The 5 Minute Talk: Procrastination

I was going to do this one about five weeks ago, but you know how it is...



Leave a comment in the blog or on the video if you have an idea for another topic. This one was sent in by good old snail mail which is always an option.

Peace ,Love, and good food

Mike

Pictures and Reflections

I guess vulnerability is a funny thing, when you show someone the cracks in your armor you show them a little more about yourself. In a morning gathering this week I heard a man say that when we are at our weakest point we are strong. Through our weakness we can find more strength than we ever thought possible. The last few weeks I have been in that hazy area of vulnerability, heart split open, hoping for strength. What I find funny now is that even when you are sad, and lonely wondering when it will stop, there is always hope. As we finish Lent and move into the Easter season we have a chance to focus on that hope and see it work in our lives. As I work in the field, and feel the sun, and see the flowers I can’t help but think about the resurrection and hope for new life. The spring is a beautiful reminder of hope, happiness, and love. If you don’t believe me just go out and listen to the birds, they never lie.

Peace and Love

Mike

Rumminations

Today was a good day. Today was the kind of day you hope for during the winter, and miss during the fall. Today was a quintessential spring day, and I loved every minute of it right down to the full moon. God is good.

Peace and Love

Mike

April

Well, I hit the half way mark last week which consequently was also my 24th birthday and the first day of new participant arrivals. It was a loaded day.

Spring is in the air here at ARI and that is a great thing for a agricultural institute. We have 25 new community members, all of our seedlings are sprouting, one of our sows will have piglets this weekend, the cow will give birth in two weeks, our duck eggs are incubating, and all of the fruit trees are starting to blossom. All of this to say, our life is getting very busy very fast. After the long lazy winter (farmers don't get lazy summers) this is very exciting.

Last week I spent a week working with a volunteer from Nebraska who worked here 33 years ago for over a very. Charles and I spent many many hours in the workshop repairing weed eaters, tractors, hand tools, small trucks, and just about anything else he found interesting. Throughout all of these projects he taught me all about machines and systems and how to diagnose and fix them. We replaced a clutch throw out bearing and put the truck back together before breakfast on my birthday. After breakfast I learned how to weld and by lunch I was welding the tailgate back together. He went back home yesterday but I will be a fixture in the shop now for the rest of my stay.

I hope everyone is enjoying the changing weather and finding ways to get involved in their foodlife. I look forward to hearing stories. Peace and Love

Mike