Field Trip
May 23rd
Weather Report:
May continues to test our patience—and our waterproof footwear. The fields remain a soggy mess, with rain falling just frequently enough to keep the tractors parked and Bob's dreams of spring tillage firmly on hold.
Time Management Tip from Gerri:
If you can't farm, field trip.
With her signature optimism (and a growing list of errands), Gerri has made it her personal mission to ensure Bob stays busy. This time? Another journey to Shiloh—with a commercial sewing machine in tow.
The Machine:
Before setting off, Gerri made one last call to the sewing shop—just to be absolutely sure they were all talking about the same commercial sewing machine, and that the shop was truly prepared for the size and weight of this beast. (We like to imagine the person on the other end of the line nervously glancing at their tape measure.)
Purchased at a local garage sale, this industrial sewing machine may not technically weigh a thousand pounds, but don’t tell Bob's back that. After a failed two-person lift attempt, the always-reliable son-in-law, Evan, was summoned to provide the necessary third set of muscles—and moral support. Fortunately, unloading was easier, thanks to gravity, determination, and a suspiciously well-angled tailgate.
Upon arrival, the repairman’s eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. Turns out the machine was seized up, thanks to the type of oil that had been used to lubricate it in its former life. But no problem—he was so eager to revive the old machine that he started tinkering with it right then and there, before Bob and Gerri had even finished their goodbyes. Now that’s enthusiasm you don’t see every day, especially since their arrival was a few minutes before closing on a Friday afternoon.
Unexpected Highlights:
While most people spend their spare time meeting neighbors or relaxing, we've been deep in conversation with folks who repair sailboat sails and craft industrial tarps. Apparently, if you’re in the market for thread strong enough to withstand high winds and bug warfare, these are your people. Gerri has sourced the appropriate, weather-resistant zippers, strong thread, and needles to sew the blueberry netting. Bob has made headway on telephone poles to hold the netting structure. This previously involved a trip to Chillicothe to retrieve the poles; however, Bob was able to locate a place in Norwalk to secure the poles instead. We love a win!
Blueberry Netting Friend Count:
+3 tarp makers
+2 Blueberry farmers
+2 sailboat fixers
+1 Sewing machine whisperer
+1 tired son-in-law
Bonus Adventure: The Great Chicken Run
The day actually kicked off with the first of two trips to Shiloh—this one to pick up our processed chicken meat. Gerri and Kelsey, determined to be prepared for anything, gathered up every large cooler they could get their hands on. (Imagine a game of cooler Tetris in the back of the vehicle, plus Sutton along for the ride as co-pilot.) They arrived right as the shop opened, ready for what they assumed would be a logistical feat of meat-packing proportions. Instead, they were greeted by perfectly packaged, neatly weighed, and properly labeled boxes—so tidy, in fact, that the coolers weren’t needed at all. The gal who helped load the vehicle was genuinely surprised: “Coolers? No one’s ever brought coolers before!” Well... you live and you learn.
Back at the home farm, the meat was unloaded with minimal drama, and Gerri packed up for chicken deliveries and, of course, Shiloh trip #2—for the sewing machine. But wait! Before the day was done, Gerri and Kelsey got to enjoy one more bonus trip back to the chicken shop after discovering the ground chicken had been left behind in the freezer, out of sight and out of mind. (Apparently, even the best-organized chicken run can still hatch a surprise or two.)
P.S. Our farm-raised chicken is now available for purchase! Stock up on whole birds, cuts, and yes—even that elusive ground chicken—while supplies last.
Final Thoughts:
We may not have planted a thing this May, but we’ve sown the seeds of strange new friendships, cultivated an oddly specific knowledge of heavy-duty sewing machine use, and visited the beautiful countryside of Shiloh 4-5 times. All in the name of erecting our superbug net. Because when your fruit is at risk and the field’s a swamp, you get creative—and apparently, you start networking with sailboat people.