Parker Farmstead, a Family Farm since 1870

Today, a slow, soft, slippery snow falls. For a moment, all is calm. Saturday marks the start of gun deer hunting season and boys are busy preparing for a few days in the woods.

The summer of 2022 blew in and swept us up. It was unforgettable in many ways. It changed us.

So many times I thought, it’s time to sit down and write. I just felt quiet, or simply tired.

All summer, the boys moved from chore to chore, triaging the work that needed to be done and taking one surprise at a time. Mostly, it was a challenging year to produce crops. Early in summer it rained so often that it was difficult to find long enough planting windows and then to harvest crops. We hope to have enough silage (corn and hay) and dry hay to get us through the winter. Shelled corn is a different story. The deer and other wildlife destroyed (aka happily ate) most of it. We’ll have to buy corn most of the winter and change our rations while still trying to produce enough milk to cover expenses.

On a more positive note, the rain slowed and crops and pasture grew well. Harvest season was dry and fall was simply beautiful- and it stayed for a long, warm visit! We had a flood of heifers calves born and they all stayed healthy. A few months ago we sold a group to a local farmer.

We didn’t loose a single goat kid or lamb either, and all the moms raised their babies well. Kidding and lambing season starts in mid Dec and continues into March. It’s time to get the heat lamps ready and start feeding the expectant moms extra goodies. I’m happy not to set my alarm for middle of the night birthing checks for another month!

In October, I picked up my first processed fiber from the local mill. What a joy to sit down and knit my first item from homegrown fleece. Last week, I delivered about 9 fleeces to the mill to be spun into yarn. I’ve been washing and processing some at home too. The Lincoln Longwool is great for knitting right from the curly lock! I’ve made a few runners and rugs from them. If only- I could do this full time! If you are a natural fiber lover and are interested in trying my yarn, or raw fiber, let me know!

Our son and his wife and 2 sweet boys lived with us most of the summer. It was a bustling farmhouse! They are now settled into their cozy house just over the hill.

In early August, my younger brother passed away after being ill for some time. No words can express this loss. We were only a few years a part and close playmates growing up. This fall, instead of hearing a sweet melody as the geese flew overhead heading south, I heard “goodbye, goodbye”. We have to remind ourselves that for each death, there is rebirth.

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family.