Rural Gardening: Homesteading - "The stormy March has come at last..." , 1 by Hineni

Hineni wrote:
Robin's family is now in town, both her brother and her hubby, so she feels more comforted. Pods, thank you SO much for the recommendation of notepads! So much time is spent on a machine that keeps her from talking that they were a wonderful suggestion. Robin surely appreciates your thoughts and prayers.


@Nik - one mangel is 25 lbs?? I have read of mangels as excellent homegrown homestead feed, but I had no idea they grew that large. I look forward to maybe a few photos from your harvest later this year.

@Cocoa - I had to laugh at your response to the term chuffy...because I thought the same way you did...haha! I am, thankfully, now a lot less 'chuffy' and back to my pre-childbearing weight.'Bout time, since my 'baby' has her own baby...! Funny though, it looks different on me now...chuckle. Between the sudden death of my husband, and the ensuing depression, plus over a year on night shift although I may be unemployed now, I feel far healthier than I've felt in the last two years quite frankly. And I got over my 'OMG what happens if I am alone forever at this young age' short spastic period and decided to gracefully (okay, I'm a klutz so the term may not totally fit but...) accept exactly where I am and plan on that reality. Contentment does marvelous things for the soul and the mind :) And I still love the term 'chuffy' (thanks Nik!)

My peas finally have peeked through, so I am excited now. I thought perhaps my seeds were all duds. And a few of the chard seedlings seem to be poised to make it even though they shivered unintentionally. I am losing about one out of four red sails lettuces though. Not sure what the issue is, as one day they are fine and the next just...poof, wilted to nothing. It's happened in two different planting sites, and the remaining lettuces are just fine. Kinda weird. The romaine is far more sturdy I think. Can't wait to get my red romaine going as I really enjoyed eating it in 2009. I had to re-adjust my schedule, so strawberries and raspberry will go out tomorrow - still haven't figured out what to do with the danged asparagus though....sigh. Here's a reminiscent photo from when I last had a 'real' garden.

Sunshine and warmth to you all!

~H