I Am Free

Just finished my first week of country life and it is more than I could have imagined. I'm so happy in this new role that I can't believe I'm being given the opportunity to do what I love, work outside, and have rewarding fulfilling days with great coworkers. It is a world away from my old job in a tiny cubicle surrounded by unhappiness that was slowly suffocating me. Every day walking from the office down to the children's garden I take a deep breath and think : "I am free."

My days have been starting early in the morning and go late into the evening but I don't even care. I'm actually enjoying what I do and that is more than I can ask for. We've been doing quite a bit of planting during my first week. It involves prepping the beds as the soil here is very clay like and hard to work with. I've planted beet greens, swiss chard, tomatoes, sunflowers, carrots, radishes, and various squashes. We've also been to the Chatham Farmers Market a cute market in the local town. We harvested kale, mustard greens, edible flowers, and head lettuce to sell. We also had a childrens activity where they could plant a seed in a paper pot they made. It was the first experience with children we've had so far since the programs won't start until the end of this month.

Yesterday we went to a cookout as our little team that was being hosted by a couple who have a beautiful garden and sell their produce at the Kinderhook market. They hosted other young farmers in the area and I had such a great time. It was just so enjoyable to be with other like minded people in the arena of environmental policy and health. The couple was older and their home and lifestyle just seemed so calm. I can only hope that I reach that state of happiness and calamity at their age.

Tomorrow we go to the city to see a class conducted in the city and get to talk to some of the staff more about our own roles. I think seeing a class will be so helpful for me to understand how they run a class and how my classes should go. I can't wait!

More to come....