Just hanging out at home on NY eve with a movie and a pint of bourbon. Not enough money to go out, no urge to deal with DWI checkpoints or stupid drunk people. Not to mention the low here tonight is 5 degrees F.
Since I had no work, picked up my daughter this afternoon. Got a few fireworks and some finger foods. Had our own little party here. Then dropped her off at her mother's. Ex said she's actually going to do more fireworks with her. First time she's done that. Glad to see it. No matter what, with the way cold sets off her asthma, don't want her out in it for long.
With temperature dropping down so low, I've been thinking a lot about heat. Cannot help but think that there is some technology for generating heat which is quite viable for widespread use which has been underestimated, under researched and under utilized. Of course, there are organic methods of generating heat. A large compost heap can generate as much as 160 degrees for some time. Pipes run through such a pile can deliver heated air or water to a residence. This may be true of methane piles as well but I haven't attempted that..yet. (There are big safety issues to be considered on that one.) Have to keep looking into it.
Friday, December 31, 2010
No thaw
The pipes thawing out on their own seems rather unlikely today. If temps go above freezing at all it will be just barely.
Going to set up a small fire can and a tarp to warm the pipes. Thought about that last night but it was too windy and would have been dangerous.
Funny, in the last couple of years I have learned more about the migration of heat and cold than I ever expected to. May seem obvious knowledge but much of it is not. Much of our modern knowledge of these things is obscured by artificial heating and cooling along with fan forced air. Even why the design of my fireplace does more to make parts of the house cold than warm. It's attractive but a bad design. Would have been much better at absolute floor level and/or in the center of a room. If you build a fireplace, build it as low as you can. Trust me on this. (Or ask me why.)
Agency is closed today, so can't pick up my check from working yesterday. Have enough to make it til Wed. Have to put off paying one bill for now.
Haven't been able to quit smoking yet. Guess I'll make it a NY resolution. Haven't even thought of those yet but I tend to make resolutions all year. But since I haven't quit, need to go get cigarettes.
Going to set up a small fire can and a tarp to warm the pipes. Thought about that last night but it was too windy and would have been dangerous.
Funny, in the last couple of years I have learned more about the migration of heat and cold than I ever expected to. May seem obvious knowledge but much of it is not. Much of our modern knowledge of these things is obscured by artificial heating and cooling along with fan forced air. Even why the design of my fireplace does more to make parts of the house cold than warm. It's attractive but a bad design. Would have been much better at absolute floor level and/or in the center of a room. If you build a fireplace, build it as low as you can. Trust me on this. (Or ask me why.)
Agency is closed today, so can't pick up my check from working yesterday. Have enough to make it til Wed. Have to put off paying one bill for now.
Haven't been able to quit smoking yet. Guess I'll make it a NY resolution. Haven't even thought of those yet but I tend to make resolutions all year. But since I haven't quit, need to go get cigarettes.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
First day at clinic/ frozen pipes
Today was my first day at the clinic where I'll be working for the next couple of months. It was a good day, though rather slow. Took until late in the afternoon before I had computer access. Mostly I just observed.
Weather has gotten suddenly and seriously colder. I usually leave the pipes dripping when I go to bed. Tonight I've been watching TV and had run the water a few times. Few minutes ago, thought I should start letting the water run. Too late. Already frozen. Not too much I can do about it right now. Have several faucets wide open and hope it thaws in the morning. If not, have to buy a few gallons of water and boil to pour over the exposed pipes.
Thats definitely been the problem with the sewage, too. Pipes are too shallow near the house and freeze. They run fine once they thaw.
Really need to get the part of the solarium nearest the house built. That will solve these problems. Other choice is to dig all the pipes up and set them deeper.
Weather has gotten suddenly and seriously colder. I usually leave the pipes dripping when I go to bed. Tonight I've been watching TV and had run the water a few times. Few minutes ago, thought I should start letting the water run. Too late. Already frozen. Not too much I can do about it right now. Have several faucets wide open and hope it thaws in the morning. If not, have to buy a few gallons of water and boil to pour over the exposed pipes.
Thats definitely been the problem with the sewage, too. Pipes are too shallow near the house and freeze. They run fine once they thaw.
Really need to get the part of the solarium nearest the house built. That will solve these problems. Other choice is to dig all the pipes up and set them deeper.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Back to mornings
Have to be up early tomorrow. New assignment begins at 7:30 AM. Plus it may be snowing in the morning. Plus I've never worked there before. All adds up to being awake and leaving home with plenty of spare time.
Unless they close the clinic and cancel me.
Took my daughter out to Itz pizza this afternoon. I had promised to spend extra time with her during her Christmas vacation. Didn't get to spend a whole lot of extra time with her but some. Plus what may be a last hurrah before bankruptcy. Not like I waste a lot of money but will have to keep things even tighter for a while.
Been moody. No doubt a combination of weather change, lack of sun, erratic schedule and stress. However, there's also the fact that my nervous system is healing. It has been improving slowly for years after making primary diet changes. Now it's accelerated since completely eliminating gluten. Things which developed over years and didn't even seem like damage have reversed.
Gotta get to bed.
Unless they close the clinic and cancel me.
Took my daughter out to Itz pizza this afternoon. I had promised to spend extra time with her during her Christmas vacation. Didn't get to spend a whole lot of extra time with her but some. Plus what may be a last hurrah before bankruptcy. Not like I waste a lot of money but will have to keep things even tighter for a while.
Been moody. No doubt a combination of weather change, lack of sun, erratic schedule and stress. However, there's also the fact that my nervous system is healing. It has been improving slowly for years after making primary diet changes. Now it's accelerated since completely eliminating gluten. Things which developed over years and didn't even seem like damage have reversed.
Gotta get to bed.
Bankruptcy (amended)
Today is the day I start the bankruptcy process. I hope. (Yeah, not something you hear too often.)
It's going to cost a bit to do this. Especially since I'm going the chapter 13 route, which is more honorable. In chapter 13 you make arrangements to pay your debts, while in chapter 7 you try to have your debts discharged by the court. I'm not asking anyone to write off what I owe them, just make reasonable arrangements for me to pay them. And in this case, the court will oversee the actions of Wells Fargo. It will help me secure the house and end their threats. All payments are made through a court trustee. You pay them and they pay the creditor. Any and all communication takes place through the trustee.
Have to gather all the bills and make some calls. Called a few lawyers yesterday. Some charge hundreds more than others. Some wouldn't quote even a base estimate on the phone, even though the process is very established. Won't be going to them. Now I need to see if I can get into one of the offices this morning.
It's now about 30 mins later. Can't get in to start things this week. Guess the courts and lawyers are off for the holidays. Can't get in on Mon or Tue because of work hours. So I have an appointment for Wed afternoon next week.
It's going to cost a bit to do this. Especially since I'm going the chapter 13 route, which is more honorable. In chapter 13 you make arrangements to pay your debts, while in chapter 7 you try to have your debts discharged by the court. I'm not asking anyone to write off what I owe them, just make reasonable arrangements for me to pay them. And in this case, the court will oversee the actions of Wells Fargo. It will help me secure the house and end their threats. All payments are made through a court trustee. You pay them and they pay the creditor. Any and all communication takes place through the trustee.
Have to gather all the bills and make some calls. Called a few lawyers yesterday. Some charge hundreds more than others. Some wouldn't quote even a base estimate on the phone, even though the process is very established. Won't be going to them. Now I need to see if I can get into one of the offices this morning.
It's now about 30 mins later. Can't get in to start things this week. Guess the courts and lawyers are off for the holidays. Can't get in on Mon or Tue because of work hours. So I have an appointment for Wed afternoon next week.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Big surprise (sic)
Big surprise. New study came out which says Abq is one of the worst cities in the US to do business. Out of 102 cities, Abq ranked 91. One thing the study did not account for is population size. Most of the other cities had a much higher population, meaning more options available to business owners.
I won't go into my theories on why this is a bad place to run a business. I don't own a business here.
What I can say is why it's a bad place to be an employee or customer. The major factor is the work ethic and attitude here. Customer service here is the weakest of any place I've ever lived. The same issue makes this a bad place to be an employee for anyone with standards of professionalism.
People underestimate the importance of a work ethic, especially when it comes to keeping fellow workers happy. Or should I say fellow productive workers.
Not much point in writing this. It's moot. Nothing I write will change any of it. Just saying this report should surprise noone.
I won't go into my theories on why this is a bad place to run a business. I don't own a business here.
What I can say is why it's a bad place to be an employee or customer. The major factor is the work ethic and attitude here. Customer service here is the weakest of any place I've ever lived. The same issue makes this a bad place to be an employee for anyone with standards of professionalism.
People underestimate the importance of a work ethic, especially when it comes to keeping fellow workers happy. Or should I say fellow productive workers.
Not much point in writing this. It's moot. Nothing I write will change any of it. Just saying this report should surprise noone.
Good news!
Got some good news! I'll be working four days a week, 10 hours each day each week until the end of March! It's at a clinic which is fairly specialized. I was afraid the pay would be much lower but the pay is the same as I make now! Yay! The shifts are during the day
I also updated things with another agency I used to work for some time back for a short while. Maybe I can pick up shifts on Wednesdays, when I'm off from the clinic. They still pay less but okay for a second job one day a week.
I'm getting rather tired of people telling me they wish they had my metabolism. From Sun night to Mon night I didn't eat enough for me. So I lost 3 lbs in 24 hours. I don't know how to get across the fact that there is a big difference between being able to eat and being forced to eat. I'm now 48 and have to eat more than I ever have in my life. If I don't, I could face starvation in under one month.
Need to take a nap. Things to do this afternoon.
I also updated things with another agency I used to work for some time back for a short while. Maybe I can pick up shifts on Wednesdays, when I'm off from the clinic. They still pay less but okay for a second job one day a week.
I'm getting rather tired of people telling me they wish they had my metabolism. From Sun night to Mon night I didn't eat enough for me. So I lost 3 lbs in 24 hours. I don't know how to get across the fact that there is a big difference between being able to eat and being forced to eat. I'm now 48 and have to eat more than I ever have in my life. If I don't, I could face starvation in under one month.
Need to take a nap. Things to do this afternoon.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Winter weeds
Daughter is having fun playing with all the neighborhood kids. They've been having a blast for some time now.
So I loaded up the tank sprayer with weed killer. I have winter weeds which needed to be dealt with. Know from the past year that if I don't deal with these now they will be a huge problem by spring through most of the summer. Odd weeds which die off only for a short while in the fall, then start growing again in winter. I also have small patches of bermuda grass and some random dandelions which are strangely green for this time of year. But it's been abnormally warm.
The ammonia I added to the compost pit has been shockingly effective. Things are breaking down at a rate faster than I've yet seen. If that's any indication of how well things are working in the soil, the garden will be more than ready by early spring.
Scheduled to work tonight. If not canceled soon, have to get ready.
So I loaded up the tank sprayer with weed killer. I have winter weeds which needed to be dealt with. Know from the past year that if I don't deal with these now they will be a huge problem by spring through most of the summer. Odd weeds which die off only for a short while in the fall, then start growing again in winter. I also have small patches of bermuda grass and some random dandelions which are strangely green for this time of year. But it's been abnormally warm.
The ammonia I added to the compost pit has been shockingly effective. Things are breaking down at a rate faster than I've yet seen. If that's any indication of how well things are working in the soil, the garden will be more than ready by early spring.
Scheduled to work tonight. If not canceled soon, have to get ready.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas 2010!
Christmas is almost over. It was a good one. Daughter was happy with everything she got. Long as she's happy, that's what counts.
She loved the stuff for her zhu zhu pets. She has a total of 3 zhu zhu pets now. First was from me for her birthday, then one from her mother and one from her uncle. Got her a book and couple of games we haven't played yet. Godparents sent more games and art supplies.
Last night kinda sucked. First time in her life she didn't spend Christmas Eve with me. It was okay, though. Made no difference in how much she liked her presents.
Dropped her off with her mother a while ago. They were going to visit future family. Nothing much else going on here now but watching some TV.
She loved the stuff for her zhu zhu pets. She has a total of 3 zhu zhu pets now. First was from me for her birthday, then one from her mother and one from her uncle. Got her a book and couple of games we haven't played yet. Godparents sent more games and art supplies.
Last night kinda sucked. First time in her life she didn't spend Christmas Eve with me. It was okay, though. Made no difference in how much she liked her presents.
Dropped her off with her mother a while ago. They were going to visit future family. Nothing much else going on here now but watching some TV.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Politics in Podunk
Got the call today that I'm already canceled from my shift tomorrow. Not due to staffing considerations. Nor due to professional considerations. Nothing to do with medicine or nursing. Nothing to do with qualifications. It has only to do with politics and a weak manager who simply doesn't like me. He's never worked directly with me and would not have to tomorrow. No replacement had been found for me. Instead he is leaving the ER short of nurses because of some issue he has with me which he has never discussed with me or anyone in my agency. Yet he is willing to put lives at risk.
Heard a big announcement on the news the other day. Seems there are now over 2 million people in New Mexico. I was amused. I've lived in San Antonio, now nearly 4 million people. Austin, 1.8 million people. Houston, nearly 8 million. Phoenix/Scottsdale area, not sure but know several million live there. Now I live in an entire state that boasts 2 million population. My only thought is that small places attract small minds.
I'm told here that I'm too aggressive, too assertive. It's expressed as a negative, not a strength and always as an excuse to blackball me. Being a strong person here is not a strength but a weakness. Simply makes you a target.
I'm tired of weak people.
Heard a big announcement on the news the other day. Seems there are now over 2 million people in New Mexico. I was amused. I've lived in San Antonio, now nearly 4 million people. Austin, 1.8 million people. Houston, nearly 8 million. Phoenix/Scottsdale area, not sure but know several million live there. Now I live in an entire state that boasts 2 million population. My only thought is that small places attract small minds.
I'm told here that I'm too aggressive, too assertive. It's expressed as a negative, not a strength and always as an excuse to blackball me. Being a strong person here is not a strength but a weakness. Simply makes you a target.
I'm tired of weak people.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Strategic maneuver
I've decided to make a strategic maneuver. Going to go ahead and declare bankruptcy. Look for a lawyer over the next week or so.
I'm not trying to declare the kind where debts are removed but the kind where a payment plan is involved. Of course, this is not my first choice in things but seems the best route to go. It will allow me to keep the house, decrease payments and end threats from bill collectors. Especially the mortgage company.
There is another reason for the decision. I've wanted for many years to go back and get my RN degree. Declaring bankruptcy will make this a much more realistic goal. As an LPN I have seen my employment options (and respect level) drop on a daily basis until I have no choice. I cannot maintain a living wage or reliable schedule as an LPN. By getting my RN, my income will nearly double from the moment I get my license.
After that, I can then discharge or exit the bankruptcy early on a voluntary basis. It will take a huge bite out of my credit rating but once my income increases with the RN license, it will be somewhat offset.
During the same time, I can still be working on the garden, the solarium and possibly arrange to begin growing medical marijuana. If that works, it will mean an additional income stream.
Right now need a short nap before work tonight.
I'm not trying to declare the kind where debts are removed but the kind where a payment plan is involved. Of course, this is not my first choice in things but seems the best route to go. It will allow me to keep the house, decrease payments and end threats from bill collectors. Especially the mortgage company.
There is another reason for the decision. I've wanted for many years to go back and get my RN degree. Declaring bankruptcy will make this a much more realistic goal. As an LPN I have seen my employment options (and respect level) drop on a daily basis until I have no choice. I cannot maintain a living wage or reliable schedule as an LPN. By getting my RN, my income will nearly double from the moment I get my license.
After that, I can then discharge or exit the bankruptcy early on a voluntary basis. It will take a huge bite out of my credit rating but once my income increases with the RN license, it will be somewhat offset.
During the same time, I can still be working on the garden, the solarium and possibly arrange to begin growing medical marijuana. If that works, it will mean an additional income stream.
Right now need a short nap before work tonight.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Halfway done
Halfway done with turning the garden. Basically manually tilling. But it has to be done in multiple stages. Turn the soil first. Then add in leaves and compost and hoe it in, breaking up large clods of clay. Then rake it all relatively level.
Got a 4 hour shift tonight. Not great but it's something. Also gets my foot back in the door in an ER where I couldn't work for a while due to politics. Scheduled to work Fri night. I'll sleep until I have to leave for work, so I can still spend Christmas day with my daughter.
Going to start getting ready for work.
Got a 4 hour shift tonight. Not great but it's something. Also gets my foot back in the door in an ER where I couldn't work for a while due to politics. Scheduled to work Fri night. I'll sleep until I have to leave for work, so I can still spend Christmas day with my daughter.
Going to start getting ready for work.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Stress relief
Ex said daughter was up much of the night coughing and stayed in bed late this morning. Cleared up later and was apparently okay.
