Normal-looking sky
Freaky storm sky:
Two New Trees
16 hours ago
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Blessed Rain
Woke up to some rumbling in the distance and a few gentle taps of rain on the window. The house is blessedly comfortable with a fabulous breeze cooling the house to 75 degrees.
In our quest to be BFF with the environment we decided to forgo air conditioning when HE built our house. Our reasoning was thus:
1. Even when we've had AC in the past, we had only used it on the hottest of days, and then mostly to aid in the comfort of sleeping. Why spend the money installing a system we might only use one or two weeks out of the year? Because we heat our home with the masonry heater and radiant floor heating, there is no duct work in our home. Installing AC would have required a whole nother (major) construction project. Money and time we just didn't have.
2. Our home has super-efficient windows and insulation, along with "thicker" walls. The overhangs on the south side of the house are extra long to prevent the sun from shining directly in during the hottest part of the year. The theory goes that as long as we close up shop before it starts to get too hot, the house should stay relatively cool.
3. We installed ceiling fans to help keep air circulating even when it gets uncomfortably hot.
4. We don't really like it.
Unfortunately, the heatwave this week brought the house temp up to 85, at it's worst. While this was cooler than outside, it wasn't exactly what you'd call comfortable. Fortunately, the heatwave passed after a couple of days.
And we weren't even home on the worst day-Wednesday-our 4-H club was in charge of the "Eat stand" at the county fair for a few hours that day and then the kids and I went to the beach in town afterward to cool off.
MILE also invited us over to their house to cool off if we got too uncomfortable. So I sent Tippy over there for a few hours as she seemed kinda miserable yesterday.
So we do have options if it gets to feeling like we just can't take it anymore~friends, relatives, local haunts in town like the library, movie theater and such~but I also can't help thinking that in the not-too-distant past folks just had to deal with it. And they worked in the heat--regardless. Don't get me wrong--I'm a fan of AC when it's super hot outside. And I'm definitely not one to rise above it and keep weeding the garden (or working in general).
No.
You'll find me horizontal on the couch with an ice cold drink in my hand, probably also whining about how hot it is.
Productive. Yes, I know.
Just being honest.
I would not have done well in the "olden" days. Heck, I'm not doing so well in the... whatever these days are. Thank goodness the weather changes~like everything else in life.
Here is to a moderately hot summer from now through August.
Amen.
In our quest to be BFF with the environment we decided to forgo air conditioning when HE built our house. Our reasoning was thus:
1. Even when we've had AC in the past, we had only used it on the hottest of days, and then mostly to aid in the comfort of sleeping. Why spend the money installing a system we might only use one or two weeks out of the year? Because we heat our home with the masonry heater and radiant floor heating, there is no duct work in our home. Installing AC would have required a whole nother (major) construction project. Money and time we just didn't have.
2. Our home has super-efficient windows and insulation, along with "thicker" walls. The overhangs on the south side of the house are extra long to prevent the sun from shining directly in during the hottest part of the year. The theory goes that as long as we close up shop before it starts to get too hot, the house should stay relatively cool.
3. We installed ceiling fans to help keep air circulating even when it gets uncomfortably hot.
4. We don't really like it.
Unfortunately, the heatwave this week brought the house temp up to 85, at it's worst. While this was cooler than outside, it wasn't exactly what you'd call comfortable. Fortunately, the heatwave passed after a couple of days.
And we weren't even home on the worst day-Wednesday-our 4-H club was in charge of the "Eat stand" at the county fair for a few hours that day and then the kids and I went to the beach in town afterward to cool off.
MILE also invited us over to their house to cool off if we got too uncomfortable. So I sent Tippy over there for a few hours as she seemed kinda miserable yesterday.
So we do have options if it gets to feeling like we just can't take it anymore~friends, relatives, local haunts in town like the library, movie theater and such~but I also can't help thinking that in the not-too-distant past folks just had to deal with it. And they worked in the heat--regardless. Don't get me wrong--I'm a fan of AC when it's super hot outside. And I'm definitely not one to rise above it and keep weeding the garden (or working in general).
