If you live in Northeast PA, or if you live in anywhere in the American Northeast, you've been lazing through the Heatwave of 2010 the last few days! At Miller's we've been finding creative ways to stay cool. Little Lena Mae, the current farm mascot of sorts, has been thoroughly enjoying her baby pool as well as the wet end of Momma's garden hose; she doesn't seem to mind wandering around in a soaking sundress one bit! Lew and Walter Jr are both staunch advocates of denim-like work pants ("dungarees" as Grandma would say)--and no 100-degree weather is going to change their minds! I have noticed that they've been finding ways to do their work in the shade as often as possible, however. Robin, as fearless as ever (and injured to boot--more on that later), is meeting the heat head-on. She's spent the better part of the last 5 days planting mums in the greenhouse. This is why she's my hero! And I? Well, I've spent a good amount of time learning HTML so that Millers can get an updated web presence; so while I haven't experienced a whole lot of air-conditioning, I've spent most of the last few days in the shade. But I paid my dues this morning carting mums for Robin and shovelling wood chips. Who said farm life was boring?
In other news, the farm has been buzzing with several changes... We've made arrangements to thin our hog herd a bit and will be packing off a few of our little guys to a new home tomorrow morning. (Hint, hint: If you haven't ordered your pastured pork for 2010, email us at yourfarmers@millersorchard.com to reserve today!) We've moved most of the remaining hog herd and most of the Broiler chickens into orchard pasture. We consider that a two-fer: the chickens and hogs get to lounge in the shade of the apple trees in between meals and the orchards get the benefit of the hog/chicken fertilizer! This hot dry weather has been tough--but our boys and girls in the pastures are doing well. Their wild critter friends, however, are struggling more; our Broilers have certainly fended off their fare share of hot & hungry predator attacks this last week. A few Broilers have given their too-short lives in the struggle, but we've got our Millers Orchards fingers crossed that the danger is now passed. On a happier note, the blueberries are coming on nicely despite the jungle-like conditions, and Amber, Lew (and sometimes Lena) have been spending the after-dinner hours harvesting the crop.
Speaking of injuries, let me just take a moment to update the Disabled List for the week. A few weeks ago Grandpa found himself between a tractor tire and the ground and wound up with a broken ankle, an injured knee and a few months of some heavy physical therapy. But never fear, Grandpa's spirit has not been injured despite his swollen leg and "light-duty" job description. We've missed his indomitable presence in the day-to-day farm operations, but we expect him back soon! Not to be left behind, Robin has been sporting a splint and various bandages up and down her left arm after a skid-steer mishap on Independence Day. The orthopedic says the damage is limited to several non-fracture hand injuries and a broken finger, and Robin has been happily planting her mums, hand-splint and all!
So you've been reading the blog, but maybe we've never met in person. Well--we'd like to change that soon! Your Farmers at Millers Orchards are coming to a farm market near you VERY soon! Starting this Saturday, July 10th--we'll have a table at the Elm St Farmers Market (at Connors park, which is on the 500 block of Orchard St. between Pittston and Prospect.) For all your South-siders and anyone else, stop by and say hi starting this Saturday between 10 am and 2 pm. We'll have blueberries, pies, eggs and maybe even chicken (still working out the refrigeration details). Starting mid-July, we expect to be popping up in at least one more Scranton location with farm-fresh goodies. Stay tuned for more details.
Until the next time, we wish you good food, good health and cool nights!
Delana (for your Your Farmers @ Miller's Orchards)
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