I tend to wonder if she would be better off living at a lower elevation. Moot point but thin of higher elevations aren't a great mixture with respiratory problems.
I had promised her I would try to quit smoking. Attempt last week failed but I promised myself to quit by Christmas. So I'm on my last pack now.
Finances are still a bigger stressor than I can impress. Had the urge to do something physically involved to relieve the stress. Mix that with the knowledge of just how much clay is below the surface of the garden and the fact that the ground is supersaturated from rain and snow. So got out and turned the soil in nearly half the bare section of soil with a garden fork. Did this to a depth of about 12", then hoed in leaves and some of the unfinished composting leaves. They'll keep composting underground. Also pulled back the plastic and turned much of the soil in the main garden to allow more oxygen into the soil. Wound up working so much I wore holes in my hands.
Not that it matters. May not have the house until spring. Hope if someone else buys the house that they enjoy gardening.
Been a strange year. With the generator situation, don't want to keep it running all night, so I go to bed rather early for me. Then had a job for a while which had me up really early. So I've been awake during the day more this year than for the past 20 years.
Keep watching my life go through a slow decline. Wonder what the heck I have to learn? By rules of karma, if you keep having the same problems you have a lesson to learn from it. I've thought, prayed and meditated. No clue.
I tend to wonder if she would be better off living at a lower elevation. Moot point but thin of higher elevations aren't a great mixture with respiratory problems.
I had promised her I would try to quit smoking. Attempt last week failed but I promised myself to quit by Christmas. So I'm on my last pack now.
Finances are still a bigger stressor than I can impress. Had the urge to do something physically involved to relieve the stress. Mix that with the knowledge of just how much clay is below the surface of the garden and the fact that the ground is supersaturated from rain and snow. So got out and turned the soil in nearly half the bare section of soil with a garden fork. Did this to a depth of about 12", then hoed in leaves and some of the unfinished composting leaves. They'll keep composting underground. Also pulled back the plastic and turned much of the soil in the main garden to allow more oxygen into the soil. Wound up working so much I wore holes in my hands.
Not that it matters. May not have the house until spring. Hope if someone else buys the house that they enjoy gardening.
Been a strange year. With the generator situation, don't want to keep it running all night, so I go to bed rather early for me. Then had a job for a while which had me up really early. So I've been awake during the day more this year than for the past 20 years.
Keep watching my life go through a slow decline. Wonder what the heck I have to learn? By rules of karma, if you keep having the same problems you have a lesson to learn from it. I've thought, prayed and meditated. No clue.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Cookies and more
Daughter and I finished the gingerbread house this morning. Not truly impressive but not bad for a first try. And we both had fun. Would have looked better but the pastry bag came apart, so some of it went undecorated.
This evening we made faux gingerbread men. Actually stiff chocolate chip cookie dough with choc chips as primary decorations. Came out well.
We also went for a drive to look at Christmas lights.
She has asthma and has had a little cough for a few days. Cold air makes it worse. Heater in the van doesn't work, so had to limit the drive. Last year about this time she was in the hospital. Any cough now makes me nervous but she's shown no signs of acute distress. Just hope the cough stops soon.
This evening we made faux gingerbread men. Actually stiff chocolate chip cookie dough with choc chips as primary decorations. Came out well.
We also went for a drive to look at Christmas lights.
She has asthma and has had a little cough for a few days. Cold air makes it worse. Heater in the van doesn't work, so had to limit the drive. Last year about this time she was in the hospital. Any cough now makes me nervous but she's shown no signs of acute distress. Just hope the cough stops soon.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Gingerbread
Started on the gingerbread house to make with my daughter today. But I've never made one from scratch before and thing I didn't know is that the pieces have to sit overnight to harden. So we'll finish it tomorrow.
We were also going to make gingerbread men but I ran out of molasses. Before buying more, had her try a few bites of gingerbread. She ate it but didn't seem too enthused. Think we'll just make some other cookies shaped the same way.
Couple of tips learned along the way with gingerbread: When cutting main pieces, use a pizza cutter instead of a knife. A knife can drag the dough out of shape but the pizza cutter doesn't. The recipe I used said bake at 375. I got some bubbles at that temp, so found 350 for a longer time worked better.
Turned the compost today while my daughter was here. It didn't need it yet but I still like doing fairly geeky things to teach her lessons. The weather was kind of cold and still humid. The compost is producing enough heat that the whole pile was producing steam. She thought it was cool. But she's 8 and I'm a nerd.
Lately, I've been making it a habit of making lists of things I need to do in the immediate future, like tomorrow or this week. Helps me stay organized, prioritize and helps me feel better about what I get done when it's crossed off. I even put some mundane things on the list. For me it somehow makes them more urgent. Helps me, any way.
We were also going to make gingerbread men but I ran out of molasses. Before buying more, had her try a few bites of gingerbread. She ate it but didn't seem too enthused. Think we'll just make some other cookies shaped the same way.
Couple of tips learned along the way with gingerbread: When cutting main pieces, use a pizza cutter instead of a knife. A knife can drag the dough out of shape but the pizza cutter doesn't. The recipe I used said bake at 375. I got some bubbles at that temp, so found 350 for a longer time worked better.
Turned the compost today while my daughter was here. It didn't need it yet but I still like doing fairly geeky things to teach her lessons. The weather was kind of cold and still humid. The compost is producing enough heat that the whole pile was producing steam. She thought it was cool. But she's 8 and I'm a nerd.
Lately, I've been making it a habit of making lists of things I need to do in the immediate future, like tomorrow or this week. Helps me stay organized, prioritize and helps me feel better about what I get done when it's crossed off. I even put some mundane things on the list. For me it somehow makes them more urgent. Helps me, any way.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Rain and snow
Rained all day yesterday. Then last night and this morning it snowed heavily. It was gone by late morning, though.
Hope my daughter had a good day. I had actually hoped they would declare a snow day and the snow would hang on longer. Last day of school before Christmas vacation plus first snow of the season. But they only had a 2 hour delay.
Good thing happened. Last night, I worked at West Mesa Hospital. Haven't been allowed to work there for some months because of complaints by two people. Now the truth has come out and I've been cleared. Not because of any investigation into the matter. Just because the two people that made false statements have made so many others that they finally discredited themselves. Fairly good timing, though. Hospital is expanding services soon and even building on. Probably mean more work in the future.
Think I'm fighting off getting sick. Feeling moody. I do get lonely at times but don't see many options I like enough to pursue. Usually only happens when I'm sick or nearly so. Hope it's gone by morning.
All the moisture from rain and snow should do some good with the leaves raked into the soil and the amendments added in.
Going to make a gingerbread house with my daughter this weekend. Have to see if I can find a cheap pastry bag. Too bad nobody I know has one.
Hope my daughter had a good day. I had actually hoped they would declare a snow day and the snow would hang on longer. Last day of school before Christmas vacation plus first snow of the season. But they only had a 2 hour delay.
Good thing happened. Last night, I worked at West Mesa Hospital. Haven't been allowed to work there for some months because of complaints by two people. Now the truth has come out and I've been cleared. Not because of any investigation into the matter. Just because the two people that made false statements have made so many others that they finally discredited themselves. Fairly good timing, though. Hospital is expanding services soon and even building on. Probably mean more work in the future.
Think I'm fighting off getting sick. Feeling moody. I do get lonely at times but don't see many options I like enough to pursue. Usually only happens when I'm sick or nearly so. Hope it's gone by morning.
All the moisture from rain and snow should do some good with the leaves raked into the soil and the amendments added in.
Going to make a gingerbread house with my daughter this weekend. Have to see if I can find a cheap pastry bag. Too bad nobody I know has one.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Rainy day
It's raining. Has been for a few hours. Not heavy, just light and steady.
Not a great combination with back pain but at least my shoulder feels better. If it doesn't let up soon have to eat and go the medication route. Just Ketoprofen. Hate anything that fogs me up.
Got called for a shift 12 to 12 in the ER this morning. Then got canceled 5 minutes later. Staff nurse took the shift. Hoping rain, snow and ice will get me some work.
Even though it's raining, I went out to plant a couple of garlic cloves. Dog dug up some of the ones planted before.
The sandy part of the soil still seems rather resistant to moisture. Or it's excessively absorbent. Top layer of soil is moist but go down an inch and it's dry as talc. No runoff apparent. Maybe the top layer of soil is absorbing so much that moisture never reaches below the surface? That would explain a lot.
Noticed it before but just figured I wasn't watering enough. Now rethinking that. This probaly means a higher clay content than I previously thought but mixed well with sand. Sand keeps the soil loose but the clay binds up moisture at the surface, above root level. Then, in the summer, the moisture evaporates rather than sinking in. All meaning plenty of moisture but none available to plant roots.
This is all currently pertaining to the remaining raised beds but gives me a clearer picture of the rest of that area. Leaves me with a few options come spring and necessary steps before then to grow the whole space.
While I've been adding organic matter to that soil over some time, a lot more will be needed. A lot more. And it will have to be dug in very deeply. Guess I'll start collecting more leaves!
If that's not enough, then irrigation methods have to be revised. Drip irrigation will work but will require hypersaturating the surface soil before moisture reaches the roots. Then keeping it that way. Maybe a better option would be setting up subsurface irrigation. Lots of work but can be done. Thing I don't like is the semi-permanent pattern that will require for the garden.
However, subsurface offers another advantage. If the moisture is trapped at the surface above root level, so are most of the nutrients. With subsurface irrigation, I can devise a system where I can deliver dilute fertilizer directly at root level.
Whatever option I choose, seems I have a lot of digging in my future.
Not a great combination with back pain but at least my shoulder feels better. If it doesn't let up soon have to eat and go the medication route. Just Ketoprofen. Hate anything that fogs me up.
Got called for a shift 12 to 12 in the ER this morning. Then got canceled 5 minutes later. Staff nurse took the shift. Hoping rain, snow and ice will get me some work.
Even though it's raining, I went out to plant a couple of garlic cloves. Dog dug up some of the ones planted before.
The sandy part of the soil still seems rather resistant to moisture. Or it's excessively absorbent. Top layer of soil is moist but go down an inch and it's dry as talc. No runoff apparent. Maybe the top layer of soil is absorbing so much that moisture never reaches below the surface? That would explain a lot.
Noticed it before but just figured I wasn't watering enough. Now rethinking that. This probaly means a higher clay content than I previously thought but mixed well with sand. Sand keeps the soil loose but the clay binds up moisture at the surface, above root level. Then, in the summer, the moisture evaporates rather than sinking in. All meaning plenty of moisture but none available to plant roots.
This is all currently pertaining to the remaining raised beds but gives me a clearer picture of the rest of that area. Leaves me with a few options come spring and necessary steps before then to grow the whole space.
While I've been adding organic matter to that soil over some time, a lot more will be needed. A lot more. And it will have to be dug in very deeply. Guess I'll start collecting more leaves!
If that's not enough, then irrigation methods have to be revised. Drip irrigation will work but will require hypersaturating the surface soil before moisture reaches the roots. Then keeping it that way. Maybe a better option would be setting up subsurface irrigation. Lots of work but can be done. Thing I don't like is the semi-permanent pattern that will require for the garden.
However, subsurface offers another advantage. If the moisture is trapped at the surface above root level, so are most of the nutrients. With subsurface irrigation, I can devise a system where I can deliver dilute fertilizer directly at root level.
Whatever option I choose, seems I have a lot of digging in my future.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Plastic buckets
Almost forgot.
While shopping for dinner, stopped at the bakery and asked if they had any plastic buckets they were tossing out. Walked away with 8 of them. Got 3 the other day.
Seems during the winter holidays may be the best time to be searching for plastic buckets. Number of reasons.
Lots of chain grocery stores have taken to buying things in plastic buckets. This lets them hire and pay less skilled workers. It allows them to offer wider variety. The slightly increased cost of packaging is offset by lower waste and utilities. And lastly it maintains more consistency of products across the entire chain.
During the holidays, people buy more from delis and restaurants than almost any other time of year. So more plastic buckets get used.
Meanwhile, most people only think of and seek out plastic buckets when the need arises. That need increases in the spring and summer. So competition for a shorter supply lessens the odds that you'll be at the right place at the right time to get them. Remember that you also compete with teens doing car washes, people doing renovations and many other people standing in that same line.
So if you have use of plastic buckets (if you garden, you have use of them) this is the time to ask for them. You may have to store them until spring but they'll be there when you need them. Otherwise good luck!
While shopping for dinner, stopped at the bakery and asked if they had any plastic buckets they were tossing out. Walked away with 8 of them. Got 3 the other day.
Seems during the winter holidays may be the best time to be searching for plastic buckets. Number of reasons.
Lots of chain grocery stores have taken to buying things in plastic buckets. This lets them hire and pay less skilled workers. It allows them to offer wider variety. The slightly increased cost of packaging is offset by lower waste and utilities. And lastly it maintains more consistency of products across the entire chain.
During the holidays, people buy more from delis and restaurants than almost any other time of year. So more plastic buckets get used.
Meanwhile, most people only think of and seek out plastic buckets when the need arises. That need increases in the spring and summer. So competition for a shorter supply lessens the odds that you'll be at the right place at the right time to get them. Remember that you also compete with teens doing car washes, people doing renovations and many other people standing in that same line.
So if you have use of plastic buckets (if you garden, you have use of them) this is the time to ask for them. You may have to store them until spring but they'll be there when you need them. Otherwise good luck!
Ouch
Didn't get a whole lot done today. In a bit of pain. Not a whole lot but some. Turns out I pulled a muscle in my back and strained my right shoulder yesterday. That was while moving a stone block I estimate at around 300 lbs with a dolly which was too small for the purpose. (I have a larger dolly but the wheel needed repair at the time, now done..too late.) didn't realize the damage to myself until starting to do things this morning.
Still, got most of the remaining loose leaves raked up or raked in. Gave the dog a very needed bath. Did dishes.
Mostly just watched TV while harvesting flower seeds. Some chrysanthemum seeds but mostly marigold seeds. Still have a lot of dry flowers to harvest seeds from but so far estimate I have over 10k seeds. Should result in a few flowers. Though think I may plant a few test seeds to see if maybe I need to winterize the rest.
But now I need to take a bath myself and get to bed.
Still, got most of the remaining loose leaves raked up or raked in. Gave the dog a very needed bath. Did dishes.
Mostly just watched TV while harvesting flower seeds. Some chrysanthemum seeds but mostly marigold seeds. Still have a lot of dry flowers to harvest seeds from but so far estimate I have over 10k seeds. Should result in a few flowers. Though think I may plant a few test seeds to see if maybe I need to winterize the rest.
But now I need to take a bath myself and get to bed.
New plan
Came up with a new plan of attack last night. Should work, long as I can survive and keep the house until early spring.
With starting so many plants inside and having large amounts of compost setting outside, this can be done. The idea of starting plants from cuttings is a good one which can be expanded. People will pay significant amounts to buy well established tomato plants in the spring. So, if I start lots of these and allow them to grow to 3-4 ft high, I can sell them for a decent additional income. Especially if I keep them free of pesticides.
This plan will require a bit of effort and possibly minimal investment. Such as building some cold covers to extend the growing season. I have the materials on hand for that. Be a good idea to be more aggressive and vigilant about asking stores and restaurants for plastic buckets. The irony is that, to keep much of my own compost as possible, I may have to purchase a yard or two of local commercial potting soil to do this.
I can expand the effort when I start planting other seeds in a few weeks. Like marigolds and possibly corn. If the peas ever grow large enough going to give a shot at starting new vines from cuttings, as well. Wouldn't hurt to try. I'll come up with other ideas later but tomatoes are a good starting point because they're popular.
With starting so many plants inside and having large amounts of compost setting outside, this can be done. The idea of starting plants from cuttings is a good one which can be expanded. People will pay significant amounts to buy well established tomato plants in the spring. So, if I start lots of these and allow them to grow to 3-4 ft high, I can sell them for a decent additional income. Especially if I keep them free of pesticides.
This plan will require a bit of effort and possibly minimal investment. Such as building some cold covers to extend the growing season. I have the materials on hand for that. Be a good idea to be more aggressive and vigilant about asking stores and restaurants for plastic buckets. The irony is that, to keep much of my own compost as possible, I may have to purchase a yard or two of local commercial potting soil to do this.
I can expand the effort when I start planting other seeds in a few weeks. Like marigolds and possibly corn. If the peas ever grow large enough going to give a shot at starting new vines from cuttings, as well. Wouldn't hurt to try. I'll come up with other ideas later but tomatoes are a good starting point because they're popular.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Almost done
No work again tonight. Keep up this way and I'll be living in my van in a few weeks. Really frustrating because only a few shifts would bring me flush.
Oh, well. At least it's a good night for TV.
