Casey harvesting salad mix between rain showers this afternoon
If you walk into our house on any given summer day right now, you’re likely to notice a small white scrap of paper with the handwritten message “WATER” written on it, sitting on our kitchen counter, surrounded by lots of space, right where it’s hard to ignore.
What “WATER” means in the context of this reminder note varies quite a lot. Some days, Casey put one out to remind himself to turn off the irrigation well before bed. Other days, it’s a reminder for me to turn on the irrigation well for the farmers renting a small bit of our land at the south end of our property. Other times, it’s a reminder to me to water in the new perennial flower plants I’m getting established in the bed in front of our house. And, other times, it’s a reminder to us to remind Rusty to water starts for our renters (a task he’s been helping them out with).
But, it’s almost always there, greeting us as we come and go — “WATER” — a reminder of the natural element that makes life and growth possible for us here in this region with our predictable summer droughts and warm temperatures.
We greeted the Summer Solstice last Friday, welcoming this season of the sun and all its glory. This is truly the season of fire as the air feels thickly alive with the life-giving rays of sunlight. But, its also the season of water awareness, when even the non-gardeners or farmers become conscious of how important water is in this time of year. Perhaps a daily walker now carries a water bottle to beat the heat, or a dog owner double checks the outdoor bowl of water multiple times a day, or a parent schedules trips to the splash pad with their toddler, or a hiker seeks out trails that end at refreshing lakes or rivers. We instinctively seek water now, hopefully honoring its role in our life through our attention and pursuit.
MaMuse in concert!
Last night, I had the delight of attending an outdoor concert in Philomath of the group MaMuse. As we sat beneath the towering oaks, and listened to the crickets and Swainson’s Thrushes between songs, I found myself noticing the image of water arising again and again and again in the songs:
Every time I feel this way
This, old familiar sinking
I will lay my troubles
Down by the water
Where the river
Will never run dry(from “Hallelujah”)
. . .
Blessed river, polishing stones,
She is polishing our hearts, we are claiming our thrones,
To sit side by side in our awakened homes.(from “Prayer for Freedom”)
. . .
Hear that river calling
Calling us into our calling
Wade out in that water
Dream the dream the river’s dreaming(from “River Run Free”)
And there were many, many more!
I don’t think any of us in the audience ever tired of this water imagery. Rivers, specifically the Willamette, have a big presence in my own life. Every year, I feel as though I learn new things about and also from that one river, which flows around our island home.
This week has been relatively mild here in Oregon — even with rainstorms this afternoon while we harvested — making for a sweet gentle transition into the new fire-y season of summer. But still, even now, we remind ourselves daily of the necessity of water, through handwritten notes, through song, through gratitude!
Enjoy this week’s vegetables!
Your farmers, Katie & Casey Kulla
P.S. Next Thursday is the 4th of July, also known as Independence Day! We know this is a national holiday and we pondered how to best address pick-up. We considered moving it one day forward or backward but worried we’d lose folks by making a change (either because it’s not part of their routine or because of a scheduling conflict), so we decided to just leave it as is. So, pick-up will be on as normal next week, 3:00-6:30 at the storefront. Hopefully the majority of folks will be able to make it sometime in that window!
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Reminder: next CSA payment is due this week! Just a friendly reminder that your next CSA payment is due this week. I emailed statements to everyone last week with balances due. Please let me know if you have any questions about your account! You can bring a check or cash to pick-up tomorrow, or mail to us: Oakhill Organics, P.O. Box 1698, McMinnville OR 97128. Thank you!
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Meet this week’s vegetables:
- Apples
- Cucumbers
- Fennel/kohlrabi
- Zucchini
- Broccoli
- Cut lettuce mix
- Basil
- Chard
- Kale
- Carrots
- Fava beans
