Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: June 26~July 2, 2022

R

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Good Morning, All - hope it is a beautiful morning where you folks are! We received a much needed 1 & 3/4" of rain overnight; and it's still sprinkling off and on. It's humid as heck, but the temps are supposed to be cooler for today and the next two days before getting back up into the high 80's/low 90's for a few days before we get more rain and it cools off at least a bit again. I'd given in and picked up a new sprinkler yesterday when I was on my way to pick up the grandsons from their 'Jakes Event', so maybe that is why it finally rained :lol: The plants seemed to appreciate the rain - I swear that the corn across the road jumped from hip high to over my head overnight! I just peeked out the east window and it looks like my sweet corn has grown a bit as well. So now I'm wishing that I'd dragged my tired fanny out into the heat and sun yesterday to tie the strings on the bottom of the pole bean trellises yesterday - oh well, I don't reckon a little mud is going to hurt me; heck, it might be an improvement :lol:

The boys had a great time at the event; they must have played hard because they slept all the way back to town and were still sleeping when I got there to pick them up. Older grandson won a small fishing rod in a raffle and decided it was too small for him, so gifted it to younger grandson - so now Papaw and/or I have to get on line to get fishing licenses so we can take him fishing. With all the rain, it will be too wet for younger grandson to ride his dirt bike, so maybe the fishing pole will keep him busy! The boys may be here until tomorrow as daughter will want to rest after her trip, so it will be something to do.

I've got an odd schedule this week - Mon/Wed/Fri nights - guess I don't have to worry about getting enough sleep as I'm likely to nap after I get home and then sleep all night as well on the nights I don't work, but that is likely what I'll be doing the most of, rather than getting much done around home.

Daughter flies back in to St. Louis today; trying not to think about it; and just praying that all goes well - prayers for her safety would be much appreciated. Any insight on protests/areas to avoid most welcome; she'll likely get on 70 North and stay on it until she has to cut over, which will be mostly rural.

Well, I've got one boy starting to wake up - and he will want French Toast, so I guess I'd better gulp down the rest of this cup of coffee and get to it!

Take care all; stay safe!
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Good morning, Everyone! Time to start a new week. I pray that it's a great one for all here.

I had another very stressful night last night. I thought, twice, I was having a heart attack, but now, I'm pretty sure it was only anxiety. What time I was asleep, I had night terrors, so I'm thinking I'm stressing myself out, and really need to take a break for awhile. I know that I can't hide under a rock, til the world calms down, but I can limit the amount of anxiety/stress I bring into my life every day by doing certain things, and avoiding other things. Today, we're just going to relax, and do nothing.

I have nothing planned for this coming week other than normal day activities. Gardens are doing good, but not great. I did spot 3 tomatoes beginning to turn this morning while I was taking my walk and watering everything. Cuke and squash plants are just drying up, so those are mostly a done deal for this year. I got no squash and only enough cukes for one salad the other night. Peppers are still doing good, but the pole beans won't bloom. They are running all over the fence, but no blooms/beans.

LOL. I talked to DDIL this morning, and she is making carrot cake jam! I've never heard of such! She has already made several batches of blackberry jam with berries from her own blackberry vines. I'm so glad that she didn't let the groundhog incident in her garden discourage her. She's busy canning everything she can get her hands on. They are fortunate in that their house actually does have a basement with plenty of storage space.

I hope we get a break in the heat this coming week. Every day bumping or over 100 degrees all week with no rain. Heat index well over 100. I think we have a slight chance of rain, today, and off and on every other day for the week ahead with slightly cooler temps. Not that great a chance of rain each day, so we'll see.
 
blackguard

blackguard

Veteran Member
Good morning all. Weather is much cooler today here (western OK) high is only supposed to be in the upper 70's, yesterday it was 103 so a nice break even if it is only a short one. Having a productive weekend so far. I dehydrated some strawberries, blueberries, peaches and raspberries over night. Pleased with the results. Plan to do more blueberries overnight. My order of mylar bags and absorbers is supposed to be in today so plan to get a number of items packaged up over the next week or so. Going to be transplanted my last round of sprouts today, onions, carrots, melons and corn. Picked up some dowels rods this morning so I can tie up my tomato plants.

