My family and I went to Orlando for Mary's family reunion.
We had a wonderful time staying in rented houses and visiting with all of the siblings, kids, cousins and uncles and such. Really good to be with those folks.
I have one brother, and Mary has 3 brothers and a sister. That makes for much different family dynamics! Mary calls it "critical mass". When my family gets together, we just never get to that point, because there just aren't enough of us. But Mary's family gets there quickly! It is always a good time to hang out with them.
We did some of the "touristy" things. My thing this year was going to Epcot Center. I've been wanting to go since it opened, but this was the year that I got to go. We also went to Weeki Wachee Springs. That was pretty cool. It was a kinda interesting show, the kids seemed to enjoy it, and we then all went to Buccaneer Bay (the waterpark area) and had some fun on the water slides and swimming in the fresh water. Really nice.
Most of the rest of the time we spent hanging out at the house, watching the kids swim and just being together. Really good family reunion.
We got back home last night after about 16 hours in the car. We did stop a few times for breaks, and meals, but overall it was driving. I much preferred the driving all day coming home to the driving all night going down there, but that is just me. Driving all night did make it so that Mary could spend more time with her family, and less time spent resting in a hotel. Mary was fantastic, and did take her turns driving. I couldn't have done it all myself, especially driving all night. Daytime driving is easier for both of us, I think.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Nice scooter ride
So I had some time this Friday evening. So I hopped on the scooter and took a ride. I made it to downtown Annapolis, out to Crownsville on General's Highway, and up 3 to Veteran's Highway, to Benfield Road and then back down Old County Road. Not a lot of miles, but lots of nice back roads and fun curves and stuff. It was a good ride after dinner.
When I got home, I pittled around the gardens. I pruned this bush, and clipped that plant, tugged out a few weeds, and plucked some pachysandra from around the paths, trimmed another bush, clipped back some trees limbs, and just enjoyed the beautiful weather.
Our summer and winter squashes are growing well. The potatoes and such are doing well also.
I'm excited about the upcoming Florida trip. Looks like we are going to have a beautiful weekend before we go.
I don't know what I'll get into tomorrow, but I think some laundry will get done, then packing for our trip.
When I got home, I pittled around the gardens. I pruned this bush, and clipped that plant, tugged out a few weeds, and plucked some pachysandra from around the paths, trimmed another bush, clipped back some trees limbs, and just enjoyed the beautiful weather.
Our summer and winter squashes are growing well. The potatoes and such are doing well also.
I'm excited about the upcoming Florida trip. Looks like we are going to have a beautiful weekend before we go.
I don't know what I'll get into tomorrow, but I think some laundry will get done, then packing for our trip.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Rain Barrels are Full!
I've been enjoying the rain this afternoon. The storm came about 5 pm, plenty of time to enjoy the rain. It did water the garden quite well, and filled up the half-full barrels. We are topped up now both in the ground water and the barrels. That is so cool! The pond too is almost to the top as well. We've put it out to our friends (and the Universe) in general that we would like some frogs for the pond. We have one little frog, but that seems to be it.
I have damp clothes now from walking around the house in the light rain. I couldn't wait to check out the yard! I'm so excited with everything, and how well it is growing.
We had some of the environmentally conscious Friends over for a garden tour last evening. They seemed much impressed with what we've done here. They didn't seem to believe me when I said that it was fun, and not too much work. I also tried to tell them that I have been working in this general direction of soil building for the last 3 years. It shows too. There aren't many places we can did out in the gardens where we don't disturb many earthworms at a time. I demonstrated that to the Friends last night, and they were impressed! Since some still have yards, lawns and such, use chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) and have managed to kill off most of their worms, and beneficial insects.
With this rain, the slugs will come out and give us a chance to do some slug picking. I've noticed that the slugs don't bother the plants that are growing in wild profusion! Just the little ones we would like to eat later.
I planted 2 pounds of cover crop seed - White clover since I read Masanobu Fukuoka's interview in Mother Earth News Archives. I really like the internet. Anyway, he said to use white clover as a cover crop, and an inter-crop because it was the best one he had tried. So I went out on Saturday and put 2 pounds of seed around, and have been waiting for the rain to come... and grow our clover. Even the asparagus beds will have clover soon! The asparagus will come up over/through it and will be even healthier. If the clover gets out of hand, I'll just chop it off and let it be worm-food! If I want to plant other things, I'll just pull out some clover, plant the new plant or seeds and let them go. It will be a wild experiment by far.
Anyway, I'm excited because it rained. I'm excited because of the garden growing so well (the strawberries were fantastic! and more are still coming.) I'm excited to be alive. But most of all, I'm excited to be Mary's.
I have damp clothes now from walking around the house in the light rain. I couldn't wait to check out the yard! I'm so excited with everything, and how well it is growing.
