Last Saturday was my Skate for Kate — and what an absolutely perfect day. The weather couldn’t have been better, Kate was feeling well enough to participate in the cheering section, and family was there to cheer me on my 30-mile roller skate from the Ocean City inlet in Maryland to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. It felt good to dust off the ol’ roller derby helmet.

Through the incredible generosity of so many, Skate for Kate raised over $6,500 for Kate’s favorite breast cancer support charity, Unite for HER. This event became so much more than I ever thought it could become, thanks to so many kind and wonderful people.

Other than the constant scatter of gravel on the side of Ocean Highway, I was able to maintain a speed of between 10-12 mph for the entire skate. My training over the past two months really paid off. Kate’s sister, Rachael, made an incredible cape for the skate, which I wore for the entire Ocean City leg of the journey. Rachael and my uncle rode with me the entire way on bikes, and Rach sported the cape for the rest of the way.

I learned a lot about myself leading up to the skate, and enjoyed every moment. I’ve never really gone with the traditional route to anything, and intend to keep doing what I’m doing. I will continue to set a high bar for myself, and I hope to never stop challenging myself in everything I do. I also learned that you can kick major a$$ at age 43!
My motto for the year: “Use your crazy for good!”

Next year, I hope to do the skate again as a celebration of Kate’s recovery.

Cheers!

 

 
There’s a lot going on right now at Beatty Farm as we enter the fall season. This SoMD weather is amazing. We’ve got a goat playground built, and goats and dogs are coexisting somewhat peacefully. I really love being a goat owner! We had a couple of hiccups in finishing the fence work to allow the goats to roam and browse, so they are currently getting their browse delivered by yours truly. They’re pretty spoiled.

 

 
We just got our goat milking stanchion delivered today – I know they’re easy to build, but with so many other farm building projects and growing goat hooves, we decided to buy one. North Star is the brand we went with, purchased through Valley Vet. 

  

 
So we’re goat-owning rookies. It took both of us to get a firm grip on his hind leg. With more practice and slightly shorter shears, it should get easier. 

As my pollinator garden’s blooms are gone, I’ve seen some wayward bees sort of hanging around, aimlessly. I put out a small plate of honey to try to help them out. Three days, no visitors. Today was nice and mild – they hit it like a buffet. The fail: innocently locating it just outside of the main entry of the house! It’s now been relocated away from the house and nestled between some sedums that still have blooms… 

  

 
In other news, I’m preparing for a 30-mile roller skate from Ocean City, MD to Rehoboth Beach, DE this Saturday. I’m raising money in honor of my cousin, Kate, who was diagnosed with early onset breast cancer. She has already undergone chemo and radiation in her first battle, and unfortunately the cancer has returned elsewhere and she is currently undergoing treatment yet again.  My best friend, Amanda, designed a gorgeous logo that incorporates Kate’s favorite flower, hydrangea. I’ve been able to raise $5,600 through the incredible generosity of so many people. All proceeds go to Kate’s preferred charity, Unite for HER. 

I also saw that Mary Lee, a 16-foot great white shark with a tracking device, has been pinging off of Rehoboth. She has her own Twitter feed, so I tweeted her and asked her to stick around and cheer for me. “She” favorited my tweet 😉 thx Mary Lee, and safe travels!

After the skate, it’s prepping for the husband’s 40th farm extravaganza and hosting hordes at Thanksgiving!