Literal Road Blog
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This is where we post about the farm and what’s happening, like upcoming events. But I (Sharon) also write about this whole experience in more depth on Substack. If you want to learn more, head on over there (or subscribe with the form on the right).
Rain as Reminder that We Need to Get Stuff Done
It was raining this morning which wasn't in the forecast. I don't mind at all. I'm so sick and tired of looking at all the brown from this hot dry summer we've had. (It was enough rain to make the cows want to take shelter under an ash tree even.) But it's August 27th...
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Cows and Chickens and Horses Oh My!
The Grass IS Greener…When You Graze It
Our property is 22 acres and the back 10 have been a hayfield since we got here 12 years ago…but not, because we’ve had so many issues with finding reliable...
“Don’t bother me. I’m carbon farming.”
When we got this place, half of our 22 acres was a dedicated hayfield. However, getting a 10-acre hayfield actually hayed was a problem for us. No one wants...
Nine New Chicks…Surprise!
It has been sooooo crazy busy with the two "situations" that took over my life in March 2022 that I didn't even notice we were one hen short at night. Bob and...
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Meanwhile, In My Kitchen
Easiest Lemonade Ever!
Wow! This lemonade is my new favorite drink to make for hot weather, and sooo easy! I have tried making lemonade from scratch before, and it has either...
Yes, It IS This Easy to Make Your Own Yogurt
I told a friend how eating yogurt helps my sensitive stomach and she said, “But there’s so much sugar in yogurt.” Wait. What? There’s no sugar in yogurt! So...
Snapping Green Beans All Afternoon…It’s All Part of the Dream
It's 9:30 at night and I am almost done with today's project: freezing green beans. I picked up 20 pounds of green beans from a local farmer yesterday and,...
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Musings
Slowing Down Is Harder Than You Think
In my work world, where I make online classes to teach people business writing skills, I constantly preach slowing down. Why do I preach slowing down? Because...
Jimmy Carter and My Environmental Awakening—and Disillusionment
Jimmy Carter’s passing has me remembering my environmental awakening in the 1970s—and the disillusionment that has been holding me back...until now. The...
His Boots, My Boots: What It’s Like to Be the One at Home
My day started with accidentally killing a chicken while moving the chicken tractor. Moving the chicken tractor is a two-person job, but there is only me and...
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Nature Notes
Our Pond Has Its First Residents…
My first sighting of Pacific tree frog eggs...the first of many! Once the weeks-long freeze ended, the Pacific tree frogs came down out of the woods to our...
Why the Sight of These Swallows Filled Me With Awe
It’s mid-March and the annual bird migration has begun. Around here, the robins returned in February, and I thought I saw a turkey vulture. As the weeks go...
When Nature Is Our Calendar, We Are More In Tune
It’s January and I saw the kestrel is paired up today while walking the dogs. We installed a nesting box for her three years ago and she has used it...
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Starting a Farm
Rain as Reminder that We Need to Get Stuff Done
It was raining this morning which wasn't in the forecast. I don't mind at all. I'm so sick and tired of looking at all the brown from this hot dry summer...
The Pastures Are Kicking Our Ass-tures
Last year was the first time we turned our attention to our pastures, and wow, it turns out 22 acres is a lot to take care of! You might think, like I did,...
Slowing Down Is Harder Than You Think
In my work world, where I make online classes to teach people business writing skills, I constantly preach slowing down. Why do I preach slowing down? Because...
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The Farmhouse
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”…but We Are Burning Wood Right
It has been a warm fall so far and we were able to put off the first fire of the season...until today. The chill this morning was too much to bear, so we...
Living the Dream…Literally
I was asked recently, "Did you ever dream you'd be living like this?" And I was able to say, "Heck yeah" with proof. And this is the proof: a list of what...
No, This Renovation WAS a Nightmare
When we say our farmhouse renovation was a nightmare, people tend to respond with comments like, "Oh, yes, I remember how challenging our kitchen remodel...