Finding Hope

So for all of you that thought I was joking about donning my farmer boots and helping mark out a massive corn maze, here's a photo for the upcoming harvest season. Willamette Valley Fruit Co. got an e-mail from an unknown gentleman, who just happened to fly over our field and take a few pictures. I'm not joking. It's awesome!!

I was out in the field for three days marking with spray paint. 3 more guys were out in the field for two more days marking with more paint. Jeff sat on a riding lawn mower for a day and a half. And this is the 13 acre "maze" that is so much more than a maze.

It's a way of life. I'm learning that. You work hard, but the rewards are so enormous. I was out there tonight having dinner with Jeff and the kids. The view from my window encompassed a grass seed field that had been baled and the bales were being loaded onto flat bed trucks, a new orchard of tiny Filbert trees being irrigated, sprinklers spraying in the gorgeous hues of an orange sinking sun. We were hot and sweaty and dirty, but it was beautiful. I sat on the lawn at the store and watched the boys play tag and Jeff play with Abby, and I was deeply content.

The rainbow is actually from last year - I was driving down the road after time at the farm with Jeff and the newly washed world was calling to me. This is the best I could do with my point-and-shoot. Sometimes cameras can't capture the essence of a moment, any more than this blog can capture the essence of being at the farm. I think after 12 years of marriage the farm is finally sending down roots into my soul. It's good.

So come see us in the fall, get lost, and have some fun in our maze. The 2010 in the lower left hand corner is a kiddie maze. You can go run around in there and not get too lost. The MPFS (We are partnering with Marion/Polk Food Share and Hope Station with some of the proceeds of the maze) in the lower right corner is a medium level maze. It does not connect to the bigger maze and can be navigated quite simply. And then the big kahuna. . . well, pack a picnic lunch and plan to stay all day. I think My Farmer is planning some scavenger hunt and prize areas - like refreshments for those who are the first to find hope - for various areas of the maze. I'll keep you posted. Oh, and he wants me to tell you to check out www.theMaize.com "find a maze near you, and select Salem)