November Week 2 2021: Thinking about Turkeys and Hams and stuff

2 years ago

Ok, to belay my title, I'll start with other stuff (well hey, that's 'stuff' right?).

I happen to be mildly allergic (and find horribly distasteful any more) to garlic and onion (and probably by extension chives). I decided I wanted a chili cheeseburger, and there's a lack of burger dives anymore, so I headed to a local breakfast place (that also serves lunch) and used to be fantastic. I took one bite of my burger and found garlic taste in my mouth. I scraped the chili off, and took a bite of the meat (yep, embedded into the meat...) and left the rest ;( I felt mildly sick for the next 24 hours. Do I have to start asking if the cook likes garlic? or onions? and tries to put it in everything? I found garlic embedded in my breakfast chicken fried steak back in the spring (same place)...I guess I have to mark it as 'poisonous' and never go there again. I used to like the taste of garlic, but my tongue has finally caught up with my allergies, and it's noxious to me now. Even then I would have never thought to have heavy garlic for breakfast. Ok, enough food rant!

Due to the above, I find choice of breakfast sausage a bit problematical, sometimes they also include noxious ingredients and even if they don't, the spicing (sage and cayenne) is usually too mild or too intense. So, I'm making my own to get it 'just right'.

So...my brain synapses fired (vs misfire) and I remember that I used some juniper berries (aka cedar) to spice up some venison breakfast sausage (back in the day when my recently deceased uncle and my father used to hunt deer). So yesterday was the sausage prep day (I had bought a pork shoulder Friday and stored in fridge), I went to Target bright and early to get a mortar and pestle. I brought it home and wiped it out, and seasoned it (ground white rice). The dogs barked the whole time I was grinding, not sure what they thought of the odd sound. In the afternoon, I walked dog the Greenway and collected some abundant cedar berries, brought them home and washed and drained them. I will prepare a small first batch of sausage (with spices) and about 20 ground juniper berries (per lb) and see how I like it, before cutting up the rest of the 8.5 lb shoulder. It'll probably take me several hours to cut the meat off the bone and into strips that I can feed through the grinder (and I tend to put the blades on backwards and have to strip it all down and start over again, because I don't use it but every few years) and grind it and season it...and portion and freeze it. Strangely looking forward to my first taste (though the dogs will probably be underfoot and in my way and I'll be mad at them).

My house came with some trashy (my opinion) old style iris (pale yellow and pale purple). This past spring, I ordered some hybrid flashy reblooming iris (and some aril-breds (my iris passion)) and when they arrived in June (I think), I had to pot them as I wasn't ready to plant, expected them in August. They've all done well and are ready to go in their permanent slot. I started day before yesterday digging out the old iris rhizomes. I should resume digging out and then plant today. I hope some bloom next year, but no real expectation for the first year.

All the potted plants (but my 20F hardy cactus) are in the back porch and I need to move them to the laundry room very soon, so I can water with saucers. Can't wait till April when I can bring them back out again. I have one almost ripe Meyer lemon on the tiny twig of a tree that I have.

Well, I hope everyone has a good week and if you're so inclined, thinking about what you're going to make for Thanksgiving. I thought about going out to one of the few restaurants open and having lunch, but I guess I will be cooking. I have a (unsmoked..yuck) whole turkey that's been frozen a year and a ham I just bought (and froze), due to dates, I probably should cook that turkey. I'll need to get creative with what the heck I do with all that turkey though, when I get tired of unsmoked turkey quite quickly. Since it's just me, it'll probably be cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, another veggie, and the turkey.

Featured Answer

hazelinok

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I agree, Kim, the phone makes travel so much easier!

Sorry for all your frustration, Nancy! And you didn't even get a good meal out of it!

Danny, I just had a feeling. Houzz is weird sometimes.

Rick came out to reinforce his covered hoops tonight. I didn't do any gardening. Just made it home in time to start dinner and clean the kitchen and do the few animal chores. Then it was dark. We had to run to Lowes to get hinges for the winter coop door. It's gonna be cute. I've wanted one for about 4 years.

