Been in the desert for about six years now and I still hate it.
My biggest goal with my garden is transforming my own little patch of desert into something much more. I get frustrated with lack of success at times. Makes it worse when I see some other yards with flowers blooming or farms covered with green. Walking through the botanical gardens the other day was, in a sense, depressing.
Then I think about it some more and realize a few things. In some cases, I know thousands or even millions of pounds of chemicals have been used to achieve those effects. In other cases, the areas with growth and blooms are far more limited than what I hope to achieve. The majority of the same property is all rocks, sand and clay. And nobody is usually walking or sitting outside to enjoy the tiny patches of green, appreciate the beauty of the flowers. Even less rarely are the owners harvesting anything to eat. Those little patches are a sign of ownership. They are not part of their environment and their environment is not part of them. Also, in many if not most cases, the areas have been tended by people with years or decades of schooling and experience which I do not have. In some cases, the land itself has been worked for decades, generations. (Sometimes that's good and other times not so good.)
However, I still have the same goal. If it were easy, much more of the desert would already be converted by others and there would be no challenge. Maybe I would enjoy it less and learn less along the way. While it frustrates me for improvement to take so long, each little advance is a victory. By the time my yard and garden reach the point I want them to be, I'll appreciate it much more for all the time and work invested.
I just have to remind myself of this sometimes.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Under a blood red sky
Smoke from the fires in AZ blew in again this evening, turning the sun and whole sky blood red. There are even ashes falling in small amounts. Stings the eyes and makes it hard to breathe. Really hard to believe this is blowing in from 400 miles away.
Went to the plasma center again this evening. Went much faster and I was able to get out with time to catch the bus home. I can go back again on Thur and probably will. If the line isn't too long. Only down side is that it leaves me really thirsty afterward. Biggest benefit to me directly is reducing stress. It also seems to relax me a bit. Is it possible stress hormones can be filtered out with plasma? I know worrying less about money helps.
Of course I've been cutting back on coffee a little. My attitude has changed about my current job. I refuse to be beaten down or intimidated. Not an issue at all of not caring. I care very much. I just want to work with other people that also care.
So far, the smoke hasn't had a negative effect on the garden which is visible. Hope it stays that way.
Went to the plasma center again this evening. Went much faster and I was able to get out with time to catch the bus home. I can go back again on Thur and probably will. If the line isn't too long. Only down side is that it leaves me really thirsty afterward. Biggest benefit to me directly is reducing stress. It also seems to relax me a bit. Is it possible stress hormones can be filtered out with plasma? I know worrying less about money helps.
Of course I've been cutting back on coffee a little. My attitude has changed about my current job. I refuse to be beaten down or intimidated. Not an issue at all of not caring. I care very much. I just want to work with other people that also care.
So far, the smoke hasn't had a negative effect on the garden which is visible. Hope it stays that way.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Picnic and creative dinner
Turns out they recently built a covered picnic area at the park a few hundred yards down the street. So my daughter and I had a picnic there today and took a walk along the aqueduct for a ways. It was hot and we kept the walk short.
Along the way, we found that two of the pumpkin seeds we planted last year have grown! Unfortunately, without enough water, they only formed small gourds. Still, those small gourds produce more seeds which may produce more plants. Some of them rolled down a hill, increasing the odds of them spreading further. It would be awesome if there were one day whole fields of wild pumpkins through this area.
Now hoping to see some of the flowers we planted along the trails start blooming.
Having an odd dinner but good. Lettuce, peas and onions from the garden. Tomatoes, corn and dressing from the store. Okay, I guess not odd but a little odd for me. Especially corn in the salad.
The dog managed to knock down and damage the hanging tomato plant. Won't go into how she did it. Looks like it will recover with time but I'm not sure. Made another hanging plant today. Thinking of making one more before bed tonight. Unlikely the dog can repeat her feat.
Along the way, we found that two of the pumpkin seeds we planted last year have grown! Unfortunately, without enough water, they only formed small gourds. Still, those small gourds produce more seeds which may produce more plants. Some of them rolled down a hill, increasing the odds of them spreading further. It would be awesome if there were one day whole fields of wild pumpkins through this area.
Now hoping to see some of the flowers we planted along the trails start blooming.
