Today was such a day of non-stop
pushing myself. Ten pounds of Manchego cheese got made (with the help
of a fairy), squash and tomato plants got transplanted, and compost
got shoveled and dug into the soil. Goats got milked and a good
dinner got made. Kids got kissed and tickled, and unfortunately,
also yelled at a little. And I managed to walk by the roses and
smell them, which is almost as good as chocolate.
Eva stirring the Manchego. |
Steve and Lukas, waiting out a quick rain shower in the greenhouse, after shoveling manure. |
And then Steve helped me in the
afternoon. We haven't spent much time together lately, because he is
working so much. It is such a treat to have my man in the garden,
not only because he knows how to work, but also because he looks so
good with his shirt off. Sigh.
This weekend, he taught one of his
wilderness immersion classes. He taught 13 people how to make
primitive shelter, natural cordage, friction fire, and the basics of
tracking, stalking, awareness, native edibles and some bow shooting.
He is so good at this... and he is so humble about all his skills. You can read about it here.
Part of the class were three teenage
boys, who ended up staying the night and camping out in debris huts
with two of their supervisors, Steve and our two boys. The next day,
Steve showed them how to make wooden bows. They glowed by the time
they left.
What I love about these classes we
teach is how inspired and lit up people are when they leave. Their
energies shift here on our magical land, they are energized,
grateful, enchanted. It's so good for me to see our lives through
these people's eyes, because it gives me perspective to step back a
little and feel grateful for what we have created.
Where I see garden space full of weeds
and buttercup, they see gorgeous flowers and vegetable gardens. Where
I notice spider webs in the corners of my kitchen, or the worn wooden floors, they exclaim how homey and comfortable our house is. Where I feel guilty
about neglecting my children, they comment on how well adjusted,
independent and happy my kids seem. Where I lament that my work is
never done and that I could do a better job of managing my life, they
admire how much we get done. A little perspective goes a long way, ey?
I get perspective when I manage to get some time away, i.e. when Steve is tired of my burnt-out self and kicks me out, telling me to go to the ocean. So I did this week! I hiked at Bowman Bay, close to Deception Pass, and I got my fill of salt water, hiking, knitting, and chocolate.
Blooming wild roses and a view of the water and island. |
Knittin' at the beach, with one finished hat, and another one started. |
This is the hat I got done, with my own handspun, handpainted yarn. |
I
have to tell you about one more thing: Ancona ducks. My friend
Loren hatched out 50 little Ancona ducklings, and I know that some of
you adore my Ancona ducks. If you are thinking about getting ducks
or adding to your flock, you HAVE to get Anconas and you HAVE to get
them from my friend. Really. Not only is she drowning in duck
babies, but she is also the best duck mama I have ever met. She
frets over them like nobody I ever met, and she literally stuffs them
down her shirt when they are having a hard time, when they are extra
little and need some extra love. She sells them for $7 each, which
is a really good price, if you ask me. Here is all her contact info.
I
eat a duck egg every morning, with my spinach or kale or whatever
green stuff I can find. Anconas are the best duck layers of all the
duck breeds, and they are adapted to our wet weather.
Eva in her element. The cat, too. Ahem. |
Here is what Boondocker's Farm says about them:
"The
Ancona is a hardy, adaptable, all-purpose duck. It is an excellent
layer, typically laying 210-280 white, cream, or blue eggs yearly.
The Ancona also grows relatively quickly, and produces high quality
meat that is more flavorful and less fatty than that of most Pekin
ducks. Anconas are well suited for situations where they can forage
for some of their food and are capable of eating large "banana"
slugs. They make excellent pond or yard ducks since they tend to stay
close to home, do not fly under normal conditions and are large
enough so that they are less likely to be preyed upon by winged
predators. Typically they have moderately calm temperaments and make
fine pets."
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