Where did summer go?
As we write this, the summer break for school kids is three-quarters gone. These weeks seem to fly by, with long awaited days of vacations, festivals, sporting events and family gatherings sneaking up and then disappearing into memory. On the farm, a succession of deadlines come and go; Fences to fix, cows out on pasture, manure to spread, hay to cut and rake and bale. Then the straw. “Live in the present moment” – we tell ourselves. “Don’t wish it away. Stop and smell the roses!”
This is good advice. It is especially helpful in dealing with children, as they grow up so fast!
Here on the farm, we have the Teeswater river running through all our properties, and a favorite spot to gather is the old swimming hole on the home farm. Generations of Zettels have learned to swim here in the cool, refreshing current. Last year, Sammy – the youngest of five brothers, was still apprehensive about the water. The dark moving current, the cold contrast of water temperature to warm air and the sight of crayfish ready to nibble at toes are all disconcerting to the uninitiated. But this year Sammy is converted. He loves the river, jumps in without hesitation and never wants to get out. And since he is not allowed to go by himself, he begs Grampa to schedule the next swim and promise to be there at the appointed time. When cousins visit, it is compulsory that they too have exposure to the river ritual. It seems that we have unconsciously decreed that no Zettel descendant should emerge into adulthood without some experience of the river!
I’m pretty busy with farm work and some days begrudge the time taken to indulge Sammy’s newfound passion. But when I have stopped and am sitting there on the bank, waiting while he goes for “one last jump”, I seem to become strangely aware that this is a holy place, and that this moment is important – perhaps more crucial in the great scheme of things than my intellect can fathom. The importance of my endless list of tasks and the striving to stay on top of them, seem to recede, and I have a sudden sense of gratitude that we are here. Thank God for the river!
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Fresh, Certified Organic Pet Food
We have an exciting new product this month – Pet Food! Our processor has past experience with this product and we are excited to be able to offer it to Zettel Family Farms customers.
This pet food is 100% organic chicken, made up of the necks and backs, hearts, liver and other parts of the chicken that would normally go to waste.
These boxes are around 13lbs and have approximately 34 pucks in them. Break one off, thaw and serve to your dog or cat. They are priced to sell at $4.95/lb. We would love to hear your feedback, or rather, meowback!
Pet Food Pucks | Box of ~13lbs
Made from 100% certified organic chicken!
This convenient format consists of frozen pucks, about 1/4lb each. Take one out, thaw and serve to your kitty or doggy. Convenient!
Sold by the actual box weight.
Beef Supply
We have been trying hard to keep several key beef products in stock. We have cattle coming back from the butcher shop on the 18th, and we love shipping quarters out when it arrives. So, if you’re in the market for a delicious quarter of beef, now is a great time to order!
