Passing experiences on the farm

[Charlize]

  Many here know that i have a small farm.  We have a sawmill where we mill lumber from our own trees.  We have a herd of goats we raise for meat and we harvest sap from our maple trees and make maple syrup.  Usually it is is quiet here.  We have few visitors.  In the last few days we  have been busy to say the least.  

  Yesterday was the Islamic holiday(Eid) that celebrates the story of Abraham and Issac.   8 young goats were sacrificed on the farm by a very large family.  There were folks from all over the world who had come together for the sacrifice and the feast that follows.  I spent most of my time with the women and had a lovely time showing them around the farm as the men did their butchering and religious tasks.  Most of the women had head scarves and one wore a full berka.  I had never spent and extended time speaking to someone when i could only see her eyes.  We had fun after getting to know each other and i fit right into the celebration.  Speaking to the head man i mused that he might see some vegetarians now that that everyone knew and had seen the source of their meat.  I am a vegetarian myself but if others eat meat i am glad to see them know and respect the source of their food.  Wonderfully there were no issues with my gender.  

  At the end of the day i remembered how hard it was for me to not hide in a barn when visitors came during the period following my going full time.

Things have changed.

  Today we had a visit and tour from 40-50 farmers from Maryland who were touring small farms in NJ.  I had a great time talking to other farmers as explaining some of methods and methodologies.  It was a lovely morning but i did hear one man address me as sir shortly before the tour left. That had been the first time that old gender had popped up for some time.  Why?  I had to wonder and then i remember seeing him at our new barn.  It has metal siding and the other day i found an old truck sign from when i was working construction.  OOPs there was his name right up on the wall.  Oh well i let it go but certainly felt a bit of that old sting.

   Later in the day a man drove down the driveway on a 4 wheeler.  I kidded him about watching out for the police on our county road.  He was looking for a type of lumber that a man on the farm had sold him some years before.  I explained that wood was no longer available.  He accepted that a bit disappointed but then asked if the man was still around.  "No" i responded.   "He Isn't Here."  "Did he die?"  I just went oh well the truth no longer hurts.  I explained the fact that i had transitioned and was once the "man" who sold him lumber.  

  There was a time when i would have been crushed each time my gender was called into question but today after some years i can accept me as i am today and accept where i've come from.  That seems like a blessing and something of a miracle.

  Tomorrow it will hopefully be quiet.  Grand kids, and perhaps a friend's visit.  He will be helping me put a room on the new addition to the sugar house.  Now for sleep.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

 

[SugarMagnolia]

What a lovely post, Charlize!

I wish you a wonderful, quiet day with friends and family tomorrow!

Hugs,
Julie

[tracy_j]

It sounds a bit hectic Charlize. We can never change our history, but at least it does drift into the past. I think it better to have an interesting life like you have, rather than live in solitude. Yet again a time when I think it would be a nice place to visit. Enjoy the peace while you can get it

 

Tracy

[Jani]

Thanks for this post Charlize!   You have come so far, even to think you hosting a group that large.  I can imagine years ago you would never have thought it happening.  You are a beautiful woman and it is a joy and pleasure to know you.  Thank you! 

 

Hugs, Jani