The Farm - Week 1
Burning plastic, cardboard boxes, and broken beer bottles might sound like a collection of materials found in an alley or dumpster. However, in this case, they offer an intriguing summary to our recently acquired and yet-to-be named family farm.
The acquisition didn’t go as smoothly as intended. Long story short, the previous owner had plenty of items remaining in the barn. When his request for more time was denied (for a myriad of reasons), we were told the empty field adjacent to our new property would no longer be empty. This is correct. Even after a weeklong of dumpsters removing items, tires, scrap metal, tractor accessories, and plenty of other items remain. Including a burn pile which has been emitting a plastic burning smell for most of the week.
On to cardboard boxes, unpacking fifteen years of life from a different house is exhausting and seemingly without end. There is a special feeling of satisfaction that comes when clearing a room of boxes. That plummets into despair when you realize the room next door has a dozen boxes or you find a few hidden boxes meant for the room you just carefully manicured and designed. One week in, the stack of cleared boxes is beginning to rival the unopened ones.
The broken beer bottles are not what you think. Though the desire to throw a few back has been there, this week has been dry (besides the persistent thunderstorms). Symbolic representation is important to me. Minutes before our closing, I accidentally dropped a beer bottle, dousing myself with lager. Not a good sign When our officially move out day coincided with the latest water main break in our old neighborhood, I thought that it was a sign we are leaving at the right time. Things were looking up again. But down they went when I had another drop unloading boxes into our new residence. Any guesses on what I dropped? Yep, another man down in the beer department. This is either a bad sign for the farm or a hint that I shouldn’t enjoy a cold beverage as much.
Plastic, cardboard, and glass aside, we had an absolutely phenomenal first week on the farm. The kids and pets are adjusting well. My wife and I are too busy to get into any trouble. As we learn more about our new digs, we are getting excited at the possibilities ahead of us. The kids have already caught many toads and frogs. We have seen the resident crane family a few times. We have even started creating our first trail.
With this adventure just beginning, we can’t wait to see where it takes us. There are many plans in the works and we are so excited to share this journey with you.
WEEK 1 RECAP
unpacking, unpacking, and more unpacking
weed removal
small plot of transplanted prairie plants put in ground
adding to collection of random metal, tires, PVC, and cinder blocks from behind the house
setting up birdfeeders
mowing first half of the kid’s “reading path”
initial barn cleanup
multiple tree frogs, toads, insects, spiders, and sandhills caught and/or observed
future name of farm created. . . . I think :)
