{"id":4049,"date":"2020-12-31T19:28:21","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T19:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zuschlag.us\/?p=4049"},"modified":"2026-02-09T19:56:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T19:56:05","slug":"2020-christmas-letter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/?p=4049","title":{"rendered":"2020 Christmas Letter"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4053\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan-banner1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan-banner1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan-banner1-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan-banner1-1024x485.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan-banner1-768x364.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan-banner1-192x91.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A new year, a new decade\u2026.. what will it bring?\u00a0\u00a0 Well, we know the answer now, but in January 2020 there was such promise in the air when I woke up to the scene above.<\/p>\n<p>Farm-wise, things were blissfully quiet.\u00a0 Oddly, but nicely, quiet. \u00a0That was the first change the year brought.\u00a0 After 23 years of Januaries spent prepping for lambing season, this year there was nothing to do.\u00a0 With only 10 ewes and none of them pregnant, I really had no farm chores to do except to toss the sheep a bale of hay once every few days. \u00a0I can\u2019t say I had time to contemplate this sea-change in my life, as my off-farm job was soon in hyper-drive.\u00a0 Never had I seen real estate so \u201chot\u201d in the middle of January.\u00a0 Was this a sign of times to come, or an aberration?\u00a0 Either way, I was all for it.\u00a0 I was so busy that I didn\u2019t really have any spare time to tackle the usual winter farm chores.\u00a0 I just got fatter and fatter sitting at desk answering emails and sitting in the car driving clients around.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, it was such blur of that I can\u2019t recall much more of the month than that.\u00a0 Any spare moment was spent prepping for the big adventure of February.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9568\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9568 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"jan20\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9568\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9568\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9569 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9569\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan2001.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9568 slide-9569\" title=\"jan2001\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith and Phoebe take a selfie<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9570 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9570\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan2002.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9568 slide-9570\" title=\"jan2002\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Dramatic Clouds over Barn Cupola<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9571 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9571\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan2003.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9568 slide-9571\" title=\"jan2003\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Snowstorm<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9572 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9572\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan2004.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9568 slide-9572\" title=\"jan2004\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Winter wonderland<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9573 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9573\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan2005.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9568 slide-9573\" title=\"jan2005\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Orchard View<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9574 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9574\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan2006.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9568 slide-9574\" title=\"jan2006\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Winter Garden in the Moonlight<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9575 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9575\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/jan2007.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9568 slide-9575\" title=\"jan2007\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Snow gone but still wintery<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4112\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/febban.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/febban.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/febban-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/febban-1024x485.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/febban-768x364.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/febban-192x91.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This entire letter should be about February.\u00a0 The rest of the year, with its crazy mix of COVID-19, protests, election nonsense, and just utter madness around the globe, really isn\u2019t worth contemplating.\u00a0 Instead, the memory of February is one that I <strong><em>want<\/em><\/strong> to be the defining one when I look back on the year that passed.<\/p>\n<p>February, you see, was spent in New Zealand.<\/p>\n<p>Such trip had been a long-cherished dream of mine. \u00a0In fact, as a younger man, I often entertained thoughts of just leaving it all and heading out there to start a new life. \u00a0The romance of a remote, windswept spot of land without many people had great appeal and New Zealand seemed to have that on offer.\u00a0 \u00a0But\u2026.as so often happens in life, dreams get trampled by the crush of everyday living and then you find yourself turning 60, and wondering <em>will I ever see the land of my dreams?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The truth of it is, I fought a valiant effort to keep life from swallowing this particular dream and shitting it out in some overfilled litter box. \u00a0I had saved airline miles for decades in the hopes of first class airfare halfway around the world.\u00a0 But Keith\u2019s annual study trips to France put a dent into that mother lode.\u00a0 Each year when this trip had seemed further out of reach, I would console myself with the idea that when it did finally happen, it wouldn\u2019t be a younger man\u2019s camping and tramping adventure, but an older man\u2019s comfy luxury accommodation trip.\u00a0 But there as well, my budget suggested it would have to be camping and tramping while my old bones protested against the thought.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, like much of my life, it was sheer force of will meeting immovable objects and seeing if the impact yielded any results I could live with.\u00a0 Airfare would have to be economy, despite Keith\u2019s 6\u20194\u201d frame (well, economy plus in compensation).\u00a0 Accommodations would have to be pretty modest with occasional splurges of luxury to compensate.\u00a0 But in the end, we could do it. And, by God, do it before I turned 60 (with two weeks to spare) and completely fell apart.<\/p>\n<p>So January 31<sup>st<\/sup> saw us in San Francisco airport being exposed to hordes of people escaping COVID-19 ridden China, and boarding a cramped tube of metal for a 13 hour flight to Auckland.<\/p>\n<p>My plan was simple.\u00a0 Spend as much time outdoors hiking and wandering and enjoying the mountains, seas, farms, and gardens that this country seemed to have in such incredible scenic excess. Keith\u2019s plan was equally straightforward. Meet with the best wine makers in the country, drink their wines, and eat in the best restaurants everywhere we went.\u00a0 In the end, I think we achieved both goals quite nicely and sometimes synergistically.\u00a0 We saw great things, made some new good friends, and had wonderful adventures.\u00a0 I won\u2019t bore you with a daily travelogue.\u00a0 Was it the trip of a lifetime?\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 Would I return if I could?\u00a0 In a heartbeat.\u00a0 Can I die happy knowing I\u2019ve completed one of my life goals?\u00a0 Clearly.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>$285 for C\u00f4te Brune C\u00f4te-R\u00f4tie!\u00a0 Do you know what a steal that is?\u201d <em>Uttered by Keith at Noble Rot in Wellington.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cUm.\u00a0 No. I don&#8217;t. Not really. But I guess I&#8217;m paying for it anyway.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Some random thoughts before I let the pictures do the talking:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To be 21 years old and spending a gap year in Queenstown working in a restaurant or some tourist concession in the company of hordes of other 21 year olds from across the globe is to know perfect human happiness.<\/li>\n<li>Elton John should have retired 15 years ago. Do not continue past your \u2018sell by\u2019 date. Exit gracefully.<\/li>\n<li>The Southern Alps truly are magnificent.<\/li>\n<li>There is such a thing as too much \u2018fine dining.\u2019<\/li>\n<li>All the luxury &#8216;lodges&#8217; in New Zealand are owned by American Billionaires.<\/li>\n<li>To garden in Canterbury or Marlborough is the goal of my next life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 32px;\"><strong>WARNING!\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0You&#8217;re about to scroll through someone else&#8217;s vacation photos.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve tried to edit down to the bare minimum, but still&#8230;. you&#8217;ve been forewarned!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Dunedin and Queenstown<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-9579\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9579 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"feb201\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9579\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9579\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9580 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9580\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200202_104651.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9580\" title=\"Let&#039;s hope so!\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Let's Hope So!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9581 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9581\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200203_122929.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9581\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">First meal - lamb shanks and local beer<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9582 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9582\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200203_143519.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9582\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">nesting royal albatrosses<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9583 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9583\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200203_183738.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9583\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith explores Dunedin<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9584 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9584\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200204_125051.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9584\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Dunedin botantical garden in the rain<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9585 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9585\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200204_132702.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9585\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">I guess we won't be going to Milford Sound<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9586 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9586\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200204_193328-475x475.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9586\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Soaked concert goers<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9587 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9587\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200204_193550.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9587\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">crowds gathered to see Elton John<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9588 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9588\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200204_220728.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9588\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">he's an old fat man<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9589 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9589\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200204_221255.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9589\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith enjoying the concert<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9590 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9590\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200204_221609-1000x1000.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9590\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">poor thing can hardly sing anymore<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9591 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9591\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200205_190103.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9591\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">View from our hotel in Queenstown<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9592 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9592\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200205_192409.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9592\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Global Youth enjoying Queenstown<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9593 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9593\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200205_200542.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9593\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Cocktails in Queenstown<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9594 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9594\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200206_152642.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9594\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The Remarkable Range above town<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9595 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9595\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200207_093704.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9595\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">tiny dots are paragliders in the sky<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9596 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9596\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200207_155456.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9596\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">a quieter side of Queenstown<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9597 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9597\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200207_184701.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9597\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">More cocktails in Queenstown<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9598 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9598\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200207_192758.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9598\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Best bar with a view<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9599 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9599\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200208_111748.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9599\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">On the way to Blanket Bay<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9600 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9600\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200208_111844.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9600\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">My type of landscape<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9601 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9601\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200208_113902.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9601\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The Southern Alps are beyond beautiful<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9602 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9602\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200208_135916.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9602\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Celebrating Doug's 70th<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9603 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9603\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200208_143417-998x999.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9603\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Blanket Bay Lodge<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9604 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9604\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200208_152309.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9579 slide-9604\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Hiking in Glenorchy<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Central Otago and Mt. Cook<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9605\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9605 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"feb202\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9605\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9605\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9606 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9606\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200208_175242.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9606\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith hitting the wineries<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9607 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9607\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200209_154430.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9607\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Dominion Roads has good wine<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9608 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9608\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200210_101827.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9608\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Rippon Vineyard is stunning!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9609 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9609\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200210_103119-473x473.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9609\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Not a bad view of Lake Wanaka<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9631 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9631\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200210_101932.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9631\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith's new best friend - Jo Mills<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9610 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9610\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200210_113253.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9610\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Rippon Winery<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9611 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9611\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200210_113836.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9611\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Event space at Rippon<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9612 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9612\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200210_135336.