February 2021 Week 2

3 years ago

WHAT? Week 2 of February. I want time to slow down. I was so cavalier about not starting seeds too early that now I'm in a bit of a panic. Since there will be NO planting outdoors this coming week because of the blast of cold air all week, I guess I will begin slow growing and/or hardy flowers and greens on the grow cart instead. Slow growing, thinking of coleus--cool weather, alyssum, nasturtiums. Danny, wasn't it you who successfully grew sweet peas a year or two ago? I tried them a couple years in a row and didn't have any luck, so gave up. It's time to get the berry bushes in, but again, not going to happen this week. The weather forecast isn't quite as dismal as it was two days ago, but still not a walk in the park, with lows in the teens and highs in the 20s for 2-3 of the days. I'll get this thread begun and see you later today. Stay warm and comfortable indoors, everyone!

Featured Answer

Larry Peugh

3 years ago

The weather forecast has improved a little here. Ft. smith is to get down to 20 for 2 or 3 nights, that should put me down to 15 or so. I don't plan on protecting anything, its about time to start getting the garden ready for spring anyway.

I want to start a few seeds in rememberance of Dawn today, but I dont want to start tomatoes this early, they will get too large for my light shelf. I will start some type of cole crop instead.

I am happy about plant greens and turnips last fall, we are still eating them. We still have a lot of sweet potatoes and pumpkins, but the Seminole and Butternut seems to go a lot faster, everyone wants them.

I will plant more of the smaller type of winter squash. I will plant most of them in the wildlife garden, except one that George sent me, I will plant it close to the house where is can keep a close eye on it.

I am afraid that there may be a lot of people unemployed this year, so it may be nice to have extra food.

Amy, I just opened a pack of cilantro seeds, they are about 60% the size of okra seeds, If I need more seeds I will go back to Ace hardware and buy another $.39 pack. I lost the 4 seeds I dumped out of the pack, they are in my recliner and should be coming up in a week or two.

Comments (82)

Lynn Dollar
3 years ago
I'm scheduled to get my second covid shot Saturday morning at OU Children's Hosp. I'll get there, hellor high water. Not sure the people giving the shot will make it.
Melissa
3 years ago
I did my grocery pickup last Friday and was so glad I did. Good grief!! I refuse to go out unless I absolutely have to in the next week at least. I made the hubs text me when he got to work yesterday after seeing the weather stating the roads were slick. Then I started seeing all the accidents being reported before he had gotten to work. Ugh! He made it safe though and good thing he made it before the Belle Isle Bridge over by Penn Square got backed up. They completely shut down I-35 going N right at the Lazy E Arena exit due to a fatal accident going into Guthrie. My son had class today at UCO in Edmond but decided not to go in and I was not upset with that. I'm worried about tomorrow but praying it's not like the last ice storm where they predicted, what 1/10th of an inch and we ended up having a major ice storm?! Geeze. Going to fill the bath tub up with water tonight just to be safe in case the power goes out.

Ya'll are brave going into Walmart! I have just been doing the grocery pickup where I park and they bring it out. I did run into Whole Foods and Trader Joe's Friday but it wasn't busy at all, thankfully. The people in Trader Joe's are always SO friendly!! I wish it was closer so I could go more often. *sigh*

I made sweet potato chowder yesterday. I never thought I'd like sweet potatoes in soup, but it's really good. I have some sweet potato chili in the freezer and it's equally as good!! We love sweet potatoes and that's why I tried to grow them last year but they didn't turn out. Not one sweet potato!! I planted some in a huge planter, some in grow bags, and then a few in a raised bed. I was so disappointed. I don't know why they didn't produce. I would love to have a sweet potato farm. I'm sure that sounds odd, but I am so picky when it comes to sweet potatoes.

