Off the Beaten Track

First thing this morning, got my plane ticket online for going out to CA at the end of the month (niece Annie's graduating from high school, and haven't seen my family for some years).

***
Bought 4 trees - 2 Macoun apples, 1 Cortland apple, 1 Summer Beaut Nectarine -- all dwarfs.

The Macoun and Cortland are both excellent for eating fresh and for cooking and canning. The Macoun is additionally supposed to be good for drying, and the Cortland as a winter storage apple. The Summer Beaut is said to be good both fresh and canned. No fruit for a few years of course, but something to look forward to... meantime, I have my eye on a wild apple tree up toward Beldingville Rd.... might be able to do some harvesting there this year ;)

The existing fruit tree (Marian thinks it's a peach, but I'm wondering if it's a plum...) is doing a little better this year, and will fare even better when the black walnut near it is taken down -- which will happen after the first haying later this summer. It seems to have had at least a little fruit, as there were a couple of baby trees nearby that looked related. L rescued them from being mowed, and we'll plant one in a safer place to see what it looks like as it gets older.

Also got strawberries -- I forget the name of the variety but it's an early/mid season berry and supposed to be good for northern climates.

***
Stopped in at Awen Tree a half hour after it was supposed to have opened but no one was there. L has a doctor's appt. later this week, so we'll try again then.

***
Then off to Webs, where we ran into islenskr and countessinn -- not completely unexpected, but nice that we ended up being there at the same time. Picked up some Icelandic sock yarn from a local producer, Maggie's Farm. L got 2 skeins of cream/tan-colored yarn from them and I got one off-white and one black.

Nothing appealed to us in the outdoor tent this time, but we found some more sock yarn in back that we liked, and some more Shetland for weaving, in flecked shades of warm-yet-slatey-blues. The latter had been 13.99 and discountable, but had been marked down to $15/cone, which was even better, since each cone weighs around 2 lbs. or so.

***
Then back up to Ashfield to see if there were any plants left at the 1st Congo's plant sale -- there were, but nothing I was interested in. At some point I may pick up some herbs from the hardware store though, to add to the collection.

***
Mary and Peggy, two of the people who helped at lot during sugaring season, were working on their garden plot at the farm. William had done a bit more planting himself. I dug most of the walking trench I needed next to where the strawberries will be going -- the trench is sort of a combination of creating a raised bed and being a small water catchment system, like a mini-swale. Once everything's in it'll all be covered in hay chaff, trenches and all. Took a break to get some ibuprofen for the shoulder/arm and get some water, then came out and did some more digging. L had some things to do here and there, but dug a hole for one of the apple trees by where the big fir used to be -- had to get an ax to chop the old roots out of the space. I dug a hole for a second tree, and William created a bit of chaos by coming up to till some parts of the garden again -- he ended up re-doing our long stretch for the oats and flax because in his efforts to work on where he's going to plant corn he compressed some of the long stretch. It's been interesting figuring out who's doing what this year....

Oh, plus he decided he doesn't want to grow squash this year so, if I haven't killed some of the seedlings by forgetting about them this week, I should have some extras to go in other people's gardens.

L is determined to start sowing oats tomorrow. I'll be putting in the strawberries and hopefully some seeds. And maybe some squash and pumpkins too. I need to put in as much as I can as quickly as possible now, so I know if we need to put anything in the side garden. Hopefully not, so that we can let etainmbw and her mom Patricia use the space. At worst though, I think I'll only need to put the green and wax beans down there.

But of course, we need to put the rest of the trees in as well, so we'll see how far we get. At the moment, I'm happy to be doing nothing of note....

Sharon Astyk was inspired by someone (sorry, mind blank) to do a weekly listing of things she's trying to do each week toward providing for her self, family, community in regards to food. While we all know we can't be 100% self-sufficient (independence is an illusion, really), the more confident one can be about being able to provide for the basics, the more secure one can be. The challenge is to try to do something to do with at least some of the below listed things each week, and I think it's mostly food-oriented. I prefer to add in non-food things too though (for one thing I'm personally more likely to learn new things that aren't food-related), so my posts will likely include stuff like learning to crochet, or whatever -- which could be food-related if I were making shopping bags or bags for holding onions or something, I suppose... A number of folks have taken up the challenge, and report their week, usually over at Sharon's blog (http://www.sharonastyk.com)

I do like reading about what some other folks are doing, even if I haven't done that much myself -- gives me ideas. Like in the first week, when Sharon posted about preserving rhubarb -- useful for making pies in winter-time! Myself, I'm having more than enough to do with cultivating and planting right now... but maybe later, or next year...

