I haven't posted in awhile, so I am going to update a couple different stories over the next day or two. I had to take care of the farm this past weekend, so I have a lot to say about that. But since I don't have time to sit down and type that all out right now, I figured I would give you a short little story for a laugh.
Last week was Luke's birthday party. He turned 24 on Wednesday! I had a dinner party for him on Tuesday night that consisted of his parents, my parents, and both sets of his grandparents. I asked Luke what he wanted to eat, and he picked Winter Vegetable PotPie, only one of the most difficult meals to make. You see, in my family, you don't buy pie crusts, you make them from scratch. They are delicious, yes, but time-consuming! And rolling out 4 pie crusts isn't easy! Fortunately, my mom helped out and made the pie crusts for me, so I was only left with the filling. Luke's mom made some delicious spring rolls and each grandma brought a little something to share as well, so we had quite a feast. Besides some initial lack of organization on my part, the evening was going quite well.
Well, we were all in the middle of enjoying the delicious meal. There was lots of laughter and smiles, and the evening was going wonderfully. Conversation was flowing and everyone was having fun. Then, out of nowhere, Harold (Luke's maternal grandfather) brought up something about Governor Walker. Let's just say that Harold is a staunch Republican, while Butch (Luke's other grandfather) is a die-hard democrat! The rest of us sat divided among our political views and none of us felt the need to share. Again, my belief is you don't talk politics with family. But, nonetheless, the conversation went there. We all tried to dispel that conversation with some jokes and laughs, so I said:
"Harold, you better be careful talking like that. Tobshu is a big democrat."
Harry was shocked to hear that our dog had political views, and I responded that we could ask Tobshu so that he could speak for himself. I had Tobshu sit down next to me, and I thought I had the plan figured out. You see, Tobshu speaks on command, so I figured if I asked him if he was a democrat and then said speak, he would bark in agreement. Well, plans don't always go as they are supposed to.
Tobshu was sitting nicely in front of me, panting eagerly. I said, "Tobshu, are you a democrat?" And then I quietly whispered "speak!" Well, as I'm saying "speak," Tobshu did the craziest thing! He shook his head back and forth so vigorously that my hair blew from the breeze of it! It was a very affirmative no! Seriously, it wasn't just a no, it was a "hell no, I'm not a democrat!" None of us could believe it, there was about 5 seconds of silence, and then hysterical laughter. I have never seen Tobshu shake his head like that! I'm not joking, there wasn't even a delay! The second I asked the question, he was shaking his head no! We all roared with laughter, the kind of laughter that lightens people's hearts and brings tear to their eyes. The best kind of laughter there is.
The wonderful laughter that ensued covers up one fact that I have to bring myself to accept - my dog is a republican. Gulp...how did that happen? I guess I won't focus on that end, and instead focus on the fact that my dog can answer yes and no questions now! Maybe that could get us on Ellen! Now, there's a thought!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Updates and Such
Well, it sure has been awhile. Times have been crazy and I just haven't gotten around to blogging. I think I am giving you all the seriously wrong impression that farm work is purely seasonal and stops at the end of September - I assure you, that is not true! Luke is still quite busy with all of his farm work, while life on my end has switched to focus almost entirely on school. I'm a bit of a workaholic,and spend ridiculous amounts of time at school or with a computer on my lab. Although I have a couple wonderful friends who are trying to work on that and getting me to relax a little. I caved and currently go to yoga and have a group dinner on Thursday nights (which I love), but otherwise, I spend a lot of time with papers on my lap.
The middle of September brought the end of the Wednesday night farmer's market, as well as the end of our summer CSA program. It was a successful summer and Luke and I have a lot to be thankful for. The end of October also brought up the exciting announcement that our 100 foot greenhouse was officially complete - electricity hooked up and plants starting to grow. It is a very exciting addition to our farm life.
Three weeks ago we started a winter farmer's market at Kavarna in Green Bay. Week one went awesome and really showed the potential for the market. Week two (last week), was a little rough for me. It seems I always have the strangest occurrences at Farmer's markets!
It all started right when the market started, right around 9 am. I wasn't done labeling the produce or putting out all the food. One woman, in her mid 60's, asked about the Wolf River Apples. I told her the apples were for sale and that I just hadn't had time to set them out yet. She laughed, looked at Luke, and said (in a very condescending tone) "She doesn't know what she is doing." I didn't really understand what she meant, so I just blew it off. She was looking over our food, and I asked Luke how much the leeks cost so that I could label it, and the woman said, "Wow, she really has no idea what she is doing." Luke looked at me like he was thinking "what the heck is this lady talking about?" and I just shrugged, a little irritated at her rudeness.
Well, then I asked Luke how much the Bok Choy was and the woman laughed and said "She has NO idea what she is doing." She then looked at Luke and said, "It's okay, you have the right to make fun of her, I'm giving you permission." I was fuming - she was so rude. Luke was very confused, but he saw how irritated I was, and he realized I might slap the lady, so he quickly and gently shook his head at me. Don't worry, I behaved myself...
