1:30am Moom ~ Small Day Adventures ~ Barn Cat ~ Crochet/knit Socks of Another Kind

The things I do when I cannot sleep.  Take photos of the moon.  This was, I think, from last Thursday early in the morning.

I am being very bad at eating breakfast at all.  I have a light lunch and come dinner, I don't want to eat either.  The stress has been over the moon bad.  Just lots of things going on.

The chance for rain on Saturday (60%) went off the radar as fast as it went on.  However, we thankfully got a nice pour down last night.  

My 21 year-old and I went on a small day adventure and visited an antique store in the Big City.  

I've been wanting one of these for a long time.  First, I thought I might paint it red, but I may leave it yellow.  I kind of like it.

We also went to a thrift store, which I sort of thought was not stocked by much (oddly).  I snatched up this green pepper dish for $1.00 and it now holds my vegetable scrubber.

Picked up this wine bottle stand for a few bucks as well.

I picked up a few books as well, and a beat up metal strainer the antique guy gave me free.  I wanted it for a table center piece for the fall holidays.  I have battery operated lights (rechargeable batteries), and will top with some holiday colored something or other to pretty it up.

More tomatoes are turning red, but as you can see the drought has not helped with the size of most of them.

Looks like a raccoon right?  It's our barn cat.  I brought the pool out to clean for the grandkids, and it filled with rain water the last time it rained and it still has some oddly.  Anyway, she loves to go in the water and give herself a bath and get a drink, even though her water bowl is filled.  Silly cat.

My socks finally arrived in the mail.  I thought I deserved to buy myself something special.

2020 can go away....

The year has been crappy overall.   I feel like the government is keeping us from family and friends, so we may have a bonfire out here, but it depends on the heat.  It's been dry and hot.  That's not a good mix for burning.

I'm seriously concerned for our state.  A few days ago, after midnight (in the big city two of my daughters live in), there was what they called purging.  I can't make this stuff up.  People with cars without plates went around shooting at people randomly.  I read a toddler and an elderly man were shot and killed.  Purging?  The world has really gone to h-e-double hockey sticks.

Oh, and I have 2 more dead hens.  This time it was a weasel that came in the top of the fencing (which we recovered with harder wire fencing, and he said it would hold until we get the fencing up on the new coop).

Well, he felt awful, so we moved the hens last night.  Temporary fencing goes up tonight.  Then we start removing debris from the cement slab (cutting trees down etc).  I went from 8 adult hens to 2.  I have 6 newbies.  So I have 8 vs. 14.  It is the first time in 12 years I do not have a rooster crowing out there.  I miss Sparta.  He was the best rooster ever.  Anyway, I will (and I repeat) never buy straight run just to get a rooster. I still plan to get some photos of the new ones.  

We have never, ever had a problem like this in the 12 years living here.  I am pretty much sure it's due to our drought.  We have never experienced such a dry year in all the years living here.

Speaking of drought, we will rely on rain water that's in the rain barrels.  We are very worried about our well and water for winter at this point.  I may be sacrificing flower watering to save on the well. I may sacrifice my root veggies as well.  Just frustrating.

We have a few chances of rain this coming weekend, but not much.  Whatever comes down will be saved in the rain barrels.

Well, on a good note, I spent 5 hours cleaning my kitchen.  It's back in order, other than I need a storage area for my new pressure canner.  I'll worry about that later.  I think today's hot spot is the utility room.  It's a hot mess.  First, I have some zucchini to get in the freezer, and I need to count eggs to see if I can make a breakfast casserole.  Now that i have only 2 laying, it really, really stinks.  So if you are getting eggs, count your blessings.  

Update on our youngest.  She hasn't been home for 3 (going on 4 days).  She can't be around anything that reminds her of him, so we stay in contact, but her absence is weighing on us.  

I have a library movie due back, and have no way to get it back today.  My car is still up on the jack.  There has been so much mentally and physically going on, we've not had a minute to even think about the repairs.

Sorry for the long post today, hopefully the Rain Gods will bless us and I'll have some bounty to share.  I'd just be peachy keen if I start getting eggs from the newbies.  Oh, by the way, Hubby said "absolutely no way" on raising meat birds next year.  We have no secure place to raise them.  Too many other jobs to get done before building a secure building either.

