90 Degrees in the Shade

This heat is great for the garden. It is growing like crazy.  In a few days there will be tomatoes.

The scarecrow has done a good job of keeping "nibblers" out of the garden.

The cows enjoy the shade during the day.

And everyone is staying hydrated!

Hope you all are staying cool with healthy fluids!

July Barns, 2

Half the fun of looking at old barns are the odd pieces of equipment that might be parked next to it.

This is one of the oldest barns in Hardwick Vermont.  It has been added on to every century. You can plainly see it.   One new section added in the late 1700's,  early 1800's and early 1900's.

Windows were added much later.  When they became affordable for farm folk.

A nice wet old tractor waiting for its next job and next rider.

Fields of buttercups.

Very unusual SQUARE wooden silo built right onto the barn. Click on the photo to enlarge it for a better look.

Some hillside land with a great view. 

Looks like Ireland, doesn't it ?

Its July and Vermont is lush with green mountains and blue crystal clear lakes and streams.

Come visit and enjoy the views and the agriculture too!!

Story Books On The Go

The economy may not be good, but if you are creative you can do well in a new business venture.

Here is what I was witness to while driving thru a town in north central Vermont:

A normal looking book store.......

Until you drive by the drive up story teller window.       Not kidding.

If your child won't fall asleep, a quick trip to the story teller always works.    She reads a story to the child who is usually happy to go for a ride AND get a special story.     Gets real busy at nap times.

And....If you don't have time to park and run in for a new book, just call ahead and they will have the book waiting for you at the drive thru.

 Are you smiling yet?

I want to start one in my town.

Anyone else got one in their town ???

July Hay'n

It was 90 degrees today.  A perfect July day to cut grass and make hay.

Boy, Its hard to concentrate when the field across the street is having its 2nd crop of hay cut for haylage.

The aromas are delicious and the parade of field equipment is divine.

This hay was blown into a dump truck and all picked up and done in 90 minutes

After the field was cleared of hay, equipment and men, a doe and fawn came out into the field and frolicked for an hour.  The 2 week old fawn ran all over the field practicing her maneuvers while mom grazed,  until sundown came and then they quietly dissapeared into the woods.

The Earth Moves

Apparently when I felt the house shake and my laptop almost fall off the table at 5:03pm last night, it was NOT the quarry using explosives to make more gravel.
It was indeed an EARTHQUAKE.    The epicenter was just a mile away.
It sounded like thunder while the house shook for 15 or so seconds and then there was a bang!
No damage.  Cows still in the field.        It was 2.6 magnitude on the rickter scale.
I hope there aren't any aftershocks.

July Barns

Unusual barns.

Beautiful property.

Different color.

I drove by it and had to turn around and go back to take photos.

A few sheep are grazing around the barn right now.

Lots of other out buildings and an incredible brick house too.

The workmanship is one of a kind.

This whole farm is for sale.

I have been searching for the listing.

This farm is in Bath, New Hampshire.  A nice rural area.

When I find the listing I will post it here.

Barns of June, 6

Barn Love.

If you love your barn, take care of it.

Good barns are priceless.


This barn is getting lifted up and a new foundation is being put on underneath it.

I will return to take more photos of this barn as it is lovingly restored for practical use on this farm.


Have you loved your barn lately ?

This is the last installment in the Barns of June series.
Stay tuned for "Cows & Contraptions" and the July Barn series.

Tonight

Right now, from the coolness of my room, I am watching the most spectacular fireworks display coming from several nearby towns.  (being on top of a mountain has its advantages).
Even better are the thousands of firefly's flashing all around the lawn, garden, trees and field.  Christmas lights twinkling everywhere while the big bombs of colors light up the sky.
This is absolutely an incredible evening.   Its a first for the herd.  I hope the cows are enjoying it. 

Hope you have celebrated Independence Day.  I feel so fortunate to live in this country.

July Scarecrows

There are some very creative scarecrows showing up in town.

As gardens grow, the deer are starting to visit and nibble.   Scarecrows are needed to reduce the damage.

I found this one on the side of a busy road and had to turn around and go back to really look at it.

This one is stuffed with hay or straw and has a face and real Vermont golfing attire.

I am sure the deer stay away from this one!