Garden Planning Class

Sharon Astyk ("she's my favorite doomer!") is starting up her on-line course on designing and working on a food garden this week. This course will cover everything from having your own country property to container gardening on an apartment balcony. My money is currently tied up in other things at the moment, but Sharon generously posts class content on her web site, and her co-teacher, Aaron, will be posting on his web site as well.

So, why join the class at all? The cool thing about joining the actual class is the chance to talk with others who are doing the same thing, and getting direct answers back from Sharon and Aaron, as well as a phone meeting with Sharon to discuss issues more in-depth. She still has a few spots available, so snag one if you can. Even more than Sharon's & Aaron's information, the participants always bring a wealth of additional information and experience to the conversation. Enjoy!

EDIT: corrected Aaron's name... sorry 'bout that! *sheepish grin*

Blooms Amidst the Ice

The rosemary is blooming like gangbusters, despite the freezing overnight temps and recent ice. Must be the liberal applications of soiled goose-pool water it receives on a semi-weekly basis. ["Mmm, goose poop."]

Am hoping the other perennials I've plans to plant will do as well. Currently in queue once the weather warms up:

• Hops rhizomes/vines to provide porch shade, some animal fodder, and perhaps beer making.
• Passionfruit vines - fantastic fruit, and very hard to get fresh/local. We're at the colder edge of its year 'round outdoor tolerance, but am taking a chance.
• Goji berry bushes, which will probably be easier to grow here in TX than carrots, and more beta-carotene.
• Two different types of lavender, which I know grows well here.

Upcoming trees: two bay laurels.

It's been a long week. Off to get more coffee, and counting down the minutes until my shift is over. Have a great weekend, everyone!

My Newest Helper

Yep, it's a high-pressure spray nozzle. We purchased it from a local Harbor Freight Tools, which is like a dollar store for the frugal do-it-yourself-tool-geek. I've used other nozzles and sprayers in the past to clean "the poop deck"* (a.k.a. the wrap-around porch) that the geese like to frequent, but those nozzles always required at least some bending over and extra effort. Even with the extra effort, oftentimes the spray would never quite get the concrete clean. I was considering purchasing a low-end pressure washer until I saw this item and decided to try one last time. This brass beauty, set to "stun", can darn near peel paint off a board with no more help than me directing its flow.

Hooray for inexpensive working solutions!

P.S. Oh yeah, and the dogs can't easily eat it.

[*phrase courtesy of Natalie at http://www.chickenblog.com ]

Our Property Looks Like a Glazed Donut

As I type, the morning sun is melting the glaze of ice off the metal roof of our house, and the water is coming down like a Spring rain. When I found out yesterday that the Hill Country was supposed to get a light coating of ice overnight, I told work I'd have to forgo the overnight shift and the 45 minute drive on icy roads. I'm glad I did.

The dustpan atop the goose kennel:



One of the bushes:



And something near & dear to Spouse's heart: the smoker/barbecue.



Stay warm, y'all.

Owie Owie Owie!

Godzilla was just doing his job. I was trying to herd Billy-Bob out of the gaggle (for reasons I'll get into below), and Billy-Bob was using the females as cover... which led Godzilla to mistakenly believe I was hassling the females. Uh-oh.

Godzilla got a good beak-hold on the back of my knee (through the jeans, no less), and wing-beat the living sh*t outta my leg. He remained latched on until my attention was directed towards him, and then gave me a couple more beats for good measure. Once it was clear I was no longer going after "his girls", he let go. I'm really proud of him, despite the hurtin' he put on my leg. He's doing his job: full-force offense when needed, then letting go when danger is over. Good boy!

On the other hand, Billy-Bob's personality has recently gone from charmingly cranky to down-right mean. He's getting rough with the ladies, and is bullying and interrupting Godzilla's wooing as well. We've enough ladies for them both, so it shouldn't be a matter of competing for scarce females. The past few mornings we've taken to isolating Billy-Bob from the group until they've had a chance to eat some greens in peace, then let him out when they come over to the pen to "see" him. I realize it's getting to be mating season, but mean poultry/fowl get eaten, and if he doesn't calm his crotchety-@ss down soon, he's going to become Sunday dinner. Seriously. The only question will be the method in which to do so.

[pics: back of my knee (do you know how hard it is to take a pic at that angle?), and Godzilla in the Mist.]