Keeping Cool

HELLO!  Guess I have been away for awhile...sorry!  It has been hot and/or busy.  On the hot days I am too hot to blog...on the not hot days I am too busy to blog.  I may be catching up...???? Well, not really...don't think that will ever happen!

Wondering what this contraption is all about?  This is one of the ways we beat the heat around here.  At least it helps keep the house cooler.  It is pretty simple and low tech.  We bungee corded a box fan to the grate that usually lets the heat from the woodstove in the cellar up into the house.  I the summer the fan blows the cooler basement air into the house.  Plus it is a really nice place to stand on a wicked hot day!

It was my idea ~ but ~ DH wired an outlet and a switch to make it easy to turn on and off.

I will be back soon with more of what has been happening!  But back to working in the gardens now.  Hope you are staying cool wherever you are!

Independance Day

Independance Day~ I can never think of it without remembering the lives sacrificed and the ones that continue to die for this cause.  We pledge "Liberty and Justice for All" but I often wonder if it more like this quote by Nicanor Parra "U.S.A. where liberty is a statue".  Liberty cannot exist inanimate like a statue.  There is still much work to be done before there is liberty for all.  It may seem like a daunting task at times.  We can each do a simple thing for the continued evolution towards a peaceful world with freedom for all. 

We can practice critical thinking.
Flow with logic towards peace, become truly informed...not just relying on what is posted on the internet.  Read books.  Talk to folks and engage in respectful discourse.  I dream of world where we solve our troubles with thoughtful Words rather than Wars.

I wish you joy during your July 4th festivities! But, please, remember the high price that is paid over and over so independance remains for those of us on this earth that are so privileged to live in relative Liberty. 

A bit of food for thought <----> brought to you by

 ~ A Revolutionary Press ~ Harborside Maine

lib·er·ty

  [lib-er-tee]  Show IPA

noun, plural lib·er·ties.

1.

freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.

2.

freedom from external or foreign rule; independence.

3.

freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or rightof doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice.

4.

freedom from captivity, confinement, or physical restraint: The prisoner soon regained his liberty.

5.

permission granted to a sailor, especially in the navy, to go ashore.

6.

freedom or right to frequent or use a place: The visitors were given the liberty of the city.

7.

unwarranted or impertinent freedom in action or speech, or a form or instance of it: to take liberties.

8.

a female figure personifying freedom from despotism.

☼ Forest & Field Happenings ☼ Still HOT

We had rain last night that came on the edge of a thunderstorm but not the cooling storm. I had planned to to do a garden walk around last night but it was just too hot.  So I rose early today and was out and about in the gardens by 6:00.  There was a nice morning fog.  My Raven friends were up and about too...the 3 fledglings I think...heard a couple others calling in the distance...I imagine these 3 as teens-Not listening to their folks.  Guess I am still a recovering parent! ;)

Daily rounds are needed to see what is ready to eat, almost ready, and what might be in need of some help.  Sorry, beautiful beetle but its you or my potatoes.  I take no pleasure in killing the creatures who compete with me...just what must be done.

Happier thoughts...broccoli and zucchini soon!

Today more scapes to harvest.  Another saute & I think pesto to freeze with the rest...

My Pesto is easy~
Chop the scapes, food process with olive oil until pesto-ish, freeze in ice cube trays.

Trying to get the ducks to go a wandering...guess they are not ready & too hot to herd them about...another day...

Vern & Runa enjoying the morning out and about!

Happy Day to YOU!

☼ Forest & Field Happenings ☼ HOT!

Hello~ I am still here...we are having summer...it is HOT!  Heat is not my most compatible weather.  I may feel like floating in the pond all day but things must and are getting done.  Here is a little tour of the latest bits of work.  Weeding is a daily chore.  I prioritize what seems most important.  Garlic of course...the asparagus can wait until a cooler day...asparagus always last on the list...the food of the past, the future is before me.

Yesterday I got my 2 rows of garlic weeded and mulched again.  The early potatoes are looking good.  A few potato beetles to squish but so far no infestation.  The reward, a meal of new potatoes and garlic scapes!  YUM! It is that first real meal from the garden that makes me forget the hard work of spring.  It is all worth it!

But this morning I needed to remind my Self that it is still worth it.  Hotter today, I went out in the not too cool morning, to prune and tie up my 28 tomato plants.  A job I conveniently remember as easy but forget how hard it can be and how long it takes.  Just kept the mantra going ~~~ tomatoes love heat, tomatoes love heat, I love tomatoes, I love tomatoes...

Things to look forward too...berries!

Grateful for pond that help beat the heat!

Vern finds shade at the cooler bricks on the east side of the house..

Still getting some sewing in too.  I am finally happy with my new shark puppet design!  Shark week is coming and my DH is a fan!  Here is prototype shark...hope to cut out some tomorrow if I can stand being with felt and heat...

...also another project...girl dolls and seals...can you guess what I am making?

Duck Update or Ducpdate

My Duckies are half grown now so thought it was time to introduce them to the big wide world.  Runner Ducks are very cautious and skittish creatures.  They do not require any sort of cuddling.  Some folks do not like these sort of ducks because they are so wackadoodle.   I think their cautious nature helps them to survive when they are out free ranging eating all the slugs and snails they can find.  Plus, I think they are very entertaining to watch.  But their edgy nature makes introducing them to new things a bit of a challenge.  First thing was to set up what I call a training fence. 

I use plastic snow fence cut in half, electric fence stakes, and mini bungee cords.

A handy place to keep the bungees while setting up the fence...on my hat cord!

While setting up the fence I turned over a rock in the duck pond and got to see a 4 inch crayfish!  We introduced them into our big pond about 4 years ago...nice to see they are surviving and thriving! (great for bottom feeding and keeping a pond clean +fun!)

Here is the finished fence...now to get the Ducks to come out!

They didn't want to at first...so I set up their greenie dish just outside the door...

Finally, a dozen Ducks outside!

Runa, the Icelandic Sheepdog, is a great pairing with Runner Ducks.  She will help me herd them when they are ready for free ranging and have to be put in each night.  Predators are always a concern.  I saw a Harrier Hawk flying over my neighbor's field (I lost a duck, before to one of these hawks).  There is a dead adult turkey in the back field which makes me think coyote! Icelandic Sheepdogs bark a fair amount which is good for keeping predators away.  Plus, it is their instinct to chase away all birds.  The only natural predator in Iceland are birds of prey!

Somewhat comfortable out and about but they would come within 6 feet of me and seemed to be checking in to see if everything was alright.  I did give them words of encouragement!

Welcome to Ducktopia!