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9612\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Fenton Road<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9613 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9613\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200210_153746.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9613\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Tasting with Claire Mulholland at Burn Cottage<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9614 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9614\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200210_1652230.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9614\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">an old time miner and his mule<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9615 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9615\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200210_191200.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9615\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Not a bad dinner spot<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9616 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9616\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_110424.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9616\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The badlands of Central Otago<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9617 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9617\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_122157-473x473.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9617\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Mt. Cook in the distance<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9618 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9618\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_122237.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9618\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Mt Cook<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9619 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9619\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_143112.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9619\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">You've seen one glacier, you've seen them all<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9620 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9620\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_1452130.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9620\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">hiking the glacial trail<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9621 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9621\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_151156.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9621\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">one of several suspension bridges<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9622 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9622\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_151452.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9622\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Still off in the distance<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9623 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9623\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_152918.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9623\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">some tired Swedish girls resting<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9624 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9624\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_155302.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9624\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">end of the trail<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9625 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9625\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_155312.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9625\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">iceberg<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9626 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9626\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_155335.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9626\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">glacial scree<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9627 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9627\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_155407.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9627\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">glacial melt<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9628 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9628\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_161322.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9628\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">it's a long hike back<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9629 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9629\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_183252.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9629\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">view from our hotel room<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9630 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9630\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200211_201405.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9605 slide-9630\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">well deserved after hike cocktails<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Christchurch and Marlborough<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 32px;\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-9634\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9634 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"feb203\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9634\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9634\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9635 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9635\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200212_140358.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9635\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Alan Trott's garden is wonderful<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9636 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9636\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200212_140711.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9636\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">the long border<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9637 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9637\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200212_142637.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9637\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">he even has  knot garden<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9638 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9638\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200212_161537.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9638\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">David Hobb's Broadfield is a hedge lover's delight<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9639 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9639\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200212_162803.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9639\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">David gives us a tour<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9640 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9640\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200212_163427.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9640\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Broadfield<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9641 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9641\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200212_165714.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9641\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">I'll never complain about hedge trimming again<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9642 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9642\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200212_171051.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9642\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Start of my new conifer obsession<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9643 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9643\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200212_195654.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9643\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith raids Inati's wine cellar<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9644 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9644\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200212_202758.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9644\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">We ate this<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9645 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9645\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200212_214000.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9645\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">duck, duck, duck, duck<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9646 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9646\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200213_105659.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9646\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Sir Miles Warren's Ohinetahi<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9647 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9647\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200213_110341.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9647\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">A stunning setting for a garden<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9648 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9648\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200213_110806.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9648\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Inspiration for my humble plot of land<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9649 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9649\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200213_142427.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9649\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Christchurch Botanical Garden exceeded expectations<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9650 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9650\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200213_151917.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9650\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Punting  on the Avon<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9651 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9651\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200213_153605.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9651\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Remains of Christchurch Cathedral<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9652 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9652\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200213_183411.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9652\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Pre-earthquake bridge on the Avon<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9653 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9653\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200213_192717.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9653\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith's favorite street in Christchurch<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9654 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9654\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200214_142042.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9654\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Winterhome<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9655 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9655\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200214_143152.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9655\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">A garden gnome<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9656 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9656\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200214_143251.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9656\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Hedging for days<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9657 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9657\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200214_143322.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9657\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The Macfarlane's dog gave us the tour<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9658 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9658\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200214_143926.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9658\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">A nice little rill<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9659 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9659\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200214_191435.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9659\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Our 'batch' in Blenheim<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9660 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9660\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200215_133842.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9660\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Lunch at Cloudy Bay<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9661 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9661\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200215_133855.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9661\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Filled with tourists, but good food<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9662 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9662\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200215_191305.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9662\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Front view from our 'batch'<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9663 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9663\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200215_202458.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9663\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Back view from 'batch' with Keith's grilled lamb<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9664 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9664\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200216_125530.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9634 slide-9664\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Endless vineyards in Marlborough<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Wellington and Wairapara<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9666\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9666 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"feb204\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9666\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9666\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9667 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9667\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200217_185136.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9667\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith's imitation of a kiwi (the bird, not the people)<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9668 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9668\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200218_170753.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9668\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Cocktails in Wellington<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9669 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9669\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200218_190602.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9669\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">This is not New Zealand wine!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9670 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9670\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_104900.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9670\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Tree ferns are awesome<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9671 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9671\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_105946.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9671\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">An endangered Takahe - only 465 left<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9672 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9672\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_111019.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9672\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Tuataras are well camouflaged<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9673 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9673\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_112645.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9673\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Rainforest stream<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9674 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9674\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_112918.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9674\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith admiring the ferns<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9675 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9675\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_112942.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9675\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">It's very wet and mossy<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9676 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9676\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_125025.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9676\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Driving across the<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9677 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9677\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_125034.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9677\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">they don't believe in guard rails here<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9678 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9678\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_125041.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9678\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">It's a scary drive<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9679 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9679\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_153616.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9679\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Chatting with Larry McKenna at Escarpment<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9680 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9680\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_154500.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9680\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">tasting right from the barrel<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9681 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9681\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_104949.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9681\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">How to speak Kiwi<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9682 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9682\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_113046.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9682\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Tasting with Wilco Lam at Dry River<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9683 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9683\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_145458.