My favorite tree, I think, with the groovy name Diospyros virginiana, American persimmon. They aren't ripe yet, but I am keeping my eye on 'em.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The first days of Fall
My favorite tree, I think, with the groovy name Diospyros virginiana, American persimmon. They aren't ripe yet, but I am keeping my eye on 'em.
Friday, September 18, 2009
September
"Sorrow and scarlet leaf,
Sad thoughts and sunny weather.
Ah me, this glory and this grief
Agree not well together!"- Thomas Parsons, 1880, A Song For September
Autumn is beginning to creep on in. The nights are so cool now, the leaves just beginning to turn a bit, the seeds ripening.
The overall feeling I have is of being in limbo. There are no answers for how to move forward from what I have been working for these past years. There is not much to plant or harvest, no hints as to what my next opportunity will actually look like. The weather has echoed my mood. Neither hot nor cold, not much sun, and, though we are getting a good shower today, not much rain, either. Most days are a damp and fuzzy gray stillness.
Still except for the sound of tractors, harvesting tobacco, the sounds of construction at the neighbor's house, crickets chirping, and bees still busy putting by for the winter.
There are still a few things producing, always a happy sight. The squash blossoms,
surely one of the most radiant flowers on this earth! The figs are still ripening, along with some apples. The turkeys are happily feasting on windfall in the orchard.
The three koi in our pond have been, er, fruitful. The little koi are such a delight to see every day, although I am becoming alarmed by the rate at which they are growing!
Anybody need some koi?
We have found good homes for quite a few turkeys and chickens, but it seems that there is no further interest, which leaves us with 80 or so young laying hens that will have to meet some end. It is sad for me to tend to them every day, they are no longer needed, but still here, chasing crickets, doing their thing, totally blameless for their lack of necessity.
So, I keep looking for the next step, and I wait. It will come.
"I trust in Nature for the stable laws of beauty and utility. Spring shall plant and Autumn garner to the ends of time."- Robert Browning
Sad thoughts and sunny weather.
Ah me, this glory and this grief
Agree not well together!"- Thomas Parsons, 1880, A Song For September
Autumn is beginning to creep on in. The nights are so cool now, the leaves just beginning to turn a bit, the seeds ripening.
The overall feeling I have is of being in limbo. There are no answers for how to move forward from what I have been working for these past years. There is not much to plant or harvest, no hints as to what my next opportunity will actually look like. The weather has echoed my mood. Neither hot nor cold, not much sun, and, though we are getting a good shower today, not much rain, either. Most days are a damp and fuzzy gray stillness.
Still except for the sound of tractors, harvesting tobacco, the sounds of construction at the neighbor's house, crickets chirping, and bees still busy putting by for the winter.
There are still a few things producing, always a happy sight. The squash blossoms,
surely one of the most radiant flowers on this earth! The figs are still ripening, along with some apples. The turkeys are happily feasting on windfall in the orchard.
The three koi in our pond have been, er, fruitful. The little koi are such a delight to see every day, although I am becoming alarmed by the rate at which they are growing!
Anybody need some koi?
We have found good homes for quite a few turkeys and chickens, but it seems that there is no further interest, which leaves us with 80 or so young laying hens that will have to meet some end. It is sad for me to tend to them every day, they are no longer needed, but still here, chasing crickets, doing their thing, totally blameless for their lack of necessity.
So, I keep looking for the next step, and I wait. It will come.
"I trust in Nature for the stable laws of beauty and utility. Spring shall plant and Autumn garner to the ends of time."- Robert Browning
Friday, September 4, 2009
Watermelon harvest
= happy chickens.
I have been saving seeds from a particular variety for a few years, now. The most perfect ones have golden yellow flesh with a delicate blush of pink in the center. Each one is like a work of art.
The variety still isn't totally stable, I usually get a few plain yellows, and was surprised to have a couple of plain reds this year. Oh well, I'll just keep trying. With the help of my lovely assistant Wiley, I saved a good quantity of mature seeds from the best melons.
Washed them well, and spread them out on paper to dry.
The poultry feasted on the rest.
Evidence of happy chicken-ness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
