Category Archives: Tales from the Farm

Artisan Crafts, Fairhaven, Learn, Soil Building, Tales from the Farm

Welcome to the Lost Arts

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“And over here is the Lost Arts House. Come in and see what we are doing to bring back the skills that are disappearing over time.”

It’s always fun to watch the reactions when we have visitors to the Blue Hen Farm – Lost Arts House. Surprise and curiosity mostly, often delight. That’s the most fun!

It’s not your traditional use for a house. But it is a great adventure developing a folk school, especially a non-traditional one. Spinning, weaving, bookbinding, cooking, and music…. everyday goings-on at Blue Hen Farm. And most importantly, storytelling!

Everybody is different, likes and dislikes, perspectives, beliefs, tastes, personalities, homesteads, and stories. We collect stories…from friends, relatives, people we grew up with, people we shared experiences with as we grew, and of course new friends – Tales from the Farm.

Come and see us. Add your family to the bookshelf.

Barnyard, Fairhaven, Geese, Tales from the Farm

Geese Don’t Climb Trees

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The figs are gone from the branches below,
the ones that are easy to reach.
“Too high,” the geese sigh,
With their eyes they beseech…

The fact is that geese don’t climb trees.

“Let us help,” we implore,
as we stretch for the tip.
“Gosh, oh gee,” comes the goose-like plea.
“Be safe, be secure, or surely you’ll trip.

We’re sorry that geese don’t climb trees.”

“The fig is so lovely, just like the goose,
And likewise the taste so sublime.
’Tis a fact of nature that gives us both stature,
And yet we’re unable to climb.”

(It is sad that geese don’t climb trees.)

“Thanks so much for helping today, “
the geese said to us so sincerely.
“Don’t eat fast. Make them last,” we warned.
It’s liable to be your last fig, perhaps yearly!”

Remembering that geese don’t climb trees.

Happy Homesteading,

T.

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from Tales from the Farm
Florida weather, Tales from the Farm

Tornado Alley July 2019

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July 2014 …we planted these four little cypress trees in tubs and set them in the sandy backyard, thinking that someday we may want to move them.

Five years later these cute little trees are 10 feet tall and 8 feet around and not likely to be moved! Until July 20, 2019, the day of the mini-tornado at Bent Pine Farm.

I’m always complaining about Florida weather! It’s too hot for 7 months of the year, and the other 5 are hit and miss… we may have days that are absolutely gorgeous, but you know that as soon as we set out those tomato seedlings…Bamm! Freezing temps. Happens every time.

On this particular Friday, or was it Saturday? (When you’re retired all the days run together…so in addition to having more to do than when you were working full time, you have no idea what day it is!) as we sat watching the rain. It came in at a 90 degree angle blowing from the south, then suddenly turned 180 degrees, blowing from the north. We heard “pop”-“pop” – “pop”…not knowing what that was…

When it was over, we went outside to find our 10 foot Cypress trees laying over on the ground with all their tap roots broken off at the base! The chickens had been blown across the garden in their cage! The huge Moringa tree was over flat with its roots ripped out of the ground. Micro-burst!! A little scary.

With Seth’s help we got the Cypress righted and planted in the ground. Let’s face it. It’s the only way those trees would have gotten moved! Florida weather. You gotta love it.

  • July 20, 2019
  • Moringa Down!
  • Planting the Cypress
  • Straight up again!
  • You’ve Grown!

Happy Homesteading,

T.