Yesterday we accomplished something wonderful! We were actually able to disc a bit of our back field. And get most of the lawn mown, and had a back hoe delivered so that we (Eric) can start work on filing in the existing basement excavation and smoothing out our foundation area. Granted, it took all day to get this stuff done, but it's done! Now to actually finish the disking...

Anyway, today Hadassah and I went to Joch's to pick up most of our stuff that was there, and get the things we need for communion. We're also doing the laundry and a bit of grocery shopping, and then stopping by the garden before we head home to get ready for Sabbath. Tomorrow should be wonderful. Hope it is for you all, too.

Tuesday, July 27

Sometimes things take you by surprise. And sometimes, after the shock wears off, you realize that the action a friend has taken was only a natural consequence of their attitude and disposition. And then you are humbled and oh so honored to be blessed with a friend who cares for you so much. Here is my tribute to such a friend.

The past two weeks have found us incredibly busy and several hours (think 12 or so!) from home. This, of course, has detrimental effects on one’s garden. Such things as weeding, watering, and general maintenance kinda fall by the wayside when one is gone too long. And so today found Hadassah and myself headed to Ft. Vermilion to pick up some equipment needed here at home, and do some repairs to the garden in the form of weeding, hoeing, and harvesting. Visions of waist-high weeds danced in my head, so we had decided that Hadassah and I would only spend an hour or two weeding the most “needy” crops (think carrots and beets), and then head back home. This scenario would be re-enacted every day until the garden was back under control.

After a beautiful drive we pulled in and were greeted by a very cheery J., who was quite happy to go with us to view the garden. I was moaning about how much work was going to be needed when she quietly said “Well, I did something while you were gone…” by this time we got close enough to see the garden clearly. In shock, I stared (briefly!) at a completely clean and gorgeous garden! Even the carrots—which were absolutely NASTY to weed two weeks ago—were weed free. I’m not sure who was more surprised, Hadassah or myself. However, we did manage to recover fairly quickly and babble away about how happy and relieved we are. Truly, it felt like babbling, because words can never express how much relief and joy we felt at seeing the garden lovely. With so much to do here with water and sewer that need finishing, fields that need fallowing, and a house to be building/finishing, not having to start behind on the garden again was wonderful. Now if we can keep it this nice we’ll be happy! Thank you, J. We’re completely humbled and blessed to have friends like you and P.

And now for the harvest list for today:

Peas (two grocery bags full), Beans (1/2 to ¾ grocery bag full), Swiss Chard (3 grocery bags full), Beets (just a few, will get more later), and Lettuce (1 grocery bag full). There’s more coming for sure. The Zucchini has babies, and once the freezer is here we’ll harvest greens in earnest.

In full disclosure, Hadassah did most (95%) of the harvest today while J. and I loaded equipment into the truck. We all had a good time J.

Thanks again, J. and P. We’d not have had this beautiful garden without you guys.