I tend to think that Jasper would fade away if no one complimented him pretty much every day. Yesterday, two people even gave him hugs (and unlike most dogs, I think he likes it). He likes people a lot more than I do.
I looked at the long range forecast for October and it seems to have a lot of rain in it. I hope that chance doesn't evaporate!

Hi everyone. I really don't have much to talk about.

Jasper is beautiful, Danny.

Amy, thanks for naming the thread. That is fun.

I'm just a little weary. It's probably the waning year plus lack of rain. My mind and body are ready for a rest, I think.

(then add the difficulties at work).

I'm happy to have the day off work tomorrow. I have a long list of things to do. We have people coming over for a social thing on Sunday night, so I need to start the cleaning tomorrow and will finish it Saturday. And decorate for October. This is an important thing to me.

I remember that Dawn liked decorating for the seasons too.

I picked and shelled peas, I just finished shelling. I have about a gallon of seed, and, enough shellies for a meal. I plan on picking more tomorrow, but, I plan on taking a low stool to sit on. My old body just does not like picking peas, or much of anything else. I also pick okra and peppers when I got back to the house.

While coming back from the wildlife garden, I noticed we have a new baby in the pasture, a little , long eared donkey. I did not go out to check on it, but everything looks Okay.

I don’t have 3 dots

From the photo, Jasper seems to be saying, "Why YES, you may pay homage to me." He is entirely too symmetrical! lol

Larry, If I'd been with you, That's where I'd be sleeping tonght, out near the new donkey and his Mom. New donkeys are among the cutest!

Twiddling thumbs, frittering the time away. Yes, Danny, about 20 days. As of Wednesday, I will began referring to post op in weeks, not days. It''ll be 3 weeks then. I have felt a difference, for the better, since last Thurdaday. While I'm a sissy and entirely too impatient, I guess, it FEELS like it has been forever, but I guess less than 3 weeks to feel somewhat improved is not THAT bad. I have been strolling around pretty darned well on the walker for the past 4 days. It has lifted my mood considerably. Good thing things have taken a turn for the better, snce I will be out of pain pills tomorrow. Told Garry I'm at the point now where I probably can do okay wiithout if they don't want to renew the prescrip, tho PT lady thinks they probably will, just to keep me moving well.

My energy level has rebounded, and I want to go-go-go! But will not overdo. Just do lots of my exercises. Nothing to report in the garden, since I haven't been IN the garden. Garry has been doing a good job of watering, and doing an even better job of taking care of a very cranky (at times) patient. Hope you're all off to a great start to the week. XOXO

Jasper is a very handsome boy.

Glad to hear you're on the road to recovery, Nancy. I think the period between feeling better and actually being better is the hardest. You feel like you can do more, but know you still need to take it easy.

Only thing producing is the tomatilloes. Too many to eat, but not quite enough to do anything with, so I need to pick up some more at the store so I can make a few cans of salsa verde.

Lol, terrible when you have to do that (buying a few more)..but I've been there.

As to the three dots, I would imagine it has something to do with your browser (or app), but not sure. Try a different browser (I used Chrome for that post...because that's what Google put on new phone).

Well, our morning walk was relatively quick and easy. We did 3 miles, and even with stopping to take pictures for a bit (I'll upload one or two), it took me a bit less than an hour (plus 5 minutes car both ways).

This is the sunrise over a creek (taken from bridge). There was a GBH (greater blue heron if you don't know) there before I took shot, but he either hid or departed while I was fiddling with the camera app on new phone. Jasper usually sits or lies down when we stop like this..so not an issue...I like that.

This is the bridge and the beautimous sky this morning. If I had been about 30 minutes earlier (sorry), it would have been lovely colored probably.

Thank you Danny for helping me troubleshoot. I used to be able to edit but last year stuff changed. Not sure what the deal is. Maybe the Houzz app

I just lost a whole post! Grrrrr.

