Went to court today....

Today was the Reluctant Farmer's birthday!  And, what did we do on this fine day might you ask?!  Well, the Reluctant Farmer had to take me to court.  Yes, that is right.  Court...

I got a speeding ticket two Fridays ago and because it was in a school zone I was required by state law to appear in court.  I was determined to fight my ticket because I swear the school zone light was not flashing when I got pulled over, thus I was actually traveling 2 mph under the speed limit.  I got up bright and early for my 8 am appointment, dressed in my best business suit, and set off to plead my case.  The Reluctant Farmer was a useless support system, as the poor girl was more nervous than I was!  She dropped me off outside the court house, and promised to wait outside for me.  This is where is gets exciting!

I go into the court house and follow the signs up to the 3rd floor.  When I get off the elevator, I realize right away my worries about being under dressed should not have EVER been worries.  I stepped off the elevator to the tune of Deliverance in my head, and felt much like Dorothy had to feel when she realized she wasn't in Kansas anymore.  There were 100 people in that lobby, literally.  As I stood there next to people that looked like they were straight off the "People of Walmart" website, I was amused.  

There were people there with halter tops on, that should have performed a public service and covered more of their body.  There were parents there with children that kept repeating things like: "I hate when we have to go to court!  It is so boring...."  (My sentiments too, little buddy....)  There were people that didn't pay their child support, had been caught driving with no license, were not in our country legally, and some people that the bailiff knew by first name.  This was like a foreign world to me, and not a place I ever wanted to visit again!

Then the bailiff came out and exclaimed to us: "Everyone here this morning will have to go through the metal detector.  Please rid yourselves of any and all potential weapons, including pockets knives, needles, and change!"  (Well, I thought he said change....)  He looks at me and says: "You first ma'am!"  And I quickly unloaded my purse of $1.52 in change, threw it in the bucket and handed him my purse.  Perplexed the man looks at me and says: "Ma'am, I said rid yourself of chains, not change."  I quickly realize the errors of my ways, explain that I have never done this before, apologize and dump my money back into my purse.  I think that this will be the worst of it.  Wrong!

After all 100 of us make it through the metal detector and into the courtroom, the bailiff comes back in and says: "Okay folks, this is how this is going to go.  If I call your name you are here for a serious offense and you are subject to 6 months in jail and up to a $1000.00 fine.  You might also want to have your lawyer present with you today."  In my head I think, thank God I am not one of those people!  And, until he got to my name, things were going okay.  He loudly yells: "Emily Browning?!"  And I state: "Here!"  And then I promptly want to pee down my leg or vomit, I am not sure which....  He dismisses all of us "serious offenders" to outside the courtroom where we are all standing in a herd, like cattle going off to slaughter, and I happen to notice a nicely dressed woman next to me that is pale white.  I said, "Excuse me, did he just say we were serious offenders?"  She replied, "Yes, and I was just here for a speeding ticket!"  We compared notes, and determine that certainly there has been some sort of mix up, and we wait for our names to be called by the public defender guy.  (Remember, I did not pack a lawyer, because I was only going for a speeding violation, and did not think I needed to retain council for such event!)  Finally, after he goes through 95% of the people in the lobby he calls my name.  I go up and explain that I was there for a speeding ticket and that I was going 33 mph, but because the school zone light was not flashing I did not know I was in a school zone therefore I was not guilty.  The gentleman tells me to plead not guilty, and to come back in several weeks for a trial or to plead no contest, explain myself, ask if anything can be reduced and settle it today.  I decide that I would do the latter, in hopes that the judge would be kind to me and I could settle it before I left.  (I did NOT want to come back!)

We were ushered back into the courtroom, and as I sat there I hear every excuse under the sun as to why people were there.  (I tell you, this was the most interesting part of the entire event!)  Finally it was my turn.  I explain that I didn't think I was in a school zone, but yet I wanted to plead no contest because I did not want to come back and even though I had never had a speeding ticket in my life, I just wanted to finish it today.  The judge took my no contest plea, lessened my court costs, and just had me pay a minor speeding violation.  He then asked me if there was anything else I would like to say, and this is what comes falling out of me mouth:  "Sir, I just want to say thank you for being so understanding today, and I am sure you can see by my otherwise flawless record that I am not used to being here under these circumstances, and after seeing the clientele that is here in this courtroom, I am hoping that you never have to see me again!  Have a nice day."  (Or something completely stupid like this...)  I can feel the guy behind me, with the tear drop tattoo, staring a hole through the back of my head, but not to worry I have my change to protect me as I skip out of the courtroom as a free woman!  