Hope everyone is staying warm and safe!!
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February 2020, Week 2
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dbarron, I'll probably have to start all mine indoors too. Then I'll build the plants little boats and they can spend the rest of the spring and summer floating downhill, slipping through the garden fence, slipping and sliding across the front wildflower meadow and sliding happily down the embankment into the bar ditch, and then they can travelthrough our creek until they end up floating down the Red River. Maybe they'll wave bye as they float away. That is how discouraging all this rain is. I already can visualize my plants floating away before I've even started seeds. Yesterday when everything was frozen solid, our soil looked dry. It looked so good from inside the house, though walking on it wasn't that great when I went outdoors. Then the frozen ground thawed out during the morning hours and turned back into mud. I'd start hoping for drought, but I've been watching the videos of the 400 million locusts destroying Africa and headed into Asia, and I don't really want a drought because that's when our grasshoppers try to turn sort of locusts. Although... I should point out that it was a couple of rainy years that have given rise to the plague of locusts there in Africa, and we have had more than a couple of rainy years here....and I saw grasshoppers hatching out and growing in both December and January. I haven't seen many lately, so I'm hoping they drowned in the rain. It is just so wrong to have grasshoppers here in the winter, and in previous years when they were hatching out in the winter, we had a horrible problem with them all summer long. Those usually were drought years though. Jen, There have been years I've grown too much basil and I'd say you're about to have one of those years! The good thing is that it is a great companion plant and if you truly have too many plants taking up too much space, you can cut them back relentlessly....and they'll grow right back. If you have more than you can use, and more than you can dehydrate or make into pesto, you can use basil as fillers in bouquets, or tie together a lot of sprigs artfully to form a swag to hang up in the kitchen...and it will perfume the kitchen for ages. Larry, The wading pool idea sounds like a winner to me, but wouldn't work here because the 4 kittens would think it was just a big kitty litter box. I already have trouble keeping them out of the houseplants. Nancy, I always had too much lemon balm, but I just pulled out excess seedlings or dug up excess plants. I figured I'd never be rid of all the lemon balm. Then, in 2015 we got around 79" of rain and the perpetually wet soil finally killed the lemon balm plants. I was not sorry---for once, having dense wet clay was an advantage. Every now and then a lemon balm plant will pop up here or there in a raised bed, but not in great abundance like we once had, and that is a relief. Chris has been building the raised beds for their potager garden in their back yard, and he's just had to work around the rain. He has it about half built. I think he'll get the other half built this week. He needs to---he has seeds started and tons of plants all over the place and they are going to outgrow his light shelf soon. We are praying for an early last freeze so he can get those babies in the ground. He is at a much higher elevation than we are, so he probably will be able to plant before we can even though he is further north. Microclimate is everything. This morning, the nursery delivered his dump truck load full of garden soil that he intends to use to fill the beds in the potager garden. He's already dug out and removed all the grass from the potager garden area, which wasn't too time-consuming since he has loose, sandy soil. Anyhow, his driveway is fairly narrow and slopes sharply uphill and they didn't think the dump truck could back up that driveway with the load of heavy, wet garden soil, so they dumped it at the base of the driveway, covering his driveway, the sidewalk and a great deal of the yard. Ooops! Wanting to clear the sidewalk off and regain use of the driveway, he and Tim spent a long, hard few hours pushing wheelbarrow load after wheelbarrow load of heavy, wet garden soil up the steep driveway. That effort got it to the top of the driveway, but they couldn't wheel it into the back yard because it is incredibly wet (of course). So, they spread out the soil in heaping piles, covering up about half their driveway--the upper half, which leaves the lower half available to park their vehicles. Chris is hoping the soil will dry out quickly on the concrete, and then he can load it up again and wheel it into the back yard. The important thing to him is that the rest of their driveway is usable and the sidewalk is clear. The two of them went to lunch afterwards and had a nice father-son day together, and I predict both with be sore and achy tomorrow. I was home with our animals, letting them in and out as it pleased them, and doing housework and stuff. I didn't really want to shovel and haul dirt uphill so was smart enough to stay home. The cats and dogs were happier today, but we still have a ton of puddles and mud. Amy, I'd be happy if I only had to go to one store, but since we occasionally drive all the way to the metroplex to go to Costco and Central Market, I make a list and we stop at every other store we need to visit so we are getting the most bang for our buck after using all that gas to drive down there. It drives me crazy, though, and I cannot get out of the metroplex and back home quickly enough. It doesn't even matter if we only go to Gainesville or Ardmore, I've still had 'enough' of it after one store and just want to rush through whatever else we need to do to get home. Rebecca, Your poor nephew! Tim was about the same age when he slammed, face and teeth-first into a tree while sledding, and much expensive dental work ensued. I'd say an early Spring definitely is happening overall, even though we still have occasional nights in the 20s. All our Spring birds came back around 4 weeks ago, and everything here is sprouting, budding and leafing out, including trees. We went from sort of 0 mph to 60 mph overnight. I am sure more cold nights, and the threat of snow, will keep Spring from plowing ahead too enthusiastically, but she definitely is here. I noticed today that trees along the Red River are really leafing out now, though ours here at the house are a bit further behind and are only either flowering or budding. 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I may have to carry out a sheet of plywood to put down in the pathway to kneel upon so I'm not soaking wet and muddy, but I've done that in the past and it has worked pretty well as far as keeping me above the mud. The next couple of days will be nice, but then the rain comes back. Honestly, can we not have one single week without rain? I'm so over it! Dawn
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September 2021, Week 2
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https://madhattermagicshop.com/magicshop/product_info.php?products_id=3506&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnJaKBhDgARIsAHmvz6f3LtUZUiOpLVs5Yah6Nf-rxUXgVE4G3OYYlr4_r5nh966i9lWLYcEaAilSEALw_wcB I asked Garry about the bell he said we had somewhere. He went searching this morning and came back with this, suggesting it may have been this little horn, not a bell. How funny! I think it will work fine. It's awfully noisy--I don't think he can possibly not hear it! Speaking of naps, I just had THE nicest nap! It was a doozy! I also should check up on nolo bait. Grasshoppers STINK. Sure it was your keyboard, Amy? I've been having problems with Facebook--commenting on others' posts. I suppose I should try to train Garry on the cell phone. It's certainly not something he'd like training on. . . on the other hand, he needs to train me on how to sit down and read a good magazine or book straight through. I so admire him for that. Recently I got hard copy subscriptions to Nat'l Geographic and Smithsonian. He devours both as soon as they come. I had also ordered The Afghanistan Papers a few weeks ago and by gosh, he has sat down and read through that entire thing, as well. I'm a little jealous. Suzanne came over last night about 7 and stayed until 9 or so. Wow--I never have company that stays so long. SO fun to catch up. We sat in the quilting/everything room so as not to bother Garry. She remarked on how different the energy vibes were in that room. Wow--that really resonated--I'm sure that's true--for sure it's nothing like the rest of the house. No way for me to ever get bored in there! I think I may embark on sorting seeds there--probably as close to gardening as I'll get in the next few weeks! Garry and I are encountering a behavioral issue with Tiny. I remember Dawn telling us to not forget who's in charge, re cats. Seems Tiny is taking us to school in that department. I suspect it comes from the fact that neither of us has been outside gardening this past month. I'm a little embarrassed even bringing it up. This is where it comes from: these 3 cats are much beloved by both of us. Though I know Danny was/is right, that cats need to be kept inside, that ship had sailed with these 3/barn door had been openined--impossible to get the "horses" back in. And so every morning we go through this rigamarole whereby cats have to go out, then in; then out; then in. Tom and Jerry, not so bad. But Tiny has discovered (created?) a new game. He can scratch on the front livingroom window screeb. Garry goes to the door to let him in. Works great. NOW he has upped the game. Now he scratches on the screen, Garry goes to let him in and he backs off. No thanks, he says, and if GDW goes out to get him, he dashes off. So GDW comes back in, sits down. Tiny is right back at it, scratching the screen. This morning, took him oh, 5 minutes until he began meowing loudly to get back out. This has now obviously turned into some kind of game for him. I scolded him--couple times ago I threw my grabber stick at him. Now I've cme up with new idea. Get the water spray bottle. Told GDW to show up at the door with it and if Tiny backs off to spray it at him. We need one of you to show up as a cat specialist doctor. Other issue is my appetite. We thought my appetite has just shrunk for now . Now I realize it's not that--it's that I don't have an appetite at all! I was so excited about the big juicy burger I ordered from the Marina, and by the time I finished the 3rd or 4th bite, had no interest whatsoever. Do any of the rest of you have similar after-surgery issues with appetites? Okay. . . . off to my exciting life!
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dbarron
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I wish NWA had a Trader Joe's (been wishing that for years).