Here's the categories:

Planted: obvious

Harvested: ditto

Preserved: canned, frozen, dried, pickled, smoked, etc.

Stored: could be bought stuff as well as homegrown

Prepped: Preparing the ground, hardening plants, soaking seeds, cleaning the kitchen and the canning equipment, etc.

Managed: This is stuff like checking your inventory, seeing what foodstuffs need to be used up soon. Useful to do, to prevent food waste and also so you know what you need before you go shopping (like, actually having a shopping list to take with you -- mine are usually written on the backs of envelopes...). Managing also seems to be things like maintenance, dealing with stuff like moving compost, etc.

Cooked something new: Obvious, but the reason for it is to try to expand the types of foods one is willing to eat, increase appreciation for food, discover new recipes one likes as this brings more interest to the table (filling not just the stomach's needs but the spirit's as well)

Worked on local food systems: contribute or participate in local systems. Could be buying local -- not just CSAs and farmers markets, but some supermarkets carry local produce as well, or you might get into trading fruits and veggies with friends, or help out at the food pantry, or... ?

Reduced waste: packaging, food waste, or maybe this can include things like making fewer trips to shop, or walking/biking to get some things

Learned a new skill: something food-related usually. But even aside from my inclination to include anything new I learn that's a useful skill, I could see including stuff like carpentry or metalworking skills when building a dehydrator or root cellar, or bike repair if that means you can ride to the market instead of driving, etc.

***
So, my past week:

Planted: All the baby onions, plus moved some of the green onions from what's going to be the herb garden. Also shelling peas seeds.

Harvested: one last bunch of dandelion greens. Today, started picking dandelion blossoms for making wine.

Preserved: nada

Stored: nada

Prepped: More garden prep, clearing clods of grass, etc. Soaked the peas last night, which got planted today.

Managed: Most of the canning supplies are now in the back attic.

Cooked something new: Tried making "mac and cheese" last night with rice instead of pasta. A little mushy for some folks I expect, but actually pretty tasty.

Worked on local food systems: Got our usual milk and yogurt over at Sidehill Farm. And of course had lunch a few times this week over at Country Pie Restaurant, and once at Elmer's (Mother's Day breakfast, just L and me). Not sure if those count exactly, but we like to support our local businesses, and these folks run family/locally-owned businesses, not chains or franchises. And the pizza dough is from scratch (yes, it makes a difference).

Reduced waste: Walked to Sidehill Farm. Saving some boxes for folks moving and for the grass-fed beef pick up day next fall.

Learned a new skill: Sort of learned to use a hoe. Yeah, I've gardened for years, but I don't tend to use a lot of different tools. It was okay. I might try using it again.

Interesting post by Kiashu/Green With A Gun on the so-called paradox of choice. Thoughtful and thought-provoking.

And from Greenpa/Little Blog In The Big Woods, a good post on biodiversity. (Why it's a good thing -- read about those ants in Texas yet? Go on, read it, it's a short post.)

Speaking of biodiversity, once I have the Yukon Golds, I'll have three kinds of potatoes...

Peas go in today, and maybe the lettuces as well (5 kinds of leaves, no, maybe 6?). I think I actually have more types of seeds than I have time and space to plant them.... but I should try to plant some of all of the types of parsnip, for instance, because I have no way of knowing which one will fare better up here. Sort of an experiment.

I do a lot of experimenting on a small scale, because sometimes something sounds good in theory, but doesn't work in practice -- or at least not in that particular place or for a particular person. Some things can be eliminated through research, like that cool pot-in-a-pot cooling system, which only works in a dry climate; others may work better for certain kinds of folks than others -- experience, skills, and personality type can all be factors. Me, I don't like things to involve too many numbers. I'll struggle through and crunch them at the start, but once I think I have things approximately correct, I'm done.

Gardening works the same way for me... I'll do the prep work, plant, water, nurture, mulch, give the plants a decent start. But then they better be able to take care of themselves for the most part, because I may only have a few hours per week to pay attention to them after that. Some weeks I may spend a few hours per day with them, and other weeks I'll only have time for a walk-thru. I have other things that need doing -- reading, research, writing, sewing, artwork, mending, painting, fixing stuff up, cooking, building, meetings, singing, ... you know, life!

Speaking of which, guess it's time for me to go out and finish digging one of my walk paths/ditches...