Happy Homemaker Monday

What happens when your husband takes the laundry down, lol!  Sort of made me chuckle.  He had told me "I probably didn't do it right."  Ha ha!

I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom today, although it's not been happy around here for a very long week. 

The weather . . . 

Well, it's supposed to thunderstorm this afternoon.  We'll see if it actually happens.

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Frustrated, mad, sad....

On my mind . . .

A lot.  I may be canning for the first time this garden season.  We shall see.

On the breakfast plate . . .

(I'll add a picture later)

Sausage, egg and cheese muffins.

On my reading pile . . .

Nothing right now.

On the TV . . .

Anything interesting.

On the menu . . .

I'm going to cook for the first time since last Friday - crock pot sloppy joes and oven baked sweet potato fries.

- have no idea otherwise

From the camera . . .

Nothing.  I would have taken a photo of the green beans I picked yesterday - put up another 3#.

Looking around the house . . .

It's still a hot mess, and the dogs destroyed some dog toys and there is now fluff all over the living room. Sigh....

Chore I am not looking forward to  . . .

Canning.  I am just lacking the motivation to get anything done right now.

To relax this week I will . . .

Work on crocheting more jar openers.  I will put them up for sale once I have some done.

Something I want to share . . .

I have nothing.

On my prayer list . . .

Our country, my youngest daughter and her boyfriend's family, his best friend's family.  Us and to catch these dang raccoons.  More on the coons later....

Bell Peppers ~ Drought Conditions

My bell peppers are starting to come on.  I just hope I am watering enough to plump them up in size.  It's still a drought at our homestead (even though surrounding areas are getting rain).

The trees are starting to lose their leaves, and my berry bushes look terrible.

We spent most of the day with our daughter's boyfriend's family.  We took them dinner and went to the funeral home with them.  Long day, but I know they appreciated us being there.

It's another hot day here. 

Nothing

I have a nothing new post today.  Strange.  I'm always so pumped to get something posted, but not today.  So much on my mind right now.

We got spit on yesterday.  The storm came through and it literally sprinkled for less than a minute.  I am so sad on top of everything else.  We are in drought conditions and now I am worried about the garden.

Hubby is out watering flowers.  When he's done I'll start on the garden.  My root veggies are not getting what they need.  I can't remember a year like this.  Ever.

We had visitors all day yesterday, and even had a meal delivered.  Our daughter is not okay.  Youngest.  We are doing our best to keep her around someone.  She is not allowed to drive herself anywhere right now either.  She is having the most horrible time right now.

Drought Conditions ~ Tomatoes ~ Peach Pie ~ Conserving Electricity

We are suffering drought conditions.  No rain, and I'm watering daily to keep the garden from burning up.  Green beans are on, so I must be keeping up with it pretty good.  I have to start really early so the plants can soak it up before the sun burns it dry.  I am concerned about the height of my tomato plants and the growth of our root vegetables.

Tomatoes are starting to come on, but again, plants are short.

I am emptying the dehumidifier 2 times a day, the humidity is that bad as well.

I had peaches that were getting soft, so I whipped up a peach pie before it got too hot.  People are asked to conserve electricity from 2-6pm this week.

Look who stopped long enough for a few very quick photos?  They are not in focus, but I was quick to snap a few while the sprinkler watered the garden(s).


I'm re-doing the menu.  We had taco salad last night.  Too hot to cook.  Egg salad sandwiches sound good too.  What's your go-to meal on a very hot day?

Happy Homemaker Monday

I still haven't been able to get a photo of the wrens.  They are small and quick.  I didn't see many out at all this morning.  I think they know it will be hot and getting hotter as we go into the week.  

We spent all of Saturday on the Harley, and I never got sun burn oddly.  Had a fantastic weekend, with another ride yesterday.    Although we went to one of our favorite restaurants and won't be back.  They changed their menu completely, and nothing looked good.  They took away the perch, and many more items including my favorite Philly.  

