Posted on 06/11/2022 5:09:19 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
CLICK ON A DANDELION FLOWER (POOF!)
I have two squirrelinator traps - first one I got was without a “tray” for swimming lessons so I ordered a 2nd that had it. Last year I caught 9, the year before that, 36. All total, I’ve trapped 70 over the last couple of years. Driving them far enough away to keep them from coming back just isn’t worth it, IMO. The fox with kits in a den under the barn (the year before last) thoroughly enjoyed squirrel for dinner & helped her feed the kits. I have not trapped this year, but the traps are going out around the garden - we are overrun with them right now. The garden is out in the open and we have hawks ... usually, the squirrels are reluctant to go out in the field to get to the garden, but I’ll put out traps to make sure any that get out there aren’t eating my veggies.
When I bait, I use a cracker with peanut butter smeared on it & some sunflower seeds on top. I’ve tried fruit, but nothing has been as successful as the PB cracker/seeds. I LOVE the squirrelinator because there is no “setting” a trigger plate - just put the bait in & let the squirrels find their way in to it.
My Yellow Lab, Lucy, was really good at bringing in critters, too. One Chipmunk was NEVER found - and I cleaned every square INCH of that farmhouse when I put it up for sale, LOL!
I would LOVE a Maine Coon Cat. Being owned by one has always been on my Bucket List. Right now Eva and Boyd are only four years old, so they should be with us for a while. (Brother and Sister from the neighbor’s ‘Barn Cat Collection.’ Fixed. American Shorthairs; Boyd is a black and white Tuxedo and Eva is a brown Tabby with white.)
I told Beau when I moved in at his farm that I did NOT want ANY pets in the house! After cleaning up after men and three teens and too many pets to name for two decades, I had had it!
That lasted about 10 minutes! So far there have been two cats, two Basset Hounds, the Beagle, a few adult dogs we were fostering/training for others and any and all puppies I’ve raised in the off-season when it’s too cold for them in the barn or kennel shed.
Famous last words...
Don’t know how humid it is where your are but they’re calling for a heat index of 105-110 here for the next few days. I’ll be done whatever I’m doing outdoors by noon.
I have had some REALLY good cats ... when people say they “don’t like cats”, I tell them it’s probably because they’ve never had a really ‘good’ one .... loving, sweet, affectionate, etc.
So I am totally in love with the ‘calico’ coloration. My “bucket list” cat is a Calico Maine Coon. My vet years ago, when I had a calico cat, told me she did research on calicos in vet school ... their personalities tend to be a little different, more complex, and the only way I can describe it is that they play chess when other color patterns are playing checkers. She confirmed the different personalities & also that genetically, they are almost all females. If you are looking at a litter of kittens & want a female, if there’s a calico in the litter, that’s the one you want.
Anyway, I have been intrigued with Maine Coon cats for year. My SIL has a cat that is part Maine Coon & he is the neatest guy. One of these days, maybe I’ll be able to have one (the folks are NO animals in the house & they aren’t budging).
Link on Calico Maine Coons:
https://www.mainecooncentral.com/calico-maine-coon/
My calico was a “Halloween” cat - mostly black with smudges of tan/cream mixed in her coat (not a lot) and 4 white paws, white on her belly, a white “ruff” & a half black, half tan nose. Her hair was long, Persian-like, golden-green eyes. She was gorgeous.
Thanks, Pete!
Tuesday and Wednesday up here (SW corner of WI) are under ‘Alert Days’ for way-too-hot temps, too. 95+.
This SERIOUSLY needs to stop! My plants are either water logged or being FRIED to a crispy crunch!
Mom is coming out to help with the garden. I think we’ll work for a few morning hours, then take an A/C car ride to all of the A/C shopping spots we like.
I KNOW I’m supposed to know what I’m doing after all this time, but this season is going to be one for the record books - and NOT in a good way! Grrrr!
I have a 1 hour break in the rain right now, so I’m going to put on my barn boots and do all the barn and dog chores. More rain tonight.
I’m starting to feel a little, ‘stabby.’ ;)
I was SUPER upset about not being able to get in the garden when I usually do in the Spring - earliest we’ve been able to plant one year was the first week in April - super warm spring. Usually, by mid-April, some things are going out, certainly by the end of April.