Fiber Pushing:

Webs' annual tent sale is this weekend, May 17 & 18, 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

For those interested in local stuff, Saturday is the day local sheep and alpaca growers will be their with some of their offerings.

Spinning wheels, equipment and fiber on sale 20% off both days.

***
Peas are soaking overnight and will go in the ground tomorrow. Also want to put stakes in the ground indicating where trees will go (and also so I know how many to look for).

We have a busy weekend ahead of us... Saturday morning it's off to Hadley Garden Center for some fruit trees and strawberries. Then over to Webs to see what interesting yarns they have (esp. discontinued ones). Then over to Awen Tree to register and pay for attending the AODA's Grand Archdruid's and Archdruid of the West's June lectures. Depending on how we're doing, we might stop by at Historic Deerfield to see a bit of the open hearth cooking, but I'm not betting on that last bit. There will be other days for that this summer, no doubt.

Sunday we have to make a trip to the transfer point in the morning. Then hopefully plant at least one of the trees. We'll see how far we get, since no doubt William will need help with a few things, one of the black walnuts may be coming down, etc.

And then of course there's choir practice at Eli's Sunday evening!


***
Today we went to Adams, to the Adams Stove Company and looked at Vermont Casting wood stoves. Had a good long conversation with the owner and learned more about the various parts of the system. Quite useful, as before I'd been thinking the Defiant was the model we needed, but now it looks like the Encore would be a lot more appropriate. He told us that he's kicking off a sales event starting tomorrow too, so that's something to take into consideration as well.

Hm, before a stove goes in we have to have the hearth in place... we'll have to make a trip to Home Depot for materials first...

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

.... lemming along....

Natural disasters are continuing to be in the news this week, here in the U.S. of course, but most especially in Myanmar and China, where death tolls are high and climbing. China is doing a pretty good job of getting in rescue teams, although the weather hasn't been helping. The junta in Myanmar are idiots. May they get everything they have earned. Not much to be done from here, except to send prayers of strength and fortitude to those in dire straits.

People are continuing to respond to the increase in gas prices in various ways. My favorites are the western Pennsylvania school officials and the Alabama high school students. The former are going on a fundraising walk of 216 miles (from their town to DC), to raise awareness about the environment -- funds will go to programs to help continue with environmental awareness and discussions in schools, etc. The high school students, a few at first, started bicycling to school as gas prices went up -- as one student said, at first it was to save money, but now they are also trying to raise awareness about juvenile obesity. At least 40 students are now biking to school, around 10 miles each way. I love the name of the place the school is in too -- Eclectic, Alabama.

***
Got some potatoes in this weekend, and most of the onions. Maybe I can get the rest in today...

***
Made a linen stola last night. Have to think about the pleating at the shoulders... think I may need to get a couple more fibulae after all... tacking them would be easier, but don't know if that would look right. Although I guess we don't really know how the pleating was managed, just theories.

***
Going for a walk today -- need milk! This time I'll bring a bag along for trash though, as I saw a bunch of stuff on the last walk, past the bridge and over on Beldingville Rd. The section between the bridge and the corner of our street is okay -- neighbor/relatives Alden and Audrey did a cleanup last week of that section.

Found this site of late 19th century women's clothing

Ignoring the ridiculously tiny waist, I adore this waistcoat

Some of the sleeves are too poufy for me, but I do kind of like this, this (nice hat!), and more lace than I like, but I am fond of a nice mantle/short cloak

Then there's this impractical evening dress, (when would I wear such a thing?)

I'm not a fan of corsets, so I guess it's a good thing I don't do 19th c. re-enactment... I think I'd be in a tennis or biking outfit most of the time!

***
This is an interesting site, which talks about the 'rational dress' movement during the 19th c.: http://www.costumes.org/classes/fashiondress/dress_reformblip.htm

Another interesting site: http://www.fashion-era.com/the_victorian_era.htm (including things like the Aesthetic Dress Reform, etc.). This happens to be the Victorian page, but this site as a bunch of stuff from Regency (late 18th/early 19th) through to the 1990s.

My mom doesn't read my journal (I sent her a letter), but I wanted to say Happy Mother's Day to all the other mothers I know, past, present, and future. Yes, I'm including those who are no longer with us, because without them we wouldn't be here! So, a special greeting from me to my mother's and father's moms, wherever they may be.

Whether you're a birth mom, adoptive mom, foster mom, SCAdian mom, or anyone who's spent a lot of time taking care of folks who need it, Happy Mother's Day!

And of course, Happy Mother's Day to Gaia!

