AJ and I took the dogs for a little stroll last evening since it was cool and lovely. On the road, we met an overly friendly Golden Retriever mix who excited Willow (our white greyhound mix) to the point of walk-yipping. Step. Yip. Step. Yip.

The owners took a little while to walk back in our direction, and I noticed right away the man had an oxygen tank heeling at his side.

When they finally reached us (and the dogs settled a bit), they introduced themselves as John and Esther Jolma, and asked us where we lived. I felt a bit sheepish in replying since we've lived in this house for 3 years now, and haven't actually met most of our neighbors.

After introductions all around, John and AJ talked for quite a while about John's need for the oxygen tank. It turns out this once hearty farmer has come down with a rare lung disease caused by molds, hay dust and manure pit gases. Yikes! He's been laid up for the past several months because his lungs are only performing at 41% of their regular capacity.

I can't imagine what it must be like to wake up one morning feeling as though you're breathing through a straw. It must be especially difficult for a farmer, whose body is as much his livelihood as his land. Fortunately, the rumor mill insists the Jolmas have amassed a brood of 22. There should be at least a few helping hands in a family that size.

In fact, John shared that they had just become great-grandparents that day. AJ told them we were in the midst of brooding our first little one. He also mentioned our chickens, and asked if they would like any eggs. They agreed fresh eggs would be great.

So, after we wandered back home, AJ cleaned up 2 1/2 dozen eggs for the Jolmas. He delivered them straight away, and Esther refused to let him leave without taking payment.

It's nice to finally have met the folks who own the land immediately surrounding us. I feel as though I can now talk about the Jolmas as real people since we've met them in the flesh. They will no longer be these imaginary folks who live at the farm on the corner.

It makes me feel more grounded, too. I still have major wanderlust, but I also believe meeting the Jolmas opens wide the possibilty for staying here, having good neighbors, and sharing this place we live in. Now it doesn't seem so far fetched for us to open a dialogue about purchasing some of their land, so my need to farm (even on a small scale) can become reality.

Ah, the possibilities...