Having an odd dinner but good. Lettuce, peas and onions from the garden. Tomatoes, corn and dressing from the store. Okay, I guess not odd but a little odd for me. Especially corn in the salad.
The dog managed to knock down and damage the hanging tomato plant. Won't go into how she did it. Looks like it will recover with time but I'm not sure. Made another hanging plant today. Thinking of making one more before bed tonight. Unlikely the dog can repeat her feat.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Aquarium and butterflies
Daughter and I went to the botanical gardens, the butterfly exhibit and the aqauarium today. It was a good day.
The ex was nice. Dropped us off and even used her season pass to get daughter in for free. Took her out of her way to do so. I appreciate it.
Daughter enjoyed the botanical gardens much more than I thought she would. My gardening has really rubbed off. She wanted to collect seeds from a lot of plants to bring home. Really enjoyed all the flowers. Bees made her a little nervous but neither of us got stung.
Both of us were amazed by the butterflies. We had gone to the exhibit once when she was small but she doesn't recall and I do recall there were many more butterflies this time around. Hundreds of them, various species. Beautiful!
We stopped and heard a band playing at the farmhouse exhibit in the gardens. They were playing some celtic and some zydeco. Odd combination but they were good. Daughter laid with her head on my shoulder and enjoyed the music a lot.
Went to the aquarium as the weather got hotter. Spent a while there. She still gets disappointed at how small it is.
Walked a couple blocks and had lunch at McDonald's. I was happy to see that one has added a play place.
Stopped at the dollar store on the way home. Spent time outside this evening. Wind had picked up and cooled things down. No smoke from the fire in Arizona which has blown in and choked the city past two nights.
Was happy to find one baby bunny survived. It got brave enough to start hopping out of the hutch again today. We picked it up and petted it this evening.
Daughter surprised me and picked lettuce to munch on from the garden today. Loved it all by itself.
Zinnias look like they should flower this week. Talked to some master gardeners today and they're right on track. Few more weeks for marigolds. Other flower plants are growing larger, so I guess most of what I planted must be summer or even fall blooming.
Still only a few carrots, so I planted more today. Don't recall when they grew last year but sure it was around this time they showed up. Just as the lettuce all bolted.
Going to dismantle some of the raised beds and extend the rows they meet with this week. Harvest the garlic which has survived. Plant some more corn.
From a distance, the garden is now looking good. Rows all have green on them. Too bad much of that is vining clover. But crops are growing. I'm just impatient, I guess.
The ex was nice. Dropped us off and even used her season pass to get daughter in for free. Took her out of her way to do so. I appreciate it.
Daughter enjoyed the botanical gardens much more than I thought she would. My gardening has really rubbed off. She wanted to collect seeds from a lot of plants to bring home. Really enjoyed all the flowers. Bees made her a little nervous but neither of us got stung.
Both of us were amazed by the butterflies. We had gone to the exhibit once when she was small but she doesn't recall and I do recall there were many more butterflies this time around. Hundreds of them, various species. Beautiful!
We stopped and heard a band playing at the farmhouse exhibit in the gardens. They were playing some celtic and some zydeco. Odd combination but they were good. Daughter laid with her head on my shoulder and enjoyed the music a lot.
Went to the aquarium as the weather got hotter. Spent a while there. She still gets disappointed at how small it is.
Walked a couple blocks and had lunch at McDonald's. I was happy to see that one has added a play place.
Stopped at the dollar store on the way home. Spent time outside this evening. Wind had picked up and cooled things down. No smoke from the fire in Arizona which has blown in and choked the city past two nights.
Was happy to find one baby bunny survived. It got brave enough to start hopping out of the hutch again today. We picked it up and petted it this evening.
Daughter surprised me and picked lettuce to munch on from the garden today. Loved it all by itself.
Zinnias look like they should flower this week. Talked to some master gardeners today and they're right on track. Few more weeks for marigolds. Other flower plants are growing larger, so I guess most of what I planted must be summer or even fall blooming.
Still only a few carrots, so I planted more today. Don't recall when they grew last year but sure it was around this time they showed up. Just as the lettuce all bolted.
Going to dismantle some of the raised beds and extend the rows they meet with this week. Harvest the garlic which has survived. Plant some more corn.