Going to try and build a stout stand for one of the water barrels today if I have time. Definitely intend to get the shop cleaned up no matter what! Like so many here I've been feeling the urgency to get as much done as possible. I have made good progress in a number of areas but have no intention of stopping now. Being prepared has been my life for almost three decades now, I've never prepped as hard as I have been the last six months or so.

I hope you have a great week.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
summerthyme said:
Sherree.. can you guys plant for a fall crop? Stuff like cukes and summer squash start producing in under 60 days (I've planted some which started producing in 48 days!) You could start them indoors if it's too hot outside for them to sprout, and then transplant carefully...

Summerthyme
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I think our problem with the squash and cukes are that we used very old seed. They haven't done anything right from the start. I do plan to get new seed when we go into big town, and might give a late planting a try with the new seed. It's so hot right now that everything in the garden is struggling. We would probably have better succeess with a fall garden.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
etdeb said:
I am not one to choose to be medicated for stress and anxiety. I would recommend Golli Ashwagandha gummies.
This has helped me so much. I rest because my mine is relaxed without floating through life medicated.
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I don't take any prescription drugs for my anxiety. I'm taking herbal supplements, not only for stress, but to also help me sleep at night. They don't always work when my stress and anxiety levels are really high. I just have to do what I have to do to get to a calmer place in my spirit and with my emotions.
 
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nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I have good medication for stress but haven't taken any in so long they would probably knock me for a loop. Contrary to popular belief they never go bad, so I'm saving them.

DH is almost through with the new shelves in the bedroom. We also got the inversion table out of the bedroom and into the cabin. I wasn't very much help, just so weak. But I did get some extra steps in and my right leg that has been bothering me actually feels better.

I let things go out in the pantry room and some pantry moths helped themselves to several boxed and packaged things. I found a small hand held vaccum in the bedroom, although it is corded and it is helping me clean up the mess. I have to get some things done in the pantry room before I can bring the last batch of cans from the store and commodities in there, just no place to put them. I'm doing some much needed organizing in there as well.

I've definitely been sitting too much, one reason for it was when we did not have the central a/c on about all I could manage to do was sit in front of fans.

I unsubscribed to utube premium and the ads are so annoying that I resubscribed. I guess paying for that stressor to be gone is worth it. I don't subscribe to anything else like that.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
nomifyle said:
I have good medication for stress but haven't taken any in so long they would probably knock me for a loop. Contrary to popular belief they never go bad, so I'm saving them.

DH is almost through with the new shelves in the bedroom. We also got the inversion table out of the bedroom and into the cabin. I wasn't very much help, just so weak. But I did get some extra steps in and my right leg that has been bothering me actually feels better.

I let things go out in the pantry room and some pantry moths helped themselves to several boxed and packaged things. I found a small hand held vaccum in the bedroom, although it is corded and it is helping me clean up the mess. I have to get some things done in the pantry room before I can bring the last batch of cans from the store and commodities in there, just no place to put them. I'm doing some much needed organizing in there as well.

I've definitely been sitting too much, one reason for it was when we did not have the central a/c on about all I could manage to do was sit in front of fans.

I unsubscribed to utube premium and the ads are so annoying that I resubscribed. I guess paying for that stressor to be gone is worth it. I don't subscribe to anything else like that.
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I have some great prescription meds for anxiety, too, but I don't take them. They are old, but I refuse to throw them away in the event of an emergency. Ya just never know when they might be needed. The herbal supplement that I'm taking right now for relaxation and sleep has really helped me. I've tried several different things, and this one has helped the most. It's a combination supplement of several things including Melatonin, L-Theanine, Chamomile, Passion Flower, and Lemon Balm. Last night was an unusual night for stress, and that's probably the reason for the anxiety attacks. I had read so much junk and fear porn on the forum, yesterday, that it had me all strressed out, then DDIL called, and told me that DS was sick with food poisoning! Mom called, and reminded me that I forgot to put memorial flowers on Dad's grave for Father's Day! I felt really bad about that. My mind was bouncing off the walls by the time I was ready for bed. Not to mention Cary wanting to watch an intense suspence movie right before bedtime!!!!
 
