What kind of shelter do you have for them Russ? Do you know deer don't eat hay? Or, maybe they aren't suppose to. Don't know which. People around here buy it and give it to them but I read the other day in another gardening forum that they don't. Wonder why.
Those are cool little girls. I always wanted miniature donkeys. But, they do not like dogs which I always have and I don't need the mouths to feed. And, Bob is not a farmer, and I can't take care of them. So those kind of animals are out. And remember that picture you sent Russ? That is what those little goats would look like around here. In the snow.
Jeanette
General Discussions 2009 - Chapter 26
Yep; It's funny but the girls have avoided a very big snow drift that is way back by the fence. They seem to go in the shed out of any weather
even if it is just a little damp and windy.
I believe goats may be similar to deer but they eat almost anything. Before we got the hay I fed them all the cornstalks from the garden. I did run the stalks through my chipper shredder first so they could eat most of them. True the weeds disappeared first then the grass, but they do enjoy the hay except for the really tough stems. The same was true with the weed stems if they were really tough.
These girls would strip the bark off my fruit trees if they weren't fenced off. It is kind of neat watching them stand on their hind legs nibbling tree leaves and the soft wood from the limbs. And my garden it wouldn't stand a chance.
I had goats once. They are cute and a blast to raise. The only way to keep the little suckas in a pen is to build a fence that will hold water and way taller than your head. Just kidding. Mine got used to a 26" high field fencing with 3 strands of barbed wire on top. Plus there was an electric wire 2" off the ground and another one between the field fencing and the first strand of barbed wire. They learned to respect the electric fence. They eat anything!! Once the grass and browse is gone they go after tree bark until it is stripped then the tree dies. Goats, second only to cats, love to climb on cars. :-)
Jerry
What adorable creatures! I love goats. Yours are especially cute, with their big ears. Lucky you.
Dad employed a goat a few years ago, to help keep the weeds down on his new section. My little sister named her Emma. Unfortunately Emma wrapped her rope around some bushes then leaped off a bank, strangling herself on her rope. Poor Emma. Inken was devastated. I had already moved out of home so I never got to meet her. Dad said she a friendly goat, and a hard worker. I hope your goats are a little smarted than dear Emma was.
If you take your computer in to get fixed, they should provide you with a recovery disk. Or at least show you how to make your own. Just make sure you have all your documents on disk first, becuase your computer will be a blank slate after they are done with it. Good luck :-/
Lena
I lost my computer a while back when the power went out. It blew out the power pack. I took it to a repairman (because my daughter lives 400 miles away and she is the one who built the computer in the first place) who fixed it. Now, there was nothing missing on it. Everything I had on it was still there.
Jeanette
OK I guess I had better let you all know, I will most probably be out of commission for a while. I got the final results on my shoulder. Some how or another I tore a ligament on the rotor cuff. I could choose to do nothing, and just live with the pain, or have surgery to repair the torn ligament. It would not heal it's self and could tear more and be worse.
The recovery is about 6 weeks with arm in a sling. and do nothing with that arm until that time. Then therapy. I would have liked to say skip it. However with the possibility of tearing it further and having wife and kids all upset, yeah now is the time. Should be able to use it some by time to do the gardening. Lucky me, at least I have the tiller on the garden tractor already. Until then just call me lefty. I should have pretty good use of it by the time we have our RU. Bad part. I have to wear the sling, even while sleeping. I will be spending a lot of nights sleeping in the recliner. I'm good until the 20th. After that I'm not sure.
Well they say 6 more weeks of winter. Hmmm it's at least 7 weeks till the first day of Spring on the calendar. It always gives a cold blast up to a week after that. Think we would be better off if we just shot that fat rodent.
Sorry to hear it Russ, but best to get it taken care of now. I put surgery on my foot off as long as I could waiting for winter. I am hoping that I will be good for gardening when the weather is good.
Take care, and hopefully we will hear from Barb now and then?? I know she uses the computer 'cause she is the first one I heard of, asking me for melon seeds. Remember that?
Jeanette
Yep! Sure do. I was suspect of being her. I did know she wanted to try some of that seed. so I said go for it. I'll plant them.
I think though that I'm just going to stay with these larger ones now.
I like the flavor better.
And I will tell Barb to get on here and visit a little more often. K????
Russ
So, when you say you are good until the 20th, is that when your surgery is scheduled?
