Lately, we’ve been busy from dawn till dark it seems. As some of our corn in the Sand and Wolf Gardens did not come up strongly due to the drought, I needed to till and replant those spots. But first, we had grandson Mason’s graduation party to attend. A lot of the family was able to come. Even daughter, Monique, from Ohio, was there, along with daughters, Tricia and her family, Randie and her daughter, and granddaughter, Memphis. I hadn’t seen them in a long time! Then there were old neighbors from the Oak Lake area and friends from times past. It was wonderful. Son, Bill and his family did a great job hosting the scads of folks who attended. All in all, it was a wonderful day.
But boy were my knees killing me! Too much sitting and visiting, I guess. Both Will and I were so tired the next day we couldn’t believe it! Then we had to get ready to do a video tour and visit as we are in the process of adding a Belgian Malinois from the MAD Rescue, to our home. I didn’t have a clue how to do this so son, David, did the video as Will and I answered lots of questions. Gee, I adopted five children and an entire Vietnamese family of 9 with an easier time of it! Hondo, our farm buddy dog is getting up there. He’s 13 plus and slowing down. Where he used to accompany us everywhere on the four-wheeler and golf cart, this year he does go once in a while, but a lot of the time he just prefers to stretch out on the couch. We’d like to add a trainable, enthusiastic, smart Velcro dog to our family and I really love the attitude of the Malinois — all go and loyalty mixed with the love of learning new things. They definitely are not for everyone though as they do require a job and plenty of activity, along with structure, which we can give them. We got the video done and are waiting for an appointment next week to our vet for our critters’ annual vaccinations and heartworm check before we can proceed.
Today, we’re back at it, big time. Will is putting the final touches on repairs for the haying equipment as this year it looks like he’ll be able to start early. Last year it was so wet, he didn’t get to start till August. Normal is the Fourth of July or thereabouts. While he’s doing that, I’m busy replanting the spots I tilled this morning in the Sand Garden. I replanted a big patch of Who Gets Kissed. When I get off the computer, I’m going out to till in the Wolf Garden again and plant more Seneca Sunrise. It’s just crazy how some stuff comes up gangbusters and something else doesn’t at all or weakly. No, it’s not the seed. I know because we raised and germinate tested it!
Our flowers are blooming like crazy right now, including the red clover, Dutch clover, and birdsfoot trefoil in the pastures. Will turned the cows out for a little while yesterday then brought them in after about an hour. We didn’t want them to overdo eating green grass when they’d been only on hay. It could cause bloat in the cows or founder in the horses. We were surprised when he called them in; they followed him right in perfectly, to snack on the offered bucket of grain of course.
— Jackie
Jackie, I had my usual irrigation system last year, but that year I resowed green beans 5 times. Out of 250, 12 came up. There were other seeds too that just didnt work out! This year’s no different.
I too have been replanting certain things Seneca Sunrise especially But it’s now showing a good start The few plants that came up are struggling but the 2nd sow is looking green and sturdy Must be a lover of 90+ The corn flour have all been strong Can’t figure it out Even my spinach and lettuce just starting to get going I KNOW it’s not the seed Seems nature is really toying with many of us! Great so many family able to be together for Mason! Visiting and traveling sure takes it out of one self dosent it! Sure a good lookin heifer!!
Sounds like you had a great time at Mason’s party, it’s so nice when everyone can get together for a good reason! Here too some of our friends and I had problems with seeds coming up. And we knew the seeds were good, so who knows why? But replanted areas are coming up ok. I’m trying to catch up on a few things this week, next week my DH is getting a new knee so that will take priority for awhile. Here in east Nebraska we got some rain, but out in the panhandle it’s extreme drought and another wildfire. Good luck with the new dog!
Just read where the canning jar prices are going up
. So I am picking up a couple more dozen at Walmart or Rural King. Been asking everyone I know for canning jars but they threw them away or keeping them.
Picking up can lids and rings too.
Walmart was supposed to have TATTLER lids but I don’t think they do.
Wonder if Lehmans have them.
Well…… Our white clover is gone for the year…….. Of course, we have been enjoying it since the March/April area. The horsemint (aka bee balm) is making its presence well known in the pasture. Pollen and nectar producing flowers are at a minimum for a while now. It is getting HOT! Heading for a high of 89 with HIGH humidity. Come Thursday, we could see 97 down here along with the humidity. I think we have firewood for this coming winter (don’t laugh, we do get cold down here………. -4 a few years ago with no electricity…….. The electric providers have been clearing right of ways……. we got in a LOT of loads of “logs”, chips and combination loads……… Most of it is cut short enough to fit the wood cook stove! Sadly, we need to get out and split it, but that is a minor thing being the wood is here.
Sounds like the graduation party was fun! And seeing so many folks.
That heifer……. Cute as a button.
I’m thinking one of the kittens we took in is a feline version of a Malinois – she certainly loves learning new things. And definitely needs activity and structure lol as I just had to point the squirt bottle at her as she was on the back of my chair attempting to play with my hair!
We hired our tree guy to trim around the yard proper, driveway, and one branch that was hanging too close to the detached garage. We are doing the clean-up. Most of what was trimmed was easy to get off the yard. Except for the one oak branch – nothing like a live oak branch that was more tree sized. It will provide a lot of firewood (once seasoned – to say live oak is heavy is an understatement). We’ll get at least a face cord of firewood once split and seasoned from this go round. We’d have paid at least 3 times if no 4 times more for our tree service to do the clean-up.
One of the first things we did when we bought this property was to have three large trees that could have hit the house taken down.
We have another dead oak that is being held up by another tree (which is growing in quite the unique shape) – even more firewood as it is on the list. I’m thinking the tree guy should take it down as I am leery as to what direction it will fall.
I was weeding the garden when the tree guy showed up. Once he started moving around the yard (I’d accomplished what I needed to weed), it was time for me to stop weeding and help better half get the first trimming off the driveway.
Except for watching a few trees for signs of dying, we should be good for a number of years re: trimming. However I have a retirement budget line item for tree trimming/removal. Better half and I agree it looks so much better after the trimming. Always nice when a hired service understands and does what you want.
I had total faith that Bill, Kelly and family were up to the task of hosting for Mason’s graduation.
Yep, keeping trees that could cause future problems is totally a good idea. Especially when you get firewood as a big bonus. In his “spare” time, Will has been cutting firewood. That’s an all summer job for us as we burn about 9 cords. We’re so stinking busy right now, I go over the next day while I’m supposed to be sleeping.
Jackie! You should name the little heifer calf DONNA SUE –
today is Donna Sue birthday ( my sister). Isn’t that something!
I’m still trying to plant but there’s a flea outbreak in the house.
So I’m not for sure what happened because I keep the house sprayed every 2 months.
Oh! Well! You got to roll with the punches, at least the house is getting a deep cleaning before autumn!
I do hope Will can start early hay makin’ last year I didn’t think you guys would have enough – I really prayed!
I’m glad everyone had a good time! Too much partying can really make you tired but just think of the memories you have!
It’s late so you and Will take care
I think Donna Sue is a great name for the new heifer! Yuck, fleas in the house. Mom had that problem when they lived in Michigan. Fortunately, we don’t have them here. Sure don’t miss them! We just have ticks and mosquitoes.
We have like 200 bales left over from last year and the hay looks good this year after the rains we got. All winter, Will kept bringing hay down to the cows to try to get them to eat up more of it. That’s a big difference between the drought year when the hay crop was so poor we had to sell half the herd and, come spring, we only had one big round bale left when it was time to turn the cows out on pasture.