Double R Farm (Amish Country Soaps & Sundries)

Well, we've finally gotten the rain that we needed so badly here in Sugarcreek.  The past few days it has been raining and the garden has finally gotten the moisture it needs. The weeds though, they are another story. Yesterday, I spent hours pulling and tossing them by the bucket- full. Today I hear we are set for  more rain.

The rain keeps me inside more. Normally that would bother me, but I've busy with my latest endeavor. I finally finished my 1st novel and am hoping to get it published.  No, it's not a book on gardening which you probably would imagine. The book would fall more into the category of Native American Literature. I grew up in New England surrounded by the ghosts of the Nehantic Indian Tribe, and at one point our family lived across from an old Native American burial ground . I was always fascinated with the way that they lived so peacefully on this earth leaving only their footprints as a reminder that they had been here.

If that weren’t enough to get me thinking, my mother’s side of the family are decedents of the Heron Tribe. As a child I listened to my uncle and grandfather spin tales of their earlier childhood where they incorporated the many rituals of their ancestors. You might say that at a young age I was hooked. I only wish that they had been around longer to teach me more, or at least that I had paid more attention as a child.

 I will admit that I am quite the dreamer, and these dreams have taken me where I am today. A while back I started thinking again and dreaming about writing a novel that encompasses the ideals and ways of the Native American culture. Who knows where this one will lead?

Monday mornings for me are always difficult to navigate. Working inside a classroom during the week I look forward to the time on the weekend to get things done on the farm. This past weekend the weather was fairly warm here in Sugarcreek. It was great for gardening and getting some much needed chores done. Saturday we worked on a shed that houses our well and pump. The winds this past winter had torn many shingles off the roof and some of the wood had rotted from moisture. There is nothing I like better than hanging off the side of the ledge of a roof and hanging shingles!

A little later on the scents of spring overcame me, and I spied my trusty pitchfork in the barn. For some reason, Spring never officially starts until I turn over the first of the gardens by hand. It's slow going, but smelling the sweet earth always gets me in the spirit to continue. The early cold hardy crops will go in first, and as the weather warms up we will move onto the other ones. Soon enough we will be harvesting the spring crops and anticipating the rest of the produce. The juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, beans, peas and a host of other tasty treats are always the best when they are naturally grown. I can imagine it now... the juice from the 1st tomato dripping down my chin.

Well, it's back to work. I grab the pen that has been traded for my pitchfork and continue with thoughts of the coming harvest dancing in my head. Soon the weather will be even warmer, and the gardens will be ready to start planting the seed that starts it all. School will be out for the summer, and the season I enjoy the most will begin. The flowers and vegetables that were so carefully planted will be ready to harvest, and the satisfaction of providing for family and friends will fill my soul.