We were busy doing prep work on the farmstead this week. The big action was the sighting of two black bears in the neighbor’s place. Looks like we will have competition for this year’s raspberry crop. On the berry note, they are early and plentiful with peak picking about a week away! Blackberries on the other hand are not happy this year.
We did some re-planting this week with 3 varieties of Elderberry including two Viking Aronia bushes, which we hope will eventually produce some elderberry meads! Also planted this week were two fig trees that we found on sale at lowes, might grab a couple more even though we are not sure about our climate, though it has warmed in Southern Ohio so they might do really well. Only time will tell. On the Barn/Cabin project, we did get the bathroom wall up and the door hung although I still have some work to do on it as the concrete floor was uneven, and needless to say much cursing and shimming have been done. We ordered the Airstone for the wall behind the wood stove and scored some clearance Italian porcelain tile under the stove for $47!
Saturday we stopped by the Pathfinder Gathering in McArthur Ohio. This is a bush crafting event put on by Dave Canterbury and the Pathfinder School. I have been before and this year’s event was a bit underwhelming. Few vendors and about 1/2 the number of attendees I remember from the 2019 event. I did have a great chat with Blackie Thomas of Youtube fame. Blackie is an old-school woods bum and bushcrafter. He is also a magnificent storyteller and true Southern Gentleman and is welcome in our longhouse any time! Check out his channel for some really good survival and bushcraft content.
Plans for this week are mowing (neverending), Berry picking, Finishing the bathroom door/wall, and covering the wall with pine car siding. I need a vacation from my vacation!
