Category: Faith
“It is possible to become discouraged about the injustice we see everywhere. But God did not promise us that the world would be humane and just. [God] gives us the gift of life and allows us to choose the way we will use our limited time on this earth. It is an awesome opportunity.”- Cesar Chavez, “Statement by Cesar Chavez at the end of his 24-day fast for justice” (1972)
What a Difference a Week Makes!
Good morning from Opal’s Farm! I realize that some Opal’s supporters may not share the same scene I have looking out my office door this morning (thanks to all of you across Texas, the nation, and even the globe! We appreciate you all so much). The sun has just come up and it’s a brilliant Spring morning. Last week’s wintry morning has been replaced with cool Spring mornings. The birds are talking loudly amongst each other, and the trees are beginning to bud in radiant greens, whites, and purples. The projected high temperature for today is ninety degrees (in March)!
Spring planting is moving ahead at breakneck speed. Professor David Cole, Stephanie Schmitz, and the students at Tarrant Count College NW’s Horticulture Department grew four hundred tomato plants and one hundred pepper transplants for the farm this year. The one thing we are unable to have has been a greenhouse (no structures on the floodplain) so we can’t start out tomatoes and peppers on time. Providing our transplants saved the farm hundreds of dollars. They’re also bigger and healthier than those that come from our regular vendors. Hopefully, we will be able to provide tomatoes early this year.
All our tomato and pepper plants are in and trellised thanks to our wonderful volunteers. Melissa, Jamie, and Tony came during the week, and we had two great workdays with the Ridglea Presbyterian Student Ministries and The Hills Church Unity Builders Ministry over the last two weekends.
We skipped market this Saturday so we could pick up, deliver, and plant all our transplants. Don’t worry though. We’ll be back next week with more of the organically grown fresh produce you all look for from Opal’s Farm!
“Nothing can make our life, or the lives of other people, more beautiful than perpetual kindness.” – Leo Tolstoy
Tomato Time
It’s Tuesday morning, the sun is shining, and it rained last night. Boy, did it rain! Unfortunately for some in North Texas the thunderstorms brought tornadoes. Our hearts go out to those everyone who got hit yesterday. It’s something Texans know all too well every Springtime. We needed the rain desperately, but we know that Spring thunderstorms can turn quickly into devastation for so many.
The good news is that the rain helped somewhat with those battling the wildfires to our west. We ask you to pray for those that are struggling to get the fires under control. The wildfires have burned thousands of acres and destroyed homes, livestock, and the livelihoods of many of our neighbors.
Over ninety percent of Texas is in some stage of drought and our part of the state is in the severe drought stage. We’re irrigating daily so every little bit of rain helps Opal’s Farm. We’re going to continue doing the rain dance but we’re leaving out the severe part…
We had some wonderful volunteers come out Sunday to help plant the first of our tomatoes. Ridglea Presbyterian Student Ministries came out for an afternoon of fun and service. Tomatoes got planted, weeds got pulled, and trellis stakes driven in. My back says a big thank you for all your help!
We haven’t had a big variety at market the last couple of weeks but know that Spring is here and everything’s popping up. Look for new veggies each week as the season progresses!
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