Farm Auction.

8-1-10 VERMONT: Since that last storm, it has been cool, dry and in the forties at night. We almost built a fire one of those evenings. Things are drying out again, but the pond is still full, some years it has been down eight to ten inches in August. Today I was back behind the mower/trimmer to finish the pasture paths which ended up taking all day. Yesterday we picked wild blackberries in the pasture, almost two quarts worth.

Friday we went to a country estate auction in Bridgewater, VT. I bought a pair of large wooden clamps for a few dollars. These auctions are always poignant because you know the farmer and his wife must be gone and none of the children, if there are any, want the farm or furniture or gear and it’s all going to the highest bidders. When the auctioneers empty those barns, they find tools and equipment and fishing gear and cameras and ice skates and more from the last hundred years or so. This auction had dozens of stoneware crocks and jugs which were all bringing a lot. We had dinner at Ina’s in Quechee that night.

We are getting overwhelmed by tomatoes. We tried the corn tonight, but the kernels were too small even if sweet. It needs another few days.

New blooms: Queen Anne's lace.


Ligularia dentata 'Othello'