Hobby Farm Honeymoon

A Fall Visit  (2011) by Mary & Larry

Mary: I hadn't been to the farm for seven weeks as I stayed home to teach piano while Larry did the extended visits to help renovate the barn. I realized I had been missing "fall" at the farm and was anxious to go. As always, we both enjoyed the beautiful drive through Nebraska, with the multi-colored fields. Larry wanted to show me a newly discovered route as we neared, but I insisted upon taking the dirt road. I had missed it. We slowed in the lane to watch the animals and look at the apple orchard and garden cleaned for winter. Then, the first thing I noticed was the quiet, for one forgets the constant noise that fills our lives in the city. Looking over the lower pasture at all the large trees lining the creek, I felt refreshed. Yes, country feeds the soul.

The first two falls, I raked the thick layer of leaves in the house yard, and Larry & I put them through the chipper/shredder for compost. Not this year. I have a neck problem and shouldn't be raking anymore. Although it is quite a job, I find it sad, and wanted so much to pick up the rake I saw leaning against the fence. Instead, I told myself that Autumn leaves are for enjoying, and crunched and kicked them like a child as I walked along. Don't you just love that sound?!

Larry: Winter is fast approaching so Todd and I are back working on the south portion of the barn roof. This section is 12' x 36'. Todd had done some preparation, and on this weekend, we put on three rows of 4' x 8' plywood and removed a part of the remaining upper roof.  

The major improvement in the work this time was Mary being close by. She sat on a camp chair in the corral, took some pictures, and talked to us while we were working. Occasionally we needed a tool tossed up. She also was our cook as Nancy and Erin were gone. I definitely realized anew how I missed her on those times I came out alone.