I have 2 bags of frozen Amish Friendship bread in the freezer. I'm making one of them now. Just baking it not reviving it. It smells really nice.

I have a horrible headache so will probably take a Tylenol PM tonight. I don't normally take those things--maybe 2 or 3 times a year, but tonight is the night.

I'm about ready to put all the pets outside. They are driving me insane right now. No one will settle down and they're picking on each other and there's no relaxing.

I really don't have anything garden to discuss. Oh! I made a great salad from all garden stuff. So fresh. First time I've used the greenhouse lettuce. I'll come back with a pic from this morning. I neglected to get a pic of Rick with the hoops, but Ethan took this one of me this morning.

Comments (47)

dbarron
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Ok, replying to myself, just wanted to note that the test batch of sausage was delightful. I don't do recipes...dash of this, dash of that, but I did good. It was under salted, but that's better for me anyway...and far better than being over salted. The juniper berries and the nutmeg complimented each other fantastically, you could tell the cedar was there...but it wasn't at all overpowering (more of an aftertaste thing). It made it feel 'fresher'. And OMG, so much fresher tasting that Jimmy Dean!

Edit: Since I'm allergic to everything, usually almost any meal makes my nose run. Interestingly, breakfast didn't..and may have actually helped clear me up for a bit. I'll be watching as I eat this sausage and see if that was coincidence.
Kim Reiss
2 years ago
Jennifer I answered on last weeks thread. I do that almost every Saturday night forgetting that not many go back and read last weeks once the new one is up.
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hazelinok
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I just got to work but it's not my turn to teach this morning--just help, although I have to set up some stuff still. ANYWAY, I thought I would check in here.

Danny, thank you for starting the thread this week....and SO early.

I'm glad you were able to come up with a sausage that works for your allergies.

It's true that most restaurants are extravagant with spices and garlic and such. You might have to order off the kids' menu or eat at places like Sonic/McDs to find the blander burgers.

We cook with lots of spices, garlic, onions, peppers--it's what we do. We have a friend in our community group who is a "plain" eater, so it's always a challenge to cook for community group.

I wonder what caused you to develop allergies to onions and garlic later in life. I'm scared that will happen to me now!

I ordered a little free range turkey from Natural Grocers, but Tom likes to smoke turkey breasts, although wasn't planning on doing it this year. However, at least 4 people have asked him to do that, so he'll probably do a small batch for them. We will have my ordered turkey for Thanksgiving. I'm trying to eat more meat, but am super particular about it. As far as I know, my ordered turkey is still walking around. But not for long.

But, I know what you mean by fresher tasting. Tom's pig is different from what you buy in stores. I don't really eat it, but take a bite after cooking it because I wanna know.

That's so cool about your lemon! I have a tree but it hasn't produced a fruit yet. The leaves are mottled like yours right now. Is that because it's getting colder outside?

I better step away from my warm desk (I have a space heater) and get to work.

Happy Sunday, Friends!
jlhart76
2 years ago
I hate moving. Seriously, this has become a complete nightmare. We've now fired our realtor because he's screwed us over too many times, and his boss is now representing us. Both deals (selling our current home & buying the new property) are in danger of falling apart. At this point, I don't even know where we'll be living in a week. How can he have been so amazing 5 years ago and so completely incompetent now?
Kim Reiss
2 years ago
Oh Jen I am so sorry. My son went through this recently and it is a nightmare. I hope they get out straightened out and you can begin focusing on what’s really important. Dogs and gardens
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
Oh Jen, I've been thinking of you, knowing that no deal is ever done until it's DONE. So I've been thinking of ya and praying for you. Continued thoughts and prayers!!!! So what does the boss say, can he salvage things? I am so so sorry and wish I could help! I am so distressed for you! Please keep us posted, and know our best wishes are with you.

