Greetings,
This past week I heard this phrase, "It takes 100 years to raise a good child," several times. This idea is rather poignant for me right now. A little over a week ago my grandmother passed away. She was close to 100 years old. A woman dedicated to building good things. A person who in turn, makes my children better people.
I spent the last week processing her death while attending the Maine Grain Alliance's Kneading conference, as it came just days after. It was the best way to mourn her. A lot of what I do is inspired by her. She managed school cafeterias in Central Florida and loved farming and gardening. The farm stand scale and the bowls I use for mixing dough once belonged to her. I've been lucky to obtain her handwritten cafeteria cookbook, too.
The Kneading Conference created space for conversations that I really needed. Like the importance of well grown food incorporated into our school system. The value of maintaining traditions and sharing them with the next generation. Building the food system builds the community. I've been reinvigorated with what my purpose is here at Ossipee Hill Farm. Thank you to the many conversations and for those who let me cry with them. I could make a list but it would be long.
I don't have many updates pertaining to the farm. We are just diligently weeding and composting all of the beds. It looks like we may have a crop of grapes and pears to sell in the coming months; I will keep you posted.
There are no events planned but I'm inspired to try cooking classes again. Possibly next month. Thinking canning.
The Perseids meteor shower peaks August 12-13. If you would like to come out and use the deck you are welcome, just give me a heads up. Looks like potentially good viewing this year! Phillip is still keeping up with astrophotography. His goal is to collect at least one hundred hours of data on The Ghost Nebula and The Cave Nebula before editing them. He also has been tracking Comet 10P/Tempel which will have its closest approach on August 3rd.
-Gwendolyn