Winter time is planning time for us. Kelly and I pore over seed catalogs, developing grandiose ideas about what we can grow, add, try or resurrect. I must admit that I have a weak point for a variety of vegetables, especially when I can’t get them. It’s torture to imagine all the delicious possibilities and all the people I can feed. I need to find a balance between what’s reasonable and what’s possible.

Which brings me to our next point: our 2009 CSA. It’s incredibly difficult for me to rein in my wild side because of all the potential. Since this is our first year, our initial plan was to limit our CSA to 10 shares. Today, we had offers from two farmer friends to absorb their customers or people they can’t serve. Kelly and I are sure that we could sell 80 or 100 shares this year, but we know we couldn’t service them all. Still, the lure of full-time farming is calling me.

I can’t do it, though. Reason is prevailing. I know that we’ll have a fantastic year, and growth will come in time.

-Brian

Today, after lunch, I decided to take a little walk around the farm. I thought about bringing the new camera, but decided against it. Just wanted to be with my thoughts.

Well, Comet and Sam decided that my thoughts needed some company. After we managed to find socks, shoes, coats and oversized gloves, we headed out the door. Our pooch, Lexi, always follows her people, so she came along, too.

As we passed the area I marked off for next year’s crops, Sam and I were discussing my poultry plans. I want to grow corn and other items for feed, and he asked why we just didn’t buy it instead. As I got into the economics of growing vs. buying, Lexi found a whitetail deer in the treeline. It bounded out and ran right in front of us, maybe 20 feet away. It was a big thrill!

Since Lexi is not much of a hunter, the deer got away easily over the terraces. She ran back to the treeline and spooked another deer hiding there. We watched it slip away, too.

Now, if I had brought the camera, I might have a picture or two to share. Lesson learned!

-Brian