The weather has been much nicer than the forecast stated for today. Until now. Clouds piling up as I write.
Given the decent morning, I chose to use it wisely.
Pulled back the plastic from the largest section of the south garden. Tilled that section again, then raked the large clumps of grass out and tossed them in the compost pit. Then used the manual rotary cultivator on the whole area. Watered and covered it back up. Soil looks marvelous! Leaves almost completely broken down and grass is following nicely.
Compost pit has accelerated since weather has been warm. But I need to stop adding material to it now for it to be ready by April.
Since I was at it, went ahead and dug more rows in the south garden. At least partial rows. Dug out a total of five rows this morning. Grand total for the whole garden will be 12 rows this year. Most will be split in half, resulting in up to 20 or 21 mounds. Im sure I should be able to grow something useful out of that!
Still no work for now. Hoping the weather change has an effect on that. Current agency said all agency nurses were canceled over the weekend. No word of a shift for tonight. New agency said they should get my paperwork back today (background and drug screen), so they'll call me tomorrow.
Library is closed. Not much else to do. Think a nap is in order.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Cold front
The cold front arrived earlier than originally forecast. Actually two fronts converging. Supposed to be cold for the next few days. As low as 2 degrees Thur night.
Decided to make some vinegar for use in the garden. I have all the stuff needed to make beer, which is all that's needed for vinegar. This should be (I hope) simpler and faster than beer. Since it's not for consumption, not worrying about sterility very much but everything is clean. Just using straight sugar and fast acting baker's yeast. Added a few ounces of various kinds of vinegar, which should speed up the process. Cooler weather slows the process down but doesn't stop it. Making it in a 5 gal carboy. Not sure how fast or strong it will be but if it doesn't come out too strong I'll have plenty of it. There won't be any need for filtering, since the dead yeast at the end will be good for the garden.
Hope I start hearing things back from employers and agencies today.
If I didn't have things to keep my mind occupied I think I'd be losing my grip by now. I may write a lot but not otherwise grasping for attention from others.
Little after 10- Got up and moving a little. Turned out that while it was cloudy this morning (clear now), it wasn't cold. Never even froze last night. Maybe a warm front being pushed ahead of the cold front. Not uncommon.
Dug another row. Soil is still loose and it didn't take long. Then tested the soil pH on that row. It's neutral to weakly acidic! Yay! Only a little further to go with that. It's about 6.0 now. I'd like it around 5.5. Much better than the 7.0 or above previously. But even where it stands, things should now grow there where they wouldn't before.
Left a walkway through the center of the garden about 3 ft wide and with trenches before the rows on each side. A few feet out from the far end of the walkway I'll make one raised circular bed for flowers.
Can't fully form the north side yet. The raised beds are there with garlic and spinach growing. Once the garlic is harvested, I can take up the raised beds and form rows. That probably won't be until June or July. Do what I can between until then. Have 15 garlic growing which are visible now but a lot more planted.
No word yet on any work tonight. Hope I at least get my W2 today.
Decided to make some vinegar for use in the garden. I have all the stuff needed to make beer, which is all that's needed for vinegar. This should be (I hope) simpler and faster than beer. Since it's not for consumption, not worrying about sterility very much but everything is clean. Just using straight sugar and fast acting baker's yeast. Added a few ounces of various kinds of vinegar, which should speed up the process. Cooler weather slows the process down but doesn't stop it. Making it in a 5 gal carboy. Not sure how fast or strong it will be but if it doesn't come out too strong I'll have plenty of it. There won't be any need for filtering, since the dead yeast at the end will be good for the garden.
Hope I start hearing things back from employers and agencies today.
If I didn't have things to keep my mind occupied I think I'd be losing my grip by now. I may write a lot but not otherwise grasping for attention from others.
Little after 10- Got up and moving a little. Turned out that while it was cloudy this morning (clear now), it wasn't cold. Never even froze last night. Maybe a warm front being pushed ahead of the cold front. Not uncommon.
Dug another row. Soil is still loose and it didn't take long. Then tested the soil pH on that row. It's neutral to weakly acidic! Yay! Only a little further to go with that. It's about 6.0 now. I'd like it around 5.5. Much better than the 7.0 or above previously. But even where it stands, things should now grow there where they wouldn't before.
