Finding Balance, Feeling Freezers, Feeding Families
Farming keeps us busy. Taking care of the animals and the land is a never ending job. We figured out several years ago, when we began selling our meats locally, that it takes about as much time and work on the retail and distribution side of the business as it does on the actual farm work itself. I could work full time just taking care of the farm. I could also work full time on the distribution side of the farm. It’s often hard to prioritize my time and figure out which direction to go. Sometimes I wish there were two of me, actually three of me. One to focus on the farm, one to focus on the business side, and one to sit on the porch and play with the kids. With three me’s not being an option, focusing on becoming a better me and finding balance in these different areas is the best way moving forward. The problem with “balance” is that it divides my attention and devotion. Instead of focusing on doing one thing really well, I often feel like I’m doing a lot of things poorly.
We had plenty of typical farm work to do as usual, but this week was heavy in the retail and distribution side of farm. Sorting more chicken, sorting meat that was delivered from the processor, filling herd shares and orders into bags, filling boxes into coolers, and trying to coordinate getting it into the hands of people throughout the region. I bet I went in and out of the freezers hundreds of times this week. More freezer work today to get ready for Marion and Abingdon herd share deliveries tomorrow. Not the stereotypical farm work most people envision. Don’t get me wrong, the cows, pigs, and chickens keep us more than busy, but we raise these animals to feed families. The freezer side of the farm is what allows you to get locally sourced pasture raised meats and it’s what allows us to raise them.
Saturday was on-farm pick up day. Hallie and Hasten insist they can handle on-farm customers without me, so I continued with chores while Amy and the two youngest were at the Abingdon Farmers Market.
Amy helped with chores before church on Sunday. A few more chores after church, then rounding up cows and loading pigs for an early departure for the processor Monday morning. Getting back Monday afternoon to move chickens, check the cows and pigs, and clean out the trailer. About 1/4 of our chickens are raised for another farm that sells pastured meats in the D.C. area. Monday evening we emptied out 10 shelters totaling about 550 birds. With the chicks in the brooder still only days old, it was nice to empty some shelters without filling them back up. Only moving 10 shelters everyday now.
Hallie’s garden has been providing suppertime sides to go with our farm raised meats. She eats as much produce in the garden as she does around the dinner table. Eating raw carrots, peppers, okra, tomatoes, and even raw corn.
Amy and I delivered orders to Bristol and Kingsport yesterday afternoon. Another date night on the way home. Making up for lost time. I like that girl.
On the road to the processor I listened to “Bleachers” by John Grisham, a football story about the passing of a legendary high school coach.
“You count the years until you get a varsity jersey. Then you’re a hero, an idol, a cocky bastard because in this town you can do no wrong. You win and win and win, and you’re the king of you’re own little world. Then, poof, it’s gone. You play your last game and everybody cries. You can’t believe it’s over. Then another team comes right behind you, and you’re forgotten.”
“When you’re famous at 18, you spend the rest of your life fading away.”
“I remembered his locker room speeches, ‘Never quit! Never quit! You win because you’re tougher mentally than the other guy. And you’re tougher mentally because your training is superior. If you’re winning, never quit. If you’re losing, never quit. If you’re hurt, never quit.’”
“Those who take no risks, receive no rewards.”
“Love was not a word any of the players had ever heard their coach use. If he had loved them, he had a strange way of showing it.”
“‘This is Eddie Rake, speaking from the grave. If you are crying, please stop.’ This brought scattered laughter from the crowd, which was anxious for a light moment. ‘I’ve never had any use for tears. My life is now complete, so don’t cry for me, and don’t cry for the memories. Never look back. There’s too much left to do.’”
“His genius was simple: stick to the basics and work nonstop until you can execute them perfectly.”
“At times you get tired of carrying Coach Rake around. You want to be able to screw up and not hear him bark… Then the voice will tell you to pick yourself up, to set a goal, to work harder than anybody else, stick to the basics, execute perfectly, be confident, be brave, and never never quit.”
“Coach Rake was not easy to love. And while you’re playing here, you really don’t like him. But after you leave, after you venture away from this place, after you’ve been kicked around a few times, faced some adversity, some failure, been knocked down by life, you soon realize how important Coach Rake is and was. You always hear his voice, urging you to pick yourself up, to do better, and never quit. You miss that voice.”
Have a good week.
Will