Cows & Contraptions

I got lost one day and ended up finding this unsual collection of old agricultural equipment on top of a little mountain.  It was a half acre of row after row of really old farm machinery from the early 1900's.

Can you identify any of them?

Funny thing is, I am still using some of this old stuff on a daily basis.

Found lots of friendly cows, but they couldn't tell me where I was or how far I was to a paved road with signs.   

I found a cabin and pulled in after deciding they must have some agricultural heritage in them and might help me get back on the right path.

I got pointed in the right direction, made a new friend and I was on my way !


On the way there were more old barns, ( this one has double wooden silos) and more farm equipment spilled all over barnyards and roads.

Its always good to get home at the end of the day.

Notes from The Field

My farmer friend has planted dozens of acres of sunflowers to make bio-fuel and cattle feed.

I love driving down the road to see all the sunflowers smiling at me.

My friends dog had 10 super smart Golden Retriever puppies.            

How many of you love love love puppy breath ?

I do.

Summer vines are taking over old barns and growing inside of broken windows.

My neighbors cows are always excited to see me..... but are camera shy....

There is a big, handsome, muscular bull dating my cows.

He can outrun me.

I stay on my side of the fence now.

First harvest of squash and mini pumpkins and got a ton more to pick and share.

Cooked one up and boy was it delicious!!!

Dear Mavis always seems to be out sized and out colored, no matter where she goes.....

And it IS true:  when one door slams in your face, another one kindly opens.

Meals On Wheels

My garden is a jungle full of incredible veggies and I am sharing them with the village.

Neighbors have been coming to get lettuce and I have been delivering colorful Swiss Chard to anyone who wants some.

The 11 foot Cup Plant is feeding many beautiful butterflys and bees, plus providing water for hummingbirds and finches.  What a fabulous plant!

I have a field full of 8 kinds of squash that will feed the town and my cows!  I hope the deer don't discover it first!

How are your gardens growing ?   Got anything unusual ?

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!