Danny, I recall you saying your mother saying that you'd never marry because you were too set in your ways (this was when you were in your 30s). And now I'm reading about your sausage adventure and thinking your mother was probably right--right? LOL Sometime please freeze some of your homemade sausage or other stuff for me and you can bring it when we all meet. I've no idea what I may or may not be allergic to. I know that many times I have a runny nose, but have never tried to narrow the cause down. I guess It has just never been that bad. I do know that garlic and onions are two of the vegetables I consider to be staples in my food repertoire and the only vegetables I MUST grow. Having said that, I use garlic with a lot of discretion. A little garlic in most savory dishes is good. Too much is always bad. And there are some things I HATE garlic in--like sauteed green beans, like a hamburger (thinking of your chiliburger). I DO put garlic in my chili, but not enough so that one can detect a garlic taste. GDW and I went to a brunch/lunch at a restaurant in Wagoner--we seldom eat lunch, but I ordered a hamburger. There was an overpowering garlic taste (and it wasn't mentioned on the menu). I actually sent it back. I seldom send things back, but don't hesitate if the offense is really bad.

I'm afraid I'd not pass muster with you, as I adore Jimmy Dean (extra spicy) sausage. It's really about the only commercial sausage I DO enjoy.

Garry and I don't do holidays unless kids call and say they're coming. I'm not that good at cooking a turkey since It's been quite a while--and there's no point in cooking one for just the two of us. Both of us have sworn off chicken white meat--and I expect we'd have the same reaction to turkey white meat now. Just too difficult to get it to be tender and juicy.

It has been up and down with my walking. Some days I can double the walking assignment, sometimes not--but I'm enjoying it--especially the days I feel 100%!! Couldn't find a cat to go with me today. And the cat was less than enthusiastic yesterday (Tiny). I may have to find a harness and leash yet. :) I certainly have been inspired by Moni and Danny--thanks, friends. My feet are also a mess, HJ. I have a bunion that will have to be dealt with on my right. But I don't want to do it for a year at least, because of the hip surgery. Need to get it good and healthy. And now have problems on a couple of the toes on the left side, too. I'm going to have to find some good shoes.

SO depressing, the invasive plants all around--and even more depressing, the people who love their invasive plants. I just saw an exchange between a Bradford pear hater (didn't mention it being invasive) and a Bradford pear lover. The "hater" didn't know that Cleveland and Bradford pear trees were both cultivars of the callery pear. I plopped in the OSU article that said both were cultivars of the invasive callery. Then the Bradford pear lover said she'd stick to her Bradford pears, thank you. Another person pointed out they are invasive and she got kind of nasty and said they would just have to agree to disagree. I didn't get back into it after presenting the article. I couldn't; I can't. What can one say? I become nearly irrationally angry at willful ignorance.

I walk from here out to the main road, and it's 900 "steps" on my I-phone--I'd guess 3 city blocks, maybe. Friends, it is shoulder-to-shoulder Chinese privets both on the east AND west, the understory shrubs on the forest land there--that's 3 city BLOCKS of rampant Chinese privets. Do any of you know of any way these could be dealt with? I may call the forest service, I guess. Can't think of anything else.

But back to Thanksgiving dinners. . . . I do love the fixins'. Turkey, mashed potatoes and giblet gravy, dressing--either with cornbread or without; 7 layer veggie salad; cranberry sauce. I think that'd be enough to be more than enough for me--and yummy. I am not a bread fan--never have been, and so would be quite happy with no rolls.

Now I feel like I've been the rambling one, so will take my leave. We had company earlier today who stayed for a couple of hours, so I missed church online, and felt my brain becoming rattled. Was glad when they left. Just too much for my brain to handle.

My thoughts are now back to Jen. . . and will continue to be, Jen. And blessings to you all!
dbarron
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Yes, Jen, that sounds scary. Everything is so specialized now days that it's hard to do anything without a specialist (like a realtor). I would suggest if you really feel it's their fault, write some bad online reviews. No one else needs to suffer. Doesn't help you..but might someone else.

