Music for the Soul

According to the NYTimes.com, "When pleasurable music is heard, dopamine is released in the striatum — an ancient part of the brain found in other vertebrates as well — which is known to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli like food and sex and which is artificially targeted by drugs like cocaine and amphetamine."

Yes, there is even more to it - so press the MUSIC category to the left -hear/see all the videos labeled "MUSIC" - let those dopamines roll...

California...

California is Fracking
...fracking is a process which injects water, sand and chemicals deep into shale rock to unlock the oil and gas underground...oil and gas companies are 'Fracking' in areas of California that grow almond trees and other vegetable commodities...  New York is one of the few States that have a moratorium on Fracking.  All around us - Penn, Ohio, ET AL - allow fracking.  

In California, just as in New Jersey, their Coastal region runs the length of the State.  Like NJ, the amount of fertile prime agricultural vegetable production is threatened by human developments and now FRACKING.  Most of our produce in the U. S. comes from California.  Does it matter that more and more farmland and waterways are being exposed to toxic chemicals?

Dedicated to My Cousin - 25 years of Marriage!

When Flowers Bloom...

when flowers bloom - summer is here - we hardly get Spring lasts only a few weeks in Zone 4. Nothing makes me feel more alive than nature at it's peak. I'm moving the animals onto pasture, running the dogs, planting in the fields - my body responds with more energy and muscular toning. All the while I get to breathe in fresh scented blooms. The farm has mostly "wild" natural blooming flowers and trees...believe me - it is a feast for eyes! Over the 25 years I've only introduced more lilac trees in addition to the pre- existing ones. There were pre -existing cultivated antique apple trees still alive and pictured here. I have transplanted Maple and Norway Spruce trees and pre - existing cultivated flowers such as daylilies.




when the apple blossoms fall off the trees it is time to plant corn - they are pictured here in full bloom on May 7th this year





Aubrieta is in Bloom - a low, spreading plant, hardy, evergreen and perennial, with small violet, pink or white flowers, and inhabits rocks and banks.



borrowing a wisdom from my sister who told me long ago just after I purchased the farm - live with your surroundings without altering anything until you see what is there.

It is true - the gift of nature is a beautiful thing - it takes a while to absorb its extensive details - we can choose to protect the existing ecosystem - forgo any human intrusion and invasion - and coexist with these beautiful gifts from the Gods. Only than should we choose to put our own signature creations in its mist for some tweaking of our landscape in a few designated areas and to replant that which was lost from previous generations and carry on their legacy of preservation, if they were so inclined as we are!

Matriachs to Me

Pictured here is my Grandma on my father's side, Maria, and my Grandmother on my mothers side, Nicolina.  The second photo of me at graduation shows also my mother and my Aunt Angela.

I've been so fortunate to have these wonderful women in my life, in my formative years, and in our family.  Not just one woman who nurtures, loves, and feeds a family - but 4 dynamos!  Right now, only one is viable.  The Grandmas have long past, living into their nineties, God Bless Them, and my mother with Alzheimers diagnosed in mid 90s.

These women were all so great to us.  First of all, my mother was perfect in many ways, including the unconditional love and support.  She raised 5 children with my Dad and did so in such a way that our family was quite happy in childhood.  She cooked gloriously.  And she kept house very much like the traditional homemaker in her day - providing all the comforts and luxury within our means.  She was also very good financially in stretching a dollar and saving for a rainy day.  Here is an example of one week of family dinners - every night a different meal - feeding a family of seven - and each week would be differenct - how did she do it?
Day one - eggplant parm from scratch
Day two - roasted chicken, garlic, and potatoes
Day three - broccoli and pasta with garlic and olive oil
Day four - meatloaf with veggies on the side
Day five - PIZZA- we would order out or Grandma would make her homemade pie at he house!
Day six - barbecue or fish fillets
Day seven - pasta - sometimes homemade by one of the Grandmas
Each Sunday we would get together with the cousins and have a larger family dinner together.
These Matriarchs really made our lives special and I like to honor them in the work that I do and the legacy we carry on for them...I see 3 young women in our family who are already the Matriarchs for the next generation and we are very lucky!

Hebe Returns

We rec'd a yearling doe looking alot like Hebe, our kid born/died in the same year.  Black with striking white lines down the front of the face. Here is a picture side by side.

HEBE

HERA

What a strange and lovely surprise! A distant neighbor said the animal had appeared one day at the woman's home - she called around to find the owner without succeeding and was hoping to find it a good home. My neighbor who I had spoken to about my goats - thought maybe it was mine and dropped it off with a note. Here is the note.

When I heard of the gift goat - I went out to see it - it was very wild - but also quite healthy looking with a glossy coat and strong horns - a very pretty creature. A La Mancha - Hebe was not - but in all other respects she looked just like her.

It took over a half hour and some Buck baiting but I finally caught her and called the gift givers inquiring how they were able to catch her in the wild when I could not even catch her in a pen. Two heads are better than one - I guess... Once caught, I pet her. Once I showed her the other girls in their pens, a big fear seemed to lift off of her and she seemed once again home on the farm!