Left a walkway through the center of the garden about 3 ft wide and with trenches before the rows on each side. A few feet out from the far end of the walkway I'll make one raised circular bed for flowers.
Can't fully form the north side yet. The raised beds are there with garlic and spinach growing. Once the garlic is harvested, I can take up the raised beds and form rows. That probably won't be until June or July. Do what I can between until then. Have 15 garlic growing which are visible now but a lot more planted.
No word yet on any work tonight. Hope I at least get my W2 today.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Simple Sunday
Daughter and I just did things around here today. Seems to have gotten to be a pattern but not a bad one. A day of simplicity to rest and recharge before she has a whole week at school.
She had her money and we went to Walgreen's so she could pick out a toy. Didn't take long. She picked out a little battery operated dog. Funny, she's had two of the same toy before. Same thing happens to each one. Wires come loose from the inside top. But she always loved them, though she doesn't recall having one before.
We played games, she played with friends, we read part of a book, went for a walk. Doesn't sound like much but we had a good day.
While she was playing with friends, I finished filling in the spot where the flowers will go.
Noticed the neighbors have a bunch of lawn bags in front of their yard. Think I'll check and see if it's all leaves and grass, ask if I can have them. If it's something else, noted there are hundreds of lbs of leaves in and next to the nearest viaduct. Could take the largest garbage can and fill it, packed. Of course this is all for more compost. At the current time I'm doing well but not great. Still too much clay. Another leaf pile wouldn't be harmful and would be composted by early April if I run them through the mulching mower and keep them covered with plastic. Too bad I don't have a way to heat them up to kill off the weed seeds or I could use them directly. Oh, well.
I'm just getting more determined than ever that this spring will be successful across the entire garden.
She had her money and we went to Walgreen's so she could pick out a toy. Didn't take long. She picked out a little battery operated dog. Funny, she's had two of the same toy before. Same thing happens to each one. Wires come loose from the inside top. But she always loved them, though she doesn't recall having one before.
We played games, she played with friends, we read part of a book, went for a walk. Doesn't sound like much but we had a good day.
While she was playing with friends, I finished filling in the spot where the flowers will go.
Noticed the neighbors have a bunch of lawn bags in front of their yard. Think I'll check and see if it's all leaves and grass, ask if I can have them. If it's something else, noted there are hundreds of lbs of leaves in and next to the nearest viaduct. Could take the largest garbage can and fill it, packed. Of course this is all for more compost. At the current time I'm doing well but not great. Still too much clay. Another leaf pile wouldn't be harmful and would be composted by early April if I run them through the mulching mower and keep them covered with plastic. Too bad I don't have a way to heat them up to kill off the weed seeds or I could use them directly. Oh, well.
I'm just getting more determined than ever that this spring will be successful across the entire garden.
NM weather
The weather forecast shows the typical schizoid weather for NM.
Today it's supposed to be sunny and high expected into the low 60's. Very nice. Then a little cooler tomorrow.
But then things change. Forecast for Tue through Thur is for the temps to never go above freezing all three days. Then a gradual climb back up from there.
Most frustrating thing is lack of rain. It's not typically declared a drought in the winter, especially when drinking water sources exist. But there has been no measureable rain or snow in the immediate area for over two months now. Fire hazard warnings, which don't normally rise until spring, are now high.
The warm winter means this spring and summer will see an insect population through the roof. if rain doesn't pick up, likely those insects will be rather aggressive. Lack of fresh water may also mean stagnant water pools along the river, resulting in higher possibility for insect borne diseases.
Of course, water bills will skyrocket. That's after gas and electric bills have been grossly inflated. Local electric utility was trying to get a 21% increase approved. (While advertising more solar and wind generator production.)
Think even after getting main power back on, I'll keep the generator around and save up to invest in solar panels, even if one at a time. And buy a well pump by spring.
Today it's supposed to be sunny and high expected into the low 60's. Very nice. Then a little cooler tomorrow.
But then things change. Forecast for Tue through Thur is for the temps to never go above freezing all three days. Then a gradual climb back up from there.
Most frustrating thing is lack of rain. It's not typically declared a drought in the winter, especially when drinking water sources exist. But there has been no measureable rain or snow in the immediate area for over two months now. Fire hazard warnings, which don't normally rise until spring, are now high.
