With the dry weather and extreme wind lately, there have been several wildfires in our area that are still uncontained for the most part, but not close to us — yet. We keep watching the sky for smoke, however. We had an enjoyable visit with daughter, Randie, who spent the week with us here. It was fun “touristing’ her around, showing her some of the sights in our wilderness area and next to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Yesterday, we went down to watch granddaughter, Ava, in her first horse show where she was entered in hunter/jumper classes. She did very well, bringing home a blue and three red ribbons. Not bad for a first, eh? We were so proud, especially when Tana, the mare she rode, is not an easy, push-button horse. She likes to go!
Will went to an auction and was able to buy a nice, self-propelled combine for less than $2,000. He had enough money saved up in cash to do the deal. I was sure happy! We won’t be able to harvest wheat this year but he’s going to plant winter wheat in the fall for next year. Getting it home from 40 miles away is another thing. It’s a very long way to drive it! Yesterday, while Randie and I went to the horse show, Will and Drew went to the farm and brought home the header, the big piece that cuts and heads the wheat to thresh and blow in the bin. It weighs 2,000 pounds. But by finagling a bit, they got it on and its home, safe and sound. Tomorrow, our semi-driving friend, Brendan Yoder, will not only haul the combine home but also the big excavator Will bought from a neighbor several weeks ago.
Although spring is here (frogs and orioles), Will is busy cutting firewood for next winter. Here, we have two seasons, winter and getting ready for winter! It’s hard to think about winter when the cherries and plum trees are blooming. I was tickled to see both Hummingbirds and Orioles this morning. So very pretty, plus the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are here too, gobbling the grape jelly next to the Orioles.
We sure need some rain, not only for our gardens but to cut down on the fire danger. We’re supposed to get some this evening and tomorrow, but we’ve heard that before, only to find it didn’t happen. — Jackie
We’re behind on rain for this month but got 150% of average last month. Better half planted a couple of zuke plants but if I heard him right, someone (rabbit likely) nibbled on at least of one them. I’ll plant some seed if that is the case.
I had 4 small seed potatoes left from the bag and planted them where I usually plant a few herbs. Perhaps I need to put the gifted owl near the herb box – dang squirrel dug up one seed potato. I’m out nothing if they don’t come to “fruition” but it irks me. I put out plenty of wildlife food so it is not like the squirrels are lacking food. They appear to just like to dig.
Saw berries on my strawberries plants when I last weeded. If need be, we can water the patch as well as the garden. I’ll be weeding the asparagus patch AND marking “dead” areas. Do you always soak your crowns before planting?
Yes, I do soak my asparagus crowns before planting. They seem to set in better if I do. Mom always did and hers were awesome.
Bummer on the squirrels. I know we have trouble sometimes with them too. I put extra corn and sunflower seeds out around what I’m trying to protect as bribes. They seem to fall for it.
Yea for berries forming on your strawberries!! I’m drooling.
I’m so glad Randi got to come visit and see the beautiful scenery!
I’m so glad Ava did really good! She probably was really surprised she got a blue ribbon! I can just see you and Will with the biggest smiles on your faces!
We are getting rain her but we needed it.
It’s a good thing Will is starting firewood early. It’s always nice to get it done and out of the way before later this year when it turns cold.
Still working on the garden but it’s getting there, slow but sure.
Take care
We were glad Randie could come for a visit when the weather was nice. She came last at Christmas, when it was too cold and snowy to do much outside.
Ava was tickled that she did well at the show, too. Yep, we all had big smiles, watching her compete. She’s so professional.
We did get some rain but sure need more. While we’re worried about wildfires, we also are praying hard for folks in Nebraska, Oklahoma and other states experiencing horrific fires.
Way to go Ava! Such a great job, especially for a first time. Great score on the combine and transportation. Sometimes getting stuff home is harder than getting the thing in the first place! We are getting lots of rain recently. We had 3 inches the night before last and it rained again last night but I dont have a measurement yet. My garden was all planted last week and it was quite dry when I planted, so the rain is very welcome even it if is more than we had expected. There are now flood watches for the river south of us. My brother and I have built a chicken coop and an hoop house run for them. We hope to finish today by putting the doors on and fastening the hardware cloth as securely as possible. I have 57 meat chickens to go in there and they need moved from the brooder very soon. Hopefully you will be planting soon. Prayers for the fires to stay away from you and for a blessed week.
Thanks again! I’m so glad you got the rain. We’re getting some more today, .41 so far. It’s not much but everything sure helps, especially the fire danger. We will probably wait until the first week in June to start planting outside, depending on the weather forecast. Tonight we’re supposed to be 29 degrees F, with possible snow!
It sounds like you’ve got a great place for your meat birds. The meat is so much better than store-bought!
The fires in your area look scary so glad you are safe so far. Haven’t seen much news, spouse had a medical emergency and was transferred to the big city hospital. I’m thinking the lovely tomato and pepper plants I bought at the greenhouse last week won’t make it thru the cold. Rain was really coming down in Fargo when I left there tonite so hope some of the rain continues to your area where its needed.