Kim, do you have an Iphone or an android? I have an android. My browser has been putting a gray rectangle at the bottom right of a post. This is where the 3 dots are in desktop mode. With my browser I go to - yet again - 3 vertical dots at the bottom right of the screen. It is next to the URL, which can be top or bottom depending on the browser. This is the same menu I get bookmarks, history and general settings. Looking at your screen shot I don't see gray boxes or dots either. Do you have the Houzz app?

Nancy I'm glad you're feeling better. Get the pain pills and wean yourself off. 1/2 pill where you would take a whole. Then skip a dose. Otherwise you might have withdrawal symptoms. I'm still concerned about your appetite. You need to eat to heal.

H/J, I used to decorate, but when Valentine's went up in January and its now Easter... My mom decorated. One year she had a fall arrangement that included cattails sprayed gold. She saved it for the next year and the cattails burst and put fluff all over.

Danny the dog is doing good.

You know, Larry, I'm not fond of picking either. My favorite thing is starting seeds, when the seeds first come up. It's all downhill from there, LOL. Not that I don't love EATING fresh, just not picking. Oh, and my favorite "fresh" this year is Nancy's frying peppers which are so good!

I will post now, lest I lose another.

Amy, I knew what you were going to say as soon as I saw the word "cattail", I have done the same thing. It is hard to believe that you can get a bale of cotton out of little bitty cattail.

I am going to rest a while and then go brush hog some peas and corn, then go pick more peas. I am starting hate peas. My artificial shoulder is starting to hate them also.

I would like to plant a few things, but it is as dry as a bone here. I would also like to burn some trash, but we are under a burn ban.

Amy it’s an iPhone.
I am using the app though.

(I hardly remember anything...but) I seem to remember I used the app on Android and hated it ;)

I finished PT yesterday. think it's time to take my show on the road. I think we'll begin by walking. Outside. Woo woo. What the heck am I thinking! I'm not going to be walking up and down on my road with a walker! I was picturing myself out there walking without a walker! lol I need to go out to the garden and check peppers. Might work up to that with all the tricky ground. For the life of me, Amy, I cannot figure out what you're talking about, "frying peppers," unless you're talking about the Italian spice ones.

I chopped up an ancho pepper, and a sugar rush peach one. . . Oh-chee-wah-wah! Sugar rush a bit hot. . . but very interesting--not at all unpleasant, other than the hot, lol. An interesting sweet hot. The peppers went into the grits I prepared and didn't eat last night. Had a spoonful this evening and froze the rest. Quite good. I had them with a fried egg and toast. Hard to beat an egg and toast.

Too late for wearning, Amy--taking my last pill tomorrow. Doc's nurse hasn't called back, but I think I'll be fine. I was already down to one pill a day. Here's something bizarre. I haven't taken aspirin for-ever! Nor Tylenol for the past year. Now, I am supposed to be taking an aspirin a day, and the only OTC I'm cleared to take is Tylenol. So Sunday, bright as I am, I took two aspirin in the a.m., 2 in the p.m. (thinking they were acetaminopen). . . Guess who had a big hole in her stomach Sunday evening and all day Monday. Finally got that out of my system, more or less, so took Acetaminophen this evening--and by gosh, they kind of worked. I need a nurse. A live-in one. Tomorrow, all. . .

Nancy, I want to see granny (you) out there racing on your walker...no, really, I want video, maybe time-lapse? :)

I'm hoping rain comes today...really really hoping!

Yesterday I suffered from lack of rest and also from trying to visit with my father (whom I have always had a difficult relationship with, and which any mention of causes me stress I think). That coupled with a busy day, and trying to visit him about 1 pm, when he was falling asleep in his wheelchair instantly. So, I drove an hour and a half to stay in room for 5 minutes, and he probably didn't even know I was there. Oh well....

End result, too many allergy symptoms to feel like I could do an evening walk in the 84 at 7pm, so we skipped it.

Danny, I am sorry about your family issues, I could write a book about family heart ache, but I don't think anyone would want to read it. In the long run many of my heart aches turned into blessings. Because of some of the issues, I got to spend a LOT of time with my mother in her later years, which is worth more than gold to me now. I still have to deal with heartache about other family members, but it is what it is, and I don't expect it will ever change.