I am not sure what the Reluctant Farmer and I will do next year for her birthday, but I sure hope it doesn't involve judges and me!

  

Progress was made!

Two weeks ago I took off work for a week to get some much needed revamping done on the urban farm.  We made 13 new raised beds total, 11 for us and 2 for our neighbors, and we worked until our hands bled. (This is the time of the year that my day job is a break from the back breaking labor that goes on at home...) We have made some serious progress around here and continue to make it better and better this year.  I am so excited!

Friday we had 5 yards of mulch and 3 yards of dirt delivered, and we were itching to get some work done, however we had a birthday party and another party to attend Saturday.  Sunday brought us rain in the morning, however we decided to make full use of the cloudy day and work out in the garden when the rain quit for a bit.  (We did manage to get rained on after lunch, and I mean it was rain like no other!   I was soaked to my underwear just sprinting back to the house.)  It was all worth it though. 

The Reluctant Farmer built a retaining wall, we added and leveled bed #6, and then laid weed mat and mulched a section of the yard that was 12 x 16, planted a bunch of onions, and weeded the strawberry patch.  We worked until dark tonight, so I will get better pictures soon. 

No gardening is complete with out these two under my feet.  Blue is really starting to like being a farm dog, and we are working on his pray drive towards the chickens.  I think if he was younger, I would have to worry about him, but he is easily managed with a small correction since he is a senior...

 Herding dogs are so funny.  Chai and Blue wanted to stay out with me so bad, even though it was raining.  Chai totally looks like he is saying: "You know being this wet really proves how much I love you, right?!"  

Blue is surveying the rain from the front porch, just waiting to go back outdoors so he can survey the chickens.  I love this dog, he is so noble and wise!  And he is really starting to earn his keep around here as a chicken wrangler!


This post has shared on my favorite blog hops:

The ugly cowgirl....

There are several cowgirls running around this farm, however this is the ugliest cowgirl you will find wandering around here!

Meet Annie....

Pupdate: Marty!

Marty the maltese sent me an update this evening and I am happy to see he is doing well.  (He had a set back a few weeks ago after scaring himself....)  Good work Marty and Hubbard family!  I love you too!

"Hi Emily, mommy wanted me to tell you that I have been a good boy lately. I have been coming in the backdoor again with my brother and sister! Optimus is my new best bud, we play all day. Thank you for saving me so I would find my forever home!!! We love you ♥"

Community Garden 2013

Last evening we went out to the community garden to look at our plots and to pick up seed.  We were looking at our plots, when the Reluctant Farmer in her sly ways, sidled up to a man that was down 4 plots.  I was amazed how she had the nerve to con him out of tilling her plot, and for a minute thought that she had no shame, but quickly realized I had better have no shame either otherwise I was going to have to prep my plot with a hoe and a shovel!  

The gentleman quickly came over and tilled both of our plots, and he got done in 15 minutes what would have taken me 6 hours.  We were so appreciative that he tilled for us!  We learned his name was Tim, and that he was a first year at the garden.  We talked veggies and gardening for a bit and then Tim lent his services to another couple that was there working on their plot as well.  

This is one of my favorite things about the community gardening, the sense of togetherness and friendship that it brings.  The people that you meet when you are there, are people of all walks of life: old, young, new at gardening, old hats at gardening, business people, retired people, etc...  It brings everyone together and gives them a common denominator: growing fresh food.  It is amazing how a little sun, seed, and love can do such a thing....

Eyes of wonder

The week we got a visit from the Hampshire boys and their mom.  They came to pick up some tomato and cucumber seedlings, and of course were smitten with Andy the bunny and Maggie the chicken.  (I should have kept those kiddos around a little longer to help me in the dirt!)  To see the world through the eyes of a child is a magical thing!

Andy the bunny enjoying the sunshine and carrots from the boys.

 

Hyacinth, so heavy that it is collapsing on itself, but still gorgeous...

The Reluctant Farmer got me this garden stone last year for my birthday.  It is a reminder that not everything has to be perfect all the time.  (I struggle with this sometimes...)  We will have another day tomorrow, and we can pick up our messy house then, but today is for gardening and playing outdoors!  Photo bomb from my muck boot...

 Grown from seed, indoors!  Flawless!

Love those daffodils!

I hope you are taking the time to stop and noticed all of the new life and wonder going on around your homestead this week.  It is an amazing sight to be seen, and the spring show that mother nature puts on for us, is nothing short of a miracle.  Stop and look at it thorough the eyes of a child.  You will be amazed at the wonder!

Barn Security

In lieu of recent activity at the horse barn, there has been an increase in security.  This should take care of any and all problems....