Closing the Circle
The leaves on the maples have finally begun to unfold, waves of pale green spreading across the hillsides, the pink fog of swollen buds in the swales between them. This was the latest Spring we’ve experienced up here and cool as well. By now the lilacs would be in full bloom and the forsythia done with it’s riotous yellow show instead of just beginning. The lambs are all on the ground, their lower legs fully covered while the dense matt of new fleece has just begun on the rest of them. There is one more calf due but the herd has already doubled in size and the sows spend their time in the wallow, bellies full with litters yet to come.
It has been a busy year since last I wrote of the things we do on the farm and so much has changed for us. Our daughter off into the world caring for children, our youngest boy finally behind the wheel of the farm truck when I take him out in the evening on the back roads through the foothills to practice and our oldest settling in to his new life as a teacher, serious about a girl he’s been seeing for a while now and inclining towards a family of his own. As a parent it would be hard to imagine things working out any better, to see the time come when we have seen them through the challenges of childhood and emerge as competent young adults with bright futures ahead. My wife and I celebrated a quarter century of married life and look forward to another- God willing- as we move into the back forty of life.
As I reflect on the choices we’ve made and try to find our way forward it helps to remember the myriad paths that led us here. The seemingly endless encouragement and support of friends and family remind us that we owe so much to so many that there may never be a way to fully reciprocate, but that doesn’t mean we should ever stop trying. For anyone who has followed us along on this journey it is clear that we incline towards optimism in all things, but as we grow wiser- hopefully- we also recognize the realities of the world around us, outside of these bouldered acres where other seasons spin on invisible cycles. If the past two years has shown us anything at all it is that nothing remains as it was and everything drifts inexorably towards some form of decay and dissolution. My own body reminds me of my country, slowly falling into a state of disrepair and breakdown with each passing year. On the surface both appear invincible, but underneath it anyone can tell that the clock is unwinding with accelerating speed. The end comes for everything.
For the past several years we have hosted a celebration of our independence on a day set aside so long ago that few people recall exactly what it means. July 4th has always been my favorite holiday for more reasons than I could list and it remains something that I will likely hold onto until the very end of my days. High Summer with its heat and light, the smoke of barbecues and the plates brimming with fresh greens and grilled meats to feed the hungry, the ice chests glistening and stocked with cold drinks, laughter and fireworks, the clink of horseshoes and the smell of grass have always elicited an excitement that no other day could measure up to. To be there, laughing at one another’s jokes, seeing the faces of old friends and loved ones, waiting for the stars to emerge at the end of a long day followed by the explosive report and stunning display of fireworks sends everyone back to place in their memory that remains untouched by the specter of modernity. On that day you would have to be a hardened cynic not to feel the pure joy of real liberty among like-minded associates wherever they might be.
A dear friend spoke with my wife and I not that long ago about our annual get together and suggested that we may want to find a way to close the circle around our get together and after some reflection I have come to agree. I have met quite a few of the very best people I have ever known through the virtual communities of the Internet and I hope that continues, but these days things such trust is in short supply. The bifurcation that occurred as a result of the past years manias have cleaved families and neighborhoods as cleanly as a sword blow, right down the middle. People have fallen into separate nations within their own country and there is little chance that it will ever go back nor any reason to. I can’t give up on the deep desire I have held for these many years that if we put everything aside for a moment and suspend our suspicions and fears long enough to break bread and toss back a few with strangers, we might just become friends. It has happened more times than not and I believe there is still an opportunity to extend that offer once more before we are no longer able to do this.
This year we offer an open invitation to anyone who would like to take the time and make the effort to join us and all the other hopeful optimists who believe in that green light at the end of the dock. Hopewell Farms will once more celebrate the 4th of July properly in New England style. If you’ve been please make sure to share your experience with others and if you’ve wanted to attend and have not had the chance, please reach out to us to let us know you plan on attending. If this is on your bucket list, make this year the one to cross it off.
In years past we have asked for a contribution but in light of the economics of the day anyone who can make it here is welcome to attend regardless of their ability to pay for the event. If you would care to donate something we would gladly accept, but if you can’t you’re welcome to spend the day gratis. We would like to get an idea of just how many folks plan on attending so a phone call, email, postcard or a letter will be helpful. As always it is a multi-generational event, plenty of food, drink, activities and fireworks for everyone and there will be lots of great conversation and music as well.
I hope to see you again and meet some of you for the first time this July 4th at Hopewell Farms!
Your Friend,
Hardscrabble Farmer