Our hands show who we are

This week freshman orientation came to our compost piles. Shoveling through quite recognizable ox manure and rank chicken bedding, these students were remarkably willing and eager to get dirty. "No one will believe I did this! But I did!" - was the general sentiment.

Our potato beds and our ox pasture were transformed with similar well intentions.

Perhaps a piece of our life - the rhythms of working the land, living off of gardens and via hard work, aware of the sun and the seasons - stayed with these kids as well. Hopefully longer than the dirt they invariably washed off in the showers they were anticipating with great relief.

We, the residents of D Acres, got routinely dirty this week as well (though our dedication to showering is less reliable). Weeding (cabbage); cutting daises and yarrow; weeding (peppers); seeding daikon; weeding (squash); transplanting more cabbage; weeding (begone bindweed!); harvesting beans, carrots, turnips, beets, daikon, kale, cabbage, chard, tomatoes, greens; weeding (blueberries)...

...and that's just in the gardens. Henri and August stretched their legs pulling in brush, progress was made on the new greenhouse roof, spoons were carved, things repaired, animals fed, compost turned. Our hands bear the stains of our respective endeavors. We share in the pride of a calloused hand-shake.

Of course, it's not all work and no play. Last night was our monthly Open Mic event, at which guitars and bass strings pushed back our early bedtime. Tomorrow, Sunday, is our monthly volunteer day. Join us for a day, and enjoy a farm-fresh lunch! Next week, be sure to stop by for our combo Potluck/Pizza Night Sept.4, and our signature Farm Feast Breakfast on Sunday Sept 6.

And please don't overlook our Traditional Arts Fair. Sept 12, all day long - workshops, demonstrations, performances - check out our website or give us a ring for details. [www.dacres.org or 603-786-2366] From fiber arts to ceramics to woodworking to blacksmithing to music and theatrical performances, this is not an event to be missed. Promise.

Did I mention I've yet to be back a full week here at the farm?

That's right, all this work and excitement covers only the past six days. Yes, it's a busy place with lots going on. It's a beautiful, lush place - in the work being pursued, in the vibrancy of the people, in its verdant green-ness, in it's ideals. D Acres can be many things to many people, but you've got to make it here first. Come find out what D Acres means to you!

Merriment and wisdom to all ~

Beth

Ebb and Flow...

It's all an Ebb and Flow. I am here, here I am. Beautiful land, wonderful people with many gifts to share, whole foods to harvest, and cook, and eat together. Fall is approaching and it will be wonderful...

Jessica

Day In, Day Out.

What a life. Each day there is another challenge; whether it's figuring out how to replace the engine belts on the truck when all of the bolts you need to loosen are so rusted they break before they turn, interpersonal differences, love, comrads coming and going, dropping orange-hot steel in my muck boot, buying a motorcycle and riding it half way across the country, figuring out how to make a traditional arts fair happen for seven months, doing blacksmith demonstrations on top of Loon Mt. twice a week, nursing Augusts'(the oxen)hoov back to health when he doesn't want the help, tons of blacksmith workshops and private lessons, or "conflict resolution" meetings, the learning continues.
One day at a time

growing a little futher,
becoming a little stronger,

falling apart,
putting it back together a little better,

growing a little further,
becoming a little stronger.

Joe the blacksmith