I’m out with the broilers in the second field back, watching Bob as he drives the tractor from the barnyard. This is the last batch of chickens for the season. Late afternoon sun bounces off the roof as he navigates through the pastures, his big brown eyes focused on keeping the crates in the […]
Property Marker
“The chamber pot marks the corner of your land.” In 1979, every farmer in West Fulton over the age of 60 knew about the distinct marker that defined the boundary of our property. I’ve no idea how long that rusty pot hung from a branch, or who hung it there, but it seemed a more […]
My Indian Virtual Assistant
“I need an Indian virtual assistant.” “Not American?” Bob has just returned from cleaning the vacation rental after our guests checked out. He cracks a beer and flops down on the glider beside me, waiting to see where I’m going with this. “We’re supposed to seek a more favorable exchange rate.” Two summers ago […]
Mellow.
“I gotta go, ‘cuz Mellow’s getting anxious.” Mellow, a charcoal Bichon Frise, pulls at the end of his leash and attempts to reach Bob and me with his forepaws as we walk up a strip of crumbled sidewalk in the city of Schenectady’s Stockade district. His owner, talking to another fellow on a stoop, […]
Unpaid Family Labor
“Jim!” George, one of Dad’s favorite customers, calls from the front of the cafe all the way to the kitchen in the back. “You got yourself a new job!” He waves and smiles. Dad must have his hearing aids on, because he looks up from the three bay sink, where he’s spraying down some bowls […]
Bullfrogs and Graveyards
Jug-a-rum, jug-a-rum, jug-a-rum. I don’t think much of the Westchesters who own the vacation house next door. But I think a lot about their pond. My bedroom windows are up against the state forest, and as I fall to sleep at night, they channel in the songs of the thrushes. The clerestories above me […]
Lucky Dog
It’s nearly 11 o’clock at night. Bob and I pay for our food, push aside our plates and make our way to the exit of Gene’s, a brightly lit restaurant on the outskirts of Moncton, New Brunswick. We are the only customers there at present. A man watches us intently from behind the counter. I […]
Whiskey for Breakfast
It’s noon on Friday, and I’m pounding on the back door of the Green Wolf Tap Room. Bob and the kids are next door at the library with a homeschool group, and I’m demanding that Justin, the owner, open up early and serve me whiskey for breakfast. I haven’t eaten since lunch the day […]
Less Stress, More Profit
Lessons From A Kitchen Disaster It’s the middle of May, and I shuffle the bills like playing cards. It’s that time of year, when all the savings from the end of last fall have run dry, and I’m scanning due dates, matching them up with the the farm’s production and sales schedule: pairing feed bills […]
How To Darn Wool Socks
I’m getting a lot of requests for this post since the weather changed. Guess it’s time to re-run it… I usually get up each Monday morning and write about meat. But the first leaves have begun to change color on the trees, and I’ve begun carrying my knitting basket around with me once more. And in […]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- …
- 15
- Next Page »