Oh, and here's our daily edition (kidding) of 'Where's Jasper'. Today you could have found him at Lake Atalanta in Rogers. It was a super nice day, with far far too many kids that were terrified of dogs and a dog that would like nothing better than to run up and knock them down in his exuberant greeting (no I didn't let him do that..but it was draining to prevent).
jlhart76
2 years ago
Right now, I'm furious and told Cliff to find a lawyer when this is all over. Basically, the realtor f*ed up from day one, which we found that one out today. He made a $5000 oversight, which he agreed to cover and we were willing to keep it to ourselves. Like I said, we used him when we moved to OKC and he was amazing then, so we didn't want to jam him up, especially since he came to us and owned up to it. But then he continued to screw things up, until Cliff called his agency and told them everything. I'm pretty sure his realtor license is getting revoked and he's out of a job when this is done. So writing reviews are unnecessary.

So to keep this garden related, I did walk the property earlier today; I needed to do something besides sit here & stew. Took lots of pictures, so now I need to identify what's growing out there in the field.
slowpoke_gardener
2 years ago
Jen, I am sorry for all your troubles, if I ever move again, I expect it will be to a nursing home.

Danny, Jasper is a very handsome dog, I can see how he would be a lot of fun.

Nancy, I walk very few steps. I try to keep my tools and supplies in my side by side. I can drive up to a spot and lift my stool out of the bed of my side by side, do what is needed and drive to the next spot I want to work at. This afternoon Madge and I planted flowers. Even with aid of our mobile work station, we were beat by the time we were finished. We just don't have any endurance anymore.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
Larry, I don't have the endurance I should, that's for sure. I'm walking my self-prescribed walks once or twice per day. I got up to the main road today and was ready to turn around. It dawned on me that 2 yrs ago, I'd walk up there, down the main road for a couple of blocks, picking up litter, then back and down the other direction. And then home, and it was no big deal. I am certain I CAN get back in shape, but it will take a lot of walking and diligence. I am so sorry for those of you, my friends, who can't get it back. That just sucks! I want you fixed. NOW. On the other hand, if you can't be fixed THAT way, then hope you have good times sitting, reading, visiting, and relaxing! I certainly have enjoyed visiting with you all here, and also friends on FB. It helps, too, that I have so many interests--literature, painting, quilting, gardening. And have fun visiting with Garry.

I have reached a huge milestone with the hip recuperation. I can put my right sock on now!! WOW! I haven't been able to do that for a year or so.

Danny, when you all come visit, I am sure Jasper and Titan will get along famously. It will be fun. You and Moni can go walking if you want, but I will be happy just visiting with Amy and Ron and whoever else makes it here. You like how I'm just talking about this as if it were a done deal? Heh heh heh. It IS.

Jen. .. don't know what to say, just praying things will work out for you two. XOXO
hazelinok
2 years ago
Thanks, Kim. You're a good friend. :D <3

Jen, I am absolutely outraged! And so, so sorry! I have a lengthy prayer list right now and you're at the top. How stressful!

Nancy, one thing I've learned from Pilates is that when you're out of balance in one area--like feet or pelvis, it can screw up knees and hips and so many other things.

I'm completely messed up because of scoliosis among other things. BUT, that doesn't make me feel better--the knowing--it's still so frustrating! I'm sure you feel the same way!

Danny, do you ever see my posts? I know that I often don't see posts until days later. Just wondering....

What flowers did you and Madge plant, Larry?
slowpoke_gardener
2 years ago
Nancy, I try to think about the things I can do. I love to garden, but I don't walk well, and I am not strong enough to change some of the implements. so I bought another tractor. Its and old junkie tractor like the others I own. I plan on having a tractor for each of the main implements I use, and when I have a task to do, I will just drive my side by side to where ever the tractor is that I need. I will have to work on the tractors a lot, but that to is something that will help pass the time.

I go to another funeral tomorrow. Another classmate has gone. We all turn 78 this year, and it seems as though half of the 60 in our class are gone now. I cant complain a lot, I am still able to do a lot of the things I have enjoyed for years, I just have to do them a little differently.