One person's timeline for Steampunk (technology) -- I liked what he said about considering a technology well before dumping it for something else just because it's newer. Newer isn't always better. I like the convenience of my current sewing machine for instance, but I'm glad I know how to sew by hand too -- and some things are really better done by hand anyway. And, still have the treadle machine to fix up at some point... although even as 'new' machines go, some might consider my electric an antique, being from 1974 :D

Read an interesting article today, courtesy of mrgrumpybear, a Herald Tribune article on Steampunk

Gypsy Moon isn't too bad, and has a charming idea or two. I expect I like them better than most supposed Steampunk fashion sites because they use real fabrics like cotton and silk, and what look to be decent laces, rather than PVC (?!), cheesy laces, and acrylic/polyester panne velour. Plus their models don't all look like prostitutes...

The article mentioned The Bombay Company (furnishings), but they closed their U.S. stores this past winter. They still have their Canadian stores though, and are re-organizing and will have a web presence eventually.

In my copious spare time I may make some clothing I think would suit me, in a Steampunk Victorian way (or maybe Edwardian...). Considering the collection of surviving pieces in just our little town of clothing from the 19th c., I'm more impressed by the materials and workmanship of that time period than I am by most of the clothing made today (typical off-the-rack, that is, not stuff made by quality craftspeople).

Not Victorian, but very cool anyway, is a wool jacket I got some years ago at auction -- used to be worn by a friend of mine, as part of his bagpiper's outfit. Standing collar, wider at the shoulders and tapering to the waist, what's not to like? ;) When I'm a little trimmer I can have some fun with some of my older clothing, make some shirts and stuff to go with them maybe (I do have one long black skirt with a ruffled bottom, from my Smith choir days). As some of the everyday wardrobe wears out, might as well replace some of it with things in styles I'm fond of. Although my tastes more often run toward the men's fashions than women's -- I adore vests!

As some folks may be aware, Myanmar was in the news last year because of protests by the monks against the current military-run government. I've been going away from posting about stuff like this, pollution, global food issues, etc., because I really need the personal time to do things at home and locally. But for those who don't read the news, this is one worth knowing about.

Now there has just been a major cyclone with winds up to 120 mph -- the gov't had originally reported to the public that winds would be around 30 mph; I don't know how such an error was made at this point. The people there have determined at this point that the cyclone also created a 12 foot high tidal wave.

The area affected by the cyclone had 24 million people living there. Currently confirmed death toll is around 22,000. Current count for missing is around 41,000. Up to 1 million are homeless at this time. So many roads are obstructed that teams are having difficulty getting in aid and ascertaining damages, finding people who need help, etc. Also communications are down.

More details here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24478247/

The government has called for international aid, and aid is coming in from all directions. At first the government resisted, and some of the information available on this aspect is still rather confused, but it appears that some teams are going in, with more to follow. This is an unusual thing for the current government to permit.

The loss in homes, infrastructure, and rice crops is incalculable at this time. Entire villages are gone. The actual land affected is about 5 percent of the country's land mass, but approx. 1/4 of the country's population lived there. Because of loss of shelter, safe water, food supplies, and the inability of aid teams to get to many people immediately, the likelihood of epidemics is high. (And what supplies are available are being sold at very high prices by the stores).

Good question as to whether the government will remain in power for much longer, given their response time and how people are feeling between last September and this most recent event.

For those wanting to help out, I believe there are some aid groups mentioned in the article that probably have web sites for sending monetary aid through. Mercy Corps is a pretty effective group, so folks might consider them too. Donations can be in general or targeted to particular needs at the site: http://www.mercycorps.org/

***
Let's not get into discussions here about whether or not there are food shortages in the world (yes, in theory there's enough food to feed everyone, if it could be shipped everywhere, actually arrive at the proper destinations, actually be delivered to the people and not sit rotting on docks, and be affordable to everyone). I'm just providing the info and one possible international aid group to contribute to if one wishes, that's all.

Yesterday afternoon I went out and raked some grass clods out of the future oat field. Then walked over to the shack and pulled out the chair frames and table frame from behind it, and put the mattress up off the ground, and raised up the rug a bit also. Then picked up the pace a bit going north down Barnes. Below the double-sugarhouse I paused because I noticed the ferns there and remembered Marian telling me that we had fiddlehead ferns there. They're a good ways along already, but there were still some tightly curled up, so I made a note to come back the next morning. The golf course is open now -- playing areas are mowed and the flags are up. There's a tree I love looking at that's on a rise in the course, so I never mind walking at least far enough to see it :)

Going past the end of Graves Road, I noticed bright yellow flowers down in the brook. Shiny petals in 5s, leaves are sort of heart-shaped but rounded at the tip (the book says spade-shaped). Made a note of it for identifying when I got back to the house. I walked a little further on and then crossed the road to go back up to the farm. Saw a few more of the yellow flowers in the brook that's on that side, and also a little brown bat flew by, catching some early supper. L was surprised to hear about that, but it's a little shadier down the hill than it is on the hay field, altho' I was a bit surprised myself. It was very nice of him to pose for me briefly so I could easily identify him as he glided for a moment.