No.
You'll find me horizontal on the couch with an ice cold drink in my hand, probably also whining about how hot it is.
Productive. Yes, I know.
Just being honest.
I would not have done well in the "olden" days. Heck, I'm not doing so well in the... whatever these days are. Thank goodness the weather changes~like everything else in life.
Here is to a moderately hot summer from now through August.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Occupational Hazards
I am not one to "push through" the pain. When I am feeling sick or under the weather or just fatigued, I take it easy. I've always admired people who seemingly never experience these things or are just able to keep going regardless of what they're feeling.
So last weekend when I developed symptoms of severe stomach flu (as in: all of the contents in my gastro-intestinal tract needed to be removed immediately) I didn't even argue--just took a break on the couch with my favorite movies (HP 1 through 7, P1).
But the other symptoms that had been plaguing me for the past few weeks--fatigue and general malaise--well, those I tried to ignore and just go on with life. Thinking that it was related to low iron (which seems to be a fact of my life) I made the best of it, albeit, grudgingly--what else can you do?
So when I took a shower Friday morning and found an interesting looking rash on my upper left thigh, I began to put some pieces together.
Lyme disease?
The headache I had all week that just didn't ever seem to go completely away?
Lyme.
Bone tired?
Lyme.
Achy jaw, neck and joints?
Lyme.
Severe craving for chocolate peanut butter ice cream?
Okay-that's not lyme--just my favorite ice cream. Which sounds really good right now..........
Anyhoo, the blood test is in and yes, it's lyme. Just an occupational hazard I suppose, or one element of summers in Wisconsin.
There are ways to protect yourself, but I don't envision myself gardening in a space suit, nor using any kind of chemical spray--at least not yet.
Lyme is scary--it needs to be taken seriously and I suppose the best way to deal with it is to protect myself and my family to the greatest extent possible, weighing the pros and cons of each method.
In the meantime, I am just glad to have the answers for my mysterious illnesses--it really explains a lot.
So last weekend when I developed symptoms of severe stomach flu (as in: all of the contents in my gastro-intestinal tract needed to be removed immediately) I didn't even argue--just took a break on the couch with my favorite movies (HP 1 through 7, P1).
But the other symptoms that had been plaguing me for the past few weeks--fatigue and general malaise--well, those I tried to ignore and just go on with life. Thinking that it was related to low iron (which seems to be a fact of my life) I made the best of it, albeit, grudgingly--what else can you do?
So when I took a shower Friday morning and found an interesting looking rash on my upper left thigh, I began to put some pieces together.
Lyme disease?
The headache I had all week that just didn't ever seem to go completely away?
Lyme.
Bone tired?
Lyme.
Achy jaw, neck and joints?
Lyme.
Severe craving for chocolate peanut butter ice cream?
Okay-that's not lyme--just my favorite ice cream. Which sounds really good right now..........
Anyhoo, the blood test is in and yes, it's lyme. Just an occupational hazard I suppose, or one element of summers in Wisconsin.
There are ways to protect yourself, but I don't envision myself gardening in a space suit, nor using any kind of chemical spray--at least not yet.
Lyme is scary--it needs to be taken seriously and I suppose the best way to deal with it is to protect myself and my family to the greatest extent possible, weighing the pros and cons of each method.
In the meantime, I am just glad to have the answers for my mysterious illnesses--it really explains a lot.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Surprises
Farming is full of surprises.
Lots of times the surprises aren't occasions for celebration. Like the deer who munches the branches of your brand new fruit saplings down to nothing. Or the seeds that don't germinate.
Animals that die or are preyed upon.
Lack of rain. Too much rain.
Pests and more pests.
Broken machinery.
Maybe these would be considered challenges rather than surprises--but they are surprising in their own way.
