As we do every year, I put up the fall scarecrow to celebrate the end of a production year.   We produced a bit less than last year which doesn’t really matter as our whole tea project is just for fun.  We made less tea because I would be lazy and lay on the couch.  My wife would say “get up and go pick tea!”  But it was hard to get up while she was rubbing my feet.  This years scarecrow looks a lot like last years because I used the same shirt and face when I sewed him together and stuffed him with the fresh cut hay we have.  He is sporting a new red fedora!

If you have been on one of our tea farm tours you will remember Black Hawk the big male peacock out in the tea field.  He became part of the tour getting up close and looking over the guests.  I would throw him some peanuts and he would spread his tail and the tourists would giggle (or be afraid) and take turns standing by him for photos.  He was a working bird that I hand fed for 18 years.

Last week when I was bringing out a tour group, someone using my driveway to take a short cut to an abandon house  a mile away drove by at 40 mph and ran over Black Hawk waiting for the tour group (and his ration of peanuts).  The big birds have no concept of traffic.  This really hurt my feelings.  He was like an old parrot, an old friend, like your favorite dog.

I have been extremely complemented by tea professionals who happened up on my book and called, written or came by to tell me how much they liked the book and appreciated my style and freely sharing information.  When I first put it on Amazon in April, I felt like folks were reading my personal diary.  I am more confident now with so many books sold and people saying nice things about it.  One thing that I keep having to explain is why I do not grow my business or sell tea to stores, restaurants or sell tea on line.

We are doing tours everyday now.  As always, call ahead to make an appointment.  Tours are $20 per person in CASH, and I like only two or three people at a time.  We sell green and black teabags for $10 for thirty two teabags and half pound loose leaf bags, green or black for $15.  Good price!

Donnie Barrett

251-209-3089