The Head Fell Off

On the 2oo acres of Cloud 9 Rentals, there are many places of interest, tiki heads to mask tree stumps and stone works all from the property. One that you see in the valley is the Phoenix, sitting on the edge of the woods. You have to look closely to see the rock legs and the graduated in size, flat rocks showing feathers of the body. (The large top "wing" rock is the expensive bought one to complete the scupture's magnificance). I noticed something different about it the other day when driving by...it's head was missing. The head...the many days of searching all the "bone piles" at rock places to find this 'specially shaped rock with a nature-formed beak in profile. How could I not notice it? What makes a 100 pound rock (I'm guessing) fall off? Oh, I forgot to tell you, it is precariously balanced and wedged with smaller shims of rocks so a wind could have done it. so it took two people to right the head and we'll see how long it lasts.

...the phoenix rises from the ashes into new life as this farm is reborn with new vision to share with you...

Happy Spring from Cloud 9 and Heavenly Hideaway!

This is an exciting time of year at Cloud 9 and Heavenly Hideaway when the valley fields turn from brownish to bright green and the cows (herd of 11) start to ignore the last of the hay bales and turn to munching on the succulent new growth. The daffodils, forsythia and lady's slippers are at their peak making for yellow and pink on green my favorite colors.

It is also time for the farmer (me, but sounds like a reason for a ‘work party’ of friends) to impregnate oak logs with shitake spores for growth for the next 2 to 5 years. I take 4 foot culls of forester-prescribed 6 inch oak tree thinnings, drill holes 6 inches apart, insert the shitake spores (mmm, yum, Italian marinated whole shitakes on the spit, what’a meal), and seal them with beeswax.

When you come to the farm, you’ll get a tour OR if you’re like the Good Family and the Signorino Family you can learn the skill yourself and have a photos to take home to prove it! Thanks for pitching in, you willing renters! It was fun for all! Come again next year for the harvest!


Janet