Jeanette
Russ I had something similar done a few years ago and believe me it's no fun trying to sleep in that darn recliner, but you gotta do it. Good luck with the surgery. The rehab was the worst part for me, they kept stretching it every way to keep it loosened up and boy did it ache! At least I had a cute rehab nurse so that made it a little easier!!!
Doug
Yes the 20th, is the surgery.
Doug; I tried my best last night to stay off my right side. I didn't get any sleep until morning when I forgot and rolled to my right side.
I haven't figured out how to get the chair to cooperate either. The lever is on the wrong side to release the mechanism to recline. Guess I better get something figured out, soon. LOL
Gee do you suppose I should come to Bardstown for my therapy??
Whoops wrong question. LOL
I had that discussion with the surgeon, on how the rehab should progress. But then I remember going through it when I had lower back surgery and remember teasing one gal of getting all her frustration out on me so she could go home and be civil with her hubby. lol
You only have a couple of weeks Russ, but get all of that figured out now before you go. If you need special equipment, get yourself to a medical supply rental place now.
My daughter's bil had foot surgery like mine and it was bad enough, but not so bad that he didn't go in this year, a year later, and have the other one done. He no longer had that done than he broke the other leg. Come to find out they had not gotten one of those chairs that lift you out and stand you up, on the first one so they struggled for 3 months over it.
They just did that the other day when they are almost to divorce court. 3 times up in the middle of the night she has to get up to get him to the bathroom. etc. etc.
Because of all of the surgery I have had over the years I had gone to a second hand furniture store and paid $125 for one of those lift chairs. It does stand me up as far as I want to go. I rented a scooter (knee roller) in the hospital. I had crutches, canes, commodes, etc.
Cripe, I could have a medical equipment rental just out of stuff in my basement. But, most of the stuff doesn't cost that much if you get it ahead of time. It is the stuff you buy when you HAVE to have it that is expensive.
Medicare pays for some, but it didn't pay for the $140 per mo. rental on the scooter. It would have paid for a wheel chair which would have been a real pain in the butt. I don't think my insurance ever paid for any of my stuff. Plan ahead.
Jeanette
You only have a couple of weeks Russ, but get all of that figured out now before you go. If you need special equipment, get yourself to a medical supply rental place now.
My daughter's bil had foot surgery like mine and it was bad enough, but not so bad that he didn't go in this year, a year later, and have the other one done. He no longer had that done than he broke the other leg. Come to find out they had not gotten one of those chairs that lift you out and stand you up, on the first one so they struggled for 3 months over it.
They just did that the other day when they are almost to divorce court. 3 times up in the middle of the night she has to get up to get him to the bathroom. etc. etc.
Because of all of the surgery I have had over the years I had gone to a second hand furniture store and paid $125 for one of those lift chairs. It does stand me up as far as I want to go. I rented a scooter (knee roller) in the hospital. I had crutches, canes, commodes, etc.
Cripe, I could have a medical equipment rental just out of stuff in my basement. But, most of the stuff doesn't cost that much if you get it ahead of time. It is the stuff you buy when you HAVE to have it that is expensive.
See if You can rent a power recliner that will put you in any position you want. Maybe medicare will pay for it.
Medicare pays for some, but it didn't pay for the $140 per mo. rental on the scooter. It would have paid for a wheel chair which would have been a real pain in the butt. I don't think my insurance ever paid for any of my stuff. Plan ahead.
Jeanette
I will do some checking. Starting with VA and other local sorces. Thanks.
Don't know why I didn't think of that.
Russ
Let me know how you make out. Jeanette
Thanks for the kind words. Our Lord is on the case so I will leave the rest to Him. I have two daughters that live just 2 mile away, some would say that is too close, so I have plenty of support. One daughter I call, "Nurse Ratchet," because she is a nurse, and is on my case like the skin grafts I have had. I know she loves me and I tend to be a man.
Russ, I will pray for you. Living life is tough isn't it?
I use a company called, "Carbonite," where I store all of my computer data on the web somewhere. It is guaranteed secure. Costs about $45 a year for a home system.
I haven't had to use it yet but it is comfortable knowing I have it there.
Another question: Has anyone tried to grow strawberries in bales? I am going to try some this year and save pictures.
Yes, Folks, I plan on getting back into the growing scene, besides I am 25lbs lighter and shrinking. There is less to love.