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9683\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Our cottage at Wharekauhau<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9684 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9684\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_152500.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9684\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Shhh!  The Princess is taking a nap<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9685 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9685\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_165542.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9685\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Pre-dinner trek to the ocean<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9686 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9686\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_170444.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9686\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Our goal is down below<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9687 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9687\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_171404.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9687\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">A dry riverbed<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9688 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9688\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_172311.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9688\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith contemplates the vastness of the Pacific<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9689 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9689\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_172320.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9689\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Now we have to climb back up the cliff<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9690 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9690\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_190116.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9690\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Heading to the lodge for dinner<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9691 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9691\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_192330.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9691\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Fancy guests arriving by copter<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9692 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9692\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200220_193906.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9692\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Jeff Bezos and girlfriend arrive in style<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9693 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9693\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200221_101347.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9666 slide-9693\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">I could live with a house like this<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Auckland and Waiheke Island<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9696\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9696 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"feb205\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9696\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9696\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9697 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9697\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200219_111422.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9697\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Kaka parrot having a snack<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9698 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9698\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200223_132402.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9698\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Touring Auckland Harbor<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9699 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9699\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200223_132710.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9699\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Aucklanders at Sunday Brunch<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9700 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9700\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200223_141959.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9700\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Our waitress<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9701 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9701\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200223_201234-900x900.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9701\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Dinner with Robert and Jason<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9702 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9702\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200224_170552.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9702\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">View from our porch on Waiheke island<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9703 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9703\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200224_195338.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9703\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith enjoying the view<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9704 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9704\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200224_202512.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9704\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Sunset on Waiheke<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9705 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9705\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200225_122850.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9705\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Lunch at Tantalus Vineyard<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9706 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9706\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200225_123313.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9706\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Apparently it's the fashionable way to arrive<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9707 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9707\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200225_123846.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9707\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Nice wines in Waiheke<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9708 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9708\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200225_124357.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9708\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Grapes netted against birds<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9709 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9709\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200225_130041.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9709\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Ladies like to lunch in groups<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9710 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9710\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200225_143956.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9710\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">I tried, but he wouldn't stay<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9711 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9711\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200225_175623.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9711\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Our beach hut bedroom<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9712 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9712\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200225_192705.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9712\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Onetangi is my favorite beach<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9713 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9713\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200225_192725.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9713\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">vast empty beach at end of summer<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9714 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9714\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20200225_192856.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9696 slide-9714\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">327 has best food and people watching<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4110\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/marban.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/marban.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/marban-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/marban-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/marban-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/marban-192x108.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cEverybody knows that pestilences have a way of recurring in the world; yet somehow we find it hard to believe in ones that crash down on our heads from a blue sky. There have been as many plagues as wars in history; yet always plagues and wars take people equally by surprise.\u201d \u2013 <\/em>Albert Camus, \u201cThe Plague\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This year everyone has their tale of how March unfolded.\u00a0 Ours isn\u2019t really that exciting. As the world slowly locked down country by country, I think everyone experienced some dread, nervous excitement, and odd fascination with what was happening around them.<\/p>\n<p>But for us, we were just grateful to have made it back to the States without delay on March 1st and get the farm ready for Spring. \u00a0\u00a0We hit the ground running.\u00a0 Keith basically got off the plane and headed to Charlottesville to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbc29.com\/2020\/03\/03\/central-virginia-wineries-compete-th-annual-monticello-cup-wine-competition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">judge Virginia Wines<\/a> (note: in the video he\u2019s the one wearing the hat at table <em>\u2013 indoors!!<\/em>)<\/p>\n<p>At first, my real estate business exceeded the January boom, and all the appointments, settlements, and showings that were piling up in February while I was away overwhelmed me in a hurry.\u00a0 \u00a0Likewise there were several winter tidy-up farm projects that were delayed by our February absence and needed to be done right away.\u00a0 So there wasn\u2019t really that much time to dwell on the outside world.<\/p>\n<p>But then both suddenly and not so suddenly the COVID-19 warnings and restrictions began. As they tightened, my real estate activity dried up entirely.\u00a0 I got a lot of farm work done, but I was concerned about people breathing on Keith up and down the east coast on Amtrak. \u00a0To my relief Amtrak soon cancelled all rail travel as well and Keith was able to stay at home on the farm.<\/p>\n<p>At first it was a welcome break; we had plenty of toilet paper and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/title\/81115994\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tiger King<\/a> was playing on Netflix, so what more did we need? \u00a0The break gave Keith a chance to sharpen his cooking skills so we had some memorably fattening dinners, and I had a nice stockpile of boral boards for re-doing the raised beds in the kitchen garden.\u00a0 It was scary, frustrating, and unnerving, watching the virus advance and the economy retreat.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t dare look at my 401K as the stock market cratered.\u00a0\u00a0 But we had plenty to keep us busy and we ate and drank like kings, so surely we could withstand a couple of weeks in lockdown?<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9716\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9716 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"mar20\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9716\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9716\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9718 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9718\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200228_164643.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9718\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Winter brown after NZ Summer green<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9719 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9719\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200305_203151.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9719\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Trivia Team at the Tavern - Last trivia night before shutdown<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9720 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200305_214621.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9720\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Halo around the moon<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9721 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9721\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200306_143610.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9721\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">George says hi!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9722 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9722\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200310_162301.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9722\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Apricot trees blooming too early<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9723 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9723\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200310_162340.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9723\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Close up of Apricot Blooms<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9724 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9724\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200312_153821.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9724\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Red maples showing how they got their name<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9725 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9725\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200312_153845.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9725\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Red maples at the pond<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9726 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9726\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200316_162030.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9726\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Digging out the last of the orchard trees<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9727 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9727\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200318_140303.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9727\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Learning a new concept - social distancing<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9728 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9728\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200319_162909.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9728\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Clearing the pond bank before spring growth<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9729 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9729\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200319_163026.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9729\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Hans the swan inspecting my weedwhacking skills<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9730 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9730\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200324_1215240.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9730\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Getting new Boral boards for raised garden beds<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9731 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9731\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200324_184028.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9731\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">part of my underwater garden - a blooming bucephelandra<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9732 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9732\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200325_154211.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9732\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Daffodil Hill blooming early this year<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9733 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9733\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200325_154231.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9733\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">2 of over 5,000 \"Flower Record\" Daffodils on the hill<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9734 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9734\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200326_161618.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9734\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Lockdown project - making new raised beds<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9735 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9735\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200327_114255.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9735\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Blooming Cherry Tree at my office<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9736 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9736\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200327_114306.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9736\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Old Cherry Tree at my office<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9737 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9737\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200329_202741.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9737\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The Moon and Venus above the potting shed<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9738 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9738\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200329_203143.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9738\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">New orchard trees are just (barely visable) twigs<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9739 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9739\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200330_173633.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9716 slide-9739\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Only Pear Trees left in the orchard<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4155\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/apban7-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/apban7-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/apban7-1-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/apban7-1-1024x485.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/apban7-1-768x364.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/apban7-1-192x91.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;We baked all our own bread.