We’ve got a summer apprentice homesteader, Krystal, who arrived yesterday from Georgia. She’s anxious to learn what we can teach her for her own future homestead. I’m sure we’ll have a lot of fun this summer together. Welcome to the family, Krys!

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Yesterday, Will hooked our new tractor-mounted rototiller up and tilled a little out on the big pumpkin/corn patch on the new 40 to try it out. Then he brought it into the garden where there’s less room to turn around etc. It did a wonderful job of working in the rotted manure that we placed on the garden over winter, leaving a fluffy, deep seed bed. We were really impressed. Today he and Krys are moving some fence posts and PVC pipes off our old small hoop house so he can get in to till that western corner of the garden, which hasn’t been tilled for a couple years.

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We are getting some rain today and we need it. The beavers say we’re in a drought and it’ll be a dry summer so we’re getting ready for it with plenty of mulch available. We harvested some asparagus spears yesterday and Will brought a tractor bucket full of nice old, rotted compost down to the garden so they can spread it out on the asparagus bed. It hasn’t had compost for a couple of years and we figured it needed it.

The fruit trees are starting to bloom and the Adirondack Gold apricot is absolutely covered with white blooms! And, boy, are they fragrant.

Tom got the shingles on the new porch roof and it looks great! I had a small accident as Will and I struggled to get a 500-pound porch rafter log stuffed into place (he thought the wide spacing would be okay but the roof was just too springy). I was hurrying to step off of the stepladder on the porch, missed a step and fell, bouncing off the porch onto the ground. Nothing broken but I feel like a truck ran over me, yet. Don’t hurry when doing a job! — Jackie

13 COMMENTS

  1. All,

    Thanks for the sympathy and care. I’m feeling much less sore except my bad knee. I think I struck it during my bounce off the porch. We were using the tractor but it was still a lot of lifting/sliding the beam. And we had to get it in so Tom could finish the shingling. Which he did. We are so happy with the results.

    And yes, we really appreciate having Krystal here this summer!! What a gem.

  2. Beth,
    No, we bought it new. We couldn’t find a used one; they want as much for a used one as a new one!!! I earmarked my money for a speaking engagement for it as I knew we’d need one now that we’re tilling SO much more ground.

  3. So sorry Jackie a out your fall. Be as careful as you can. It is those falls that can forever change the quality of life we live. 500 pounds? No I’m sorry that is too much even for three 20 something guys! Fetch a few sons, neighbors, and then move it. Save your backs, hips, etc. I learned the hard way, my last fall brought me torn rotator cuff and ripped biceps. Over a year of recovery. I am reminded often I’m not Wonder Woman anymore. My cape is hanging in moth balls. truly hope you are up and strong really soon Jackie.

  4. WOW! That compost is looking good! Nice tiller too, and it will sure make short work of the big areas. Glad you have an apprentice homesteader and it’s amazing what a difference some extra help means. We have had a wet spring here. The Hopi Gray loves it, but it’s man-0-mano with the weeds! Sorry about the ladder mishap and hope you bounce back quick! (no pun meant)

  5. Ditto Deb and Wendy.

    I am wondering just how you thought the two of you could lift 500 pounds!!!

    So glad you found Krys

  6. Goodness Jackie! I’m SO glad that you weren’ t badly injured! We worry for you and Will. Glad to meet Krys in your note. She’s a lucky one! Thanks for the update on the homestead happenings.

  7. Did you guys find the tiller used? They are in short supply around here, used. Guess no one ever turns one loose.

  8. After a couple of tumbles of my own, I am not longer the fearless ladder climber as I have found I don’t bounce as well as I did several years ago and a few pounds ago. Even before I had a bone density test, I knew I was safe. I have been testing my bone density on my own for the last few years. lol…don’t try this at home. I am glad you are only sore. That sounds like a bad fall.

  9. Jackie, you’re going to scare us to death, you and those ladders. I am so happy you found the right person to intern with you this summer. I had been reading everything to see if someone had applied. WONDERFUL! I’m afraid I’m a bit old and arthritic to have even attempted to help you’all, but I was wishing; that and I’m my grand daughter’s ?stay-at-home? responsible party. I have been researching, am signed up for some hands on classes with the dreaded pressure canner, and I think I’m going to purchase the smaller Presto canner. It holds seven quarts, and I believe I’ll be able to handle it’s weight, where the larger ones would be difficult. We have been lucky, and got almost 3 inches of rain in the last 2 days, with more coming. Prayers have been answered, for sure. Take care of yourselves, and enjoy the warmer weather.

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