It has been a very mixed past two days. I  have come to the conclusion that we have been invaded by a new nemesis:  the army worm.  They don't seem to kill as fast as an army bug, but they have eaten more than their fair share and are now trying to cocoon in my asparagus fronds.  I must say they squish delightfully when stepped upon.    It is hard not to be a bit vengeful when nearly every strawberry out there has a hole in it.   Last week, we visited a winery in Texas that had been attacked by these worms and the department of agriculture had to be called.   To top of the indignity of fighting pests on a spring day, I think cane borers have killed a blackberry bush, one of the ones that was 3 years old now.

    
     However, it can never be all bad on a beautiful day like today.  Jack found baby blue berries on the bushes we planted in the fall.  This will be my 3rd try with blue berries and I need to learn faster.  I am encouraged also by a shoot that has appeared where a plant died last year.  If the berries can make it through the summer, we will move them in the fall, and they will be the first official plantings on the farm. In the mean time, we will pay my sister to water them.  I did manage to pick a handful of strawberries and am almost salivating at the thought of salsa when I look at my green tomatoes.  

The Plan

I know all about best laid schemes going gang aft agley, but we are setting a plan in motion.  Seems like forever that Jack and I have talked about someday.  Someday we'd like to have a green house.  Someday we will plant this or that. Someday we will travel.  Someday I will move on from teaching.  Someday. Someday. Someday.  

Someday is here.  In a month we are moving to Jack's parents' place.  They are getting older and have some health issues and just could use someone else around.  We will move into Jack's grandpa's old house next door to my in-laws.  I am really excited about the move - I am just ready for some change, but I also really love the family I married into.  Plus, the child can have a closer relationship with that half of the family.  

On top of the move, there is a little land that isn't really being utilized.  Jack and I are going to dabble in some farming.  Maybe a little farm to market type gardening, a little orchard, hoop houses.   Maybe someday it will be bigger.    Of course I am dreaming of it being a real going concern, but that is years and years away . . . if ever.    In the meantime, I will continue to drive to Comanche to teach and we will farm in our spare time.  We are not totally sure, but thinking that this enterprise will be The Nitty Gritty Farm.  We want to do it right - we are taking every seminar and weekend class we can find.  We are going to spend the fall and winter laying things out and planning.  So maybe in the spring .  .  .  pretty things will come from our farm to your table.