Down for the Count

Well, I haven't written for awhile because I lost my place. The landlord wanted to sell and I was too far behind on the bills anyhow. I'm crashing in various places,but I am working steadily. Hopefully in the next few months I'll have a new place and I can get back to work. I'll keep ya'll updated. I hope everyone else is better off than I.

Here Comes the Sun!

The rain has finally stopped and the sun has returned. The forecast says it's clear for the rest of the week. Praise Allah/Elohim/Thor/Jesus/Shiva/Amaterasu/or whoever you like. I did manage to mow the front yard but the back is still too wet. The whole thing was mowed right before the rains started and now the grass is almost knee high. I could never claim the soil was'nt fertile. All my neighbors use synthetics on their yards but I use very little organic amendments and my lawn is much greener and healthier. I would prefer to have something other than grass but I don't own the place. I am lucky enough to have a beautiful native pecan tree.

I decided to build beds from railroad ties. I know the crap on them is toxic but the ones I've gotten are old and don't have much creosote left on them and I can't afford some fancy pants lumber that has some stupid hippy certification. I started putting them around my current veggie bed. As you can see from the picture there's not much alive anymore. I plan to create at least three beds.

Yes,Ron I stole your idea mulching with leaves.

I Did'nt Pray For This Much!

This is one of those days I wish I would have stayed in the city. I'm almost certain everything I managed to plant is ruined. I was unable to till anymore than a small area because of the incessant rain. Yesterday was the first 24 hour dry period in weeks and that ended late last night. Now I understand why the federal goverment was so willing to give away land for homesteading in the 19th century. One positive note however is the return of the lightning bugs. They were common when I was a child but until I moved here I thought they had followed the Carolina Parakeet into history.
I despise my neighbors children. They are the rudest and sorriest excuse for people. They scream constantly and throw things into my yard in addition to other annoying habits. I was raised to be respectful to others and mind my own business. I was no angel but I reserved my scorn for other children.
This may be it for me.

This Sucks!

It's still raining. Sun has'nt stayed out for more than a few hours in a couple of weeks. If I had to rely on the results of my garden this year then I would starve. Today Netflix is'nt even working.

Maybe I Should Change My Name to Noah

Today is the first day without rain in over a week. All I've been able to do is curse and watch programs on Netflix. I did enjoy Good Neighbors again. If your not aware of what Good Neighbors is it is an English tv show from the 70's. The plotline is about a couple who decides to chuck the corporate grind and become completely self-reliant. The twist is that the live in a high class suburb and their next door neighbors, although they are close friends, have a hard time dealing with the lifestyle. It's a comedy and surprisingly ahead of it's time as far as it's views and ideas of self-sufficiency. I highly recommend it. The actual title is The Good Life but for some reason it's been changed for the American market.
Amazingly, my lettuce is finally sprouting. As far as producing any amount to eat, we'll see. My parents lettuce are flourishing and I'm diong my share to enjoy it before it bolts. Since today is in the low 80's that maybe soon.
The freeze in March claimed six of my potato plants so I put four TAM jalapeno plants in their places today. I hope they do well because I look forward to pickling as much as I can this year. Last years peppers turned out great and their almost gone. Hopefully, I'll be going back to work soon and then I'll have the funds to expand the garden. We'll see.
Hope ya'll are doing well and being kind to others. That includes Nerthus (Mother Earth for you non heathens)
Later

My Canning Was.....OK

It's been raining about once a week lately. I can't wait until the ponds fill back up so I can go fishing. I plan to eat a lot more fish this year and it being free is even better. I have been trying to eat mostly the frozen things from last years garden so I'll have more room for the fresh stuff this year.
I've also been eating the stuff I canned last year. The salsa does'nt taste very good, but the jalepenoes are great. They're not too hot and have a great sweet flavor.
Well that's it for now. I hope everyone's Easter or whatever holiday you celebrated was happy and it reminded them how important family is.
Oh yeah, just because your views on a god or gods does'nt fit into an organized religion DOES NOT mean you have to be an atheist. Religious belief used to be a very localized, tribe to tribe thing. Individual belief system is ok and don't let zealots ruin your faith. There are assholes everywhere.
Belief in God or Gods is logical. Atheism is not.

Update

Things have been truckin' along. My potato plants are growing well despite a recent freeze that did some damage to the tops. This happens every year due to our screwed up weather but the tops bounce back and produce wonderful pots.
I have had to put out lettuce seed more than once. For some reason lettuce has not grown well this year for me. I was discussing this with my father and he said he had experienced the same results so I guess I'm not the only one.
I hope everyone else is doing well and staying healthy.

Well...It rained

It finally rained and my potatoes are growing like weeds but unfortunately so is the grass. Mowing is something I hate.
I recommend everyone (that is if anyone actually reads this blog) check out a website called Open Congress. It lists the bills currently being proposed by our supposedly respectable representatives.
Pictures to follow of garden.
And please Support The Troops. I don't mean buying a ribbon. Smoky Mountain Knifeworks has a program where you can purchase a soldier a knife. It could save his life.

Rain would be nice

Put the potatoes in last week and Black seeded Simpson lettuce is coming up. The tempatures have been in the low 80's this week so things are starting to green up. Other than this it's been business as usual. I hope everyone else is doing well.
Ron, where are you?

Long time no write

I know I haven't written lately, but not much has been happening. It hasn't been bitterly cold around here, just in the 30's mainly. I hope to get a sod cutter this year. Even if I can't I definitely plan to have a bigger garden. More to come soon.