Sweet potatoes: Not planted early enough or not enough sun. They're a morning glory, no real other reasons not to produce.

When I went to my great aunt's visitation, figuring I'd prefer socializing over the funeral, I was (kinda) horrified by being hugged and hands shook by people whom I could barely identify (our masks). I ran away with social anxiety over the huge crowd (probably about 50 people) quite quickly. Is this what the pandemic has done to us? (or just me) .

Yes, I have been to the grocery store each day for the last three days (including Walmart), trying to get stocked because it's gonna be cold and it may be slick. I made a pot of chili yesterday and thought I was giving a good shake of red pepper flakes into it, but I grabbed the identical bottle of cinnamon. It's not bad, but it's not quite chili (lol)...I'd been expecting me to do that for years...finally happened.
Larry Peugh
3 years ago
My greatest problem with sweet potatoes is critters. The sweet potatoes get attacked from top and bottom. They grow very well for me, I just have to share them with many critters. I plan on moving my sweet potato bed this year, I hope that will help.

I am hoping Madge and I can learn how to use sweet potatoes and pumpkins in more ways, they are so productive and keep so well. This year I plan on growing more Butternut and Seminole, they are much easier to give away. I still have some large pumpkins, but very few butternut and seminole, it also looks as though I am going to have too many sweet potatoes, but they are easier to use because we dont have so much left over.

One thing nice about being retired, is, staying home when the weather is bad.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
Original Author
3 years ago
I love growing sweet potatoes at the school just because they're so pretty. I'd love growing them here, too, except Garry's a pill and won't eat them. I look forward to growing the Ipomoea alba (moonflower vine) here on the deck railing this year. They're so spectacular in the evening--both to look at and to smell!

What the pandemic has done to you might be just you, Danny--but it's me, too. I have been experiencing that anxiety even with small groups of people. It's made more difficult by the large number of people who ignore precautions.

