Compost Wars

I've struggled with one of my compost piles in the past.  Located next to an apple tree (for my convenience) the compost was violated by apple tree roots.  The apple tree sent it's hungry roots into the nutrient rich compost.   The roots infiltrated the compost and grabbed hold of it tight like a mother holds a baby.  I would try to pull the compost out and spread it around and ended up playing tug-of-war with the apple tree. So I sought advice and was told that a layer of landscape fabric on the floor of the compost pile would keep the roots out.  That advice didn't work. The roots easily pierced three layers of landscape fabric.  Getting the compost out that year was harder than ever.  Last fall I tried a new technique.  I put a double layer of green tarp down.  I tied the tarp to the sides of the compost pile so that the tarp climbed up 10 inches on 3 of the 4 sides of the pile.  Whaddya know?  This worked!  When I pulled the compost out a couple weeks ago, the compost was not infiltrated with apple tree roots.  Only one small root pierced the tarp.  Once I got most of the weight of the compost out of the pile, I untied the tarp and pulled the tarp out into the garden to empty it completely.  And with all the chicken manure, this was some prime compost.  Success!  I am smarter than an apple tree!

Mercy

I read "Mercy" by Jodi Picoult and it had all the typical Picoult novel trademarks - set in the northeastern United States (Wheeloch, Massachusetts), a trial (murder one), and a heart tugging social dilemma (euthanasia).   Jodi's characters are fascinating as always.  There is Cam, the local rule abiding chief of police.  Cam's cousin, Jamie, a business owner, loves his wife so much that when she asks him to kill her because her body is riddled with cancer and she is in so much pain she doesn't enjoy life anymore, he eventually does what she asks.  The cousins have more than a Scottish grandparent in common.  They both do things they know are not right.  Which one is the better man?  This was a fascinating book - a real page turner.  I found myself holding my breath when the jury came back and read the verdict.    

Penny Postcards

Prior to 1917, a person could buy and mail a post card for 1 cent.  Go to this website to see examples of penny postcards from your area:  http://www.usgwarchives.org/special/ppcs/ppcs.html

Last Of The Summer Wine

Lately I've been watching a British sit-com when I eat my supper after work.  The show, "Last of the Summer Wine," is shown on the public broadcasting channel at 6 and 6:30.  The show features three retired men who live in a small village in England.  They have no jobs, no wives, and no commitments.  The three guys hang out together all day. And they have the best time!  All dressed up, well, two are dressed up and Compo is dressed in scruffy clothes, they go out walking, to the cafe for tea or to the pub for beer.  They reminisce about the old days.  Cleggy is the meek and philosophical one.  Foggy is the pompous former military man.  Its a funny show.  The physical comedy is especially funny because these are pretty old men to be doing such crazy stunts like riding a donkey, being shot out of a cannon, and rolling down huge English hills inside barrels.  Compo is in love with his neighbor, Nora Batty.  She is portrayed as a stern woman with no sense of humor and wrinkly stockings.  And if a man grabs an unwilling woman around the neck to kiss her cheek, it's considered sexual assault here but in the show it happens every episode.  Nora just yells and shoves Compo off and she might hit him with her garden broom.  The scenery is amazing and the story lines are hilarious.  The sitcom was written by Roy Clark.  "The Last of the Summer Wine" is the longest running sitcom in television history, running from 1973 to 2010.  Roy Clark also wrote "Keeping Up Appearances" which is another funny show I've watched.  I really like this show.  I think these three guys have the ultimate retirement plan - hang out with your friends all day and do whatever you feel like doing plus getting into trouble every once in a while.  They're living my dream.

I've Got Birds On My Blog

Junco

At least I think I've got birds on my blog. Do yo see them?  I had them earlier but I don't think the birds can fly over my old fashioned dial up connection.  If you do see them, it's a facebook thing with the Audubon group.  You can collect all 38 kinds of birds on various blogs.  I think they're cute.

On another note, I saw lots of birds while I sat at the kitchen table for an hour reading the Sunday paper.  If only Project Feederwatch began in October, I would have had an outstanding report of Junco's (my Easter egg birds came back from the tundra for the first time this season), robins, blue jays, chickadees, house finches, gold finches, hairy woodpeckers, nuthatches and cardinals.  The yard was full of life.  Now I have to save up some money to buy another bag of black sunflower seeds.

Love My New Kitchen Gadget

I love kitchen gadgets and supplies.  I restrain myself from buying more because my cupboards are full and really, how many pretty bowls do I need?  But this gadget was worth the money and the storage space.  I've used it 6 out of the last 7 days.  My new gadget is an immersion blender.  Oh, it's so handy.  I have a regular blender but this one is better to puree hot soups (like carrot soup, squash soup, and black bean soup).  And it's safer than transferring a kettle full of hot liquid food twice.  I can just stick the blender into the bowl of soup and puree it without pouring.  The immersion blender is great for making a strawberry smoothie because somedays I just cannot face another portion of plain yougurt.  And instead of having to clean the blender cup, the blade, the attachment and the rubber gasket, I just rinse the shaft in hot water and I am done.  It's so easy! 

Preparation

I am getting ready for another season of watching winter birds for Project Feederwatch. Recently one of my old bird feeders crashed and broke into pieces.  I had strung a cable from a crab apple tree to the top of the deck.  I suspended the feeder on the cable.  To deter the squirrels I had strung milk bottles, large juice containers and pie plates along the cable.  To be truthful, it looked a little trashy.  And the squirrels could still tightrope their way across.  The gray squirrels walked above the rope and the red squirrels clambered across below the rope.  I really didn't want another season of keeping a loaded super soaker by the back door.  Instead I sunk part of a 6 foot 2x2 into the ground.  Over that I put a 5 inch length of 4 inch diameter pvc pipe.  I hope the squirrel arms are not long enough to skinny their way up the thick pvc pipe.  I suspended a bird feeder and a suet holder to that. I've had it up almost 3 weeks and so far I haven't seen a single squirrel on it.  I haven't seen a single woodpecker yet either but they should find it soon.  The nuthatches, goldfinches and chickadees like it though.  Over time I have come to realize just how crafty the squirrels are.  I don't think this one will be squirrel proof forever but if I can keep them off it for six months, I'll be happy.