We had some of the environmentally conscious Friends over for a garden tour last evening. They seemed much impressed with what we've done here. They didn't seem to believe me when I said that it was fun, and not too much work. I also tried to tell them that I have been working in this general direction of soil building for the last 3 years. It shows too. There aren't many places we can did out in the gardens where we don't disturb many earthworms at a time. I demonstrated that to the Friends last night, and they were impressed! Since some still have yards, lawns and such, use chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) and have managed to kill off most of their worms, and beneficial insects.
With this rain, the slugs will come out and give us a chance to do some slug picking. I've noticed that the slugs don't bother the plants that are growing in wild profusion! Just the little ones we would like to eat later.
I planted 2 pounds of cover crop seed - White clover since I read Masanobu Fukuoka's interview in Mother Earth News Archives. I really like the internet. Anyway, he said to use white clover as a cover crop, and an inter-crop because it was the best one he had tried. So I went out on Saturday and put 2 pounds of seed around, and have been waiting for the rain to come... and grow our clover. Even the asparagus beds will have clover soon! The asparagus will come up over/through it and will be even healthier. If the clover gets out of hand, I'll just chop it off and let it be worm-food! If I want to plant other things, I'll just pull out some clover, plant the new plant or seeds and let them go. It will be a wild experiment by far.
Anyway, I'm excited because it rained. I'm excited because of the garden growing so well (the strawberries were fantastic! and more are still coming.) I'm excited to be alive. But most of all, I'm excited to be Mary's.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Garden Still Grows
It has been a while since I blogged. Mary has hit the big points in our lives. As for me, I'm still working, and it seems as if 8 hours a day is way too much work!
I look forward to coming home and being with family, friends, and of course the garden. Which is growing very well.
We've had some learning curve problems, like getting some of the seedlings to grow. Seems most of the leaf crops aren't growing very well in the new beds... I think the worms need longer to get them ready for us.
The trees are growing fine, and the kiwis, grapes and fig all are coming along.
We've had lots of fresh strawberries, and they are very good right out of the patch! Peas off the vines are excellent too! I've got carrots, beets, turnips and daikon radish growing in the front and side yards. Mary had beans growing in "TeePee Alley" aka the side yard.
Grow well, all.
I look forward to coming home and being with family, friends, and of course the garden. Which is growing very well.
We've had some learning curve problems, like getting some of the seedlings to grow. Seems most of the leaf crops aren't growing very well in the new beds... I think the worms need longer to get them ready for us.
The trees are growing fine, and the kiwis, grapes and fig all are coming along.
We've had lots of fresh strawberries, and they are very good right out of the patch! Peas off the vines are excellent too! I've got carrots, beets, turnips and daikon radish growing in the front and side yards. Mary had beans growing in "TeePee Alley" aka the side yard.
Grow well, all.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Weekend Update
Gardening. Trellis building actually. One huge Kiwi trellis done. It is 22' X 8' X 8' high. Hopefully plenty of room for those kiwis to grow and fruit.
I planted apple trees, Asian pears, and a passion flower vine. I planted fingerling potatoes, and ginger roots. The weather outside was beautiful, and I very much enjoyed the entire weekend. It was relaxing and fulfilling at the same time. The gardens are really coming together well. I will probably plant the remaining Asian pear and the Seckle pear tomorrow. That leaves the grapes and Kiwis yet to plant. Oh, and the fig tree. I haven't quite figured out what kind of trellis I want to have the grapes on yet, and Mary wants to help me figure that out, so I'm waiting for her to get back.
Not much else happened this weekend.
I planted apple trees, Asian pears, and a passion flower vine. I planted fingerling potatoes, and ginger roots. The weather outside was beautiful, and I very much enjoyed the entire weekend. It was relaxing and fulfilling at the same time. The gardens are really coming together well. I will probably plant the remaining Asian pear and the Seckle pear tomorrow. That leaves the grapes and Kiwis yet to plant. Oh, and the fig tree. I haven't quite figured out what kind of trellis I want to have the grapes on yet, and Mary wants to help me figure that out, so I'm waiting for her to get back.
Not much else happened this weekend.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
My %&@*# $0.02 worth!
Ok, so I don't get angry easily. Anger is an emotion that really doesn't do anyone any good. Especially me.
But these mass killings by crazy people are getting to me.
I also realize that I'm more likely to be killed in a simple traffic accident than gunned down while sitting at a school, gas station, or restaurant. But still, why are we continuing to let this go on?
Because we haven't got any idea how to stop it! Our so called experts hem and haw over Second Amendment rights, the NRA says "You'll have to pry my gun out of my cold dead fingers," and the pacifists say, "if we didn't have guns, there wouldn't be mass shootings."
