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I have been looking for the perfect notebook. I want something that is durable, rustic, preferably hand made paper of repurposed or recycled materials. This notebook that I seem to be constantly searching for will eventually house “The List”.
The List is the task list that keeps us motivated. This List contains the status of dream projects, long term plans, short term needs, upgrades, renovations, necessities...if you want it done, it gets put on the List. Right now our List is rather disorganized. These ideas may be on the back of an envelope, on a spiral notepad, on the fridge, on a card...ideas, tasks, and general list items are e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e.
Often one working list on a single piece of paper, but many of these random pieces of paper end up holding the contents of our lives. If someone asks me what I did today, I can consult the List. The List reinforces why I am exhausted and sore yet emotionally and mentally totally satisfied that I did a good days work here on the farm.
The List keeps me motivated and gives me some achieveable goals. For all the things we do with each day full of work, Farmer Steve and I look around at our homestead and see there is still so much to do. There is ALWAYS something to do on the farm. I want to cherish those moments in a permanent, hand written journal.
Today the temperatures soared above 75 deg F for the first time in weeks. I cannot recall the last time we say actual clear skies. We have had an incredibly rainy June and July. Set records here in the northeast. This rain and lack of sun has been super difficult on many farmers in New England. For us, it has resulted in two separate running Lists. One List contains things that can be done in the rain, the other list is for sunny, less rainy days. The latter of the two has become quite long. Not much left to do that requires inside work.
Here was Sunday’s List (Some items never actually get on the list, but they are other things we end up doing):
~2 a.m. - Alpacas alarmed to intruder. Farmer Steve outside with 30/30, me following close behind with spotlight and .357. We had a dog attack last fall. We go out ‘guns a blazing’ if we hear a raucous in the paddock. So, if you come over late at night unexpected, ring the bell and holler real loud you ain’t here to go a rustling.
~215 a.m. identify perps. Raccoons looking for frogs in the vernal pools
~ 217 a.m. cleaning up water spilled from dog water bowl, tripped over during emergeny herd response
~221 a.m. back in bed.
~222 a.m. remember reading story about space station being the best viewing this very night. Get out of bed, go outside to gaze at start, see space station orbiting.
~243 a.m. in bed. snoring.
~ 4 a.m. Kate, Herd Relocation Engineer is ready for morning routine. Needs to go out...NOW. ~405 a.m. Farmer Steve and Kate back to bed, I glance out at the paddock in the dusky morning sun, trying to make out the girls in the barn. Counting heads. Yep still only 2 wee ones. Hey, no clouds.
~ 509 a.m. Farmer Steve and I wrestle with unconsciousness. Both of us want to sleep in. Only to find our minds busy making lists. Each of taking turns with consciousness and half awake discussions, about our lists. The fact that it seems sunny.
~630 a.m. through 7 p.m. Farmer Steve, Collen, Kate, and I awake. Too tired of fighting it
Ready for Gym.
Prep ingredients for beer brewing.
Make list for groceries
Feed critters
Watch cria nurse
Gym/groceries
Put away groceries
Start milling grains
Boiling mash
Come up with a name for Clover's cria born Tuesday July 2
Continue to Mill grains
cut, split, chop, stack wood
Bleach and clean water buckets
Rake paddock
Mow lawn
Give clippings to girls
Watch cria nap
While taking picture of cria notice I need to add siding of house to The List.
clean paddock
Watch cria itch
make Lunch
clear rocks out of new pasture
Set up pig boxes
cut and clear brush for pigs first pen area.
re-grade log landing
finish beer brewing, pitch yeast, rack
shower
go to neighbors for free dinner/cookout. Whew, I didn't have to cook. Drink homebrew, socialize for a few hours, and relax while listening to the likes of Herbie Hancock and Morphine. Go home once homebrew is gone.
Capture Anglo, give shots and cream skin condition.
Do evening chores
catch Ollalie and push her hernia back in.
shower
spend time with doggies take some allieve set upon couch, next to window, listen to birds singing. Write a journal entry. Job well done.
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