One burger was served cold, with toppings that were asked to be left off.  It was raw, and when they brought toppings, the BBQ sauce was as thin as water.  The service was horrible, messed up one drink.  They switched perch out for cod and over priced it.  It was horrible too.  

I'm sure they changed it due to this pandemic, lack of employees returning, and possibly food resources available.  I feel bad for them, but I can't support a place that serves awful food either.   Or awful service. No one wants to sit and wait an hour just for a drink, then wait another half hour for appetizer and another half hour for the meal.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.





The weather . . .
High of 96°F, but the heat index will rise into the hundreds as we go through the week.  No sign of rain until possibly Friday.  We can only pray for it.  We need it so badly.


How I am feeling this morning . . .
Tired.  Exhausted from the mask mandates going in place in areas around us.  Just sick of it.   They are saying that if Trump wins in November the virus will last until 2025, but if Biden wins, the virus will disappear in November.  


On my mind . . .
Well, I have lost many friends during this virus.  Not from the virus, but because of the divide it has put between people over personal opinions.  I am thankful for the friends that have stayed friends regardless of opinion.


On the breakfast plate . . .
Have no idea.


On  my reading pile . . .

On my TV . . .
Not much.


On the menu this week . . .
-Leftovers tonight
-meatloaf, mashed tades and corn (didn't get this made yet)
-breakfast: Biscuits/sausage gravy, potatoes, eggs
-strawberry pie
......have no idea because it will be so hot here and I hate to heat up my kitchen every day.



From the Camera . . .

Porch view.

Looking around the house . . .
I pulled my garlic, but it's sitting on the table waiting to be tied and hung up.  It did pretty good, but only one bulb was pretty large.  I'm happy with the results, and will probably plant in grow pots again.  The house needs cleaned, but that's normal.  It will get done since we can't be outside for long the rest of the week.


Chore I am not looking forward to this week . . .
Mucking the chicken coop, but that's not happening until we get a rain and cool down.


To relax I will . . .
Watch cooking shows while I crochet.


On my prayer list . . .
Our country.  It seems that so many Americans have lost their pride and willingness to fight for their civil rights.  All the fighting and judgment and finger pointing has caused a divide, and I'm sure it all has to do with November's voting. The mask mandates are a huge fight between most in our area.  Half wants it and the other half thinks it is dumb.  Please no negative comments.  It's so out of control.

I will say this.  When you went to the doctor, they had a box of masks.  It said if you are sick and with a cough, to please wear one.  The sick.  Not the healthy.  The sick.  Just do you research on this.  There are many articles and Youtube videos that make you wonder what's really going on.

I'm so disappointed in Americans and the behavior and the violence etc that is going on right now.  All for a vote or no vote?  There is so much more behind all this virus than we will ever know.  Keep praying!


Praying for rain for us.  My root vegetables are suffering horribly and I really don't want to hear my husband say we are not planting a thing next year.  We have suffered a struggle to garden for the last 3 years and I don't want to deal with it another year here.

Praying for the law enforcement.  It is truly a crazy, scary, and frustrating year.

Heat Wave ~ Garden ~ Weekend Work

The heat rolled in as they predicted.  No sign of rain is exhausting.  There is a caution of drought conditions, which will be an issue with the gardens.  We are still in the 90's here. We have been diligent with garden work and outside work, like finishing the pressure washing.

Peas are still rolling in with constant watering, but plants are not as tall as they should be.  Harvest amounts are lower. 

I've been much better at logging the harvest.  The numbers will determine what we will plant or not plant next year. 

Although I attempted to get pictures of our wrens, this guy wanted to be the star of attraction yesterday morning.

Thank you all who had concerns about my sciatica.  I have been doing my stretching diligently, because if I don't get better, the garden dies, chickens won't get fed and watered etc.  I can sleep without pain now, and that helps with a better start to the day.

We had the best 4th of July ever.  We ended the night watching fireworks off the front porch and they were fantastic.  Love our neighbors all around.  There were so many more setting them off this year and it was fantastic.  It end the day perfectly.

Deer ~ Gifting a Friend ~ Extremely Dry Week

I watched a group of 3 deer cross the road yesterday morning, but they turned back and went back across to the river that runs behind us. Later another group of two crossed.