Ok, so what is the answer? We have a Columbine High School, or a Virginia Tech, or a small Amish school, or 2 snipers in the D.C. area, or workplace killings where lots of people are killed for no good reason. There are others I could mention, but you get the idea. How many more people will live in fear of being on the receiving end of a whacked-out person living their very own First-Person-Shooter fantasy? Apparently all of us!
I have an idea of a solution, one that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Since there are over 300 million, yes MILLION, hand guns in the United States, we aren't going to be getting rid of them any time soon. We will continue to endure gun murders, mass shootings, assassinations, and crimes of passion committed by ordinary people who have become desensitized about killing, death and murder. How did they become that way? Many ways... Network news, War, violent video games, violent movies, violent TV shows, local crimes, poverty, road rage... Need I go on? Somehow American society has become fascinated with killing, death and murder. And I'm not blaming the media, they only give us more of what we ask for... or what we seem to be watching to sell advertising.
How do we stop the killing? According to the politicians, the NRA, and just about everyone else I've talked to, we don't. We endure it. And we will have to continue to endure massacre after massacre.
Well here's my radical little idea to at least change the odds:
Since we can't take the hand guns away from law-abiding U.S. citizens or (il)legal immigrants, crooks, gang-bangers, felons, convicted murderers etc., (remember there are 300 million of them in our peace-loving country) why not just ensure that everyone has one? Oh, and that everyone knows how to use them. How hard could it be? After all, we have programs now to feed the hungry or poor, and train them to better themselves. So why not government gun use programs? Government gun issue? Since our governments, police forces, vigilante groups and home-grown militias can't stop one person with a death wish, why not have everyone carry hand guns for protection? And change the laws that will allow you to be absolved of any wrongdoing if you "shoot back." Why not government training programs for the masses on how to keep, shoot, clean, and maintain a hand gun? How much money would that take away from the ill-fated Iraq/Afghanistan (soon to be Iran if we "stay the course") war?
I predict that in the first few years of mandatory hand gun laws we would have a lot of people killed. There would be a swift societal change. We U.S Citizens would still have our precious Second Amendment right to bear arms, and quite swiftly we would have a very well-mannered society. After all, if you ticked the wrong person off, they could shoot you. Let's not forget that women are usually better shots than men, and we would have to respect them as well... Instant ERA, eh Ladies?
Everyone would be able to carry at any time. That would make the air plane hijackers wary, wouldn't it? They might be able to crash a plane, but they would be full of bullet holes before they did!
Also if people carried everywhere, everywhere would be protected, wouldn't it? Always lethal force around to protect ourselves.
Let's look at the bright side, after about 5 to 10 years, the good people of the U.S. would have weeded out the crazy people who want to kill others, and if someone did try to pull a massacre, there would be plenty of people in the crowd who would shoot back. Much less loss of life. If after the first or second person was shot, 15 people returned fire, well, the numbers of dead and wounded would be less anyway. Oh, and lots of savings of tax-payer dollars from not having to prosecute and jail these crazy people.
Even the pacifists who don't want to carry a gun would be able to make that choice, just as they do now. All they have to do is act like they are carrying and who would know differently?
I don't really want to carry a gun. It isn't in my nature to want to. Just the way I am. But do I want to live in a safe society? Yes. Is America safe? No. Will it ever be safe? No. Was it ever safe? No. What do I tell my children when they ask why our government can't keep us safe from ourselves? Well, in the United States, the people ARE the government, and there is no safety from ourselves.
Sleep tight kids.
But these mass killings by crazy people are getting to me.
I also realize that I'm more likely to be killed in a simple traffic accident than gunned down while sitting at a school, gas station, or restaurant. But still, why are we continuing to let this go on?
Because we haven't got any idea how to stop it! Our so called experts hem and haw over Second Amendment rights, the NRA says "You'll have to pry my gun out of my cold dead fingers," and the pacifists say, "if we didn't have guns, there wouldn't be mass shootings."
Ok, so what is the answer? We have a Columbine High School, or a Virginia Tech, or a small Amish school, or 2 snipers in the D.C. area, or workplace killings where lots of people are killed for no good reason. There are others I could mention, but you get the idea. How many more people will live in fear of being on the receiving end of a whacked-out person living their very own First-Person-Shooter fantasy? Apparently all of us!
I have an idea of a solution, one that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Since there are over 300 million, yes MILLION, hand guns in the United States, we aren't going to be getting rid of them any time soon. We will continue to endure gun murders, mass shootings, assassinations, and crimes of passion committed by ordinary people who have become desensitized about killing, death and murder. How did they become that way? Many ways... Network news, War, violent video games, violent movies, violent TV shows, local crimes, poverty, road rage... Need I go on? Somehow American society has become fascinated with killing, death and murder. And I'm not blaming the media, they only give us more of what we ask for... or what we seem to be watching to sell advertising.