I fiddled with moving things around in the barn, and think I've made enough space for J's loom to be stored there, but I'll have L double-check it. If it looks sufficient we'll get in a couple of pallets or something, so that the loom will be off the floor.

Then up to the house to get ready for the business meeting we had last night.

***
This morning the weather is lovely, and L went with me to get fiddleheads. We got enough for a meal, and spotted some more we can pick tomorrow for another meal. Since we got such a late start on picking, that's probably all we'll get, but it's a nice treat. Next year I have to remember to start looking in April. There are tons of them, so we could easily pick quite a few meals without it being a detriment to the plants. Happily, ferns are very sturdy plants.

***
I noticed Sunday that dandelion buds are forming down in the valley, so I should try to pick some greens today. Once they start blooming, the sugar is all in the flowers. Of course that's all right, because that means it's time to collect for dandelion wine ;)

I read about using baking soda as a shampoo substitute a while ago, but I'd already bought several bottles of Jason Organic shampoo (very good stuff, btw) and conditioner, so first we needed to use those. Then we saw some locally-made shampoo bars and thought we'd try those. L can use either of the two available; I can only use one because the other one stings the skin near my eyes. Those worked all right, and don't come in plastic bottles or wrapping (just a paper band with info on it), so that was a step up.

Then a few weeks ago fitzw brought a small bowl of baking soda into the bathroom, figuring to finally give it a try. Initial results were mixed. I've read that it can take a week or two to adjust, but I think the problem I had was simply not knowing exactly how to deal with the whole process.

Basically, you put some of the baking soda in the palm of your hand -- I use about a tablespoon, but the amount will probably vary depending on hair type and amount (I have long hair, which can get in the way of putting the stuff on). Carefully add water, a few drops at a time -- you're trying to create a paste. I usually drip water on the pile from my hair, but short-haired people can catch some water with the other hand and drip it in.

Mix it up with your fingers, add a bit more water, mix again, until you get what looks like it's pasty enough (more like slightly watery toothpaste, less like marzipan). Take some up with a couple of fingertips and apply to scalp. Since it isn't a liquid-like substance like standard shampoos, if you have long hair you can't just smear it on and work it in. I move my hair to one side and do that side, then move the hair to the other and ditto, then run some down the top center and of course the nape, with the paste-holding hand eventually joining in to apply the remainder on the palm. It sounds more complicated than it is, really.

With your fingertips, gently massage the scalp with little circular motions. Once done, rinse.

***
Now, most of my hair was fine with this almost immediately. The only problem I had was sometimes the hair seemed to mat down on the crown. I asked gwynt_y_storm about this since she's been using baking soda for quite a while, and she said I needed to run my fingers through my hair and lift it up and away from the scalp, creating a bit of air space for more even drying. I imagine this might be useful no matter what type of shampoo one uses, but it definitely works for baking soda!

It also quite handily gets my hair about halfway orderly before I get around to brushing it, which is nice since I tend to get it mostly presentable and then run around the farm doing stuff while it keeps drying. I think this has also created the most body in my hair that I've ever had.

***
So, I'm quite pleased with the results, it costs less, uses only one ingredient (that occurs in nature even, and isn't toxic!), and less packaging too. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that we can use it for other things around the house. I'm a big fan of multi-purpose items and ingredients :)

***
gwynt_y_storm also conditions her hair with cider vinegar, but I forgot to ask if that was straight vinegar or dilute, and I haven't found the info online yet. So far I haven't really needed to condition, but it might be nice to do once in a while.

***
Oh, one more note... since we have the baking soda in an open dish, we keep it on the sink counter next to the tub, so it's out of the shower area and doesn't get prematurely wet. It's a small bowl so this works pretty well. I might consider a container with a lid, but only if it can be opened quickly and easily.