I had a good day yesterday. I worked a lot ( by my standards ) and ended up with less than $10.00 worth of peas. I brush hogged a lot of peas and corn stalks down, and cleaned up my neighbors green bean and sweet potato garden. I cut his sweet potato vines off so he could see where to dig his potatoes. I checked with him last night and he told me he had dug 31 hills and had 157 pounds of potatoes, which is the best he has ever done here. I gave him over 150 slips, so he still has a long ways to go, I am thinking that he told me that he had around 300 plants. The good harvest has him smiling from ear to ear because he is hoping the peas, okra, pumpkins, winter squash, and sweet potatoes will help to cover his near $700.00 water bill. I am giving him all the stuff he wants out of the wildlife garden. I think he has fallen in love with the Old Timey cornfield pumpkins, and the Arabat winter squash. Both of those seeds came from George, both have been good producers. I have a pretty good supply of butternut and Seminole pumpkins I am letting him sell also.

I should be out picking peas, but we have company, and I am enjoying the rest.

You keep tempting me to visit this vegetable stand!

Yes, Nancy, the Italian peppers, I think I got at spring fling. I had a smaller pepper a ccouple of years ago that was an "Italian frying pepper", so that's what I think of with long pointy peppers. These are exceptionally good fried with onions. We will have some tonight in the Philly cheese steaks Ron's making.

We got enough rain to make puddles in the street.

We waved at the rain to the east as it went by. :( .

Yes, Amy, I love those peppers. Plus, they're very prolific. I bet ours is loaded right now. I'll be anxious to go check. I suppose I could have Garry do it.

Well, Danny, on the bright side, you drove all that way but only had to endure 5 min. Are there any good restaurants over there? I guess you probably had Jasper with you.

And yeah, I must have been half-asleep thinking about taking walks. Granny won't be out showing off in her walker any time soon.

How many here have family issues like Larry and Danny? Raising her hand here. Blach. Now, however, only remaining family member is a sister who doesn't speak to me. Bummer. lol . Thank God I get along great with my son and DIL. Miss them.

No, I wouldn't leave the dog in the car even to run to the grocery store this time of year. Naah, Huntsville is like population 2500, there's a McD, Subway, Pizza Hut, and maybe three local diner types. Nothing really good...adequate maybe. I typically like to have three independent reasons for a trip and I only had 2, and basically he removed one of those (lol). Yep, I'm peculiar and proud of it!

Well, if one is peculiar, it's good to be proud of it. What was your last one?

I typically like to have one reason to make me travel. Good restaurants. Amy knows I appreciate ambience and a glass of wine. lol Other factors are reasonable prices (unless it's a celebration) and good food. Is that so much to ask? :) .

That is one hefty water bill, Larry! For how many months is that?

well, for those not doing much on facebook... I am back. Got home Sunday PM.

Am working on a trip journal... you can peek already... but realize, it isn't done yet.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/rideacrossMinnesota

I loved the cool temperatures, but could have done without the 43 and the 37 degree mornings. A couple of nicer campground facilities would have been great too.... but overall, it was pretty darn good.

This was my third crossing of Minnesota... and I have to think of something else for next year. ;)

Folks don't let Danny tell you otherwise... he is a really nice guy. :)

Nancy I am glad to read you are doing well. Keep up the good work.

Kim, sorry about your phone.

I already did two bike rides here in the city... and can't do anything in the yard, soil way to dry.

Moni

Danny, You can see the veggie stand on line at " Diffy Mountain Produce ", about 20 miles south of Ft. Smith.

We got 2” of rain y’all. !!!
My seeds will sprout like crazy now.

Look what I found today! In the above pictures!

I like to think that this monarch was one of the babies who was on this very milkweed.

Swallowtails are back again.

This bed is full of goodies for them.

Kim, that is SO amazing. I sure wish we would get some too. BUT I'm glad that you got it! Makes me happy!

I'm looking through some family history and came across this memory--it's many years old itself, but I had to laugh. *The* aunt Stella is my great grandma. Maybe that explains my dirty house and desire to be outside. lol

All the Ward sisters would come to pick cherries off of our trees in Hobart each spring. Don't ask me how they got word they were ripe because it was not the day of instant contact.

