Danny, I am glad you are feeling as well as you are. I also enjoy hearing you tell about your pup.

I use to love to walk. I loved to go to the national forest and just take off, I would have a backpack or butt pack for food, water, and supplies. I would walk forever trying to find a spot no man has ever seen before. I used the excuse of scouting for deer, but by that time in my life I no longer wanted to kill anything, but I would tell my friends where there were a lot of "deer signs", but my friends did not like to walk as well as I did and wanted to hunt as close to camp as possible.

I have soil ready to plant, but need to make a sprinkler head to go with the 55 gal barrel I have laying in the back of my RTV. I will fill the barrel at the house and drive to the wildlife garden and drive over the rows with the water valve open, much like "oiling the highway". That seem like a lot of work just to feed the grasshoppers. I feel that I need to get some Kale and mustard in the ground, at least the deer dont seem to like it as well. I expect we have at least 2 acres of greens planted already, many, many turnips.

The walk was good. We've had nearly daily encounters with hooved rats (otherwise known as white-tailed deer) when we walk the Greenway about sunrise. Todays was a bit special though. There were at least 4 rats, 1 obviously on the paved trail, and 3 (or more) in the brush. As we approached, the ones in the brush snorted and took off. The one on the pavement either decided that if it didn't move we couldn't see it or something like I don't care...not moving. Anyway, we passed within six feet (like other side of road) of the deer. She was basically not moving, and Jasper is usually focused on his walk (other than reading pmail scents), he knew the deer was there and was kinda watching it, but we went right on past. After we were about 20 feet away, she crossed into the open pasture (and I saw at least one of it's friends join her). Yes, Jasper turned to watch her when I did (and maybe a bit more)..but he's (as I said) generally very focused on doing the walk. In fact, I started day before yesterday having to use commands to slow him down, because he was choking himself and hurting his throat. We didn't have that issue at all today (though I did slow him probably half a dozen times), he does learn fast.

Deer are great creatures and the pet buck that I had as a early teenager was fantastic (more dog than deer), and they're tasty too. They're also pretty destructive in the numbers that we have. I have never hunted anything, so not likely to start now, but I would sure not turn down a fresh deer carcass. :)

Jennifer
I answered in the other thread and they realized it was a new week.
I am coming to see all y’all. Probably just a lunch like last time. Like a mini fling. I need y’all’s friendship and encouragement.

Today was the day of the squirrels (everywhere), no hooved rats though.

Being at risk of making this my column (with more than 1/2 the posts)..I thought it was time to post a Jasper photo...so I took one at sunrise near Lake Fayetteville today. Very nice warm colors, which is why most photography is done in that soft early light.

Nice pic, Danny. I love the colors also. also enjoy reading your post.

Not a lot going on here, it is too hot and dry, almost 60 days now without enough rain to settle the dust. It is so hard to keep things alive.

I need to put my truck in the shop, and, pick up a few supplies while at town. I want to try a few things in containers, which I will try to care for properly, but I think it is time to put the garden to bed.

Ron took out the tomatoes today. We have some broccoli and collard plants to put there. And I will throw spinach seeds and maybe arugula around them. I have celtuce seeds I think are supposed to be grown in winter.

The beauty berry has purple berries! Many potted plants died because I was not the one watering.

Danny, I like to use a halter on dogs so I don't have to worry about tracheal collapse. I'm glad you and Jasper are doing so well. You certainly amaze me walking that far with your breathing issues. I chuckled at your sunrise pic, you get the same effect at last light and don't have to get up so early. I have never been a morning person, but birding always required early rising, especially if any travel was involved. Did the squirrels attract Jasper's attention? My dogs go crazy over squirrels.

I suspect Nancy is high on pain pills and reading.

They're saying another week of above normal temps, sigh. I'm not seeing chances of rain. Double sigh.

Larry, I meant to comment on all the squash you got. We did not. I would like to grow cornfield pumpkins, but don't really have the room for them.

Well, it's, Monday, everyone have a ggood week!

