In which there's a summer routine: ride, work, play, eat, repeat as needed

Riding is always first on my list of preferred activities.

But it's been so hot!

We went to the river, waded around a bit, and then headed back.  Just about a perfect ride.

The garden is really starting to pay off now.  We're eating potatoes, cherry tomatoes, purple beans, collard greens, parsley, (the last) snap peas, and (the first) zucchini.  Plus eggs, of course.

This is the second year we've used the upside-down tomato gizmos. 
The plants don't produce as much as plants growing in livestock water tanks,
 but they do use space that is otherwise full of spiderwebs.

In about two weeks we will be overwhelmed with green beans.  Please plan your visits accordingly.


Betsey and Amaya helped me get the first loads of hay in for winter.

Amaya gained competence with hay hooks and didn't nearly take out anybody's eye

Moving hay is hard, heavy, hot work, and I always end up with a bright itchy red rash for a few days after, but having friends help makes the process much happier.

Betsey has mad hay skillz.

...and after they hay, the harvesting of beans!
These purple beans turn green when cooked--for best results, grill them.

Fox helps dig potatoes.  Oh, Foxie.

Speaking of gardens, the Powellswood Storytelling Festival had to cancel this year, but two storytellers offered free performance clinics in the Garden last week, so we trekked down to learn stuff and visit all the pretty.

This is the first time I've seen the Perennial Garden without a festival tent in it!

Stories (and storytellers) make me happy.

The Open Mike this month featured 5 storytellers, including Santa Jim.

Oh, and after much angst, I got a new Egg.

#bluueegg needs dragon decals still

Jim's wedding officiant business (the warm-weather alternative to Santa performances) is getting busier.

He usually meets with couples at local coffee shops, but Jillian is one of our grown-up Horse Children, so she and her fiance Matt came out to the Farm for dinner and a planning session.

I met Jill when she was an 11-year-old horse-crazy girl.  She still knows how to sweet-talk the Dragon.

Also, as I maybe mentioned before:  it's hot!

We sometimes eat dinner with our feet in cold water.

The Grog is no longer a seaworthy craft, but she makes an excellent wading pool on hot days.

Summer sunset over the Farm, with Venus dogging the moon

We watch the sun set around 9:15 this time of year.

And it seems like only a few hours later, the sun comes back up and we do it all over again.