Author Archives: Katie

On Monday, we passed another “cross quarter day” in the calendar — Lammas, the halfway point in the summer season. As with all of the four seasons in the year, the first and second halves bring with them distinctive experiences. … Continue reading →

I feel like the seasons at the peaks of the year (high summer and deep winter) are some of the most elemental. In deepest winter, the elements visit us daily in the form of regular fires in the stove, blustery … Continue reading →

I don’t particularly want to jinx the weather by commenting on it too explicitly, but at the same time, a year like this just cannot go without notice. The kids and I have been recording the high and low temperature … Continue reading →

I’m sitting down to write this week’s newsletter much later than has been my habit recently. This has just been such a beautifully full summer day that I only now have the time. But I can’t hardly regret the late … Continue reading →

Earlier today, I had a conversation with a friend while our kids splashed in the river together. We talked about how important it is for children to do actual real work, always stretching themselves in their abilities, so that as … Continue reading →

Farming is not just plain farming. It’s not as though every farmer wakes up each morning and walks out to do his or her job with the same view of how to do his or her work — or even … Continue reading →

You may have noticed that I (Katie) do most of the documenting of our farm. I suppose it’s in large part because Casey’s doing most of the rest of the work. But it’s also because these are my strengths and … Continue reading →

Last week, after we came out of a brief but intense first heat wave, I heard many people marveling in astonishment at the arrival of rain! In June!? Oh, let me tell you. It certainly does rain in the Pacific … Continue reading →

I’ve mentioned in several newsletters now that we’ve been slowly working on “thinning” apples in our two orchards. The process took us several weeks to complete, but we did finish this weekend (at the beginning of a very hot Sunday!). … Continue reading →

I mentioned a few weeks ago that “river season” has begun around these parts. Yes, it has. We’ve been down to visit it twice in the last three days, and I see more visits in our future. Warm weather brings … Continue reading →