I just harvested one container of sweet potatoes. I got a lot of small sweet potatoes that will work for next years plants, all in all I was happy with the potatoes, they were in an area that did not get much sun, as is with all of our containers. I will go back with a fall crop of something in that container, + plus the other 11 that I have not removed the plants from.

I am watering the sweet potatoes and okra in the garden today. I dont like to water the sweet potatoes a lot late in the year, but it has been so dry, and I am concerned about the harvest. The ground is so hard that I could not harvest them by hand, even it I were a young strong man.

Amy, I am sure you would like growing the cornfield pumpkin, they seem so hardy, but they do take a lot of room. I have grown the cornfield pumpkins 3 times, and they did well each time, I just sort of let them grow wild.

Amy, I tried a halter on Denver and really didn't like it. So, when the breeder said they preferred slip leashes, I went with that. Yes, I know regarding the choking issue and it re-crossed my mind this week, but I think with a bit of training he'll be fine and the slip leash is far more convenient for me. We'll re-evaluate that thinking as we go forward though.

Wow, yes, I can't poke a sharpened pole in the ground where I do water usually, I can't imagine digging for potatoes (sweet or Irish) in this soil condition. Hopefully some rain will come our way soon? I'm not too hopeful, but surely this too will end?

Not high, Amy. In fact, a couple days ago, I took a pill, then forgot and took another one not long after that. WOOOOOOO. I didn't like that. But today when PT person was here she said I certainly could take 2 at dose time if I want to. (I do NOT want to. PT exercises are baby exercises, so no big deal at all. Cept the 3 times a day. Hard to remember the 3 times a day. Home health nurse was here today as well as the PT lady. Only thing I don't like is swelling of that right leg. GDW ran to town and got ice packs for me today. Hope that does the trick.

PT lady said I'd probably be off the walker in a week or two; I told her Dr. Kunapuli told me to stay on it for four weeks, no matter how good I feel. That surprised her. (Nevertheless, I will go with what Kunapuli said, of course.). And both ladies asked how much pain I'm in. Answer is an easy "None" unless I'm walking. Then I wouldn't even call that pain--but, rather, discomfort. Ahh, other thing I've been doing is sleeping--and speaking of that. . .

Nancy, I'm not a doctor and I didn't even stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, but the only reason I can think for the doctor to recommend staying off it for four weeks, is the stress using it would cause. Normally a doctor's goal is to get you back on your feet as fast as possible, so I expect he would want you to be mobile (but with walker). Did you ask or when do you have a follow up ?

No no, Danny. He doesn't want me stay off the leg. In fact, I'm walking now. I was walking on the day of surgery. He just wants me to use the walker while I'm walking, to keep from putting 100% of my weight on that leg. He had to cut more of the bone off than he had anticipated and he had to put a couple screws in it, too, with the glue. So he wants me to use the walker for walking, no matter how good I feel (he said in all seriousness) until my follow up with him on Sept. 23. Well heck--that's not EVEN 4 weeks. That's 2 weeks and a day or two. We'll see what he says then. :)

Nancy, I'm so glad it's going well for you! And you're not in pain.

Danny, how in the world did you get Covid?! I'm so confused about this virus. It's the weirdest thing....and makes no sense. I'm around people all the time...of course, I'm wearing my mask again constantly and have been for a couple of months. Strep throat is what is running rampant through our little school right now.

There's not really anything new to report on the garden. It's all about the watering and shading right now. Still harvesting the same ol same ol.

The beans have been awful this year. The cowpeas aren't so great either and even the okra is shorter and less productive, although we have plenty. It's the lack of rain. Rain is so nourishing to our gardens...as long as it's not insane amounts.

Work was pretty intense yesterday and today and I'm grateful to have tomorrow off.

Maybe I'll sleep all day.

HJ. . . I've no idea whether it's going so well or not. I know that I am extremely cranky and out of sorts and it's been fairy intense here too. I may not be in PAIN, but it is very difficult for me to walk. I can't even go out to see the peppers or flowers or butterflies. I KNOW it'll be getting better day by day. . . . with setbacks now and then.