As usual, with no work scheduled, got some things done around here. Nearly have the entire block wall taken down and the blocks stacked neatly in the back yard. This section is most difficult because these blocks are below ground level. I may not take up the blocks along the side of the house, as my plans are for a walkway or thermal wall on that side. Leaving the blocks in place would help stabilize anything placed there. In the front, the trench left behind will make a good place for bushes and small trees planned there.
Got a surprise when I turned the open compost pile today. It was HOT. Not warm but hot! I've read about this, written and experimented with it but have not experienced it to this level. Though the experiments occurred before learning about using ammonia for Nitrogen, a very important element in that process. Things I've read referred to compost piles of tens of tons, which I do not have by a long shot. This pile may not achieve 160 degrees but it's close and this pile is only about 3 ft high. Which confirms compost would be a viable heat source. Other people have experimented with ventilation and water pipes running through a compost pile with positive results. I'm more interested in using compost to provide winter heat and CO2 for a greenhouse. Not bad for a pile of leaves!
Got the letter in the mail to my congressman about the mortgage company. Picked up some books to keep learning new things. Greenhouse design, electric motor repair and building with adobe.
Oh, well. At least it's a good night for TV.
As usual, with no work scheduled, got some things done around here. Nearly have the entire block wall taken down and the blocks stacked neatly in the back yard. This section is most difficult because these blocks are below ground level. I may not take up the blocks along the side of the house, as my plans are for a walkway or thermal wall on that side. Leaving the blocks in place would help stabilize anything placed there. In the front, the trench left behind will make a good place for bushes and small trees planned there.
Got a surprise when I turned the open compost pile today. It was HOT. Not warm but hot! I've read about this, written and experimented with it but have not experienced it to this level. Though the experiments occurred before learning about using ammonia for Nitrogen, a very important element in that process. Things I've read referred to compost piles of tens of tons, which I do not have by a long shot. This pile may not achieve 160 degrees but it's close and this pile is only about 3 ft high. Which confirms compost would be a viable heat source. Other people have experimented with ventilation and water pipes running through a compost pile with positive results. I'm more interested in using compost to provide winter heat and CO2 for a greenhouse. Not bad for a pile of leaves!
Got the letter in the mail to my congressman about the mortgage company. Picked up some books to keep learning new things. Greenhouse design, electric motor repair and building with adobe.
Progress of cuttings
I'm finding it obvious that the grape tomato plant is the most adaptable one I've got. The main plant now has multiple vines which reach 6 ft high, the tallest tomato plant I have ever seen in person. It would probably grow taller but it's now at the height of the window. So now it's getting bushier.
I've taken two cuttings from that plant, last one yesterday. The first one, just taken last week, is now flowering! That cutting is about 9"-10" tall above the soil line. The cutting from yesterday is taking and that one is about 2 ft tall and I staked it when transplanting it.
The brandywine isn't quite as sturdy. One cutting died off. Not sure if I did something wrong, so took another cutting this morning.
Both plants are still forming tomatoes. Quite a surprise. I know they're warm enough but did now know if they had enough light. Guess they do!
The brandywine is now also growing runners from the soil level. It's also perking up since moving to a larger planter this weekend. It looked a bit abused for a while because I had to trim so much off. But it took a beating from the tiny insects and mold a couple weeks back. Both problems are nearly gone. Mostly thanks to a garlic, soap and bleach spray I made and used on them.
Now up to 26 cups of seedlings sprouted. Though many cups have multiple sprouts because of my habit of planting multiple seeds in each one. So actual count is currently 57 sprouts. Wonder how many will survive until spring?
If growing from cuttings works out, I'll use that as my primary method and mostly plant from seed for new varieties. Though keep seeds dry and set aside. Thing I've read about cuttings is that one plant only produces for a few years, while cuttings have the same actual age as the parent. Not sure how accurate that is or if the writers may have exhausted the soil in one place. Have to try it myself and see.
I'll also tag the adult plants I have inside now. If they're still producing next fall, will bring the same ones inside for winter again. See how many seasons they keep going and producing before going dormant, dying off or becoming sterile.
I've taken two cuttings from that plant, last one yesterday. The first one, just taken last week, is now flowering! That cutting is about 9"-10" tall above the soil line. The cutting from yesterday is taking and that one is about 2 ft tall and I staked it when transplanting it.
The brandywine isn't quite as sturdy. One cutting died off. Not sure if I did something wrong, so took another cutting this morning.
Both plants are still forming tomatoes. Quite a surprise. I know they're warm enough but did now know if they had enough light. Guess they do!
The brandywine is now also growing runners from the soil level. It's also perking up since moving to a larger planter this weekend. It looked a bit abused for a while because I had to trim so much off. But it took a beating from the tiny insects and mold a couple weeks back. Both problems are nearly gone. Mostly thanks to a garlic, soap and bleach spray I made and used on them.
Now up to 26 cups of seedlings sprouted. Though many cups have multiple sprouts because of my habit of planting multiple seeds in each one. So actual count is currently 57 sprouts. Wonder how many will survive until spring?
If growing from cuttings works out, I'll use that as my primary method and mostly plant from seed for new varieties. Though keep seeds dry and set aside. Thing I've read about cuttings is that one plant only produces for a few years, while cuttings have the same actual age as the parent. Not sure how accurate that is or if the writers may have exhausted the soil in one place. Have to try it myself and see.
I'll also tag the adult plants I have inside now. If they're still producing next fall, will bring the same ones inside for winter again. See how many seasons they keep going and producing before going dormant, dying off or becoming sterile.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Slightly busy morning
Been having plumbing issues again. I've cleared the pipes twice and had the problem come back again. Seem to have it whipped this time. Got a sewer snake the other day. That wasn't enough, so used drain cleaner a few times. This morning, after using drain cleaner last night, used the sewer snake again. Pulled out a large clump of roots. I think it was a combination of roots, stuff getting stuck behind the roots and the pipes then freezing into a block of ice. Even after using the snake, I ran the hose full power down the pipes, then used more drain cleaner and let it sit for an hour. Happily, it has not been bad enough to back up under the house again. Think I'll just use the drain cleaner once every week or two.
Pulled back the tarps and plastic and treated the section of garden which had not yet been treated. The section which was treated is quite visibly composting faster. Though the tarps aren't retaining moisture as well as the plastic, either.
Got some cheap potting soil during the summer which turned out to be almost all clay. Once dry, it turned into bricks which I couldn't crush with my hands. Saved it and now put it to use. Spread it out in the sandy area and raked it in, along with lots of leaves. Sand, clay and organic material should make a good combination.
Yard doesn't look great at the moment and it may sound crazy to water bare soil in the winter but it is having an effect. Soil is holding moisture better and is much more workable. While watering the covered area, turned the sprayer to power wash, which helped loosen the soil there even more.
Scheduled to work tonight. Not much to do right now. Maybe see if I can nap, then pick up my check before work.
Pulled back the tarps and plastic and treated the section of garden which had not yet been treated. The section which was treated is quite visibly composting faster. Though the tarps aren't retaining moisture as well as the plastic, either.
Got some cheap potting soil during the summer which turned out to be almost all clay. Once dry, it turned into bricks which I couldn't crush with my hands. Saved it and now put it to use. Spread it out in the sandy area and raked it in, along with lots of leaves. Sand, clay and organic material should make a good combination.
Yard doesn't look great at the moment and it may sound crazy to water bare soil in the winter but it is having an effect. Soil is holding moisture better and is much more workable. While watering the covered area, turned the sprayer to power wash, which helped loosen the soil there even more.
Scheduled to work tonight. Not much to do right now. Maybe see if I can nap, then pick up my check before work.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Induced lethargy
Yeah, by the title an attempt but not entirely there. More relaxed, though. Seems my mind sometimes never stops enough for complete relaxation.
After dropping my daughter off, felt rather anxious, kind of down. Since then, had about 1/3 bottle of bourbon, 2 valerian root and a melatonin. Under general circumstances I'd be down for two days. But not when I feel stressed. Happily I do seem tired enough to crash. Which I'm getting ready for.
No work lined up for this week. Hope that changes soon.
After dropping my daughter off, felt rather anxious, kind of down. Since then, had about 1/3 bottle of bourbon, 2 valerian root and a melatonin. Under general circumstances I'd be down for two days. But not when I feel stressed. Happily I do seem tired enough to crash. Which I'm getting ready for.
No work lined up for this week. Hope that changes soon.
24 and counting
Daughter and I are having a relaxed Sunday at home. Not too much going on. We were both outside working on things earlier. Her idea. I was raking leaves into the soil and she was painting the chicken coop her own way. Quite stylish. Lol! I raked leaves into a pile by the swing. She likes to swing through the pile and make them scatter all over. We had a leaf fight. Lots of fun which left both of us needing to bathe.
I transplanted one tomato plant to a larger planter because it seemed maybe the roots were getting cramped. Of the seeds I planted, so far about 16 have started. The cutting from one plant was successful and I tried another cutting from a different plant today. That may be the best choice for starting new plants which take time to mature. Over the winter I can take large cuttings and let them develop good root systems but they'll already be several inches to over a foot tall.
Grand total of tomato plants growing inside between seedlings, cuttings and developed plants is now 24 and growing. And with much better knowledge of precautions to take this year over last. Not to mention a more well behaved dog.
I transplanted one tomato plant to a larger planter because it seemed maybe the roots were getting cramped. Of the seeds I planted, so far about 16 have started. The cutting from one plant was successful and I tried another cutting from a different plant today. That may be the best choice for starting new plants which take time to mature. Over the winter I can take large cuttings and let them develop good root systems but they'll already be several inches to over a foot tall.
Grand total of tomato plants growing inside between seedlings, cuttings and developed plants is now 24 and growing. And with much better knowledge of precautions to take this year over last. Not to mention a more well behaved dog.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Up
Daughter and I watched "Up" on DVD today. I don't have many movies on DVD but think I'll buy this one. This movie actually made me cry! (Okay, that sounds kind of girly. The movie made me cry, think I'll buy it.) Tears running down my face in front of my daughter. She said, "It's just a movie, daddy. It's not real." But it showed me there's a part of me which still exists which I thought maybe didn't any more. Then there were parts which had my daughter and I laughing out loud. This is one movie I could watch many times, which is rare for me.
Later we went to the mall. Rode the carousel 6 times. Wanted to see the "magic snow". It never happened! Going to call the mall and complain loudly about that. As expected, it's a light show but in a very limited area of the mall by Santa, yet they never flipped the switch. Daughter was disappointed and I am angry.
We went to see the Bugg Lights at Menaul School, which is well worth seeing. Quite amazing! Inspired daughter and I for future displays in our yard.
She's at her mother's now. I'm gonna watch a movie and get to bed. She'll be back in the morning.
Later we went to the mall. Rode the carousel 6 times. Wanted to see the "magic snow". It never happened! Going to call the mall and complain loudly about that. As expected, it's a light show but in a very limited area of the mall by Santa, yet they never flipped the switch. Daughter was disappointed and I am angry.
We went to see the Bugg Lights at Menaul School, which is well worth seeing. Quite amazing! Inspired daughter and I for future displays in our yard.
She's at her mother's now. I'm gonna watch a movie and get to bed. She'll be back in the morning.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Another change of plans
Not sure I mentioned last night that I was scheduled to work last night but then got canceled again. They asked at 2 PM for me to work, then canceled me by 5 PM.
So, tonight I was scheduled to work 7P to 7A. But got called a short while ago and asked to work noon to MN. That works out better. Get some sleep and ex can drop daughter off at normal time.
Not going to get the leaf piles moved this morning as planned. Soil on the top of the one I was going to move is frozen. I wet it down yesterday. Besides, don't want to dig around in the dirt a lot and then go work in the ER.
One thing about the composting in place effort. With plastic covering the garden, have to pull the plastic back about once a week and allow oxygen in, water if required. Air isn't too much an issue in this case because I left the mounds in place, covered so air gets in fairly well. But if you cover flat ground it's more important.
But I do want to check the progress. Once the roots and soil are loose enough, start turning things over for a more complete composting. Especially of the weed and grass seeds. Kill 'em all!!
I still have a roll of garden fabric which I never used. Think I'll put it to use in the spring. At least keep weed count down.
So, tonight I was scheduled to work 7P to 7A. But got called a short while ago and asked to work noon to MN. That works out better. Get some sleep and ex can drop daughter off at normal time.
Not going to get the leaf piles moved this morning as planned. Soil on the top of the one I was going to move is frozen. I wet it down yesterday. Besides, don't want to dig around in the dirt a lot and then go work in the ER.
One thing about the composting in place effort. With plastic covering the garden, have to pull the plastic back about once a week and allow oxygen in, water if required. Air isn't too much an issue in this case because I left the mounds in place, covered so air gets in fairly well. But if you cover flat ground it's more important.
But I do want to check the progress. Once the roots and soil are loose enough, start turning things over for a more complete composting. Especially of the weed and grass seeds. Kill 'em all!!
I still have a roll of garden fabric which I never used. Think I'll put it to use in the spring. At least keep weed count down.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
3 lbs
So, wound up being called to work last night instead of this morning. While there I jumped on the scale. Seems that in spite of eating more in an attempt to regain some of my lost weight, I've only managed to gain 3 lbs. That's with a dietary intake up to 3000 calories a day.
Oh,well. Least I'm not losing weight any more.
The little village on the coffee table has a few small trees but none have ornaments. Was thinking in conventional terms, looking for some way to hang ornaments on them. Couldn't find any small enough, so started thinking differently. Today, got some tiny beads and glue. Can brush the glue on the trees and just roll the trees in beads and maybe glitter. Daughter should like that. Maybe we can add beads and glitter to some of the ornaments we made, too.
The piles of leaves collected are already reduced to about 1/3 their size or less. I'll combine the piles tomorrow. More mass to the pile will make it retain more heat. Besides, it will look neater.
Not much to say tonight. Think I'll have more chocolate milk and go to bed.
Oh,well. Least I'm not losing weight any more.
The little village on the coffee table has a few small trees but none have ornaments. Was thinking in conventional terms, looking for some way to hang ornaments on them. Couldn't find any small enough, so started thinking differently. Today, got some tiny beads and glue. Can brush the glue on the trees and just roll the trees in beads and maybe glitter. Daughter should like that. Maybe we can add beads and glitter to some of the ornaments we made, too.
The piles of leaves collected are already reduced to about 1/3 their size or less. I'll combine the piles tomorrow. More mass to the pile will make it retain more heat. Besides, it will look neater.
Not much to say tonight. Think I'll have more chocolate milk and go to bed.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Crooked mortgage company
I have my mortgage through Wells Fargo. Shoulda known better.
A few months ago, when changing employers (which turned out to be temporary), I fell one month behind. I called to make arrangements. What resulted was a payment plan where they tacked on an additional $3000 over four months above my regular mortgage payment.. To catch up on one $620 payment. After paying $1400 of this and never receiving a writeen copy of this arrangement, I called and asked how to get out of this arrangement. I was told to just not make the next payment on the due date and the payment plan would be voided. By the way, while paying the regular payment plus money on the payment arrangement, their statements said I was falling further and further behind.
Over months I have made extra payments to bring that one delinquent month current. However, WF did not credit my payments to my monthly payment due. I think they credited the payments to principal payments. By my calculations, I should be close to current, current or a couple of months ahead. Yet they claim at this point that I am over $1850 behind.
Last week, I wrote a letter to them, notarized it and sent it priority mail with receipt confirmation.
Today, I called the Hope Now alliance, a homeowner help organization. After spending several hours on the phone with a counselor, they tried to set up a conference call with WF. The result? WF refused to take part in the conference call.. Because it would be recorded by the counselor.
Next step is sending a copy of the notarized letter to my congressman with a cover letter detailing the results of the call to Hope Now. If they start foreclosure, I'll be talking to a lawyer.
Things are documented in multiple ways. Hope Now will be sending a written copy of the conversation we had today to WF. They have extensive documentation of the attempt to contact them by phone.
See what happens.
A few months ago, when changing employers (which turned out to be temporary), I fell one month behind. I called to make arrangements. What resulted was a payment plan where they tacked on an additional $3000 over four months above my regular mortgage payment.. To catch up on one $620 payment. After paying $1400 of this and never receiving a writeen copy of this arrangement, I called and asked how to get out of this arrangement. I was told to just not make the next payment on the due date and the payment plan would be voided. By the way, while paying the regular payment plus money on the payment arrangement, their statements said I was falling further and further behind.
Over months I have made extra payments to bring that one delinquent month current. However, WF did not credit my payments to my monthly payment due. I think they credited the payments to principal payments. By my calculations, I should be close to current, current or a couple of months ahead. Yet they claim at this point that I am over $1850 behind.
Last week, I wrote a letter to them, notarized it and sent it priority mail with receipt confirmation.
