Another best month ever at home in rural North Carolina, celebrating two birthdays, and enjoying friends, food, wildlife, and work that feels like play.
TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL
Bob’s first college roommate, Ned spent a night at Trouts Farm. Spot photo-bombed this year’s sunglasses pic.
CAMILLE’S 63RD
Camille turned sixty-three on June 4th. Bob took her for a walk in the woods, among other things.
HONORING CHRIS – JUNE 4TH
We harvested a huge bouquet from around our yard and placed it on Chris’s grave on the anniversary of his death. Every ending is a beginning and so we figure it’s his birthday, too. Read Camille’s account of this day last year, here: The Not So Grim Reaper
SPARKROOT AND DIMENSIONS
Our neighborhood is awash in potent projects. Sparkroot Farm has grown exponentially in the two years since Alisa and family moved here, while Dimensions School is just being born. Lyle did big work on the hedges out front.
THE MOWER OF ALL THINGS
Bob tackled the high grass at the school. Years ago, Bob used to mow at The Plant, too. Back when Bob was mowing for pay out at The Plant, Lyle was looking for him one day and said to Camille, “I’m looking for the Knower of All Things.” Mishearing him, Camille replied, “I think the Mower of All Things is in building three.”
FUN AT THE PLANT
“The Plant?” you say. Yes, that’s where we spend a significant portion of our time. Bob and Tami posed for a snapshot during Fair Game Beverage Company’s annual Tiki Party. On another day, Camille, Hannah, Malcolm, and Jenn tucked mimosa blossoms behind their ears for the aroma. It’s a fun place to work! More photos at: Our Other Backyard
THIRD THURSDAY POTLUCK
We hosted a neighborhood potluck on the third Thursday of the month, attracting newcomers Aaron, Nora, and Paige. Spot said hello, like he does.
Eden, Muthoni, Kabui Jr, Nora, and Lindsey raced around on the lawn amid a storm of fireflies until time to leave. Inside, Nora demonstrated her sense of balance by stacking all twenty-four crokinole discs.
SKETCH OF A RAINBOW
This was one of those evenings after a stormy day when the sun bronzed the tops of the trees against a grey sky and conjured up a hint of a rainbow.
ASSASSIN IN THE ROSE GARDEN
We’d been waiting for this guy to show up. Growing roses organically is an exercise in patience. Bob said it was only a matter of time before nature took its course, so Camille suppressed her urge to spray soapy water on the roses and endured the bug damage. Finally, the assassin bug arrived and began cleaning house.Camille checks the roses up to six times a day, knocking Japanese Beetles into a mayonnaise jar of water she keeps near the garden.
RED ADMIRAL
A Red Admiral (Vanessa Atalanta) having a sit on the arm of a porch chair.
SOLSTICE BIRTHDAY
We’ve been hearing about Trip’s place and took advantage of his birthday party to see for ourselves the little utopia he’s fashioned with bobcat and know-how. Jay and Bob swam in Trip’s pond, then settled in for a long chat. Camille posed with Trip, who doesn’t look anywhere near sixty. Sixty is the new forty. See more at: Trip’s 60th Solstice Birthday Party
THE HIDDEN HAND
Both the newly-weeded and mulched asparagus patch, and a pan of breaded eggplant can be attributed to Camille’s busy hands.
A BOY AND HIS DAD
Tyler walks his son, Nolan down the street. Happy Father’s Day, Tyler!
____________________________________________________________
THIS MONTH’S QUOTES:
“In spite of the apparent emptiness of the town, there was an air of contentment, mingled with resignation, a slow and certain way of walking, leaning forward as stout people do, burdened by the swollen belly, or skinny and loping, throwing one leg ahead of the other.” – Paul Theroux in “Deep South”
“We live in capitalism. Its power seems inescapable-but then, so did the divine right of kings.” – Ursula K. Le Guin
“I know how people are, with their habits of mind. Most will sail through from cradle to grave with a conscience clean as snow.” – Orleanna Price in Barbara Kingsolver’s “The Poisonwood Bible”
____________________________________________________________
The easiest way to locate a page or photo from past issues is with this handy Search Engine
Get the back story via our blog at Plastic Farm Animals