Saturday was Ashfield Town Meeting. Started at 10 a.m., lunch recess 12:30-1:30 p.m., ended at about 3:45 p.m. 24 articles of business, some of which took very little time, some of which engendered quite a bit of discussion. There will no doubt be some special town meetings later in the year to deal with things not covered or completely dealt with on Saturday, like the DPW truck that needs to be replaced in the fall (debate was over how to fund this; no question that the truck needs replacing). Interesting process, and good to see people in different contexts. Also found out one of the residents is originally from NJ. I knew there was at least one lady from New Orleans, LA, and that people come do come here from other places, but it's nice to actually see this with one's own eyes. A number of folks are relatively new to the town actually, having only moved here in the past year or so.

***
We managed to get down to Goldthread after all, right after the town meeting, and picked up nettles and sassafras. Just tried my first cup of them (mixed) today, and it's quite tolerable. Nettles are supposed to be good for people with allergies and sassafras for respiratory conditions, so I'm hoping that taking these regularly will replace the modern meds. I'm especially pleased with these two options because nettles grows on the farm and sassafras is also relatively local, which means I can work on supplying my own needs in this regard. Yay!

***
Sunday morning L packed up stuff in the minivan then we went off to church (St. John's Episcopal). We're not members there, but an old friend of ours, Eliot Moss, is the new vicar so we went to see him on his first day. Happily his wife Hannah and their kids were also there. We bopped off to the transfer point after the service and dropped off all the stuff L had packed in that morning (slowly catching up on all the recyclables sitting in the barn), and then back to the vicarage to visit with these good folks for a bit.

Made it home and did a few things around there, then took off to try to go shopping for cat food and litter, but made a stop just before that that got us to the store just a bit too late. Then off to ellid's for choir practice, which didn't work out. People forgot, messed up travel arrangements, etc., so it was nearly 7pm before most of the members arrived (we usually start at 6pm). So we called it a night and left ellid to finish up work on the latest draft of her paper. One person went to visiting hours for an acquaintance's recently deceased daughter, and the rest of us went to Papa Gino's for supper and more conversation. Next practice will be May 18.

Lots of stars in the sky, no moon, when we got home last night. A bit more air traffic than usual, one high up and three over to the east/northeast of us.

Ordered a Big Berkey Water Filter today. Back up for if something happened to our water supply. We have a well and a spring, so less likely than in a city, but you never know. If some large factory had a bad fire and the smoke got up here (probably via rain clouds), trucking accident, bacterial outbreak (like e. coli, which happens in the valley every so often), or we lost power (pump for the well) during the driest part of the year, we now have backup.

The guy who runs Sustainable Choice, Tom Reichel, is a really nice guy. You can check out the goods he has at his web site, but to order/get info, you need to call him or email him. He doesn't believe in having an automated ordering process because he thinks the best way to make sure his customers are getting what they want and/or need is to talk to them. This might not work for all businesses, but it seems to work well for him, and I appreciated getting to learn more about the filter and chatting about various things with him. He recommended a few discussion lists/groups to check out, which I expect I will -- might not join them, but I'll check them out... the one on rural living has possibilities, for instance.

***
Had been planning on removing some of the clods of grass from the newly turned field today, but the ground's too wet. I don't mind so much the getting wet as that it's bad for the health of the soil -- compacts more, messes with the bio matter more (I forget the details, but remember that it should be avoided).

***
Tomorrow's the town meeting, so we have to get as much done as we can around here early. I should probably cut out and partly sew some stuff today, so I have something to do while at the meeting. As near as I can tell, Ashfield has one big meeting each year (and then smaller meetings of the elected folks the rest of the year).

Have to make a run to the transfer point tomorrow with trash and recycling.

Have to go down to the valley for shopping this weekend (cat supplies) -- Sunday maybe? Choir practice on Sunday, so that might make sense. Although that means not going to Goldthread Apothecary, because they're closed on Sundays. Well, maybe I can make it there later in the week, if I have some other errands to run. Bergental's business meeting's on Monday, but that isn't until 7pm and the apothecary closes at 5:30. Details to work out, for sure.

Yesterday I spent three hours over at one of the old chicken coops, which has been used as a hangout for various young people for decades and was renamed The Shack at some point, going back over 30 years ago. It's a smallish building, being around 10x12 maybe? One full floor plus another floor was put in at some point, with just enough space for a putting a couple of mattresses above in the eaves space. On the main floor there are two tables, a couple of chairs, one set of bunk beds, a dresser, and a sofa and matching chair. At one point in its history there was a woodstove in there, and the sheet of metal for heat protection is on the floor still, as well as a cut out for where the chimney would go out one of the windows. A few panes have been lost over time and replaced with wood, which makes it a bit dark.