I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s emergency. I’ll pray hard for his recovery.
We’re getting some rain, but only 1/4 of an inch so far, but it’s sprinkling off and on. I sure hope your plants make it through the cold. Can someone put a plastic container like an ice cream pail over them and blanket over that? It would likely save them.
Hi Jackie, we got rain today – nothing bad but it was good showers off and on all day.
Yesterday I mowed 7 hours -:the front yard get the waist high grass down. After 2 months without a lawn mower! Who needs to go to the gym! It’s only around 50′ x 50′ just the yard and not the incline or the curve up to the house!
I’m so glad Ava did so well! And the first time too!!!
That pile of wood looks really great too!
Before we know it the crisp air will be back and I haven’t hardly got started on the garden yet! WOW! :)
You and Will take care!
Fires within the region are ALWAYS scary. Then, some dumb person goes and burns trash outside!
Nice job on the equipment and GREAT on having folks to help you get it home.
Congrats to Ava. Horses can be such a blessing. They sure played an important part in my young life.
Firewood, when one heats with wood, is a year round job!
Our fruit trees bloomed about 6 weeks or so ago here (usual last frost about March 15).Sadly, it doesn’t look like we will be having plums this year (which we should be harvesting within weeks). Have already harvested some summer squash……….
I’m so sorry to hear about your plums. If it freezes tonight, we’ll be joining you in a plum-less summer.
Will got the combine home but our friend with the semi has a long haul and couldn’t haul the excavator home until Friday. We’re in no hurry and sure appreciate the help bringing that big equipment home.
I haven’t heard about fires here in Copper Basin Alaska yet but we had a low snow pack and bad winds lately too. It’s been mostly cloudy and staying fairly cool but a week of showers and drizzle only put ten gallons of water in the rain barrel! Onions planted, and a row of beets plus a little chard in the hoop house. Only five more hoop house beds to prep! Will have to grand plant tomatoes in the green house next week!
Wow, planting is so exciting. We won’t be planting for at least 2 weeks here, but it’s coming!!
I had to plant the onions or loose them, and filled the rest of the prepped space. If I don’t keep moving I won’t get it all planted because my hobbily self can only do so much in a day. I prepped the middle bed in the other hoop house yesterday. I have early girl tomatoes that are two feet tall at six weeks old! So next week I’ll pause hoop house work an transplant tomatoes in the green house and keep the fire burning. Fortunately the stems I burry will root because they have got to be getting root bound in little 4” by 4” starter pots! Soil temp was 42 in the hoop house yesterday.
Ava looks so precious and it is good to have a passion in life to live for. My granddad used to tell me that folks that work with horses lived to be really old. He lived to 97 so he must be right! We are in a drought here too; but the big farms have irrigation machines. But not the little farms so I am praying for rain for everyone. I bought squash, broccoli and strawberries at an Amish farm this morning, so we won’t starve by any means. I’m just hoping for rain before all the corn dries up down here. I’ll be busy today processing my goodies for canning and freezing for winter. I feel for you Jackie, as I have a doc appointment for a bum knee. I am hobbling and doing things sitting down and hoping it is just a sprain and not a knee replacement.
Boy, me too! The best of luck at the doctor’s. It’s nice to have Amish farms nearby as they always raise such nice produce. Our nearest Amish are 100 miles to the west, so we don’t see them often.
I love the area you’re in! I used to fish up there and go canoeing. I lived in Lonsdale so it was a little trip but it was worth it. I’m glad you’re going to get fruit this year because we won’t. They have canceled peach days in Utah and my trees got hit really bad so I won’t have fruit this year either. I have to cover plants tonight due to freezing temps. It just teases us with the nice weather and then slams the door shut! I’m in south east Idaho.
Yep, it seems weather does that every year to we gardeners. Darned freezes!! We’re supposed to have snow tomorrow night. Ugh. We’ll see if the temps get low enough to freeze our plum and cherry blossoms….
And to think in one area of CA, they will destroy 3000 acres of peach trees as Del Monte filed for bankruptcy. It makes me want to cry.
And that will contribute to spiraling food costs……..
I would sure cry if I saw 3,000 acres of peach trees torn out. I love peaches and we can’t grow them here.
Holly……. Here (TX) folks plant early peach trees and late peach trees. That way, they increase the odds of getting peaches.
Two seasons:)!! Yep! Seeing Will at the pile of logs pray fires stay well away. Wouldn’t want you to lose. Well done Ava! Nice to have time for sharing your sites with Randi. Saw my first oriole yesterday. Exciting isn’t it.praying for fire fighters to stop the fires Be safe
Yep, we start getting ready for winter as soon as the snow’s off. We had a grass fire four miles away, which, thankfully, was quickly put out. It’s always a worry when you live in the middle of the woods. We keep it clear around the house, for the most part for that reason but you never know when a hot fire should come on a strong wind.
Be safe!
We sure try. Thank you!