As far as my gardening is going, I am not getting a lot of things up now. I may try planting some daikon radishes for erosion control, and working on the room I start seeds in, we also have some work to do on my neighbors greenhouse. I am never really without something to do, but about everything I do comes with some level of pain.
dbarron
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Err, as far as I know I see all the posts (but I've certainly had cases where I dont' see something for days, so I probably DO miss some); How do you know (lol)? When I'm the OP, I get notification emails..but other than that...nope, I don't reread from the start to see if I missed something on purpose. What, did I miss something ?

Nancy, if you want sausage, then this gathering has to occur this month, or I'll have eaten it (I may make more..but...just saying). In fact, soon I'll be frying up the bit that I left for this morning unfrozen. I noticed (whether weather or not) my allergies were better than they had been in a week yesterday...maybe cedar berries are a cure all ? :)

I'm younger than a lot of you folks, but even for me, it was a curve to start walking with the dog. However, I have improved in my stamina, if nothing else. Well, I have lost weight too (I'm sure that's a plus). I owe this to Jasper, because I wouldn't do it very regularly if it were just me.

Now, it's a question of 'where do we go today'. It's hard to just walk him around neighborhood if really nice day or weekend day when other people are active in the dog parks..so he gets lots of car rides and getting better and better at them. I'm not sure the car is so pleased though.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
You are certainly a good dog partner, Danny, taking the rascal on walks all the time. Kudos. And I'm glad he's getting better with car rides.

Larry--I keep telling myself I'm going to grow daikon radishes, but I keep not doing it!

As I transition into quilting this month, maybe I can tie it into gardening. Maybe make quilts with gardening themes! lol Really, though--it's an idea.

My final appt with osteo surgeon is today in Broken Arrow. Then GDW will have appt with the heart surgeon in 2 more weeks, and then hopefully we'll be done with Broken Arrow doctors for a while.

HJ. . . . yep, know that problems in one part of body carry over to problems in other parts. So I best hurry up and get perfect in all parts.

Blessings to you all today!
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
2 years ago
We had 2 Bradford pears for 25 years. This was unusual because they are a short lived tree and in Oklahoma windy conditions often lose branches or are broken entirely. You can use that when the invasive nature of the species is ignored. Or the fact that they stink and many people are allergic. They did however provide shade. We were afraid they would fall on the house.

I had 8 phone calls this morning in 2 hours beginning BEFORE 9. I believe they're all related to Medicare "season". They've all been blocked, but when you have an obvious India call center calling you assume spam.

Jen, I'm so sorry! Didn't you already move your things in?

I don't like garlic for breakfast. My cooking usually starts with garlic and onions, but Ron was putting the trendy bagel seasoning on my eggs (included garlic) and I couldn't handle it.

Ron stopped at daughter's house yesterday to see the puppies. When he came home I swear Sasquatch was counting them as she sniffed him. No she won't come to Wagoner, she gets car sick.

Garden...the red salvia I planted in the native bed is blooming. At least one thing survived.

Have a good week.
dbarron
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Wow...no, I really DIDNT see your post from yesterday till now. It didn't show up for me, and my notification email only came this morning. How did you know I didn't see it ? :)

Yes, I assume it's weather and/or fertilizer that's lacking in the leaves. I just want that lemon (after 7 years of waiting..well I pulled hte flowers off trying to get it to GROW).
jlhart76
2 years ago
Amy, yes. We're already moved in, all the utilities are off at OKC, and we were supposed to be closed on it by now. Whole thing is a freaking nightmare.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
HJ--I didn't see your post, either. What's that about! lol

Well, we got to Broken Arrow and back, with me driving. Got there perfect--I had checked Google maps and then GDW confirmed, as I was driving there. But coming home was a cluster____. I had told him I didn't really want to go out of our way to eat anywhere, but if we took one of the routes that had lots of eating places, we could just stop along the way. Well, the route he helped "direct" me on had no eating places to speak of. And I was frustrated as all get out because I had no idea where I was or how to tell him where I wanted to be. Now thinking back, it was 71st I wanted to be on. At any rate, it didn't end well. Of course, we ended up eating nowhere and I came straight home. Y'all don't want to hear more about this sorry saga. It's a good thing we don't have to drive to BA again for a while. It often does not end happily since he used to live in that area and so doesn't listen if I tell him to do something via Google map. THAT is understandable, but what isn't is when he doesn't know what he's doing and still doesn't listen. Thank God I don't have to return to orthopedic doc until next May. All's going well. Doc and his assistant agree that walking is THE best exercise, and that I can probably find strengthening exercises to add in.