Towards the end of the market, a man came up. He was an elderly gentleman, and he looked like a sweet old man! He asked me a question about the micro-greens. Typically when someone asks me a question I can't answer, I say something along the lines of...I will have to ask my husband, he is the farmer and he knows...Well, the man asked what I did for a living, and I said I was a teacher. Such a simple answer got so far out of hand. The man inquired what district I worked him, and I proudly replied Pulaski. Then, he pulled the pin out of the grenade when he said, "Well, let me ask you something about Pulaski teachers." I instantly thought, oh man, where is this going to go?!
The man asked me if I thought it was important to balance the state budget. I said I did think it was important to balance the budget, but that I would not comment on the way in which it was being balanced. He replied that he was glad to hear I thought the budget was important, and then he delivered the dagger. He said:
"So, you weren't one of those teacher that went and pissed on the walls of the capital?!" Such an out-there comment, I was taken aback. Now, I'm not going to make this a political blog - people have their own opinion in politics and I respect that...but seriously, I don't think there were any cases of teachers found "pissing" on the capital. I know a lot of teachers, and we all tend to prefer toilets. As a woman with a lifetime's worth of experience in urinating...I don't think it is even possible to aim your urine at a vertical structure - most likely you would just pee all over your shoe or legs....Regardless...I couldn't believe his completely distasteful comment!
Beyond those wacky occurrences, things are going really well, and Luke and I are very happy. Our kittens are wonderful-they are getting big and killing plenty of mice! Tobshu is doing very well - turning into a long-haired fluff ball again. The cold weather is here, which means our house is officially like 50 degrees again, but other than that, I have enjoyed the transition into fall.
I will try to be better about updating - thanks for staying tuned :)
The middle of September brought the end of the Wednesday night farmer's market, as well as the end of our summer CSA program. It was a successful summer and Luke and I have a lot to be thankful for. The end of October also brought up the exciting announcement that our 100 foot greenhouse was officially complete - electricity hooked up and plants starting to grow. It is a very exciting addition to our farm life.
Three weeks ago we started a winter farmer's market at Kavarna in Green Bay. Week one went awesome and really showed the potential for the market. Week two (last week), was a little rough for me. It seems I always have the strangest occurrences at Farmer's markets!
It all started right when the market started, right around 9 am. I wasn't done labeling the produce or putting out all the food. One woman, in her mid 60's, asked about the Wolf River Apples. I told her the apples were for sale and that I just hadn't had time to set them out yet. She laughed, looked at Luke, and said (in a very condescending tone) "She doesn't know what she is doing." I didn't really understand what she meant, so I just blew it off. She was looking over our food, and I asked Luke how much the leeks cost so that I could label it, and the woman said, "Wow, she really has no idea what she is doing." Luke looked at me like he was thinking "what the heck is this lady talking about?" and I just shrugged, a little irritated at her rudeness.
Well, then I asked Luke how much the Bok Choy was and the woman laughed and said "She has NO idea what she is doing." She then looked at Luke and said, "It's okay, you have the right to make fun of her, I'm giving you permission." I was fuming - she was so rude. Luke was very confused, but he saw how irritated I was, and he realized I might slap the lady, so he quickly and gently shook his head at me. Don't worry, I behaved myself...
Towards the end of the market, a man came up. He was an elderly gentleman, and he looked like a sweet old man! He asked me a question about the micro-greens. Typically when someone asks me a question I can't answer, I say something along the lines of...I will have to ask my husband, he is the farmer and he knows...Well, the man asked what I did for a living, and I said I was a teacher. Such a simple answer got so far out of hand. The man inquired what district I worked him, and I proudly replied Pulaski. Then, he pulled the pin out of the grenade when he said, "Well, let me ask you something about Pulaski teachers." I instantly thought, oh man, where is this going to go?!
The man asked me if I thought it was important to balance the state budget. I said I did think it was important to balance the budget, but that I would not comment on the way in which it was being balanced. He replied that he was glad to hear I thought the budget was important, and then he delivered the dagger. He said:
"So, you weren't one of those teacher that went and pissed on the walls of the capital?!" Such an out-there comment, I was taken aback. Now, I'm not going to make this a political blog - people have their own opinion in politics and I respect that...but seriously, I don't think there were any cases of teachers found "pissing" on the capital. I know a lot of teachers, and we all tend to prefer toilets. As a woman with a lifetime's worth of experience in urinating...I don't think it is even possible to aim your urine at a vertical structure - most likely you would just pee all over your shoe or legs....Regardless...I couldn't believe his completely distasteful comment!
Beyond those wacky occurrences, things are going really well, and Luke and I are very happy. Our kittens are wonderful-they are getting big and killing plenty of mice! Tobshu is doing very well - turning into a long-haired fluff ball again. The cold weather is here, which means our house is officially like 50 degrees again, but other than that, I have enjoyed the transition into fall.
I will try to be better about updating - thanks for staying tuned :)
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