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03/14/2007: "Dead Week Photos"

No, not pictures of dead things! Though I did find a decapitated rabbit in the field this morning. But I didn't feel pictures were appropriate.

Dead week is the week before finals. I think it's a throwback to semester system colleges, where there really is a week granted to students to just study for their finals. Out here, with a quarter system, we're too crammed for time to allow a week of study. So dead week involves very stressed out students trying to finish projects and term papers, prepare for finals, and still attend class! It makes the students seem like zombies, so maybe "dead" week is appropriate.

This week I've written two small (3 page) papers, put together a large medical research poster, and started work on a ten page paper. Nate's in a similar situation. So needless to say, not a lot of work has been done around the farm. I have been able to go out and take some pictures on breaks from writing and studying. So I'll share some with you!

Here's a photo of a crabapple in blossom, way back in the woodlot.


The spring broccoli has started to come on.


Nate yanked up the Brussel Sprouts, which did not do well in the nonirrigated garden. They also succumbed to aphid attacks. We'll try again this coming year to see if we can do a better job. Nate also thinks he might have planted them a little too early (May), instead of June or July.


In one of the rows Nate tore up, he planted shallots and garlic. We have about 10 feet of shallots and 80 feet of garlic. I love garlic.


Nate's hotbox is sure getting warm! And the flies love it. Most of the glass top is covered in these tiny flies buzzing about. we'll have to get rid of them before we put veggie starts in.


The weather has warmed up enough for spring mushrooms. This one is related to the very tasty "Shaggy Mane". (Disclaimer: never eat mushrooms unless you are 150% sure of what they are!)


The ducks are awesome. They've been giving 5-6 eggs a day. We've been enjoying puddings and custards and omlettes. They're getting a little wily with running about the pasture. I've had to use a large herding staff to get them to go where I want. But they're wonderful creatures.


Here's Tod talking back to me.


The raspberry bushes have leafed out!


And one of the plums in the orchard is blooming!


And a beautiful sunset over bright green fields!