The Curse of the Raucous Muffler
Putting the car in motion, it immediately became apparent that something was dragging under the car...
Shaking my head as I held the muffler pipe in my hand, I had to laugh else I’d cry. Finances are still tight here at Runamuk, with the 2024 Hay Mission looming and no room for surprise auto-repairs in the budget. Business is picking up, though, with a consistent supply of eggs, and now fresh vegetables in season, the farmstand is generating a modicum of income. The farmstayBnB has seen an up-tick in bookings, and my first book will soon be released. Things are beginning to turn in our favor, I think…I hope. Get yourself a cuppa, and join me for the latest update from the farm.
Welcome to the latest Updates From the Farm! If you are new here, I invite you to check out my About page to learn what this is, who I am and why I am doing this. Or just dive right in! At “Runamuk Acres” you’ll find the recantings of one lady-farmer and tree-hugging activist from the western mountains of Maine. #foodieswanted
Always the Muffler
Coming home from my usual Monday morning Provision Run, I’d stopped to wait for traffic at a construction zone when the muffler pipe gave way under the Subaru. The flagger signaled us to go and I put the car in motion, but it became immediately apparent that something was dragging under the car. Feeling panicky, I hastily turned onto a nearby side-street, and pulled the car off the road.
I already knew it was the muffler. It’s always the muffler.
One of the disadvantages of Subarus is that they’re notorious for rusting out. This, coupled with the fact that I tend to buy older cars in order to avoid monthly payments, means my Subarus are particularly rusty under there and the muffler is always the first thing to go. This one had been growing increasingly noisy for weeks, so it came as no surprise to see the long exhaust pipe laying at an angle under the car.
This exact situation happened to me once before, back when I was still trucking back and forth to Johnny’s Selected Seeds.
Still attached to the rest of the car by a hinge of metal, I worried the pipe away to get it to break free. Then I tossed it in the back of the Subaru and resumed my seat behind the wheel. The car roared to life louder than ever, and we rejoined traffic to make our way back to the farm.
Tables are Turning
It’s embarrassing to drive the car anywhere in it’s current condition, not to mention illegal. At the moment, however, I just don’t have the funds to cover the cost of auto-repairs. While the recent crowd-funding campaign was largely successful, I’m still a few hundred short for our big hay purchase coming at the end of the month. And, the electric company needs a payment, too.
Yet, the tables are finally turning for Runamuk, and I was able to make my mortgage payment this month. I’m fortunate to have a USDA loan offering me the ability to request payment suspension during lean times, which I’ve employed these last 2 months. This provides flexibility for farmers who typically earn their income seasonally. It’s been my saving grace on more than one occasion, but it means I’ll have to make it up this fall.
With more guests to the farmstay and veggies from the garden luring local shoppers to the farmstand, finances are slowly beginning to stabilize. My writing, too, is beginning to pay off and I thank those of you who have been able to support this endeavor. I’m looking forward to seeing the response to my forthcoming book: “How to Buy a Farm With No Money”.
I knew it would be a difficult transition when I gave up Runamuk’s CSA program in favor of writing, even still I don’t regret it for a second. Many of those former CSA members are still following these farm-updates, and they still shop at Runamuk’s farmstand. Like Kristin and her son, Chandler, who now listen to my read-alouds together as a family.
Making Connections
“Hey, Sam! Chandler and I just finished listening to this week’s update!” Making her weekly stop by the farmstand, Kristin came into the barn to chat with me as I prepared to move the swarm of bees who had taken up residence there. A fellow beekeeper, Kristin was unphased by the steady stream of bees coming and going through the open barn door.
How wonderful to hear those words!
What a precious gift to know my writing is enjoyed by two such locals who have been dedicated supporters of this farm for well over a decade. Indeed, Runamuk has been a part of young Chandler’s life since his infancy, when his mother and I met at a bee-school I was teaching.