Okay. . . need to go put some walking steps in and get into a better mood. :)
Kim Reiss
2 years ago
Nancy driving new places can be so frustrating. I have learned how to get around using my phone and I trust it. I can change it to go off the main roads or fastest route. I all out to take me to food and it does. But I have put a lot of time into learning it. I run 30-40,000 miles a year so I had to figure it out. But truth I cursed it for awhile.
slowpoke_gardener
2 years ago
Jennifer, Garden looks good.

I haven't even been out to the garden today. I did however take Madge out to eat after we went to a funeral. We also got some parts for me to install on my tractor.

I go to the Dr. again tomorrow, then to another tractor place. I want to stock up on filters and oil.

I plan on going to deer camp this coming weekend. I haven't been to deer camp in over 25 years, not many of us left, what few that are are in bad shape, but it will be nice to see the young ones, that are grown and have kids of their own now. My youngest son is taking me.

My youngest son and his family came over last night. His youngest daughter, who is 5 years old, and crazy about seeds, and growing things took a purple sweet potato home with her, so she could make a house plant. It seems strange, I have great grand kids older than some of my grand kids.
OklaMoni
2 years ago
Danny my cough is much better... had my yearly appointment at the Allergy clinic, and got some meds.

I LOVE your post heading.

I am not doing any cooking/buying for TG, as I am once again driving to my daughters for the meal/week. This year will be special, as her in-laws, even Doug's sisters family will be there too. What fun! Such a large group. :)

I am guessing, we will have a children's table.

I enjoyed the last couple warm days... and am not looking forward to Friday's cooling off. But, I have watered the cold frames, after I took the windows back off... and my little plantlets look GREAT.

Jen, I am sorry about your mess.

Jennifer I found your first post on this page this morning. It wasn't here on Monday.

Nancy, keep being the driver.... blindfold Garry if needed... or gag him. LOL

Since it's warm, and dry pavement I will go for a bike ride today.

Moni
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
Hahaha, Moni! Thank you! Agreed, need to blindfold/gag the other one. Yes, I love Danny's post heading, too. Makes me feel good every time I check into GW.

AND. . . . Amy made an executive decision, and we agreed with her. We're going to have a get-together here on November 20! Attendance is mandatory! (or not. . .)

HJ, our animal roommates drive us crazy way too often!
dbarron
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Glad you're feeling better Moni, sorry for the bad case of Arkansas Flu (lol).

Oh, my, like I didn't threaten a couple of weeks ago to (when raining) to drive Jasper to some park and let him out (and drive away). Yes, I really really wished I had someone I could leave him with for at least four hours, for his own safety (and my sanity).

SOSOSOSO

In CASE anyone MISSED it...

*******************************

PARTY at Nancy's November 20th.

******************************

Bring something because we're gonna feast before the Feast!

Be there, or you're surely square!
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
LOL Nancy is a Waggoner, but she lives in Wagoner. Not really, she lives outside Wagoner. Are you in the city limits? LOOKS likes country. We always think we're lost.

I didn't see H/J's post from Sunday, either.
dbarron
Original Author
2 years ago
Lol, obviously the town name is mispelt and I am correct. Thanks Amy. I'm sure she'll post an address for us GPS challenged phones and drones, closer to the time (so I can find it).
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
That's hilarious, Amy--I didn't even notice!
Kim Reiss
2 years ago
Well shoot I was going to try and make it. I will be in Lubbock. My grand boy is having tonsil out
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
2 years ago
Jen, I just realized Linda Workman Smith is in Shawnee, too. You could get lots of gardening advice.
Marleigh 7a/Okmulgee Co.
2 years ago
Hi all! Dropping in for a quick public service announcement. I know there is at least one school/community gardener here, maybe more. Baker Creek is giving away free seeds first come, first served. Info attached.