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nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
SouthernBreeze said:
I have some great prescription meds for anxiety, too, but I don't take them. They are old, but I refuse to throw them away in the event of an emergency. Ya just never know when they might be needed. The herbal supplement that I'm taking right now for relaxation and sleep has really helped me. I've tried several different things, and this one has helped the most. It's a combination supplement of several things including Melatonin, L-Theanine, Chamomile, Passion Flower, and Lemon Balm. Last night was an unusual night for stress, and that's probably the reason for the anxiety attacks. I had read so much junk and fear porn on the forum, yesterday, that it had me all strressed out, then DDIL called, and told me that DS was sick with food poisoning! Mom called, and reminded me that I forgot to put memorial flowers on Dad's grave for Father's Day! I felt really bad about that. My mind was bouncing off the walls by the time I was ready for bed. Not to mention Cary wanting to watch an intense suspence movie right before bedtime!!!!
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I'm praying for you sweet lady. You do so much, good things, that I need to do. Do whatever you need to do to destress.

I recorded that move The Haunting and when I realized what it was, I'd seen it before, I deleted it, I try not to watch something intense. When we didn't have directv for a couple of days I watched "War of the World". It did have a good ending, but I could have done without it.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
nomifyle said:
I'm praying for you sweet lady. You do so much, good things, that I need to do. Do whatever you need to do to destress.

I recorded that move The Haunting and when I realized what it was, I'd seen it before, I deleted it, I try not to watch something intense. When we didn't have directv for a couple of days I watched "War of the World". It did have a good ending, but I could have done without it.
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Thank you, Judy. :hugs:
 
E

etdeb

Veteran Member
SouthernBreeze said:
I don't take any prescription drugs for my anxiety. I'm taking herbal supplements, not only for stress, but to also help me sleep at night. They don't always work when my stress and anxiety levels are really high. I just have to do what I have to do to get to a calmer place in my spirit and with my emotions.
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I understand. What I mentioned is herbal.
I working in trucking and it is very stressful.
 
briches

briches

Veteran Member
SouthernBreeze - hang in there. I’m sending you positive thoughts.

I am having to unplug more and more these days. When I get stressed out, I try to unplug a bit and put myself in nature. I also pray. A lot. I know you know this as well, just know you’re not alone. :rs:

Our world is a pretty crazy place right now. I think it’s normal for it to be a bit overwhelming at times!
 
briches

briches

Veteran Member
I ran “into town“ today and was quite productive. I was able to use my insurance and get (another) backup pair of prescription glasses. It was only $20 out of pocket. Yay!

I then went to the dollar (and 25 cents) tree and got some salsa, soft shells, a couple more toothpastes, super glue gel, Imodium, black olives and a few other treasures I’m forgetting.

My final stop was Lidl - got several blocks of cheese that my hubby smokes, a couple packs of bacon, some Lebanon bologna hubby enjoys, another salt, garlic powder, frozen pizza, a few more things …….

Slow and steady -
 
J

John Deere Girl

Veteran Member
SouthernBreeze said:
I have some great prescription meds for anxiety, too, but I don't take them. They are old, but I refuse to throw them away in the event of an emergency. Ya just never know when they might be needed. The herbal supplement that I'm taking right now for relaxation and sleep has really helped me. I've tried several different things, and this one has helped the most. It's a combination supplement of several things including Melatonin, L-Theanine, Chamomile, Passion Flower, and Lemon Balm. Last night was an unusual night for stress, and that's probably the reason for the anxiety attacks. I had read so much junk and fear porn on the forum, yesterday, that it had me all strressed out, then DDIL called, and told me that DS was sick with food poisoning! Mom called, and reminded me that I forgot to put memorial flowers on Dad's grave for Father's Day! I felt really bad about that. My mind was bouncing off the walls by the time I was ready for bed. Not to mention Cary wanting to watch an intense suspence movie right before bedtime!!!!
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Praying for you! Anxiety is terrible to deal with! I have fought it since I was a teen. I know I've mentioned this a million times before, but the VeggieTales song, God is Bigger than the Boogie Man is my go to song when I'm having a bad day. It's a cute kids song, but anything we face in life that is tough or stressful is our Boogie man, and God is still bigger than all of that!
 
skwentnaflyer

skwentnaflyer

Veteran Member
Went to church this morning, then pulled a 5 gal bucket of weeds--fed them to the chickens. They get happy when they see the bucket coming.

Worked on some orders, but realized I really should bake today while it's cooler, so did that instead. Four loaves of bread in the oven and a double batch of muffins done. Store bread is four something a loaf for the whole grain stuff.
 
