Shady Grove Farm Illinois

I think its pickle 🥒 making time! 😫 Once they start coming in, they don't stop 😆 (these are Boothby Blondes, and this year I vow to pick them before they get too big, but I hope I can keep up w them!)

Looking West, then East, just before this afternoon's thunderstorms rolled through.

New team member alert! Say hello to the newest barn cat associate, Emma (named for the lady of the farmhouse who lived here the longest, roughly from the late 1800s till 1964). This little kitty was dropped off on one of the country roads out this way, and a kind soul picked her up to get her out of the road, and I offered to take her in. We don't know if she'll be able to learn the barn cat survival ropes yet, but she's quite independent and scrappy, despite her size, so I have faith in her. Let's all wish her success! 🙏🐱

Last night's steamy summer evening, but at least there was a breeze and the fireflies were putting on a show! I also heard my first cicadas of the year, that means the season is moving along, getting closer to Autumn
I'm Hoping this heatwave breaks tonight!

We're all surviving the heatwave, but are really looking forward to Friday's break in these high heat indexes. I really need to mow again and w**d whack, and no way I'm doing it in this (hard to breathe in) weather. Hoping for a mow chance this weekend so people don't think this is one of those abandoned farms 😆