Beauregards Farm

Loved writing this blog for several years now...with farming and photography and other dreams I have not mastered yet, I have certainly and finally decided to let True Calling rest.  Visit me at Beauregards Farm on the web and see what's new, what's up and what's what.  Thank you for your consideration and kindnesses through the years...therapy came from nowhere I could see but everywhere, from you- I could feel love and concern;  it made all the difference.  Semper Fi.

The dumpster dive, the tuna salad, the story...

(originally published 02/02/09)

A retelling of a tale... about a Big Fish.

Big Fish hooked!

The lunch room was empty, he had forgotten to bring along a companion to his tuna salad sandwich- a reading companion. And the remnants from the lunch crowd earlier produced no magazines, or even a snippet of the sports page. So he took to digging in the trash...for reading material. He was desperate, bored- tuna salad made too blandly could only be savored by reading material- taking one's mind off not enough mustard and too much mayo. His dumpster dive produced a Sunday edition of the Bangor Daily News- and even it was only a segment- the sappy kind that women read or sissy boys get all emotional over. An AP article caught his eye because of the gardening byline- he loved to garden. The tuna salad experience was looking up. He read and ate...finished up his lunch and threw the BDN back into the bin. And worked his way through till the end of his day- punched the time clock and headed home. That's it. End of story?! 

Man goes to work, has tuna salad for lunch, reads sissy segment in paper only because there was nothing else more he-man like to entertain him, tosses paper into garbage and finishes out his day.

Except- something he had read in that article tugged at him as he pulled into his driveway, some 20 odd miles away from his work place. Something weird, mysterious- so alluring, he turned his Toyota around and drove back, willingly- to the place of hard work for some 30 plus years- parked his truck, nodded to the guard (who probably thought it was pretty odd to see the man back at work after only clocking out some 40 minutes ago...) made a beeline (well, maybe not a beeline- more like a pilgrimage...OK, this part I'm trying to make sound more interesting) for the lunch room. To go dumpster diving again. Only- this time, there was no tuna salad, no need for passing the time with a good read...this time- the need was- truly, he didn't know. He only knew that something made him silly enough to waste time and a gallon of gas. So- for the second time that day, the man dug through the trash- this time more excited, more deliberate, more...nuts.

The dumpster dive, the tuna salad, the story... for whatever reasons, these strange combinations drove the man right out of his mind...and into his heart. He picked up a pen and paper and wrote to the subject of the story on gardening...just to say hello. Just to say I'm thinking about you, just to say-

"I've never done anything like this, I hope you don't think I'm odd- I just felt compelled to write to you and tell you I think you're a beautiful person. I just wanted to get in touch, hoped it would mean something to you, to let you know you should keep doing what you're doing..."

That's what Big Fish do...out of the ordinary, extraordinarily kind, wondrous things. They send an envelope to the Community Center in the local nearest little town, with a note explaining-" Please put this lady's address on this envelope if you would, and forward it to her. I'm from Maine and just needed to get this message to her. Thanks."

As of September 2007, this Mainiac and I have been pen pals. He didn't even own a computer or cell phone- he preferred going to the ocean, gardening , walking in the woods, listening to the radio. The Radio!!! I have since transformed him just a little bit- now there's a CD player, a computer (he hates it), and he did own a cell phone for a little while, but chucked it somewhere, probably into the deep Atlantic off some rocky shore.

He flew out here last March...and the rest, as they say- is history. He now commutes infrequently, meeting folks from all over the globe in his travels. He doesn't know a stranger, gives his seat up in busy airports to little old ladies and women with children. Tips his hat, and says stuff like-"Hey Bud!" and "Wat an Aushol!" and "Deah-could I have a drink of watah?" On his first ever trip here, he was a bit nervous- so the guy next to him, naturally charmed I'm sure- gave him a red key pass. (Apparently, there are secret little wonderful club rooms in certain airports where, with one of these keys- you get treated like Mick Jagger.) And now the guy(from Seattle) visits Maine to see the Big Fish and they've formed a friendship. Every time my BF flies, he meets, or better word- connects to other folks through his friendly, Maine-bear hug-like charm.

(So many times I get- "Why'd you come to Maine?!!  How did you meet The Big Fish?"...well, this story is how and partially why.

 And, our story continues...I am now a Mrs. Big Fish as of 12/21/12 and could never have conceived of this particular happiness.  We grow together.)

Between Awe and Wonder

A GARDEN is a lovesome thing, God wot!

Rose plot, Fringed Pool,Ferned grot-

The veriest school

Of peace; and yet the fool

Contends that God is not-

Not God?! in gardens! when the eve is cool?

Nay?

But I have a sign;

Tis very sure...

God walks in mine.