Aunt Elsie was super clean in her home, Aunt Woodie next, then Mama (Oda), and last was Aunt Stella, who would rather be outside. Aunt Elsie had an indoor bathroom and an out house. The kids used the out house, but it was really clean.

This is pot already seeded before the rain. I bet he was happy for some rain

Lol, I had to click on that larger before I figured out it was a leopard frog. For me, it's usually tree frogs that I bring inside a pot for the winter. Glad you got some rain, we haven't yet...but maybe? it's coming ?

There's a website called Ambient Weather where people with those weather stations create an account to share their weather data with others. Someone has a station about 2 blocks from me so I like looking at it. According to it, we got just under an inch. The one closest to my dad in Grove says they got 3". Nice way to end the month.

https://ambientweather.net/dashboard/8baefa56a71605c969e935062521cafd

Wow...a nearby (about 2 miles) station reported .5 inch while one about 4 miles in the other direction reported 1.17. I would venture to say we got less than .5, maybe .25 (but that's just gut reaction and no data to support). It does seem this rain was highly variable.

The closest place listed in that ambient weather is catoosa. The Tulsa station of the mesonet is closer. Tulsa says about an inch, Skiatook, north of me is 1.5. MY weather station has never worked for rain.

I thought I posted here that #2 son (today is his birthday) has Covid, but I didn't find it. His 2 boys tested positive though 4 year old is asymptomatic. Maybe in the post I lost. The youngest grand son tuned 1 the 29th. And our 45th anniversary is tomorrow.

The cup cake was blue and purple.

Amy I have a rain gauge myself. No wondering how much rain I got. It's this one: https://www.amazon.com/Stratus-Precision-Mounting-Bracket-Weather/dp/B000X3KTHS/ref=sr_1_9_mod_primary_new?crid=203NWTG5QR0UH&dchild=1&keywords=rain+gauge+outdoor&qid=1633105446&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=rain+gauge%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-9

Happy Anniversary!

Moni

We just cant seem to get a rain. The last good rain was July 15, and it is very dry here. We are under a burn ban.

I need to do some garden cleaning, which will include brush hogging, but a little afraid to. A man died in a fire a few miles from me, he was brush hogging, and some how started a fire that over took him. I think he must have been trying to put the fire out and something went wrong.

I have been pea-n a little every day. I pick about a 5 gallon bucket full in the morning, and , then shell them later. We are running out of room in the freezer, so I trying to pick mostly dry peas, which I will store in containers. I am telling Madge they are for seed, but I already had more seed than I need.

I still have peppers and okra in the garden, and okra and peas in the wildlife garden. We have pumpkins and winter squash in the wildlife garden also, we will be harvesting and selling them any day now.

Something very strange was happening, water was falling from the sky, it only fell for a few minutes, I wish I had had time to take a picture.

Well maybe you'll get a chance to take a picture of this strange and rare phenomenon later today or tomorrow.

BTW, we have a rain gauge, it had 3/4 of an inch in it. It was also dirty and had been dry so long the red ring that's supposed to float on top was stuck to the bottom.

Haha, all. Rare phenomenom indeed.

Cute cupcake kid, Amy! So I guess you all will be postponing birthday festivities for him. Meanwhile, Happy anniversary.

It's amazing how the plants perk up as soon as the weather cools off, don't you agree? I went for my first outside walk--indeed, my first ride to town. The only difference I noticed on the road to town was that the weeds were taller. And rudbeckia blooming all over the place--beautiful.