Hope everyone is well!
slowpoke_gardener
2 years ago
The gathering sounds like fun, but I don't think Madge or I will be able to come either. We just don't get out a lot anymore. I do plan on going to deer camp this weekend, but my son is going to take me. We will only be there for 2 to 4 hours in the middle of the day, then head back home.

I checked my garden this morning, I have been in bed for two days. I went to Dr., got my meds changed and 3 rd covid shot and a flu shot, and I felt like heck. Well, anyway everything looked okay, being that I am a month or two late on everything. The deer have not eaten the beets yet, the spinach is 1 too 2 inches tall, I have more garlic coming up, the frost has killed the sweet potatoes that were coming up everywhere, the peppers were damaged but not killed ( I had already harvested ). We had a pretty heavy rain last night and the Florida Broad Leaf mustard was beat down to the ground. I always plant too much of everything, and cant keep it harvested.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
I was out walking today before I remembered that we had a BIG heavy rain last night--it wasn't as much as it sounded like--only an inch. And so we're doing quite well with rainfall for the past couple of months and feeling thankful.

I'm so sorry you've not felt well, Larry! I'll be praying for more good days than bad for you (both of you). Speaking of shots, GDW and I both need to get in for shots Maybe tomorrow, as they're all "walk-in" right now.

Haha, Larry--I was thinking of you this morning. Quilting Digest (one of the largest and most well known) featured a story on this trucker/vet/quilter gentleman for Veterans Day. You need to scroll down a bit on this story. I cannot believe he set up a quilting studio in his truck. You may not know how large a longarm quilting machine is, but they are not small!! I laughed.

https://quiltingdigest.com/quilting-is-the-solution-to-ptsd-for-this-vet/?fbclid=IwAR0GUK2K46b1YrVpML7xrLSwGmJligADfL7-p_KD_H1wlJjrp0Q4YO7e6zg

I have finally begun to clean up my mess from the last couple years. I finally finally got all the garlic planted, some Bermuda yanked out of that bed, a mess of the dead Mexican sunflowers and other tall flowers out of the raised flower bed next to the shop. There's a big old pile of those dead branches and plants stacked up near that bed. I asked GDW if I could just make a burn pile right there, and he agreed that'd be fine.

Also am in the process of cleaning out the freezers and getting some household tasks done. Heaven knows there are plenty of tasks to be done!

I've been walking up and down the road in front of us, and am getting in touch with neighbors who happen to be driving back and forth. Kinda fun! And Tiny and Jerry are sort of walking with me. GDW and I think if there weren't traffic on that road, both the cats would be out walking with me. As it is, they pretty much confine themselves to just our property--and every time a car goes by, they dash back closer to the house.

Thanks for the heads up, Marleigh. I briefly thought about it, with regard to the school, but then let the idea go, as I have so many still-viable seeds for them.

Well--it's an ambitious Thursday, so I need to keep going. Best to you all.
dbarron
Original Author
2 years ago
I took the dogs (both of them) out on a foray around Lake Wilson. I couldn't complete the circuit because the rain last night got the creek up to where I'd have to take off shoes, roll up pants legs, and wade across (and it would be so cold!), so I took the loop back to where I started (hadn't done the upland trail since college..and had forgotten all the large block boulders).

I admit to putting Rags up there to pose him, Jasper was all over the rocks all the time.

I'm so looking forward to the gathering.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
Me too! Whoever comes, it'll be great. I can hardly wait for another low- and slow-cooked shoulder roast with that crispy coating of fat! :)

I decided to just leave the yard and then get y'all's feedback on the best way to deal with it. I'm getting around better and better--but right now GDW is grounded from doing hard work. Well, what's the hurry, right? NO hurry.

We saw the most gorgeous dog yesterday! (Wait--ME--I saw the most gorgeous dog.) Neighbors not terribly far away--have Siberian huskies. The gorgeous one was a black female with some white on her and beautiful blue eyes. My new best friend, that neighbor!

