Monday, June 11, 2012

a visit to a farm

 We visited our dear friend Monica on a farm in Vermont. That's Monica, with one of the many goats and 5 dogs who live on the farm. Monica is 80, and she's on the go all day long.

We saw the whole goat cheese making operation that begins with the milk from these ladies, pictured with my son Luke, and another of the dogs. 

The farm belongs to a couple who moved there when they were first married--they bought the land, lived in a tent, and built everything themselves--cabin, house, outbuildings, gardens...and had two children who are now 10 and 13. Monica was the father's nanny when he was a child---she came over from England to live with his family. We got to know her when my children were young and she lived with a neighbor-- she became like a grandmother to my boys. She loves animals, and has visited the farm most springs to help when the kids (baby goats) are born. This year she's been there for several months, and is getting ready to retire and return to England. She has kept in touch--returning to London almost every year for a visit, and is looking forward to drinking tea and playing cards with her friends, and taking busses everywhere. 

What I found most interesting about the farm was the way all the animals mingled. Here's a cat keeping pace with a dog.

A dog hanging out with the chickens, who are truly free range.



Chicken in the herb garden.

Dog and chicken in the shade.

Chicken and dog visit baby pigs. 



It was all very Charlotte's Web.


19 comments:

  1. Hello Jen:
    This must have been absolutely lovely and what an enjoyable time you all must have had. We imagine that Monica was glad of the extra pair of helping hands.

    The cat and dog together is a delight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Jane and Lance,
      I wrote the post late last night, and this morning realized that I should have put more information about the farm's owners and Monica, and so have done that.

      My pictures don't even begin to convey the merry chaos of the animals. It was a sight to behold!

      Delete
  2. I can feel the air blow gently in the farm. The animals look so happy and peaceful. The work there might not a peace of cake, I guess, but your friend has the redarming value of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know about Japan, but in the U.S. the term "free range" is used loosely--sometimes to define any life for an animal outside of a crate. These animals were truly free to range and they were all happy and commingled peacefully. It was fascinating.

      Delete
  3. What a wonderful day this must have been. Goats have the most endearing faces, my husband is obssesed with them but put a baby pig in front of me and I'm toast. Monica sounds, and looks, like a true gem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so right about goats--I had no idea how sweet they are! Monica is one of the most amazing people I've ever known. When she was 70 she played basketball with my boys!

      Delete
  4. I've often wondered just how "free" free range is as described on our egg cartons. Being a sketpic, I figured not very and so have started buying eggs locally. They are so much better!

    This is such a lovely farm. I hope Monica adjusts well in England. It's so different, but then when we're older it is nice to have the structure of a city.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many states have legal definitions of free-range, such as you can't put it on an egg carton unless they have x amount of room to walk in, and so forth. I agree that once you have local eggs there's no going back. It's like a different food!

      Delete
  5. What a peaceable kingdom....something we'd never achieve here. Thanks for sharing this little slice of heaven!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ashling--they have a lot of land and have been at it full time for 13 years. The peaceable kingdom aspect of it is genuine and very moving.

      Delete
  6. I love all the animals. Such a fun post. I would love to meet Monica. I already like her!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Monica is really an inspiring person. She was a real life Mary Poppins.

      Delete
  7. Lovely post Jen, as you know I have a real soft spot for Vermont having spent part of our honeymoon there! We also visited a farm of sorts today with my little granddaughter- It was a petting farm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So much fun to see baby animals with the little ones!

      Delete
  8. What a collection of animals your friend has Jen. It must have been a joy to visit and be part of it all!

    Happy new week!

    Madelief x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lovely atmosphere and it looks like a fantastic farm! Monica must be a wonderful Lady and it made me smile that she still loves tea and playing cards. Have a good day, dear Jen and thank your for this post! Christa

    ReplyDelete
  10. It must be some experience to visit and spend on the farm. I wish I could live this kind of life style but on second thought it must be not so easy. They are doing completely subsistence farming ?
    They are making a living by farming?
    Anyway to see various animals are peacefully mingling makes me feel relaxed. I wish Monica will have a happy time in England as well.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my, a personal petting zoo! Nothing nicer than seeing happy animals relaxing together. And goat cheese to boot? Perfect!

    ReplyDelete