The Earth Charter

We are fortunate at Sunpoint Farm to be close to Boston, the ocean, and the mountains. We're about an hour away from each location. This photo is of Malia standing on the coastal beach of Maine in May.

When I stand at the beach and stare at the ocean, I often sense the interconnectedness of all the countries of the world.

In that vein I am posting a link to The Earth Charter. Just click on the link and go to the upper right of the home page to click on their link to the actual charter. Then spend some time reading about how it is being put into action across the world.

Denise

Pesto and tomatoes

Although most of our tomatoes are still green, we did get one magnificent red one. There's hope of more to come. These are heirloom tomatoes, and we hope to harvest the seeds to save over for future plantings.

Meanwhile, we have to clean out last season's food from the freezer to make room for this year's harvest.

Today was the day for veggie soup. Our yellow summer squash is overwhelmingly abundant. We had tomato juice in the freezer. And in the fridge was some of Patricia's magnificent pesto made from our enormous basil plants.

PESTO VEGETABLE SOUP

1 quart vegetable broth
1 quart tomato juice
4 medium leeks
4 large potatoes
3 small crookneck squash
1/2 pint pesto
2 stalks celery
3 carrots
salt and pepper to taste

Put broth , tomato juice, and pesto in pot.
Add chopped veggies, salt & pepper.
Cook until veggies are tender

Serve with garlic bread.

We gathered carrots, squash, leeks, and potatoes directly from the garden.

Of course, you can add any veggie that might be ripe from the garden. It's that fantastic pesto that makes the soup so flavorful.

Today we processed three quarts of peaches from the trees on the farm.

So, while we wait for more ripe tomatoes, we've got lots to fill our tummies.

Denise

Shedding Layers

like the tree I can lose myself
layer after layer
all the way down to infinity
and that's when the world has eyes and sees.
The whole world
loves the unlayered human.

Linda Hogan
"Rounding the Human Corners"

As I shed the layers of destructive thoughts and habits, I become close to the wisdom of nature.

Denise

Soggy Gardens

Are we in the midst of the effects of climate change? This summer we have experienced the effects of daily rains and thunderstorms. The neighboring commercial farm, J & F Farms, has been harvesting corn while slogging through mud. Sunnycrest owners have lost some of their fruit harvest because of too much rain.

On the other hand, the weeds in our strawberry patch seem to be thriving.

I hope that a few of our tomatoes turn red before the autumn freeze takes them.

I am reminded of the Carly Simon song from the 70's "Anticipation." Yes, that is where my mind is when it comes to red tomatoes.

I'm not sure what Ekhart Tolle would say about that. However, staying in the present, I'm still collecting green tomato recipes. If anyone has any, feel free to post!

Denise

A big thank you

Bob Conlon, who has an amazing way of turning the farm into something magical when seen through his lens, deserves a big thank you for taking most of the photos you see in this blog.

Thank you.

Denise

The ocean current and a strong paddler

A few months ago Malia and I went to Georgetown Islands and stayed at the Coveside B&B.

We decided to take the B&B's canoe for a trip to the cove next to the Inn. However, we had to pass through an area with a strong current. The innkeeper and two guests convinced us that it was only 100 yards or so and that we could make it through by just paddling hard. Afterwards we would be rewarded with a placid cove to explore.

Sure enough, we did have to paddle very hard to get through the narrow passage, but, as predicted we came upon a lovely cove with lobster boats and fishermen actively retrieving the morning catch.

Not long after entering the cove, however, the wind picked up, and we realized a storm was heading our way. We paddled as fast as we could, and by the time we returned to the narrows, the current was extremely strong. It was then that I realized that our situation might be quite dangerous because, even with the life jackets, the temperature of the water and then lack of a good place to go to shore meant that if we capsized, we might not make it.

Malia climbs mountains weekly and maintains a consistent exercise regimen. She was paddling and steering in the back of the canoe. Due mostly to her effort, as well as me giving it all I had, we arrived safely back into our home cove.

The unexpected will happen. That is a given. At that time it is important to remember to discern what is the situation and what we can do to get through it. It would have been dangerous for us, as we were paddling through the narrows, to have complained about the size of the waves or the coming storm. It would not have served us well to dwell on our own mistaken judgment about the safety of the situation. We had to deal with the situation immediately in order to reach safe ground.

Other difficulties in life may not be so easily understood. But determining what we can do with what life hands us seems to be a good idea.

And one more thing. When life throws us a curve, it sure helps to have a strong support in the back to help us paddle through the difficult times.

Thank you, Malia, for your consistent strength.

Denise

Sheep

I mentioned the sheep in my last post. We have shetlands, and although they are small, they produce a lot of fleece for their size. Here is a photo of two of them before they were sheared.

I understand now why the metaphor of shepherd and flock is often used, especially in the Bible ("The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalms 23).

Paul and Tom have attempted to be good shepherds, but despite an electric fence and good shelter, the coyotes still decimated our herd about a year ago.

They're pasturing closer to people and buildings now; so far these two are still alive..

Denise

Rain, Zucchinis, and Sheep

Unexpectedly a neighbor dropped off 3 more shetlands. That brings the herd to five. Whew! We're going to have a lot of fleece.

The zucchinis that were producing so well feel prey to some invasive insect. At any rate, we are now zucchini-less. However, the yellow summer squash are starting to produce, so we won't go without squash.

And our tomatoes are still green. The cloudy, rainy days seem to take their toll on the ripening progress. I hope September is warm & sunny. Otherwise, I'll be looking up green tomato recipes.

Nature is a constant reminder that change happens daily, and we have to adjust to it. When I am sitting in my office at work, I don't notice the changing weather patterns. When I am in the garden, I am aware that the best laid plans do not always produce the expected results. Therefore I'm grateful for the produce the garden provides at the time.

It's a good lesson about living in the moment and adjusting to the changes.

Denise