Saturday morning about 11:30, I awoke Guy so he could get his day started. Keep in mind the poor man has been working graveyards so he had only been sleeping for a few hours before I went in to fetch him. The previous owner, Lorin, had made plans to come out about noon or so. This was a difficult visit. You see Lorin is dying of cancer. You can just tell how much he loved this farm in the way he planted his orchards and cared for his home. And he was content that afternoon with just looking around and enjoying the wonderful view. It was a short visit but full of interesting tidbits on what was planted where and when. The tumor in his brain is gaining in size and now he wears a patch over one eye since his vision is affected. His memory is being eaten away by his disease and he apologized for not getting up here sooner. That made me feel a little odd since I felt as if I should be apologizing for expressing the happiness for our fortune at the cost of his misfortune. Very odd feeling indeed. His entire face lit up when we told him he was welcome to come up at anytime. He was thrilled with the idea of just driving up here to take in the view. Lorin doesn't think he has much time left. He is not being pessimistic in his evaluations but more realistic. He knows he is bad off. We expressed that he needed to hang around to see the first crop. And if he could not come up and see it, then we would deliver it to him! He really liked that thought! How could your heart NOT break?
After Lorin's departure, we came back in the house and realized we needed to get out of our funk and get some work done. Jumped in the suburban and went to Rickreall for supplies. One file for sharpening the blade on the chain saw, one 50 pound bag of dog food, and a ball hitch so we could hook up the trailer that Guy's mother Grace had gotten him for his birthday/father's Day/Palm Sunday/Full moon and You got yourself a farm present!! We came away with all of it but the ball hitch. WTH AG WEST HARDWARE??
Cruised into the Big D for beer. Because that is always called for on a sunny Saturday full of work that includes driving a tractor! Stopped off at his Grandparents house so we could check out how they tame their raspberry bushes. While we were there Guy's grandpa had fixed him up with a ball hitch AND a battery for the riding lawn mower! TAKE THAT AG WEST HARDWARE! ;)
Back at the farm... after some mickey mouse engineering. Guy had the trailer and tractor all ready to go. With just him and I as the work crew, we paraded that tractor/trailer around the house trimming everything that looked over grown or dead. Throwing the clippings into the trailer. We even pulled out a few bushes just because we could! TAKE THAT AG WEST HARDWARE!
We have quite the burn pile going on! We made a few trips down the driveway to the "crater" in front of the shop. Guy driving the tractor while I sat on the side board behind him. LIFE IS GOOD!
Sunday morning started with a visit from the Rabago's. My sister Tracie, brother in law Eddie and Kimber came out to visit. My niece Kimber hadn't seen our place yet nor the baby chickens! Tracie also wanted to get some pictures taken for her website. If you can, check it out...there are extra pics of the farm on her BLOG and she is just a great photographer. http://tracierabagophotography.com/
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| My mother, in danger of falling out. ;) |
My parents came out shortly after they left. We gave them the tour and Guy had the idea to throw some hay bales into the back of the trailer and give us a ride down to the pond. We had a great time. My dad had a white knuckle ride out of "fear that my mother was going to fall out"...wink wink...she was perfectly fine and enjoying the ride! Hay rides with Coors light...what else is there in life? She was enjoying the moment.
Soon after the trip to the pond, Alice and Frank Harvey (Guy's Grandparents) and Grace and Allen Hibbs (Guy's Mom and Step Dad) joined the party. We all visited together down in the shop for a little while and then my parents left. Guy wanted to take the Harvey's and Hibbs to the pond, too! Well Hells Bells, thanks to Frank Harvey and his ball hitch, we were able to do just that! TAKE THAT AG WEST HARDWARE!
Down by the pond, we emptied the wagon and walked a little while Guy turned the tractor around. Grace pointed out this very sweet scene unfolding in front of me.
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| Alice and Frank... still holding hands after all these years. Gives me hope! And an understanding of where Guy gets his loving personality. I have this to look forward to, as well! |
So, this weekend was full of parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, nieces, smelly dogs, kisses, hugs, tears, sweat, hay rides, laughter and BEER!!! I hope Guy and I have many, many, many together JUST LIKE THEM!!!!
TAKE THAT AG WEST HARDWARE!!!
I am tired and missing my man. Good night everyone... hold tight to those you love...in these small hours. ;) (Thanks Tracie, I am singing it still!)
Here are some random shots from Saturday evening. I sat and enjoyed the last few of sun rays while my man mowed the lower orchard.
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| Saturday evening mowing of the front Orchard |
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| He is watching over his Master |
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| Sun in the eyes, no make up...Life doesn't get better than that! :) |
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| Older orchard |
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| Loving the farm! |
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| Magnolias |
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| Best looking man ever to be on a tractor! |
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| He has quite an audience! |
