Wether This Together

Farm News Inside!

Toughness looks beautiful on you, and your strength helps carries other forward. Together, we will continue to lift one another up. — Puck, who is really PUCKING over ICE.

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Here’s What’s Happening At Good Spirits Farm

There’s a lot of background things happening on the farm that I’ve been reticent to share just because they’re complicated, up in the air, and when I feel anxious about things, I tend to avoid them. (Not my greatest trait.)

In December, I was part of a large layoff from my corporate communications job. Honestly, it was a blessing. For months, I’d woken up each day feeling ethically at odds with the work I was doing and the people I was doing it for. I’ve been lucky enough to score some contract TV production work, so we’re fine income-wise for now. Eventually, I’d love to find something with benefits again, but wow, is the job market dismal right now. So many resumes sent into the void! (Seriously, if you’re going through this, I see you, and I am cheering for you. So is Peaseblossom!)

I’m framing this career transition as a chance to work on some of the creative projects I’ve been noodling over but haven’t had the bandwidth to delve into. Perhaps it’s time to make that podcast??

Life update number two: We’re seriously considering moving the farm. Yes, the whole farm. For a variety of reasons, Tennessee no longer suits our needs. It’s amazing how a child changes your entire perspective on what you need out of a community. Selling this place, which I have poured so much time and energy into and fought so hard to save during my divorce, will break my heart. But, as I have learned over and over again throughout my life, wounds heal.

Most importantly, all of the animals are coming. Also, this move won’t happen until late spring or early summer at the very earliest. Fall is maybe more likely. A lot of pieces are going to have to fall into play to make it all work.

What this all means is that we’re in a holding pattern for new farm activities. I won’t start a garden this spring, and there will be no baby chicks. The only exception will be the bees. Healthy hives split when the weather warms, whether you like it or not, and it’s far better to split them manually than try to chase them down once they’ve swarmed away. But that’s the only major expansion work I have planned for spring.

It’s a bummer to put everything on hold, but I’m trying to see this as short-term frustration for long-term happiness.

Right now, we’re specifically looking at land in Vermont, though Minnesota and perhaps Western Massachusetts are also in play. With all these options, everyone will have to get used to this white stuff.

The chickens say, “Wow, no thank you, we’re moving to Florida.”

I truly cannot wrap my brain around the logistics of moving everything and everyone 15 hours north. How do you move 25 beehives? Twenty chickens? Five totally feral guineas and a flerd of cows and sheep? All while managing work (hopefully!) and a toddler? Woof.

At least it will be an adventure—and that’s how I’m trying to look at it.

Here’s What I Loved This Week

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This is now a silken tofu stan account. Todd doesn’t eat meat, so for protein, we eat a lot of beans in this house…but sometimes your GI tract just needs a break. It turns out you can whir silken tofu into just about any creamy soup, and it boosts the protein content without being noticeable. I’m finishing off a bowl of corn chowder made with last summer’s frozen corn and silken tofu right now. (I still added most of the half-and-half the recipe called for, I’m not a total monster!)