This Old House 2 – Page 56 – Middle aged musings from farm & hearth

Oops I did it again….

I had this mini chicken coop, you see. It served its purpose by helping me to raise my newest brood of chicks until they were old enough to join the regular coop group. That time arrived several weeks ago and so.. an empty mini coop sat idle.

With nothing in it.

As it should be.

Unless you are me.

When I was a young girl living on Staten Island where there is not much open land to speak of, if I saw a really big yard that had no animals living in it, I thought “what a waste of space. Oooh the possibilities!”. When we took the occasional vacation and drove out into the countryside, should there be an open field that had no horses living in it… I again thought “what a waste of space. Oooh the possibilities!”.

So, you know… the empty coop.

Empty no more.

Say hello to Harley & Cloud, because I simply could not imagine leaving such potential untapped.

I’ll fill you in on the bunny hutch saga in the next post….

Because a coop just ain’t a hutch. –

The Price of Speaking Up

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while or are a part of my life in some way, it’s no secret that I can be outspoken when it comes to things I’m passionate about… animal welfare, human rights, justice, injustice and fair play in our political system and in how we treat each other… especially in how we treat each other.

Because this is part of my personality, it means I will never be liked by everyone. That used to bother me. When youth should have been an asset, it hindered me because I cared. I wanted to please people, I wanted to be liked by everyone, I wanted to do no wrong in the eyes of anyone at all. To be clear and honest here, it didn’t stop me from doing stupid things on occasion or speaking up and maybe even being a royal pain in the ass sometimes, but it wounded me tremendously when there was the inevitable backlash from whomever might be the disapproving party.

Have I always been right in my assessments? Nope. Through 50 year old eyes I can see that sometimes I have jumped to a conclusion without doing enough research and reacted in a way that I would choose to rescind now if the opportunity were available. Do I know for certain that it is in every fiber of my being to want all good things for the men, women, children and living creatures of this earth? Without a doubt. So instead of just shutting up and avoiding the waves, I hope I’m learning to swim with a better rhythm and some compassion and understanding for those who see things differently. I don’t care anymore that I’m not going to have everyones approval, that’s an impossible dream. I’ve let it go. I try to remember to ask myself – am I doing this for the right reasons? How important is it to voice my opinion, to take a stand? Is there a better way to make a difference or approach this situation that doesn’t involve my ego or my opinion that quite possibly may be off? If I manage to get through all that in a positive way, then the result should be worth the effort.

My message today is this – and of course it’s just my opinion. Whoever you are, whatever you believe in… don’t be afraid to stand up for what you know is right. Don’t stand by and watch as things happen around you – or to you – just because it might not be popular with someone or align with anothers point of view. The only way to effectively change negative behaviors, practices, abuses, injustices in our world is to take action, to speak up, to DO something. What that entails will depend on the situation and your willingness to be a part of the change. The approach is important too. It’s easy to let anger control how we handle a situation, but that’s never the best way. I’ve learned this the hard way. Keep a level head and an open mind. Small steps can lead to big changes for the better. Don’t be afraid to make a wave or two when you are working for the common good. You sure hope you do!

And that’s all I have to say about that.

Vineyard 2014 – 3

Our favorite town on island is Edgartown and it’s harbor, home to the previously featured Edgartown light. So much charm in the old sea captains homes, their maritime history, the brick sidewalks, the old churches, the gardens, and even the visitors from all over the world who’s languages and accents float along the sidewalk as they stroll along. Restaurant choices are abundant and the food is fantastic. For those of you who like to shop.. you could shop till you drop.

This is our youngest crew – truly a joy to be around, I’m happy to say.

M & M on the left, my nephew C and his girlfriend on the right.

Polite, appreciative, helpful, Amen.

Moody skies on our first night…

The house we called home for a week… an 1800’s colonial

with wavy floors and big old rooms decorated in true vineyard style.

One of my favorites below.. but rents along the harbor waterfront are

very expensive. Our location on Main street across from the Old Whaling church

was more affordable and we found it very convenient.

Two great places to have breakfast.. the Right Fork Diner out at Katama air strip..

and the Main Street Diner in Edgartown.

This pic taken years ago at Main Street…

Same booth this time around….

The Atlantic at the base of Main street on the water is fantastic.

And a stroll around town after such a meal is delightful.

They look like an ad for Town & Country, don’t they?

Can you imagine sitting out on this porch overlooking the harbor with coffee every morning?

I think he consumed five lobsters while on island…

This pic was taken at the Black Dog Taven in Vineyard Haven.

