It's been over a month since I've written! Obviously a lot is going on!
Derek Barlow just left after working on the east side of Willow Creek (where it is SO narrow), pounding his way through a hopeless jungle of mostly box elder trees, and somehow managing to save the large black walnut trees. He said it was the worst area of The Land so far. He did a super job. Now we have lots of trees to cut up for firewood. We will also have to burn some of them as they are quite close to the creek, and yes, we will do some hugelkulturs with branches and leftovers. LOTS TO DO! But the area is now open to start a more dignified permaculture area. In fact, this area on the east side of the creek wasn't usable at all, until now. Derek even made a road between the creek and my fence line along the entire east side, so that I can access it any time of the year from Beemerville. First time in 40 years!
Speaking of 40 years, it is this very month 40 years ago that Jack and I bought The Land. Very much a wasteland at that time, but oh! look at it now! And so much more to come!
Derek also cleaned out the filled-in swamp making it look very much like it looked when we bought it. He uncovered (under many layers of gunk) a vein of gravel. The water started bubbling up almost immediately there, and since that time, it has completely filled in the swamp. It isn't really deep, but that's okay, because it's a swamp or wetland - performing many important functions that our big pond can not do. Soon it will be quite a place for the wildlife. I plan to plant hazelnuts and other trees, shrubs and plants around it. I am so thrilled with it!
Angela has been sending me some cute photos of the kids. Brenda, her mom (and Dad) sent some photos of the kids when Angela and Jeff were in Cancun (yes! their first vacation in 2 1/2 - 3 years!). I can't share them with you right now because I still don't know how to transfer the photos from my phone to the computer. Maybe next blog! Anyway, the kids are really starting to look SO much like little girls and boy, instead of babies. They are growing up 'way too fast! Notice how they have mastered the slide. Jack is The Slide King!
Dear Reader, I'll try to keep up more regularly, but with so much going on...my! it's hard to sit down and write! I am also planning all the trees I want to order for next year. Next spring is really going to be busy, too. In fact, it never stops!
Enjoy this unbelievable summer we've been having, dear Reader! It's going to be 70's in the day, and 50's at night for the rest of the week! We are so fortunate to have this happen in late July and half of August (so far). Does this mean it will be an early winter?