&#8221;\u00a0 <\/em>\u2015 Daniel Defoe, A Journal of the Plague Year<\/p>\n<p>As it turned out, we could indeed survive a few weeks of lockdown and do so quite well with nary a dent in our lives. \u00a0This may come off as a bit smug, and it most probably is, but the best place in the world to wait out a plague is on a farm where your nearest neighbor is a mile away. \u00a0Even in pre-pandemic times, I could indulge my inner introvert by not seeing another soul for a day or two without even realizing it. \u00a0As the rest of the world figured out how to operate as I did on a daily basis (non-stop emails and conference calls are my quotidian routine), business began to pick up dramatically.<\/p>\n<p>Springtime is always a busy time on the farm.\u00a0 With plenty of food and supplies we were more than set to ride things out and soon settled into a routine.\u00a0 In the mornings I would deal with an increasingly frenetic real estate market.\u00a0 After a couple weeks of shut-down everyone seemed desperate to \u2018get the hell out of Dodge\u2019 and do so before their neighbors did. It was really quite something to see the frantic jockeying to secure any property that boasted more than an acre or two. \u00a0Properties I couldn\u2019t give away in 2019 were receiving multiple offers (above asking price) in the pandemic panic buying of 2020. \u00a0I felt a bit guilty making money hand over fist while others were staring at unemployment and financial ruin, but only just a little bit.<\/p>\n<p>Keith spent his mornings studying wine and participating in online seminars. \u00a0He\u2019d make us lunch and then I\u2019d head out to plant the kitchen garden, and putter around and do important things like scratch the barn cat\u2019s ears, hatch out chicks, and contemplate which pigeons to pair up in the pigeon loft.\u00a0 As it grew dark, I\u2019d head inside to deal with more hysterical buyers frantically determined to secure a small patch of country paradise .. <em>\u201cbut it has to have a really good internet connection!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Eventually Keith would silently hand me a cocktail as I fended off phone calls and tried to respond to emails\u2026.. \u201c<em>I can come out tomorrow and I can pay all cash\u2026<\/em>\u201d and then he\u2019d start his latest culinary masterwork for dinner.\u00a0 We feasted each night on some amazing Keith creation paired with even more amazing wines. \u00a0I had to listen to lectures on the provenance of each wine and how it paired so well with the particular dish, but I didn\u2019t mind. \u00a0I was fat, happy, and completely spoiled. \u00a0It was pretty much how I imagined our retirement to be (minus the frantic buyers), and if it is a foretaste of what is to come, life will be very pleasant indeed.<\/p>\n<p>We had plenty of friends (that might even be you, dear reader) who were constantly at us to have \u201czoom cocktails\u201d or whatever. \u00a0As much as I like our friends, I couldn\u2019t help feeling a bit of condescending impatience with their boredom during lockdown.\u00a0 I was incredibly busy and felt gypped that I didn\u2019t have the luxury of sitting around doing crossword puzzles, baking bread all day, dressing up as famous paintings, or zoom dinners, or whatever.\u00a0 I so wished I could invite them over to hand them as shovel and say, \u201c<em>Looking for something to do?\u00a0 Here, I\u2019ll give you something to do!<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 But instead the month passed quietly enough. \u00a0Despite the global crisis in the outside wor<span style=\"color: #232323; font-size: 18px;\">ld, Spring on the farm was the usual gentle wonderful Virginian festival of dogwoods, azaelas, and green, green, green pastures.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><a style=\"font-size: 18px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.poetryfoundation.org\/poems\/43758\/home-thoughts-from-abroad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Robert Browning<\/a><span style=\"color: #232323; font-size: 18px;\"> can have his England.\u00a0 I challenge any other place to do April as beautifully as the Old Dominion.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9742\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9742 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"apr20\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9742\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9742\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9743 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9743\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200401_162611.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9743\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Spring is a cumin' in!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9744 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9744\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200403_155709.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9744\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Delayed winter chore - cutting the hornbeam tunnel<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9745 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9745\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200403_171523.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9745\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">trimming up the hornbeam tunnel<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9746 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9746\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200404_164556.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9746\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Spring budding out<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9747 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9747\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200407_184544.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9747\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Final branch cut on hornbeam tunnel!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9748 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9748\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200407_184559.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9748\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">I lowered the tunnel height by 3 feet.  Hope it works!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9749 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9749\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200407_184610.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9749\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Hornbeam Tunnel is now only 15 ft high<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9750 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9750\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200408_122119.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9750\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Wild turkeys displaying everywhere<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9751 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9751\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200413_142613.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9751\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Things green up fast<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9752 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9752\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200413_181504.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9752\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Kitchen garden full of weeds<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9753 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9753\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200413_182251.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9753\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Newly planted medlars in orchard<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9754 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9754\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200415_094644.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9754\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Late daffodils by the big barn<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9755 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9755\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200415_094706.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9755\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Exhausted donkeys<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9756 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9756\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200415_094819.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9756\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Snow on the mountains but Spring below<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9757 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9757\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200415_094838.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9757\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Late snow<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9758 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9758\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200418_120245.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9758\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Touring the Inn's gardens in town<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9759 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9759\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200418_120257.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9759\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Do I need a parterre too?<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9760 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9760\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200418_120315.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9760\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The town looks lovely in the Spring<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9761 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9761\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200419_182624.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9761\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Hornbeam tunnel appears to survive the drastic haircut<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9762 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9762\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200419_182647.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9762\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Enfilade of garden gates (four of 'em)<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9763 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9763\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200422_175737.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9763\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith contemplating my weeding efforts<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9764 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9764\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200422_175815.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9764\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Kitchen garden view<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9765 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9765\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200422_175845.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9765\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Fountain re-opened for the season<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9766 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9766\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200422_175959.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9766\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Now to finish the remaining half of the garden<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9767 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9767\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200422_180547.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9767\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Late afternoon view of azalea garden<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9768 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9768\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200423_132351.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9768\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">replacing old cedar with new boral.  These beds should outlast me.<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9769 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9769\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200425_170916.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9769\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Pear trees are all that's left of the old orchard<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9770 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9770\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200425_170948.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9770\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Two cherry stumps still remain<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9771 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9771\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200425_170953.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9771\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Newly planted Asian Persimmons.  Will they thrive?<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9772 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9772\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200430_174321.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9772\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Redoing edging of new hydrangea walk<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9773 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9773\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200430_174457.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9742 slide-9773\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">New Hydrangea walk.  Give it a few years...<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4194\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/mayban-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/mayban-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/mayban-1-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/mayban-1-1024x569.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/mayban-1-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/mayban-1-192x107.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><em>\u201cHow should they have given a thought to anything like plague, which rules out any future, cancels journeys, silences the exchange of views? They fancied themselves free, and no one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Albert Camus, The Plague<\/p>\n<p>The world slowly open up in May, but we really didn\u2019t feel the difference.\u00a0 Real estate was in hyper-drive.\u00a0 I\u2019d never seen anything like it. \u00a0But I was so afraid of missing out that I pushed myself to the limit, and didn\u2019t take a break, and basically neglected the usual spring garden planting.\u00a0 It\u2019s a damn good thing I didn\u2019t have any lambs to contend with this year. \u00a0If I had had the time, however, the weather was perfect for gardens and gardening. The azaelas, rhododendrons, mountain laurel, and the rest of the spring blossoms had long extended bloom periods. \u00a0Springtime in Virginia is magnificent, but often too short.\u00a0 This year it lingered nicely. \u00a0Livestock thrived as well. We kept hatching chicks well into May (94 this year) and the pigeons started producing squabs right on schedule so I had no complaints about my breeding season. \u00a0It looked like I\u2019d raise some birds with lots of potential!\u00a0 While the transition from sheep to cattle was complete, as the growing season started farm maintenance only proceeded in fits and starts. I alternated between being thrilled and feeling somewhat guilty when the Adams brothers came by to mow and weedwhack fencelines.\u00a0 Fence clearing is a chore I used to loathe. But then I found myself annoyed that they weren\u2019t doing it as frequently as I would like, and I\u2019d find myself doing it for them. \u00a0Keith kept cooking lovely dinners and we kept getting fatter and rather enjoying our isolation.\u00a0 But we knew it had to end eventually.\u00a0 So we started with a few \u2018socially distant\u2019 dinners with friends and neighbors and a few careful visits to theirs as well.\u00a0 It was all very pleasant and lovely. \u00a0And while it didn\u2019t feel that transgressive, it still felt a bit otherworldly. All perfectly civilized, but something was not quite right.\u00a0 What did hit home very strongly however was how very grateful I am that I live where I do and can live how I do.\u00a0 I\u2019ve always found the world to be a beautiful and tranquil place if you don\u2019t have to deal with people.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">So in some ways, life was how it always is, but I had an \u2018excuse\u2019 to be the introvert I truly am.\u00a0 Except for the crush of work, having a valid excuse to shut myself away was actually a bit liberating.<\/p>\n<p>Still, when we did connect with friends in person, there was an extra comfort in experiencing that too &#8211; treasuring the time we could actually be together.\u00a0 One beautiful evening in late May we had our friends <a href=\"https:\/\/www.liveeventscoalition.org\/lyn-stout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lyn<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/cgtneuropeofficial\/videos\/423941838481149\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Malcolm<\/a> come for dinner in the orchard.\u00a0 The New Dawn roses on the pergola were at peak, though the orchard itself looked a little bare.\u00a0 But it was a magical evening from the cocktail farm tour to the late night goodbyes. \u00a0It was what I always thought civilized country life should be &#8211; quiet, muted, and apart from the world. \u00a0Viruses, protests, riots, looting and the other horrors visited on us in May seemed so very far away. Clearing up the remains of Keith\u2019s perfect dinner as rose petals fell in the luminous moonlight of a very still late Spring night I felt very much at peace. \u00a0Is that ignoring our civic responsibilities?\u00a0 I wonder.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9775\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9775 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"may20\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9775\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9775\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9776 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9776\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200502_190949.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9776\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">East Imperial - Best tonic water ever!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9777 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9777\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200503_165430.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9777\" title=\"Summer afternoon\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Spring pasture<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9778 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9778\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200503_172955.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9778\" title=\"The new trees are growing....\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The new trees are growing....<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9779 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9779\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200504_182929.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9779\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"> View from Big Barn<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9780 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9780\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200507_184458.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9780\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The Sommelier polishing his stemware<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9781 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9781\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200507_184921.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9781\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Table set for socially distant wine tasting<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9782 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9782\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200507_195021.