Does that mean that you are losing MORE weight Lonejack??? From what? I thought they had that stopped?
You leave Nurse Ratchett alone and take her advice and help. She will bring you back to good health. Be thankful that you have your daughters there with you. A lot of people do not have that.
Please take care and be careful to follow the drs. orders.
Jeanette
How is everyone getting on health-wise? Russ? Paul??
Are you walking yet Jeanette?
I started school again yesterday. So much for finishing off, I just enrolled in a second program, a full time horticulture diploma which should take one year to complete. On top of that Im doing my one last paper (statistics, left the best till last) for my bachelor. So maybe NEXT year I will start to work. I almost feel like I have been given all this extra time, and dont want to waste any of it. If things had gone differently, I would be mother to a 6 week old baby by now. I still miss her very much, but its nice having all this time to study and play with tomatoes.
I took pictures of my garden today. It started Bucketing down the moment I got out there, 5 mins later when I was back inside it stopped. Something telling me to get back to my books? Well I rebelled anyway and have just spent the last hour updating my garden diary/ blog thing, so you can see my pictures. Im too scared to add a link after it went so wrong last time, but you can find it by clicking on my user name.
Lena
Glad to hear from you Lena. I will take a look. I am walking with a cane right now and starting physical therapy tomorrow. Got all of the casts off.
One more year of school right now in your life is not that bad girl. Enjoy it, it won't be long and you will wonder where all that time went.
Well, get your nose in the books and take care. Oh, do you have ripe tomatoes yet? Can't imagine what time of year it is there.
Jeanette
Well; Lena We had us a little scare here. Two weeks ago, Barb had a mild stroke. She had just left the house where they were having a ladies group bible study, which is about 6 miles from here. She was confused enough, that she didn't think to turn around and go back. Instead she drove all the way, to the store down on the main street through this little berg. She must have had help from Heaven. She still don't remember turning at either intersection, that was necessary for her to get here. She did however remember meeting one car and one truck and telling herself to stay on her side of the road. She pulled up in front of the store and set there holding the brake as she couldn't remember how to put the car in park or to shut it off. Somehow she managed to start honking the horn and got the attention of our friend Gary. But couldn't tell him what was wrong. Well he took care of shutting the car off and putting it in park. Helped her inside and promptly called for an ambulance ( 911 ).
I had taken someone else to the Dr. in Kingsley and wasn't there. When I did get there, the car was setting out side. I went in to let Barb know I was back but was met with " THEY HAULED BARB OFF TO THE HOSPITAL" My first thought was that he was joking. NOPE.
So I hurried home to get a list of all her meds and insurance cards. and off to the hospital, Praying all the way. She was by then able to answer all the questions. Only had to think hard once ' when they asked her what year it was' but she did get it right. So my prayers were being answered, she was recovering. The only problem she has now is, it sometimes takes her a little longer to come up with the right descriptive word for some things. But hey I have trouble with myself.
She spent from the 9th to the evening of the 11th in the hospital, getting all the tests and the shots to help with the situation. They ( and I agree )
don't want her to drive yet, but that will come as well. I just have a lot to be thankful for.
But we are planning to be at the Iowa RU in May. and just in general looking forward for the weather to warm things up so we can get back to gardening. She plans on helping me more this year. I'll be happy if all I get is some encouragement from her.
Russ
Oh Russ Im so sorry to hear about your scare! Very pleased to hear Barb is on the mend. Yes, take it slowly with the driving. Some warm weather and a bit of garden therapy should be just the thing. It alway works to cheer me up. Please give her my best wishes.
Here is a Little Blue Penguin we saw at the beach recently, they come up on the sand to rest. They are VERY cute and friendly, they only live in NZ.
Lena
Heres one for you too Jeanette, in response to "do I have any ripe tomatoes yet"
:-) Glad to hear your walking again.
Lena
Russ, I was going to ask you how Barb is doing. She needs to really rest up before the weather turns good so she is ready for it.
Now Lena, you are NOT going to try to convince me that those are this year's crop. LOL
Jeanette
Well they are Im afraid. I took the picture especially for you yesterday. Theres been many table shots like that this season already, Im completely overloaded. My fault apparently
This was on the 2nd of feb...
This on the 12th...
Lena, My hat is off, to you. ( just a phrase) you are very ambitious and do an exceptional job with your garden. I am sure that very little of your harvest goes to waste.
