Friends,
With Hurricane Fred just leaving our doorstep, soaking the ground and air yet again, and having very important news to share, it is time for a mid-week newsletter.
Starting with our Fun Fact, we are excited to announce our sponsor student Jessicka graduated from the University of El Salvador on July 29th. After a late night with friends, she awoke at 4 am to start preparations (you have to look your best!) and to make the long trip into San Salvador. Well, as can happen for these big events, she was late in leaving, traffic was bad and the lines were long, but she made it in time to graduate!
In her words "as I was waiting in line, I thought about all of the difficult and good moments that I had and the efforts that I did. And said I am a really blessed person because I am here (in the university) with my father and mom, also because the Hawkes family (and friends, you!!) believed in me, and now I am a professional ... I am so thankful for this opportunity now and realizing my dreams" Thank you all for helping Jessicka realize her dreams. She wishes us all many blessings in life and sends many hugs. And thank you to St. Dominic Church for making this all possible.
Well back down to earth and farming. We are entering a much more eventful time. The garden is producing baskets of vegetables. The new hens are growing quickly, with a few roosters sneaking into the mix, learning how to crow, sometimes sounding like a bad yodel often cracking as they go through poultry puberty. Again, please let me know if you would like a 2 year old chicken for the pot or coop.
The ewes are ready for breeding with the arrival of "Romeo" this Sunday. Many of our lambs are being shown at 4H County Fairs during July and into September. Congratulations Mikey McDonald with Lord fluffington. "Fluffy" was actually a bottle baby and second in class and fifth overall at the Lake County fair. We should have many lambs at the Great Geauga County Fair during Labor Day weekend.
The fawn twins continue to roam the yard and the always hungry barn swallows have left their nest. And as always, we enjoyed many visits the past few weeks, especially from young farmers who enjoyed the animals, pond and garden, especially a young Owen, who quietly ate every blueberry Cyndi grew, in less than 5 minutes! We may have a future hot dog eating contest winner.
Please stay well during this tricky time in the pandemic!
Your friends,
Harry, Lauren and Harry