Today, I called the Hope Now alliance, a homeowner help organization. After spending several hours on the phone with a counselor, they tried to set up a conference call with WF. The result? WF refused to take part in the conference call.. Because it would be recorded by the counselor.
Next step is sending a copy of the notarized letter to my congressman with a cover letter detailing the results of the call to Hope Now. If they start foreclosure, I'll be talking to a lawyer.
Things are documented in multiple ways. Hope Now will be sending a written copy of the conversation we had today to WF. They have extensive documentation of the attempt to contact them by phone.
See what happens.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
On call
Asked to be on call tonight. Not much money but better than nothing and makes it certain if the hospital needs someone later, it's me they'll call.
Had my last real cigarette this morning. I have an electronic one but it's not the same. Takes a bit of the edge off of a nic fit, though. Battling between going cold turkey and the urge to buy a pack. Managed to fight it off. First day is the worst.
As planned, moved the blocks from the front wall today. I also took down all but the base of the side wall. Still need to stack those. Not sure but it looks like the hardest part will be the base, since it has to be dug up. But it's not set in concrete.
Raked a little over 110 gals of leaves from the dance studio lot. Was going to do more but it was too windy.
Obviously getting lots of exercise. Important thing is that this shows my health to have improved. I wanted to get those walls down for months but couldn't manage the energy. Now I've taken down and moved most of it in only a few days and feel fine. Really happy about that. Have to keep getting exercise and extending myself.
Had my last real cigarette this morning. I have an electronic one but it's not the same. Takes a bit of the edge off of a nic fit, though. Battling between going cold turkey and the urge to buy a pack. Managed to fight it off. First day is the worst.
As planned, moved the blocks from the front wall today. I also took down all but the base of the side wall. Still need to stack those. Not sure but it looks like the hardest part will be the base, since it has to be dug up. But it's not set in concrete.
Raked a little over 110 gals of leaves from the dance studio lot. Was going to do more but it was too windy.
Obviously getting lots of exercise. Important thing is that this shows my health to have improved. I wanted to get those walls down for months but couldn't manage the energy. Now I've taken down and moved most of it in only a few days and feel fine. Really happy about that. Have to keep getting exercise and extending myself.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Canceled again
Canceled from work again tonight. Really sucks. One shift in two weeks.
Running low on food. If I don't get work soon I'll be eating rice and corn flakes soon. Happy I have the protein shake powder. For tonight it may sound like an odd combination but I have tamales and rice pilaf. Could have made spanish rice but made that a few times lately and didn't feel like it.
To keep calorie intake up, I made no bake cheesecake with crushed corn flake crust. Had been planning on making it and got the cream cheese while on special.
Promised my daughter I'd try to stop smoking this week. Down to 4 cigarettes, so I guess now is the time.
Once I got canceled, I went outside and took apart most of the rest of the front wall. Only the base and pillars remain. I'll move the blocks around back in the morning. Bad thing about getting canceled is not being able to get to sleep until really late unless I wear myself out. Which isn't always easy.
Nothing on TV worth watching. Have an old pirated copy of Hellboy on DVD which was given to me a long time ago. Watching that while writing. Maybe have a couple of drinks and get to bed as early as I can.
Running low on food. If I don't get work soon I'll be eating rice and corn flakes soon. Happy I have the protein shake powder. For tonight it may sound like an odd combination but I have tamales and rice pilaf. Could have made spanish rice but made that a few times lately and didn't feel like it.
To keep calorie intake up, I made no bake cheesecake with crushed corn flake crust. Had been planning on making it and got the cream cheese while on special.
Promised my daughter I'd try to stop smoking this week. Down to 4 cigarettes, so I guess now is the time.
Once I got canceled, I went outside and took apart most of the rest of the front wall. Only the base and pillars remain. I'll move the blocks around back in the morning. Bad thing about getting canceled is not being able to get to sleep until really late unless I wear myself out. Which isn't always easy.
Nothing on TV worth watching. Have an old pirated copy of Hellboy on DVD which was given to me a long time ago. Watching that while writing. Maybe have a couple of drinks and get to bed as early as I can.
The Deal (edited)
Weather is nice today, unseasonably warm here. Feel badly for the folks in the NE states.
Made a deal the other night with the owner of the air dance studio behind my house. If I rake out his leaves, I can keep them for composting. Seems like we both underestimated just how much there was.
So far I have raked out maybe 1/4 of the leaves at most. That has resulted in over 220 packed gallons of leaves. The compost pit is full again. Once it was filled with leaves I added kitchen waste and diluted ammonia.
By the way, I emptied the pit this morning, also. That gave me about 600 lbs (8-10 cu ft) of compost. Along the way I chopped up still large pieces. Of course, the stuff at the bottom was best composted but that material is now on top of the pile, which helps the rest break down faster.
Going to finish the raking of the dance studio parking lot over a few days. Once done, between my own leaves and those, I'll have enough raw material for several tons of compost. Neither one of us use harsh chemicals, so I know what will be going into the compost. I don't even use that much ammonia. No more than 8 oz at a time, generally and often less.
Which reminds me that I should fertilize the whole yard for the winter.
Update- Did the fertilizing. At least the back yard and bare garden soil. Something I had forgotten to do up to this point. I made the usual ammonia and vinegar mixture, however went really heavy on the vinegar this time! I've mentioned numerous times how notoriously alkaline desert soil is. Now, in early winter, is the time to amend that. With several applications of vinegar in the next few weeks, I can increase the acidity of the soil and it should mellow out enough by spring to not be damaging to the plants. I sprayed the winter weeds heavily. Hoping that results in some control. If not, I will chemically treat the non-garden areas.
If possible, I'd like to get more plastic and cover the rest of the bare areas of soil soon. If not, it's okay. Most of the still bare soil is the sandy part, which needs lots more amending before it will be good for gardening. May have to go with open compost heaps, all leaves, soil, ammonia and vinegar. No kitchen scraps in this case. It will still break down to add organics to the soil. May pile the leaves and run the mulching mower over them while still dry.
Gotta take a nap. Scheduled for work tonight.
Made a deal the other night with the owner of the air dance studio behind my house. If I rake out his leaves, I can keep them for composting. Seems like we both underestimated just how much there was.
So far I have raked out maybe 1/4 of the leaves at most. That has resulted in over 220 packed gallons of leaves. The compost pit is full again. Once it was filled with leaves I added kitchen waste and diluted ammonia.
By the way, I emptied the pit this morning, also. That gave me about 600 lbs (8-10 cu ft) of compost. Along the way I chopped up still large pieces. Of course, the stuff at the bottom was best composted but that material is now on top of the pile, which helps the rest break down faster.
Going to finish the raking of the dance studio parking lot over a few days. Once done, between my own leaves and those, I'll have enough raw material for several tons of compost. Neither one of us use harsh chemicals, so I know what will be going into the compost. I don't even use that much ammonia. No more than 8 oz at a time, generally and often less.
Which reminds me that I should fertilize the whole yard for the winter.
Update- Did the fertilizing. At least the back yard and bare garden soil. Something I had forgotten to do up to this point. I made the usual ammonia and vinegar mixture, however went really heavy on the vinegar this time! I've mentioned numerous times how notoriously alkaline desert soil is. Now, in early winter, is the time to amend that. With several applications of vinegar in the next few weeks, I can increase the acidity of the soil and it should mellow out enough by spring to not be damaging to the plants. I sprayed the winter weeds heavily. Hoping that results in some control. If not, I will chemically treat the non-garden areas.
If possible, I'd like to get more plastic and cover the rest of the bare areas of soil soon. If not, it's okay. Most of the still bare soil is the sandy part, which needs lots more amending before it will be good for gardening. May have to go with open compost heaps, all leaves, soil, ammonia and vinegar. No kitchen scraps in this case. It will still break down to add organics to the soil. May pile the leaves and run the mulching mower over them while still dry.
Gotta take a nap. Scheduled for work tonight.
Solar energy prediction
I occasionally make predictions of future events which have large impacts. The accuracy of my predictions tends to be fairly high, though the timeline isn't always as accurate. In April 2001, I predicted near global conflict with GWB leading the way. At that time, with the economy flourishing, I also predicted a long term crash.
Right now I am making another prediction concerning solar energy.
In the next 2-3 or less, one large company will release to the public a system based on multple spray paints where an average person can make their own solar electric (PV) panels or even convert some existing structures to PV generating structures.
The materials will not be cheap at first and overall efficiency low. However, the cost will be much lower than current PV panels. This will prompt many people to make or install solar electric systems. The other elements of PV systems will remain expensive and may increase due to demand, including power regulators, inverters, batteries and installation.
The initial effect will be to put some current PV producers out of business, though commercially produced panels will remain much more efficient and last longer. In short time the remaining companies will adopt the same systems and offer affordable systems which are more stable and efficient than the home spray systems.
Some tragedies will occur due to improper installation of these systems, prompting tighter regulation of purchase and installation.
It will take time for the effect to be seen on oil consumption but it will happen. Though by that time no net decrease will be seen on gas prices. That will not happen until other forces come into play.
Right now I am making another prediction concerning solar energy.
In the next 2-3 or less, one large company will release to the public a system based on multple spray paints where an average person can make their own solar electric (PV) panels or even convert some existing structures to PV generating structures.
The materials will not be cheap at first and overall efficiency low. However, the cost will be much lower than current PV panels. This will prompt many people to make or install solar electric systems. The other elements of PV systems will remain expensive and may increase due to demand, including power regulators, inverters, batteries and installation.
The initial effect will be to put some current PV producers out of business, though commercially produced panels will remain much more efficient and last longer. In short time the remaining companies will adopt the same systems and offer affordable systems which are more stable and efficient than the home spray systems.
Some tragedies will occur due to improper installation of these systems, prompting tighter regulation of purchase and installation.
It will take time for the effect to be seen on oil consumption but it will happen. Though by that time no net decrease will be seen on gas prices. That will not happen until other forces come into play.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Not too much new
Got canceled from work tonight. Hope to pick up the difference during the week.
Daughter and I made ornament cookies. Only got a few painted. We'll paint the rest next weekend.
Yesterday, she and I planted some pecans, try and grow some trees.
For some time, I've been collecting ceramic houses from the dollar store. I put them together into a small town scene and got some battery operated LED lights, a snow fabric drape and some little fake trees. It's all set up on the coffee table. Daughter likes it.
The day before, I planted some tomato seeds. May sound foolish to plant them so far out from spring but with as long as it took for the ones this year to mature, I'm hoping this gives them a greater chance of producing. Ones I did plant are the ones which tend to take longest, any way. Beefsteak, Brandywine and a few Rutgers.
I finally managed to get some areas of the house which have been a mess pretty much since moving in. Next, going to work on the office.
I also moved all the loose cinder blocks and piled them neatly. Had various projects which I had taken apart, plus ones from the partially dismantled block wall. I had some doubts that I would have enough blocks for the basic structure but it seems apparent now that I'll have plenty, once I take down the rest of the wall. If necessary, there's another wall I can take down. Also got a lot of exercise moving the blocks manually, 2 at a time from the front yard to the back yard. Shoulders are kind of feeling it today. Since I'm not working tonight, guess I can work on taking down more of the front wall tomorrow.
Daughter and I made ornament cookies. Only got a few painted. We'll paint the rest next weekend.
Yesterday, she and I planted some pecans, try and grow some trees.
For some time, I've been collecting ceramic houses from the dollar store. I put them together into a small town scene and got some battery operated LED lights, a snow fabric drape and some little fake trees. It's all set up on the coffee table. Daughter likes it.
The day before, I planted some tomato seeds. May sound foolish to plant them so far out from spring but with as long as it took for the ones this year to mature, I'm hoping this gives them a greater chance of producing. Ones I did plant are the ones which tend to take longest, any way. Beefsteak, Brandywine and a few Rutgers.
I finally managed to get some areas of the house which have been a mess pretty much since moving in. Next, going to work on the office.
I also moved all the loose cinder blocks and piled them neatly. Had various projects which I had taken apart, plus ones from the partially dismantled block wall. I had some doubts that I would have enough blocks for the basic structure but it seems apparent now that I'll have plenty, once I take down the rest of the wall. If necessary, there's another wall I can take down. Also got a lot of exercise moving the blocks manually, 2 at a time from the front yard to the back yard. Shoulders are kind of feeling it today. Since I'm not working tonight, guess I can work on taking down more of the front wall tomorrow.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
A good day
Daughter and I had a good day. She was in a really happy mood and we laughed a lot all day, mostly over silly stuff.
This evening, we went to the Twinkle Lights Parade downtown. Only sat through part of it because she was anxious to get to our second destination, the River of Lights at the botanical garden. We go to that every year.
She was dressed in the outfit I got her for Christmas and looked wonderful. But the outfit just framed her natural beauty and unrestrained smile and laugh. It also worked out well because we ran into the best looking Santa I've ever seen along with a lady dressed as a beautiful Mrs Claus and I got a picture of her with them both.
Now I'm really tired. Need to get some sleep.
This evening, we went to the Twinkle Lights Parade downtown. Only sat through part of it because she was anxious to get to our second destination, the River of Lights at the botanical garden. We go to that every year.
She was dressed in the outfit I got her for Christmas and looked wonderful. But the outfit just framed her natural beauty and unrestrained smile and laugh. It also worked out well because we ran into the best looking Santa I've ever seen along with a lady dressed as a beautiful Mrs Claus and I got a picture of her with them both.
Now I'm really tired. Need to get some sleep.
One more thought
One more thought I forgot to mention about the composting in place. One idea which struck me as I was preparing to dig out the garden- In digging out the garden, two things would happen. One is that I would be sure to miss or even scatter grass and weed seeds. The second is that I would leave large areas bare and open to new weeds invading. By composting the whole area I kill off grass and weeds while keeping the area protected from invasion of new grass and weeds. All with no neurotoxic chemicals.
I'm hoping that the ground will also be much more workable once all the roots and such are composted.
I'm hoping that the ground will also be much more workable once all the roots and such are composted.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Can't do it
Had a conflict with the ex tonight. She still doesn't want my daughter to sleep here at night. This is because I am using a generator for electricity and gas space heater for heat. She says it's not safe.
Now, where the heater is concerned, I have a carbon monoxide detector less than 4 ft from the heater. I have multiple forms of exhaust from the roof of the house and the detector has not gone off a single time. The heater also has a built in detector which shuts the heater down if CO is detected. It also has a tip over switch and built in thermostat.
As to the electricity, the situation is all financial. I would prefer having electricity, of course! But if I pay an electrical contractor to "pull the permit", there's no guarantee the state inspector will pass the inspection. The system here is set up to have to pay contractors as much as possible. If the inspection doesn't pass, I'm just out hundreds of dollars. Even if it does pass, I have to hook up and check the wiring one circuit at a time. If any wires became polarized, they'll heat up and be a fire hazard, so have to be replaced. For all I know, I may have to rewire the whole house.
In the end, I told her I would just give the house up and move into a cheap apartment. But I can't do that. I'm 48 years old. Giving up the house would damge my credit where it would be many years before I could be approved for another house. I have a 30 year mortgage. Once you're over 50 years old, it becomes a lot more difficult to get a mortgage on affordable terms and with more than 15 year terms.
And this is my home. I have no other home. I cannot come home every day to my daughter being here. I have no significant other waiting for me. I am a person who HAS to have things to concentrate on, to put energy, hopes, dreams and extreme thoughts into. The house and garden give me these. I have a home I look forward to coming to, even if it's not ideal by a materialistic, superficial standard. It takes time for me to feel at ease anywhere. It took a long time for me to FEEL at home here but I do now.
This is my home. This is the home my daughter will inherit from me someday. This is my refuge from the rest of a city and state which I cannot stand. A place where I can maintain a sense of honor in a place which seems to have none. A place I have worked hard and continue to work hard to transform, with results slow but showing. I cannot give it up.
Now, where the heater is concerned, I have a carbon monoxide detector less than 4 ft from the heater. I have multiple forms of exhaust from the roof of the house and the detector has not gone off a single time. The heater also has a built in detector which shuts the heater down if CO is detected. It also has a tip over switch and built in thermostat.
As to the electricity, the situation is all financial. I would prefer having electricity, of course! But if I pay an electrical contractor to "pull the permit", there's no guarantee the state inspector will pass the inspection. The system here is set up to have to pay contractors as much as possible. If the inspection doesn't pass, I'm just out hundreds of dollars. Even if it does pass, I have to hook up and check the wiring one circuit at a time. If any wires became polarized, they'll heat up and be a fire hazard, so have to be replaced. For all I know, I may have to rewire the whole house.
In the end, I told her I would just give the house up and move into a cheap apartment. But I can't do that. I'm 48 years old. Giving up the house would damge my credit where it would be many years before I could be approved for another house. I have a 30 year mortgage. Once you're over 50 years old, it becomes a lot more difficult to get a mortgage on affordable terms and with more than 15 year terms.
