September 20, 2003
Farming the future
Well. What a week. The arrival of Waverly has obviously been a big event for us here on the farm. We have done zero farm work, and skipped two markets. And that is fine.
Although I feel like we could do a whole separate blog on parenthood, ostensibly this blog is more or less about our farm work. And slowly but surely we will be getting back to work. I have a feeling, however, that popular demand and outcry will require frequent quest appearances from Ms. Waverly in the coming weeks (and years for that matter!)
But the farm cannot rest forever. Our friends Mark and Lori are coming up today, and Mark and I will harvest the last of the winter squash, and then clear that part of the field. We had the roof replaced on the shed last week, and we will be able to start converting that into a more official looking farmstand. We have relatives and friends coming up to help out over the next few weeks, so hopefully we can get back to market for the fall foliage crowds.
But even as I write this, I find myself wondering what Maryellen and Wavo are up to right now. (By the way, other nicknames so far seem to be Wavy and Wawi (short for WAverly WInifred)). Thinking about all the work and farm related stuff seems to pale in comparison to the little kid so far. I know we will have to get back to farm and work stuff eventually, but right now we are just enjoying our family expansion project.
She really is a blast. Thanks again for all the love and support vibes!
Posted by peter at September 20, 2003 08:16 AMThe CUTEST BABY EVER!!! Catherine Lhamon is here with me, and we want to pick up Waverly and hug her. And maybe keep her for an extended stay with us! We're off to Burke Marshall's memorial service at YLS tomorrow. Sorry we won't see you there, but certainly understand you're a bit preoccupied! Love, Trish
Posted by: Trish at September 20, 2003 10:41 PMUnderstandably, the contents of this blog have recently been diverted, so at the subtle request of Peter, I will try to direct comments toward Old Shaw Farm. We (meaning Mark) have been dying to put on our straw hats and play farmer. Ever since Mark laid eyes on the Old Shaw farm, he has been living his life vicariously through Peter. Fortunately, for us, the recent events have put the Griffin family behind in their farm duties. Being opportunists, we used the circumstances to our advantage and offered a hand. But by late Saturday morning, it was clear that Mark and I have bad starter karma or could Mark be sabotaging the equipment in order to get invited again? Last May the starter in the tractor went and this weekend it was the Subaru. Luckily Mark is a mechanic and though the is fix is only temporary, he was able to get the car started. We are sorry that more work wasn't done but we had a wonderful time and Waverly is even more beautiful in person.
Posted by: Lori at September 21, 2003 11:42 AMMaryellen!!! and Peter, and Waverly!!!!
Congratulations, all of you. I am thrilled, Waverly is truly beautiful, and Alex and I think your life on the farm (as documented by the blog archives, which we have been "leafing" through) is the coolest. I'm sure everyone offers, but if you need some more unskilled labor...
I really would love to call and hear more about the joys and sleeplessness of parenthood, Wavi's schedule, the other type of labor, and what's on deck for harvest, but I don't have your phone # down on the farm.. can you post, or is that too much of an invitation for the anti-farm militia types? Alternately, please email me so we can call our blessings in.
Congratulations, and love to you all. I hope you all get swaddled in real cozy for the winter :-)
Tracy
I hear you about you originally intended that the blog be about "work on the farm".
But I love to hear about you, and Maryellen and Waverly.
Any chance you could shift it towards "people on the farm" or "life on the farm"?
After all, "People" magazine is the best selling magazine in the world!!
Posted by: Mike, pgg's dad at September 22, 2003 05:21 AMNot only did we bring our bad starter karma, but Mark just informed me that he "ate WAY more than" he worked. He also finished by saying,"If given the chance," he "would harvesting every day, equipped with only a salt and pepper shaver." Thank God for the Griffins we don't "help" more often!
P.S. Mark highly recommends the cherry tomatoes!