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9782\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Trevor admires my new lower hornbeam tunnel<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9783 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9783\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200510_123938.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9783\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Our neighbors have fancier gardens than we do<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9784 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9784\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200510_130941.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9784\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">They have more ambitious kitchen gardens too!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9785 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9785\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200510_183627.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9785\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">I like my fencelines nice and tidy<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9786 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9786\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200515_181418.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9786\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The buttercups are out of control<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9787 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9787\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200518_161413.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9787\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">buttercups everywhere<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9788 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9788\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200518_163538.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9788\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Kolkwitzia in bloom<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9789 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9789\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200518_163933.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9789\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Pond rhododendrons doing their thing<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9790 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9790\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200519_190955.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9790\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">tree frogs everywhere this year<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9791 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9791\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200522_193349-853x853.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9791\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Part of Dana's yellow garden - I'm totally stealing this idea<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9792 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9792\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200522_195957-943x944.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9792\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Trevor gives us a socially distant welcome to Poke<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9793 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9793\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200522_201111-940x940.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9793\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Trevor &amp; Dana's garden goes on for acres<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9794 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9794\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200522_201224-937x937.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9794\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Dana and Keith getting lost in the gunnera<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9795 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9795\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200524_145916.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9795\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Mountain Laurel putting on its best display in years<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9796 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9796\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200529_134242.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9796\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">I planted these 20 years ago<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9797 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9797\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200529_134335.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9797\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Finally, after 20 years they're reaching the perfect size<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9798 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9798\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200531_153138.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9798\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">They also make great table centerpieces<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9799 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9799\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200531_162022.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9799\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Orchard table set for socially distant dinner<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9800 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9800\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200531_183153.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9800\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Lyn and Malcolm bond with Phoebe<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9801 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9801\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200531_210249.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9801\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Good times with good friends<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9802 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9802\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200531_232324.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9802\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Surveying the wreckage<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9803 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9803\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200531_232338.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9775 slide-9803\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Tidying up in the moonlight<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4200\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/junban.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"624\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/junban.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/junban-300x156.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/junban-1024x532.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/junban-768x399.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/junban-192x100.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <em>&#8220;At first the fact of being cut of from the outside world was accepted with a more or less good grace, much as people would have put up with any other temporary inconvenience that interfered with only a few of their habits. But, now they had abruptly become aware that they were undergoing a sort of incarceration under that blue dome of sky already beginning to sizzle in the first of summer, they had a vision that their whole lives were threatened by the present turn of events.\u201d<span style=\"color: #232323; font-size: 18px;\"> \u2013 Albert Camus, The Plague<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>June went by all too quickly.\u00a0 It was fairly June-ish as these things go.\u00a0 Not too hot, but still summery, and the gardens grew and I finished up hatching chickens for the season. \u00a0We hatched out a record 94 chicks, and I\u2019m hopeful that 3 or 4 of them will make the grade for next year\u2019s breeding stock.\u00a0 I may have downsized the sheep flock, but I\u2019m in danger of increasing letting my chicken flock increase to fill the void.\u00a0 \u00a0Well, that and my growing obsession with aquaria.\u00a0 I actually <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aquainfo.org\/breeding-apistogramma-nijsseni\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bred some<\/a> <em>Apistogramma Nijsseni<\/em> in June and raised eight fry to maturity!\u00a0 \u00a0I&#8217;m sure not many of you can make that claim.<\/p>\n<p>I know it sounds impossible, but the real estate market went even more bonkers this month than it had the month before. \u00a0Apparently no one wants to live in a city any more, they all want to live next to me! \u00a0So I didn\u2019t have much time for contemplative navel-gazing this June. Having Keith around full-time was both wonderful and taxing in equal measure.\u00a0 Incredible meals every day meant my waistline kept expanding.\u00a0 It\u2019s truly a wonder that I hadn\u2019t already succumbed to gout by June. \u00a0But I also <em>really did not<\/em> have the time to play scullery maid in the aftermath of these nightly culinary explosions. \u00a0On top of that, living together 24\/7 in a small, cramped one bedroom garage apartment was rapidly losing its appeal.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think either of us spent more than one night in the Alexandria condo since January. \u00a0By this point we\u2019d been together every. single. day. since we left for New Zealand.\u00a0 Normally we have a 2-3 day break from one another while Keith is riding the rails for Amtrak.\u00a0 Actually, living in such close quarters went surprisingly well, but even the most dedicated of couples need a little space to get away from each other. \u00a0So when we could, I\u2019d muck around in the gardens or barns for my \u2018alone time\u2019 and Keith would hop on his bike for a long ride to take a break from me.\u00a0 But there were plenty of times when our lack of work and living space led to \u2018discussions\u2019 like; <em>\u201cWill you PLEASE shut the bathroom door the next time I\u2019m on a Zoom Call!!\u201d<\/em> \u00a0 By the way, while we\u2019re on the topic of Zoom &#8211; what is it with need for video chats when a simple phone call would do? \u00a0I can\u2019t tell you how many times I actually had to take a shower, get dressed, and comb my hair just to chat with clients when a simple phone call would have sufficed. This bothered me no end.\u00a0 Not to delve too deeply in matters of personal hygiene, but I much prefer working during the morning in my jammies and bed hair and then getting all dirty in the garden or fields in the afternoon and taking a shower only after the day is done and cocktail hour is calling. \u00a0The nerve of these people making me take two showers on the same day!<\/p>\n<p>But our cramped living space once again triggered the perennial discussion of how we are going to live the rest of our lives.\u00a0 Last year we came to a definitive conclusion that we did not want to give up the farm, so staying put will only work if we have a workable living space.\u00a0 Yet a year later, nothing had changed and the question remained, how to afford this large farm and still be able to live in a \u2018real\u2019 house?\u00a0\u00a0 We still haven\u2019t figured out the answer to that one, despite long, long discussions (well, actually we have, but our lottery tickets never seem to be the winning ones). \u00a0But by the end of the month, I think we actually crafted \u2018a path forward\u2019 that might work.\u00a0 You\u2019ll just have to wait until next year\u2019s letter to see if it happens.<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise, I got Lyme disease (again) and Keith got another year older and we chanced a semi socially distant birthday dinner with the guys at our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threeblacksmiths.com\/press\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">local take out joint<\/a>. \u00a0A few socially distant dinners with friends nearby as well and that was our month.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9807\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9807 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"jun20\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9807\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9807\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9809 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9809\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200604_165851.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9809\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Could this one be a winner?<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9810 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9810\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200607_154255-1000x1000.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9810\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Look at the great lacing on this one!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9811 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9811\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200607_194811.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9811\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Dinner view at the neighbors<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9812 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9812\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200607_195312.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9812\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Christian' paella is a triumph<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9813 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9813\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200610_203744.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9813\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The yew hedge really needs a trim<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9814 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9814\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200610_203808.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9814\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The hornbeam tunnel needs trimming even more<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9815 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9815\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200611_161046.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9815\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The last hatch<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9816 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9816\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200612_201535.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9816\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Solstice sunset is setting far north<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9817 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9817\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200612_202415.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9817\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Kitchen garden in bloom<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9818 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9818\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200614_152928.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9818\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">A cloudy day on the pond<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9819 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9819\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200614_153239.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9819\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The Fernery is looking great this year<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9820 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9820\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200614_153331.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9820\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The fernery is very lush this year<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9821 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9821\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200614_163650.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9821\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">This bear is enjoying the fernery too<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9822 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9822\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200616_141858.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9822\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Madame Wilfron Gonnere blooming in the goldfish pond<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9823 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9823\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200616_164622.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9823\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Roses in the kitchen garden<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9824 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9824\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200618_192055.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9824\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Cattle pooping up our center pasture<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9825 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9825\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200618_192917.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9825\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Back pastures are finally bush-hogged<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9826 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9826\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200618_193614.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9826\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">It's a rough mow, but it still looks good<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9827 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9827\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200618_193948.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9827\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The back 40 is all mowed<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9828 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9828\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200618_194013.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9828\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The view from Hammock Hill<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9829 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9829\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200618_201045.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9829\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Spawning pair with their brood (look closely)<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9830 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9830\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200621_192306.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9830\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Hydrangea walk in full bloom<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9831 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9831\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200622_085044.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9831\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Our acidic soils turn them all blue<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9832 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9832\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200622_085117.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9832\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Hydrangea walk<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9833 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9833\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200623_181655.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9833\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Unwelcome visitor in the kitchen garden<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9834 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9834\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200624_202545.