D

Digger

Veteran Member
Our daughter had her baby 5 weeks early Saturday morning. A week ago Friday she saw the dr and things were fine. This last Friday her blood pressure was 195/130. The hospital got it down and was trying for a normal delivery. Then the baby went into crisis and they did an emergency C section. The baby is doing great and breathing on her own. She is 4 pounds 12 oz. Our daughter is not doing as well. Usually delivering the baby means the mother eclampsia goes away. But not in her case. While some of her vitals are improving, she is running a fever and her platelet counts have dropped into the critical level. Prayers would be appreciated. She is up with help walking and still nursing the baby some. But until she is better I won't stop praying and of course worrying.

I will give an update later. I have to get some work done before we go back to the hospital.
 
briches

briches

Veteran Member
Digger said:
Our daughter had her baby 5 weeks early Saturday morning. A week ago Friday she saw the dr and things were fine. This last Friday her blood pressure was 195/130. The hospital got it down and was trying for a normal delivery. Then the baby went into crisis and they did an emergency C section. The baby is doing great and breathing on her own. She is 4 pounds 12 oz. Our daughter is not doing as well. Usually delivering the baby means the mother eclampsia goes away. But not in her case. While some of her vitals are improving, she is running a fever and her platelet counts have dropped into the critical level. Prayers would be appreciated. She is up with help walking and still nursing the baby some. But until she is better I won't stop praying and of course worrying.

I will give an update later. I have to get some work done before we go back to the hospital.
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I will be praying! :rs:
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We got a good soaking rain yesterday afternooon. Sure made everything come back alive, including the grass, LOL. It was hard enough that it went a long way refilling our rain barrels and tubs. I think we got about 4 inches of water in each washtub that Cary sat on the deck under the eaves of the house. The gutters run into the rain barrels, so those got even more. All of my watering buckets are filled, too. The 650 gal water tank got refilled, too, but since we can't see the water level in it, I don't know how full it is. There is a rain catchment system set up over the top of it, with a gutter running into it, too. Rain is in our forecast off and on all week, so the gardens should love it. Only 87 degrees forecast for our high, today, and that gives us some relief. I've got one ripe tomato that I will pick this afternoon, Yay! Bell peppers are really producing, but not much else. Beans look good, but no blooms. I think they should have had a good shot of different fertilizer once they started running, but what do I know?

I got a scare with one of my freezers last night. I went into the laundry room, and noticed the "on" light on the freezer was blinking. I thought it meant the freezer was burning out! I told Cary, and he said that it's been blinking like that for awhile now, no big deal. I told him that I haven't noticed it had been doing it, and that I see it more than he does. He doesn't think the blinking light means anything. So, if my freezer goes out, oh well. This is the newer freezer, not the 40+ yr. old one that the seal is about shot on.........:gaah:.......Both are full, BTW.

I slept on the sofa last night, and got a reasonal good night's sleep. I woke up this morning at 4:30, and couldn't go back to sleep, so I just got up, and made a pot of coffee. Me and Frisco sat in the living room meditating and praying, until time for him to get Cary up. He thinks it's his responsibility to wake both of us up every morning. Funny how he knows when it's 6 am and his breakfast time.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Out of an act of desperation and just for the heck/fun of it, I took more squash and cucumber seeds and worked them into the ground down in the far back quarter of our yard where the washing machine and dishwater comes out to the top of the ground. It's always been a very fertile area of our yard and slightly shaded, but we've never deliberatly tried to grow anything there. There have been times in the past where I would just dump and throw stuff (flowers, ferns, old produce) out of old flower pots, and it would grow down there like crazy, so I thought I'd give it a shot. There are voluntary tomato plants down there growing well right now. I have no idea where they came from. They just came up one day, and are about 18 inches tall! The tomatoes may not produce anything. But what the heck.......I was bored. Lots of plantain and wild lettuce growing there, too.
 
J

John Deere Girl

Veteran Member
Digger said:
Our daughter had her baby 5 weeks early Saturday morning. A week ago Friday she saw the dr and things were fine. This last Friday her blood pressure was 195/130. The hospital got it down and was trying for a normal delivery. Then the baby went into crisis and they did an emergency C section. The baby is doing great and breathing on her own. She is 4 pounds 12 oz. Our daughter is not doing as well. Usually delivering the baby means the mother eclampsia goes away. But not in her case. While some of her vitals are improving, she is running a fever and her platelet counts have dropped into the critical level. Prayers would be appreciated. She is up with help walking and still nursing the baby some. But until she is better I won't stop praying and of course worrying.