Early morning (which brought us home at noon) one daughter and I took Momma cat and her 2 kittens on a road trip.  We found a Humane Society open that would take them.  I gave them a bag of cat food and wrote out a check.  I'm so glad they took them, as our temps will reach up to 96°F this weekend.  It does anger me that I have to pay to have them get a new home, when they were not our cats and 99% sure dumped here.  I believe in karma for people like that.  Kitty's will have a nice place to stay now until they are adopted.

I have a friend who is the wife to a co-worker of my husband, who is so stressed over the possibility of another lockdown (and the recent loss of their long time dog).  I decided to make up a basket of goodies to lift her spirits - 4 pack of KY Bourbon Barrel Beer (they didn't have her favorite), bath salts, kitchen trivet, organic jerky, fireball, candy, a cosmetic bag that says  "This Girl Can," a notebook that says, "You Got This," heart shaped sticky notes, a fridge magnet that says "Lettuce be Calm," (for her kitchen) and other happy stuff.

It's hot here folks.  We need rain every so badly.  I am running the water pump all morning and sometimes at night.  Flower pots have to be watered twice a day or they will die.  It's getting frustrating, and our well isn't filling up right now.  I have one rain barrel of water.

I hope you all have a great weekend. 

Frustrating Weather

The water receded this morning, but we had horrible winds, and our lamp post that was propped up in a tree was blown down again and looks broken this time.

The ground is saturated and I fear it'll be another year like last year.  Not sure, but the weekend is the only good weather time to till more and it all depends on if this ground dries up.

The library is open but curbside, and next week by appt.  Not sure I'll be going for a while.  I do miss it, but too many restrictions - no interloaning at all.  Our library is very small, and doesn't have many choices and can only loan out from their library to city patrons with their library card.

Next week's predictions of weather do not look good for us at all.  Thunderstorm after thunderstorm.  Not only is this a problem for putting in the rest of the garden and the condition of the garden for growing, but for hardening of my plants indoors.  They got two days outside, but the wind and colder weather today are not conducive.

On the upside, we have talked about how the last two years have made it very difficult, and the importance of a greenhouse now.  I could have them all hardened by now (plants) and made it quicker to plant.  Time is the issue.  When your husband works full time, it's hard to have the energy to work at night after a full day of work of climbing ladders etc.  Say a prayer we get one built this year, so it's ready for next year.

I hope your weather is better and your gardens are doing good.  I'm just very very concerned again this year.  We need the food from it too. 

I'm also frustrated with our Governor.  Yesterday he lifted the ban on non-essential travel, but I'm so confused if he lifted the stay-at-home order or not.  When the media asked questions, he never answered them directly - is it an order?  is it strongly recommended? is it an advisory?  There was no direct answer to it.  He also lied.  He said 95% of Ohio would be open by the end of May, and that is not true.  Restaurants running at 50% capacity and some not even open.  Even the library is only doing curbside, and that is not the same for them either.  He said churches were never closed.  Huh? Like I said, I'm so confused and what they are doing, but he did say no groups of 10 or more and yet we can sit with 50 strangers in a restaurant.  It's so messed up in our state, and they are still pushing the wearing of masks.  That's been an argument from the beginning.

The Struggles, Set Backs and Disappointments

I woke up to this sunrise on October 1st.  I can't help but wonder if September went out like a hurricane or tornado, topping off our worst garden year ever.   Although I have a good start on medicinal prep (see past post), I just woke up today feeling like a wasted so much time and money on the garden(s) this year.

It's not just weather that affects a good garden harvest, it is also life in general.  

This year has been rough.  All around.

After this year, I have been asking myself "is it worth it?" and "why do I do this to myself?"

I've even thought about getting rid of all my chickens, because no one has "time" to feed and care for them for me.  Hubby works many hours and daughter has had a TON of homework lately.  They are not laying either right now thanks to the darn roosters I obtained by buying straight run and no one interested in taking any. 

The struggles and disappointments this year have never been more real.  

We need another trip to the island(or camping trip), where I can get my mind off everything and restore some of my sanity.  Again.

Off my soap box.  Thanks for listening.  Seriously, if you stopped in to read this, thank you for visiting.

