Farm Journal: June 12, 2007

  Sunny, warm, humid. Wicked allergy trouble. The very nice and competent people at Mandy Springs Nursery arrived early this morning with a 12 foot birch tree and some lilac bushes. The birch will go in the front yard by the porch and is the 10th tree that I  have planted in and around the farmhouse since I came here four years ago. My plan is to surround the old house with a ring of oak, maple and birch trees, none of which I will live to see grow to maturity, but all of which will cloak this great and beautiful house for a long time to come.
  There is a burr oak in the center of the pasture out back which we have protected from sheep, donkeys and deer, and various shade trees around the back and side. Now, the birch. Paula is heading back to New York, which is sad, but we had a great visit, as usual. I much admire – and wonder at –  how grounded, focused, loving and competent she is. Good move on my part.  We took Bill and Maria out to dinner last night, as they are working so hard on the grange. I much admire their passion, love for one another, and craftmanship. They are, I told them, restoration artists.
  Anthony and I are cooking brunch together this weekend for some friends, and I only had to beat him up a bit to get him to do it. As a diabetic, I haven’t quite gotten used to cooking things I can’t eat, but it is wonderful having great friends, and new.
  Izzy and I get our hospice volunteer ID’s tonight, and conclude our volunteer training this week. It will be challenging and rewarding, I expect.