Gratitude
June 2, 2025
Gratitude
That is what came to mind this week, on a bunch of different levels, where I was in the presence of exceptionalism.
Monday – Justin came on the holiday to help me with the chores and prep for the week.
Tuesday – Matt, Marissa, Justin, Devra, and I hauled ass all day putting away tarps and sand bags – tons of weight, and then made up all the beds in the west field.
Leslie was at home putting together all of our lists for our 134-member CSA, which we have been tweaking all week.
Wednesday – Add in Leslie, Paula, and Amanda, and we planted flowers, carrots, beets, summer squash, cucumbers, basil, tulsi, and winter squash, and topped the day off with hilling six beds of potatoes.
Danny finished the patio in front of the wash table.
And Justin mowed the entire farm.
Thursday – Heidi Shortis, Jack’s and my personal trainer from down the road in Petersham, came and did her magic. You can get younger too, working with Heidi – lunafitnessandwellness@gmail.com; 774-279-3540
Then I met my French horn partner in crime and we cleaned up the Barre Town Hall and moved in some very heavy timpani. Thanks, Margaret for your exceptionality as a music director and motivator of people.
That motivator of people moniker can be used for Heidi too, by the way.
Friday – Matt went over and above and went out into the soon to be pig yard and gathered up all the old barbed wire.
And Nick showed up, plowed through seedling planting with me and Leslie, and with Matt put together 2 state of the art tomato trellises (those are to keep you happy, Maria!), and slipped over to help Leslie and Marcia and me plant some more potatoes – a human dynamo he is; all this while Jim turned the pond orchard into a state park! Jack helped me too, late into the night on Friday, to get a start on the bag labelling.
And then there was the guy at the dump who miraculously showed up as I was about to try to get 10 heavy garbage bags filled with a tarp that had to be decommissioned. He was clearly a gift from God. It reminded me of when I would take out the four kids back in Dorchester, one each in a front and back pack, one in a stroller, and the other holding my hand. We went everywhere on the subway, and whenever I needed to get off or on, there was always at least one person to help me make it happen!
Dan showed up with two old friends of his, and after we served them a typical MHOF farm dinner, they went out to help me move one of our layer houses out of the swamp that had formed around it during the big rain on Saturday. Then we came back in and Dan organized all of us to tie labels on the 364 bags while Sarah played the piano and we sang old standards.
I do live a charmed life!
2025 MHOF CSA
Finally, it is here – the day we have all been working toward since around December 1. I already worried over the quantities in last week’s newsletter, and have appropriately blamed the weather, and perhaps a few management oversights on my part, but as I told Leslie on Friday when we started 23 more trays of seedlings, we are making up for it now! Enjoy this small but mighty share this week. And we will all pray for less rain. I am afraid we went backward on that front Saturday, with as much as another inch of the stuff!
Green Onions
Lettuce
Spinach
‘Peppermint – notice the standing water
Spearmint
Swiss Chard
Oregano
And I forgot to photograph the chives
Volunteering at MHOF
Yes, give me a call or email!
Jennifer’s Recipe for the Week: Golden Fennel-Lime Stir Fry
This beautiful Golden Fennel-Lime Stir Fry offers balance, ease, and nourishment in every bite. Fresh turmeric root gives this dish its vibrant golden hue while bringing potent anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits. Fennel seeds and fresh lime add brightness and support healthy digestion and detoxification. The seasonal vegetables are lightly sautéed in ghee, which nourishes the tissues and soothes the nervous system, making this bowl as grounding as it is uplifting.
Served over basmati rice cooked simply with ghee and salt, this meal provides an ideal balance of lightness and stability. It is easily adaptable for all doshas: Vata benefits from the grounding rice and ghee, Pitta finds cooling support in the cilantro and lime, and Kapha enjoys the lightness of the sautéed veggies and stimulating spices. The dish is easy to digest, sattvic in nature, and leaves you feeling nourished yet light.
Perfect as a weekday meal, post-yoga lunch, or gentle digestive reset, this bowl invites you to listen to your body and flow with the seasons. You can easily adjust the vegetables, spices, and toppings to suit your constitution and the rhythms of nature.
Get the Recipe at Jen Zen Living
Some Farm Videos From This Week
Hilling potatoes
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Wouldn’t you like to add a flower share?
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Devra turned 31 in May
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Tarping thoughts
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Julie
Whoops, too many sandbags in the tractor bucket!
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