I think you made Cincinnati chili, Danny. . . you were just missing the spaghetti. I've made it a couple times. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/cincinnati-chili-recipe2-1972747

I was thinking how miserably cold it is here and happened to think of the kids in Mpls, so checked weather there for comparison. Okay, now I feel a little better.
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
3 years ago
Melissa, this year get starts from George. Best sweets I ever grew! I can put you in touch if you don't see him here before hand. He also says not to put them in too good of soil because, I think then you get more leaves than tubers. Consistent watering. I have tried several times with purchased starts or ones that sprouted in my cabinet. Never did well. This yeat I put them in a 5' diameter smart bed with bagged garden soil, I think. Not good soil, not fertilized.

What we need is ice melt. My husband has fallen down on the job. No ice melt and no scraper in the car when we went to Bartlesville. He did have the spray on ice melt though, so not a complete bust. You have to know him to appreciate Mr be prepared. The kids always had ice scrapers in their cars by Nov and maybe a bucket of sand/salt. Trucks got extra firewood to weigh down the backs. Of course he checked antifreeze. The scrapers WERE in the cars, but he took someone to a doctors appointment last week and removed a bunch of stuff to take care of her. The only food we were out of was cool whip to put on the pumpkin pie he baked yesterday. LOL. He''s outside now stocking up on firewood.

My dad is much the same. It looks like Bartlesville will have only gotten a little snow out of this last batch of precipitation. We got ice overnight. I hope Dad hangs on till the roads are better. One brother is working in Florida till Valentine's. (I know, wish I was in Florida) I'm hoping he can get home to see him.

My tomato list was all set till one of the tomato groups on Facebook got to posting. I may have to add a couple. I should know better.

I had crowd anxiety before the pandemic. And I have never been real comfortable with hugging relatives. I've been thinking we shouldn't do a funeral for my dad. Maybe a virtual thing, which they can do and send donations to the hospice which appears to be entirely operated on donations. Then, when it's warm we could have a ceremony at the cemetery when we could place his ashes. I will have to see if my siblings agree.

My Minnesota friend posted a picture of her husband who wears shorts year round blowing snow off the driveway in long pants. Made me laugh.

Greek food is often seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg, Danny, so maybe you made Greek chili

It's Wednesday. I hate winter. That is all.
Kim Reiss
3 years ago
Amy my niece has terrible crowd anxiety. When her sister passed people at the funeral thought my dil was my niece. My dil came to tell me all these strangers kept hugging her. I said shhh take one for team. So all day they kept hugging and consoling her and my niece was able deal with her grief without the added stress
Nancy RW (zone 7)
Original Author
3 years ago
My nose is running like a sieve because of this recently acquired hayfever, and that and winter are making me grumpy. Haha, Kim. What a good sport she was.

My son is one of those goofy MN guys who has been known to wear shorts all the way through winter. Bet he isn't this week. I'll have to call and find out.

I am sorry you mentioned Greek food, Amy. I am suddenly so very depressed--wanting gyros and not being able to get them.
HU-422368488
3 years ago
Just watched channel 4 forecast.

15 to 20 inches of snow over the weekend, -15* Monday morning , -30 * wind chill.

F-O-G h-o-r-n

HU
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
3 years ago
I've been looking for a pastitsio recipe for you Nancy, but they all have either unusual ingredients or not enough cinnamon and no nutmeg. The first one I made used hellman's Mayo to make the bechamel sauce. I always had trouble with it. Basically, it's a layer of macaroni, a layer of meat sauce (ground beef, small can of tomato paste, a small can of sauce, onions, cinnamon (I think up to a tsp per pound but definitely more than 1/4 t for 2 pounds!), a little salt and pepper and maybe oregano. My original recipe put another layer of macaroni and poured the bechamel sauce over it all. I have seen the bechemal sauce made with as many as a dozen eggs. The recipe I would say 2-3 cups milk, 3 eggs and whatever butter is proportionate for that. (You know bechamel better than me and we may have talked about this recipe.) It had a lot of parmesan in it, like 1/4 cup. And at least 1/4 tsp of nutmeg. I like to taste the nutmeg. That's my Greek recipe. And I bought one from the Greek church for Thanksgiving and we all agreed mine was better. Might not be authentic.

HU, I am officially in denial.
Kim Reiss
3 years ago
We harvested all our cabbage lettuce and dil. I don’t know of they could handled 10 degrees
hazelinok
3 years ago
Melissa, y'all curbside pick-up orderers are a pain for those of us who shop in the store. LOL! I'm joking, of course. I am glad that option is available. BUT the employees who are shopping for y'all block the aisles and shelves with their carts full of your orders. :D

We'll go do our shopping on Friday afternoon because it looks like we'll be stuck indoors for a few days.

Yes! I wish Whole Foods and Trader Joes was closer to us! It's in the trendy area of the city. I'm on the outskirts.

Danny, cinnamon is an ingredient in several chili recipes!

Larry, there's lots of sweet potato/pumpkin recipes. I interchange the two. I'll see if I can find some recipes online and post them here. They're probably vegetarian, if you're okay with those. I know I've done soups and black bean/sweet potato enchiladas...stuff like that.

Okay...just catching up. I don't really have anymore comments but read all of your posts.

