Hello, It is really neat to read about everyone. I am feeling really young. I am 31, married and have 3 girls and 1 more on the way. I live in the country near Clay Center Kansas. I am an elementary teacher. This year I moved schools and moved up to Middle School Math. I grew up on a farm raising livestock (Cattle and Hogs) and crops. There was not enough $$$ on the farm to support more families, so I went my own direction. Now I am starting my own "farm" as my wife says. I have around an 1 acre garden. I grow alot of our produce for sale at 3 small farmers markets I attend. I started to make jellies to add to the produce that I sell. It also helps me use stuff that I don't sell or isn't perfect. I work very hard at what I do and enjoy every minute of it. I don't have a tractor, (I wish I did) and I am expanding every year. Everything is done by hand, usually mine. I get the kids involved as much as possible. They are great at somethings, but not everything. Next year I am putting up two hoopbuildings,(12 by 45ft each) to grow tomatoes and cucumbers in. I want to capture the most $ for my labor. I have time in June and July, but once August roles around, it is back to school and I don't have that much time to spend in the garden. I am not into gardening for the $$, I am into it for good produce and flavor. I also love to grow things that people have never seen before. Black tomatoes, Lemon Cucumbers, Chocolate Bell peppers, Strange Squash, etc, etc, etc. I usually don't sell lots of these things, but they do keep bringing people back. We have a small flock of chickens, started out as a 2nd grade chicken egg hatching project. Those chickens were some tough 'ol birds. We use alot of eggs and sell the rest at my market stand. Future plans? To continue the garden and probably expand by another 1/4 acre. Maybe try using floating row covers for squash. I enjoy gardening more and more. I wish I could do it full time year around. Kansas weather doesn't allow that to happen! I want to expand my pepper jellies and sell online and to local shops and I wish I could win the lotto so I could do it all. It just isn't possible or is it? I will still come back here and read about everyone and find new recipes to try. Thanks for the support and Keep up the good work! Jay

I'm thinking it could be Brass Horn, a sport of Fortunei Stenantha. I used to grow Brass Horn, but don't have it anymore. It also looks like the pics of Harpoon, but I've never grown that one, so I can't give much input. According to The Hostapedia, both Brass Horn and Harpoon have nearly the same leaf size (6-7 inches wide x 11 inches long). Brass Horn has lavender flowers from mid-July to early August, while Harpoon has purple flowers from late August into September.

I love my spiny lizards! Just today I watched one out on the patio. He'd scamper a foot, and stop. Look at me and do a few push ups--then scamper another foot, stop. Look at me and do a few push ups. It was funny! Why do they do those push ups? It looks like they're breathing hard when they do them too. Roselee, I looked at your pictures and thought, hmmm does she really let a gila monster live on her front porch?? (That's what I thought it was) Here is a link that might be useful: gila monster

'm glad I'm not alone here. There are ELEVEN HOURS in a row of Dirty Jobs today. My Cat from Hell is my favorite and I used to really like It's Me or the Dog. She was such a good dog trainer. I always thought they should bring Victoria Stilwell on Bad Dog o coach them how to train their dogs or rename Bad Dog stupid, lazy owners. If you're going to own a dog you have to train it, at least know how to care for it. I used to have Animal Planet on all day on Saturday but not anymore. Time Warner has now added new channels to show shows like Hoarding, I Didn't know I was Pregnant, Sex sent me to the ER, ER in different cities. 500 Pound people. Please send the Nude people to one of the porn channels.