Well, THIS year has been different! It seems not being able to get in the garden hasn’t really mattered, at least not for what I’m growing because it was a very cool spring, roller coaster weather, and in a word: “crappy”. My SIL started really early (she always does) & has peas, onions, early crops although she had to use row cover to keep some very late frosts off of the plants - also got down below freezing (barely) a couple of nights.
Around here, the big “contest” with people growing tomatoes is to have their first ripe one by the 4th of July - not happening this year! I’m going to be putting out cukes & peppers in the next week or so - currently outside hardening off. I expect to maybe have produce sometime in August & maybe even September. Sigh.
“Stabby” .... LOL! I have been frustrated a lot the past month - garden overgrown with weeds I couldn’t do anything about, unable to put anything out in the raised beds, not able to mow (my brother helped me out with that) ..... just a bunch of stuff. I am trying to keep a positive attitude and when I need a good cry, I get a glass of wine and go for it, then pick myself up and dust myself off for the next week or so.
Right now, zinnias are coming up so I can’t wait for cheerful flowers and I have little green tomatoes on all my plants - 1 Sungold and 2 Celebrities. I did get some seeds to germinate so I have little seedlings for peppers & beans ... life is looking “up” for me at the present. Last 2 PT sessions next week - mentally I am SO ready not to have to deal with that ... it will also free up mornings for the garden when I don’t have to worry about staying clean so I don’t gross out everyone at PT!
After weeks of temps running 20+/- below average; and 3-4” of rain & hail over the last week & a half, we had a single day to transition to the dry 80s;
Finally was able yesterday & today to plant 25 each of Yukon & Kennebec sets. Just barely time enough for full maturity. Also got my fava, bush-green, and Kentucky Wonders planted
Corn and speckled butter beans are emerging; spinach got hail battered to death. Onions & garlic are doing well; waiting on my squash & dry beans to emerge.
Bees are doing well, and my super that was sitting near the hive for later use accidentally captured a wild swarm.
What the world sorely needs are scaredeers
They’re called ‘beagles’; but, then you need a dig proof yard, and beagle proof fence. LOL
Climate Change
Happens every few days or weeks in some places, sometimes.
Many thanks to both of you. Last year was our first year, we pulled them in September I think. Looked great, I thought the bulbs could have been a bit bigger.
If you leave them in too long, it can ruin the bulbs.
The cloves start to separate and the skins are shot.
Once they are harvested, they need to be cured in a dry, well ventilated place out of direct sunlight for three weeks.
At that point, I trim off the tops and dried up roots and clean off the dry dirt.
I grow only hard neck garlic so cannot braid them.
Two things squirrels will about kill for are black oiled sunflower seeds and black walnuts.
One suggestion I heard for squirrels was to put some black walnuts in a tub or drum of water and just wait. The squirrels will dive in for them and can’t get out.
I decided once Burden was sworn in that I understood Amish folks much better than I had ever before. In fact, I think MAGA might be a modern day code for Make America Amish Again. I am ready to stop with all the “progress” the elites have been shoving down our throats these last couple of years.
Well, of COURSE my problems all stem from Climate Change, LOL!
It’s to the point where I’m almost afraid to LOOK and see what Mother Nature has in store to torture my tomtoes this week!
And whenever I COMPLAIN, which I am very good at, I remember all the trials Qiviut has been though this spring season with her broken kneecap and I settle down a little. ;)
I’m going to have to try that Wine Therapy you’re recommending, LOL!
Thanks for the info on the Maine Coon. I’m not sure if I have the stamina and patience for another Black Lab, though that’s always been my dog breed of choice.
Our Beagle is 10, so he’s on the back side of life. I really don’t want another house dog - and believe me, with 14 on hand right now, raising and training, some for us, some for others, I can get a Dog Fix whenever I need it.
A Maine Coon would fill that house dog gap, easily. :)
Beau is ‘The Cat Whisperer’ around here. I DO everything for them, but who do they LOVE? Daddy. They know who pays for their kibble & fancy cat litter, I guess!
AMEN to THAT! :)
Less than 900 days to go, though. So there’s that. Maybe. Kinda. Soft of. ;)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.