What a weird winter!

I don't remember December 83/January 84 that everyone is talking about. I wasn't old enough to drive yet...and I guess nothing tragic happened to my family because I can't remember it.
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
3 years ago
I had a 1 year old in 1983 so it's a blur to me, but Ron remembers walking a picket line while on strike at McDonnell Douglas that year.
OklaMoni
3 years ago
Oh, Danny, I am sorry, but I am having a laughter fit.... Cinnamon in Chilli...

:)

On a serious note I have adopted this saying my friend uses: I am still limiting my exposure to others, so I'll pass, which can be amended to I am still limiting my exposure to others, so please keep your distance.

YUP, Larry, that is a nice option when retired... but it is also a miserable option for people like me... that like to get out and about. I have only been to the bird bath to pour HOT water in, in the hope they (birds) find it before it is frozen solid again.

Oh my gosh, Amy... so sorry about Ron's fall. I put my ice scraper and my yaktrax in my car, right after the ice storm. Haven't needed them... but I know where they are.

HU turn that fog horn off, and turn the heat up and open all doors and windows and warm us up. ;)

Kim I thought about you, when Kat told me her salad greens are all frozen. I need to go peek at mine... will do so later today... it just might make it up to 30, if the sun actually comes out for a bit like my app says... but then, right now as I am typing it is snowing... YIKES

I can't say with certainty anything about the 80's... but I do recall my ex driving the kids to school, cause he didn't want them on the bus. He headed in to work anyway.. he was a cop.

I walked 1200 steps this morning pretty quickly after I got up. I am sitting too much during this icy spell. I need to get out and walk...

Stay warm everyone.

Moni
Rebecca (7a)
3 years ago
I can’t even get out to my back yard to check on my salad boxes. I doubt that Sterilite offers enough protection. At least I have a billion seeds for those. Right now I’m able to get to and from work fairly easily, just slick in my neighborhood. But the jury is out on Sunday and Monday. I have confidence in my own driving, just not in anyone else’s.
Lynn Dollar
3 years ago
I was thinkin I should go harvest all my cilantro and put it in the freezer. But its in the freezer now, why bother.
Larry Peugh
3 years ago
My greens look nice, frozen stiff, but nice. Many of you are having it much worse than I am, at least now. It is up to 28*, doubt it will get much higher for a while. For the next week Fort Smith is showing lows from 22* down to 2*, which has been changing often.

Maybe I should go to the wildlife garden and pick some turnips, they may not last much longer, may not be good now. I have tilled most of the greens in on this side of the hwy. I will have to see if I can get the rtv started to go to the wildlife garden, I am not able to walk that far at this time. I was able to go to Ft. Smith the past two days, but not a lot of walking was involved, just dealing with the ice.

Well, I did go to the wildlife garden, my hands are frozen, so were the turnips. I picked a dozen or two and was feeding the frozen tops to the donkeys, I had to come in to warm my hands, the donkeys were not too happy with the frozen tops anyway, but I will go back. The donkeys were eating the leftover food that I has tossed over the fence. It had been in the house waiting for me to get back from town, and was warmer than the turnip tops. The turnips may not be any good when they thaw.
dbarron
3 years ago
Umm, today was a long day confined in the house and temptation fell on my head. I bought $113 dollars of irises for BlueJIris. I'd been thinking that I hadn't bought any irises since 2017 (which were also from bluej), so I went on the web site and made a list. I kinda got excited when the total ran up to $126. I was sure I would throw most of them out when I pruned the list, but umm, I didn't. My new total was $102, but then at $100, I could apply a 10% discount, then added in shipping and $113.
I depressed myself thinking I won't see any blooms till 2022 and probably most not till 2023, with the irises needing to bulk up to bloom. I guess that's ONE thing about 'my how time flies' these days though. Ok, I think I've done my part spending the stimulus check....done.
Nancy Waggoner
3 years ago
Hahaha, Danny--mine was gone in the blink of an eye. . . . a book here, a book there, Le Creuset for me, then for my DIL. Blackberry bushes fro the school and me. And blah blah blah. AND I even managed to put $300 back into savings that I'd borrowed a couple months ago.

Okay, so you are buying lots of plants. How much square footage of beds do you have? I'm sure some remember we did drawings of our property layout regarding beds. I'd love to see us all do those again. I have one of the oder ones, will update and forward.

I'm so disappointed that my beds are all full. Well maybe except for the long front on next to the front "porch," It runs the length of the house. I do have the forget-me-nots and Columbine in there, but would love to put in a few more shade lovers. And--so funny. Our house is where all those "west/sunny," "north/shady," "south/sunny," "east partly shade" sayings are totally backwards here. Our front is SO shady, except for one 10' long swatch. Our north is the sunniest because there are no trees for a distance of app. 60-70 feet.