Poem By Thomas Edward Brown (1830-1897)"My Garden"

a heap of effort

In three weeks time we have done so much to make this little place of heaven I call home- even more gorgeous. My Big Fish has been here with his shoulder to the heave, sweat upon his brow, loving kind and gentle as always. He made his exit yesterday, late and lacking a proper gate time, missed his plane although he never complained at all. We made a bed out of doors and slept under the stars, as if we were in a palace made for two under the Almighty's right gaze. Each morning he greeted me with "Hello sweetheart, what's on the agenda today?" And it never mattered even one little bit if there was too much upon the plate, he dug right in, consumed with love and loyalty and a strong gentleness I have never known in another, I miss him so right now. But! The walls and floors, the attic and sheds, all done up right and ready for the next most bless-ed inhabitants. (And I could not have whipped it all into shape without the help of my most devoted friends- I truly do not know what I ever did in this life to deserve such loving support and encouragement.)

Moving is like molasses in a straw, sure takes a heap of effort to get it fluidly in motion. There hasn't been a day since I last wrote that hasn't been an all consuming moving experience. (Though moving is not the proper word...) This isn't moving, this is trudging along, a heave and a ho and a let that thing go, throw that thing away and wait a minute...that goes in my "Mom" box - just because.


Flat tires on old trucks, trees missing limbs, cedars splitting down the middle, Etta finding her way under my tire, (she's OK, her little leg is awful sore though), sleeping in a truck bed, sleek shiny floors, wet painted walls, flowers all in bloom, lawn looking lush- oh why oh why didn't I leave three months ago? Wouldn't have mattered I suppose, always beautiful, this place called Beauregards, always something, always more...winter spring summer fall, memories galore, tears and laughter joy and pain, wouldn't trade any of it, not an ounce of misfortune or beautiful remnant from a most beautiful day.



Waiting on an offer, offering more than anyone can know on first glance. This place will grow on a person's soul and they'll know what I know if their eyes are open and their hearts are true.

Listed and such last week, love for sale...freedom from the fray and Oh! The sunsets...





Take care-

To September

Sunflowers bow-

bending at their brown

dried knees

no longer following

the sun

humbled now, they fade

Spiders busier-

by night they spin

sunrise casts first light

on their dew drop craft-

intricate lines

of deception

Birds and more birds

gather on lines and poles

like little feathered men

assembled in rows

something startles one

-off they all fly madly

Sun rise bothers not

to wake me these days

I am the one who shakes

to rise and shine-

a bucket of cracked corn

rattled like an alarm

As for the moon-

too early he rises

in a golden way

hypnotizing me,

early yawns follow-

triumphantly he glows

When sun and moon together

compress the day

between horizons

of awe and wonder-

daylight beaten,

I surrender...

To September.

by T.L. Starks 2008

Beauregards Farm Newsletter-Aug/Sept 2008

Kids are back in school, spiders are busier by night, the days are becoming more compressed between sunrise and sunset. The evening temperatures perhaps have us thinking about wrapping up in comfortable sweaters while considering our evening meals with a bit more contemplation. Carrots, eggplant, sweet tomatoes, peppers, squash- all add up to stew accompanied by fat biscuits or crusty bread. For added flavor to compliment the mix of crops mentioned- garlic, basil, thyme, rosemary and tarragon if you're considering placing that stew over the top in terms of a wow! taste.

The summer is drawing to a close, and perhaps a few folks like me are ready for it to cool down, to no longer insist that we carry an umbrella wherever we go. AAAHHH, yes-September is whispering it's sweet sentiments to me already. In the garden, waiting for the changes soon to come are lettuces not quite at their peak of flavor, though the cool nights will bring about such sweetness! And the spinach will be ready by mid September as will the radishes and beets and sweet dumpling squash. The fall garden is one to be savored- it is this farmer's dream come true- less weeding, virtually no bugs munching at my mercy, and the sun's rays are more warming, less heat intensive- feels like a comforting blanket wrapped around my shoulders. This- a second spring - beckons us to look upon the crops with new eyes- see the bold orange of the pumpkins, view the deeper greens in the leaf, savor the sight of fields aplenty. It is all good and hearty and right that we embrace this time as it embraces us with a gentleness that awakens our senses to the beauty abounding in everything.

Recipe~(adapted,changed and completely rearranged)

Garden Patch Stew

4 Medium sized Tomatoes, chopped
(or 1 can Italian style tomatoes)
4 Medium potatoes, cut into chunks
4 Medium carrots, cut into 1/2 in. chunks
2 Medium Eggplants, peeled and chunked
2 med to small squash, peeled and chunked
1 Large onion, cut into chunks
2-3 cloves of Garlic
1 can chicken broth(for healthier, less sodium overload- use your own homemade chicken or vegetable stock)
Fresh Thyme(1-2 TBS.)
Fresh Rosemary(2 sprigs or more....)
salt to taste
pepper
3 TBS cornstarch
3 TBS water

In dutch oven, cook down a bit the tomatoes, add broth, add potatoes,carrots,squash,onions- turn to a boil then simmer into almost tender(about 12-15 minutes)- add eggplant and now cook everything until tender(6-8 minutes more).
Add spices and garlic, stew until the smell arrives and says yes, this is good!(from 4-8 minutes)
In a small bowl mix corn starch with cold water well, add to stew, increase heat just until thickening begins, lower heat until thickening levels out, stirring with some constancy, but be gentle. If your stew appears still too thin, repeat the cornstarch step, adding just a bit until the correct consistency is arrived at.
(For a heartier stew, brown chicken, beef or whatever you prefer before the tomato step, adding all the ingredients on top of the meat.)