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9834\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith's birthday dinner is tiny<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9835 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9835\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200624_221640.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9835\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">4 bottles for 6 guys is pretty modest I think<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9836 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9836\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200625_195427-955x955.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9836\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">fat sheep<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9837 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9837\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200625_200126.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9837\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Calendula in full bloom<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9838 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9838\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200626_201411.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9807 slide-9838\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Golden afternoon<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4245\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/julban.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/julban.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/julban-300x145.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/julban-1024x496.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/julban-768x372.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/julban-192x93.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThere is one rule that works in every calamity. Be it pestilence, war, or famine, the rich get richer and poor get poorer. The poor even help arrange it.\u201d\u00a0<\/em> &#8211; Will Rogers<\/p>\n<p>It was a 4<sup>th<\/sup> of July unlike any others. Very quiet, subdued, and socially distant, but still memorable. \u00a0We were happy to wave at friends and neighbors at a distance at Drew Mitchell\u2019s scaled down celebration \u2013 without the usual band, fireworks, and gossipy sharing of drinks and food with neighbors, and most poignantly, without Bill Fischer, who for years made this event such fun.<\/p>\n<p>At this point I need to impress upon you just how crazy the real estate market got in July. \u00a0I know I\u2019ve already said it every month this year, so I\u2019m running out of hyperboles, but it really, really, really was absurd this July. In our little corner of the world we normally have a nice break in market activity after the 4<sup>th<\/sup>. \u00a0\u00a0Traditionally no one looks at country properties in July and August. \u00a0They\u2019re usually at the beach or up north in Maine or someplace on vacation. \u00a0No one goes to buggy, hot, and humid Virginia in July or August. \u00a0But not this year.\u00a0 Kids summer camps were closed, owners of cottages up north were not renting them out, and vacation plans were cancelled everywhere.\u00a0 A whole lot of people were just plain fed up with staying at home and dealing with protests and counter protests in their own backyards. \u00a0So they were primed to escape. \u00a0Adding fuel to this already super dry kindling was interest rates dropping to historic lows. \u00a0This combustible mix landed on my doorstep and exploded in my face. \u00a0The sudden increase in demand however was met with a sudden decrease in inventory.\u00a0 At the best of times there are usually only about 130-150 properties on the market at any one time in our little paradise.\u00a0 These can range from quite modest little cabins or cottages to fairly substantial estates of several hundred acres.\u00a0 But by July this year, our inventory had shrunk to only about 35 properties.\u00a0 Potential sellers had second thoughts about letting strangers traipse through their house in the middle of a pandemic.\u00a0 Others decided (probably correctly), that if everybody else in the world wanted to be here, what\u2019s the point of moving now? Well, you don\u2019t need a PhD in economics to guess what happened next. Multiple offers and bidding wars climbing well above asking price. Market prices changed daily and appraisers basically threw up their hands and said, &#8220;<em>just tell us what the sales price is and we\u2019ll appraise it at that price.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Yet in the middle of all this insanity, I had to leave. In late June my mother was diagnosed with Stage IV uterine cancer. It came, as these things always do, as a shock to the family. \u00a0She was scheduled to undergo chemotherapy and would need some assistance between treatments. As it happened, for the first time in decades, all of her children were in the States and available to help out.\u00a0 My brother Wayne therefore appointed himself Master Scheduler and parceled out duty rosters for all six of us to take turns caring for Mom a week or so at a time. \u00a0Now some of you may be aware that my mother and I haven\u2019t really communicated much in the past decade.\u00a0 I won\u2019t go into the reasons why, but I think for both of us it was a bit awkward to be reunited this way.\u00a0 Nevertheless we did pretty well together, I think, and maybe reached somewhat of a new understanding.\u00a0 Keith held down the fort while I was gone.\u00a0 It was great that his work schedule was so reduced, as he could tend to the sheep, cat, chickens, pigeons, geese, donkeys, peafowl, swans, and fish without it being overwhelming.\u00a0 Still, it was a lot to keep track of and we agreed that the gardens would just have to tend to themselves.\u00a0 Of course it was while I was gone that a heat wave combined with two weeks of no rain dried up everything to a crisp, so that when I came home, things were looking pretty miserable.\u00a0 I lost several young seedlings that had been planted this spring and I basically wrote off the tomato crop and other veggies in the kitchen garden (note to self: make sure the irrigation system is finally hooked up next summer!).<\/p>\n<p>July was my least favorite month. \u00a0But, while the outside world was going crazy, it was so nice to come home to Keith and the critters and be away from it all.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9841\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9841 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"jul20\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9841\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9841\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9842 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9842\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200629_165335.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9842\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Giving the yew hedge a haircut<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9843 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9843\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200701_185332.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9843\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Sheep in the Pond Paddock<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9844 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9844\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200702_195849.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9844\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Hornbeam tunnel trimmed to gate<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9845 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9845\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200703_172916.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9845\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Weeding the daylilies<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9846 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9846\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200703_173420.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9846\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">it's easy - just toss the weeds in the pond<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9847 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9847\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200704_210444.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9847\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Joe and Van at Avon Hall's muted 4th Celebration<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9848 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9848\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200704_210627.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9848\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Happy 4th Lyn!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9849 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9849\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200704_212119.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9849\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">people were quiet and well-spaced<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9850 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9850\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200704_221911.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9850\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">A bit somber and reflective, but still a good day<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9851 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9851\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200705_193403.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9851\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Brother Geoff makes some great pork chops!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9852 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9852\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200711_170741.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9852\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">I weeded Mom's walkways<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9853 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9853\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200711_223224.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9853\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Brother Eric show's Mom some photos<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9854 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9854\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200712_200924.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9854\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">View of Big Barn from Small Barn<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9855 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9855\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200713_191829.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9855\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Scabiosa in bloom<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9856 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9856\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200714_193326.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9856\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith listens attentively to Drew<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9857 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9857\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200714_213143.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9857\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Drew made us a great dinner!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9858 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9858\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200719_181355.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9858\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">watering a parched garden<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9859 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9859\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200720_175459.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9859\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">This used to be Virginia green.....<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9860 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9860\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200720_180854.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9860\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">...now it's almost California brown<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9861 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9861\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200731_185530.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9841 slide-9861\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">A hawk looking for rabbits in the garden<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4292\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/augban.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"510\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/augban.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/augban-300x128.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/augban-1024x435.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/augban-768x326.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/augban-192x82.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cBut what does it mean, the plague? It\u2019s life, that\u2019s all.\u201d \u2013 <\/em>Albert Camus, The Plague<\/p>\n<p>The drought from July lasted well into August.\u00a0 It was so dry that I lost part of my new holly hedge and other plantings.\u00a0 But then suddenly, rain, rain, rain. This caused a bloom of crabgrass like I\u2019d never seen before.\u00a0 Of course when it stopped raining the super juicy crab grass clogged the mowers and spewed out a nasty green slime that coated all hedges, garden walls and everything. \u00a0I hate crab grass. \u00a0The whole farm looked a little shabby this August, and not just because of crab grass.\u00a0 The kitchen garden and fields were a woefully neglected mess because of non-stop \u2013 <strong><em>I mean non-stop<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; work!\u00a0 I thought July was insane, but August ramped things up ten-fold.\u00a0 Here\u2019s just one example.\u00a0 I had a listing that hadn\u2019t sold in over 5 years.\u00a0 The sellers were patient and loyal to me throughout, but they finally decided about a year ago to take their house off the market and stay put. \u00a0I called them in August because I had no inventory to sell.\u00a0 <em>\u201cPut your house back on the market,\u201d<\/em> says I.\u00a0 <em>\u201cNo,\u201d<\/em> says they, <em>\u201cWe don\u2019t want to go through that all again.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cTrust me\u201d<\/em> I said.\u00a0\u00a0 So we put it back on the market at the same price as before &#8211; $995,000.\u00a0 Within a week we had three competing offers that bid the price up to $1,180,000.\u00a0 The sellers were astounded.\u00a0 I just wished I had two more similar houses to sell.<\/p>\n<p>In the midst of this craziness I had to take another week off to tend to Mom in Tryon, NC, and got to spend an evening with my brother Geoff in Greenville, SC.\u00a0 \u00a0When I returned the farm was so overgrown I really didn\u2019t know where to begin in putting things back in order.\u00a0 Not that I had any time to do so, as I spent my days fending off angry would-be buyers demanding that I stop hiding their dream properties. <em>\u201cWhat do you mean, there\u2019s nothing for sale??!\u00a0 Don\u2019t be ridiculous!\u00a0 I\u2019m willing to pay top dollar!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>I was so glad that I wasn\u2019t actively farming any more. \u00a0There just wasn\u2019t any time.\u00a0 And of course in the midst of all this craziness is exactly when disaster strikes.\u00a0 The first disaster was that I was missing a ram.\u00a0 How could a ram just disappear without a trace?\u00a0 For a couple of days I\u2019d just assumed he was off hiding behind a tree or something whenever I\u2019d do a quick head count.\u00a0 But finally I decided I needed to systematically search the pasture.\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 Not even a fluff of wool out of place.\u00a0 How does a 250 lb. sheep just vanish?\u00a0 Was he sheepnapped?\u00a0 It was a great mystery. \u00a0A few days later I noticed a white blob in the middle of the pond.\u00a0 As it floated closer to shore it became clear that it was a sheep\u2019s fleece. \u00a0How did the ram manage to drown himself &#8211; and in the middle of the pond at that?\u00a0 That\u2019s an even greater mystery that remains unsolved to this day.\u00a0 The more immediate concern was, how would I get a waterlogged, bloated, ram carcass out of my pond?\u00a0 The answer to that was \u2013 I wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 I\u2019m a bit ashamed to confess this, but as the carcass floated closer to shore, I would poke it with a long pole till it floated back out to the middle of the pond.\u00a0 Finally, after a few days it sank never more to be seen.<\/p>\n<p>The next disaster was Phoebe the donkey.\u00a0 At first we noticed her resting a bit more than usual.\u00a0 Then one day she just wouldn\u2019t get up and it went downhill from there.\u00a0 Keith was worried sick about her.\u00a0 Aside from wine, there are two great loves in Keith\u2019s life \u2013 Phoebe the donkey, and Ceres the barn cat.\u00a0 I come a distant third. \u00a0Both Phoebe and Ceres are grand old ladies that are up there in years (Ceres is 19 and Phoebe is 22).\u00a0 The Vet was called and diagnosed laminitis due to super lush (crab) grass growth after dry spell. That made sense, but she didn\u2019t respond well to treatment.\u00a0 It took a whole lot of nursing and whole lot of Vet bills, but she finally turned the corner and after a long convalescence was back on her feet (literally).<\/p>\n<p>In some ways I felt the whole month was a loss. \u00a0I constantly measure my life in terms of completing projects and moving forward.\u00a0 August seemed to push things backwards \u2013 I would now have to replant dead hedges, reseed crabgrass ravaged lawns, and put pastures back into shape, and write off the year&#8217;s veggie harvest.\u00a0 But when I\u2019d unburden myself to Keith at the end of day, whining about the amount of work I had, and how far behind I was, etc, etc,\u00a0 he\u2019d quietly point out that a lot of his friends in the hospitality industry were unemployed and most of his co-workers had been laid off.\u00a0\u00a0 It did put things in perspective.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9863\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9863 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"aug20\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9863\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9863\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9864 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9864\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200726_182153.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9864\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Pond trail tidied up<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9865 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9865\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200801_185731.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9865\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">pastures slowly greening up<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9866 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9866\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200804_171402.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9866\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">pond is full from rain<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9867 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9867\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200807_1744250.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9867\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Drew's offering fancy social distant cocktails<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9868 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9868\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200807_185841.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9868\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Ewes are looking fat<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9869 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9869\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200807_190002.