Nothing Good Comes From Leaving The Farm

Well, dear reader, what a crazy few days it has been. The week before our farm event is always...eventful (Sorry, I couldn't help myself). However, this week is unprecedented in terms of the level of events. On Tuesday, we attended a Ligonier Township meeting on behalf of the Ligonier Country Market to support the market and its director in the opening of the market on May 17th. Thankfully, the township supervisors voted in favor of the market, and the season will proceed as planned. While we were supporting our market family, a terrible storm blew through our area. We had no idea how bad it was until we returned home well after dark. The Bibbed Wonder always says, "Nothing good comes from leaving the farm," and in this case, he is right.

We drove up Tonkin Road to be met at the halfway point with caution tape. There were downed trees and power lines all over the road. We turned around and had to access our farm from the back way on Grove Chapel Road. When we pulled into the driveway, we were met with a frightening sight. Our probably one-hundred-year-old arborvitae trees, located at the edge of the drive near the barn, were down. They were torn out at the roots, and large chunks of soil taller than any of us were sticking up in the air. It was a bit overwhelming to see. As our headlights swept over the back yard, we saw that a huge branch from the ancient hickory trees had come down as well.

We quickly got out of the car, used our phones as flashlights, and assessed the damage as best we could. We are fortunate, dear reader. All the animals were safe, the outbuildings and roofs were intact, except for one of the big barn doors, and the house was untouched, aside from a missing piece of soffit. It could have been so much worse. As I approached the front porch, I saw that a bit of the vinyl roofing was sagging, all our porch furniture had been blown to one end, and the porch swing was cattywampus. Upon closer inspection, I saw the large flowering crab apple tree near the porch had broken off at the ground level and lay across the front yard. I clambered over the railing to inspect the row of oaks that line the yard's perimeter and found that, thankfully, all were intact.

We went to bed solemn and grateful that the downed trees were the worst of the damage. I awoke the next morning to an unsettlingly quiet house. It's always unnerving when the power is out and everything is still. The first thought to enter my mind was the poor old pear tree that stands alone in the field. I quickly stepped into my tall rubber boots and went outside. I walked around the yard, barn, chicken coop, and fence row looking for more downed trees and damage. I am grateful the old pear tree is still standing. My chicken coops are untouched, and all my birds are safe. Our goats are safe and sound, and my grumpy old geese are unharmed. My baby geese seemed fine without the heat lamp, but it was undoubtedly a concern.

With the power being out, we have no water. The lack of water is always my biggest complaint when the power is out. Watering the dogs and birds is a genuine concern. The dogs can always walk to the creek, but the birds don't travel that far. I took gallon jugs of water from the garage to water them. Also concerning is the disruption to the incubation process of my goose eggs. I am literally on the last few days, so very close to hatching, and the power is out for days. Last night, I took my incubator to GramBarb's because she has power and a generator. I am cautiously hopeful my little goslings have survived and will hatch. I'm going to give them another week before I call them a loss. I was so very close, dear reader. Sigh. On the bright side, I have two little goslings to raise. Surprisingly, The Bean has taken a huge interest in the baby geese. She believes they have imprinted on her and view her as their mother. She takes them to her room, walks around in a backwards hoodie with the babies in the hood, and plays with them in the front yard. It's charming to see her with the baby goats and goslings in tow. I love my little farm girl.

Yesterday, we didn't have time to fret about the power being out. The Bibbed Wonder, The Bean, and I all worked to remove the trees and debris from around the house. Thankfully, no trees came down on the fence. The chainsaw, tractor, and Ranger all aided in making the cleanup easier. Thank goodness for equipment. If we had had to remove it by hand, we would never have gotten done. Things are still a bit of a mess, but they are better than they were.

At the end of the day, we went into GramBarb's for a shower and a hot meal. She is a lifesaver. We all felt so much better after a hot shower. We showered, ate, and visited until 8:30, then we returned to our darkened farmhouse. After Eric and Jordan checked all the babies, we retired for the night feeling exhausted but grateful. At 10:00, the power was restored, and we all gave a cheer. I awoke this morning to a cup of coffee and the ability to write to you. Both of those things make me happy. It's been a hectic and a bit overwhelming few days, but normalcy is restored and all is well.

We are still planning to host our small spring event on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Although the weather does not look perfect, we are hoping it won't deter people from coming out to support our family of small business friends. I am pleased to share that Aunt Julia's Donuts will be here after all. My dear friend, Julia, has found a way to share her delightful donuts at our event. Again, I am grateful.

This week has made it very clear to me that we are truly blessed. Yes, there was a big storm, and we lost trees we held dear. It created a lot of work, and the timing could not have been worse, but everyone and everything we love is safe. Miraculously, we did not lose any of our barnyard family, our buildings, or, heaven forbid, our human family. Instead of feeling sour and overwhelmed, I feel grateful and humbly favored. Sometimes the universe makes it very clear that guardian angels are looking out for us. It's also a reminder that we must weather the storms to recognize the blessings. I am feeling blessed indeed.

On this lovely spring day, stay safe, be smart, don't take your blessings for granted, and recognize the miracles. It's true that nothing good ever comes from leaving the farm, and keep washing your hands.