Quite often I have some that does go to waste. when I can or freeze too much. I think I will try drying some for soups and the like. Most of what I can, will keep a long time but so far what I have frozen, I find I have to use first, or it loses flavor. I haven't tried dried tomatoes before, so it will be new to me. However I am hopeful that it will prove worthy.
Does anyone have experience with drying tomatoes???
Russ
Russ, I only have experience with drying towels, sorry!!!!
Doug
HHMmmmm. I don't think drying towels will cut it. LOL.
What I'm thinking is to dry them and and a few other veggies, mix them together and seal them in a bag using the food saver vacuum type. Then just add that to a pot of hot water with what ever , for a stew or soup, later on during the winter.
Well I know a lot of Italian recipes call for sun-dried tomatoes so they should be just fine like that. Good luck and I hope Barb is doing better.
Doug
Doug; So far there is just very minor memory problem. A little slow with coming up with certain words in normal conversation. Otherwise You wouldn't even know she even had a a problem.
Very lucky indeed.
Yesterday we may have pushed the envelope a little. It was the 4th birthday of a great granddaughter and the other set of great grandparents were also going. We rode with them. Our daughter and Son in law were also there from Ohio. We spent the day in Council Bluffs. Barb was getting pretty tired by time we were heading home.
But a nights rest and she was fine. I am saying GREAT!!
Thank you for being concerned and kind words. It means a lot to both of us.
Russ
Russ!! Barb has got to take it easy. Please remember that. Any trauma to the body needs a long time to rest.
Jeanette
BTW, what kind of info do you need on drying tomatoes? My sister does that every year.
Jeanette; We have one of those cheapo Ron-co dehydrators. So anything special, or just slice or chunk, or chop and dry?? What about the juice?
Russ, I will ask her, but I think the main thing is growing the right tomatoes to do it. A very meaty, less juice. I will get back to you on it.
Jeanette
Hey Russ, here is what she wrote:
I have a convection oven that the lowest temperature, for bread proofing in fact, is 170 degrees. I put them on cooling racks and it takes about 6-8 hours for the Principe Borghesis and less time if you use cherry type tomatoes. The Principe Borghesi is the tomato they use for drying in Italy, but they let them dry on the vines as they have a longer growing season. We have such cool evenings by that time of year that mine will rot before they dry. After I cut them in half, I sprinkle them with a mixture I make up out of garlic flakes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper. Sometimes I have added a little sugar, but that seems to make them a little sticky.
I grew those tomatoes several years ago. They are a nice meaty tomato. Bigger than cherry tomatoes but not as big as slicers. I even think they might be a little smaller than an Early Girl.
Hope this helps. If you have any questions, just ask away.
Jeanette
Didn't mean to confuse you, I wrote the last 2 paragraphs. She stopped at "sticky". I don't know why your dehydrator would be any different than her convection oven. Does it have a fan? If not, you might get a small one and hook up some way. I think you can get them for very little, and as handy as you are, I know you could make it work. And, if you don't have heat, put a 40 watt lightbulb in it.
Anything else? I could come over and hand crank it for you. LOL
Lena, your tomatoes are wonderful. What are you doing with them now? Are you canning yet?
Jeanette
Sure Jeanette, come on over. We'll put a crank on something. Maybe an ice cream freezer. Hee Hee I'd even bake a cake. LOL
Our dehydrator just works on the up draft of the heated air. I am sure it will work, maybe not as quick as the oven but OK.
So I will plant some of the, paste tomatoes. The san Marzano that I have had the last couple years are small but would fill the bill on less juicy. If I can find the principe Borghesis I may even give them a shot.
Many thanks.
Russ
I might have some of the PBs left from when I planted them some years ago if you want to try them. But, the SM should do just fine. Jeanette
Hi Guys!!
I asked a question a while ago and didn't see an answer.
Has anyone tried to grow strawberries in bales? I am looking at a variety that fruits
the first year. I called some commercial growers and they use new plants every year in agro towers. That way they don't continue any disease from year to year.
Any one have pictures of potato growing techniques?
God Bless you all.
Paul.
Paul, Kent had a post in another thread on growing potatos in last years straw.
Doug
lonejack Check out Potatoes under straw...I received good advice from Kent, Doug & grownut
I'll bump it up..I have old straw & leaves..Going to use both..Separately.!?!??!!
Tubby
This message was edited Feb 27, 2009 8:03 AM