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9869\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">greener pastures<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9870 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9870\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200807_190018.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9870\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Lone Oak<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9871 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9871\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200807_190216.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9871\" title=\"Sunbeams after a rain\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9872 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9872\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200819_180950.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9872\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Geoff cooks me dinner<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9873 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9873\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200819_181413.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9873\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Sandy and Geoff explain their house design<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9874 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9874\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200819_192056-716x716.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9874\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Mindy is so happy to see her uncle<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9875 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9875\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200827_092352.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9875\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Phoebe is unwell<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9876 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9876\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200829_215649.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9876\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">An after dinner walk through Little Washington<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9877 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9877\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200829_215705.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9877\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">we stumbled on some's wedding celebration<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9878 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9878\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200829_215811.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9878\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">it was nice of them to share .....<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9879 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9879\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200829_215838.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9879\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">...their fireworks with the town<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9880 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9880\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200831_191113.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9880\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Phoebe finally standing<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9881 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9881\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200902_183047.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9881\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Getting her drip<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9882 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9882\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200902_185018.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9863 slide-9882\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Almost fully recovered<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4318\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sepban.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sepban.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sepban-300x122.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sepban-1024x417.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sepban-768x313.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sepban-192x78.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cIt\u2019s going to disappear. One day, it\u2019s like a miracle, it will disappear\u201d<\/em> &#8211; President Donald Trump<\/p>\n<p>By the time September rolled around the farm was an overgrown mess. Weather-wise things were just fine &#8211; a mellow late summer fading into fall.\u00a0 But I had no time to notice, much less tidy up. \u00a0It was non-stop showing, listing, and selling on the real estate front. \u00a0Incredible.\u00a0 Bidding wars on all listings.\u00a0 Everyone and his sisters, cousins, and aunts wanted a little piece of Rappahannock and they wanted it <strong>now!<\/strong> \u00a0People that had bought houses earlier in the year were flipping them at a huge profit. \u00a0We finally had one last socially distant dinner outside, and luckily it was dark enough that our guests couldn\u2019t see the weeds they were tromping through.<\/p>\n<p>Since I was worried that the gravy train would stop eventually, I felt I really couldn\u2019t take a moment off to focus on the farm, much less stop and smell the roses. \u00a0But eventually by the end of the month things got so out of control that I was forced to set aside a couple of days to sit my butt on the tractor and then finish mower and just mow and mow like a mad man.\u00a0 \u00a0But, I got it done.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9884\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9884 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"sep20\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9884\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9884\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9885 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9885\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200905_180540.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9885\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Weed infested kitchen garden<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9886 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9886\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200905_182911.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9886\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">everything has bolted and gone to seed<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9887 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9887\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200920_181520.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9887\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">cleaning out the pasture edges<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9888 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9888\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200920_181541.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9888\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">it's a rough cut but at least it's done<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9889 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9889\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200920_181607.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9889\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9890 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9890\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200920_181646.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9890\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">pastures finally in shape<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9891 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9891\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200920_181958.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9891\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">center pasture<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9892 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9892\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200921_183537.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9892\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">coming home after a long day<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9893 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9893\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200922_182608.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9893\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Dinner guest creating their own table centerpieces<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9894 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9894\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200922_211528.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9894\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">last socially distant dinner of the year<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9895 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9895\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200922_230523.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9895\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">I forget which centerpiece won the prize<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9896 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9896\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200926_184940.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9896\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Spectacular afternoon light from the living room window<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9897 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9897\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20200928_180231.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9897\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Cleaning up behind the house<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9898 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9898\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20201003_173605.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9898\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Finally tackling the lower barn paddock<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9899 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9899\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20201003_174402.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9899\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">bush-hogging the barn paddock<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9900 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9900\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20201003_182706.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9900\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Now someone has to clean up this mess!<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9901 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9901\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20201003_182746.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9884 slide-9901\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">luckily it missed the fence<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4299\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/octban.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/octban.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/octban-300x121.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/octban-1024x414.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/octban-768x310.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/octban-192x78.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThe truth is that everyone is bored, and devotes himself to cultivating habits.\u201d<\/em> \u2015 Albert Camus, The Plague<\/p>\n<p>October never fails to deliver.\u00a0 It is the \u2018best\u2019 month of the year. \u00a0The gardens, lawns, and pastures are all brightened and invigorated by the cooler evenings and sunny mild days. \u00a0I finally got the few remaining pastures cleaned up and the farm was looking quite respectable again. \u00a0The fall colors were pretty good this year, though it was a rather slow parade of change, so there was no \u2018one\u2019 moment where everything was at peak.<\/p>\n<p>Because the scenery in the Blue Ridge Mountains always looks so incredible in October, it is traditionally the busiest month in my real estate calendar.\u00a0 And it was indeed just as crazily busy as the months before in a frenzied when-will-this-stop?-I-don\u2019t-know-but-let\u2019s-make-money-while-we-can sort of way.\u00a0 But somehow people seemed a little less tightly wound or desperate, and that made all the difference.<\/p>\n<p>We put one of our remaining rams in with our ten remaining ewes towards the end of the month.\u00a0 The girls were enormously fat, and so is the ram, so I\u2019m not really sure how many lambs we\u2019ll have this springtime, but at least we\u2019re still in the sheep business in a small way (sorta).<\/p>\n<p>While I fretted constantly that Keith was going to kill us both by travelling on the rails each week, and then meeting up with his wine buddies to drink and breathe on each other, the pandemic still hadn\u2019t affected us directly. \u00a0So life was good.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s nice to hunker down on our farm and forget the entire world some days.\u00a0 It\u2019s not that I\u2019m anti-social, it\u2019s just that I can be quite happily self-contained in my own little world and the rest of you crazy people and your crazy politics and general nonsense be damned!\u00a0 Sometimes humanity is just too bonkers to contemplate.\u00a0 But, the truth is, it\u2019s nice to see friends now and then.\u00a0 So we did open up the fortress walls one day when the weather was so perfect and promised such a mild evening. \u00a0We decided we could have one more, very impromptu, orchard dinner party.\u00a0 We called around the neighborhood and quite suddenly had 8 for dinner.\u00a0 I guess one of the upsides of the pandemic has been that nobody really has \u2018plans\u2019 for the evening.\u00a0 Another upside is that you really don\u2019t have to clean your house company either, you can just forbid entry and insist everyone stay outside and no one complains. I decided that making couples sit together at a dinner party instead of splitting them up is the new pandemic etiquette.\u00a0 They didn&#8217;t seem to mind this new rule, and it was a great hearing how everyone was coping job-wise and family-wise.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019d be nice someday to have an indoor dinner party too, but there\u2019s something more intimate about dinner outside as the darkness descends and the candles flicker and the bottles of wine magically refill themselves. It\u2019s odd how even though the night gets chillier and they have to reach for a sweater, people are more inclined to linger when we\u2019re outside.\u00a0 My unscientific research suggests people stay an hour longer, on average, when we dine outdoors.<\/p>\n<p>Halloween wasn\u2019t this year. \u00a0Even though it takes place outdoors, the town decided better safe than sorry.\u00a0 That was prudent. \u00a0So what did we do instead?\u00a0 We tempted fate with dinner at Three Blacksmiths among a tight group of local friends who all swore they were virus free and had quarantined in isolation for 3 years and we pretended to believe them. That was imprudent.\u00a0 But fun. And we all survived.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9904\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9904 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"oct20\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9904\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9904\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9905 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9905\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201002_192722.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9905\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Outdoor viewing of \"Dark Money\" at neighboring farm<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9906 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9906\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201002_192731.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9906\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Socially distant concerned citizens<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9907 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9907\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201002_210718.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9907\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Trevor explains what's wrong with campaign financing<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9908 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9908\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201005_174752.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9908\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Looks kinda derelict, doesn't it?<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9909 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9909\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201005_174803.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9909\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">wildly overgrown pond paddock<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9910 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201005_175031.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9910\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Pond paddock in desperate need of mowing<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9911 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9911\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201006_180457.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9911\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Now the rams can finally see where they're going<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9912 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9912\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201018_1116130.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9912\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Center pasture all clipped and mowed<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9913 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9913\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201018_172923.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9913\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Balloonists inspecting our farm<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9914 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9914\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201018_173152.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9914\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">View from Hammock Hill<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9915 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9915\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201019_161859.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9915\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Farm entrance looking tidy<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9916 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9916\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201019_160309.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9916\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Farm exit looking good too<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9917 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9917\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201019_181134.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9917\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Finally dug the stump out.   Now to remove it<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9918 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9918\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201020_185303.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9918\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith communes with his birds<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9919 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9919\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201021_182120.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9919\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Table ready for guests<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9920 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9920\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201021_220600.