Thursday, September 19, 2013

my life as a pack mule.

This morning, like so many other mornings in my life lately, I packed my truck full of stuff (flowers, branches, grapevine rolled in a tarp, boxes of styrofoam peanuts, cartons of eggs, an extension ladder, work boots and clippers) and headed out for the city from the farm. Pack it up, move it out, unload it somewhere else. Song of myself. Halfway down the driveway this morning Eric ran after me with a plastic grocery bag full of my wet-from-the-clothesline-dew socks and underwear.

I can carry a lot - not even talking about my truck right now. I can lift more than your average man with a desk job. In the time I've been a florist which is something like 7 years, some of my favorite shirts have become tight around the shoulders, and if you think I'm bragging right now, you'd be right. There are two women who can lift more than me; Nicolette and maybe Deanna and damn straight - I keep those bitches close.

Now. What started out as a post to fill you in on the last few weeks of events around here became my own personal pissing contest. And I'm sorry for that. I'm just feeling sad because we just lost one of our best interns back to the good country of Canada. Reuben came and lived with us for three weeks and made for so much possible at the farm and in the city at Saipua. We planted hundreds of iris and peonies...we made Little Flower School classes happen, we made weddings and fashion week events.

My mind is in a hundred places tonight. I've got to fill you in about our new sheep, our new maremma puppy who is guarding those sheep from coyotes as we speak, new classes coming for winter, new soaps, an upcoming plant sale, and a very special book project we're self publishing before the holidays. All with time. But tonight I want to say thank you to Reuben (and the rest of our incredible interns) who are integral to so many things around here. And who do a lot of heavy lifting.

Saipua, sum of it's parts.

I promise more soon... I'm emotionally eating ice cream out of the container right now trying to figure out how to close this, so I'm just going to say good night.

 

15 comments:

LPC said...

What cuties you all are. But I have to ask, do the sheep have a purpose? A use? Or their being alone is the point of them?

Miss Pickering said...

You had me at puppy.

Ferriss Donham said...

She had me at pissing contest!

auds story said...

Eric looks like a happy farmer. Thanks for the post.

Bow Street Flowers said...

Actually Bow Street Flowers said what 'love auds' said. No clue what happened there.

Meg said...

you are my hero, sarah! love the farm family portrait and look forward to puppy/sheep posts to come. (but Nea will still be my favorite!) XO

Anonymous said...

labor law about interns

http://www.labor.ny.gov/formsdocs/factsheets/pdfs/p725.pdf

Sarah Ryhanen said...

Anon! If you'd like to apply for an internship, I encourage you to!

Anonymous said...

I totally sympathize...the amount of haul, the repetitive motions, the wear and tear on the hands neck, shoulders, the weight of water, the long hours, the feast or famine aspects of the trade. But.....the beauty is exquisite.

Kay said...

i need a reuben..can you send one over here please!! 800 rannunculus to plant:)

gamine co said...

You know, I was just wondering if I was putting on a few lbs. I bent down to lift a potted Pyracantha and ripped right through the back shoulder of my shirt. Now, thanks to this post, I think I'm the Incredible Hulk. Thanks, Saipua!

Anonymous said...

It ain't bragging if you can back that shit up, G. The way I see it you're just stating stone cold fact. And one more thing: I LOVE Reuben.

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Anonymous said...

i love to read your posts and look at the beautiful pictures--i wish my english would be better

Unknown said...

Guys you are all great.. What a pose.. I really loved it.. Thanks a lot for few minutes enjoyment..
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