Mid July at the Apple Blossom Inn

When you live in an agricultural area, the talk is always of the weather. This has been true for many years. I live near the Civil War New Market Battlefield. A local farmer, Silon Henkel, kept a journal in 1864, the year of our famous battle. He did not have much to say about the battle, but lots to say about digging ditches, planting potatoes, and harvesting crops. Rain or lack of it was a big topic. To Silon, the battle was inconsequential.

Tonight, we have had our first rain in about a month. The beautiful green hills and dales of The Shenandoah Valley have turned brown. Somehow even in a drought, weeds continue to thrive and I have sent many weeds to the garbage pile. We have not had need of a lawnmower at the Apple Blossom Inn in more than three weeks, so Charlie is not complaining.

Yet,summer trudges on. The garden is beginning to produce squash and tomatoes and we have already harvested cabbage, carrots, spinach, peas, strawberries, gooseberries, and raspberries. We use the berries in our breakfast menus at the B&B and sell the herbs and veggies at the new New Market Farmer's Market on Rt 211 on Saturday mornings.

Come see us at the Farmer's market or wave to us in our 1864 costumes as we guide guests taking the New Market Walking Tours. Call the Apple Blossom Inn for July and August discounts.