The most recent crowd of youths liked to party there, but cleaning wasn't their strong suit, shall we say... granted, a little bit of the mess was created by mice nesting and living there (all but perhaps one mattress will have to go, because of the mice). Still, 3 hours seems a bit much, and still not have a clean place. I'd like to have the place potentially ready for guests, so freshening will continue this summer. I'm inclined to not replace the mattresses up above. Maybe a low-pile rug would serve for padding for sleeping bags? And plastic-wrap the bunk mattresses while not in use.

The sofa and matching chair need to go as well, and the rolled up rug (no, I don't think it's usable for above).

Found an old rag rug in there too, which needs cleaning but is still quite serviceable.

Part of cleaning the place was removing not only trash but lots of cans and bottles (mostly stacked on the dresser but they ran out of space), which I'm taking as a cleaning fee. Also some memorabilia of adventures on the road... ah youth.

Windows need repair to bring in more light and keep out critters and the weather a bit better. And since it's unlikely to be used as a coop again, I want to paint the walls and cover up all the 'historical' graffiti and bring some more light into the space. The antlers will stay of course.

Might look into making the upper window/hatch accessible again -- could be nice for ventilation in summertime, and I think it would be good to have it as an emergency exit as well.

We'll have to poke around the farm and see about putting a woodstove back in as well.

And, get rid of a lot of barberry and such around the sides, maybe used some of the abandoned bits of furniture behind the shack for holding firewood (something that looks like a chunky coffee table and the u-shaped metal frames for some chair bases). And re-shingle the sides and put up some fencing to keep the cows from eating it.... the shack is in one of the pastures.

There's a goodly chunk of peppermint growing to the north of the shack... I'll let you guess how I found it ;)

***

Gardening! Or hobbyist farming, call it what you will. L turned the soil for the oats, as well as extending and widening a couple of the beds nearby per W's request (changing the dimensions in relation to the hay field, to make the haying easier, less fiddly). Lots and lots of clods of grass in the turned field, which will make planting the oats a slow process this year. We covered one small portion with black plastic, but no time to do the whole field as the planting is supposed to happen this month. Next year will be easier, at least in that regard.

***
Was reading up on Black Walnuts, as there's one in the sun/shade garden by the road that I'd sort of like removed in addition to the one that's too near a fruit tree. The roots are impressive -- botanists excavated a nine-year-old tree once, and the tap root had already gone 7 feet down and the side anchoring roots were 8 feet out! In the old days, mature trees were said to have been up to 150 feet tall and 6-8 feet in diameter. The largest known one today is in Vermont, and is 115 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter. They're related to Butternuts (another type of walnut tree) and also to Hickory.

The 'sort of' about keeping or not keeping the tree in the street side garden is because Black Walnuts aren't as common as they used to be in this country, and in particular in our area. Most of the commercially-available stuff is from the Midwest, IIRC. It's a great wood for human use, whether for firewood (upper branches), carving, or furniture. By all reports it's great to work with and it also is very attractive. The nuts are edible, if not as tasty as butternuts, and feed the squirrels, chipmunks and mice. The shells can be used for making a dark brown/blackish dye as well. Several types of moth larvae eat the leaves, including the Luna Moth.

But, it produces juglone, which inhibits growth of many other plants, including its own seedlings, interestingly enough -- sort of self-population-control. Horses are so sensitive to this chemical that even the sawdust, used for bedding, can make them ill. Some small plants will grow under them, but I have some concerns about whether any edibles or medicinals I grew under one of these would be safe to use. If this tree stays I will probably only put things over there that I will consider ornamental... I'll have to check my dyestuff seeds and see if any of them can grow in partial shade. If yes, maybe I can still get some use out of that area, and still sort of be a permaculture type of garden -- just not for consumables.

As for the tree that will be staying for sure, that's near the house so we'll have to pay more attention in the fall to moving the nuts faraway from the house, since they're food for rodents.

Courtesy of Apprentice B :)

"Type in "​​[​​your name]​​ needs​"​​ in the Googl​e searc​h
Heather needs two therapists.

Type in "​​[​​your name]​​ looks​ like"​​ in Googl​e searc​h
I like my food. If Heather was 30 stone, maybe there would be a storyline, but she looks like many of the women I see everyday... (this was a toughy because of Heather Locklear and Heather Mills, both of whom a lot of people seem to have strong feelings about)

Type in "​​[​​your name]​​ likes​"​​ in Googl​e searc​h:​​
Heather Likes to Draw! (also monkeys, moving [dancing], and playing it cool... this is the PG-stuff). Oh, and likes full to partial sun.