If you've been reading about Covid you will understand that yes, it is extremely "weird" and tricky. And certain folks are more susceptible, some less; affects some blood types differently, for example. I've found that the more I wear the face mask, the more comfortable it is. I really don't mind it nowadays.

All I can say is that with as many medical establishments as Garry and I have been dealing with the past month, the more I understand that wearing masks is very very important.

I have never been very good at following the Dr's advice, and regret it. I think I have lasting damage that I would not have if I had just listened to what Dr. and PT had told me.

I just got through picking and shelling about 3 gal of peas. The PEPH are about through, the Zipper Cream are just starting.

Our turnips and other greens are coming up, the grasshoppers will eat well this fall.

There are about 50 or 60 winter squash and pumpkins left to harvest.

I have 3 more spots ready to plant something, about 400 sq. ft. After I harvest the sweet potatoes I will have about 500 more sq. ft. to prep for planting.

Nancy, I'm sorry I assumed you were doing well. Hugs to you. Sorry you're out-of-sorts (or however you would describe how you're feeling if I chose the wrong phrase.)

It is such an odd illness. Danny is rarely around people and has had it twice. I know people who have had it twice and have also been vaccinated. Super confusing. No one really knows how it will affect them if they were to get it.

I do know that a few of my acquaintances who had C, will go to a doctor that is not their doctor...and just pay for their visit instead of going through insurance. As long as it's not going through insurance, these doctors are prescribing Vitamin C, D3, and Zinc. And some are prescribing the "horse dewormer" in the human form.

And a popular new source said that many people were ODing on this horse dewormer in Oklahoma and it was keeping other people from being treated in the ER for other emergencies. That wasn't true. It was debunked. Why lie? That's why people don't trust what's being told to us. Super frustrating. And dangerous.

I'll just wear my mask, although it is more uncomfortable when it's hot like it's been...and your face is sweating and sunglasses are fogging up. LOL.

It's not bad at all in the winter. Keeps you warm.

It does suck working with young children while wearing a mask. They really need to see your face, especially mouth. Makes things difficult for sure.

We should all be doing our best to boost our immune systems for sure.

When will you harvest your sweet potatoes, Larry? We'll need to do that soon too. Like in a month, probably?

Well, my first time was at the grocery store, I can even identify the worker that I caught it from (before we knew it was in the state). I suspect the others were too, though I didn't identify a carrier, it's about the only place I go. I have several risk factors, about the only thing going for me is a good immune system (unless you consider jumping at everything not good (allergies)).

Jennifer, I would like to dig my sweet potatoes before the end of this month. I dont have a good place to cure them so I cheat a little. I would like to wait till almost frost to dig them, but because of no curing space, I just let them stay on the porch till they dry enough to dust them off with a paint brush and then take then into the house and store them under a bed or in a closet. I have our center bedroom junked up with light shelves, seed storage, and sweet potato storage, plus I have between 40 and 50 squash/pumpkins in there. I dont think I will have as many to store this year because it has been so dry, and I have watered less this year.

I got (4) 20 foot rows of greens planted today in my south garden. I hope to plant (2) 60 foot rows of collards in the wildlife garden tomorrow. I hope to water, and amend the soil first. I will have a water problem until we start getting some rains.

I planted in pots today. I hope to get hoops up and cover everything with insect netting.

Yeah, right now, what we plant (and water) is the only green juicy thing...hence it will be ravished.

It’s so strange how people respond to 12yo threads. It always throws me off

Well, I have to admit, I must have lost my gardening urge (for the year). I just begged off a trip to Eureka Springs where there's a plant sale from my favorite vendors (Ozark Soul) next Thursday. I felt I had to email them that I'm not coming lest they think I'm dead (because I'm always there when THEY pull in, and they always have my pre-order plants in hand when I approach). I had even planned where to have breakfast in Eureka...but the urge to garden has been squashed by almost three months of drought, heat, and literally exhaustion.

I guess it's just surviving at this point, maybe excitement will return in winter or spring or after most of my life, I have to get a new hobby.

