In the flurry of big news stories at new year — Ukraine, of course, the deaths of Pope Benedict and Barbara Walters, and more — this was an easy story to miss in the New York Times on New Year’s... Read More ›

Virtually every morning, when I open the gate to descend to the path around the pond, on my way to feed Possum the sow, I cause a stir of sorts. Possum hears the sound of the latch opening and the... Read More ›

Perry, the son of my late partner Peter, arrived to our delight Thanksgiving morning. We hadn’t much warning that he’d be in New York; he flew in to do a job installing whatever it is he installs in buildings. But... Read More ›

With temperatures forecast to plunge well below freezing imminently, I realize the days of covering my fall plantings at night to extend my growing season are over. In preparation for the inevitable, I harvested all the daikon radishes of harvestable... Read More ›

A week ago I was down about the state of the world. One and a half million Ukrainians were facing electricity interruptions as Russia’s brutal imperialist war took an ugly turn in tactics. Yet Kevin McCarthy, the prospective Speaker of... Read More ›

I am savoring this Columbus Day weekend as a time of reprieve. Nuclear war has not yet begun. We can continue to live in the hope that perhaps it will not. Maybe the Russians who are threatening it will realize... Read More ›

Serenity descended on the farm this weekend. Partly from the stillness of the air after high winds brought in a cool front. Possibly because Saturday’s very dry air subdued the cacophonous insect chorus of high summer into just a single,... Read More ›

How quickly they grow up. Those of you who followed the early tribulations of Doodle, the rejected lamb, will undoubtedly be pleased to learn that he has, at nearly two months old, grown into a feisty, vigorous little fellow. No... Read More ›

The forces, including my friends, encouraging me to scale things back as I age are strong. My friend Steve, hearing of my fall garden planting plans, told me not to be too ambitious. “Put ‘manageable’ as the adjective in front... Read More ›