We were thrilled to know our home away from home for a week would be across

from the Old Whaling Church… Mike loves the sound of church bells

and we had a front row seat!….

Until he realized it was going to chime.. every hour.. on the hour.. the number of times that was the actual hour… day… and night.

It made for some interesting sleeping… or not.

We came home with some wonderful memories, family time I will always cherish, and this….

Vineyard 2014 – 2

60 years ago the Vineyard had a slightly different feel… it wasn’t yet known as a Presidential and celebrity retreat. President Obama will be making his annual visit shortly and we saw many many flags on display and some storefronts paying tributeto the occasion. While I will assume there had always been an influx of summer people, the extent of it now can be… frustrating. Weekend crowds in the towns of Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and Edgartown make parking a nightmare at prime dining and shopping times, and beach parking or grocery shopping are an experience all it’s own. When I see the congestion and the rudeness and arrogance of some summer visitors, I feel sorry for the locals. Their towns are taken over and littered on, although they make their best efforts to be cordial and keep the place clean.

That being said, there is still much natural beauty on island as you head out onto the country roads and explore. There are working organic produce farms and wildflower fields, old fashioned air fields, riding stables, an alpaca farm, livestock farms that provide organic beef, pork, etc… and ofcourse the beautiful shoreline. Katama, West Tisbury, Chilmark, Menemsha and Aquinnah (Gay Head), while popular with tourists, are still mostly uncongested and retain their bucolic rural beauty.

K, M & M took a trail ride through the West Tisbury woods and fields thanks to Arrowhead Farm…

Kayak anyone?

The Gay Head Light in Aquinnah… about to be moved approx. 180 feet back from the edges

of the cliffs…

The view from the light… The strand of sand below the cliffs is absolutely beautiful.

There is nude sunbathing at the far end if you’re so inclined. I love the clay cliff

colors and the boulders along what is named Moshup Beach. You can unload your car at the base of the hill on Moshup Trail but parking is at the top. Prepare to walk.

(photo above taken from internet)

Tomorrow.. Edgartown!

Vineyard 2014 – 1

We have just returned from a family vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, one of my favorite places to stick my toes in the sand and watch the power of the ocean unfold. Gently… not the BIG power, just the gentle stuff, ya know. The water there is different from our coastal water.. .Long Island sound and the CT River are brackish and tampered with silt and it changes the color of the ocean water as it comes to rest on our shores. Out there, the turquoise and navy and green hues of that refreshing clean ocean water are still a bit wild and unfettered .. it’s soul soothing, just that.

The island is so diverse, it’s hard to put into words in one post. So if you care to follow along, in the next few days I’ll do my best to describe the experience for us that is Martha’s Vineyard.

Let’s start with that ocean water and the various strands of beach… although I won’t cover all of them, these are the ones we visit…

Wasque Beach is a 200-acre nature reserve on Chappaquiddick Island off of Marthas Vineyard. The Boston Globe called this stretch of sand a “Magnificent Beach”. We have to agree – very pristine, not crowded at all, still ruggedly natural. Travel & Leisure calls it the best in New England.

My mermaid girl was carried off to sea not long after she was created…

Rip currents can be strong, so caution is always advised.

Note the erosion in the background, of which there is much.

Mike and I walked up North Main street in Edgartown most early mornings and then down the beach path to Edgartown light.. where I couldn’t resist wading in on those still water days to look for shells not yet discovered by beach combers. The water was so incredibly calm on two of these mornings… amazing, the ocean moods you witness if you spend any length of time by the sea. The Edgartown Light beach is the only dog friendly beach on the island, and is excellent for swimmers

State Beach is a very crowded but extremely young- child friendly beach for those who like their swimming water tame and shallow. Parking is difficult on weekends in the summer months – getting there early to set up is advised. We do a lot of sitting around with toes in the water or sand, book reading and football throwing here. If you plan to stay for more than a few hours, bring a cooler of food and drink and an empty bladder. – just sayin.

See the color of that water? Amazing.

This time around, I had someone with us who was willing to take the leap off the

JAWS bridge with me. My son’s girlfriend is a real trooper, I kinda love that about her.

And hell no, there is not a photo as proof. That would require a full body bathing suit shot,

and it’s just not happening here. 🙂

This is the JAWS bridge, named so because it was in the movie…

Here’s a scene in the movie with the bridge in the background… see the fin? …

State beach, scene from Jaws as everyone evacuates the water…

This one is just kinda funny. But Oh, how that movie terrorized me all those years ago.

More tomorrow if you’d like to tag along….