And this is my home. I have no other home. I cannot come home every day to my daughter being here. I have no significant other waiting for me. I am a person who HAS to have things to concentrate on, to put energy, hopes, dreams and extreme thoughts into. The house and garden give me these. I have a home I look forward to coming to, even if it's not ideal by a materialistic, superficial standard. It takes time for me to feel at ease anywhere. It took a long time for me to FEEL at home here but I do now.
This is my home. This is the home my daughter will inherit from me someday. This is my refuge from the rest of a city and state which I cannot stand. A place where I can maintain a sense of honor in a place which seems to have none. A place I have worked hard and continue to work hard to transform, with results slow but showing. I cannot give it up.
More composting in place
Didn't have enough material to cover the whole garden yesterday. Spread out what I had and it covered about half the garden.
That's okay. This morning I moved the rabbit hutch over (which has chicken wire on the bottom) and took the rabbit pellets to spread over the still uncovered portion of soil. That section was the weakest and latest to sprout this year. Not sure I mentioned that I raked lots of leaves into the garden and added soil from the raised planters. Then sprayed the whole garden with diluted ammonia. I think with the whole mixture it should result in a good composting process.
Any way, I spent a few dollars which may have had good use elsewhere to buy one more roll of black plastic sheeting today. That was just enough to cover what was left of the main garden. Soaked it well one more time and covered it up and weighed it down with cinder blocks. I wanted to give the soil and additives as much chance as possible to compost. Between now and late March or early April should be good. Whatever is left will mix in the soil well and help condition it over time.
I may need one more roll of black plastic once I dig out the compost pit. Need to do that soon to start the next batch and have it all ready by spring. Current batch looks good and doesn't need to compost too much more. Though adding some diluted ammonia may not hurt anything.
That's okay. This morning I moved the rabbit hutch over (which has chicken wire on the bottom) and took the rabbit pellets to spread over the still uncovered portion of soil. That section was the weakest and latest to sprout this year. Not sure I mentioned that I raked lots of leaves into the garden and added soil from the raised planters. Then sprayed the whole garden with diluted ammonia. I think with the whole mixture it should result in a good composting process.
Any way, I spent a few dollars which may have had good use elsewhere to buy one more roll of black plastic sheeting today. That was just enough to cover what was left of the main garden. Soaked it well one more time and covered it up and weighed it down with cinder blocks. I wanted to give the soil and additives as much chance as possible to compost. Between now and late March or early April should be good. Whatever is left will mix in the soil well and help condition it over time.
I may need one more roll of black plastic once I dig out the compost pit. Need to do that soon to start the next batch and have it all ready by spring. Current batch looks good and doesn't need to compost too much more. Though adding some diluted ammonia may not hurt anything.
Only one shift
Only got one shift of work this week. Got placed on call last night but never got called in.
Part of it is probably my own fault. I spoke up for myself, which is not allowed in NM. If you're mistreated, you're supposed to shut up and take it like a good b****. For the last 3 times I worked on the med/surg floor, I have been dumped on. Each time, I have been assigned more patients than every other nurse working that night. Two of those times, I was called in late because they were so short of staff. This last time, I ended the shift with 6 patients, while another nurse had only 4. Acuity had nothing to do with it, as some of my patients were less stable than all the other patients. So, patients were placed at risk.
But I should just shut up and take it or wind up not getting any work. That's New Mexico. Land of Entrapment.
Part of it is probably my own fault. I spoke up for myself, which is not allowed in NM. If you're mistreated, you're supposed to shut up and take it like a good b****. For the last 3 times I worked on the med/surg floor, I have been dumped on. Each time, I have been assigned more patients than every other nurse working that night. Two of those times, I was called in late because they were so short of staff. This last time, I ended the shift with 6 patients, while another nurse had only 4. Acuity had nothing to do with it, as some of my patients were less stable than all the other patients. So, patients were placed at risk.
But I should just shut up and take it or wind up not getting any work. That's New Mexico. Land of Entrapment.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Breaktime
Taking a break from working in the yard.
Decided against digging the garden out. Way too much work manually, with all the roots holding the soil together. Instead, going to compost in place. Have a bunch of tarps and black plastic which aren't good for much else. Going to turn some of the soil over, dampen it down and cover with tarps and plastic and keep it that way over the winter. Probably add some diluted ammonia to feed the microbes.
Took apart the planters down the center of the garden and will toss the soil into the garden, also. Picked up trash the dog has torn up and that has blown into the yard. Moved all the pallets to one spot.
Not a bad list of accomplishements for under 2 hours. After some coffee, get some more done but can't do too much more. Scheduled to work tonight and have to take at least a short nap to remain alert.
Decided against digging the garden out. Way too much work manually, with all the roots holding the soil together. Instead, going to compost in place. Have a bunch of tarps and black plastic which aren't good for much else. Going to turn some of the soil over, dampen it down and cover with tarps and plastic and keep it that way over the winter. Probably add some diluted ammonia to feed the microbes.
Took apart the planters down the center of the garden and will toss the soil into the garden, also. Picked up trash the dog has torn up and that has blown into the yard. Moved all the pallets to one spot.
Not a bad list of accomplishements for under 2 hours. After some coffee, get some more done but can't do too much more. Scheduled to work tonight and have to take at least a short nap to remain alert.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Burst pipe
So, once the pipes started thawing one sprang a leak. Luckily, it was the pipe leading to the outside faucet. Total cost to replace (with a shorter pipe) was under $3 and didn't require digging or taking a lot of pipes apart, just a couple.
Also found the sewage line qas clogged again. I don't have a pipe snake, so tried using the water hose. Didn't work. Had some fencing wire in the shed. Tried that and it worked.
Took another major step toward being the crazy neighbor. While considering digging up the garden, figured out the old fashioned way would be best. The trick was keeping things low and short enough to avoid the fire department being called. Raked, watered the area surrounding the garden. Grabbed the gas can and scattered gas over about 600 sq ft. Then lit it up. Just as the neighbors pulled into their yard. Lol! Quite a sight with all 600 sq ft lighting up at once at sunset! The fire only lasted 3-5 minutes before I put the rest out. Should be easier to dig the rest up now.
Other than that, picked up some books on building solar and wind generators and repairing electric motors from the library. Do some needed studying.
Made an attempt at gluten free brownies. They're still cooling but seem okay so far. Hope they remain so!
Also found the sewage line qas clogged again. I don't have a pipe snake, so tried using the water hose. Didn't work. Had some fencing wire in the shed. Tried that and it worked.
Took another major step toward being the crazy neighbor. While considering digging up the garden, figured out the old fashioned way would be best. The trick was keeping things low and short enough to avoid the fire department being called. Raked, watered the area surrounding the garden. Grabbed the gas can and scattered gas over about 600 sq ft. Then lit it up. Just as the neighbors pulled into their yard. Lol! Quite a sight with all 600 sq ft lighting up at once at sunset! The fire only lasted 3-5 minutes before I put the rest out. Should be easier to dig the rest up now.
Other than that, picked up some books on building solar and wind generators and repairing electric motors from the library. Do some needed studying.
Made an attempt at gluten free brownies. They're still cooling but seem okay so far. Hope they remain so!
Burst pipe
So, once the pipes started thawing one sprang a leak. Luckily, it was the pipe leading to the outside faucet. Total cost to replace (with a shorter pipe) was under $3 and didn't require digging or taking a lot of pipes apart, just a couple.
Also found the sewage line qas clogged again. I don't have a pipe snake, so tried using the water hose. Didn't work. Had some fencing wire in the shed. Tried that and it worked.
Took another major step toward being the crazy neighbor. While considering digging up the garden, figured out the old fashioned way would be best. The trick was keeping things low and short enough to avoid the fire department being called. Raked, watered the area surrounding the garden. Grabbed the gas can and scattered gas over about 600 sq ft. Then lit it up. Just as the neighbors pulled into their yard. Lol! Quite a sight with all 600 sq ft lighting up at once at sunset! The fire only lasted 3-5 minutes before I put the rest out. Should be easier to dig the rest up now.
Other than that, picked up some books on building solar and wind generators and repairing electric motors from the library. Do some needed studying.
Made an attempt at gluten free brownies. They're still cooling but seem okay so far. Hope they remain so!
Also found the sewage line qas clogged again. I don't have a pipe snake, so tried using the water hose. Didn't work. Had some fencing wire in the shed. Tried that and it worked.
Took another major step toward being the crazy neighbor. While considering digging up the garden, figured out the old fashioned way would be best. The trick was keeping things low and short enough to avoid the fire department being called. Raked, watered the area surrounding the garden. Grabbed the gas can and scattered gas over about 600 sq ft. Then lit it up. Just as the neighbors pulled into their yard. Lol! Quite a sight with all 600 sq ft lighting up at once at sunset! The fire only lasted 3-5 minutes before I put the rest out. Should be easier to dig the rest up now.
Other than that, picked up some books on building solar and wind generators and repairing electric motors from the library. Do some needed studying.
Made an attempt at gluten free brownies. They're still cooling but seem okay so far. Hope they remain so!
Frozen pipes again
Woke this morning to find the pipes frozen again. Left a faucet dripping a little last night but obviously not enough. Temp went down to 6F last night here. High today is only in upper 30's to low 40's, so I hope it gets warm enough to thaw the pipes. Local weather says temp is still 30 but the sun is out, so I'm hoping. I have a pencil torch which may help but not sure and don't want to damage pipes.
Least I had enough water drawn in jugs to make coffee. It was meant for plants but they don't need it for now.
Least I had enough water drawn in jugs to make coffee. It was meant for plants but they don't need it for now.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Video diary
Since my daughter was a baby or maybe even before she was born I have had an idea. The idea of making a video diary. Or, more precisely, video letters to her. Of course, since I've always been present, it hasn't been a pressing idea. And for one reason or another it just hasn't been done.
Decided it is time to begin this project. Was going to begin tonight but the camera batteries were dead. Supposed to be quick charging. However it took them so long to charge that it's now after midnight and they just finished. I'll get started on it tomorrow. Better light, any way.
If anything should ever happen to me, I'd like her to have a record to turn back to and always remember how much I loved her.
Decided it is time to begin this project. Was going to begin tonight but the camera batteries were dead. Supposed to be quick charging. However it took them so long to charge that it's now after midnight and they just finished. I'll get started on it tomorrow. Better light, any way.
If anything should ever happen to me, I'd like her to have a record to turn back to and always remember how much I loved her.
The Crazy Neighbor
I have no doubt I have now (if not before) earned the label of "the crazy neighbor".
Right now I have clothes in the qash at the laundromat. But once I threw the clothes in the wash, I went back home and got out the rake. Notn raking the yard, exactly. I did rake the front yard. Plus the space in front of the next door neighbor's yard. Then raked the leaves into the walkway between my house and the block wall and closed the gate to keep the pile inside.
I also saw there was a tremendous pile of leaves gathered at the gate of the church parking lot behind my house. So I opened up the back gate and raked the entire pile into my yard.
It's not so crazy. The whole mass will be composted over the winter. But most of my neighbors know nothing of composting, so I just look crazy. Much like the piles of pallets in my yard make me appear. Each thing has a purpose but you have to know me to understand the purpose.
Right now I have clothes in the qash at the laundromat. But once I threw the clothes in the wash, I went back home and got out the rake. Notn raking the yard, exactly. I did rake the front yard. Plus the space in front of the next door neighbor's yard. Then raked the leaves into the walkway between my house and the block wall and closed the gate to keep the pile inside.
I also saw there was a tremendous pile of leaves gathered at the gate of the church parking lot behind my house. So I opened up the back gate and raked the entire pile into my yard.
It's not so crazy. The whole mass will be composted over the winter. But most of my neighbors know nothing of composting, so I just look crazy. Much like the piles of pallets in my yard make me appear. Each thing has a purpose but you have to know me to understand the purpose.
One beer
Only managed one beer last night. Then got hungry, ate dinner and then didn't feel like drinking any more.
I actually intend to start drinking more frequently. Not a lot, mind you but 1-2 drinks here and there. It seems to relieve some anxiety for a day or two afterward. Drinking at that level has been proven beneficial.
Decided to do away with one of the tomato plants in the front room. While it's tall, this one has always looked sickly. Doesn't appear to have tolerance to much of anything. Going to move the Brandywine in the front room.
Also going to start tomato seeds for next spring. Took so long for the ones this year to mature I think it's my best move. By spring they should be nearly ready to produce. Worth a try.
I actually intend to start drinking more frequently. Not a lot, mind you but 1-2 drinks here and there. It seems to relieve some anxiety for a day or two afterward. Drinking at that level has been proven beneficial.
Decided to do away with one of the tomato plants in the front room. While it's tall, this one has always looked sickly. Doesn't appear to have tolerance to much of anything. Going to move the Brandywine in the front room.
Also going to start tomato seeds for next spring. Took so long for the ones this year to mature I think it's my best move. By spring they should be nearly ready to produce. Worth a try.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Two days no web
Haven't had internet for two days until a little while ago. Then woke up this morning and pipes were frozen, so had no water for a few hours until they thawed out.
My daughter has had a scratchy throat, mild laryngitis since yesterday morning. Happily, no respiratory problems. We still had a good weekend. The ex has been giving me a hard time and doesn|t want my daughter to sleep over here because I'm using gas space heaters and a generator. Of course, this is all a financial issue. So, she drops my daughter off each weekend morning and I have to drive her back in the evening. Pain in the a**. But the positive part is that my daughter had been spending more time with her friend over here than with me. This arrangement apparently made her miss me, so now she's spending more time with me and seems more attached than ever. If there is some goal present of trying to drive a wedge between us it's working in reverse. She says that's not true but it sure has that appearance.
This weekend we set up and decorated the Christmas tree, made cookies together and set up a scene on a table with my little collection (growing) of ceramic houses with fake snow. I need to get more human and animal figures and some little fake trees and such. Going to add some battery operated LED lights. Next weekend we'll make our annual cookie ornaments. Meant to do that this weekend but somehow it didn't work out.
Got some homemade Gluten free beer which has been sitting for nearly two years. Decided to drink it tonight. First one is good and more mellow than before. Really high alcohol content! Good flavor, though. If it were to spoil, it would turn to vinegar and I could tell without taking a sip.
This morning, I tied up branches of the two tomato plants in the front room. They were going kinda wild. Turns out one of them has now grown taller than I am. The other is about my height. Had to spray them because there were eggs all over the leaves. Happened in the past week. Either aphid or fly eggs. I think fly eggs. Lots of them. Yuck.
Since my ex was pregnant with my daughter, we have seen series of identical digits, like 1111. They pop up unexpectedly in odd places. Like the fact that I have looked at the clock numerous times this week to see 11:11 or 2:22, each multiple times. I'm not strongly superstitious but this has happened a lot and never before daughter was conceived. From what I've read it's supposed to be good. Sign you're going the right direction in life. Hope so.
Not going to stay up too late. May go rent a movie. Have to get my check and do laundry in the morning.
My daughter has had a scratchy throat, mild laryngitis since yesterday morning. Happily, no respiratory problems. We still had a good weekend. The ex has been giving me a hard time and doesn|t want my daughter to sleep over here because I'm using gas space heaters and a generator. Of course, this is all a financial issue. So, she drops my daughter off each weekend morning and I have to drive her back in the evening. Pain in the a**. But the positive part is that my daughter had been spending more time with her friend over here than with me. This arrangement apparently made her miss me, so now she's spending more time with me and seems more attached than ever. If there is some goal present of trying to drive a wedge between us it's working in reverse. She says that's not true but it sure has that appearance.
This weekend we set up and decorated the Christmas tree, made cookies together and set up a scene on a table with my little collection (growing) of ceramic houses with fake snow. I need to get more human and animal figures and some little fake trees and such. Going to add some battery operated LED lights. Next weekend we'll make our annual cookie ornaments. Meant to do that this weekend but somehow it didn't work out.
Got some homemade Gluten free beer which has been sitting for nearly two years. Decided to drink it tonight. First one is good and more mellow than before. Really high alcohol content! Good flavor, though. If it were to spoil, it would turn to vinegar and I could tell without taking a sip.
This morning, I tied up branches of the two tomato plants in the front room. They were going kinda wild. Turns out one of them has now grown taller than I am. The other is about my height. Had to spray them because there were eggs all over the leaves. Happened in the past week. Either aphid or fly eggs. I think fly eggs. Lots of them. Yuck.
Since my ex was pregnant with my daughter, we have seen series of identical digits, like 1111. They pop up unexpectedly in odd places. Like the fact that I have looked at the clock numerous times this week to see 11:11 or 2:22, each multiple times. I'm not strongly superstitious but this has happened a lot and never before daughter was conceived. From what I've read it's supposed to be good. Sign you're going the right direction in life. Hope so.
