Traffic!

After running errands today with Anya and the boys it took me a bit longer to get home. It wasn't that traffic was backed up, it was a mama duck and her 4 babies waddling across the highway! I love my life!

How long did you sit in traffic today?

Farmer Rosie

The blog, a frog, and Thor the dog,
your sheep, dirt heap, the woodsman creep,
a fawn, the dawn, and new green lawn,
blueberries, red cherries, and honking ferries,
the house, red barn, and plenty more charm,
can all be found on Rodstol Lane Farm.

by 'the hipster farmer poet'

Last week...

Moses and I layed in the pasture and watched the 'Swallow Dance'.
We planted grass, a lot of grass.
Paquito ate his 'llama candy' from my hand.
We shared laughter and peanuts on the porch with family.
While I was watering our 'grass' a hummingbird danced in the water, as did a butterfly.
We raked more rocks.
We raked more dirt.
Our neighbor across the lane delivered organic eggs.
Andre continued to build a rock wall around the shed.
Tony knocked out more walls in the kitchen.
We watched the swallows grow out of their nest in the basement.
Mama Junco sat quietly on her nest in the basement.
Paquito did a 'llama dance' then jumped over 3 sheep!
Daylily LLama.
Daily LLama.
LLama LLama Ding Dong.

Farmer Rosie

Cinthy, are you writing all this down?

Mother has been asking me this question since my children were born. You know, the first smile, the first step, talent show, play, concert. The answer is partly yes and partly I'll remember.

Well, she's at it again. This time my answer is partly I'll remember and partly does anyone really care? This new generation blog thing is still new to me. It almost seems a bit pretentious to think someone wants to read what I did today or thought about it. Then there is the long thought process that needs to pare down. I think that my children's generation is very keen on the short message, be it on a blog or on a cell phone, mine, me, not so good. If I have to recall someone to finish my message maybe I should just wait for them to call back!

But today is an anniversary of sorts. The first night Tony and I officially moved into "The Uncles". There were months prior of sorting and cleaning and planning and cleaning, that went on with the hands of many, but on June 24th 2006 we toasted to our future on the front porch. Looking out into the dark night yet seeing very clearly.

So Mom the answer is no. I haven't been writing it all down. Parts yes, memories yes, and I'm sure there will be many 'fill in the blanks' after the fact.

Perhaps a short story, a list, a word.

It will all add up to a dream. A dream Mother says people wait their whole life for. To leave suburbia and buy some sheep. To learn the process of becoming sustainable and never forgetting the importance of being hospitable.

That is what I want learn. To share. To remember.

Happy Anniversary Tony aka The Family Gardener

Farmer Rosie

My Peacock Theory

I seemed like the right thing to do. Arise, drink some coffee and start up the lawn mower. I like to think that is what Uncle Leonard would have done. Although his day would have started at 4:00a.m. not 8:00a.m.. He would have also been walking behind a mower not sitting upon one. Some things change but the principle is still the same. I learned that from Uncle Leonard. Hard work or work hard. We miss you Uncle Leonard.

The rest of the day began a journey into the unknown. There was laughter along the way...what ARE we doing? and, WHO have we become? After 8 hours in the car, on the ferry, in the car and on the ferry, there she was Mother Hildegard. Tony had been communicating with her for several months. She raises livestock at Our Lady of the Rock Monastary on Shaw Island. As we greet one another in front of the guest house I know this is exactly where we should be.
Our first task was to meet our lambs and llama! Our lambs and llama! "They need their shots before morning, so Andre' just flip that lamb on his back and I'll administer the shot". And that is just what Andre' did...4 times! A tour of their sanctuary brought a stillness to my spirit. Visit.

As Tony and I lay across from each other saying goodnight from our twin beds we realized...we have become exactly who we want to be.

Oh, my peacock theory, when you have some time join me on the porch. I'd love to tell you all about it. -Cynthia aka Farmer Rosie

What sound does a llama make?

The buzz has spread and I'm here to confirm that yes, we are indeed getting a llama. But that's not all. We're also getting 4 Cotswold sheep. Really! Why? How? First of all, we gotta make this place look like a farm, don't we? Secondly, they come from Our Lady of the Rock Monastery in the San Juan Islands. The nice nuns there has devoted themselves to preserving minor breeds of livestock, such as Kerry Cattle, Scottish Highland Cattle, Cotswold sheep, and llamas. Pictured here is the llama we're getting—he's two years old and his name is Paquito de la Roca. Below is also an example of what Cotswold sheep look like. Check out their website to learn more about the animals.

The task at hand is to build the fencing and shelter for our first farm animals. And Dad is reading up on everything sheep related—tapping into his Basque heritage I suppose. The sheep were just born and they need to stay with their mother for three months. So we'll head up to the San Juan islands in May to pick the little guys up. Stay posted for their arrival. I know how much you'll want to hang out with them. —André

Welcome to the Farm!

Friends & Family: Here is the official Rodstol Lane Farm blog. This is where you can find out the latest—from ongoing projects to fun snapshots—and follow us on our journey. Tony, Cynthia and André will do their best to keep the posts coming. Feel free to comment—and visit us in person!—anytime you like. For now, The Moras of RLF