How do we stop the killing? According to the politicians, the NRA, and just about everyone else I've talked to, we don't. We endure it. And we will have to continue to endure massacre after massacre.
Well here's my radical little idea to at least change the odds:
Since we can't take the hand guns away from law-abiding U.S. citizens or (il)legal immigrants, crooks, gang-bangers, felons, convicted murderers etc., (remember there are 300 million of them in our peace-loving country) why not just ensure that everyone has one? Oh, and that everyone knows how to use them. How hard could it be? After all, we have programs now to feed the hungry or poor, and train them to better themselves. So why not government gun use programs? Government gun issue? Since our governments, police forces, vigilante groups and home-grown militias can't stop one person with a death wish, why not have everyone carry hand guns for protection? And change the laws that will allow you to be absolved of any wrongdoing if you "shoot back." Why not government training programs for the masses on how to keep, shoot, clean, and maintain a hand gun? How much money would that take away from the ill-fated Iraq/Afghanistan (soon to be Iran if we "stay the course") war?
I predict that in the first few years of mandatory hand gun laws we would have a lot of people killed. There would be a swift societal change. We U.S Citizens would still have our precious Second Amendment right to bear arms, and quite swiftly we would have a very well-mannered society. After all, if you ticked the wrong person off, they could shoot you. Let's not forget that women are usually better shots than men, and we would have to respect them as well... Instant ERA, eh Ladies?
Everyone would be able to carry at any time. That would make the air plane hijackers wary, wouldn't it? They might be able to crash a plane, but they would be full of bullet holes before they did!
Also if people carried everywhere, everywhere would be protected, wouldn't it? Always lethal force around to protect ourselves.
Let's look at the bright side, after about 5 to 10 years, the good people of the U.S. would have weeded out the crazy people who want to kill others, and if someone did try to pull a massacre, there would be plenty of people in the crowd who would shoot back. Much less loss of life. If after the first or second person was shot, 15 people returned fire, well, the numbers of dead and wounded would be less anyway. Oh, and lots of savings of tax-payer dollars from not having to prosecute and jail these crazy people.
Even the pacifists who don't want to carry a gun would be able to make that choice, just as they do now. All they have to do is act like they are carrying and who would know differently?
I don't really want to carry a gun. It isn't in my nature to want to. Just the way I am. But do I want to live in a safe society? Yes. Is America safe? No. Will it ever be safe? No. Was it ever safe? No. What do I tell my children when they ask why our government can't keep us safe from ourselves? Well, in the United States, the people ARE the government, and there is no safety from ourselves.
Sleep tight kids.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Another section of Sheet Mulch
I spent a good while today doing more sheet mulching.
It is really neat how all of that material goes in, and eventually I'll have rich dark loamy topsoil to grow things in! Amazing.
I worked from about 7:30 this morning until 1:30, taking breaks for lunch and snacks. It looks really good, and when Mary gets back from visiting Liza, I'll take a picture for you!
Yesterday I got the granny-smith apple tree planted, and the six thornless blackberries. I hope they make it! They looked half dead, but then again, they are ship in dormant states. I also got 35 or so asparagus plants tucked into the ground. We should have a good area of asparagus in the next couple of years. Yummy!
The garden is really coming along. I'm so happy with the way things are turning out. It is amazing that the work I've done previously on the perennials has the garden beautiful already, and it was work that I don't have to do again! Yeah! Now I have to get the materials for the kiwi trellis and get that going before the kiwi get here. Always something to do, eh?
I've been enjoying being lazy and reading for the rest of the afternoon. I did manage to get to the commissary and get the cereals that the kids asked for. I hope they enjoy it! Super sweet sugar coated sugar! Not what I want to be eating.
It is really neat how all of that material goes in, and eventually I'll have rich dark loamy topsoil to grow things in! Amazing.
I worked from about 7:30 this morning until 1:30, taking breaks for lunch and snacks. It looks really good, and when Mary gets back from visiting Liza, I'll take a picture for you!
Yesterday I got the granny-smith apple tree planted, and the six thornless blackberries. I hope they make it! They looked half dead, but then again, they are ship in dormant states. I also got 35 or so asparagus plants tucked into the ground. We should have a good area of asparagus in the next couple of years. Yummy!
The garden is really coming along. I'm so happy with the way things are turning out. It is amazing that the work I've done previously on the perennials has the garden beautiful already, and it was work that I don't have to do again! Yeah! Now I have to get the materials for the kiwi trellis and get that going before the kiwi get here. Always something to do, eh?
I've been enjoying being lazy and reading for the rest of the afternoon. I did manage to get to the commissary and get the cereals that the kids asked for. I hope they enjoy it! Super sweet sugar coated sugar! Not what I want to be eating.
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