The New Garden

These simple raised beds symbolize the main reason we moved here. This day has been a long time coming, and it's hard to believe that it's finally here. This open field, turned over dirt, and most of all, the sunshine, are what get me through those homesick moments when I miss the woods. A part of my soul will always be nestled under the shade of those ancient oak trees of my childhood home, but all my life I have had a yearning to grow things.

And while those shade trees provided a sublime place to grow up, filled with nature, learning and adventure, something equally important has taken hold of my heart. I'm starting a new phase in my life where Zach and I create a lifestyle together. This lifestyle will include growing our own food, and honoring a simple life.

And while this idea of a "simple life" seems distantly buried in one of the busiest years I've ever experienced, what with fencing to put up and coops to build, and stalls to construct,...etc. I know that there is a fundamental honesty about what were trying to accomplish.

At the end of the day, my muscles ache, my freckles are showing from the sun, I am dirty and smell of three different types of manure, I have straw in my ponytail, and my upper lip tastes salty with sweat, but it is good.

So very, very good.