Not going to stay up too late. May go rent a movie. Have to get my check and do laundry in the morning.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Return to me
Since a couple of months ago and removing gluten from my diet entirely I have been on a slow return to myself.
It developed over time and I didn't understand it. I had lost much of my motivation, my humor and my optimism. Key parts of who I am. I'm not always cheerful but I typically have a positive outlook. I'm a fighter for good and have been my whole life. While that was still there, I wasn't quite feeling it.
Loss of energy and motivation took a toll. I had days when the house and yard were a mess, yet I sat without the energy to do any of it. When I did, there was little satisfaction and I got worn out easily. Looking at thinga which needed to be done did not get me excited but filled me with dread.
I haven't completely recovered but improving. Takes time for the body to regain balance. One difference was tonight. Looking out at the empty garden made me excited again. Months from spring yet the garden appears like a blank canvas to me, ready for the next work to be painted on it.
I have regained a sense of humor which was nearly gone. I've found myself laughing and smiling, which felt foreign for some time.
Gluten intolerance has been directly linked to a number of emotional and psychiatric disorders. If you suspect possible gluten intolerance in yourself, do not ignore it. It can steal your life and your health in many ways.
It developed over time and I didn't understand it. I had lost much of my motivation, my humor and my optimism. Key parts of who I am. I'm not always cheerful but I typically have a positive outlook. I'm a fighter for good and have been my whole life. While that was still there, I wasn't quite feeling it.
Loss of energy and motivation took a toll. I had days when the house and yard were a mess, yet I sat without the energy to do any of it. When I did, there was little satisfaction and I got worn out easily. Looking at thinga which needed to be done did not get me excited but filled me with dread.
I haven't completely recovered but improving. Takes time for the body to regain balance. One difference was tonight. Looking out at the empty garden made me excited again. Months from spring yet the garden appears like a blank canvas to me, ready for the next work to be painted on it.
I have regained a sense of humor which was nearly gone. I've found myself laughing and smiling, which felt foreign for some time.
Gluten intolerance has been directly linked to a number of emotional and psychiatric disorders. If you suspect possible gluten intolerance in yourself, do not ignore it. It can steal your life and your health in many ways.
Tree is up
Got the toy my daughter wanted. Then came home and got a bit of sleep. Woke up this afternoon, worked in the yard for a while because it's a mess.
Took apart the sun shelters because I'm going to get more serious about the solarium. Even if I have to buy one bag of cement and one board at a time. If necessary, I'll reconstruct the sun shelters but with new designs. For now I just want the yard to look better.
Keeping the ice chests outside is still working well. Tonight, I set out several ziplock bags of water to form ice blocks for extra cooling.
Put the tree together tonight and put the LED lights on. Daughter and I will decorate this weekend. The LED's are really bright and very pretty. I do wish they had white cords, since the tree is white. Oh, well.
In the next week, going to dig the garden out, mound the soil and cover it. Bit of work but a good way to compost grass and weed seeds, cutting down on their growth come springtime.
Going to do away with the raised beds. Another "failed" experiment. Really, just leaned it's not necessary. Finding ways to retain moisture and humidity are more important. Working on it.
Took apart the sun shelters because I'm going to get more serious about the solarium. Even if I have to buy one bag of cement and one board at a time. If necessary, I'll reconstruct the sun shelters but with new designs. For now I just want the yard to look better.
Keeping the ice chests outside is still working well. Tonight, I set out several ziplock bags of water to form ice blocks for extra cooling.
Put the tree together tonight and put the LED lights on. Daughter and I will decorate this weekend. The LED's are really bright and very pretty. I do wish they had white cords, since the tree is white. Oh, well.
In the next week, going to dig the garden out, mound the soil and cover it. Bit of work but a good way to compost grass and weed seeds, cutting down on their growth come springtime.
Going to do away with the raised beds. Another "failed" experiment. Really, just leaned it's not necessary. Finding ways to retain moisture and humidity are more important. Working on it.
Killing a couple of hours
Just killing a couple of hours until a certain store opens. For the first time in my life I recall, going shopping the day after TG. For one item only.
Daughter asked for one thing she wants for Christmas. It's something I doubt she'll play with very much but since it's the only thing she's mentioned.. Now it's on sale for 1/4 regular price for one day. Hardly worth that price but still..
Worked in ER tonight. It was slow. Patient count dropped and they sent me home early. Maybe I still can take a short nap and be up on time to not miss that item.
Daughter asked for one thing she wants for Christmas. It's something I doubt she'll play with very much but since it's the only thing she's mentioned.. Now it's on sale for 1/4 regular price for one day. Hardly worth that price but still..
Worked in ER tonight. It was slow. Patient count dropped and they sent me home early. Maybe I still can take a short nap and be up on time to not miss that item.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving 2010!
Hope everyone has a wonderful, happy and safe TG!
Mine is done, having celebrated with my daughter yesterday. Was scheduled to work last night but got canceled at the last minute. Kept my daughter here a little later. She gets sad when she has to go. So do I. It really sucks not having her here all the time. But maybe we enjoy each other's company more because it's not constant.
Managed to keep everything completely gluten free. For me, at least. I did make some regular chocolate chip cookies for daughter and others. (Had to keep avoiding the urge to lick my fingers after placing each batch on the pans!)
Made the onions for green bean casserole with milk and egg dip, then floured with corn flour, gluten free flour, arrow root and spices. Came out great! Couldn't tell they were gluten free at all! Little tip- don't shop for corn flour. Look for dry corn masa mix. Exact same thing, half the price or less.
Dressing was pure white cornbread. A little loose but good. Just made it very moist. Next time I'll use some gum of some type (guar, xanthan or cellulose) i did use some egg for cohesion but best to not do that again for me. Reaction to eggs also has gotten more pronounced. Blah!
During the day, I had dry ice to keep leftovers cool. Then put it all outside last night. It all froze. In ice chests now. In plastic containers, of course. Supposed to freeze every night this week. New thought is to place ziplock bags of water outside at night. Good for keeping things which can't be frozen. I find $2 a bag for frozen water to be ridiculous. Besides, the ziplock bags would be reuseable.
Now I still have some leftover dishes and pots and pans to wash. Yech! Then going to try making my own gluten free cookies.
Mine is done, having celebrated with my daughter yesterday. Was scheduled to work last night but got canceled at the last minute. Kept my daughter here a little later. She gets sad when she has to go. So do I. It really sucks not having her here all the time. But maybe we enjoy each other's company more because it's not constant.
Managed to keep everything completely gluten free. For me, at least. I did make some regular chocolate chip cookies for daughter and others. (Had to keep avoiding the urge to lick my fingers after placing each batch on the pans!)
Made the onions for green bean casserole with milk and egg dip, then floured with corn flour, gluten free flour, arrow root and spices. Came out great! Couldn't tell they were gluten free at all! Little tip- don't shop for corn flour. Look for dry corn masa mix. Exact same thing, half the price or less.
Dressing was pure white cornbread. A little loose but good. Just made it very moist. Next time I'll use some gum of some type (guar, xanthan or cellulose) i did use some egg for cohesion but best to not do that again for me. Reaction to eggs also has gotten more pronounced. Blah!
During the day, I had dry ice to keep leftovers cool. Then put it all outside last night. It all froze. In ice chests now. In plastic containers, of course. Supposed to freeze every night this week. New thought is to place ziplock bags of water outside at night. Good for keeping things which can't be frozen. I find $2 a bag for frozen water to be ridiculous. Besides, the ziplock bags would be reuseable.
Now I still have some leftover dishes and pots and pans to wash. Yech! Then going to try making my own gluten free cookies.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Cooking craze
Just about to get to bed. Did a lot of cooking tonight. Made slightly more than 80 tamales, gluten free fried onions, cornbread, chocolate chip cookies and six jars of pickles.
Just added more water to the tamale steamer and waiting for it to come to a boil. Then turn the heat off and let the remaining tamales finish cooking by residual heat.
Time for bed!
Just added more water to the tamale steamer and waiting for it to come to a boil. Then turn the heat off and let the remaining tamales finish cooking by residual heat.
Time for bed!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
More than planned
So, spent a bit more than I had planned on for TG. That's okay. Who doesn't? Besides, much of what I got will keep. Even the perishable stuff should keep with current weather, using the ice chest I have plus a cheap one bought today. I also got some dry ice to enhance that.
I got lots of dry goods, including corn husks and a different brand of corn masa mix. Several boxes of corn flakes. Dry milk. Lots of canned goods.
I also got a full size turkey. If it doesn't keep it seems like a waste but it was a choice between waste of food and waste of money. Chose to waste food. Too much risk of gluten in small processed turkey rolls. Besides, price difference was about $1 but 11-12 lbs of food. Long as it stays good, I get multiple meals from one $5 turkey. And I love TG leftovers!
Going to do TG tomorrow with my daughter. Tonight, going to do lots of cooking.
I got lots of dry goods, including corn husks and a different brand of corn masa mix. Several boxes of corn flakes. Dry milk. Lots of canned goods.
I also got a full size turkey. If it doesn't keep it seems like a waste but it was a choice between waste of food and waste of money. Chose to waste food. Too much risk of gluten in small processed turkey rolls. Besides, price difference was about $1 but 11-12 lbs of food. Long as it stays good, I get multiple meals from one $5 turkey. And I love TG leftovers!
Going to do TG tomorrow with my daughter. Tonight, going to do lots of cooking.
Restless
Kind of restless. Slept longer than intended today.
Last year, the weather changed early and drastically here. This year it is changing later and more gradually.
Last winter I also had so many drafts in my house I couldn't isolate them well. I weatherstripped the windows and tried to seal some other drafts but even finding them was a challenge. Now I'm finding and sealing them off. One major step was a few days ago. After finding some trouble spots, I got a couple of cans of Dow Great Stuff. This stuff is named right! I cleared and cleaned the planned areas to seal and set to work. It only took a few minutes and one can to seal drafts in several walls and below the back door. This stuff expanded to fill some huge spaces. Once cured, it becomes windproof and water proof. It's awesome! Can also be sanded and painted.
I also hung a tarp as a curtain between the living and dining rooms. This slows the migration of heated air through the house.
Had a wind storm yesterday and experienced no major drafts. Temp dropping to 20's this week and not nearly as cold as last year.
Really happy to be getting things more secure.
Last year, the weather changed early and drastically here. This year it is changing later and more gradually.
Last winter I also had so many drafts in my house I couldn't isolate them well. I weatherstripped the windows and tried to seal some other drafts but even finding them was a challenge. Now I'm finding and sealing them off. One major step was a few days ago. After finding some trouble spots, I got a couple of cans of Dow Great Stuff. This stuff is named right! I cleared and cleaned the planned areas to seal and set to work. It only took a few minutes and one can to seal drafts in several walls and below the back door. This stuff expanded to fill some huge spaces. Once cured, it becomes windproof and water proof. It's awesome! Can also be sanded and painted.
I also hung a tarp as a curtain between the living and dining rooms. This slows the migration of heated air through the house.
Had a wind storm yesterday and experienced no major drafts. Temp dropping to 20's this week and not nearly as cold as last year.
Really happy to be getting things more secure.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Hidden gluten
The more I remove gluten from my diet, the more violently I react to even small amounts hidden where it's not expected.
A few days ago, I found out my seasoned salt had wheat flour in it. Gave it to the ex. This morning I bought chorizo for breakfast. This evening, I started having severe intestinal cramps. Pulled the package out of the trash. Soy flour, which causes cross sensitivity.
Only benefit is that such reactions speed up digestion, so it doesn't last long.
Tonight, got supplies to amke tamales for TG. Not only do I avoid risk of gluten but I get a better product for a lower price. I also enjoy making them. Not many white boys make tamales, so that's what I refer to them as- my "white boy tamales". They take a lot of time and work but for the price of buying about 2 dozen made tamales, I can make 10-12 dozen. Have two huge pork roasts on the stove right now.
Happily, got to work last night. If I got no work before Wed night this week, I would only have about $100 to make it to next Mon or later. While the phone would be shut off this weekend if I didn't pay $25. That's now paid. Plus I had not shopped for TG yet. Now I can.
A few days ago, I found out my seasoned salt had wheat flour in it. Gave it to the ex. This morning I bought chorizo for breakfast. This evening, I started having severe intestinal cramps. Pulled the package out of the trash. Soy flour, which causes cross sensitivity.
Only benefit is that such reactions speed up digestion, so it doesn't last long.
Tonight, got supplies to amke tamales for TG. Not only do I avoid risk of gluten but I get a better product for a lower price. I also enjoy making them. Not many white boys make tamales, so that's what I refer to them as- my "white boy tamales". They take a lot of time and work but for the price of buying about 2 dozen made tamales, I can make 10-12 dozen. Have two huge pork roasts on the stove right now.
Happily, got to work last night. If I got no work before Wed night this week, I would only have about $100 to make it to next Mon or later. While the phone would be shut off this weekend if I didn't pay $25. That's now paid. Plus I had not shopped for TG yet. Now I can.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
No more garden this year
It's a really windy day but I got outside to do some work. Had some carrots and few other things which had survived bravely til this point. But had a couple of light frosts and hard freeze coming this week. Besides, whole thing was looking trashy.
Dug up rest of the carrots, which were all small. Onions weren't formed so planed a couple inside, see how they do. Btw, I am using existing light for the indoor plants. Took down all the trellises to save the netting. Most of the posts broke. Maybe I'll try painting them before setting next year. I'm still glad the netting held up.
Finally washed the Halloween stuff off the front window yesterday and painted a Christmas tree in it's place. Daughter was helping until her friend came along. Oh well.
Cooked the pumpkins which were big and ripe enough last night. Then made my first gluten free pumpkin pie. Used crushed corn flakes, couple tablespoons of rice flour, arrow root, sugar and melted butter. Then just pressed it in place like a graham cracker crust. Cooked as normal and let it cool overnight. Tried it this morning. It came out great for a first try! Think less rice flour next time.
For green bean casserole, have to make my own onions. Going to try corn flour and potato flakes mixed with vegetable oil and bake. If that doesn't work, back to corn flakes instead of flour. Of course, stuffing will be pure cornbread stuffing. Just a little because kiddo doesn't like stuffing.
Still have things to do today and work tonight.. I hope.
Dug up rest of the carrots, which were all small. Onions weren't formed so planed a couple inside, see how they do. Btw, I am using existing light for the indoor plants. Took down all the trellises to save the netting. Most of the posts broke. Maybe I'll try painting them before setting next year. I'm still glad the netting held up.
Finally washed the Halloween stuff off the front window yesterday and painted a Christmas tree in it's place. Daughter was helping until her friend came along. Oh well.
Cooked the pumpkins which were big and ripe enough last night. Then made my first gluten free pumpkin pie. Used crushed corn flakes, couple tablespoons of rice flour, arrow root, sugar and melted butter. Then just pressed it in place like a graham cracker crust. Cooked as normal and let it cool overnight. Tried it this morning. It came out great for a first try! Think less rice flour next time.
For green bean casserole, have to make my own onions. Going to try corn flour and potato flakes mixed with vegetable oil and bake. If that doesn't work, back to corn flakes instead of flour. Of course, stuffing will be pure cornbread stuffing. Just a little because kiddo doesn't like stuffing.
Still have things to do today and work tonight.. I hope.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Downsize
With the way I'm living right now, it may not be preferable but it's not bad. Just takes more planning. Truth is that it's just kind of the way many or most lived in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Though I do have a generator, TV, dorm fridge and CFC lights.
Now I went and bought some LED christmas lights, which pull much less power than even mini bulbs. If you were to use 1200 of them, they would still pull less than a single 100 watt bulb! Also got a couple of battery powered LED decorations for my daughter.
Since weather is getting colder, I place an ice chest outside with perishable food in it at night, bring it in in the morning.
The other day I was checking CL and someone was giving away large old windows. I went and got them. Turned out he gave me 16 glass panes, 8 largest of which were 3x5 ft. Two cracked on the way home but still the pieces are large enough to just cut to smaller window sizes, maybe even decorative. Good start for solarium! I have some cement posts set to begin building columns. Need more concrete and mortar mix.
Got a used gas space heater for $65. Puts out 35k btu and keeps several rooms warm. Actually better than the furnace did. Can't use fireplace when daughter's around because of her asthma. I have a CO detector right by the heater which has not gone off once in the 3 weeks I've had the heater. Tested it a few times and it works fine.
Most of the garden is done for the year. Wound up with 14 pumpkins of various sizes and types. Largest was about 40 lbs. Going to try two crops next year, one early and one traditional. Planted garlic a few days ago and some spinach is still growing.