Well, walking wise, I've planned my walk this morning and expect this to be a 5 mile car ride, park, then walk a few miles with the dog..and this to be my farthest north on the Greenway (and probably last new exploration of the Greenway, because it either means a 20 mile car ride or walk through town along streets (far less interesting to me)).

This is mostly the purple and white hyacinth vine. At my sisters house. She was gifted purple seed by a garage sale customer. I received the white at a home show in Lubbock. Together they are stunning.

Danny, I can relate, there are several plant sales in Tulsa this weekend or next. Ron would take me. But I can't currently care for the plants I have. So I'm resisting the urge to go. Of course, next week it's supposed to cool off for a bit. I'll be wishing I had gone. I did not see rain chances with the cool down and while there were little storms in Tulsa and north of us yesterday, we did not get any.

Ron fell in the garden the day he took the tomatoes out. Pushed a rib out of place and has had a pain there ever since. He went to minor emergency yesterday and they told him to see a chiropractor. That surprised me, but he saw the doc I like so much, who is very straight with you.

Nancy, did you ever get your chair? How is the lift chair working out?

Amy, while I think the doctor is right to recommend a chiropractor, *lol* isn't that about the same (to a doctor) as recommending he see a witch doctor ? :)

I've used chiropractors most of my life.

Speaking of chiropractors, our new family doctor that we like so much, takes great pride in her chiropractic abilities, too. It was at the beginning of July before I got in for my hip steroid shot, and on top of all the hip pain, my back went out. I happened to have a doc appt then and told her about it. . . . after we tended to whatever else we were tending to, she manipulated my back--it didn't take her more than 3 minutes to put the muscles back in place. I have never had any chiropractic treatment before. It was magic.

Another magic thing. . . . Amy, our fabulous furniture guy brought us the left recliner he had in to let us try. He assured me if I didn't like it, he'd take it back. I loved it.--still do So we're renting it for a month, for sure. Maybe 2 months.

The new recliner we ordered should be in this next week.

It's Day 9. Today is the first day I feel like there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. I woke up this morning feeling so comfortable; felt like jumping out of bed. Hahaha. Didn't take me long to wake fully up. But it's the first day I've felt like maybe I could take a few steps without the walker. And before, while I said it didn't hurt, I realize now that it hurt big-time, just not like the osteo pain.

I don't see any rain in our forecast for the next 10 days, and it is God-awful ugly dry out there. Score: Drought, weeds, and grasshoppers a big fat ONE, Garden and Yard, a big fat goose egg.

House inspection todsy so I'm driving over for it. My sister in law was planning to go but she isn't feeling well, so either Cliff goes or I go by myself. I mainly want to get some details down so we (really me) can start planning. Plus measure out for the fencing we'll need to install first thing.

My gardening interest is gone too. Mostly because of the move, I cut way back on everything, then had to dig up more for the fence, so everything is looking pretty sparse right now.

Sure is exciting, Jen. Keep us posted!!

I just came in from harvesting almost 2.5 gal of roselle. Two plants died and I wanted to get the fruit off of them.

I re-tilled part of the south garden where I will plant some kind of fall stuff.

I planted a mineral tub with walking onions. I plan on planting other fall stuff in mineral tubs. I had better luck with containers this year. Megan mentioned putting more compost and garden soil in them, and, it seemed to make the plants grow better.

I am going to rest a while, then go over to the wildlife garden and work a while.

Nancy, I am glad you are feeling better.

Jen, I am excited for you also, but I sure would not want to trade places with you, I hope I have made my last move.

Hi Everyone.

It's probably just the lack of rain that is making you feel "done" with gardening. It's just so depressing. I've mentioned it before....how I get depressed when it's so dry. No one likes it, but some are better suited for it, I think. They would rather have too dry than too wet. Honestly, I'm the opposite. Not that I like flooding rains either.

I'm not sure why people are different in that way. I tend to blame it all on genetic memory. Something in our individual ancient ancestry.