Lynn and Larry--I have no idea what's frozen out there. I was WAY too chicken to walk out there and see. So I sent my little prayer for their survival. . . and wished all of them well. My CATS wouldn't even go out. And Titan would go out for 15 min. and then want back in. He was driving us nuts. So were the cats, because when they are confined to the house, they're just like kids. Fighting or misbehaving and getting intro trouble. They're bored! It's really quite amusing.

I still have not started any seedlings, and am so glad I haven't. Now I realize I have to, the greens. But everything else? No hurry whatsoever.

I hope you all have navigated safely through the ice. Larry and Madge, I hate hearing you have to go to appts, prayers for you, Amy hate that you all are caught In this bind with visiting your father; Hope Ron's okay after his fall," praying for George and Jerreth. . . Praying for Sharon. Sharon? How are you doing?

XOXO.
dbarron
3 years ago
I have A) lots of plain uninteresting old iris (purple and yellows that I have saw everywhere for 50 years, probably 150 (lol)), they can be sacrificed B) always need less lawn, right ?
Kim Reiss
3 years ago
Horrible wreck in ft Worth this morning. 133 vehicles. Worst I ever heard about.
OklaMoni
3 years ago
Kim I saw a facebook page about it... and then watched a livestream along with a girlfriend and we kept saying Oh my god...

I have only been out to hack at the ice, and then fill the bird bath. I am going stir crazy...

No, not really, but I have started to walk laps in the house. Terribly boring. Before breakfast, 1000 steps... and later, walk during all phone calls, weather I start them, or get them.

I did open my cold frames, and cut all the rest of the salad greens off. After I laid towels and stuff on them too.

Stay warm everyone.
Larry Peugh
3 years ago
Our weather forecast is going crazy, I don't think anyone knows what to expect. We are now seeing a -5 for Mon. night, where did that come from?
jlhart76
3 years ago
We currently have a husky, a norwegian elkhound and a long haired german shepherd here. Know how hard it is to get 3 snow dogs inside? We're limiting recess time, but it's still a challenge to convince them it's too cold outside for playing.

My experiment with putting my grow shelf in the garage seems to be working. It's well above freezing even though the garage is cold. How bad is it to leave lights on 24 hours? I've been leaving them on for the heat.
dbarron
3 years ago
I'm sure it throws off circadian rhythm, but it's better to be confused than to die of frost bite!
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
3 years ago
Ron didn't fall. I said he fell down on the job, meaning he didn't do what was needed. He is usually ready for such weather. We're out of ice melt and rock salt. Apparently that is the new TP, none in stores.

Someone's husband did fall, but I couldn't find it again.

We're supposed to go to Bartlesville today.

One DIL is on her way to a funeral in West Virginia. We tried to talk her out of it, but she is stubborn.

I'll bet those dogs are enjoying the weather Jen! We have one with thicker fur and a layer of fat that isn't bothered by the cold, but I worry about their feet.

I hate winter.
Larry Peugh
3 years ago
Jen, I seldom turn my light shelf off, never if I feel that I need the heat. The biggest problem I have is the plants growing into the tubes and getting leaf damage, but I keep my lights very close to the plants.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
Original Author
3 years ago
I've seen few experts recommend leaving lights on 24/7, but have seen many experts saying not to. I recall asking Dawn this question a few years ago, and she said it was really better not to, as I recall, since I quit doing it. BUT we gotta go with Danny--confusions beats frostbite!

Amy, was the DIL driving? CRAZY! Okay, I get it--misread your post on Ron. I hope the roads are clear enough for your Bartlesville trip. Stay safe, keep us posted.

Yes, Larry--it's NUTS, the forecast. And not good nuts. I keep telling myself--if we can just make it until the 19th! I guess we probably will. I'd like to get groceries, but need to find out how the roads are into town. During the 30 years I lived in Minneapolis, I drove to Buffalo WY twice a year, usually. The chances of getting caught in either a brutal rainstorm or whiteout blizzards on that 800-mile stretch were about probably greater than 50%, since I don't remember many perfect trips in perfect weather. There was one in 2013 where I was driving 15-20 miles the entire western third of SD and well into Wyoming, as was everyone else. Here's what I saw going BACK to Mpls 4 days later. Wow--was so crazy to see the all the cars littering the landscape.

https://www.rcgov.org/rapid-city-news-room/a-look-back-winter-storm-atlas-1657.html

I just had to google worst pile-up ever. I recall many snow storms around Cheyenne that knocked many semis over. Oh. According to Google, the worst pile-up was Sau Paulo Brazil--300 cars. I sure don't remember any I know that were as many as 130, Moni! You must have seen a few storms on your travels, Larry?

The first year I was here, neighbors told us to go help ourselves to the iris in the vacant property next to them. (A fire had burned the house down, and it had been sitting for a few years. Still is.)

So Garry and I took the old truck over and loaded it up. There are probably 100 feet or so of iris bordering parts of the back yard. Not really enough sun for a spectacular show of color, but they're still nice.