We go no rain yet today. This was an entertaining, if not somewhat bizarre Friday afternoon. I never did hear back from the doctor's nurse about the pain meds, so I just weaned down and have gotten by okay without. I mentioned it to PT lady yesterday and she was quite indignant. Said that was not acceptable. Then I said maybe she called it in and just didn't let ME know. So today called the drug store, sure enough. She called it in on the 23rd. They have our old phone number and had no other way to get in touch with me. That damned phone mix-up has caused us more problems the past month! Garry said he'd go get them, and I said I'd go along. A test trip. I have enough pain pills for 2 . more hip replacement surgeries! lol

Funny story. Subway. Do you all like Subs? We certainly do every now and then. But we can tell our franchise in Wagoner has trouble keeping help. Still. . . on the way in to town I told GDW we could order from wherevery he wanted, my treat (aren't I generous?). And he said Subway. We got there and I opted to stay in the truck since I wasn't dressed properly for the occasion (I'll leave it to your imaginations). I asked him to bring me out a menu so I could decide. He came back a couple minutes later and said the lady told him the only menu they had was on the wall. (WTH? ROTFL) . I laughed and said to GDW, "Uh oh." So we backed up, pulled to the drive through and I wrote down the stuff I wanted on my usual favorite, the BMT. Then he pulled back, parked, and went in. (We don't like to use drive-through, always takes twice as long.) . I fiddled with my cell, figuring it'd be a long time. It was. Finally Garry came out with our treasures. He said, "You're not going to be able to eat a 6" one." He said the young man, who had no idea what he was doing, piled so much meat on the sandwich Garry's jaw dropped. He said after seeing that, he told the young man, "I'll have the same thing only foot-long." We both were laughing so hard! I said, "Wasn't the lady supervising him?" No, said GDW, she was busy doing something else.

He then got up to the cash register, where the lady was going to ring him out and the phone rang. The lady answered it and said, "I don't give a SH__! If you're going to work your own hours, don't even bother to come in!!" Then GDW paid and got out. We laughed all the way home. This is not the first time the new employee situation has worked in our favor. And GDW wasn't kidding. We got home, and I sliced off a 2" segment. That was enough for a super duper yummy dinner. Even Garry could only eat half of his, and he usually can put away the entire foot long.

Well what does all this have to do with gardening, you ask. Darned if I know. But now Garry has turned Roku on and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are on--gotta go watch!!!

I manage to break every rain gauge that I buy. In stupid ways.

We didn't get much, but it was enough that we could skip watering tonight. We'll need to water again Monday if we get passed over again tomorrow. Looks like they've knocked us down to a 50% chance, so I'm saying we won't get any.

I wonder when we'll get a simple inch of rain out here. I wonder how long it will be....

Yes, Nancy, plants LOVE temps in the 70's, don't they? It's my favorite too. I thrive in it. Especially after a bit of rain--even less than a quarter inch....but still nourishing.

Our plants look happier than they've looked for weeks.

I've started researching property in Maine. You can surprisingly get a house with acreage for an affordable price.

I need to live in Maine for the summer. A summer home.

I won't have time to garden this weekend, but wish I could do some garden clean up and all.

When will y'all harvest your sweet potatoes? I think I saw at the other place, y'all talking about how you're harvesting them now.

I felt my sweet potatoes tonight and I have at least one nice size potato.
We had another 3/4 inch of rain but the ground is almost dry.

We got a little more rain, not a lot, but enough that I feel I can safely brush hog some peas and corn down when I go to the wildlife garden to repair the fence that something ran through.

I am picking the dry peas in the wildlife garden. My neighbor about 3/4 mile east of me was wanting some fresh peas so I was able to find about a half Walmart bag of them while picking the dry ones. I was also able to get a pretty good mess of okra for neighbor.

I expect I can get another 5 gal. bucket of dry peas to pick,, and then plant a cover crop of some kind where the peas are now. I think that I must have 5 gallon of pea and bean seed saved. I have ask Madge to cook some of the dry pea seeds today. I have never saved dry seed to eat, but I expect it is as good as the dry seed we buy from the gro. store, plus I have no idea what kind of supply problem we may have by planting time next year.

Hazel I have 8/10 of an inch this morning. I hope, you got some too. My rain-gauge was expensive and I have it mounted on a 4X4 out in the middle of the yard. Best purchase ever.

Moni

It's raining quite hard right now.Ron says about 1 1/4 inch so far. From radar I'd guess Nancy sgetting some. Don't low if it will stay on track for Danny or not.

