June 2025 -On the Mountain

Dreamy Days

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After a whirlwind of weather in May that left me both sunburnt and frostbitten, June settled into a more predictable rhythm. Warm days faded into cool nights, perfect for sleeping under the light wool blanket. With so much to do, checking things off the list has been a joy in the comfortable temperatures.

I love the way the greenhouse looks at night

The Greenhouse is Growing

I’ve been trying to rein in my ambitions, the ones that urge me to grow everything imaginable, and focus instead on what I enjoy eating. We sprouted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and only a few others in the house, and finally moved them into the greenhouse. With the nights finally (mostly) staying above freezing, they should do well in there.

There hasn’t been time to make proper garden beds this year, but some potatoes have sprouted up near the bunny pen. The bunnies are hard at work making rich rabbit manure, so when the time comes to build proper garden beds, they’ll be well fertilized.

The Farm is A Buzz

We brought home an entire hive in the back seat of the truck. That way, the hive wouldn’t get shaken as much as if they were in the back of the truck. To allow the bees air to breathe, only a thin screen kept them from escaping and causing chaos. Being able to see them and hear their aggravated buzz as we went down the bumpy road home was unnerving, to say the least.

Once we got home, we suited up and released them. To my surprise, the anxiety of being surrounded by hundreds of confused bees quickly faded. They’re pretty calm little bugs! Some would hover in front of my face, sizing me up before flying away. I’m looking forward to learning more about them and helping them thrive.

One of a litter of 7.

Bunny Numbers

With lots of rabbit manure in the greenhouse and garden area, I’ve reduced the bunny herd significantly. This season, my goal is to have 52 frozen or canned rabbits stored before winter. One for each week, on average. I currently have 24 youngsters growing to size and should have another litter coming mid-July. I’m nearly halfway there already!

Guarding the solar power cords - good kitties.

Solar Power and Little Panthers

The spring was very lush and green. Everything from plants to bugs and animals is thriving, and it makes me glad to have three cats. The little panthers have been busy catching mice, voles, moles and whatever they can get their paws on. Yesterday, a family of gophers made its way into my yard and was swiftly deterred.

I don’t love needing assassins, but after one too many chewed hoses, power cords and other things, they’re worth their fuzzy weight in gold. Here’s a little story I wrote about getting the first cat, Lucifer.

The Hired Assassin

For most of the year, the topography of the ground is obscured by leaves or snow. But in the fall, I get a peek at what it looks like.

The Thrill of Change

I suspect that when out among other people, I seem slow or naive. My pace has changed and slowed in a way that, standing in the same spot observing the change of seasons, feels like a thrill. I feel privileged to watch this place as the forest floor becomes bare in the fall, then under deep snow, which will saturate and nourish the leaf litter, and watch it jump back to life in the spring. What a rush!

I built a shelf on the side of the barn to honour the animals who have passed. I have a couple to add once the beetles are done.

The Life Cycle of Farming

With life, invariably comes death. Sometimes intentional, like the pig, which we ate. Sometimes, not intentional - the goat was killed by a cougar. Though morbid to some, I like having their skulls on display as a way to honour the animal and remember the things we’ve experienced and learned.

Farmyard Crime

Having pigs was fun, but the winter was hard for them. I would do it again, but differently. In a strange turn of events, the goats, which I had to clear land and give milk taught me that although they’re good at those things, they’re also great eating. If/when I get goats again, I’ll likely do it with the intention of eating them at some point.

The main reason I decide to head inside during rain isn’t because I’m afraid of getting wet, but rather because I’m afraid of lightning. Being higher up than most things around increases the likelihood of getting hit.

The Occasional Rainy Afternoon

Most days, the skies cloud over and threaten to precipitate, but most often the precipitation never comes. I say ‘precipitate’ instead of rain because usually at this elevation, the rain comes down as something more… solid. The day’s plans revolve around knowing it might become an indoor day, but hoping it doesn’t.

My days have been largely spent doing ‘chores’, which, with the new addition of watering trees, often takes me until noon. I try to always italicize ‘chores’ because really, I wander around the yard with a water jug, then visit and feed cute critters for a few hours, which is hardly chores at all. From there, days vary greatly depending on what’s pressing and what’s fun.

Life in my funny little mountain home is now comfortable enough to prioritize socializing in the summer and squeezing every bit of family and friend time before the reality of winter comes back in a flurry.