I will give an update later. I have to get some work done before we go back to the hospital.
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Praying!
 
H

hd5574

Veteran Member
For me I have found that if 20 things need doing...seems like that everyday now...if I just pick the most important one and I just tackle that one ..I do better....and just let the others wait... ...and not worry about when they will get done...I find myself less stressed by doing that...and I am getting more done concentrating on only one thing at a time.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Getting a few more steps in the last couple of days. Its helps the sciatic pain in my right leg. And not that I have the inversion table in the cabin with lots of space around it may help too, although it was doing nothing when I got on it in the bedroom.

The temp is wonderful this morning, right now at 10:15 its 79. We had some rain last night and maybe early this morning. And we may get more later this week.

Back to dishes, laundry and the pantry room today. Maybe I can get some things done. DH finished the shelves in the bedroom and I would so like to stack flats of food on them, but DH might have a fit. I'm not into doing things to get him upset though, not even a little bit. I may fry him some bacon this morning. Bacon was almost $5 a package, I bought one thinking he might like to have BLTs, but no he only wanted tomato sandwiches. He wants bacon with eggs.

Its 80 in the house and really very comfortable, humidity is 51%.

We really have no plans to go anywhere, don't need anything, although DH's bread is getting low. I have a decent supply of tortillas and he's good with that.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Frying Cary bacon usually gets him on my good side, too, Judy, LOL........When I ran out of room in the pantry room, and started turning our bedroom into another pantry room, I thought Cary would get upset with me. Nope, as long as he's not tripping over anything trying to get to the bed, he's good. :lol:

Speaking of bacon. I pulled out a package from the freezer, cause I wanted to have bacon with our eggs and hash browns the other night for our supper. I cooked it, but it tasted a bit old. What was left, I chopped up for bacon bits to use later, and back into the freezer they went. I forgot to date it, before I put it in the freezer when I bought it. I have no idea how old that package was. I usually date everything, before putting it away, but I must have fogot to do it with this one.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
The bacon was frozen so I cut it in half and then each half into thirds. Seemed like a good division, considering the price of bacon these days. I wore my rubber gloves to keep it from splattering on my arm. I had one bite, the remainder for DH and that's okay with me, fried his eggs in the bacon grease and will fry some for me later.

I asked DH about putting flats of food on one of the shelves and he said they are your shelves , put what you want to on them. I have at least 10 flats that need somewhere to go besides where they are. It will be nice to get them out of the way. I am working in the pantry room to better organize so those flats will go in there at some point.

Because I had not been paying much attention to the pantry room when we were sick (at least 4 weeks), plus the sciatica I'm dealing with, the pantry moths got into a package of potato flakes and a few boxes of jiffy corn bread mix. I tossed the boxes with holes but if there are any bugs in the other boxes I'm cooking them, added protein.

I'm using a timer to get a few things done, 10 or 15 minutes working and up to 30 minutes resting depending on how much my leg hurts.

DH has been wonderful about keeping the she shed and the cabin locked up, but I suggested he unlock both in the mornings and one of us will lock them up later in the day. Probably be safe to do it that way, we really are a good bit off the road.

Last year I wanted to add shells for my 20 guage, which was not lost in the boating accident, and I bought a case, seemed reasonable. Some where I read to buy ammo by the case, seems like a good idea.
 
P

philkar

Veteran Member
Our internet service is improving a bit and it is so good to hear from all of you. Our sweet corn is about finished. I am in the midst of canning the last of the potatoes and have squash pickles soaking in brine right now. We have been hot and humid as many of you have mentioned. Our outside work starts around 5 and 3 ends around 1030 in the morning. I can and do inside things during the hot afternoon. Summerthyme's idea of seed starting for Fall seems to be a good one to me. We at present are sowing for the Fall garden. I also feel the tension of the future but I can only do what I think is God's plan for my life and the rest I have to leave in His Hands. But sometimes it gets away from me. I too feel the anxiety like many of you. Have a great week!
 
