AN OLD BARN

yesterday, we received news that the hay barn at the intervale had been set fire to and was totaled. since we were in st.albans visiting, we decided to stop in burlington on our way home to see the damage for ourselves. it was a sad sight. in the rafters of the old barn, you can see the wavy metal hanging still. these are pieces from a greenhouse that spencer had disassembled and stored here when he was the land manager for the intervale. the barn was old, classic, 130 years old. i am sure it was destined to be restored one day as the calkins farmhouse, corn crib and other horse barn have been. this malicious act has resulted in a true historical loss.

as i mentioned just above, we were visiting in st.albans on sunday... for the maple festival. i can't remember such fabulous weather for the event. my sister, julie ran in the sap run this year. congrats julie, well done! this race is an 8.5 mile run from swanton to st.albans along route 7. it is a fun run and i was sorry to have missed it. next year, i will resume training. we watched the parade and the high school band led as always wearing the same military like uniforms that were purchased my freshman year. the hats that go with these uniforms are black, fuzzy, draped with braided cords and stand about a foot tall on the head. and the best part of the maple festival, sugar on snow!

at 6:00 this morning, the skies are grey and it is calm. we are waiting for rain. today, there is 100% chance of rain with accumulations of 1/2" to 3/4". usually, in april, we don't wish for such showers but it has been a very warm, sunny couple of weeks. the fields we are planting are very dry... too dry for germinating direct seeded crops. we have been irrigating the field just north of the house. last week, we direct seeded more spinach, another planting of peas, arugula and broccoli raab.

we took the day off yesterday, but our long car ride served us well for farm talk... bookkeeping, strawberries, farm equipment. i also had a chance to browse edible green mountains. if you get a chance, grab a copy at your coop. this "edible" magazine is printed for many other regions besides vermont... boston, portland, san fransico. i think there are publications for about 25-30 different regions in the united states. look for one in your community.