Is all this rain because of Kyle? It's crazy. The chance of rain today – 15% or less and yet, it rained most of the day. Last I looked at the rain gauge, the total accumulation over the last several days is 3.25 inches. Even the hummingbirds are at their wit's end: sword-fighting and jousting... Continue Reading →
What’s lime green, fat as your finger, and snacks on tomato, pepper, and potato plants? Tell me how many hornworms you found in the picture. A hobby gardener suddenly turned homesteader, I knew about these tomato hornworms and their voracious hunger. Earlier in the growing season, Dick spotted one on a potato plant and then... Continue Reading →
Prepping the Fall Garden I’m up early to check the progress of the garden. Bands of heavy and light rain alternate, making it difficult to check on the pole beans in Zone C. That’s the garden plot next to the sawmill, where the nearly complete hoop house sits. Too curious to care about staying dry,... Continue Reading →
The formidable duo, tractor, and digger are at it again, clearing deadwood and weed trees from the forest floor. Dick and Jane tackle a dense area of laurel, holly, and fallen trees that block access to the water. With the power of the John Deere 3032E tractor and the 35G excavator, it’s quick work to... Continue Reading →
or was it? Oh, it started out as a fun idea. Tout the idea of a full day of sawmilling. Let’s call it a marathon milling extravaganza!!! Not that Dick and Jane could compete with the professional sawyers or you young-uns out there. Jane considered it a success if their current record of processing four... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/FTIKGD4hwJA Dick and Jane had an event in June 2018 that changed them in a big way. Oh, they didn’t realize the change at first. It settled in slow like how the day turns into night. It was subtle. A whisper of doubt that didn’t subside but grew in volume until Dick had to ask... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/VApjfpq1Z5M Boy, oh, boy. Jane’s perimeter road project is going to take a ton of time. Dick and Jane spent an hour pulling up weed trees using the John Deere Gator’s winch. Don’t get me wrong, the before and after picture showed progress, but there’s no road. Hold on. Dick’s got a plan. Oh, My... Continue Reading →
February’s a really special month for Dick and Jane. It’s when they said, “I do,” thirty-eight years ago. The day was sunny and warm, wedding-perfect. That old adage must be true about time flying when you’re having the time of your life; years melt away, and leave behind cherished memories. 2020 has already been a... Continue Reading →
M.J. Patrick
Author M.J. Patrick 