The warm winter means this spring and summer will see an insect population through the roof. if rain doesn't pick up, likely those insects will be rather aggressive. Lack of fresh water may also mean stagnant water pools along the river, resulting in higher possibility for insect borne diseases.
Of course, water bills will skyrocket. That's after gas and electric bills have been grossly inflated. Local electric utility was trying to get a 21% increase approved. (While advertising more solar and wind generator production.)
Think even after getting main power back on, I'll keep the generator around and save up to invest in solar panels, even if one at a time. And buy a well pump by spring.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Bus rides and shopping
This morning, my daughter decided to try selling lemonade out in front of the house. Made the lemonade herself and did a really good job.. Well, after being encouraged to add a bit more lemon. Only had one to start, so we walked across the street for more. She made a sign all by herself. But it only served so much purpose. She's a rather aggressive salesperson. Not happy to sit and wait for customers, she started pouring glasses and taking them to people's houses to sell them. Gave a couple away to kids who said they had no money. Sold several glasses, more than I expected for this neighborhood, even at $0.25 a glass. Then she came back and said she wanted to give me the money to help buy a new car. I thanked her but told her to keep it.
Think biggest concern for her is being able to go places and do things with me.
But we hopped the bus to go to the store today. Buses have books for kids on them, so we read several books together. She got to sit with me, of course. We ate at the in-store restaurant and walked to a nearby park after shopping. Don't think she minds the bus quite so much any more.
Think I'll try to make my next vehicle a small pickup, which will seat her up front and next to me.
She managed to get most of the neighborhood kids over here to play in the back yard this afternoon. Then we had dinner, watched Berenstain Bears and read part of a book before her mother picked her up.
Now it's me and Tobe Hooper until time for bed. A really good day.
Think biggest concern for her is being able to go places and do things with me.
But we hopped the bus to go to the store today. Buses have books for kids on them, so we read several books together. She got to sit with me, of course. We ate at the in-store restaurant and walked to a nearby park after shopping. Don't think she minds the bus quite so much any more.
Think I'll try to make my next vehicle a small pickup, which will seat her up front and next to me.
She managed to get most of the neighborhood kids over here to play in the back yard this afternoon. Then we had dinner, watched Berenstain Bears and read part of a book before her mother picked her up.
Now it's me and Tobe Hooper until time for bed. A really good day.
Friday, January 28, 2011
28 hours
Got called in to work last night. Definite indication that the agency is having problems. The hospital called me directly and asked me to come in. They even paid for the taxi for me to get there.
One problem seems to be the phone setup at the agency. While there to get my check this morning, they were trying to resolve an issue of a nurse who called in sick. The agency didn't get the message for several hours. Until after the shift started. By then the hospital had listed the nurse as no call, no show.
Been getting word that the ER director who was blocking LPN's from working in ER is no longer there and the staff has been asking for me. Maybe I can start getting more work there again.
So I got enough pay to survive for a few days.
Downside to working last night was that between being up during the day, working and going to get my check, I was awake for 28+ hours. Meant to get up and get some stuff done after a short nap. Didn't happen. Woke up at sunset.
Still no W2. Hate the fact that if they screw anything up it makes it that much later before I can do the taxes.
Guess I'll harvest more marigold seeds while watching TV and get to bed early.
One problem seems to be the phone setup at the agency. While there to get my check this morning, they were trying to resolve an issue of a nurse who called in sick. The agency didn't get the message for several hours. Until after the shift started. By then the hospital had listed the nurse as no call, no show.
Been getting word that the ER director who was blocking LPN's from working in ER is no longer there and the staff has been asking for me. Maybe I can start getting more work there again.
So I got enough pay to survive for a few days.
Downside to working last night was that between being up during the day, working and going to get my check, I was awake for 28+ hours. Meant to get up and get some stuff done after a short nap. Didn't happen. Woke up at sunset.
Still no W2. Hate the fact that if they screw anything up it makes it that much later before I can do the taxes.
Guess I'll harvest more marigold seeds while watching TV and get to bed early.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Headache
Have a raging headache. Just stress. Still no work tonight, which was the last chance to make a paycheck for this week. Leaving me with $21 for food, bus fare and gas for the generator until.. I don't know when.
