We got an unexpected 1/2” of rain today! It. Was. Glorious! Just a staight-down soaker! You could literally hear the vegetation SIGHING with relief!
Then, of course, my internet went out, so I’ve been doing other stuff this morning like helping Beau pack up and load up for Bear Training Camp. He took all of our 9 bear dogs and is transporting two more for others, so a total of 11! The only dog left behind for me to tend was Emma Jolene who is a ‘coon dog - and she was not too happy to be left behind. He left about 11am and it’s nearly 2pm now and Emma is still on top of her doghouse howling, LOL!
So, I did NOT have to water my Kitchen Garden today - did the fruit trees and other yard trees that were stressed, yesterday. Not sure what to do with myself if I don’t have to drag around miles of garden hose! ;)
We put ‘Chuck’ in the pasture with 8 other Heifers - and even though he’s a monster with a 72” chest already, he’s smaller than ‘The Girls!’ The mule got moved to the shadiest, greenest part of the smaller pasture, so other than water, those two can pretty much fend for themselves, grazing. I do have the two Beagles and two cats and the puppy (another one to raise is coming my way, too!) and the two raccoon to care for so basically, I’m on VACATION with this reduced workload! Yippee! :)
Been harvesting zukes and the lettuce has come to an end. There are wild Black Cap Raspberries all OVER the place this season, so I’ve been picking and freezing. Elderberries are in bloom, so I’m picking some flower heads to dry for tea. Zinnia and Sunflowers are blooming for cutting and the roses are getting their second wind. I have more grapes on the vine than ever before, so it will be a good juicing season. Raspberries aren’t looking that great for some reason. The strawberry season was a total bust for me and local growers.
Working on my ‘Projects List’ to see what I can get done these next few weeks. Freezers need cleaning out, as does my pantry under the stairs (canning jars and prepping supplies) and I want to paint the laundry room/pantry and get that cleaned out to make room for my new stacking washer/dryer.
I watched a documentary called ‘The Minimalists’ the other day and I am REALLY in the mood now to clear the decks. My goal is One Cup, One Bowl, One Spoon - though I know I’ll never ever reach that, LOL!
We got 1/4” yesterday afternoon via T-storms. Fortunately, thunder was rumbling in the distance with no close lightning strikes & we did not get heavy winds. Today, severe storms are in the forecast, beginning around 3 - fingers crossed we just get the rain & not much else. Our place is on elevated ground with towering, massive 90+ yo pines. The trees are beautiful; however, they are a magnet for lightning & we’ve had some serious strikes/damage, so close lightning makes me very nervous.
My company yesterday wanted a garden tour despite absolutely sweltering heat. At a minimum, she got some fencing ideas - has a terrible rabbit problem & virtually everything she’s planted has been nibbled on or destroyed.
I have never grown spaghetti squash before & tried it this year, braving potential squash bugs. So far, so good, with lots of squash on the vine. I have one that is yellow - ‘golden’ yellow, from what I’ve read, is when they are ripe - I will take a closer look .... the squash may be at that stage & ready to pick!