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9920\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Lyn explains<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9921 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9921\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201021_220603.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9921\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Nessa appraises Keith's wine selection<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9922 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9922\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201021_220613.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9922\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith toasts his guests<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9923 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9923\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201021_220639.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9923\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Why not have another bottle of wine?<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9924 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9924\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201024_180230.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9924\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Socially distant cocktails at Joe's<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9925 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9925\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201024_180250.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9925\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">View from Joe's Standen Still<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9926 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9926\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201026_170857.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9926\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Fall color almost gone<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9927 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9927\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201029_174431.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9927\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">cutting the last flowers ahead of a frost warning<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9928 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9928\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201030_144815.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9928\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Brian Adams clearing the back woods for me<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9929 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9929\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201030_145324.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9929\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Trail clearing in the back woods<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9930 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9930\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201031_190934.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9930\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">A spooky dinner menu<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9931 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9931\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201031_191146.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9931\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith's Halloween costume minus the mask<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9932 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9932\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201031_211411.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9904 slide-9932\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Dessert and dessert wine<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4322\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/novban.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/novban.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/novban-300x101.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/novban-1024x345.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/novban-768x259.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/novban-192x65.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThat this necessity of going out of our houses to buy provisions was in a great measure the ruin of the whole city, for the people catched the distemper on these occasions one of another, and even the provisions themselves were often tainted.\u201d<\/em> \u2015 Daniel Defoe, A Journal of the Plague Year<\/p>\n<p>November is always a bit anti-climactic after October\u2019s display. \u00a0Still, it\u2019s also always a very satisfying feeling putting the kitchen garden to bed and doing a final pasture clip, knowing that you don\u2019t have to get out the mower for another five months. \u00a0And there\u2019s something about a gray November day that makes me more productive when sitting at my desk (no temptations to wander outside I guess).<\/p>\n<p>Real estate continued along its crazy path with no end in sight, although three rather big juicy deals all collapsed at once, which depressed me no end. \u00a0The real estate version of not counting chickens until they hatch is, \u201cit ain\u2019t over till the fat lady cashes the check.\u201d \u00a0I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll find new properties for all three buyers some day, but the collapse meant despite all the activity, 2020 wasn\u2019t a record-breaking year for me.<\/p>\n<p>A mini-road trip mid month was to Altoona, PA to pick up a swan. \u00a0I didn\u2019t see much of Altoona other than the Walmart parking lot (very charming).\u00a0 But I did pick up a swan. \u00a0Our swan Hans has been rather lonely for the past year and a half since his mate Greta died.\u00a0 We\u2019ve been looking for a female to keep him company ever since.\u00a0 I finally tracked on down a young bird in Ohio and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buckeyebirds.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the breeder<\/a> very kindly offered to meet me in PA, which shaved 5 hours off the trip. \u00a0The young swan (which Keith christened \u201cCassiopeia\u201d or \u201cCassie\u201d for short) was a nice looking bird and I had high hopes for her.\u00a0 Unfortunately it was a complete disaster.\u00a0 Hans viewed her as an intruder and was immediately hell-bent on doing her in.\u00a0 We had to recapture her and build a pen on the pond where he could slowly get used to seeing her and hopefully learn to accept her as a new mate. \u00a0It seemed to work for about 24 hours, but the next day I found her outside the pen lying in the grass. \u00a0She appeared fine, but the skin was torn from her right leg and her middle toe was broken and her foot webbing torn. \u00a0Hans was patrolling the pond in a threatening manner but at least was staying away from her.\u00a0 What had happened remains a mystery to this day. At first we thought perhaps a large snapping turtle had dragged her underwater by her leg, but the wire mesh was intact with no signs of struggle.\u00a0 Ditto for her trying to climb over the wire and getting snagged.\u00a0 A working theory (but not a satisfactory one) is that one of the eagles that visit our pond tried to hoist her by her leg.\u00a0 But whatever the reason the poor swan was completely traumatized. \u00a0She spent a good month in recovery before being put back in her pond pen.\u00a0 She still doesn\u2019t use her leg properly and we\u2019ve been reluctant to let her out in the open until she does.\u00a0 Time will tell.<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise the farm chugged along and I spent a few happy hours sorting this year\u2019s crop of pigeons and chickens. \u00a0I\u2019m making fine progress in both breeding programs. \u00a0Keith just shakes his head in bemused wonderment that I can spend so much time debating the finer points of one pigeon over another.\u00a0 But when I point out that he does the same thing with wine, he protests \u201c<em>it\u2019s not the same thing!\u00a0 I\u2019m cataloging my collection!<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 Well, that\u2019s what he says he\u2019s doing, but it looks like he\u2019s just staring at the bottles. \u00a0Still, he does have a point, I guess.\u00a0 His wine collection is far more valuable than my pigeon collection.<\/p>\n<p>Thanksgiving was a quiet meal for two with takeout from <a href=\"https:\/\/thebluedoorkitchen.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Blue Door<\/a>. \u00a0\u00a0A great dinner, but somehow not quite the real deal.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9959\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9959 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"dec20\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9959\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9959\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9960 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9960\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201209_133917.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9960\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Winter stream looks bleak<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9961 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9961\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201209_134007.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9961\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">but it's green where the spring comes to the surface<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9962 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9962\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201224_185002.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9962\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith's very generous with the fish eggs<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9963 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9963\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201224_195034.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9963\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">and the oysters<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9964 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9964\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201224_202508.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9964\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">and the lump crab<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9965 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9965\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201224_222059.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9965\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">and the lobster<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9966 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9966\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201225_104504.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9966\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">It snowed Christmas Day<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9967 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9967\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201225_113113.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9967\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Christmas day view<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9968 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9968\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201226_112137.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9968\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">I tested negative<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4323\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/decban.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/decban.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/decban-300x114.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/decban-1024x390.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/decban-768x292.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/decban-192x73.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><em>\u201cBe safe, be smart, be kind\u201d<\/em> &#8211; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General<\/p>\n<p>My liver and waistline were somewhat spared this December.\u00a0 The mad crush of parties and get-togethers that normally dominate this month were replaced by socially distant real estate appointments (nearly every day) and a week away spent tending to my mother in NC.<\/p>\n<p>The one cirrhosis inducing event was Christmas Eve.\u00a0 This was the first Christmas in 13 years that Keith and I were actually alone, just the two of us.\u00a0 To mark the occasion, he declared he was going to be making a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Feast_of_the_Seven_Fishes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Feast of the Seven Fishes<\/a>\u201d just for us. \u00a0Now, neither of us is Italian-American, so I guess he can be forgiven for departing from the script a bit, and I can be forgiven for calling it \u201cthe feast of seven figures.\u201d \u00a0I know enough by now not to ask how much the wines cost, but I did sneak a look at the grocery receipts\u2026. \u00a0At any rate, he\u2019d been honing his culinary chops all year and this truly was the crowning glory.\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019ve eaten our way through some of the best restaurants in the world, and I can safely say this was a feast among feasts &#8211; and he did it all himself.<\/p>\n<p>New Year\u2019s Eve saw me with my usual dilemma of deciding what to wear. \u00a0It was a tough choice between the fleecey jammies or the sweats for the big event, and judging by the empty streets at NYE celebrations around the world, everyone else had the same sartorial crisis. \u00a0Keith served a<a href=\"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/product\/detail\/IS2003-CLOUET1911-750\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> special bottle of bubbly<\/a> to mark the hour and rolled his eyes at me when I whined, <em>\u201cWhat?? Champagne?\u00a0 <u>Again<\/u>???\u201d<\/em> \u00a0\u00a0But I drank it anyway, and so ended the year.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-9959\" style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-9959 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"dec20\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_9959\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_9959\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9960 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9960\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201209_133917.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9960\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Winter stream looks bleak<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9961 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9961\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201209_134007.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9961\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">but it's green where the spring comes to the surface<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9962 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9962\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201224_185002.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9962\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Keith's very generous with the fish eggs<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9963 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9963\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201224_195034.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9963\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">and the oysters<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9964 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9964\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201224_202508.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9964\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">and the lump crab<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9965 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9965\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201224_222059.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9965\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">and the lobster<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9966 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9966\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201225_104504.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9966\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">It snowed Christmas Day<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9967 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9967\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201225_113113.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9967\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Christmas day view<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-9968 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-9968\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201226_112137.jpg\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1000\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-9959 slide-9968\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">I tested negative<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">C O D A<\/p>\n<p>Most of these letters have ended in an attempt at poignant elegiac reflection on what I\/we\u2019ve lost with the passage of time. \u00a0I guess it comes with the territory in completing a yearly review.\u00a0 Certainly, it becomes harder to avoid as I grow older and realize more and more what is lost by the stupidity of our disposable culture, especially when it is driven by the lowest common denominator (which continues to sink lower and lower now that the rabble appear to be in charge \u2013 but that\u2019s another letter entirely).<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d already drafted something in that vein about a world gone mad, but rereading it just now before hitting the \u2018send\u2019 button, it didn\u2019t ring true. \u00a0So I deleted it all and leave you with the following instead.<\/p>\n<p>I lost my naively monotonic view of progress one September day back in 2001.\u00a0 But for the first time in a long while, I feel rather optimistic and excited about the future. After this dumpster fire of a year, 2021 holds out all kinds of promise. \u00a0I\u2019ve met so many young people recently that have belied the stereotype of the \u2018snowflake\u2019 millennial.\u00a0 I\u2019ve found them decent, intelligent, thoughtful, and even respectful to old coots like me. Vaccines are showing that science can trump the populace\u2019s collective inability to pass the marshmallow test. \u00a0Stunning new advances in energy storage are promising much cleaner and cheaper everything, and quite soon. If we can navigate the idiocies of the next three weeks, the economy looks poised to make a strong \u201cV\u201d shaped recovery later this Spring. \u00a0Next month Keith and I are embarking on some major new plans that I hope we can share with you in next year\u2019s letter. So life is good; with the potential to be much better soon.\u00a0 It is a great time to be alive.\u00a0 I hope we can see each other soon.<\/p>\n<p>Know hope,<\/p>\n<p>Alan<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; A new year, a new decade\u2026.. what will it bring?\u00a0\u00a0 Well, we know the answer now, but in January 2020 there was such promise in the air when I woke up to the scene above. Farm-wise, things were blissfully quiet.\u00a0 Oddly, but nicely, quiet. \u00a0That was the first change the year brought.\u00a0 After 23 &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/?p=4049\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">2020 Christmas Letter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4549,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-christmas-letter"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/2020feat.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4049"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4049"}],"version-history":[{"count":129,"href":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4049\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9978,"href":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4049\/revisions\/9978"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4549"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4049"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zuschlag.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}