Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness...

Our autumn, mild as mild, has yet provided us with a new season of firsts at Fatima Farm. A handful of bitter-cold mornings, an equal handful of wonderful nights around the bonfire, a bounty of rich colors, crunching leaves beneath our feet, and woodland-smoky aromas all entice us outdoors and further into bosom-friendship with the maturing sun. Our fruit picking, with the exception of a last round of figs, is generally complete – with the pears practically transformed into later flowers for the bees, who buzz and nestle ceaselessly within the over-ripened fruit fallen thickly upon the ground. And this week, after months of diligent care and wondering, we found a single, beautiful little blue egg in the coop, oh frabjous day! We clapped and rejoiced, much as we clapped and rejoiced upon first hearing our budding chanticleer put forth a resounding cockle-doodle do. Recently we planted eight blueberry bushes, one of many childhood dreams it is such a delight for us parents to try to make a reality with our own brood. Much of our work is in preparation for harvests to come, and gladly do we put our hearts and hands to the work, novices that we are! ~ Our First Saturday gathering last weekend brought, too, a much-desired respite from the ill-tidings of the world that threaten – but happily do not wholly succeed – to encroach upon the sacred grounds of our haven. How grateful are we happy few to freely gather and pour out our hearts to Mother Mary! That day, after a morning of pouring rain, the sun broke through the clouds and family and friends joined us to roam and play, converse and pray, feast, make music, and sing. The irresistible refrain of The Ballad of Jesse James was a highlight, drawing a happy crowd of smiling faces, and it continues to be a joy here for dad and mom to hear our boys and girls spontaneously echoing the ballads of a simpler time – or at least a seemingly purer time; a kind of way in which we wish to employ our imaginations and be - as we go about our daily chores and tasks. May the Holy Virgin continue to keep us wrapped in her mantle, accepting our humble offerings, and may we continue to be inspired and committed to doing all things for the glory of her Son, Our Lord!

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