I have been rather absorbed in this book, taking many mental notes as I go. So much to learn! And so many wonderful things to glean from reading about life on a farm. His farm is a real one, much larger then my garden, and he lives in Illinois with very different timings for things, but how fun it is to read a week-by-week account of what needs to be done. Everything from marketing the vegetables, to having bees, the best way to cook what they grow (recipes included!), the relative cash value of their crops, the bone-chilling labor during the Illinois winter, and the slaughter of animals.
Already, just 2-1/2 months into our real growing season (post-frost) there are so many, many things I plan to do differently next time. I love that part about gardening, and I know it will take us 3–5 years to really hit our stride. What a marvelous time we're having along the way!
CAVEAT EMPTOR: I was disappointed, upon finishing the book, to see that two of the chapters include rather inappropriate material which really dampened my enthusiasm for this otherwise wonderful book. I don't know if this is the new "style" of writing, but I found the same thing in reading what would have been a very fun around-the-world history of fruit. I find this terribly disappointing and disturbing and plan to write to the publishers and authors.
Just as well that my library doesn't have it, in that case, but other than the inappropriate stuff, this sounds right up my alley. Thrilled to have found this blog tucked away here - don't know how I didn't notice it sooner!!! :-o
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