I am limited to the number of pictures I can upload right now, because we haven't set up internet service yet. We're piggybacking on our cell phones, and overage charges are not in the budget right now. But I have pictures!
I don't think we could have dreamed up anything more perfect than this little farm. The only thing I'd change is I'd have a second bathroom LOL. I love it, love it, love it! We closed on April 1st, so we've been here exactly one week today. We still have on rose-tinted glasses, I'm sure. I imagine if you ask me what I think in a year, I will be able to tell you some flaws that I've found. But I don't believe there will be many. We accidentally moved to Mayberry, in addition to finding the farm of our dreams. The day we closed, neighbors started showing up to say hi and introduce themselves. In the first 48 hours, one lady brought us a plate full of chocolate chip cookies, and the gentleman down the road came up with his riding mower to knock down the small forest of grass that had grown up while no one was living here. Pa Bell met the sheriff, who he described as a quintessential Texas lawman, complete with giant mustache and rangy physique. We received half a dozen invitations to Easter services, and accepted one of them. There were maybe 20 people in the whole congregation, and they all knew each other, the preacher knew all of them by first names, and they were all very welcoming. I've had experiences in tiny towns before where if you're from away, you're always from away, and they never really accept you as part of the community. This little town seems to be genuinely welcoming, and it's a beautiful little historic town that happens to have a very veteran friendly benefactor, which is wonderful news for Pa Bell.
We are head over heels in love with this place. There is so much beauty on this little farm. There's a bench under a big pecan tree that overlooks the pasture. It's the perfect place to sit in the morning and watch the sun come up over the trees or in the evening hoping to catch glimpses of fireflies as the sun sets behind you. Spring in East Texas is so much nicer than in Central Texas. For now, everything is lush and green. We have had several days of rain, but when it's not raining, we have all the windows open to let the breeze come through the house. It's wonderful to not have all the racket and stink of town. It's so peaceful.
There's also a whole lot of mess that needs cleaning, too. We're a far cry from where we want to be, and after sitting empty and untended for the better part of the last six months, there is quite a bit that's gotten out of hand. The chicken coop needs mucking, all the raised beds are completely overgrown and full of weeds, and there is a whole community of red widows in the storm shelter/root cellar. But that cellar is a whole other ball of yarn, because it's completely full of water!
In the coming weeks, we're going to have so much to do. Our household goods are supposed to arrive in a few days, so we'll be very busy unpacking and organizing inside as well as cleaning up outside. Daydreams of gardens and fresh tomatoes (man, do I love homegrown tomatoes!) will have to wait until next season, I think. In the mean time, there are already some established plants, trees, and shrubs that we were planning to plant ourselves, but now don't have to, which is exciting!
There are blueberries, grapes, raspberries, plums, peaches, I think a pear tree, and the previous owner said volunteer tomatoes pop up all over the place. So maybe I *will* get those homegrown tomatoes after all! The roosters that were left behind are still hanging around. We got them some feed just to let them know they're welcome and to encourage them to stick around. They obviously don't rely on it at all, because they've lived on their own since last summer. According to the previous owners, the whole flock got left behind, which I really think is sad, but they couldn't take a whole flock of chickens with them. Fortunately the neighbors gave them feed and water during the worst part of the winter, but predators got all but these two roos. They're gorgeous, but I haven't been able to get any good pictures of them.
I've been taking pictures of plants and trees all over the grounds, because I think we have more food plants hiding out around here. I am pretty sure there are at least four established rosemary plants, and I believe we have a lone onion hanging out in the raised beds by the greenhouse. There are roses, too, and morning glories, wisteria, at least one tulip, and I believe daffodils. I'm going to need the help of the good old interwebs and people who know a lot more than I do to identify everything so we don't accidentally pull up something we want to keep.
I know this post is kind of all over the place, but my brain is all over the place this past week. But it's been a good all over the place as opposed to the stress filled waiting and anxiety we had during the months of waiting and wondering if we really were going to be able to call this little farm home. The whirlwind isn't over, and I know I won't be posting updates as regularly as I'd like, simply because there is so much to do and time is going to get away from me, but I will be back.
Until next time!
Ma Bell
