Victory Lap: Year Four

Today is four years to the day since I closed on this property and then immediately drove out to the house with a bottle of champagne and toasted to the adventures to come. It’s a tradition I repeat every year…

2016:

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2012:

UntitledI had no idea what I was getting in to.

I mean, I kind of knew… I knew enough not to expect it to be easy. The day I signed the papers for this property I expected that every day after was going to be hard fucking work, but I was grateful just for the opportunity to work my ass off to make this place awesome.

And of all the things that have happened in the last four years, there hasn’t been one minute that I haven’t been grateful. Not when I’m hauling cans of diesel through the snow because the boiler is out of fuel, not when I walk downstairs to find the basement flooded (with a salamander living in it), not when hand-stacking the rubble from an entire fallen-over barn, not when I have to spend three hours digging out the barn doors to be able to get the tractor out and plow my driveway just so I can leave the house, not when I lose my shit because nothing is going my way, not when I’m doing farm-chores with a fever and a mouse ends up on top of my head.

And, honestly, if I was to live a lifetime on this farm with nothing but shit breaking down and not going how I expected (punctuated by the occasional sunset) I’d be a happy girl…

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But I’m lucky lucky that life on the farm brings difficulty and joy in equal measure. Donkeys who want to share in the celebration for example…

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Parker is determined to get in on this “toasting” thing…

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Chickens that make me laugh…

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Bees that I find fascinating…

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A cat that eats all the mice in the house, and also reminds me who is in charge…

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(It’s not me, obv.)

I have a pain-in-the-ass garden that I will finally get under control this year…

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And a tiny little orchard that I hope to grow into a respectable mid-sized orchard even though I hate digging holes to plant the trees in.

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(I do love the fact that my mom may or may not have accidentally run this pear tree over with the tractor, and then walked nonchalantly into the house and said “I need tape, a clamp, and some honey, and don’t ask why…” I later found this thing Frankensteined back together and, the best part, IT WORKED. The tree lived through winter and looks as healthy as the rest of them. Because of honey and painters tape. Moms.)

I have a bathtub…

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And a hammock…

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And lot of land that I’m hoping to at least start to turn into something more awesome than “just a field” this year…

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It’s been a solid four years of “foundational” work… barn upgrades, and coops, and fences, and garden structures, and digging lord-knows-how-many holes. And year five is going to possibly be the most work yet, but if I continue to work my ass off, I think this just might be the best year yet.

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Here’s to another four (or forty) years of hard work and gratitude, with a few brilliant sunsets where I can get them.

 

26 Responses

  1. I prefer to think that you’re not reusing images from earlier posts, but rather that you’re ALWAYS reading Harry Potter…

  2. Congratulations,
    Yes, hard work, but so satisfying. It makes you feel healthy and strong but at times it is all overwhelming.
    You are making a difference and your life is filled with amazing characters not only human.
    All the best for a great 5 th year.
    Regards and thank you for sharing the great adventure.
    Janine

  3. Congrats, and Happy Anniversary! I am reading through the archives and I’m up to fall of 2014 right now. I forget exactly when I found your blog, but I think it was probably early 2015 so I’m almost caught up. Bummer! It’s been like reading a really interesting book that you don’t want to end. Looking forward to Year 5!

  4. Almost 2 years for me.
    Worth every freaking second spent shoveling rabbit shit to pet the babies.
    Every time I have to cut or trim trees or dig a hole for one, is worth it when I eat my own cherry or sit in a hammock on the apple tree.
    The 3 hours a day I spend commuting, for one look at the view out of my window.
    And the beer i’ll drink s soon as I get home, in the now-tiny orchard that will be big soon, for many more years of the same “life without rest”.
    Cheers.

  5. Congratulations! It’s been a joy following you along on this journey. Cheers!

  6. Congratulations! April 25 is the beginning of year 3 for me and I have loved every minute of it.

  7. Congratulations. Your place is really coming together and I love reading about it.
    We’re on year two at our ranch, and I feel exactly the same way. It a beautiful mess, full of the unexpected. But it’s worth it.

  8. Congratulations! You’re such an inspiration to me as a fellow single-gal-homeowner, and I’ve been following your adventures since I found your blog a year ago. Cheers to another 4 years!

  9. Cheers to all your hard work! I love that every time you mention your mom it is awesome! I still think the essential oils saved the donkeys! There is something about mom’s and problem solving in unexpected ways. Mine is the same.

  10. Congratulations, Kit! We have enjoyed it as much as you have. Re: tree planting…do yourself a tremendous favor and rent a hand push auger. You could have holes all over the place in just a few hours. It’s amazing!

  11. Remember your walk in year 1? The weather’s a little closer this time around. I love seeing how the view from your champagne glass has changed since 2012. Congratulations! It’s been fun sharing the journey with you so far.

  12. It’s amazing how much you’ve gotten done in just a few years. You mentioned working more of the land, not sure of the soil or rock but possibly alfalfa or something Doc n Parker would like n sell the rest. Just an idea came to mind….Big congrats on a successful four years. Enjoy reading you Kit
    impossibleisnothing
    Cheers!

  13. Did you get to see any northern lights since you’ve been on the farm? I would imagine the night sky there is as fantastic as the sunsets!

  14. This is inspiring! My husband and I are bidding on an 1878 farm house that never got updated except for the necessities. We have a lot of work if we win. But that light at the tunnel should be as appealing!

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