Fables from the Farm

Falling for Kings

As the season’s change here at the Oasis, the pace quickens on the downward slope to the opening of Fence Road Farm Brewery. The dampness of fall is in the air as we are visited by a prolonged bout of precipitation after a lengthy dry spell. The hops are harvested and the fruit, save the goji berries which come in late. We had our first frost.

Inside the brewery, the disc golf pro shop has been doing business for a few weeks. Brewing licenses are approved; beer and mead are in the tanks. The beautiful hand-built taproom bar is in place and the kitchen is cranking.

My good friend Jams O’Dingus stopped by to take a look. After a long pull on the mead I had set before him he declared, “Ah, Tony, you are lucky to be in a place like this, out of the muck.”

“I know,” I replied. “Not for nothing is it called The Oasis.”

“It’s crazy out there,” said Jams. “Crazier by the day. You know it is No Kings Day on Saturday. Will yer be showing yer face?”

 “I dunno, maybe. You know Jams I am not here all the time. I do get out to sniff the air once in a while.”

“To be sure, I know you’ve been doing some travelin.’”

 “Yep, we did our Beer and Whisky tour in Scotland. Some our tour guides made jokes about our Kingly country. The Scots have a long history of fighting with Kings, British of course.

“I was sitting next to this local old codger at the Guildford Arms in Edinburgh and we fell into a bit of a conversation. Well, it kind of went in fits and starts. "Aye you have it pretty bad over there," he said. "Yes it’s strange times," I replied. Then after a minute or two he rejoined with, “Mind you, it’s not as bad as some places. You wonder what’s going on with the world.” Then after another pause, “I worry for the young people, what kind of world will they have to live in.”

“Growing pains,” said Jams. “What do you mean?” I asked. “We are a young country, we are a young race. We are like children fighting and squabbling. Sometimes you have to go backwards before you can go forward.”

 “Sure seems like we’re going backwards right now. I have a hard time understanding that’s what people really want.”

“To be sure there’s no future in going backwards,” said Jams. “Enjoy what you do and the people in your life, and for you Tony there’s plenty to enjoy here, and I know you’ll be sharing it with lots of people.”

Just then Dan, the owner came in. “Alright,” he said. “I have an important announcement – we’re going to open our doors very, very soon. A-game guys, A-game. If you don’t work here – out. Except you Jams, you can stay…

To be continued………………………..