Had to overdraw the bank to pay the water bill and pay for continued phone service. Won't be able to pay child support until next week.
Oh, well.
Flower seeds daughter and I planted this past weekend have started sprouting. So have some I planted last week. Daughter should be happy this weekend.
Since no work, started digging the expansion of the garden which I promised my daughter. Not too much of an expansion. But makes more room for flowers. So the whole area across and north of the picnic table will be flowers. Not the only ones but the most prevalent. Think we should have better luck with flowers this year.
Forgot to mention I did place the thermometer under the garden cover yesterday. While ambient temp was below 50, temp under the cover was a little over 80. Not bad when it's still freezing at night.
One good thing about planting seeds at this time of year- much easier to keep them moist. (Though as mentioned before, the soil behavior is much better, holding moisture in a form more accessible to plants.)
Got all the stuff done for the new agency today. They say background check and urine test should be back and all in order by Monday afternoon. Too bad not sooner but still hoping this expands my options. Current agency is still telling me that nobody is calling them back.
Haven't been able to focus well enough to study algebra. Need to do that.
So another night with nothing to do but TV then Valerian root, maybe melatonin and hopefully sleep.
Had to overdraw the bank to pay the water bill and pay for continued phone service. Won't be able to pay child support until next week.
Oh, well.
Flower seeds daughter and I planted this past weekend have started sprouting. So have some I planted last week. Daughter should be happy this weekend.
Since no work, started digging the expansion of the garden which I promised my daughter. Not too much of an expansion. But makes more room for flowers. So the whole area across and north of the picnic table will be flowers. Not the only ones but the most prevalent. Think we should have better luck with flowers this year.
Forgot to mention I did place the thermometer under the garden cover yesterday. While ambient temp was below 50, temp under the cover was a little over 80. Not bad when it's still freezing at night.
One good thing about planting seeds at this time of year- much easier to keep them moist. (Though as mentioned before, the soil behavior is much better, holding moisture in a form more accessible to plants.)
Got all the stuff done for the new agency today. They say background check and urine test should be back and all in order by Monday afternoon. Too bad not sooner but still hoping this expands my options. Current agency is still telling me that nobody is calling them back.
Haven't been able to focus well enough to study algebra. Need to do that.
So another night with nothing to do but TV then Valerian root, maybe melatonin and hopefully sleep.
Headache
Have a raging headache. Just stress. Still no work tonight, which was the last chance to make a paycheck for this week. Leaving me with $21 for food, bus fare and gas for the generator until.. I don't know when.
Had to overdraw the bank to pay the water bill and pay for continued phone service. Won't be able to pay child support until next week.
Oh, well.
Flower seeds daughter and I planted this past weekend have started sprouting. So have some I planted last week. Daughter should be happy this weekend.
Since no work, started digging the expansion of the garden which I promised my daughter. Not too much of an expansion. But makes more room for flowers. So the whole area across and north of the picnic table will be flowers. Not the only ones but the most prevalent. Think we should have better luck with flowers this year.
Forgot to mention I did place the thermometer under the garden cover yesterday. While ambient temp was below 50, temp under the cover was a little over 80. Not bad when it's still freezing at night.
One good thing about planting seeds at this time of year- much easier to keep them moist. (Though as mentioned before, the soil behavior is much better, holding moisture in a form more accessible to plants.)
Got all the stuff done for the new agency today. They say background check and urine test should be back and all in order by Monday afternoon. Too bad not sooner but still hoping this expands my options. Current agency is still telling me that nobody is calling them back.
Haven't been able to focus well enough to study algebra. Need to do that.
So another night with nothing to do but TV then Valerian root, maybe melatonin and hopefully sleep.
Had to overdraw the bank to pay the water bill and pay for continued phone service. Won't be able to pay child support until next week.
Oh, well.
Flower seeds daughter and I planted this past weekend have started sprouting. So have some I planted last week. Daughter should be happy this weekend.
Since no work, started digging the expansion of the garden which I promised my daughter. Not too much of an expansion. But makes more room for flowers. So the whole area across and north of the picnic table will be flowers. Not the only ones but the most prevalent. Think we should have better luck with flowers this year.
Forgot to mention I did place the thermometer under the garden cover yesterday. While ambient temp was below 50, temp under the cover was a little over 80. Not bad when it's still freezing at night.
