Beautiful weather! 70's and 80's through the week. What a glorious end to September and what a lovely early October! It may all change this weekend, but we are enjoying this weather now!
Last week, my new neighbor - Diego with his friend Victor - came over to use my antique cider press. They loved it! Unfortunately it had some down time because it broke, but it is now fixed and ready to go again! Ah! The nectar of the gods! Truly! Nothing tastes as good as apple cider made this old fashioned way. Diego and his wife, Yanina, (and Gloria their daughter) have bought Norm and Chris' house (whom I still miss) on German Road. They are from Argentina. Yanina teaches school in Downers Grove. Victor is from Chile. Yanina and Diego have so many apples this year - don't we all! - and heard about my press, so ... they are using it! Apples are definitely part of the whole permaculture scene. These are organic apples - no sprays at all. With just a simple wash, they are good to use in the press. Yummy! Diego shared some cider with me, bless his heart! I enjoyed the easy laughter and gentle souls of both Victor and Diego. They will be good neighbors!
The geese have been amassing, and have flown off several times for (what I thought was) for good. Then several days later, they show up again. First the 9 of Gordon and Gordeeta's family, then another one joins them making 10, then several others come along. One of these days they will be gone for good - at least until Spring next year. I do so love having them part of the Land. It's all cyclical - seasonal...and we can feel winter coming on with the shorter days and longer, cooler nights. I love fall - it always makes me feel so fortunate and ... cozy.
There has been a change in my plans for the top of the hill. After finding out a house and garage would cost $5100 a year in taxes (not including my present cottage and the rest of the land!), I immediately went to Plan B. Yep! A barn! A barn, because I need one anyway - for saving seed, teaching the ways of permaculture, a permaculture library, equipment, etc. - so why not build a beautiful barn on top of the hill! And the taxes will be less as it will be an agricultural building. I am looking at barn plans now - hopefully it will be red! If you have any suggestions for the barn, I would so appreciate it! Send them to me at my email address: ajheim@earthlink.net
I'm in the brain-storming stage right now so am open to everything. I will start building in the spring.
On a sad note, we said good-bye today to Johnny Nick who passed away last week. He was a prince of a man, who knew Jack well. He helped out here on the Land so many times. He will be missed.
Enjoy the pictures of the house in September as well as the geese amassing, and the apple cider pictures. We can't overlook those three little moppets in Denver. The first picture shows them doing their yoga. Jack has pretty good form for his downward-facing dog, while Chloe has gone a bit too far (and looks like she is balancing on her head!). Katie must be practicing her own form of downward-facing dog, which looks very "upward" to me! As Angela says, "The fun never stops!"
The other pictures show the kids playing with Play-Doh for the first time with Jack proudly pointing to the flower he made. (He looks so old in this picture - so grown up!) Mommy and Daddy also took them to the Denver Children's Museum where they had a great time "fishing" and exploring all kinds of things. They are fortunate to have parents who love them so much and like to take them to see different places!
Dear Reader, all in all, life is good! Enjoy the sunshine and the warmth while it lasts!