6/20/06

All summer I have been planning on visiting my close friend Rachel who is working at Food Bank Farm in Hadley, MA this summer. We decided that Monday June 19th would be the day. Yesterday I packed a small overnight bag and my camera, and headed down. I showed up at 2 pm, just in time for a lunch with the farmer and his family and all his volunteers (a treat for the volunteers). We had rice and greens seasoned tofu, hard boiled eggs and more...and dessert: fresh-picked strawberries and cream. mmmm.

After lunch I went out with Rachel and Adan, her boyfriend, who is working on a similar farm in Granby CT. Adan happens to have a motorcycle (he says it's not that comfortable to ride). I think it's about a 400cc Honda and has a lot of character. He's currently rounding (has no other vehicle).

We went to tack down the textile fiberglass they use to "greenhouse" the fields. When we were done, we each got a delicious oatmeal raisin cookie and iced mint tea from the share room. Food Bank is a CSA so they provide shares to the community, and then any food that is not sold by shares is then given to the local food banks.

Michael, the owner/farmer then sent us on an errand to pick up 2 boxes of rhubarb from the local grower's association - in one of two farm pickups.

That truck is worth its own paragraph. We removed the plate from the other one and wired it on to the one we took. three of us piled in - with me in the middle. Yikes!! There was no middle seat belt, so I got stuck with two belts crossed over me and buckled on opposite sides. it was also stick shift, and so I put both legs to the right so Rachel could shift. I think we got no faster than 40mph, and the tires were loud and perhaps low on air. But we traversed through this beautiful land of the valley and followed the Connecticut River north. It was a lovely adventure meandering through this farmland though fields of potatoes, shade and sun tobacco, corn and strawberries.

Now, when we were sent on this errand, we were told by the farmer, "you must go swimming". He gave us directions ... and said that swimming at Whately Reservoir was worth every penny of the $500 fine if we were caught!! It was super hot out, and just being outside doing minimal work, I was sweaty and we were all looking forward to a swim.
Despite the threat of thunderstorms, the sky was fairly clear, and being hot and sweaty (and dirty) was fine when, a) you were absorbed in what you were doing and weren't trying to sit inside, and b) you knew that a nice swim was waiting.

Once we picked up the rhubarb, we headed to the reservoir (this time I was in the BACK SEAT).

We arrived, after driving a dirt road, and parking on the side of the street (by the home of a friend of the farmer's). There was a really cute chapel, and two levels of the reservoir. The higher/larger/more discreet location was better. So we walked up the road, past the fences, and ducked into the woods. WTF! Thick woods! Spines, sticks, mosquitos, a steep rocky decent...we worked for our swim!! And even the shoreline was rocky, steep, and covered in bushes.

But oooh it felt good! Taking off my glasses and slipping into the cool, silky water was marvelous. Goodbye dirt, goodbye sweat...the three of us swam out into the middle and splashed around.

It was hazy, and after 20 minutes or more some darker clouds started slipping in. We headed back, and as we got out and dried off, the wind whipped across the reservoir and through the trees! It was so incredibly loud that I could barely hear Adan and Rachel behind me and I leaped from rock to rock, grabbing branches to help me back up the slope. All my reflexes stepped in and told me, "get under cover now".

The wind soon died down and it still wasn't raining. The way out of the woods was more difficult, but soon we were on the road again and walking back to the car. About 5 minutes after reaching the car, it did begin to rain. And then it poured. I don't recommend relying upon 15 year-old wipers to do the trick ;).

Our evening was nice and relaxing...we returned and made the most fantastic dinner, and I got to see Rachel's photos from Peru before tossing fitfully in bed (it was hot!!).

Today I got up at 7 to a foggy morning, ate breakfast slowly while reading, and wandered out to the fields with an empty quart container and grocery bag. Peas were first on my list. Then I got to work thinning and weeding lettuce with the volunteers. Rachel kept on remarking about my cleanliness...and inside I was thinking, hmn...I'm coated in a thin film of dust! Soon my hands were caked, and my bare feet too. It was lots of fun. It was so early that the sun was only beginning to heat my back. After finishing a long row down and back, I headed off to the strawberry fields forever with my empty quart container.

Little did I know that it would take me five MINUTES to fill that container, making nary a dent in the strawberries.

So I resolved to make a larger dent, and just kept picking, putting them in my belly. By the time I was done, my stomach wasn't so happy. I returned and fed Rachel and the others some strawberries and said my goodbyes. I filled my grocery bag with fresh salad greens and different mints.

On my way home, I decided to meander my way back to Troy NY. Instead of heading back to the interstate, I went north and cut northwest on MA-116 towards my mom's home in Ashfield, MA. If you know the area, it's one of the better roads for riding...too bad I was in a cage.

However, I saw a big ole snapping turtle in the road, and then, miles beyond...a deer. Behind that deer was the cutest, daintiest, light-footed skipping fawn that stopped, shocked, in the opposite lane. I immediately stopped, grabbed my camera from the passenger seat, and snapped away. How special. And how good to have my camera right there!!

I have spared you the photo of the mamma...but I had to give you one of this fawn.

Arriving at my mom's, we had lunch and got to talk. It was good to hear what she's up to now that my sister is going away to college in the fall...I have been a little concerned.

Then she pulled out a great big drum and informed me that and her 1pm appointment is actually her drum lesson. She showed me a few things, and away I went. I was having fun!! I ended up staying for the lesson and then heading out for home.

I got home around 4:30, and am now relaxing and waiting for the massive thunderstorm to pass over so I can wash off the dirt that's caked all over my arms and legs. And it has.

I think the count after my shower is:
- 2 still-dirty feet
- 2 hands sore from drumming
- much darker skin (maybe every-so-slightly red)
- many many mosquito bites
- a hole in a finger from a thorn
- scrapes all over from the woods
- red knees from kneeling and weeding
- farmers' tan across my lower back from weeding/picking strawberries
- 1 fiance happy to have me home
- I'm also feeling more ready for my first day of work on monday, for the wedding planning, and jumping into it all.
- plus I've got loads and loads of delicious and sweet strawberries.

I also got to exercise a bit of my brain and my body that I haven't had a chance to in a while. It felt very good.

7/1/06

As of today, I have survived one whole week of orientation at work...I've got my RN permit, I enjoyed meeting and working with my group of new employees.

I am also impressed by my new employer, Albany Medical Center. They are putting many new health initiatives into practice. They've got a Rapid Response Team and have halved the number of codes. They're interested in supporting me continue research after I complete orientation, and they'll support me in continuing my education. I am excited. Plus, I'll be getting my first paycheck in 2 weeks. I've got benefits and health insurance too!!

Now that I've graduated from college, I hope to fit interesting and meaningful work in around riding, life, family, etc...(not in any particular order!)