The Slow Death of Summer
This summer has been intolerable. For weeks the air has been hot and thick with moisture. Walking outdoors a supreme effort, after even a few minutes, as if trying to walk through a thick jar of Molasses. The Java chickens find refuge in In the dark shadows of the woods, and the Angora Goats spend their days loafing in front of two large fans in their Barn. Thank goodness they were sheared in July! My day starts early with the outdoor work and watering. Watering has been a challenge and odious task, with the overshadowing worry that the well will go dry. We are in a severe drought without rain for several weeks. The soil, although watered deeply, when turned up, is dry powder below the surface. By midday, drenched in sweat, hot, grimy with tomato gum on my hands, manure on my shoes (and other places), the early hints of red bug bites, and sweat dripping from the end of my braid, I take refuge in the cool house. There, I focus on the farm business (aarrrg!)...
