I spent yesterday doing a “Chores swap” with a friend of mine who lives outside of Boston. I went to her house and helped her rip down a whole hedge worth of invasive vines, broad and deep and tall enough that we uncovered several trees. In return, on the 30th, she is bringing me 1-2 box elder saplings, a black walnut sapling, and possibly an ash tree to plant. It was great to see her and her husband, and how neat to plan a visit such that you don’t lose a whole day of winter prep - by helping them one day, and them coming to help me on a different day, in theory the same amount of work gets done without me having to be a hermit.
While I was in Massachusetts I also nabbed a second French Angora; a free-to-a-good-home rescue bunny from a woman who was overwhelmed at the amount of grooming needed to maintain an Angora rabbit. He is a 6 year old caramel colored male, and didn’t even have a name. He is well handled, docile and very friendly. He is also badly matted, has nails that are extremely overgrown, and is living in a too-small cage. We have named him Clarence Maple McFluffin. Mr. L will build him a new hutch like the one that Theodore is in - 24” x 48” with wire sides for looking out and an enclosed cubby for feeling safe and blocking the wind. He and Theodore Rex McBun will obviously be housed separately; they are currently in opposite ends of the house in case of contagious disease or mites.
The fiance and I have our eyes set on the looming wedding date and the potential for purchasing acreage (whether we buy or build the home will depend on what we can find for price / financing). I have been researching permaculture food forests. We have the bees buttoned up and are hoping they survive the winter.
Update: On 10/29/18, Clarence Maple McFluffin was found dead in his cage. He passed from GI Stasis, a common affliction in rabbits, most likely due to having been deprived of hay in his previous home. Though we had him only a short time, he was loved and will be dearly missed. He is wrapped in towels in a cardboard box in the freezer - when the spring thaw hits he will be buried under the Walnut sapling.
Also, we got snow and frozen ground between the 22nd and the 30th, so the trees that were coming up are now waiting until early spring, and they’ll be planted as soon as the ground can be worked.