One good thing about planting seeds at this time of year- much easier to keep them moist. (Though as mentioned before, the soil behavior is much better, holding moisture in a form more accessible to plants.)
Got all the stuff done for the new agency today. They say background check and urine test should be back and all in order by Monday afternoon. Too bad not sooner but still hoping this expands my options. Current agency is still telling me that nobody is calling them back.
Haven't been able to focus well enough to study algebra. Need to do that.
So another night with nothing to do but TV then Valerian root, maybe melatonin and hopefully sleep.
New job stuff
Have to go fill out paperwork for the new agency this morning. Get moving in a few minutes.
Went out to tear out the remaining sections of the wall out front last evening. What's left is mostly below ground level. Got all but maybe the last 4 blocks. The final few had been broken apart at some point and then repaired with cement rather than mortar. That made that section more solid than the rest. I wasn't able to chisel them apart. Instead it became a matter of breaking them apart and removing the pieces. Then it got dark outside, so I had to leave it. Nearly done and can finish the rest in under an hour, maybe half hour. But then I have to do something with all the rubble. Still keep wishing I had a sledgehammer.
Need to get moving.
Went out to tear out the remaining sections of the wall out front last evening. What's left is mostly below ground level. Got all but maybe the last 4 blocks. The final few had been broken apart at some point and then repaired with cement rather than mortar. That made that section more solid than the rest. I wasn't able to chisel them apart. Instead it became a matter of breaking them apart and removing the pieces. Then it got dark outside, so I had to leave it. Nearly done and can finish the rest in under an hour, maybe half hour. But then I have to do something with all the rubble. Still keep wishing I had a sledgehammer.
Need to get moving.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Overzealous
Maybe I'm being overzealous. Possibly even foolish.
Went ahead and formed one new row (split in half, resulting in two smaller rows). Then planted some seeds. For now it's just potatoes, broccoli, spinach and carrots.
It's really a test. If I start seeing some success, it will be expanded.
I figure the worst that can happen is that nothing grows. If that happens, part of the garden is formed and ready for later planting. However, the Farmer's Almanac says now is a good time to plant root crops. (Though that was in the "planting by the moon" section.) The spinach already in the mounds is still alive and growing. And last year the broccoli accelerated when the temperature dropped. Worth a try. May learn something for future reference.
Going to build fewer trellises this year but make them much taller. I was surprised at how well the green beans did and would have done better if given vertical space. May not bother with bush beans this time around.
Went and filled out an application this morning for another agency. Still can't shake the negative vibe from the one I reactivated with. They've called a lot but it's just there. Best not to ignore it. Have a better vibe about this one. Getting the idea that either my current agency isn't trying or they're being ignored by the facilities. This new agency has more facilities on contract. Maybe once again my old agency is going down. Not such a surprise with the fact that they rarely get into the office on time and often leave early. Actually heard comments from one hospital that they have problems getting someone on the phone at times.
No call to work tonight. Go to the new agency and finish paperwork and pee in a bottle tomorrow.
Went ahead and formed one new row (split in half, resulting in two smaller rows). Then planted some seeds. For now it's just potatoes, broccoli, spinach and carrots.
It's really a test. If I start seeing some success, it will be expanded.
I figure the worst that can happen is that nothing grows. If that happens, part of the garden is formed and ready for later planting. However, the Farmer's Almanac says now is a good time to plant root crops. (Though that was in the "planting by the moon" section.) The spinach already in the mounds is still alive and growing. And last year the broccoli accelerated when the temperature dropped. Worth a try. May learn something for future reference.
Going to build fewer trellises this year but make them much taller. I was surprised at how well the green beans did and would have done better if given vertical space. May not bother with bush beans this time around.
Went and filled out an application this morning for another agency. Still can't shake the negative vibe from the one I reactivated with. They've called a lot but it's just there. Best not to ignore it. Have a better vibe about this one. Getting the idea that either my current agency isn't trying or they're being ignored by the facilities. This new agency has more facilities on contract. Maybe once again my old agency is going down. Not such a surprise with the fact that they rarely get into the office on time and often leave early. Actually heard comments from one hospital that they have problems getting someone on the phone at times.
No call to work tonight. Go to the new agency and finish paperwork and pee in a bottle tomorrow.
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