Trippin’

Jun 292012
 

Rick & I both have the first week of July off from work.  Or what I like to call a sanity break.

And let me tell you we both need it desperately!

We’re packing up the vehicle, hitching up the camper and heading toward the South Shore (of Lake Superior).  We have some wonderful friends (Hi Eva and family!!) that are going to keep an eye on the house for us while we’re gone.  These are the same people that give us lots of goodies at Christmas.  Fantastic, lovable and downright super people.

Thor will keep guard of the house while Calie becomes a camping cat once more.

If I get the chance and have internet access, I’ll try to throw a couple posts up, but if not I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July!!

 

I Ain’t Got Nothin’

Jun 272012
 

Nothing really new to tell from the Northwoods.

Unless you want me to go on and on about my gardens (which I don’t think you would).

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Well, since you insist, they are doing quite well thankyouverymuch.  Except for the blight on the tomato plants that’s pissing me off royally.  You spend all that time growing the little buggers from seed, and when you take them out into the real world crap attacks them!

I mean, they had a nice environmentally stable greenhouse where they received the right amount of water, sun and warmth.  Grow them big and strong and then gently plant them in their new home and reality hits, which this year was an early Spring (YAY) followed by nice temperature to heat their little root systems (which helps them grow nice and strong) and then BAM!  Hit them with unending amounts of rain that do not give them enough time to dry out which in turn causes the stupid fungus that is chipping away at them every so slowly and painfully.

WAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

*sniff*

So I mixed together an organic spray that I’m hoping (crosses fingers and toes and walks funny) will be their salvation.  If not, well, I guess I’m gonna have to make a deal with the manager at the farm for a butt ton of tomatoes that I can can.  (Can can….get it?… hehehe…)  Ahem, sorry.

In other garden news, everything else seems to be doing fantabuloso.  I canned my first pint of pickles over the weekend (in a normal season that would happen in August).  Wowzers.

Oh, and I think the toad is AWOL.  Haven’t seen hide nor hair of him for a few days.

Gonna miss the little guy.  Yeah, yeah, I know, I was gonna evict him, but he kinda grew on me.  Kept me company when I was weeding.

Now I’m left with the garden gnome but he’s not really much of a conversationalist.

 

Snits and Sulking

Jun 232012
 

We have a very temperamental lawn mower.

Remember last year when she got all huffy and decided to combust into flames?

Well, her little snits are starting up again.  Rick will take the time to rid the lawn of all the junk assorted extras that come out in the summertime, turn the key on the ignition and YAY, she starts!  And then DAMN, she quits.

The latest escapade was drawn out over a full week.  Last Sunday all ready to mow the lawn, fired her up, mowed approximately 100 feet and Pffftttt… sputter… cough… blah.

Dead.  Nadda.  Nothing.

The next 2 hours were spent checking the spark plug, air filter, fuel filter and gas tank (for any wayward debris).  Everything was clear (except for a couple ladybugs taking a siesta in the bottom of the gas tank).  Out comes the battery charger to see if that would give her a jolt.  Nope, she wasn’t having any of that.

After a week of letting her sulk, Rick gave it one more try this morning and viola!  She started.  She’s running!  She’s mowing! 

Sure, the old girl is getting up there in age, but if coaxed enough she’ll do her job.

Kinda like me.

 

Farmer Rick

Jun 212012
 

Normally the gardening is done by me.  From start to finish I plant, weed, water, harvest and can.  And frankly, I don’t mind it one bit.

Rick’s involvement is getting the land ready for me and then daily inspections.  Again, just fine in my book.

But this year, he’s taken a more hands-on approach with the addition of the plot out at the farm.

We make a weekend trip to inspect their growth, pull weeds, etc.  He’s even earned a big ‘ol blister from all the hard work he’s done.

I must say that I like the teamwork this year.  He’s going to be able to enjoy the popcorn later this fall…

and the evil squirrels birds will get to enjoy the sunflower seeds.

Me?  I get to enjoy shucking it all.

Yay me…

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