Thursday's Thoughts

So, I went and did it again. 

I'll be taking a small hiatus (I typically post a blog post daily) from my blog, but hope to be back soon.  Meanwhile, I'll have my foot elevated. 

About a week and a half ago, I was inside the garage, putting it up, to put camping chairs and tables away.  Daughter's friend put the table against the outside of the door and it slammed down on my foot.  Apparently, if you have varicose veins, an injury (not always, but I'm the lucky one...sigh) can cause pressure in the veins and more injury.

Weeds will be growing and I just don't care.  I hope Hubby and Daughter will help pick from the garden, tend my ladies and gent, get the mail, etc.

I have no idea how to manage a breakfast for the both of them, nor dinner, so we'll see what happens.  I'll manage something.

My survival bag over the next six days.  Praying I don't need it much after that.  Possibly down the road for definite vein surgery. Meanwhile, I'm downing my elderberry tincture for the immune system, and placing an order for real vitamin C.  There will be a prescription picked up today, along with a topical cream, so probiotics are on the grocery list for Hubby to pick up.

Say a prayer, send up good mojo, and good thoughts.  Another decision by my doctor will be made next week after this long holiday weekend.  I'm just glad we didn't have plans, ha ha!  I guess Hubby will be busy, but I'll not be much help to him.

Hot and Humid

It was so hot and humid yesterday.  I had a smoothie for my lunch.  There was spinach and kale in it too.  Yum.

I put together another emergency crochet kit too.  Most items were only $1 each.


Oh what a mess it is.  It's the last thing to try and save.  The potatoes.

Day 1.  It doesn't look like I weeded much of it, but I un-buried about 8-10 potato plants.  

Day 2.  Not gonna happen.  If anything grew I'll know when I go to dig it all up.  Just not worth the aggravation right now.

It's back to the herb garden and flower beds.   All depends on the rain.  We got more last night.  A lot of it.  The herb garden is a total mess this year.  I don't have enough green onions to keep the grass down.  I'm about ready to dig the entire herb garden up and start over.  Hubby said no, but I'm tired of dealing with the grass. All of my thyme died too.  Maybe it is time to dig the entire thing out  and start all over.

Tuesday Tidbits

Not from our garden, but organic.  I got 4 pint bags in the freezer so far.  Organic is pretty difficult to locate, so when I see it right now, I'm buyin' it.

Our first picking.  It's a meal, but nothing yet to freeze. Poo!  You can tell how horrible of a year it's been for us. 

It's still raining.  Yay!  The garden will love it.

Puppy Pics ~ Morning Fog ~ Pathetic Garden Harvest

I've been on "puppy duty" for a few days now.  He's such a good puppy too, but I think he senses I am a bit sad inside.  He's been stuck to me like glue, refuses to nap until his "Mom" comes home, and literally barks at me and whines, to get into my lap (ha ha!).  Before someone tells me ropes are bad for dogs, we soak it and freeze it for teething and we keep it frozen so he doesn't eat the string.

He knows "sit" and will go to the gate or door to tell us when he has to go out, and if I'm busy at the sink or whatever, he'll bark to tell me he has to go out.  He's very smart.

Ha ha!  If he could speak at this moment, it would be "But I don't wanna go back in yet!"  He is such a stinker, but a cute stinker.

His Mom came home with flowers and a treat for me.  She said here Mom, I knew you were missing Jesse and thanks for watching my dog.  It put a smile on my face for sure.

The early morning temperatures have been what we call "great camping weather."

Even the chickens are slacking right now.  I don't want to make predictions just yet on the tomatoes, but I have a bad feeling it'll be like last year - small, not all ripe at the same time, not enough to can everything we need restocked (you can't buy bulk organic paste tomatoes from local produce stands).  The beans remain small, and the plants too.  The green peppers are getting starts on them, but plants are half the size.  Knowing all of this, we are now even more set to NOT plant a garden at all next year if rain is as bad as this year.  The struggle is real.  I'm about ready to trade in the house for a motor-home, with a toy hauler, and just go.

Anyway, not meant to be a "negative" post, but sharing the reality of our garden this year.  Not all of us have it good.