The Naked Truth

I’m not a big fan of reality TV in general, so let me admit that right out of the gate. It tends to bring out the worst in people.. .. think Housewives of ANYWHERE, The Bachelor, Jersey Shore, etc. . However, this most recent trend in reality TV… is OMG so Freak’n UNREAL! Well it IS real, and even though I sound like a blithering idiot here.. OMG so Freak’n UNREAL! What I really mean is GROSS. and… SERIOUSLY? Caps are annoying, aren’t they? So is naked reality TV.

Funny article I did not write …. “Romance is dead, right? VH1 figured out its been alive and well the whole time we’ve been mourning the loss, and wants everyone to know that getting naked while you date is how you find it. Enter the new series, Naked Dating.

VH1 has picked up the unscripted series for 10 weekly episodes, each centering on a man and a woman each dating two different (but equally nude) suitors. At the conclusion of each hour long episode, the contestants look back at their (naked) dates, and choose whether or not they want a second outing. So, basically, take The Dating Game, subtract clothes, and bam: you’ve got yourself some – Naked Dating – .”

I wish I could say that this is the only show of it’s kind. If you’re into this kind of thing, you can also catch Naked and Afraid, Naked Castaway, Naked Vegas and Buying Naked.

I actually watched one episode of Naked and Afraid – where contestants meet each other nude in some remote location, each gets a tool (no pun intended!) they think they will need for 21 days of survival in some freaky remote location.. kinda like naked survivor. This guy below shoulda asked for sunscreen – he got a severe sunburn on his very first day and most of the survival work for the first five days was left up to the woman on the right. She was a trooper and probably saved their naked behinds from crying uncle.

*sigh*

I don’t know about you, but even in my most stellar young days of unblemished unwrinkled unchildbirthed years, I would not want to meet a possible suitor stark naked, first thing. Kinda takes all the surprise element right out of the equation.

Then again…. maybe that’s not such a bad idea. If only being stark naked would bare everything.

Well… really!

We finally got the old well restored, thanks to our restoration guru Jeff and stone wizard Steve. Jeff did a fantastic job making what is now new look old again. I love the design. The old well is still intact underneath and goes about 40 feet into the ground. Amazing to see the interior… someone did all that stone work in very tight quarters 40 feet below the surface! ACK!…

Isn’t she lovely?….

Come see how they grow

This is a busy time of year for anyone tending a farm, whether it’s a hobby farm or something on a much larger scale. There is always work to be done.. watering, weeding, tilling, fence mending, fertilizing…and then of course the harvesting. My morning chores include all the animal tending, mucking, feeding, etc.. then over to the gardens to water.

We currently need rain, but everything is looking full and happy.

Let’s head over to the chicken coop.. currently overcrowded with the new chick population, now incorporated with the old. It’s smart not to overcrowd your coop with too many chickens.. and I kinda fell in love with a few more chicks at the feed store than I had planned on. Then.. ALL of them lived, which doesn’t usually happen… and so, I have a few more than a real chicken knowledgable person would tell you is appropriate for this coop. But.. I do let them free roam during the day, and so that will help the overcrowding. I hope.

As I walk over to the coop, the older girls know I’m about to let them out and they are waiting impatiently for me to get there. If I could give you a sound bite, you would hear them clucking.

Once they are let out of the coop yard, they usually head right over to the side of the house and rummage through my seaside real estate garden for bugs and worms.

The youngsters aren’t old enough yet to free roam, and so they get the coop yard to themselves for a bit, something they like very much, because they are at the bottom of the pecking order right now as they are the new kids on the block.

Can you believe that just a few months ago they were fuzzy little chicks?

This is Bellatrix.. the little brown chick who sat on my son’s shoulder. She is a blue egg laying Auracana (Sp?) … and what an unusual feather color pattern she has!

This is Luna, a comet – very docile and curious hen.

Up at the barn, Coady and Lacey sure wish they had more pasture time, but minis are hard to keep at a healthy body weight… they get fat on little more than air! and have to settle for the hay that is a little less rich than the green pasture grass just on the other side of the fence.

It seems unfair that the big boys get to spend their days coming and going…. and coming and going… and coming and going… from the barn to pasture as they please. The constant in and out is because the flies drive them crazy after just so long and they come running back in for respite every hour or so.

There is a lot of work involved in tending a farm, but it’s a good life and I feel so very blessed to be able to do this -for a living-. For years my days were spent more often than not in an office punching numbers and letters into a computer. One of those offices had no exterior windows. On the really cold or hot days when I’m outside working I remind myself of that windowless office and I thank the powers that be, once again, for letting me live this life with these animals and nature.

For me.. that’s a beautiful thing.