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This summer has been a flurry of activity around here.  Mostly by Jawcey and Chris K.  While Chris M and I have survived one of the busiest years of our lives, Jawc has plugged away and carved out a pretty amazing productive garden space.

 I must admit when she first told me she wanted to sell in the Farmers Market this year I said, “Awesome, go for it!” but inside I had some serious doubts.  Especially in late spring when the slugs got first dibs on everything.  I should have had more faith in my friend, as she has always had a remarkable way of carving out the life she wants to live.  Even if that life means spending hours (and hours and hours) laying cardboard, hauling logs, shoveling dirt (and manure and hay), building the garden beds, planting, re-planting, building makeshift greenhouses and hoop houses, weeding, harvesting, washing…the list really goes on, but I think you get the idea.  The sheer amount of work and energy that she has invested in this place is staggering. It has been a joy (and relief!) to watch some of that effort pay off as she and Chris K head out every Saturday to sell kale, potatoes, onions, zucchini, beans and broccoli.  It gives me a whole new appreciation of what it means to buy from small local farms, and the kind of care it takes to create the harvest.  As the garden beds get more established it will be less work, but this year has been eye opening.

It has also been so inspirational for me to watch Jocelyn pursue her dreams, even when it has a financial and physical toll.  We all have dreams to live our best life, and the reality is that sometimes getting to that goal requires a sacrifice of time, money, even respect or understanding from others. Although my personal dreams do not include 8 hours of digging dirt in the hot sun, or washing veggies on a Friday night (are you kidding me?) my best life still requires patience, energy and an ability to see the end goal. This summer has been such a growing time for all of us and I am so encouraged by the success we have had on the farm.  It has been a poignant reminder to me that the sacrifices we make for living the dream, whatever that dream may be, is so worth it.