Saturday morning.

Nice crisp 34 degrees this morning.  I covered some of the garden plants last night.  I haven't checked to see if there was any damage.  Hope not.  Still lots of tomatoes on.  New crop of green beans are just blooming, and some late sweet corn is just about ready.  We have been getting a little moisture this week.  Actually had a day of drizzle on Thursday.  It has been a long time since that has happened.

These turkeys were motoring past the house yesterday.  The drought and heat of the past couple of years has been hard on the wild bird population.  They are starting to build back up again.  Turkeys were not bothered as bad as pheasant and quail.  We have raised quail in the past for release and some bred pheasant hens were released last spring.  Hopefully it will all help.

One of our broody hens hatched 3 chicks last week.  They are doing fine.  We also bought another dozen chicks.  Our other layers are starting to get some age on them.  Time to start replacing them.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

If you are offered a wooden nickel, take it.  Probably worth more than a real one.--johnnyb

9-11

Just remembering.--God Bless-johnnyb

Just thinking

We have White Americans,  Black Americans,  African Americans,  Hispanic Americans,  Japanese Americans, Irish Americans, Chinese Americans, Korean Americans , and the list goes on and on and on.  I for one am an American.  Not Swedish American, (my grandfather was a Swedish immigrant).  I am an American and damn proud  of it!  If you want to be an African or Korean or Irish or Hispanic, fine, but go back there and let those of us who want to be American be American.  But I guess if you went back to Africa or Japan and called yourself an American African or American Japanese or whatever, you would be looked down on.  Unless you have dual citizenship--Be one or the other.  Stand up America and be proud!!!!!!

I apologize if I offend anyone.  I don't intend to.  I have had wonderful friends from all nationalities throughout  my life, but they were solid Americans.  Just a burr under my saddle--johnnyb.

Just some pics from around the place.

Some storm clouds rolled through last night, but only a few sprinkles and the temperature has dropped considerably.

The greenhouse is mostly done.  Need to add some shelving inside.  I am in the process of building an aluminum can solar heater for daytime use, and will have other means for night heat.

Mostly repurposed material.  Had to buy some of the lumber.  Looking forward to using it.

Hope everyone has a good hump-day.  Being retired everyday is halfway to something!--johnnyb

Time of the year

Summer is still trying to hold on.  90's for a couple of days, and then highs in the 50's for a few days.  I enjoy this time of year.  I like the beauty of fall, especially after a summer with a little moisture.  The trees will be turning soon.  Our little "quakies" should be getting some color in a few weeks. Soon all the leaves are gone, left to fall all over everything you don't want them to.  Then the blandness of the late fall hits.  Kind of like waking up one morning in a world of back and white.  But then , I guess that keeps us from becoming bored with our surroundings.

I will soon have the garden mostly prepared for next spring.  seed catalogs will be arriving in a couple of months and the it starts all over.  Seed catalogs are God's way of getting us gardeners through the bleakness of the dark and long, cold winter  days.  I will start planning my garden as soon as the last planting area is finished.  Actually that is a lie.  I already have some of it planned.  This year I have a small greenhouse.  It could get vicious  before spring!

We have been able to put some canned goods this year.  We have also shared a lot of stuff and have been shared with.  Our one little grape vine produced 15 quarts of juice.  That will make some good jelly.  Also apple, chokecherries and currants.  I can see some wine in my crystal ball!!!

We added to our layer hen population this week.  Our  broody mother hen hatched 4 chicks and we bought another dozen at the farm store.  We need to start phasing out our older ones.  Slowing down in the egg department.

I hope everyone is having a good week.  Just remember there are always valleys before the hills.  Just make sure you have a good head  of steam when you are down at the bottom.  Makes it a lot easier to get started moving ahead and especially up!---johnnyb

 Disclaimer: All persons mentioned in the following are fictional, and are not meant to resemble anyone living or otherwise occupying space on this earth, and if they do then it is probably intentional.  In other if the shoe fits, wear the damned thing!!!!!!

Good morning and welcome to the Morning News Report.  We are broadcasting live from the studios of KMOS in beautiful downtown ***** KS, which is located in the middle of somewhere, which is 1.3 miles east over the the hill from the middle of nowhere.  Chwcking the weather, I see the the old weather rock is just hanging there like a, well never mind how it is hanging  The important thing is I can see it hanging means it is clear and no wind.

Moving right along into local news.  Uncle Tom of Uncle Tom's Spa and Educational Film Emporium fame, sponsored a garden market.  A good time was had by all.  People from all over the are brought in their "goodies from the garden".  Grampy and Granny Fosterwickel from over on Stick Ridge brought in some of their best, featuring some of the largest cucumbers this area has ever seen.  Grampy remarked that he hasn't seen Granny smile for long time like she was smiling while picking them big brutes.  Don't know what that was all about.

The Twitterhead brothers from up  Whistle Rock way brought in some of their excelsior made from some of their best crops.  They say they haven't had a sick day since starting on a steady diet of the stuff.  It seemed to work well, and fast also.  A lot of people were feeling better, and I mean a lot better, in quick fashion.  I think we can probably look forward to more of their stuff in the near future as it was a huge success!

Uncle Tom held a private, premier showing of a  movie down at the Emporium that he has obtained from sources that will remain unnamed for various reasons.  It featured some local talent. I use the word talent loosely! It guess it could be classified as a human interest film, as in definitely held our interest.   My, my, my.  Ever so interesting.  Word is that the stars of the film could possibly make a guest appearance at a later date.  We will keep our eyes on this subject, and keep you informed, kind of.

In other news, Aunt Wilehmena said Uncle Lo suffered some heart pains the other night after coming home from the movie.  He was going to show her some of the positions, I mean exercises, they showed in the movie, when he was taken over by the pains.  After a little rest he was doing ok.  A recap of the movie will have to wait!

I see by the old clock on the wall our time is up.  Stay tuned for the Spit and Whittle Club update.  I am sure there will be some interesting tidbits come up there.  So, I will be with you next week at the same time and place, depending on hunting season and, or when the Twitterhead brothers come to town.

God Bless--johnnyb