Extraordinary Things at The Good Earth Farm
Written by Daisy Roberts
The way you can watch a young awkwardly lanky tomato plant writhe in parched agony, crisping in the heat of a relentless summer day, yet in the morning after a night of rain he is turgid again, lively and reinvigorated for the quest of growth. Ready, amazingly, for more sunlight.
The way a kitten’s entire body hums with her purring, her sign of satisfaction and pleasure in rhythm with each thump of her bright heart beat. How this communication makes use of her entire body, letting me and the greater world that she is feeling comfortable, safe, and content.
The unabashed affection that animals give each other. The way Momma Kitty arches herself against Pearl’s neck while Pearl lies in the grass and responds with her gentle tongue, grooming Momma Kitty and exemplifying a sweet interspecies display of love as each momma regards the other with care and supreme tenderness.
The inherent and impersonal brutality of Nature: Syd the dog comes running onto the deck with a young, dying raccoon in her maw, looking hurt and anxious when no one congratulates her catch. The relentless winds that wake me in the dark RV in a panic, lightning flashing and licking the corners of the window shades. Nature makes herself known as something powerful, uncontrollable, omnipotent.
The way each day is directed by the allowances of the weather: Surprise midnight rain means wet fields— there can be no weeding, planting, or foot stepping in the garden without risking leaving permanent boot prints in the briefly soft soil to last the whole season. Each movement of nature requires a responding pivot to one of the other tasks on the never ending list of farm life. It’s a turbulent tango between the farmer and her unruly business partner, Nature.
The way Jeff and Pearl adore each other. While I sit behind the cover of my book, I watch as Jeff comes to meet Pearl in her bed of grass every few minutes with a new handful of snack for her consideration: Tortilla chips, YES. Banana, no. Crackers, no, although Momma Kitty comes to get some while Pearl licks her ceaselessly. Granola bar, no, walnuts, yes. Water. Snuggles. Words of love. I feel my eyes slick with sweet tears because love knows no bounds. Love tethers us all together, from the thirsty plants and the gracious rain to Pearl and her cat friends and her loving momma, Jeff.