Hammer Farm

09/18/2026

Seems like the last month I’ve spent repairing machinery, a lot! Almost ready to fire up this old tractor that’s been sitting way too long. Issues were related to the fuel tank and pump, a stuck gear shifter and battery issues. A couple of little things left to do but almost there.

08/13/2026

Jack-O’-Lantern mushroom; a bioluminescent fungus. It’s poisonous to eat!
Years ago, lost and alone in the woods at night at Lake Vesuvius in Wayne National Forest, the “foxfire” from this mushroom (Omphalotus olearius) guided me on the trail and back home. No other mushrooms or substances were involved!! Wonderful,magical world.
I found these springing from old oak roots this summer on the farm.

07/07/2026

Recent rains brought on the chanterelle crop! They’re practically leaping up out of the ground, nice and plump.

05/25/2026

Wild thing - you make my heart sing

05/13/2026

04/25/2026

1948 Ford 8N tractor, and an April swarm of bees

04/24/2026

This is a small moth, not much larger than a thumbnail, but striking nonetheless. It favors habitats where woods meet open fields. I found it by our little cabin where we have a couple of prairie openings surrounded by forest. It’s called the Eight-spotted Forester.

04/21/2026

Two honeybee swarms today, both caught and in their new hive boxes. The honeybees are in fine shape this spring!

04/14/2026

Today I had the 1st swarm of the season. A fairly large swarm that was very high in the old pear tree in front of the house. I was able to get the swarm into a hive and back down into the bee-yard!! I realized that I probably won’t be catching swarms like this as I get much older. Such is life. I remember getting a swarm like this when I was 16 years old, way in the top of a spruce tree at Stephanie Bagnoli’s parents house on 38th St in Canton. I got over 20 stings but was OK. I followed beekeeper Martha Pemberten’s advice and just laid down for an hour, no problem, just “caught a buzz”. Today no stings.

04/03/2026