junk for gold

So I started cleaning out my pole shed these past few weeks. The stuff collected in there is a history of sorts. My stuff, my wife's stuff, stuff that came with the place, etc. It really is a long and enjoyable process to go through it. But the really strange thing is that the stuff I have deemed "junk" and want nothing to do with, is worth something to someone. I posted my junk on Freecycle and within minutes, people lined up to take it off of my hands. I think it is the spring. People everywhere are cleaning out, but looking to fill in. Funny. Odd. America.

Green Thumbs

So we broke ground today. My three year old and I tilled and raked and planted one of three gardens today. The funny thing is that I don't really have any idea what I am doing. If the one sentence directions on the back of the seed packet is correct, we should have some quality pumpkins, watermelons, corn, and carrots in approx. 75 days. The garden looks beautiful today, and we'll probably weed it at least once. Once June comes, I'm sure all green-thumbed dreams will be long gone.

Chickens

So the birds came via Lars Long today. Together we have 45 chickens. Currently, 20 are "brooding" at my place and the rest are at his house. This first week is always the challenge with making the transition (both for the birds and for me). In honor of their arrival, here is a "chicken" poem by Kay Ryan:
The chickens
are circling and
blotting out the
day. The sun is
bright, but the
chickens are in
the way. Yes,
the sky is dark
with chickens,
dense with them.
They turn and
then they turn
again. These
are the chickens
you let loose
one at a time
and small—
various breeds.
Now they have
come home
to roost—all
the same kind
at the same speed.

Audio Links

Just a quick note: The audio files for the song Somehow have been temporarily removed. I'm looking for a better and faster way to have new songs posted on here. Until then, go listen to Bon Iver's newest release, Blood Bank.

KIDS!

So I've been told that I need to share photos. Well, here is the new guy (Keagan Patrick) doing what he does best...sleeping.





This photo is what Owen waits for every day. My neighbor spreads manure at 11:00 a.m. and has to drive right by our window. Owen waves and Doug the Farmer waves back. It is a beautiful friendship.

AUDIO FILES: Somehow

Rozie Bejin and I are in the process of brainstorming a play/musical. Here is draft one of a song that she wrote the lyrics to. It's currently titled Somehow. The basic premise is that in this crazy world of being connected, sometimes we are still miles away. And sometimes a good old fashioned break-up letter works the best.

I guess if you click on this it will take you to a web site that is currently holding the file. I have no idea if this will work. I think it takes about 4 minutes (depending on your connection) to open this file.

OR: try this:

http://www.box.net/shared/mbo2u1qrdx