These are the meaningful relationships you aspire to, both as a farmer and as a writer. More often than not, those who shop or stay at the farm don’t follow my writing, and those who follow my writing are unable to shop at the farm. So when the two aspects of my life converge, you can imagine how special that is. To have made even one such connection is immensely gratifying.
I know you’re listening, Kristin and Chandler! Thank you for just your being you!!! Love to you both!
The Garden
“How’s the garden growing?” Kristin asked as we caught each other up on our respective doings.
I hesitated, considering the question before replying, “The garden is kinda─meh─this year. I’ve taken a big step back with it…”
“Oh yeah?” she watched as I worked to light the smoker. “How do you feel about that?”
“I’m a little frustrated with myself,” I admitted. “There never seems to be enough time to get everything done that I want to do. I’ve been battling the weeds and the stupid potato-beetles, out there picking larvae, and I feel like I’m just spinning my wheels. I’ve totally abandoned Garden 1 to better focus on Garden 2, and I wish I had more product on the farmstand.”
“But─” I added quickly. “I’ve taken a big step forward with my writing, and that was the goal, so I guess I’m on track?”
Chapter 3
For me, writing is compulsory. I can’t not write. I feel better—more myself—now that writing has taken a larger role in my world. It’s a big change, which I am still adjusting to. While the ultimate goal is to reach as many readers as possible, if my writing can generate funds in support of Runamuk’s farming and conservation efforts─that would allow me to do so much more.
And so, I published Chapter 3 of “On Blackstone Mountain” this week, while my other book (the guide to working with the USDA) went off to be edited by my sister, who has a masters in English & Language Arts.
"You're a Recluse, Josie!"
NOTE: To make subscription to the Runamuk stack more affordable, I’ve recently decreased the price from $8/mo to $5 and from $80/yr to $50. Please consider upgrading to support my work.
The Bees
Meanwhile, I moved the bees out of the barn early the following morning. Resurrecting the site of our former apiary, I installed the colony at the back of the garden. Tucked just inside the electric fence to keep the hive safe from marauding bears, it was good to see bees back at Runamuk.
They proved to be a stubborn sort, too, with a good many field bees returning to the barn. I had to set up boxes to catch them 3 different times! Once morning I took a sting─right to that tender hollow spot at the base of the neck─which is still inflamed and itchy even as I am writing this. It’s all par for the course when keeping bees. Thankfully, I take far fewer stings these days compared to when I first began beekeeping.
Aside from a few stragglers still flitting in and out of the barn, I think I’ve got the bulk of the colony now. I’ll leave them for a few days before I perform any kind of inspection, but I’ll have to be diligent if they’re to survive the coming Maine winter.
The Curse of the Raucous Muffler
I’ve had so many issues with mufflers on my cars that my son, BraeTek, likes to say I’m “cursed”. In DnD terms, it would be something like “The Curse of the Raucous Muffler”.
The Wizard glared at the Lady Farmer across the chasm. She was beaten, bruised and bloodied, yet still she persisted. There would be fresh vegetables and baked goods available to the fair citizens of New Portland and Kingfield, Maine. Runamuk would always stand against the corporate evils that threatens wildlife…so long as Farmer Sam was around. Raising his arms to summon the magical powers to him, the Wizard cast: “Raucus Muffler” on the fair farmer…
With any luck, we’ll take a few more bookings to the farmstay, maybe receive another paid subscriber or two, and then I’ll be able to schedule the car for the muffler repairs. Stay tuned, my friends!
Sending love to you and yours.
Your friendly neighborhood farmer,
Sam
Thank you for following along with the story of this lady-farmer! It is truly a privilege to live this life serving my family and community, and protecting wildlife through agricultural conservation. Check back soon for more updates from the farm, and be sure to follow @RunamukAcres on Instagram or Facebook!
I'm sorry about the muffler woes! I also have transitioned to writing more.. which mean other stuff has to be put on the back burner. It's always a juggling act! When is your book coming out?