From a distance, the garden is now looking good. Rows all have green on them. Too bad much of that is vining clover. But crops are growing. I'm just impatient, I guess.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Partially wasted effort
I did go to the plasma center after work today. Since it was my first time there, it took a long time. Got paid $50. However, wound up having to go the route of taking the bus to Pro's market and taking a taxi from there. That cost nearly $20. Going to have to check on taking the bus to somewhere on Bridge, instead. However, I did get some groceries.
I probably would make it until payday without doing this but would not be able to take daughter to the aquarium tomorrow. I've already pushed it back twice now, so I don't want to disappoint her again. So, yes, I will sell my blood to avoid hurting my daughter's feelings.
If needed, I can go back to the plasma center on Monday or Tuesday. Probably will. Few trips will pay to get the scooter running.
Glad it's Friday. Been a short week but in the end it felt really long.
I probably would make it until payday without doing this but would not be able to take daughter to the aquarium tomorrow. I've already pushed it back twice now, so I don't want to disappoint her again. So, yes, I will sell my blood to avoid hurting my daughter's feelings.
If needed, I can go back to the plasma center on Monday or Tuesday. Probably will. Few trips will pay to get the scooter running.
Glad it's Friday. Been a short week but in the end it felt really long.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Maybe tomorrow
Went into the plasma center after work but left quickly. Line was way too long. May be shorter tomorrow. I'm betting a lot of people won't be hanging out there on Fri afternoon.
One of my biggest apprehensions about the plasma idea is getting home. If it takes too long, I could miss the last bus to my house. If that happens, I could ride down to Pro's market, do a little grocery shopping and call a taxi from there but it would still take a bite out of any benefit derived from the plasma idea.
Haven't been able to quit smoking yet. I am afraid of myself at this point. At work. Seems like I don't have to do anything wrong for these people to make it seem like I have. Got accused of saying something I didn't say yesterday. When I defended myself it had to be quite firmly. Never got an apology.
That and other events led to some revelations. One is that these people are very unhappy. They do not enjoy their jobs and seek any reason they can to avoid it as much as they can. They have no concern for their patients or each other. They look for someone to blame for their misery, not even understanding they create their own dungeon. Before me, they blamed someone else. After me, they will find someone else to blame. And never attempt to solve the problems so evident and easy to repair.
That's okay. Only 19 calendar days left. They cannot destroy me in that time. And since I have already notified my agency of a hostile working environment, if they make any negative statements about me it will be too late to hold water.
I find the whole situation just sad. If I had any feeling they wanted to fix the problems, I would exhaust myself helping them do so. No teamwork. No dedication to each other. Really sad. Glad I don't live that way.
One of my biggest apprehensions about the plasma idea is getting home. If it takes too long, I could miss the last bus to my house. If that happens, I could ride down to Pro's market, do a little grocery shopping and call a taxi from there but it would still take a bite out of any benefit derived from the plasma idea.
Haven't been able to quit smoking yet. I am afraid of myself at this point. At work. Seems like I don't have to do anything wrong for these people to make it seem like I have. Got accused of saying something I didn't say yesterday. When I defended myself it had to be quite firmly. Never got an apology.
That and other events led to some revelations. One is that these people are very unhappy. They do not enjoy their jobs and seek any reason they can to avoid it as much as they can. They have no concern for their patients or each other. They look for someone to blame for their misery, not even understanding they create their own dungeon. Before me, they blamed someone else. After me, they will find someone else to blame. And never attempt to solve the problems so evident and easy to repair.
That's okay. Only 19 calendar days left. They cannot destroy me in that time. And since I have already notified my agency of a hostile working environment, if they make any negative statements about me it will be too late to hold water.
I find the whole situation just sad. If I had any feeling they wanted to fix the problems, I would exhaust myself helping them do so. No teamwork. No dedication to each other. Really sad. Glad I don't live that way.
Small comforts
I've settled into a routine now which allows some minor comforts under current circumstances.
With no AC or swamp cooler working, whether home or away, I keep certain windows open and others closed to allow air flow, while keeping drapes and curtains closed. Helps prevent the house from heating up too much during the day.
Watering the garden in the evening helps cool the wind coming from that direction which blows against that side of the house.
Been waking up fairly early, so to ease into the day gradually. Starting with low lighting and listening to the birds outside. Far cry from waiting til the last second to get up and run, as I did in years past. Of course, in those years I often lacked sleep, any way. Multiple jobs, college and so forth.