I just told Rick that IF we didn't have well water, we would have to shut down most of the garden. I couldn't afford to keep it all going. And, it appears that although we're getting cooler next week, it will still be dry. It's been since June that we've had more than a trace of rain out here. Ugh!

The almanac says that October will be agitated and turbulent. Great.

Amy, poor Ron!

Jen, how did the inspection go?

Things are fine, here, really. I was soaking in my beautiful new bathtub last night and thinking that I need to be less negative.

And it's hard to be positive right now. Whoever is in charge of the world, is trying to divide us on stupid things and people fall for it so hard.

That negativity trickles down to all the issues that we have as individuals. Health issues, job issues, lack of rain issues. And we can start blaming this person or that politician for all the problems in the world.

It's just a lot for all of us to take. Everything is so hyped up and exaggerated and it's just so sad.

Gardens are usually our break from the crazy...but they're dry and miserable in Oklahoma right now, so it adds to the stress.

Anyway....just take care of yourselves. Remember that the media is hyping things up and not always honest. Stop vilifying people who are different/believe differently than you. Pray. Rest. Love others.

Find a good garden video to watch.

This is one I watched last night. She had beautiful flower gardens, but this is her veggie gardens. Skip up to 2:30 or so to avoid the advertising.

Take care!

For me, obviously feeling "done" with gardenng this year is exactly what I said, somewhere: the drought, grasshopper plague, weeds, being incapacitated by the hip pain. AND Garry's issues, as well. I am SO excited about having the surgery over and believe I will be soon looking forward to living a new and better way! Yay yay yay!

Larry, I guess you will be living in "tall cotton" with onions from here on out!

Jen, as soon as you can, if all goes well, you get pictures taken of the new place!!

I'm so impatient to be on my own, so to speak, and to not rely on GDW. Of course, we DO, I on him and vice versa, but not terribly much. But it sort of drives me crazy to have to rely on him as much as I've had to the past 2 weeks. I had "retired" from walking this evening after dinner, as I'd been extra ative all day. . . and he knew that. But I was in the computer/quilting room and needed for him to come move a chair, so hollered out for him. Nothing. Again. . . nothing. Again. . . nothing. . . . finally, hollered at the top of my lungs, and he came dashing in. WHAT WHAT? I told him what I needed and he said, for crying out loud. And yet, he gets upset if I'm trying to do something that he thinks he should be helping with. I was so frustrated. Makes everything so much more difficult that he's so hard of hearing, of course. He's always so evenly tempered, but this has tested him, too. I'm not sure who was more thrilled that I am finally feeling better today--him, or me!

Hugs to you all and remember to thank God for your loved ones who take care of you!

Nancy, you need a bell (or a cell phone each). Course it won't be that much longer, you're already on the ninth/tenth day, right ?

I think that when a couple get a few miles on them they should carry their cell phone with them at all times. Madge is uncomfortable when I dont carry my phone, she called me yesterday when I was in the garden. I was sitting down on a 5 gal bucket picking roselle, and she could not see me to let me know that she was going for her music lesson. I think most phones will vibrate, which is a big help for those of us that cant hear well. I carry my phone on my belt or the bib of my overalls. We try to keep up with each other all the time, if we drive to visit or go to another town, we call the other before we leave to come home and let the other know where we are, the route home, and time we expect to be home, and ask if we need to pick anything up on the way home. The only time I have needed to call for safety is when I ran my tractor off into the creek. I was not hurt, but it was too far to walk back to the house. I was able to walk to a spot that Madge could drive the car to to pick me up, We also call the other if we are in a store to check if the other is ready to go home, but most of the time I wait in the car or stay home. If I stay home, and she cant see me when she leaves, she will call me and tell me where she is going.

Inspection went well, I think. The seller is only doing required repairs, and only a certain dollar amount, so I was nervous that required repairs would be more than they agreed to. But everything the inspector found was minor stuff. Still have the appraisal inspection to do, and our realtor is going to try and get some of the issues written in as required. Couple electrical plugs, the washer wasn't wired correctly, etc. And electrical is really the only stuff we're concerned with. So now we wait for the other inspection and hope it goes as well, then the inspection on our house. Then maybe I can feel comfortable in planning.