D

Digger

Veteran Member
Just a quick update. Daughter and granddaughter are doing good. They both may be released from the hospital tomorrow. The baby gained 100 grams in the last 2 days. The dr reweighed her because he didn't think that number could be right. But sheets like a regular new born. Thank you all for the prayers it surely made a difference. My daughter was diagnosed with Hellp Syndrome which is basically a really bad case of pre eclampsia that does not improve after birth. She was better at first after the birth, but then got worse. At one point her blood platelets were down to 36. 150 is normal. But everything is improving now. Thanks again. Now I have to go back out and work to catch up here at home.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I've never been much of a kleenex tissue user, probably rarely had any in the house. But, getting older, I've kind a picked up the habit. I have a box in several places where I might sit. I just used the last of the box by my computer chair and it was dated in April. My use picked up when I had that "cold" for four weeks. so looks like I used a box in 2 months.

Sciatia is really pushing the envelope in my right leg. Hopefully I'll remember to mention it to my doctor when I go next month. I did take a walk this morning when the temp was very pleasant. Its gotten warmer outside though, but the ac has not kicked on, so its still nice inside.

Still trying to push ahead with getting something done. I'm still finding stuff to wash. Yesterday I washed a load of personal items and used the dry to dry them. These things would be uncomfortable if they hung out to dry. The dishes are never ending.

I'm making good use of the shelves DH built in the bedroom, a good way to go though. And I still need to haul books out to the cabin so I can actually walk in my office. I have a tiny path from the door to my computer chair.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We're enjoying some much cooler temps today for a change. It's only 84 right now at 11:55am. Not much of anything going on, though. Cary mowed the yard this morning and I gathered more tomatoes. Something dug up one of the new hills of squash I planted, yesterday, so I replanted, and put some wire mesh over all of them. I'm trying to take it easy this week to get calmer and bring down my BP. I might defrost more ground beef this week to can, but other than that, I'm taking a break.
 
B

Barry Natchitoches

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We are enjoying the same cool spell here in Memphis that SB is enjoying over in her backyard. Such a nice change from the 100+ temps of last week.

My tomatoes and squash are doing great, in part because I hand water them (with the garden hose) each and every day. I have harvested about 20 or 30 vine ripened tomatoes off my plants thus far.

I only planted 9 tomato plants - mostly Roma and some variety that Johnny’s sells that is supposed to be blight resistant. But my soil is so rich and well cared for that I can grow a mind boggling amount of tomatoes - several bushels - off of just nine plants, and in just one month’s period of time. I routinely pull my tomato plants the first week of August, in order to protect the soil from the fungal spores that cause blight here in the mid-south.

I have harvested a similar amount of young, yellow, summer squash in the last week. It has been squash casserole or stir fried squash or a boiled vegetable medley of cabbage, carrot, onion and squash for dinner every night this week.

Again, I won’t have this prolific harvest for long - I refuse to use chemical insecticide on the garden (though I do use a spray that features garlic juice, baking soda, fish emulsion, liquid seaweed extract, uncoated aspirin, and lemon scented dishwashing liquid to help with disease and insect problems). Also, I pick individual bugs off the plants, and the egg clusters that squash bugs lay on the backside of the leaves.

But with all of that, by mid August, I usually have to pull the squash plants for the sake of next year’s garden.

So, I plan on enjoying this avalanche of fresh vegetables while I can, knowing it won’t last for long.

My beans get plenty of water, too. But one of my chickens escaped from her yard, came over to the bean patch, and began eating my little seedlings. This was back a few weeks ago.

So now I have gaps in the bean plant lineup. The beans that survived her snacking rampage are doing well, but with all the bad weather, they were planted late. So no beans yet.
 
B

Barry Natchitoches

Has No Life - Lives on TB
One thing I cannot do right now is can.

Of all the times for it to happen, a little bird set up a nest in an open, plastic box that I store miscellaneous small tools and such in. That plastic box is right next to my back door, so close that my arm sometimes rubs against the box when I am going in or out of my back door.

And that is where she built her nest and hatched her babies!

The babies are four days old, and I think they are doing well. Their eyes are now open, but they still rely on Momma to bring them food.

My problem is that the plastic box she set up her family in is sitting on top of a tower of two large, well sealed Rubbermaid totes that are holding all of my canning gear.

This home is small, and I did not have another place to store the gear. Never in a million years did I suspect that a little bird would make her nest on top of my cannning gear. They are at such a vulnerable age right now, I don’t want to spook Momma into not returning to feed her babies. (I don’t know where she is living, but she does not live inside that plastic box with her babies.)

So, for right now at least, I cannot start canning those tomatoes yet.
 
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