Well. It's cold. I hate winter, too, Amy. More for you right now than for me, even. Stay warm, everyone!
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
3 years ago

I was warm.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
Original Author
3 years ago
LOL--Good job! I'm impressed anyone down here has stuff that warm.
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
3 years ago
Ha, Ron bought me a parka at the army surplus when Niki was in...Junior high. So 20 years ago. It only gets worn every 5 years or so. Paul gave me the hat for Christmas one year. It doesn't fit. If I pull it down on my head it falls over my eyes. The white thing is a circle scarf that I lost in the room today. You couldn't see my feet, but I had a wool blanket on my lap...green, also from army surplus. It was the one he took camping when he was a boy scout leader. That means it's 25 years old. Helps to be hoarders.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
Original Author
3 years ago
I was sitting in my little recliner chair from 4:30-8:30. The cats and Titan were being TERRIBLE, so I decided to just sit in here (the quilt room) so GDW could sleep. We kind of take turns doing that when the critters are restless. I still chuckle about Dawn saying we're the boss of them, not the other way around. Well, I don't know what I'd have to do to make them behave. LOL At any rate, I had a really warm double-sided polar fleece throw wrapped around my feet, my fuzzy polar fleece housecoat, and one of my lap quilts. And I was just as warm and toasty as I could be. Now remember, this quilt room doesn't have any heat except a space heater. And this IS a log house built by an old bachelor and his partying friends. So it's not totally airtight. And this IS the garage part, so even less so, no doubt. Yes, it's expensive to run the space heater in weather like this--but we can't very well shut off the room. The point is that I expect we looked a bit alike today, Amy! Cept I don't have a hat.

Strictly Medicinal had so many herbs that I decided to ask for a catalog. It's the first catalog this year that I actually wanted. So I'm going through now circling things I must have. . .The only thing I don't like is that the plants aren't all native. At least it lists where they ARE native to. It's not a pretty catalog, and not large. But sure has a lot of stuff in it. I'm excited.

Garry went out and fed the many birds today--and he came in half frozen. I asked him when we (from the far north) became such sissies. I wouldn't even go out today! Not even the 10 feet to the min/max thermometer. That's ridiculous. Okay. The high today was 25; the low was 15. It's presently 17.
dbarron
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Now I see Sunday: -1 Monday: -7. It's not quite the end of the world, but it's pretty shocking.
I have to go out with dogs, but I don't like it.
Larry Peugh
3 years ago
Amy, you made me feel better, it's okay for me to be a sissy, I was born less than 5 miles north of here, and never lived more than 25 miles away.

Our weather forecast changes every few hours. Now our low will be 1 degree in Ft. Smith, I will expect 0 here if the trend continues. My min/max runs up to 5 degrees lower than Ft. Smith most of the time.

My garden looked bad yesterday, I expect it will look worse in a few days, but it is time to start getting the soil ready for planting anyway.

I have between 30 and 35 pounds of potatoes I want then to chit for a while, and then plant, but still need to do more soil work. I would like to get more compost from Ft. Smith, but I don't know if the weather will permit that. The landfill is out of compost and I doubt that it will be warm enough or dry enough to make more. I have about 3 yards of compost, that should get me started, and by mid April or the first of May I should have more.

I need to take Madge and Emmy ( daughter ) to Ft. Smith for Valentine dinner and pick up a battery for my daughter's generator. She said that the generator has not been started in over 10 years, so I don't have a lot of hope of getting it running today because its going to be too cold to do much to it. I started my generator a few weeks ago, but I am not sure it would start today. Matter of fact I should try to get a tractor started and carry my generator and place it on the back porch, if we get the snow and ice that the weather man is talking about, we may lose power.
Kim Reiss
3 years ago
I do not care for this cold.

My seeds are sprouting. I planted on Sunday and Monday.
I was hoping for nice weather so I could put them in my car. Maybe in two weeks
It will be better. What I do know I learned from Dawn. I can’t control it so just deal with the effects later.
Rebecca (7a)
3 years ago
Dawn was really wanting cold and snow, and now she’s finally getting it.

The weather is not making me want to start seeds.

Snow hasn’t started yet and I’m already over it.
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
3 years ago
My father passed last night. It was peaceful and the hospice did everything they could to make him comfortable. I had forgotten how much has to happen afterwards and I feel bad that I haven't talked to the relatives since mom passed. We're going to be able to do arrangements by email, so it saves a trip through the blizzard.

Be safe. Hugs.
OklaMoni
3 years ago
So sorry to read this Amy. Sending condolences.
dbarron
3 years ago
My condolences Amy. And yes, I know exactly how much has to be done..and when you feel exactly like not doing anything :(

I am almost expecting that any time with the old man being 96, and I haven't been able to visit for a week and a half now due to weather/ice/etc. I did manage to thaw my car out (with hlep of at least an hour of sun) enough to restock breakfast food groceries this morning.
Rebecca (7a)
3 years ago
♥️ Amy
HU-422368488
3 years ago
my condolences Amy.