I sit in my chair with my tablet. Ron is hard of hearing, too. He sits at the desktop with headphones on because the voume he would need would drive me up the wall. but that means sometimes I can't get his attention from across the room. Ive thrown things at him but my aim isn't good enough to get close to him. I some times point a flashlight at him.

Nancy mentioned Garry doesn't use his phone, but as Larry said, a cell phone may become more important to him. Ron has trouble hearing a call on his, but when he calls his sister he has headphones that plug into the phone. Think he could hear a bell, Nancy? Would he see a light going on and off? How will you deal with it when he has his surgery?

I told Nancy yesterday that Ron went to the chiropractor and got relief from hip pain that he hadn't even gone in for. She worked on his rib, he goes back Monday. He said he could breath better, though.

my keyboard is behaving badly so I'm going to sign off and reboot the stupid tablet.

Not much new in the garden really. Just the same ol' constant watering. Harvesting a little of this and that.... and trying to keep it all alive.

The brassicas are growing, but something is nibbling on them and it's not loopers. My guess is grasshoppers.

I've gotta figure out the nolo bait for next year. How it works and how to use it, etc.

I'm enjoying a few hours at home. Have a thing to go to tonight and work tomorrow and another thing tomorrow night. Sigh.

Tom is working today. Ethan went with me to Natural Grocers because I had a good coupon that expires today. In Norman, you have to plan your trips into town during home games, otherwise you'll be stuck in traffic for hours. I waited until the game started and went. Ethan, me, and the others who don't care much about football were out and about.

I did get the grocery list made for the week. It is so nice to say....oh, I have diced tomatoes, black beans, onions, etc. in the pantry from the garden, so don't need to buy any of that.

There's a lot of housework to do, but a nap sounds much nicer.

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I asked Garry about the bell he said we had somewhere. He went searching this morning and came back with this, suggesting it may have been this little horn, not a bell. How funny! I think it will work fine. It's awfully noisy--I don't think he can possibly not hear it!

Speaking of naps, I just had THE nicest nap! It was a doozy!

I also should check up on nolo bait. Grasshoppers STINK.

Sure it was your keyboard, Amy? I've been having problems with Facebook--commenting on others' posts.

I suppose I should try to train Garry on the cell phone. It's certainly not something he'd like training on. . . on the other hand, he needs to train me on how to sit down and read a good magazine or book straight through. I so admire him for that. Recently I got hard copy subscriptions to Nat'l Geographic and Smithsonian. He devours both as soon as they come. I had also ordered The Afghanistan Papers a few weeks ago and by gosh, he has sat down and read through that entire thing, as well. I'm a little jealous.

Suzanne came over last night about 7 and stayed until 9 or so. Wow--I never have company that stays so long. SO fun to catch up. We sat in the quilting/everything room so as not to bother Garry. She remarked on how different the energy vibes were in that room. Wow--that really resonated--I'm sure that's true--for sure it's nothing like the rest of the house. No way for me to ever get bored in there! I think I may embark on sorting seeds there--probably as close to gardening as I'll get in the next few weeks!

Garry and I are encountering a behavioral issue with Tiny. I remember Dawn telling us to not forget who's in charge, re cats. Seems Tiny is taking us to school in that department. I suspect it comes from the fact that neither of us has been outside gardening this past month. I'm a little embarrassed even bringing it up. This is where it comes from: these 3 cats are much beloved by both of us. Though I know Danny was/is right, that cats need to be kept inside, that ship had sailed with these 3/barn door had been openined--impossible to get the "horses" back in. And so every morning we go through this rigamarole whereby cats have to go out, then in; then out; then in. Tom and Jerry, not so bad. But Tiny has discovered (created?) a new game. He can scratch on the front livingroom window screeb. Garry goes to the door to let him in. Works great. NOW he has upped the game. Now he scratches on the screen, Garry goes to let him in and he backs off. No thanks, he says, and if GDW goes out to get him, he dashes off. So GDW comes back in, sits down. Tiny is right back at it, scratching the screen. This morning, took him oh, 5 minutes until he began meowing loudly to get back out. This has now obviously turned into some kind of game for him. I scolded him--couple times ago I threw my grabber stick at him. Now I've cme up with new idea. Get the water spray bottle. Told GDW to show up at the door with it and if Tiny backs off to spray it at him. We need one of you to show up as a cat specialist doctor.