Ron has family in Maine. Biddeford. When I was there for spring break many years ago, there was 4' of snow on the ground.

Larry, I think black eyed peas taste like dirt. Anything you grow tastes better. Pink eye purple Hull is great. I didn't have good luck with cream peas, but they were better than store bought.

Ron says we'll go to Smoke Restaurant for dinner tonight. We have a gift card.

have a good weekend.

I have 2 gallons of dry black eyed pea seed saved. I keep thinking I will plant it or eat it. Not yet but when I get land I will definitely plant it.

Our rain disappeared for today. I was hoping for at least what they said lol

Amy, we have not been too fond of dry peas either, but Madge will cook them from time to time. We have a few pounds of PEPH seeds, and have more fresh peas in the freezer, and still some on the vines that should be dry by now. I would have already cut them down if it were not for the added hot wires we strung over them. I have deer problems, but this year they were worse because of the dry weather. The deer would jump the electric fence to eat the peas. My neighbor and I bought over a mile of electric fence wire to discourage the deer.

Moni, does your rain gauge ever freeze? I have bought many, only to forget about them and let them freeze and break. I have had a new one for over a year, it had beveled sides. I bought it thinking that maybe the ice would slide up the sides as it expanded. Madge tells everyone that keep it under my bed to protect it, the truth is, I have no idea where it is.

We have not done much today. Madge's older brother died this morning. We did go out to eat, but nothing tasted good.

I need to go to the wildlife garden and repair the fence. I doubt that I will pick any peas, because we just had another shower, and I dont want to fool with a bunch of wet peas.

I am sorry, Larry, about Madge's brother, Were you all close to him? Did he live anywhere near?

You and she crack me up! Keep it under the bed, my foot! Our gauge wasn't expensive, but has lasted well.

We'll have the rest of our Subs this evening. Amy, be sure and report back on what you ate this evening. A picture would be nce. :) . My appetite has shrunk enough that it's a nice kick start on losing those excess lbs. I somehow acquired in the past 2 yrs--and I'm anxious to get going out in the yard, little by little. Oh--reminds me, gotta order Garlic today!

Later, friends!

Nancy, Madge and I did visit with her brother and SIL, they live in the edge of Oklahoma, about 32 miles away. Madge thinks she is everyone's mother, and like to cook special things and take to them. When their health was better they would come by and get stuff from our garden. It was not a surprise to hear of his death, he has been in bad health for a good while. He died at home in his sleep.

I did not go over and work on the fence, we have had showers most of the afternoon, which I am happy about. These slow, easy, showers are making the plants happy.

I noticed this morning when I checked the south garden, that I had more beets and onions coming up, but no garlic yet, still too early, I also have more to plant. There is really no reason for me to plant any, Madge seldom uses it, but it is just so easy to grow, It's nice to have something in the garden that you just cant kill. Garlic and Egyptian Walking onions will stick with you for life.

We did get some rain but I have no idea how much. It's enough for the garden for at least a couple of days and for that I am grateful.

Moni, I need to invest in a good rain gauge and have it mounted somewhere where I can't break it.

I did briefly glance at the garden. Everything continues to enjoy the cooler days and bit of rain.

For some reason the hottest days of summer bother me more than the coldest days of winter. Maybe because I have a warm house to live in. I've always thought I could exist well in a place like Maine or Vermont, but I could be totally wrong. I do know that I do okay working in the cold except for the Raynauds situation. Even at 0 and in the cold wind, I did okay wrapping the chicken pen with plastic back in February. Except my dang hands and the Raynauds.

Sorry about Madge's brother, Larry.

Nancy, what variety of garlic did you order?

Well, I'm going to get in the last comment (probably), is that like the last word?

I hope everyone got at least a fair amount of rain. I would suggest we got about .3 overall. It was better than none, not a lot better given the deficit we were under. It wouldn't be a problem if we got more in 2-3 days, but the next from the forecast is currently Oct 26th. Hopefully that will change.

It does appear our long running summer temperatures are now drawing to a close. At the moment, I am overjoyed at that.

Enjoy our new week coming up.