Serve this with crusty bread and a salad. Follow up with apple crisp. Invite me over.

(***all of the bold ingredients can be found at market.)


See you at the market!

Beauregards Farm-Market Newsletter July 2008

Oooooooh boys....it's hot!!!! From a song, in the seventies...you remember the 70's??? Oh, never mind...but it is hot! The lettuce is slowly wilting right in the field, requiring a plunge into some freshly drawn well water to bring it back to life- and the radishes are far too hot for most tastes. (Pithy too...) Tomatoes are swelling, their weight cracking some of the stems not made ready to support them yet. And the darn peppers...what is going on with the peppers???? Could it be that the wetness and coolness of June stunted their growth and they're still pouting? Yep, I think that may be the problem. I'll just have to spoil them a bit with extra heat loving mulch and clay field tiles around their middles so they'll warm up to me.
Even though it is mid-summer, and moist and humid and about the only thing we have to look forward too in this sweltering heat is the Illinois State Fair ('cause we all take it in stride, the "fair" weather is nothing but extreme)...we still like to grill, do we not? And it is something we do together, right??? Women are multi-taskers, by golly-- we can grill and cook and shuck the corn all at the same time....but, speaking for myself- usually something suffers in the meal and it's usually the grill cooked dish. Because, I do believe- grilling is for the single minded, the highly aware, the-stay-on-task-or-you'll-burn-it-kind of guy or gal. So- you grill conscious folks....here are a couple of recipes that you just might fall in love with...or maybe redeem yourself after that last episode of steaks burning and volunteer firefighters showing up.....
Take care!

Tarragon Shrimp
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1- 2 cloves fresh garlic(be bold, use 3-4...)
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
pinch of salt and white pepper(black is fine...)
1 pound cooked shrimp, (41-50 per pound)
2 tablespoon French tarragon, chopped
In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and mix well. Add the shrimp and tarragon, mix well. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour. Place shrimp over a bed of mixed greens. Serves 4.
I start a bed of coals, wait till they're about medium in heat, put the shrimp on(using a mesh basket or small grated pan) just heat through with singe marks and oh my goodness...heaven on a bed of greens.

Thee Most Tantalizing Taste For The Grill...(You'll see)
Chicken, Pork or Lamb works well here...
1 Cup Honey (Local honey is the best and good for your immune system...)
1/2 Cup Mustard(any kind, reallly...use Plochmans or that fancy stuff someone gave you for Christmas....)***Add more to taste...
1 Stick of Butter
Garlic cloves(use about as much as you would if vampires were hovering....say- several cloves anyway)
and here is the secret ingredient....
1 Tablespoon good Curry(I know, I know- you're hubby won't eat it...try this, he will.)***Add more to taste...

Place your meat in a pan with sides so that morsels are laid side by side, mix up the above recipe, pour over meat. Let sit for 1 hour to overnight. Place on medium coals, basting meat with drippings from pan. Even teenagers like this and will say so...it's just something different and so delectable...truly.(If it rains...shove the whole thing in the oven for 1 hour at 375, or until juices run clear.)


Every so often, I will add a newsletter...'cause I only have time enough to think long and hard a little...the wheels are always turning about something. Thank you all for being so kind, so considerate, so eerily interested in truly the mundane...Ha.

Be well...and market-ply. Hmmmm....maybe I should sleep more....

Slow Food

Oh my goodness...another sultry day. Looks like we might be getting more storms...oh well, the house is screaming for attention, like dusting and sweeping and a little bit of laundry.

And I am going to post the tour info if anyone is interested for the Slow Food group coming out on the 29th, the public(that'd be you....) is invited. Here is the info:

Slow Food Farm Tour
Beauregards Farm - (Williamsville, Illinois)

Join us for a tour of Beauregards Farm located 2 miles south of Williamsville. Owner Terry Starks will tell us about her farm and allow us to walk around the property on mowed paths through the rye and grasses. She also has an intern from Paris working with her for the summer who will share his perspective with us.

A delightful lunch of quiches and a seasonal salad will be provided - all grown or raised on the farm.

The cost for this trip is $5 for Slow Food members and $10 for non-members. Reservations are required, with payment being made the day of the tour. To make a reservation for this wonderful local farm tour, please email Deanna at Deanna_Glosser@comcast.net or call her at 629-8949. The deadline to make a reservation is June 23rd.

Now should any of you out there in cyber land want to help with the serving and the setting up, well I wouldn't sick the dogs on ya...I'd say, "SURE!!!"

Should be interesting...and yummy. Hopefully, the weather will oblige and be sunny and breezy, otherwise we'll all know what it feels like to sit in a hot chicken coop- although I'll have fans running and lots of iced tea and lemonade. Rain or shine, this tour goes on, in the shed. Oh, and I'm looking for pie pans to borrow and chairs...so, friends- lend me your seats. Off to pick lettuce, take care-