Archive for April, 2009
April 30, 2009 – Plum Blossoms
We continue to be in a dark, cold weather pattern. Hard penance to pay for the 80 degree day last week. Low overcast with continual wetness starts to feel oppressive after a while. I’m worried that the wetness, cool temps and wind will prevent the pollinators from getting out to the fruit trees. The plums ...Read more.
April 29, 2009 – Let the Outdoor Work Begin!
There are so many things to get done around the farm, that every few years it seems they catch up and overwhelm me so I hire out some jobs. The shingles on the south side of the detached garage where starting to curl up. Since I had a bunch of shingles left over from re-roofing ...Read more.
April 28, 2009 – Claire with More Opportunities
Claire was selected and awarded a scholarship to attend this year’s Iowa Youth Leadership program! Students from around the world will attend and go through a two-week program. The following is from the organization: The Iowa Youth Leadership International (IYLI) prepares international students to assume active leadership roles in their community and global society. Through ...Read more.
April 27, 2009 – Energy Group
I was invited to be part of an amorphous group looking to increase efficiency of small and medium-sized farm energy use and use of renewable energy. The participants included a wide range of parties, including I-Renew, Iowa Environmental Council, Farm Bureau, Alliant Energy, Iowa State Extension and Engineering, Rural Electric Co-ops, Leopold Center for Sustainable ...Read more.
April 26, 2009 – Gully Washers
Today we had downpour after downpour as a line of thunderstorms “trained” over our place. During the band concert in the high school, water dripped through the lights of the auditorium and the rain did not stop. Water was waist deep on some streets in Marshalltown. Most of the county received 6 inches of rain. ...Read more.
April 25, 2009 – Prom
Today was prom day for Claire. She and a friend had dinner at our place before prom. We served as much from the farm food, including barbecued chicken, grilled asparagus and grilled mushrooms among other things. In contrast to the last school dance where Claire debuted in a hand-made duct-tape dress, her nod to non-conformity ...Read more.
April 24, 2009 – 85 Degrees
‘Nuff said. one year ago…”Thingamajig Thursday #115″
April 23, 2009 – Thingamajig Thursday #162
Here’s this week’s thingamajig Thursday. Also check out the last thingamajig answer. As always, put your guess in a comment below. Hold mouse over this sentence to pop-up answer. one year ago…”Trees In”
April 22, 2009 – ‘Shrooms and ‘Spargus
A great grilling combination this week – fresh asparagus and shiitakes. After a long winter, nothing quite like coating them with a bit of olive oil and throwing them on the grill. one year ago…”Claire Strikes Again, Awarded Trip to Washington DC”
April 21, 2009 – Apple Blossoms Soon
Now that the weather is really starting to warm up, the fruit trees are on the verge of their spring splendor. I’m very curious to see how the trees react to last year’s bumper crop and the -20 temps we had last winter. The peaches are particularly vulnerable. Stay Tuned! one year ago…”State Envirothon Champs”
April 20, 2009 – Shiitake’s Return
The shiitake’s are back! The logs that fruited last fall are at it again. Linda was out looking for some moss and mushrooms for biology lab and was the first to see that the fruiting had already begun this spring. Soon, we’ll be eating fresh fungus! It’s always a pleasant surprise to see the logs ...Read more.
April 19, 2009 – First Asparagus
The first asparagus is peeking its purple head out of the ground. It’s nice to get the first substantial food poking out of the ground. one year ago…”Moving Fence”
April 18, 2009 – Old Red Cedar Shingles
When I was tearing off shingles, I found this old paper that went along with the shingle packaging. It’s hard to read, but the date is listed as 1935. I think the shed was built around 1918, so I think this might have been the 2nd round of shingles. one year ago…”I Feel the Earth ...Read more.
April 17, 2009 – What’s Wrong with This Envelope?
Here’s an envelope from the City of Duluth that I saw a parking attendant put on my car in Duluth a few weeks ago. (I was in a space after the yellow line stopped on the curve, but the winter salt and grime obscured the white hatches indicating no parking – the ticket was a ...Read more.