Type in "​​[​​your name]​​ says"​​ in Googl​e searc​h:​​
Heather says hello to Beatle millions. (oy)

Type in "​​[​​your name]​​ wants​"​​ in Googl​e searc​h:​​
Heather [Locklear] wants to kick Pamela Anderson’s ass.

Type in "​​[​​your name]​​ does"​​ in Googl​e searc​h:​​
Heather does her best thinking for her project outside in the safe confines of nature.

Type in "​​[​​your name]​​ hates​"​​ in Googl​e searc​h:​​
Heather hates Twitter. (and hubris. Also, apparently there is a punk band out of Boston called Heather Hates You. Bizarre.)

Type in "​​[​​your name]​​ goes"​​ in Googl​e searc​h:​​
Heather goes bonkers. Heather goes swimming. Heather goes back to her roots. (Do you think they go together? Hm....)

Type in "​​[​​your name]​​ loves​"​​ in Googl​e searc​h:​​
Heather [Freedman] loves her socks!

Type in "​​[​​your name]​​ has" in Googl​e searc​h:​​
Heather has two mommies. (a popular book in our area, btw)

nb: Gave up on avoiding Locklear and Mills...

'tis Moving Day.

And an interesting day we had earlier, as I managed to pack and move some things, mostly up in the attic. L moved the heavier things of course. My mother called this afternoon with a bunch of computer techie problems (pretty easy stuff really, but she needs someone who's willing to repeat things several times without losing patience, and who can figure out what's going on from a very non-technical description -- L answered the one real software/security question, but now I know for future reference). Then we discussed a few book things, and then L came in and announced that it was snowing.

Snowing, and 48 degrees F outside.

Just a few flurries, but a reminder that we were going to be getting a hard frost tonight.

Plants are covered. More sewing accomplished. Kitties are settled finally. L is listening to ani-music - very cool.


May the new year bring you joy, good health, good company, lighter burdens, and illumination to light your way, wherever your path may lead you.

... maybe we really should consider rolling cages, or setting up areas around the fruit trees we're planning on putting in this year...

Gene Logsdon's Accidental Peach Crop

... although I still like the cage attached to the barn idea too. That way all the chickens can supplement their diets with grass, grubs, and bugs, and we just cage and move some of them over to the fruit trees now and then.... And no, we _can't_ have free range chickens. While the chickens would be happy enough staying near the house and barn -- easily acquired room and board after all -- we'd lose too many to wild animals. Also, many dogs aren't on leash around here and I don't trust them not to try to have some 'fun' with the chickens.

Range-free works better some places than others. We have weasels, fishers, fox, ermines, and other fun critters.

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=167098


... which, oddly, reminds me that I need to get some maize seed... to try to keep grain costs from getting completely out-of-hand for feeding the chickens, and also cut down on having to order in grain, we're going to grow some corn for them (and maybe some for us too).

And if the oats do _really_ well this year, they might get some of that too.

Haven't ruled out rolling cages or building a cage next to the barn with ramps from the chicken rooms, but finding the time to build is definitely a factor...

Two weekends ago we had our Bergental 'town meeting', and I tried out wearing my chiton. No stola yet because I still need to choose fabric for it and because I'm brain-dead and can't remember if it's closed up the sides or not. I remember how the neck opening works and the pleating at the shoulders....

Since the meeting was kind of outdoors (I made several trips between the house and the sugarhouse), I grabbed one of my scarves/wraps to use as a palla, which worked pretty well. I used a combination of my fibula from Crossroads at Canterbury, my laurel wreath fibula, and some little jeweled pins to attach the chiton along the top edges. Need a wider piece of cording for comfort I think, but it was still pretty decent. Very comfortable clothing.

I tied the cord the way rufinia showed me at Coronation, but had it a bit looser I think, so one loop of the cord wanted to go down to the waist. I've seen statues with tying below the breasts and around the waist, so I just fiddled with the fabric to puff and drape it over the lower band and it worked pretty well. I also got to demo the cord tying for a few of the ladies there, so they could see how easy it was.

I may make a few more chitons for Pennsic, although they may be from some cotton I have, because, well, I have it... gauze cotton, so should be cool enough on hot days. Although might need to wear a stola over them so I don't scandalize folks ;)

Rectangles fold up very neatly and take little space. I'm thinking my Norman clothing will be staying home this year!