I found a clump of sumac not too far away. Wish I could get it moved down here! :)
dbarron
Original Author
2 years ago
You really don't Nancy, sumac gallops about 40 mph.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
Nothing like Chinese privet, Danny--and is native! No, I would love some aromatic sumac. Here's a picture of the privet--which has all but taken over the road I live on. GRRRR How does one deal with a mess like this?? What the. . . . can't transfer the photo!
dbarron
Original Author
2 years ago
I know only two ways to treat privet, uproot it or chemicide it.

Oh, fragrant sumac (rhus aromatica) is much less problem that like staghorn sumac. I was enjoying the foliage on aromatica during my walk today.
hazelinok
2 years ago
Nancy, the (only) TikTok I follow is nativeplanttok. He is very passionate about natives. Very. I haven't watched him in awhile, but he talked about privet in one. He doesn't play around. He waits until the natives die back in the winter, but privet doesn't...so he herbicides it. Wherever he finds it. He shows no mercy.
slowpoke_gardener
2 years ago
Nancy, thanks for sharing the link. Driving a long haul truck is fun, but being a truck driver is no fun at all.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
Hi HJ! Yep, I am very passionate, too--just don't allow myself to go off in groups, too much. On the other hand, have quit posting in many groups--can't put up with the nonsense. I can't imagine dealing with the privet along the stretch of my road (probably 3 block lengths on both sides of the road)--but bet I could get help from the forest service. I understand they are good about tackling these sorts of problems.
slowpoke_gardener
2 years ago
I don't like privet, but I have not tried to kill it all out. I may leave some in a none productive spot for the wildlife. Some birds seem to like cedar and privet. The one plant, or tree that I hate is honey locus, it produces a seed that I suppose the wildlife like, but it also has a thorn that is murder on tractor tires.
dbarron
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Well, it's just prior to the changing of the week...and I've been cold pretty much all day. But the house is the same temperature on the thermostat, so it's just me probably.

Next week this time, I'm sure I'll be soundly asleep after a trip to Wagoner.

Larry, any chance you could re-consider, it's not as long a trip for you as for me?

And a final set of images from Thursday's hike on the upper area of Wilson Lake. Always nice to remind everyone I have two dogs (including me). They clambered over and (in Rag's case) under the rocks like ground squirrels.

Sure hard to believe we're mid November and 2021 is in it's final six weeks.
slowpoke_gardener
2 years ago
Danny, I would love to come, but we don't travel well, maybe I can talk to Madge, and also include a trip to see some of her family, she has 5 kids scattered over northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas, maybe we can spend the night at one of her kids house, and sorta kill 2 birds with one stone.

My son took me to deer camp today, I saw people I have not seen in nearly 30 years. All the kids that came to camp back then are grown now, and had some of there kids with them. We had a great time, but some of us old timers looked like we could kick the bucket at any time.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
Wow. . . LOL, Larry--but the truth is, ANY of us could kick the bucket at any time, you know. Granted, the older we get, the more the odds are against us. BUT the truth is any of us could kick the bucket at any time.

Danny, next week at that time, I'll be sound asleep, too!
Nancy RW (zone 7)
2 years ago
Where are we. . . . I'm signing onto GW OK and it keeps coming up "Sad News re Dawn." Cannot get it to come up the way it should be.

I'm glad you got to deer camp, Larry! What a treat!

Rebecca---HJ--where are y'all? I feel like those of us in the NE--okay, Danny and I--are hogging the conversation. I'm sorry--don't mean to!
slowpoke_gardener
2 years ago
Nancy, my Gardenweb is messed up also, I am missing some post.
hazelinok
2 years ago
Nancy, there's a new thread for this week. It's weird that your Houzz is so messed up, but it does that from time to time, doesn't it?

I'm in Norman, but won't be able to come to the garden party. It's getting that time of year. plus, it's our son-in-law's BD party on Saturday.

I know you all will have tons of fun and I sure hope you share some pictures for the rest of us who were unable to attend. :)