The house cooling has me thinking of solutions which involve shades and baffles. Problems involve aesthetics, materials and practicality. Has to be done on a large scale to truly measure results but I believe such thing would help retain warmth in winter by reducing convection. If placed well, of course.
I'm going to see about donating (selling) plasma this afternoon, after work. If I can do that on a regular basis, it would mean additional money, up to $300 a month. Which would mean every few weeks I could buy one solar panel and one deep cell battery. It would also free up money to get another car.
With solar power, calculating use is handy if installing a whole system at once. In my case, installing gradually, best to just keep adding until supply exceeds demand by a good margin. Add a wind generator or two for cloudy days at some point. And keep the generator around for security.
With no AC or swamp cooler working, whether home or away, I keep certain windows open and others closed to allow air flow, while keeping drapes and curtains closed. Helps prevent the house from heating up too much during the day.
Watering the garden in the evening helps cool the wind coming from that direction which blows against that side of the house.
Been waking up fairly early, so to ease into the day gradually. Starting with low lighting and listening to the birds outside. Far cry from waiting til the last second to get up and run, as I did in years past. Of course, in those years I often lacked sleep, any way. Multiple jobs, college and so forth.
The house cooling has me thinking of solutions which involve shades and baffles. Problems involve aesthetics, materials and practicality. Has to be done on a large scale to truly measure results but I believe such thing would help retain warmth in winter by reducing convection. If placed well, of course.
I'm going to see about donating (selling) plasma this afternoon, after work. If I can do that on a regular basis, it would mean additional money, up to $300 a month. Which would mean every few weeks I could buy one solar panel and one deep cell battery. It would also free up money to get another car.
With solar power, calculating use is handy if installing a whole system at once. In my case, installing gradually, best to just keep adding until supply exceeds demand by a good margin. Add a wind generator or two for cloudy days at some point. And keep the generator around for security.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Sounds good
Called back about another job prospect today. They had called yesterday and I called back but the agency is in Illinois and had called before I could call. This one is a contract for 13 weeks but pays $4 more per hour than my current contract. But that's not what got my attention. What got my interest is that the position is basically a form of forensic nursing, which I have an interest in. Also something I think I'd be good at. Now the biggest question will be the work hours and if there would be any chance for contract extensions. Hope to hear more about the position soon.
I do want to keep doing direct care but I could keep my hand in that by doing agency work on the side, if the hours allow.
The ammonia treatment appears to be having a positive effect already. Have a lot more green and visibly more growth in only two days. Picked more peas today and lots more ripening on the vines. More lettuce gaining size, surprisingly. One tomato plant, not too tall but forming flowers. Onions are almost ready to harvest. Pumpkin plants beginning to creep. Corn plants are rising. Not that many carrots yet but they surprised me last year. Had begun thinking they wouldn't grow at all and then I had dozens of them. This year I'm hoping for hundreds.
So, I'll keep using the ammonia and vinegar. At the strength I've been using, it doesn't seem to be doing any damage. With the soil composition and increased worm population, it's not causing the soil to be sterile. I won't be overdoing it until that happens. I really only use a few tablespoons at a time, well diluted. Combined with compost and mulch, should help in short and long term.
Going to get to bed really early tonight. Started stretching my knee out because the ligament seems to be healed but drawing up tight. More sleep will help it along.
I do want to keep doing direct care but I could keep my hand in that by doing agency work on the side, if the hours allow.
The ammonia treatment appears to be having a positive effect already. Have a lot more green and visibly more growth in only two days. Picked more peas today and lots more ripening on the vines. More lettuce gaining size, surprisingly. One tomato plant, not too tall but forming flowers. Onions are almost ready to harvest. Pumpkin plants beginning to creep. Corn plants are rising. Not that many carrots yet but they surprised me last year. Had begun thinking they wouldn't grow at all and then I had dozens of them. This year I'm hoping for hundreds.
So, I'll keep using the ammonia and vinegar. At the strength I've been using, it doesn't seem to be doing any damage. With the soil composition and increased worm population, it's not causing the soil to be sterile. I won't be overdoing it until that happens. I really only use a few tablespoons at a time, well diluted. Combined with compost and mulch, should help in short and long term.
