[where you see the first light on the road ahead, that's where you turn right, into our driveway, if you're coming from south forks. beyond it is the grid road, or 'correction line']

10 a.m.

Sitting here with black coffee in a large styrofoam cup, and a big fat ‘joint’ of mullein, and curtains closed against the sun, and Lynn Miles moaning out of the speakers. I should do some work, and I have a little to do, but I didn’t have enough time to sit here and write before I drove off at 8 this morning, leaving my darling boys standing waiting for the bus and frantically swatting at mosquitoes.

Farmboy came in after dark, 10:00 or so, blackfaced from being on the tractor. So black I had to take a picture. But he hammed too much so I never got a decent one. He sat unwashed at the table to wolf down bean dish and flax buns and tossed salad.

12 noon

I feel strangely at a loss today. What to do with myself? This morning I bought the last bit of edging I need, and should’ve bought peatmoss and didn’t, so I can go to town again and pick some up as well as some parts Farmboy needs.

He is so into seeding and stuff these days, he’s sexy.
I can’t explain it. Something about competence and ambition, and fresh air and masculinity.

Ooh la la.

xoxo
etc
Kate

This is the last calf born on the farm to date. Farmboy "pulled" it at 5 a.m. yesterday after getting his dad out of bed to help. They used a winch! God.

Today they moved him and his mama out of the barn and into a pasture, but it was no easy task to get the new mom to go where they wanted her to.

The picture is Farmboy showing the calf to its mother, and calling her.

No, I haven't spent the day at the corrals. Not at all! I just took a walk out there this morning, made sure the fellas were doing things right.

Here the girls are having their morning repast.

Me, I got the edging put around another flower bed, and transplanted a bunch of virginia creeper, hollyhocks, snapdragons, purple coneflower, basil and oregano. Also got the nicotiana and daisies into pots.

Really, this is it. I'm almost done, but for the watering and weeding to come.

Got the tomatoes and peppers in the garden watered this evening. They're looking pretty wilted, poor things.

xoxo
etc
Kate