Hayfield In July
Around here all the farmers have been busy haying
. They get the hay cut and then let it dry on the field and hopefully it doesn't rain on it. Then they bale it with the baler. And pick it up and put it on the hay wagon to take to their barns. There is a farm near us that uses horses for much of their farm work. But this year, I see he is putting up the round bales and he doesn't use horses for them.
Top Of The World Farm Residents
From the top of this hill where this farm
is you can see for miles. I love the view up there. It seems so peaceful and quiet. Especially if he is working with the horses
. They you just hear the cling of the harness as they work. I call it the "Top Of The World Farm." It is my name for it. I don't know the farmer except to wave to. We drive by it on our way to the little store. 
Round Bales Are Heavy!
All summer the farmers are working. Not taking vacations. Not spending the day at the pool or a park. Haying is hard work. The farmers around here say that they have switched to round bales
mostly because they cannot get any young people to work for them. The work is too hard. They'd rather work at a fast food place for more money and in air conditioning all summer. I guess I can't blame them.
Square Bales Are Easier To Handle!
For us, we have to buy hay for our horses
. Twice a month. Our truck will only hold enough for half the amount we need. So my husband drives to pick it up. Round bales are not something we can handle since we have no equipment to lift it off the truck. The small square bales are what we buy. Then he puts them upstairs in our barn. Not an easy job for him with his physical ailments, but he manages. The horses come running when they see that load of hay on the truck! A feeling of security for them.
Copyright © 2011 Kathleen G. Lupole
All Photographs Copyright © 2011 Kathleen G. Lupole
living on our homestead this year. When I am in the garden they will slither away quickly. I have had to save a couple from our cats. Most people are scared of snakes and will kill them as soon as they see one in their yard. We do not feel that way about our snakes. In fact, they seem to know us.
control their temperature by their internal metabolism. Snakes' temperature is dependent on their environment. That is why most of them live in warm climates. I am glad that our snakes here in NY are not the poisonous types. And I can understand people in tropical climates not wanting them around. But for me, I like our snakes, and even look for them in the morning.
, I am fairly familiar with snakes. The kind that we had in FL were not the kind to mess around with. Behind our house was a swamp with trees in it. Often 
would hang in the trees. It was not a place I ever went to. Though my brother would often go out there in a row boat with his gun. One time after I got off the school bus, he ran at me and pushed me out of the way. I didn't realize it at the time, but I almost stepped on a sand rattler and it was up in position to strike!
with mine. Some of my friends from 
. They were ready and needed to be canned. If not, then our garden would be a waste. So my husband took it upon himself to go out and pick them all by himself. Not only that, but he cut them up for me! That is the hardest part of the whole process. Well, not really hard, but tedious. Picking in the hot sun was no picnic yesterday!
canning book. I filled the jars with boiling water and put the lids and rims in a pan of hot water. Then I have a pot of hot boiling water that I add to each jar of cut up beans. You may add a teaspoon of salt if you like. As soon as I put the lid and rim on, I put the jar in the pressure canner that is on the stove with simmering water.
from the canner with the jar lifter and put them on a thick towel.
! How about you? What have you canned this year so far?
, and to my surprise here is what I saw. He didn't seem to mind my camera's flash in his face. He chirped a bit to us. I was afraid something would get him during the night. I was hopeful his parents would find him. I looked around and there were no birds around.
was still there. Indeed, he was. Then he flew to the tall weeds in front of the barn and perched on one. I was worried, as my cats had to come out of the house soon. And I knew he'd never survive if he couldn't fly high when they came out. I reached to touch his soft baby feathers. Oh, he did not like that!
. Many do not survive. Everyone wants to kill them, even other birds. I hope this little guy survives.
