Ketchup

Okie Dokie I'll ketch you up on things.
Last two weeks have been of course busy. Last Sunday instead of my traditional do as little as possible day we processed our meat chickens. It wasn't a big batch but took most the day. Everything went off without a hitch, Adam and Erin did a great job, after training Adam on bleeding the chickens he took over as head vein cutter. He did a good job, and seemed to enjoy learning a new task that could very well serve him chicken the rest of his life. Erin helped Lisa inside with gutting etc, while I ran the scalding/plucker & helped Adam. Erin wasn't quite sure at the start if she could hang in there but she did, and I give her big props. It's not such an easy task gutting a chicken, especially if you've never even cut a whole one up that's already long dead . I was taught how to cut up a whole chicken at age 14. I didn't start processing live birds till a few years ago. So when our apprentices do it for the first time it's always a learning experience for all parties involved. But usually the end result is a simple satisfaction that they helped raise and kill their own meat. Sustenance at it's very core. And boy does it taste yummy.
Then of course Monday and back to the fields. Oh after doing chickens we did take Adam and Erin out to Scotty's ( our local dive bar by the river ) for some beers and deep fried food. Adam sure likes his deep fried food. He ordered up a second round of onion rings. So beers and new friends, the river and simple satisfaction of providing our selves with protein led to quite a nice Sunday even if I had to do more than as little as possible.
Back to the fields again. It started to get pretty hot this last week, huge Cherry Tomato pikin,Sharlyn pickin started, as well as all of our usuall repetoire. The 'Kids" ( it's what I call Adam and Erin ) rocked this week. Even in the blazing heat on they chugged, ( and Angela too ). Friday was wicked HOT, I put in a Twelve with harvesting H20 melons and Sharlyns which I swore two years ago to never do on friday but timing worked against me. Angela had a "falling back asleep" episode, but when it was all over everybody had put in an "ASSKICKEN" day and we were ready to got to Market and sell it all. Needless to say both Markets were hot as blazes but we sold alot of produce and celebrated with a dinner at Annies. I do like to show the Apprentices my appreciation for their hard work and dedication and a celebratory dinner is always nice.