Dug up and brought in tomato plants before the weather cooled too much. Now have tomato and pepper plants growing inside. A few are still growing tomatoes. Not a lot but not bad for November. I'll try to keep the good ones going and just move them out in the spring. I also planted some peas inside. Never got a crop outside. See how it goes. Never hurts to try.
Been working a lot last couple of weeks. Now I badly need to clean house.
Now I went and bought some LED christmas lights, which pull much less power than even mini bulbs. If you were to use 1200 of them, they would still pull less than a single 100 watt bulb! Also got a couple of battery powered LED decorations for my daughter.
Since weather is getting colder, I place an ice chest outside with perishable food in it at night, bring it in in the morning.
The other day I was checking CL and someone was giving away large old windows. I went and got them. Turned out he gave me 16 glass panes, 8 largest of which were 3x5 ft. Two cracked on the way home but still the pieces are large enough to just cut to smaller window sizes, maybe even decorative. Good start for solarium! I have some cement posts set to begin building columns. Need more concrete and mortar mix.
Got a used gas space heater for $65. Puts out 35k btu and keeps several rooms warm. Actually better than the furnace did. Can't use fireplace when daughter's around because of her asthma. I have a CO detector right by the heater which has not gone off once in the 3 weeks I've had the heater. Tested it a few times and it works fine.
Most of the garden is done for the year. Wound up with 14 pumpkins of various sizes and types. Largest was about 40 lbs. Going to try two crops next year, one early and one traditional. Planted garlic a few days ago and some spinach is still growing.
Dug up and brought in tomato plants before the weather cooled too much. Now have tomato and pepper plants growing inside. A few are still growing tomatoes. Not a lot but not bad for November. I'll try to keep the good ones going and just move them out in the spring. I also planted some peas inside. Never got a crop outside. See how it goes. Never hurts to try.
Been working a lot last couple of weeks. Now I badly need to clean house.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Long Time
Been quite a while since I last posted. That time has been quite eventful.
First off, I'm currently without main power in the house and have been for months. Service entry panel (meter box) burned out and the wiring had no ground at all. Electricity was turned off because it's a fire hazard. I replaced the panel, along with the breaker panel. But ordinances require an electrical contractor to inspect, which I haven't had money for. So, I've been using a small generator and power inverrter. Not much but it works. Working on ways to go solar and wind sooner than anticipated and just stay off the grid.
Knew the time would come. Had to go completely gluten free. As a result, lost 20 lbs in under a month. Some people think that's great but I didn't need to lose weight. Finding more foods I can eat now but most gluten free foods suck. Too many makers think gluten free means no fat. What damn part of "absorption disorder" do they not understand? As a result, all the products are dry and gritty. No focus on quality. Some better options are coming along, slowly. Some Walmarts now have entire gluten free sections with decent products at much better prices than the specialty markets. Does being gluten intolerant mean automatically rich? I Didn't receive my share of that bargain.
Writing on a new cell phone. Old one gave out. But gotta go finish laundry.
First off, I'm currently without main power in the house and have been for months. Service entry panel (meter box) burned out and the wiring had no ground at all. Electricity was turned off because it's a fire hazard. I replaced the panel, along with the breaker panel. But ordinances require an electrical contractor to inspect, which I haven't had money for. So, I've been using a small generator and power inverrter. Not much but it works. Working on ways to go solar and wind sooner than anticipated and just stay off the grid.
Knew the time would come. Had to go completely gluten free. As a result, lost 20 lbs in under a month. Some people think that's great but I didn't need to lose weight. Finding more foods I can eat now but most gluten free foods suck. Too many makers think gluten free means no fat. What damn part of "absorption disorder" do they not understand? As a result, all the products are dry and gritty. No focus on quality. Some better options are coming along, slowly. Some Walmarts now have entire gluten free sections with decent products at much better prices than the specialty markets. Does being gluten intolerant mean automatically rich? I Didn't receive my share of that bargain.
Writing on a new cell phone. Old one gave out. But gotta go finish laundry.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Pleasant surprise!
When I moved in here, there was a wooden fence along the south side of the yard. It was tragic and I took it down a few months ago.
Since spring arrived, a large vine I knew about on that fence has become much more obvious, growing tons of leaves. This weekend, I looked more closely at it and found lots of bunches of small globes growing on it. I looked closer and found they were grapes! Some were turning purple, so I tasted one. It was good! My daughter ate one. Then a couple. Then a handful.. She wanted to pick all of them. Told her to wait until they ripen.
Like most things around here, the vine is old and has been neglected for many years. Amazing it's still alive. Must have really deep roots. It's on the fence line between the neighbor's yard and my own but they don't water it and no evidence they even know the grapes are edible. It hasn't been fertilized in years. So, last night I watered it and today I fertilized it with liquid fertilizer.
The grapes are tiny and seeded but I'm hoping I can develop them further with some care. There are lots and lots of them and they taste good. If nothing else, they would make good juice and maybe even wine. I'm happy I saw the grapes while they're still mostly green.
If they develop and form larger grapes than at present, I'll have to take some cuttings at some point to grow grapes up the columns of the solarium once it's built (with hops on other columns).
No matter what, it's really cool to find out you have a grape vine along your fence that you didn't even know about!
Since spring arrived, a large vine I knew about on that fence has become much more obvious, growing tons of leaves. This weekend, I looked more closely at it and found lots of bunches of small globes growing on it. I looked closer and found they were grapes! Some were turning purple, so I tasted one. It was good! My daughter ate one. Then a couple. Then a handful.. She wanted to pick all of them. Told her to wait until they ripen.
Like most things around here, the vine is old and has been neglected for many years. Amazing it's still alive. Must have really deep roots. It's on the fence line between the neighbor's yard and my own but they don't water it and no evidence they even know the grapes are edible. It hasn't been fertilized in years. So, last night I watered it and today I fertilized it with liquid fertilizer.
The grapes are tiny and seeded but I'm hoping I can develop them further with some care. There are lots and lots of them and they taste good. If nothing else, they would make good juice and maybe even wine. I'm happy I saw the grapes while they're still mostly green.
If they develop and form larger grapes than at present, I'll have to take some cuttings at some point to grow grapes up the columns of the solarium once it's built (with hops on other columns).
No matter what, it's really cool to find out you have a grape vine along your fence that you didn't even know about!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Companion planting at work
So, some pictures showing that companion planting is working here. Some of my plants would seem crowded by some standards. However, I've come to the conclusion that such crowding may be harmful in cooler climates. Here, it is beneficial. That is, as long as there is enough moisture and fertilizer for all the plants present. In this environment, plants overlapping helps keep the soil temperature down, retains moisture for actual use by the plants themselves, aside from the benefits some plants may offer others. (Beans for Nitrogen, Marigolds to repel insects, etc.)
In the pictures, it's obvious that the bleached spots on the lettuce leaves are where they are not shaded by the lettuce. Shade from the pumpkin leaves is keeping soil temps down for surrounding plants.
I am watching to be sure the plants don't strangle each other out.
I potted more giant pumpkin seeds tonight. Going to plant them around the edges of the garden. Pumpkin, corn and green beans are supposed to get along really well and are the most often used example of companion planting. I may be a few days late by some calendars for planting large pumpkins but they should still reach a decent size in time for the holidays.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Big pumpkin plant!
May be no big deal to people who grow pumpkins all the time but this is rather amazing to me. This pumpkin plant is growing huge! You can see from the picture that it dwarfs the hen and chick together. Leaves are a full foot across. Now, my preference in pumpkins is for the small pie-type pumpkins, so I have a lot more of those planted. However, I think I'll plant a couple more of these at the edges of the garden just for novelty and self-esteem! Bragging rights are everything. Especially here in NM, where most of the produce seems to be miniature because of a combination of heat and poor gardening techniques.
Corn is showing silk and developing ears one at a time. Not a surprise, with the way I planted it and with multiple varieties planted. I've already narrowed down the field for planting next year, though still may rotate out to trying other varieties, depending on flavor and the rest of the season.
Neighbor was telling me the other day how I need to remove all the grass and plant one crop in each mound. That's the way they did it when he was growing up here in NM. He'd never heard of companion planting and thought it a bad idea.
I'm checking into growing tobacco for personal use. Even if I stop smoking, it makes a good insecticide. Just want to get the right strain of tobacco.
Lettuce finally flowered, so I cut the flower stalks off and laid them out to dry. Feeding the tall leafy section to the rabbits. Next time I plant lettuce, I don't think it will be so much. Unless I plant extra for the rabbits and to sell.
The aphid mixture I sprayed on the garden the other day didn't work so well. Then I found out I used the wrong jar from the fridge. The one I used had no garlic in it. I've noted the bees and butterflies don't mind the garlic much but the ants and aphids really don't care for it. So, finding the right mixture makes coming up with salable produce much more likely.
Cabbage is finally forming definable heads. Green bean and cucumber plants are flowering and beginning to develop fruit. (Still really tiny.) Not quite sure I'll have any broccoli at all, with the aphid damage and clay soil where I planted but I planted more where the soil is better.
Looks like a cat got to the rooster, so now I'm down to one big hen and one little hen. The big hen should start laying in another month or so. Little one not for at least three months. Have to get another rooster chick in a couple of weeks. Going to look into raising some chickens for meat, as well. Have to do some reading on what that takes. Know I can't do any of the slaughtering while daughter is around. She couldn't take that. I'd be kind of worried if she could.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
I smell salsa!
Moved a bunch of tomato seedlings into larger pots tonight. Total tomato plants of all sizes now 39 plants. If all goes well, I should have a decent crop in 2-3 months. Between them, onions and peppers I should be able to make a whole bunch of salsa at that time! Among other things, of course.
I also have pickling cucumbers growing and planted dill today. Can make a lot of pickles when the time is right.
I'm saving all my jars. May have to go the old-fashioned route and use wax to seal some of them. Unless I get a lot of work, not going to be able to afford as many canning jars as I hope to need. Though the possibility does increase if I have enough produce to sell.
I also have pickling cucumbers growing and planted dill today. Can make a lot of pickles when the time is right.
I'm saving all my jars. May have to go the old-fashioned route and use wax to seal some of them. Unless I get a lot of work, not going to be able to afford as many canning jars as I hope to need. Though the possibility does increase if I have enough produce to sell.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Up to four
Now up to four shelters built. Latest one doesn't have legs yet. Need to cut up some pallets for materials and also need to pick up more pallets on Friday. Ones I have left differ in size, are ugly and/or have broken parts.
Transplanted out 5 more tomato plants into the newly covered mound for a total of 14 plants now in the ground. Still have a few more about ready to transplant out and dozens of seedlings a couple of inches tall now.
Moved the hutch over and collected, collected the bunny droppings and spread them around the garden. Mixed liberally into the newest mound.
Nicotine spray seems to have done some good. Not much sign of aphids or ants (which herd and "farm" aphids) and not much new damage evident. Still, mixed up some nicotine with onion, garlic and tomato leaf and sprayed the whole garden this evening. Just sprayed around the edges of the tomato mounds. If that works, I'll spray the whole yard. Further I drive the aphids out, the better. Most of the ants will likely follow. I don't mind the ants, themselves. Just their habit of aiding and abetting the aphids.
Still waiting for the lettuce to flower. Sure taking it's time. Should be able to collect lots and lots of seeds from them. Separated out the spinach seeds and wound up with at least a couple hundred. Have to separate out the cabbage seeds tomorrow.
Transplanted out 5 more tomato plants into the newly covered mound for a total of 14 plants now in the ground. Still have a few more about ready to transplant out and dozens of seedlings a couple of inches tall now.
Moved the hutch over and collected, collected the bunny droppings and spread them around the garden. Mixed liberally into the newest mound.
Nicotine spray seems to have done some good. Not much sign of aphids or ants (which herd and "farm" aphids) and not much new damage evident. Still, mixed up some nicotine with onion, garlic and tomato leaf and sprayed the whole garden this evening. Just sprayed around the edges of the tomato mounds. If that works, I'll spray the whole yard. Further I drive the aphids out, the better. Most of the ants will likely follow. I don't mind the ants, themselves. Just their habit of aiding and abetting the aphids.
Still waiting for the lettuce to flower. Sure taking it's time. Should be able to collect lots and lots of seeds from them. Separated out the spinach seeds and wound up with at least a couple hundred. Have to separate out the cabbage seeds tomorrow.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Pollination, wind and nicotine spray
Tried something new today. Made some nicotine spray from used cigarette butts. Sprayed it all over the garden, except for the tomato plants. I did spray around the edges of the tomato mounds. Nicotine is supposed to kill aphids on contact. The toxicity only lasts for a few hours. Onion, garlic, tomato leaf and even marigold solutions act as aphid repellents but don't kill them. The nicotine dissipates after a few hours, while the others may last until the next rain. So in any case, treatment will have to be repeated. Thought today was try to kill off as many as possible, then use repellent sprays to keep them out.
Pollinated the corn plants by hand today. (Doubtful you can come up with any plant sex jokes I haven't already thought of!) Have to pull the tassels from the top and rub them on the silk strands. Really interesting because in a few moments, the red silk begins turning brown as each strand is pollinated. Each strand leads to an individual kernel on the cob, so you have to pollinate as many strands as possible. If you miss too many, the corn will have gaps of undeveloped kernels. Few hours after that, the pollinated red strands turn completely brown, so it's easy to see which ones are not pollinated.
Wind kicked up hard again this evening. Too hard to work on much outside. Have to get more shelters built this week. Decided to keep with the basic A-frame design. Inexpensive, easy and fast to build, rather stable. Been thinking ahead to colder weather an think the A-frames should be easy to adapt to cold covers. I can cover west and south sides with glass (preferable) or plastic and the east and north sides with plywood painted white on the inside to concentrate heat. I'll have to put hinges on the end pieces for access.
I think this design and larger adaptations hold a lot of promise for arid environments. Even if pallets aren't available, a similar design of construction is affordable and realistic.
Pollinated the corn plants by hand today. (Doubtful you can come up with any plant sex jokes I haven't already thought of!) Have to pull the tassels from the top and rub them on the silk strands. Really interesting because in a few moments, the red silk begins turning brown as each strand is pollinated. Each strand leads to an individual kernel on the cob, so you have to pollinate as many strands as possible. If you miss too many, the corn will have gaps of undeveloped kernels. Few hours after that, the pollinated red strands turn completely brown, so it's easy to see which ones are not pollinated.
Wind kicked up hard again this evening. Too hard to work on much outside. Have to get more shelters built this week. Decided to keep with the basic A-frame design. Inexpensive, easy and fast to build, rather stable. Been thinking ahead to colder weather an think the A-frames should be easy to adapt to cold covers. I can cover west and south sides with glass (preferable) or plastic and the east and north sides with plywood painted white on the inside to concentrate heat. I'll have to put hinges on the end pieces for access.
I think this design and larger adaptations hold a lot of promise for arid environments. Even if pallets aren't available, a similar design of construction is affordable and realistic.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Rain and corn
It actually rained real rain today! Yay! Like, rained enough to not have to water the garden or the lawn for once. Cooled things down a bit this afternoon. All the plants, animals and people were happy. That I know of, of course. Happened with good timing, too. Had just treated the garden with ammonia yesterday. The corn was needing it.
Went out to plant some more corn in the spaces which were lacking. Turned out there were few spaces lacking, after all. Lots of small corn stalks coming up which are still so small they're hidden by the lettuce and cabbage. But they look healthy, still developing a root system.
Some of the larger corn plants are silking and developing ears now. I'm excited! Never been close enough for any period of time to see this process. Was just reading on how to hand pollinate corn plants, which I need to do tomorrow, before it's too late.
The two sun shelters are still doing a great job. Allowing enough light in for the plants to grow but preventing the soil from being overheated. Picked up six more pallets yesterday, have to get busy and construct more shelters soon. Some tomato plants are outgrowing their containers and I have many more plants beginning to sprout.
Planted out some more flowers last night, keeping them currently under pallets and they are doing well.
I'm really happy to see all the elements are in place for growth. After fertilizing, composting, weeding, digging, building and watering, I just could not figure out what was wrong. This was the final element, it seems. All the other aspects remain necessary but were going to do no good if the heat problem was not addressed.
Now I can put more energy into the aphid battle. Arrgghh! I have noted that aphids don't care for onions as well as garlic. I have a solution of garlic and tomato leaf in the fridge, so today added some onion peel to the mixture. Smells like it would make a good Italian dinner. Tomorrow, I'll try spraying a watered down solution of this mixture over the garden and see how it helps.
Went out to plant some more corn in the spaces which were lacking. Turned out there were few spaces lacking, after all. Lots of small corn stalks coming up which are still so small they're hidden by the lettuce and cabbage. But they look healthy, still developing a root system.
Some of the larger corn plants are silking and developing ears now. I'm excited! Never been close enough for any period of time to see this process. Was just reading on how to hand pollinate corn plants, which I need to do tomorrow, before it's too late.