But there are those wonderful surprises that take your breath away, make you smile and bring tears to your eyes all at once....
HOW MANY zucchini do we have!!!! [oh, wait--that would be "breathless, tears, no smile"]
So it appeared that Tippy had been absolved of egg-snatching when HE discovered this little peeper under the chicken coop with one of our hens and a nest of eggs. [there must be eggs somewhere else, but who knows where?]
Oh my.
How adorable and wonderful.
Mama hen is taking very good care of both of her chicks--yes, there are now two.
We've decided to let nature take it's course with these, as they are really an unexpected bonus.
It's good to know that our hens can and will go broody and that Rooster Bob is indeed as fit and healthy as he looks.
As for Tippy....
Well, there have been a few incidents of egg coveting.
One day, after HE had come in the house from doing some errands and went into our bedroom, HE disovered Tippy napping on the bed with a whole egg lying a foot or so away--apparently she was saving it for later.
Where she got this egg and how she got it into the house without anyone noticing is another question.
Thank goodness she didn't consume it on our bed.
Ugh!
There was another time out in the yard that I saw her nosing something around and upon further investigation I discovered that it was indeed an egg.
I did scold her briefly, but I'm sure she just turned and rolled her eyes at me.
So we do have proof that she has, most likely, eaten some eggs. No wonder her coat is all shiny.
We really can't fault her for enjoying an irresistible farm-fresh egg.
Especially when our hens leave them lying about the yard.
Tippy's no dummy.
As long as she just "herds' this little guy..... and doesn't try to eat him.
Lots of times the surprises aren't occasions for celebration. Like the deer who munches the branches of your brand new fruit saplings down to nothing. Or the seeds that don't germinate.
Animals that die or are preyed upon.
Lack of rain. Too much rain.
Pests and more pests.
Broken machinery.
Maybe these would be considered challenges rather than surprises--but they are surprising in their own way.
But there are those wonderful surprises that take your breath away, make you smile and bring tears to your eyes all at once....
HOW MANY zucchini do we have!!!! [oh, wait--that would be "breathless, tears, no smile"]
So it appeared that Tippy had been absolved of egg-snatching when HE discovered this little peeper under the chicken coop with one of our hens and a nest of eggs. [there must be eggs somewhere else, but who knows where?]
How adorable and wonderful.
Mama hen is taking very good care of both of her chicks--yes, there are now two.
We've decided to let nature take it's course with these, as they are really an unexpected bonus.
It's good to know that our hens can and will go broody and that Rooster Bob is indeed as fit and healthy as he looks.
As for Tippy....
Well, there have been a few incidents of egg coveting.
One day, after HE had come in the house from doing some errands and went into our bedroom, HE disovered Tippy napping on the bed with a whole egg lying a foot or so away--apparently she was saving it for later.
Where she got this egg and how she got it into the house without anyone noticing is another question.
Thank goodness she didn't consume it on our bed.
Ugh!
There was another time out in the yard that I saw her nosing something around and upon further investigation I discovered that it was indeed an egg.
I did scold her briefly, but I'm sure she just turned and rolled her eyes at me.
So we do have proof that she has, most likely, eaten some eggs. No wonder her coat is all shiny.
We really can't fault her for enjoying an irresistible farm-fresh egg.
Tippy's no dummy.
As long as she just "herds' this little guy..... and doesn't try to eat him.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Integrity
okay, so having posted my contest I realize that it would be quite easy for anyone to just check for the answer online or look at other comments for the answer.
To this I would say: Either you know the answer or you don't. I don't have to live with you--you have to live with yourself.
Integrity, people.
The aprons are pretty great if I do say so myself.
But not worth cheating for.
Seriously.
To this I would say: Either you know the answer or you don't. I don't have to live with you--you have to live with yourself.
Integrity, people.
The aprons are pretty great if I do say so myself.
But not worth cheating for.
