Pigweeds!

We finally finished planting the peanuts last week. Then we got some much needed rain (almost 4 inches in 2 days.) Most of the peanuts are up ... but the pig weeds are growing at about 3X the rate of our peanut crop. My sweet corn was saved by the rain. It sure looks good now.

Remembering my Dad today-he would have been 91 this May 31st. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace!

Was reminded today that John Senior (Restoration of Christian Culture) recommended we (as lay folk) tithe our time for prayer (about 2.5 hours a day!). I have been frustrated of late that so many things have taken me away from my work on the farm (and the pig weeds). Perhaps I should be more concerned about things pulling me away from prayer!

Oremus pro invicem!

In my last post, I forgot to relate (or brag on) the Curley family exploits at the annual Bethune Chicken Strut Rodeo a few weeks ago. First up: Number 2 son tried his hand at bull-riding again. On the first ride, the bull got caught up in the gate, so he was granted another ride. Same thing happened. He could have asked for another ride, but was a little shaken up and (wisely) opted to quit the bull for the night.

Then came the women's calf chase: The idea is that the participants chase a calf around trying to claim the greased ribbon tied to the calf's tail. Number 2 daughter was off to the races. She caught the calf and was hanging onto the tail when the ribbon slipped off and someone else claimed it. It was quite a sight to see the usually demur Number 2 daughter push her way through the throng to catch the calf. Maybe next time she'll come home with the prize. (Personally, I thought if Mrs. Curley had entered the arena with her, they could have teamed up and shut out the competition. But Mrs. Curley didn't want to create an unfair advantage to the rest of the field!)

Finally, Numbers 1, 2 & 3 sons participated in the wild horse saddling challenge. Here there are 2 teams of 3 men trying to catch, saddle and ride (briefly) one of two wild horses, each sporting a 20-foot lead line, roaming the arena. No team had successfully caught a horse the previous night. The Curley boys showed better. At first it appeared the horse would win again. But in the final minute, Number 3 son caught the lead line and actually brought the horse to its knees (inadvertently), allowing Number 1 son to grab the halter. Number 2 son, limping from his bull-riding earlier in the night, hobbled the length of the arena to get the saddle, scrambled back, saddled the horse and mounted on the second try-but alas, 3 seconds after the buzzer.

A valiant effort by all the Curley's that night even if no prizes were brought home. Quite a night with many good stories to remember and to tell-better than prize money any day!

Oremus pro invicem!

Just a quick update on our progress ....

On the 4 acres: We have about 1/2 our peanuts in, with at least 1/2 of that already up. Our field corn is up, as is our Swiss Chard. We still have a small area to plow, but will wait til the plowed area is planted.

In the home garden, our sweet corn looks great (planted on an old hog pen), our okra is up (planted in a former cow pen), brocolli has been (and still is, but winding down) great, early peas have been more than plentiful (I figure we have a week or two left of the early peas). Romaine lettuce has come and gone, as have the radishes. Chinese cabbage, Swiss Chard are in full swing. Zuccinni, yellow squash, (some) beans, peas, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and cucumbers are in and up. We still have peppers, more peas, and green beans to put in. I planted some eggplant from seed this year, but it didn't come up. I will try again before buying some plants.

Big Spot farrowed in mid-April (12 survive of 16), Dixie in early May (12 survive of 14). Harry is due to farrow any day now.

Big Treat: Our former paster, Fr. John O'Holohan SJ visited the homestead last week. He came over from Ireland to give a series of talks on the Divine Mercy devotion in the Orlando area and decided to visit his parish in SC. It was great to see and hear him again!

We have a fox in the area which has been feasting on some of our free-ranging game hens. We haven't figured a way to catch up with him yet, but plans are in the works to interupt his dead-of-night raids.

We finally had a successful litter of rabbits (5) and two clutches of Muscovy ducks (9 & 5) hatch this past week.

Things are really hopping around here these days. God is blessing us greatly.

Oremus pro invicem!