The Muffled Muffler
The mechanic identified several spots where the car’s frame has rusted and deteriorated to the point that it's “disappearing”...
My trusty, dusty Subaru Forester fairly purrs after its muffler repair and I savored the victory for what it was worth: one less thing to get pulled over for, and the ability to hear myself think while I drive! The job cost me less than expected and I had funds left over that allowed me to register the car, too. Driving home to the farm in my almost legal vehicle, I ignored the mechanic’s report on the car’s condition. There would be plenty of time to worry about that problem later. I invite you now to get yourself a cuppa and join me at Runamuk Acres for the latest farm-update!
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
It’s been mercifully quiet here this past week.
After the marathon of July, I relish the slower pace. The shift in focus from summer production to winter preparation feels natural. Already I am seeing the odd tree with tarnished crown, and goldenrod blooming in roadside meadows. Early signs that fall is on it’s way.
Pecking at Projects
Before we embark upon the onerous task of mucking of livestock sheds, we’ve taken this week to catch our breath, tend the house and regroup. I’ve been pecking away at neglected rooms, sweeping out the spiders and vacuuming up dust-bunnies gone wild. Sometimes I pretend I am Sophie, from Howl’s Moving Castle and that when someone comes to the door, BraeTek has to tell them “Come back later… There’s a witch on a rampage in there!”
Aside from trying to get a handle on our living spaces, I’ve been working to harvest the potatoes and onions. Neither crop did especially well this year, between the potato beetles and the condition of the soil where these things were planted. The majority of the potatoes are small and not overly plentiful. I got a few nice onions, but mostly they struggled to gain any appreciable size. It was no where near the harvest we could have in optimal conditions.
As such, I’ve decided:
a) to hold off on planting potatoes until July next year in hopes of avoiding pest-pressure.
And b) to put the “muck” (the chicken and sheep litter soon to be emptied from our winter livestock sheds) on these beds first this fall.
Even still, the purple and pink and yellow Surprise Spuds I put on the farmstand were beautiful and fun to eat ovenroasted and lightly seasoned. They may be small, but they’re still tasty.
Cranking Out the Words
Feeling inspired and jazzed up for every writing session, I’ve been cranking out the words in the office. This week I published Chapter 1: The Uninvited Visitor to Kindle Vella, and Chapter 4: Ben’s Proposal was published at Wild Hearts & Harvests. I also issued a piece in honor of National Farmers’ Market Week and I started work on Chapter 5 of On Blackstone Mountain.
Muffled Muffler
I wasn’t sure if I’d have to reschedule the garage appointment, but a couple of last-minute bookings to the farmstay allowed me to take the car in for repairs this week. I was even able to get the thing registered, which means she’s only missing an inspection sticker now. Woot! Woot!
Unfortunately, this car is never going to pass another inspection.
While he had it up on the lift, the mechanic identified several spots where the car’s frame has rusted and deteriorated to the point that it’s “disappearing” (as he put it) around the rear axle. Subarus are notorious for rusting-out on the underside, a condition made worse by our Maine winters and all of the salt and calcium they put on the roads. At 18 years and having been used and abused by this lady-farmer, it’s no surprise that she’s reached the end of her life. It’s time to replace her.
When asked if she’d make it through the winter, the mechanic seemed hesitant to say “She might…”, adding “She’s a little tender in a couple spots.”
I guess all of the field-bombing and back-woods roaming I do have finally caught up with me.
At the moment, I have no idea how I’ll come up with funds for a new-to-me set of wheels. With heating fuel to purchase, and funds for the fall sheep-harvest to scrape up, finances are tight as ever here at Runamuk. Even if I wanted to take a loan, I can’t afford a monthly payment. That only leaves the option of paying cash, which comes with the associated problem of how to generate such a large chunk of it (for $5k I can get another older Subaru at auction).
But, as you know by now, I’m nothing if not resourceful! For the moment, I’m going to enjoy my muffled muffler and this low-key work-week before we plunge headlong into winter preparations. I’ll figure out the rest later, lol. Stay tuned, my friends!
Sending love and light 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!
My wife drives a ten-year-old ford, and I drive a twenty-year-old chevy truck. If they are so old and everyone says we need to trade them why are people asking to buy them. The driver's seat fits my butt.