Seriously.
Waaaaah!
I.
Hate.
Rose.
Chafers.
Yes, I know hate is a strong word. But it is warranted here. They are repulsive, and as near as I can tell, have no useful purpose in the world.
I cannot wait for them to cease and desist their disgusting orgies on my fruits and vegetables.
Get out of my hair.
Get off my laundry.
Stop eating my plants.
Die already--or hibernate--or do whatever it is you do for the rest of the year.
"Leave! Now! And never come back!"
That quote is from a movie--if you can tell me which one I will reward you with a vial of dead rose chafers.
But seriously--do you know the movie? If you do, leave a comment and I will choose a winner at random. Be the recipient of a genuine Dancing Apron Farmer apron.
don't cheat!! and leave a way for me to contact you. Good luck! Deadline for answers is next Friday--July 15th--Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 release day!!! Woo! Woo!
Hate.
Rose.
Chafers.
Yes, I know hate is a strong word. But it is warranted here. They are repulsive, and as near as I can tell, have no useful purpose in the world.
I cannot wait for them to cease and desist their disgusting orgies on my fruits and vegetables.
Get out of my hair.
Get off my laundry.
Stop eating my plants.
Die already--or hibernate--or do whatever it is you do for the rest of the year.
"Leave! Now! And never come back!"
That quote is from a movie--if you can tell me which one I will reward you with a vial of dead rose chafers.
But seriously--do you know the movie? If you do, leave a comment and I will choose a winner at random. Be the recipient of a genuine Dancing Apron Farmer apron.
don't cheat!! and leave a way for me to contact you. Good luck! Deadline for answers is next Friday--July 15th--Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 release day!!! Woo! Woo!
 |
| Sorry-these were given as gifts, but I will make an equally-stunning one for our winner! |
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
They're Back....
with a vengeance.
n.a.s.t.y.
N.A.S.T.Y.
Rose Chafers.
Here they are munching (and doing other things) on our grapes. They eat the flesh of the leaves and skeletonize them. We have found them on lots of different plants--potatoes, beans, strawberries, raspberries and our fruit trees. I even found a few on the squash and melon leaves. They also like flowers and have been all over the marigolds and johnny jump-ups. We pick them off and put them into a bucket of soapy water, but at times it feels overwhelming. Fortunately they don't sting or bite and are rather clumsy fliers so they are easy to catch.
The ewwww factor is quite high, though, I have to say. Thank goodness they are short-lived. I sincerely hope we are looking at the last of these guys.
Aidan thought his stuffed toy looked a bit like our real-life rose chafers and asked me to put him in the blog post. I'm glad the real ones aren't this big or I'd definitely be having nightmares.
Actually, I'll probably have nightmares anyway.
Yuck.
n.a.s.t.y.
N.A.S.T.Y.
Rose Chafers.
The ewwww factor is quite high, though, I have to say. Thank goodness they are short-lived. I sincerely hope we are looking at the last of these guys.
Actually, I'll probably have nightmares anyway.
Yuck.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Multiple Personalities
Green
Verdant
Chartreuse
Fir
Jade
Emerald
Forest
Leafy
Lime
Pea
Sage
Grass
Pine
Spring
Olive
Jungle
Mint
Ivy
Clover
Heather
Sea
Cabbage
Honeydew
Kiwi
Teal
Aqua
Apple
Celery
Cucumber
Basil
Eucalyptis
Tree
Fern
Meadow
Grasshopper
Lush
Kelly
Moss
Driving into town the other day I couldn't help but marvel at the lushness surrounding this countryside. So many shades of green. And the amazing thing is: months ago most of it was in hibernation. It's immensely beautiful. And so gratifying to survive a cold, stark winter to view the panorama of green that surrounds us. To listen and watch the life that it supports: birds of all kinds, deer, lightning bugs, crickets, cicadas, grasshoppers and snakes......
Life is a miracle.
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