put down the book and get outside.
We start our day with a dog walk, working our way down Patterson Road. This route brings us by our neighbors who let us tap their trees. Our lines run along the road and up into their property. Without these relationships, we couldn’t produce the amount of syrup that we do. Thank you, neighbors. Since moving to the farm everyone on Patterson Road and in Worthington has been so welcoming and helpful. I’ve moved around bit and have lived in two communities where your neighbors are your friends, and your friends are your family. They are on opposite sides of the country. People move to Fairbanks for a variety of reasons, but those that love the town love being outside. It’s a way of life. That is how I am experiencing Worthington. A variety of people living here for a variety of reasons and those that love being here, love being outside.
Thanksgiving Address
I leave you with a partial quote from Braiding Sweetgrass and the Thanksgiving Address or Words That Come Before All Else from the indigenous Onondaga people. “Standing around us we see all Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who each have their own instructions and uses. Some provide shelter and shade, others fruit and beauty and many useful gifts. The Maple is the leader of the trees, to recognize its gifts of sugar when the People need it most. Many peoples of the world recognize a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind we greet and thank the Tree life. Now our minds are one.” This Address is long, moving and powerful. The words are an expression of gratitude and connection to all things.
May you be thankful for all you have this season, share your good fortune with others, and eat good food from farmers that care for their animals, the earth and plants.
We are at Amherst two more weeks and Great Barrington for the last market of the season. Thank you all for supporting us and our fellow farmers. Come see us one last time the season - we're looking forward to seeing you!