Hurricane Sandy

One of the problems with maintaining a blog is the time it takes to do it. Not since August have I done any updating, yet the busiest time of the year - Autumn - has come and gone, without the slightest detail of what we have done. Autumn is flying out of here at hurricane speeds (literally) as I write this. We are hunkered down with Hurricane Sandy (tropical storm of epic proportions? nor'easter?) battering about outside. We are lucky to be inland. Our family in Niantic will be dealing with what the news is calling, "flooding of epic proportions" on this October day with a full moon hiding above these raging clouds.

Here at the farm, horses are snug in the barn after a morning braving the winds and light rain, now that the winds are reaching 50+ mph and climbing. At 4 P.M. in our little corner of Connecticut, the storm hasn't technically hit us yet. Highways and bridges have been shut down, towns are evacuated along the coast, and I eagerly wait for updates from my son in New York and my daughter at her fiance's house for news from those locals. The newsman says that a tall ship has sunk off the coast of North Carolina, in seas burdened by waves above 26 feet. Our trucks, trailers and other vehicles were strategically placed last night, to offer some wind resistance to the barn doors, and to remain out of reach of big trees, should one fall. While moving bird houses and feeders from the garden I found, to my surprise, violets growing. It has been an odd season, with irises blooming is September, and now violets for Hallow'e'en. What is becoming of our seasons? Will our winter be mild again, or miserable? Last year at this time we were staring into almost a foot of snow in places. This year, a Monster Storm that is affecting pretty much the entire eastern seaboard has given us pause. It feels good, however, to be as ready as we can be. If worse comes to worse, we will hook up a team and drag away any downed trees, seasoning the wood for next year's fuel.

For those of you keeping track of our 'babies", Leila and Jessie - they are coming along BEAUTIFULLY! As most of you know, Leila was born here at Cedar Knoll Farm to our mare, Dolly. Jessie is Leila's half-sister (same stud) and we have had her here since she was about 3 or 4 months old. Now over two years old and 17.2 HH, they have been working the fields, driving on the road, and even being ridden some. They have a lot of filling out to do, however (in spite of their good height), and we won't put them to commercial use until later next year. Meanwhile, we will continue to go down the road with them, take them to different places, and do light farm work with them. They are quiet and obedient - I have a feeling this team will do us proud!

Snickers

We got a new paint pony! We named him "Snickers", since we already had candy-named ponies, Skittles and Buttercup. He is a good hand taller than Buttercup and a little less refined, but still cute as a button. We took him all the way into Hanover yesterday to visit with friends Joe and Tina. He's a quick little mover and very willing to go the distance! I think we are going to like having Snickers!

Cedar Knoll Farm: Full Swing into Summer

Looking back at our most recent blog entries (recent being about a month ago) I marvel at the change in scenery, and, of course, activity. Winter colors of browns, greys and hazy pinks have given way to lush green landscapes, splashed with a hodge-podge of botanical colors and glazed with turquoise skies. The weddings are in full swing, with Baraats nearly every weekend, too. Special events, like the Intermodal Transportation Center opening in Norwich with the Governor this past weekend, are popping up here and there. Victorian Days in Willimantic, parades, and the Pony Train in Coventry keep us hopping all over. We are loving it!

Spring Preparations are Done

An annual event, "Plowing the Community Garden" in Wilbraham, MA,
prepares 2 acres  of vegetable gardens, all by horse power. Our all around best team,
Danny & Dakota, on our hydraulic plow. The photo is by friend, Tory MacDonald.

Terry, harrowing with a line of five. This field of 20 acres or so will grow tobacco.
The harrow is a pin-tooth harrow.

June is just about here. Almost half way through 2012. Fields have been plowed, pin harrowed, disk harrowed, some already planted by their farmers. First cut hay was put up last week. As you can see from previous blogs, Spring was loaded with acres and acres of work and preparation for us and the horses. Now, the organic, community, and commercial crops can grow, and the fun stuff  - carriage rides, weddings, pony train - can get into full swing!

The Pony Train

Our new venture, the Pony Train, is taking off! Skittles and Buttercup have the dubious job of being the locomotive for our colorful collection of train cars!

Philomel Gardens, Prepared

As most of you have noticed from recent posts, we have spent the last few weeks quite seriously plowing and discing, almost every day until now. Twenty - two (plus) acres have been readied for planting, and Philomel Organic Gardens will begin their CSA program! We were excited to have been a very big part of this energetic farmer's quest for an earth-friendly way to prepare the ground for planting. We look forward to sharing in the bounty of our labor!