The Hamster Wheel
Once you start, it's hard to get off
I could be wrong, but I don’t think “lazy” is a word that is typically used to describe me. Perhaps words or phrases like “misguided” or “fuzzy-headed” and “just plain silly” are more accurate. And, I am absolutely certain that “camera-shy” is applicable. But when it comes to “lazy,” I’m usually the only one to apply it to my person - and that’s when I only get thirty of the forty things on a given day’s to-do list done.
And yes, I am exaggerating a little - but not too much. But, this intro was fun to write and I bet it was kind of fun to read too!
Reluctance start the wheel up
It would also be perfectly fair to suggest that I procrastinate - though I am not sure that word accurately describes what is truly happening. So, let me try to explain by comparing the Genuine Faux Farm growing season to a hamster wheel. And, let me remind you that once a hamster (or some other critter) starts up a hamster wheel, it can be very hard to get back off again.
Yes, I recognize that a skilled hamster can use their own legs and feet to help control the wheel. So imagine, if you will, that once you start the hamster wheel, you can’t slow it down. Some sort of force keeps it going. And going.
And going.
That, my friends, is what a farming season on our small-scale, diversified farm can be like. Once you start, you aren’t stopping until the season is over or a disaster strikes. And, in the case of a disaster, I am not entirely sure the wheel stops - it just kind of tilts at a 45 degree angle and speeds up a bit more.
What makes it a hamster wheel?
I can liken the feeling that the farm is a hamster wheel to several other occupations with which I have familiarity. For example, once a school term starts, teachers get on a monstrous hamster wheel. It’s a full-on sprint until the grades for that term are submitted! There is no stopping because the students, administrations, parents and community are all making sure that the wheel spins and they don’t let the teacher off.
There are certainly other professions that fit the bill too, and I’m not going to try to list them. But, I suspect if you are in them, you’ll recognize what I am discussing here.
Let me try to explain it another way.
Once you plant seeds in a tray, or the ground, you have committed to caring for these plants from germination to maturity. If you have hen chicks or turklets, you are committing yourself to making sure they always have food, water and shelter. And, there isn’t someone else who can easily step in and take your place. It’s your responsibility and you have the knowledge and expertise for your farm.
No one can replace you for long.
Which means, we keep running on that wheel until all the crops are in, cleaned and delivered to their eventual destinations. It’ll keep rolling until the turkeys are taken to “the Park” and delivered to each of the places that have invited them as “Guests of Honor” for Thanksgiving.
After that, there is one final burst to get the farm ready for the cold weather. Once that is done, we can allow ourselves to be flung off the wheel where we will hopefully land somewhere comfortable for a short while. Unless, of course, we decide to try to grow produce for the Winter market.
… until the wheel starts again in a month or so.
It’s not procrastination - it’s reluctance to begin a long race
I actually like growing food crops and flowers. And overall, I enjoy being the Genuine Faux Farm’s co-steward with Tammy. I revel in the miracle of seeds. I find a sense of purpose when I work on the new year’s farm plan and there is satisfaction when we accomplish at least some of what we set out to do.
So, why don’t I jump at the chance to start as soon as possible? Why is it that I am not anxious to start seeds as early as so many gardeners do? Why is it that I am resisting starting the next season now… and why have I resisted starting this time of year in most of the Genuine Faux Farm’s previous seasons?
It’s because I have experienced the Hamster Wheel enough times to know that, once I start, it isn’t going to stop for quite a while. It’s a bit like building up courage before taking a Polar Plunge or jumping out of an airplane (hopefully with a parachute).
So, I buy myself a little bit of time at the cost of the guilt that comes with delaying some tasks I know I should do now. After all, a hamster wheel is even harder to deal with if it starts moving BEFORE you get on it.
The Genuine Faux Farm 2024 Hamster Wheel
Now, before those who read this become concerned, I am here to assure you that we are, in fact, starting to get on the 2024 Hamster Wheel at the Genuine Faux Farm. And, believe it or not, there are many things that we are actually looking forward to doing - and a few that we really aren’t. But, that’s perfectly normal. Sometimes you have to do some things you don’t like so you have the opportunity to do things you do like.
We are happy to report that we have placed our orders for hen chicks, broiler chicks and turklets. The money is down, even if the baby birds are not yet here. So, we’re committed.
Well, okay. We could find alternatives if something happened where we could not do any of these flocks. But, we believe we shouldn’t make the order in the first place if we aren’t willing to dedicate ourselves to doing our best with these birds.
We’ve also placed orders to get new honeybees for 2024. Sadly, we lost both of our hives for different reasons. In one case, the colony was always weak. So, it wasn’t a surprise that they have already failed. It’s not a total loss, because we have been able to harvest the honey from each of the hives we lost. But, we know how much value they provide as pollinators, so we’re going to start up three hives this year.
We still have some seed ordering to do, but that won’t take much. And then, the fun starts when we get the onions and some lettuce and spinach going.
Crank it up - let’s see where this wheel takes us!
"Guests of Honor" on Thanksgiving - love it!