The two sun shelters are still doing a great job. Allowing enough light in for the plants to grow but preventing the soil from being overheated. Picked up six more pallets yesterday, have to get busy and construct more shelters soon. Some tomato plants are outgrowing their containers and I have many more plants beginning to sprout.
Planted out some more flowers last night, keeping them currently under pallets and they are doing well.
I'm really happy to see all the elements are in place for growth. After fertilizing, composting, weeding, digging, building and watering, I just could not figure out what was wrong. This was the final element, it seems. All the other aspects remain necessary but were going to do no good if the heat problem was not addressed.
Now I can put more energy into the aphid battle. Arrgghh! I have noted that aphids don't care for onions as well as garlic. I have a solution of garlic and tomato leaf in the fridge, so today added some onion peel to the mixture. Smells like it would make a good Italian dinner. Tomorrow, I'll try spraying a watered down solution of this mixture over the garden and see how it helps.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Raining sand
Forecast for tonight has been rain for the last few days. Yeah. If you count the sand raining on my head, we have rain. Yee haw. Other than that, the wind is gusting up to 50+ mph, threatening to rip up the awnings and tear plants right out of the ground. Glad I have shelter for all the animals.
Sun shelters are doing a great job! Even giving some partial protection from the wind now. Last tomato plant transplanted still looks healthy, so moved another one in the same mound tonight. After the experiences of last year, I'm thinking of making half shelters for a number of rows in the garden. If the corn doesn't serve that purpose, of course.
We now have flowers blooming in the garden! Yay! Not many so far but some. Hope to see more before daughter comes over on Friday. Have more flower seeds sprouting inside in improvised seed greenhouses, made from clear plastic candy and donut trays. Means the dime seeds from Dollar Tree are very viable.Just started them on Sunday, I think.
This past weekend, I potted about 100 various seeds, aside from the flower seeds.
Some of the melon and pumpkin plants are getting rather large now. Hoping to have better luck than last year on those.
Okay, need to get to bed. Long day tomorrow.
Sun shelters are doing a great job! Even giving some partial protection from the wind now. Last tomato plant transplanted still looks healthy, so moved another one in the same mound tonight. After the experiences of last year, I'm thinking of making half shelters for a number of rows in the garden. If the corn doesn't serve that purpose, of course.
We now have flowers blooming in the garden! Yay! Not many so far but some. Hope to see more before daughter comes over on Friday. Have more flower seeds sprouting inside in improvised seed greenhouses, made from clear plastic candy and donut trays. Means the dime seeds from Dollar Tree are very viable.Just started them on Sunday, I think.
This past weekend, I potted about 100 various seeds, aside from the flower seeds.
Some of the melon and pumpkin plants are getting rather large now. Hoping to have better luck than last year on those.
Okay, need to get to bed. Long day tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
A-frame shelter
I decided the best design for the sun shelters was to build A-frames. Takes fewer materials and they're easy to build with pallets. I built the first one this evening using two fairly large pallets and some 2x4 pieces salvaged from some other pallets I had previously cut apart for other uses. Just a simple A shape with legs on it and nailed some crossbeams in place. Whole thing stands over 5 ft tall, so a decent height for tomato plants. Placed over one of the mounds. Transplanted a smaller tomato plant into the mound. See how things look tomorrow. I don't think there's a need to anchor it between the weight and the air flow through the structure meaning low resistance.
In the first sheltered mound, I had transplanted a weak looking tomato plant and it seems to be recovering and doing better. The other two plants there are doing well and growing quickly now. I had been apprehensive that something was wrong with the soil in that area but this is bearing out that the soil is good. (At least with all the amendments and organic materials I've added.) The strawberries with the pallet over them are also doing much better than they were and growing quickly. That gave me some hope, so I planted all the strawberry seeds I harvested not long ago to try planting in the planters with shelters. Hope I let those seeds dry long enough.
So, I'll be building more shelters, mostly A-frames in different configurations to figure out the best design. May take an effort to convert to cold covers later in the year but at least rain and snow will run right off them.
The Ironite has shown some serious value in only a few days. Lots of things look larger and healthier than before. This has to be one of the more valuable additives I have used so far.
In the main (south) garden, all the rows now have growth nearly all the way down. Except for the far west end, which is where the soil turns from sand to clay. The vermiculite appears to be helping but a lot more compost and mulch will probably help more. At some point, I'll probably just tear down those mounds, mix the sand and clay from the two areas and add lots of compost and mulch to normalize it all. As it is, it's now looking like I should have melons, green beans and cucumbers in a few weeks and pumpkins before Halloween. Larger than 4" across, that is.
In the first sheltered mound, I had transplanted a weak looking tomato plant and it seems to be recovering and doing better. The other two plants there are doing well and growing quickly now. I had been apprehensive that something was wrong with the soil in that area but this is bearing out that the soil is good. (At least with all the amendments and organic materials I've added.) The strawberries with the pallet over them are also doing much better than they were and growing quickly. That gave me some hope, so I planted all the strawberry seeds I harvested not long ago to try planting in the planters with shelters. Hope I let those seeds dry long enough.
So, I'll be building more shelters, mostly A-frames in different configurations to figure out the best design. May take an effort to convert to cold covers later in the year but at least rain and snow will run right off them.
The Ironite has shown some serious value in only a few days. Lots of things look larger and healthier than before. This has to be one of the more valuable additives I have used so far.
In the main (south) garden, all the rows now have growth nearly all the way down. Except for the far west end, which is where the soil turns from sand to clay. The vermiculite appears to be helping but a lot more compost and mulch will probably help more. At some point, I'll probably just tear down those mounds, mix the sand and clay from the two areas and add lots of compost and mulch to normalize it all. As it is, it's now looking like I should have melons, green beans and cucumbers in a few weeks and pumpkins before Halloween. Larger than 4" across, that is.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Ironite and shade
Well, it did not look at first like the Ironite had done much good when I got home from work today. However, once the sun started going behind the trees and the plants started recovering from another day of 95 degree heat, the picture kind of changed. No miracles but nearly everything looked much perkier than it had before. Maybe it will have more effect with more time and as watering brings more of it to the roots.
The experiment with the shade structure for the tomato plants worked! When I got home in the heat of the day, the plants in the covered mound showed no signs of heat stress. The small, kind of stunted one was even a bit taller.
I had also placed one pallet over the strawberry planter last night. The soil is well below the top. The remaining plants looked much healthier than they had been looking!
So, guess I need to start scouting pallets again. I had a decent pile by the shed and had stopped looking for a while. I can probably build some shelters from 2x4's and pallets for the hottest part of the day. By the time the sun passes far enough west to go beyond the shelters, it's only a short time until it goes behind the trees. Partial and indirect sunlight should work well here. Only problem is how to anchor the structures cheaply, not unattractively and not permanently but still able to withstand the occasional winds here.
The experiment with the shade structure for the tomato plants worked! When I got home in the heat of the day, the plants in the covered mound showed no signs of heat stress. The small, kind of stunted one was even a bit taller.
I had also placed one pallet over the strawberry planter last night. The soil is well below the top. The remaining plants looked much healthier than they had been looking!
So, guess I need to start scouting pallets again. I had a decent pile by the shed and had stopped looking for a while. I can probably build some shelters from 2x4's and pallets for the hottest part of the day. By the time the sun passes far enough west to go beyond the shelters, it's only a short time until it goes behind the trees. Partial and indirect sunlight should work well here. Only problem is how to anchor the structures cheaply, not unattractively and not permanently but still able to withstand the occasional winds here.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Bad math
I've previously stated the size of my garden as being 120 sq ft. I've had a feeling I needed to measure again or at least do the math over. Seemed like it took up a lot of space and required a lot of work for only 120 sq ft. I didn't have to remeasure, just do the math. (In my defense, I'll say I've stated the measurements in many cases and nobody has corrected my calculations to date.) So, being 30 ft x 40 ft, it's not 120 sq ft, it's 1200 sq ft! Guess that explains a lot of why it takes so much work and it takes up almost 1/4 of my back yard, which is 6000 sq ft.
Still been struggling with getting tomatoes to grow. I get them started just fine, then when I try to harden them off, they die off. I finally figured it out. The containers heat up too fast in the sun. While to foliage loves sunlight, the roots have been getting too hot. Containers and raised beds heat up faster than the surrounding soil and don't cool down from air circulation, so the heat just builds up inside. I even transplanted some this evening, after the sun went down. The soil in the center (right around the roots) was still hot to touch. Not warm but hot. So, it would be best if I placed them in larger containers. And I need to forget the structured mounds and raised beds or construct shelters for them. Right now, testing with a small partial shelter over one mound, made of three pallets. Not nailed together or anything, so I hope the wind doesn't get crazy tonight or tomorrow. Want to see how the plants do in that mound.
Added vermiculite to part of the yard and garden this evening. Plus Ironite to much of the area. Part of the garden is rather hard clay soil and not doing well. I've read that desert soil tends to lack iron. I'll see how it all does soon, I guess.
My daughter helped me harvest the few remaining peas yesterday. Saving them for later planting. Then I pulled the vines, breaking them off at ground level, leaving the root nodules in place. Roots are where the bacteria colonize which help anchor N in the soil. As I pulled, I handed the vines to my daughter and she fed them to the bunnies. She had fun watching them eat entire vines and the bunnies enjoyed the meal. Happy kid, happy bunnies. Can't ask for much more than that!
Now I have more space clear for planting summer crops. Things have been picking up and I have several pumpkin and melon vines growing rather well, as well as some green bean and cucumber plants. Several corn plants have crowned. Hope that's good, since they're as tall as my waist at most.
Still been struggling with getting tomatoes to grow. I get them started just fine, then when I try to harden them off, they die off. I finally figured it out. The containers heat up too fast in the sun. While to foliage loves sunlight, the roots have been getting too hot. Containers and raised beds heat up faster than the surrounding soil and don't cool down from air circulation, so the heat just builds up inside. I even transplanted some this evening, after the sun went down. The soil in the center (right around the roots) was still hot to touch. Not warm but hot. So, it would be best if I placed them in larger containers. And I need to forget the structured mounds and raised beds or construct shelters for them. Right now, testing with a small partial shelter over one mound, made of three pallets. Not nailed together or anything, so I hope the wind doesn't get crazy tonight or tomorrow. Want to see how the plants do in that mound.
Added vermiculite to part of the yard and garden this evening. Plus Ironite to much of the area. Part of the garden is rather hard clay soil and not doing well. I've read that desert soil tends to lack iron. I'll see how it all does soon, I guess.
My daughter helped me harvest the few remaining peas yesterday. Saving them for later planting. Then I pulled the vines, breaking them off at ground level, leaving the root nodules in place. Roots are where the bacteria colonize which help anchor N in the soil. As I pulled, I handed the vines to my daughter and she fed them to the bunnies. She had fun watching them eat entire vines and the bunnies enjoyed the meal. Happy kid, happy bunnies. Can't ask for much more than that!
Now I have more space clear for planting summer crops. Things have been picking up and I have several pumpkin and melon vines growing rather well, as well as some green bean and cucumber plants. Several corn plants have crowned. Hope that's good, since they're as tall as my waist at most.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Getting back on track
My daughter helped me and we caught the missing bunny. I had seen it in the yard one day but it ran through a hole under the fence back into the neighbor's yard, too fast for me. Then my daughter saw it in the yard again and went out to catch it. I followed and, knowing what to expect, blocked the hole in the fence. Took a bit of running and chasing but we finally caught it. It's back in the hutch, no injuries to anyone. It's not too happy about it but it's still alive. I'm happy it evaded cats, dogs, hawks and rodent poisons to return safely.
Had to treat the garden with ammonia again this week. Sometimes it makes things look slightly damaged for one day, then they all bounce back. Some of the corn is up to my hip and I have more stalks coming up, so there are at least 58 corn stalks at this time. Not sure all of those will make it but I still have more planted which isn't showing yet.
Temps have gone down and forecasted to be lower for at least the next week. Hoping they remain down but not counting on it. If they do stay down for a while, I can probably get some portion of the solarium built before fall.
Little by little, having some success with the tomatoes. Some have taken a beating from the heat but the ones still potted are doing well. Getting them acclimated to the sun again, now that it's not a blast furnace.
Most of the peas have died back but I have green beans and cucumber plants to replace them, starting this evening. Spinach is either growing taller or going to seed, not sure which. I'll be happy either way.
Had to treat the garden with ammonia again this week. Sometimes it makes things look slightly damaged for one day, then they all bounce back. Some of the corn is up to my hip and I have more stalks coming up, so there are at least 58 corn stalks at this time. Not sure all of those will make it but I still have more planted which isn't showing yet.
Temps have gone down and forecasted to be lower for at least the next week. Hoping they remain down but not counting on it. If they do stay down for a while, I can probably get some portion of the solarium built before fall.
Little by little, having some success with the tomatoes. Some have taken a beating from the heat but the ones still potted are doing well. Getting them acclimated to the sun again, now that it's not a blast furnace.
Most of the peas have died back but I have green beans and cucumber plants to replace them, starting this evening. Spinach is either growing taller or going to seed, not sure which. I'll be happy either way.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Some success, some sorrow
The baby bunny died yesterday. Not sure why. It was energetic but not very hungry in the morning before I went to work. When I got home it was dead. Maybe infection to the leg wound. I had kept it in the box lined with cloth in the house, so it didn't get too hot. From what I've read, abandoned bunnies don't usually survive, though.
The missing bunny is holing up in the neighbor's storage tent in his back yard. Tried coaxing it out but it's skittish, as rabbits tend to be. Just have to keep trying.
Having some success with soil condition. Even in the extreme temps we're having, the soil is now retaining some moisture. Enough that I don't have to water every day as I had to for a while. Hence, I could skip watering today. Things are still coming up in the garden, though the heat is having a bad effect on some plants.
After harvesting the Romaine, I noted lots of holes in other plants. Seems I displaced a large aphid infestation. Haven't wanted to drive off the butterflies and ladybugs but something had to be done. Garlic apparently drives them away, while tomato leaf spray only affects aphids. Not enough tomato leaves to treat the whole garden. So, I mixed up a batch of combined tomato leaf and liquid garlic extract in the sprayer and treated the whole garden. I could see the aphids scattering as I sprayed. I was sure to treat the trenches, cardboard and underside of leaves as I went. Left out soap from the solution, not wanting to burn plants. Did that yesterday and today the plants seem to be recovering nicely. The butterflies don't seem to mind the mixture much, after all. They're still fluttering around.
Got on the roof yesterday and built the shelter for the swamp cooler. Covers three sides and the top. Made it from wood pallets. Tried to paint it white but had bought spray paint and it didn't work so well. So I'll have to get up there sometime and paint it by hand. Works well, shades much of the cooler but allows air flow to get through. Think I will add a piece of plywood to the top to limit more sun. Whole thing can just be tilted for access to the cooler.
I also put up some makeshift awnings over the two largest back windows. Just blue tarps attached to the roof at one end and roped and staked at the other end. Keeps the afternoon sun out of the windows but still lets light through.
Okay. Off to bed at a decent time for when I have to get up.
The missing bunny is holing up in the neighbor's storage tent in his back yard. Tried coaxing it out but it's skittish, as rabbits tend to be. Just have to keep trying.
Having some success with soil condition. Even in the extreme temps we're having, the soil is now retaining some moisture. Enough that I don't have to water every day as I had to for a while. Hence, I could skip watering today. Things are still coming up in the garden, though the heat is having a bad effect on some plants.
After harvesting the Romaine, I noted lots of holes in other plants. Seems I displaced a large aphid infestation. Haven't wanted to drive off the butterflies and ladybugs but something had to be done. Garlic apparently drives them away, while tomato leaf spray only affects aphids. Not enough tomato leaves to treat the whole garden. So, I mixed up a batch of combined tomato leaf and liquid garlic extract in the sprayer and treated the whole garden. I could see the aphids scattering as I sprayed. I was sure to treat the trenches, cardboard and underside of leaves as I went. Left out soap from the solution, not wanting to burn plants. Did that yesterday and today the plants seem to be recovering nicely. The butterflies don't seem to mind the mixture much, after all. They're still fluttering around.
Got on the roof yesterday and built the shelter for the swamp cooler. Covers three sides and the top. Made it from wood pallets. Tried to paint it white but had bought spray paint and it didn't work so well. So I'll have to get up there sometime and paint it by hand. Works well, shades much of the cooler but allows air flow to get through. Think I will add a piece of plywood to the top to limit more sun. Whole thing can just be tilted for access to the cooler.
I also put up some makeshift awnings over the two largest back windows. Just blue tarps attached to the roof at one end and roped and staked at the other end. Keeps the afternoon sun out of the windows but still lets light through.
Okay. Off to bed at a decent time for when I have to get up.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