Other issue is my appetite. We thought my appetite has just shrunk for now . Now I realize it's not that--it's that I don't have an appetite at all! I was so excited about the big juicy burger I ordered from the Marina, and by the time I finished the 3rd or 4th bite, had no interest whatsoever. Do any of the rest of you have similar after-surgery issues with appetites?

Okay. . . . off to my exciting life!

Summer is always difficult for my appetite...and probably the worse the longer it goes on. Oh, never fear, I don't lose any weight (or not much), but just nothing is appetizing.

Garry mentioned the weight. He asked if I'd stepped on the scales. I said No, I expected the weight I'd lost from not eating was made up by water I was retaining. :) Hey--it is stil HOT outside! Who knew?

Cats do have fun playing games with us, don't they?

Finbar starts purposely "stalking" Diana (so she'll make a ruckus) when he wants out. Yep, I agree, Nancy. Once a cat has a taste of the outdoors (which is totally normal and natural), they won't be house cats only. If you try to make them.....they'll drive you crazy--with their noises and knocking things over and leaping around.

I wish I had never let Finn outdoors. He feels it is his job to protect our property. He is always scratched up. I think more from getting caught on things than from other animals. I love him so much, though.

Juno is now an outdoors cat. I spent a lot of money for an outdoor, 3-tiered enclosure for her. She had some issues that weren't resolving....and I had tried about everything that is possible for our home and situation. She seems pretty happy, though. She only likes me and prefers to be alone mostly. I am taking her out of her enclosure and holding and petting her daily. She is in a location that is covered and she can see a lot, which she enjoys. Indoors, she spent 23.5 hours a day in a window sill.

About Finbar....I've had to stop worrying that he'll not survive the night. I was terrified most nights and didn't sleep well. I've had to let it go, though. I'm still not happy about it, but I can't be constantly upset and scared and losing sleep.

Charlotte was a good gardening companion. She came in every night by bedtime. I miss her a lot.

And, Nancy, I'm sure your lack of appetite has to do with your surgery. Also, you're not moving around as much, so probably not burning as much energy. If you start losing significant weight, certainly talk to your doctor.

Have I told y'all about a garden a couple miles down the road from me. It's a first year garden and pretty large. She has the most beautiful pumpkin patch. Jack'o lantern types of pumpkins. Maybe because it's a first year garden and the pests haven't found it yet? I'm a little jealous. I remember Dawn told us that her first 5 or 6 years at their home, she was able to grow every type of pumpkin because the pests hadn't found her. What a dream that would be. I love winter squash and pumpkins!

Jennifer, I have had such a great time growing winter squash and pumpkins, but insects are really bad. I have never seen the insects this bad before. I think that it being so dry has made them worse.

I ask my neighbor this evening if he though that he would be able to sell any of the cornfield pumpkins, he said that he already had 16 sold. He had told me at one time that he would be able to sell them for $10.00 each ( which I doubt he can do ), I ask if he still thinks he can get $10.00 each, he said, " I have these 16 sold at a dollar a pound". One customer wants 8 of the largest ones. I dont think anyone can sell pumpkins at a dollar a pound, but we will wait and see. I will say, that Madge has cooked two butternut types, and they were the best I have ever eaten.

I am really wanting to see how my experimental Seminoles turn out. I have some really pretty, and large Seminole, but I have no idea what the seeds will reproduce or how the fruit will taste.

I expect we will harvest the rest of the Seminole and butternut, and take the trellises down this coming week, they have more or less grown wild, and I want to burn the area in hope to kill insects and eggs.