HU
Nancy RW (zone 7)
Original Author
3 years ago
I'm so sorry he has passed, Amy. What a difficult time for you all. Love and blessings to you. What a comfort, knowing that he passed away peacefully. I'm glad you'll be able to handle much of it via email. And God rest his soul.

I'll be thinking of you all as I begin planting this afternoon. Best to all our friends here.
Lynn Dollar
3 years ago
Condolences , losing a parent is one of the most difficult parts of life
Larry Peugh
3 years ago
Amy, I am sorry for the loss of your father. Prayers to you and family.
hazelinok
3 years ago
So behind here!

Moni, I keep meaning to message you about the SCOBY. I wanted to come get it last week, but the frozen roads! Maybe the end of this week???

Amy, Tom fell. He probably has a cracked rib. The doctor prescribed pain medicine to take at night so he can get comfortable enough to sleep. He's doing fine, though. He's been sleeping in the recliner...and that is better than lying flat, I guess.

Rebecca, I also remember Dawn talking about her wish for a real snow. It looks like it might happen at her house.

Amy, I'm SO sorry. Hugs to you!

Around here....

I don't have great hope that our plants in the gardens will survive this. It would be nice if the brussels survive, though. Really nice.

Light Shelf update: the first broccoli is looking okay. Not great. It needs to be up-potted very soon. I hope to do this tomorrow. The second round of broccoli is just popping up now.

The cabbage seedlings look very healthy as does the first round of lettuce.

The 4 cups of tomatoes that were started on SuperBowl Sunday have done nothing yet.

I am determined to have cardinal climbers this year. I bought seed last year, but the tiny seedlings didn't do much--except one at my Mom's house did a little bit of something. I started seed early this year. I want bigger plants to put in the garden. They are sprouted and are looking great.

Also, the red periwinkles are starting to pop.

Hoop house building came to a screeching halt because of the weather. It looks great,, though. Super exciting.

I've spent a good amount of time making sure we're ready for the upcoming weather. I think we have everything we need now. The Walmart shelves were empty last night. We already had most of what we needed, except for potatoes. We did stop at Homeland to look for potatoes today (and yeast for a Kings Cake)...they were out of the baking types of potatoes and the 5 lb bags, etc. They had a package of the tiny potatoes, so we grabbed those for dinner tonight. I guess people are making potato soup?

We bought feed for the chickens too. Took the recycling in.

The snow shovel is at the house now, instead of the shop. I guess Ethan and I will be doing the shoveling because of Tom's cracked rib.

I wrapped the 10' x 12' chicken pen with plastic. I would like for them to have a place to walk around other than the coop. The plastic keeps most of the wind off of them...and it seems like it kept the coop warmer last night too. The water got partially frozen Thursday night at 14 degrees. The warmer works pretty well, but 14 must be it's limit. HOWEVER, it didn't freeze last night after the plastic wrap.

My dogs are so restless. I walk them around the perimeter of property a couple times a day. But it's just not enough.

I can handle the cold pretty well except for my hands. They were burning so badly yesterday after wrapping the pen with plastic that I almost cried. I have Raynauds. Today, I looked for heated gloves today. No luck. I will be ordering some.

I'm worried about the neighbors' animals. They didn't put blankets on the horses. One of their cats isn't allowed indoors. He comes to our house for food every night. He's in our shop now. I fixed him up a litter box. Gave him some food and water. Put a towel on an old padded office chair we have down there. He seems pretty cozy. I hope my neighbors aren't upset by it...but I'm worried about him. Our shop isn't warm, but it's insulated and warmer than outdoors.

I guess I'll walk the dogs now and call it a night.

Stay warm and pray for those without shelter.
hazelinok
3 years ago
Walmart
dbarron
3 years ago
Wow....a run on Wal-Marts? I mean yes, it's good to be prepared, but I feel sorta like it's the TP rush all over again :)
Kim Reiss
3 years ago
It was awful. Just like last year.
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
3 years ago
4* and -5 wind chill on my wearer station.

I'm glad you're kind to the cat, H/J. So sad for the horse. I remember my boss telling me why they don't raise Brangus cattle in the north. They have big floppy ears that get frostbite. Lots of brangus in Oklahoma and Texas.

I can't believe the Walmart shelves. Wonder if trucks will be able to get them.

It is vary sad. Horrible wind chills in Minnesota.

DIL on the road home from west Virginia. I'm really kind of pissed. No masks in any of the pictures she took and she has rheumatoid arthritis.

Ron just read there's a city wide black out in Dallas.

I hope Tom is better soon!

I thought I might get Brussels sprouts too. I don't think even the arugula will survive this. Maybe the roots.

Stay safe. (I just realized it's Sunday and there should be a new thread.)
Melissa
3 years ago
Just catching up......

Amy, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. *hugs*

hazelinok....it was NOT my grocery pickup that did that. HAHAHAA

So thankful for all of my gardening acquaintances here. :)