Going to get to bed really early tonight. Started stretching my knee out because the ligament seems to be healed but drawing up tight. More sleep will help it along.
Sounds good
Called back about another job prospect today. They had called yesterday and I called back but the agency is in Illinois and had called before I could call. This one is a contract for 13 weeks but pays $4 more per hour than my current contract. But that's not what got my attention. What got my interest is that the position is basically a form of forensic nursing, which I have an interest in. Also something I think I'd be good at. Now the biggest question will be the work hours and if there would be any chance for contract extensions. Hope to hear more about the position soon.
I do want to keep doing direct care but I could keep my hand in that by doing agency work on the side, if the hours allow.
The ammonia treatment appears to be having a positive effect already. Have a lot more green and visibly more growth in only two days. Picked more peas today and lots more ripening on the vines. More lettuce gaining size, surprisingly. One tomato plant, not too tall but forming flowers. Onions are almost ready to harvest. Pumpkin plants beginning to creep. Corn plants are rising. Not that many carrots yet but they surprised me last year. Had begun thinking they wouldn't grow at all and then I had dozens of them. This year I'm hoping for hundreds.
So, I'll keep using the ammonia and vinegar. At the strength I've been using, it doesn't seem to be doing any damage. With the soil composition and increased worm population, it's not causing the soil to be sterile. I won't be overdoing it until that happens. I really only use a few tablespoons at a time, well diluted. Combined with compost and mulch, should help in short and long term.
Going to get to bed really early tonight. Started stretching my knee out because the ligament seems to be healed but drawing up tight. More sleep will help it along.
I do want to keep doing direct care but I could keep my hand in that by doing agency work on the side, if the hours allow.
The ammonia treatment appears to be having a positive effect already. Have a lot more green and visibly more growth in only two days. Picked more peas today and lots more ripening on the vines. More lettuce gaining size, surprisingly. One tomato plant, not too tall but forming flowers. Onions are almost ready to harvest. Pumpkin plants beginning to creep. Corn plants are rising. Not that many carrots yet but they surprised me last year. Had begun thinking they wouldn't grow at all and then I had dozens of them. This year I'm hoping for hundreds.
So, I'll keep using the ammonia and vinegar. At the strength I've been using, it doesn't seem to be doing any damage. With the soil composition and increased worm population, it's not causing the soil to be sterile. I won't be overdoing it until that happens. I really only use a few tablespoons at a time, well diluted. Combined with compost and mulch, should help in short and long term.
Going to get to bed really early tonight. Started stretching my knee out because the ligament seems to be healed but drawing up tight. More sleep will help it along.
Rotten Tuesday
Should have known yesterday was not going to be a great day. First day back after a long weekend. Not an issue for me (aside from waking up so early after sleeping until 9 for four days) but for most people..
Nothing seemed to be working properly yesterday. Computers at work. Internet on my phone was down all night. Bank phone system. But mostly people. Resentful they had to actually do their jobs, no matter how slow it was.
Three weeks until this contract ends and I'm really looking forward to finding something else. Actively looking and the phone is ringing at least daily. Have an interview on the 23rd, day after contract ends. Have to call another employer back today.
Got home to find the dog not only dug under the hutch but tore up two of the largest container tomatoes. She's remaining on the tie out line. (Which still runs the width of the yard and 15 ft each side of the line. Much more than most dog runs allow.)
Hope today is better. Shouldn't have to have a CYA feeling every day at a job. That's what I hate about politics. People who play politics on the job are much more concerned with politics than medicine or anything else. I won't sink to that level.
Nothing seemed to be working properly yesterday. Computers at work. Internet on my phone was down all night. Bank phone system. But mostly people. Resentful they had to actually do their jobs, no matter how slow it was.
Three weeks until this contract ends and I'm really looking forward to finding something else. Actively looking and the phone is ringing at least daily. Have an interview on the 23rd, day after contract ends. Have to call another employer back today.
Got home to find the dog not only dug under the hutch but tore up two of the largest container tomatoes. She's remaining on the tie out line. (Which still runs the width of the yard and 15 ft each side of the line. Much more than most dog runs allow.)
Hope today is better. Shouldn't have to have a CYA feeling every day at a job. That's what I hate about politics. People who play politics on the job are much more concerned with politics than medicine or anything else. I won't sink to that level.
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