Equinox Report

I was unable to get to the farm before Saturday afternoon, by which time things were in full swing. By full swing I mean there was music not only on both stages, but small gatherings of people around the farm were playing amongst themselves- every instrument and style you can think of. There were people in both the pond and the creek, and many were simply wandering around exploring.

Despite all the social opportunities, I walked up the big hill to check out the garden at the top. The apple and pear trees were bare, picked by both Mark and the birds and hornets. I moved up the hill further, past the garden, through a small cedar grove, and into a nice shady area of hardwoods. There was a gentle breeze, and the shade was cool and inviting.

I sat for over an hour, just soaking in the variety of things to occupy my curious mind. The sky was deep blue, the kind of blue you get lost in. There was a turtle shell, soft tissue long gone, but all bones present and well bleached. I gently cleaned the dirt out of the eye and sinus cavities of the skull, and found the lower jaw. I reunited them to observe the way things fit together. I was suddenly drawn to a flash of orange- a monarch butterfly feeding in the sea of yellow.

Suddenly I am chasing butterflies around with my camera- from Rosinweed, to Ironweed, from Miami Mist to wood asters. The monarch was joined by spicebush swallowtails, checkerspots, fritillaries, hairstreaks, and buckeyes. I followed the most vibrant colored butterflies, which led me back down the road to the party, which had been picking up pace during my solo adventure.

I was greeted back into the social scene with smiles, hugs, and queries as to where I’d been. While not as crowded as the summer solstice party, there must have been 2 or 3 hundred people lining the length of the field, which is very long and impossible to view due to the curve it makes to follow the creek; it never felt crowded. The sun went down, revealing a bright and intoxicating ¾ moon and a crystal clear sky.

Two CSA members, Paul McGill and Scott Giles, took the stage with their band to bring in the night. The moon eventually moved behind the big hill, and then stars really began to shine. In the damp areas along creeks, bioluminescent insects called glow worms put on a lovely light show. A walk around revealed tiny enclaves of music being played until sunrise, and a distinct damp chill whispered of autumn.

This Week’s Harvest: Mixed Winter Squash, Pumpkins, Tomatoes, Peppers, Potatoes, Basil, Parsley