Friday, October 19, 2012

Something To Think About: Revisited

Four years ago I wrote this post about the family homestead, the land and what role we might be able to take on, to help preserve the farm and legacy. In the twenty-two years that Alex and I have been a couple, we've shared the goals of restoring the farmland and homestead and working with family to strengthen ties with mutual support, for us, for Alex's parents and sister, and for future generations. So for years we've been discussing the land with his family, a sometimes frustrating and complicated and always delicate process. All the family desired a good outcome, however, and with determination, plans were written up and some were dismissed, others were added, and most importantly, everyone was able to come to the table with a voice.

new windows
east side of land

So yesterday, when we drove the two hours north for a visit, we walked the land and saw it with different eyes, as the newest stewards of this land that has been in Alex's family for so long. So we walked, Alex with his notebook, and we searched for property lines, put tape on specific trees, mapped the location of rock walls, markers, and buildings, and thus, with these very small steps, began our ownership, our realization of the tiniest of beginnings, of what we endeavor to build and shape and restore to good health- Bradstreet Farm.

the planner
marking property lines
underutilized
discussing details, taking notesbees = 80 lbs of raw honey
stone walls
The Point
this land is for them
looking towards Leeman's Arm
exploring #unschooling #autumn
contemplative
she was starting to feel the evening chill
comparing notes
where the red pines grow

As most Maine farmers find when turning soil over, we will encounter rocks and tree roots. With our family, the elders and the young, we will work to make way for new growth and nurture beginnings and endings. We will be bound by love, to each other, on this land that has been and is so important to us all.

Olivia pulled the tomato cages and it turns out she's an ace tomato cage stacker (and I am not.) #unschooling
we work together
digging for carrots #unschooling
Nana, 74 and Adam, 13 - carrot farmers #unschooling #organicgarden
I have two children and they are named Olivia and Adam (with gratitude to Celie/Alice Walker)
see this? This is my family. #love
looking through the new kitchen window to see my in-laws making faces at us #love #family

10 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, Amy, this is SO exciting! I am over the moon for you all and can't wait to hear all about it! Will you be moving there eventually?

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    1. Thank you so much, Shel. Well, it's complicated. At the moment, Alex's parents will remain in their home for as long as they wish and we have no plans to sell our beach home (nor do we want to), so I imagine someday, yes, some contingent of us will live up there, and possible some of us will live down here. Alex's parents are in their mid-late 70s and we are trying to plan for their futures, also. Having the option to do either is the wonderful part. Regardless, we are putting in place some plans for the land, and beginning with some basic steps to increase sustainability.

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  2. SO thrilling, and I can't wait to see your progress/adventures/experiments!

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    1. Thank you, Liz! It will be a bit of a slow process, but I'll definitely keep you all posted! xo

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  3. That's so incredible! Congratulations! You must be over the moon yourselves ;).

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    1. Thank you, Wendy! It is exciting. There's a bit of a winding down for Alex's parents, too, so it's bittersweet, certainly, but it's a positive thing, absolutely.

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  4. I love this! So excited to see how it progresses. What a wonderful outcome.

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  5. The pictures are beautiful. I am sure it is bittersweet, but it is wonderful that Alex's parents can participate in the future of their home. It is a unique gift.

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    Replies
    1. It really is, and we are so truly grateful to them for having the foresight to make the decision. Thank you!

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  6. The pictures are beautiful. It is a unique gift for Alex's parents to participate in the future of their home.

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