Brambly Ridge 2019 - more sunshine, more rain, more blackberries

Last year's thread

Well, hey ho! Last year was kind of a downer, with all of the construction activity going on further up the driveway. Here's hoping things get resolved and peace reigns.

The 4+ hour drive to get there is getting to me; but the rewards are pulling me along. Grandbaby Theia is 7 months, and she now knows the rules to the old German "buckley deutzer" baby game. She is all around a delight.

The temperature was mild enough to spend the night on the ridgetop. But OMG! The rains did come down Saturday night. I wasn't worried for myself, but wondered if the rest of the world would be washed away. Sure enough, daughter's house was in the flood. (a first time event) It was surrounded by creek water overnight, with several inches in the crawlspace. Neighbors with basements have more to lament.

For me, Sunday arrived with clear skies, so I went into the brambles and discovered that this is a very good season to begin managing the honeysuckle and cat briar in areas they have overtaken the blackberries. I spent several hours raking and pruning, and my pruning hand is swollen today from the work. But I loved being out there and will repeat as soon as possible. The wind was shockingly loud way up over the tree line. It boomed along, almost sounding like aircraft, first moving along the east from north to south and then switching to roll along the west in the opposite direction. Interestingly, the trees barely moved and the air was practically still at ground level.

Went looking for any sign of early emergent crops, asparagus and ramps. Nothing yet. But tree buds are beginning to swell.

New neighbor, Jody, seems to have abandoned her projects. The little cabin she brought in was already visibly sagging before the rains, and seems destined to slide off it's insubstantial foundation. She'd be best off dragging it to a more secure spot before it's a total loss.

In the great frozen northwest, of which I am a part, it is wonderful to hear of approaching spring, including the future asparagus starts, and whatever the heck "ramps" are. Would that be Rampion? I'm betting against myself here, but you never know.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campanula_rapunculus (I know it only because of Rapunzel)

Poor neighbor Jody. I'd bet that things were more actual *work* than she'd expected.

You are an excellent sign of spring's arrival. Before you know it, the snow will melt here, and my Four O'Clocks will happily take over the garden bed they're in.

Yes, indeed. Spring will follow up soon.

Sadly, Jody seems to be representative of what my SIL scorns as typical local contractor. She actually does bill herself as a contractor, but I'd never want to deal with her. She left my yard a muddy mess and destroyed the good driveway we've always enjoyed. When I saw the building placement on freshly shifted fill soil and uncured "footers" I thought she'd have issues. But I'm no expert.

Oh, and ramps are hillbilly spring onions, known for their pungency.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium_tricoccum

I see ramp festivals are generally in April. I had thought they were earlier, because I invariably miss them. Two years ago, I bought some from a vendor by the side of the road and attempted naturalization in my woods. They did come back last year, sparsely.

Note the amusing anecdote:

Jim Comstock, editor and co-owner of the Richwood News Leader, introduced ramp juice into the printer's ink of one issue as a practical joke, invoking the ire of the U.S. Postmaster General.

Timber Press sent me an email encouraging a purchase of a new title by Andrew McIndoe, so I had to check him out and fluff his author page here. I found his home page, and the photo of his grounds in Hampshire struck me as very similar in lines with my property.



Now, mine isn't as perfect. My gravel driveway travels along the tree line to the left and curves into Jody's acre there, with Joe's chicken house visible way at the end of the drive. That path up the slope even existed until Jody started moving earth last year. The flower garden and bench are exactly where mine are sited too.

Back on the ridgetop. Blessed solitude.

Walked up driveway to examine Jody's house.
It's apparent someone's been underneath adding blocks to try to support the underframe. But it's not working. There is already a further gap of several inches. The one foundation slab I could see is tipping and sliding. The soil is not at all stable. The deck has been pulled away from the house; presumably to allow better access to the undeneath.

I was eager to get out in the weeds to resume my pruning and clearing and the sun couldn't rise fast enough for me. Several hours on that task this morning and then a trip into town to be seasonably prompt making sure I have a good mower. My mower maintenance guy sold me a new Snapper Ninja. Hi-Ya!

Last evening had supper at daughter's house. She had just been showing Theia pictures of me and practicing "Nana." Theia greeted me with great warmth and we resumed our laughter filled play. She's an energy dynamo. I thought perhaps her welcome was general, but she was shy later with friends who came over. They're in Ohio today, but I will see them again tomorrow.

Back out to take advantage of the wonderful sunshine.

Spent 3+ more hours in the brambles. When I dragged myself back out, I did something I hardly ever do. I sat on the deck and soaked in the sunshine. Temp was 50 or so. Perfect. No leaf emergence yet, so I could finally see squirrel activity in the woods. The peepers were chorusing periodically, led by one tenor. I think the birds joined in the song, but I’m not sure of that. Napped before going back to town for church.

Boy, did I sleep good Saturday night! This is the kind of labor my body enjoys. I gave myself another few hours in the brambles before packing up and getting on the road. The honeysuckle is beginning to leaf, and the blackberry leaf buds are swelling. You'd think the blackberries would be grateful for me freeing them from their viney burdens; but they snag and pull at me, hindering progress. I'm not making a clean sweep - there is just too much territory. But I've established enough inroads to be able to continue making some progress. I need more mulch! Need to explore sources.

Turned my summer water containers over to catch the spring rains.

Breathed in the quiet and went back to town.

Spent a couple of hours visiting daughter and 9 month old Theia. What a joy, but exhausting. I taught her how to use a spoon at lunch (silver, of course!) and we romped on the floor, and she played with a board book, trying to tell me a story. Before I left, she tapped foreheads with me, letting me know she remembers the German buckley-deutzer game I've been teaching her.

note to self: still no sign of asparagus and ramps.

>8 2wonderY: Your adventures bring me happiness, since they remind me that Spring will arrive soon, here, and I'll welcome it with a joyous heart. Now that the snow is (finally) melting here, I'll have to watch for asparagus sellers at the usual locations. I love asparagus, especially fresh from the ground.

You do paint some excellent word pictures. I almost heard the peepers here (not actually possible, since most of the ground is still frozen). :-}

Glad to share the joy.

And my pond is full of tadpoles.

Another note to self: I took a bench out to the meadow and heavily pruned the Jonathan and Stayman trees; opening the inside of the canopy, eliminating crossed branches and trying to reduce the height some. I know it's not the right season, but it needed done.

Does anyone have experience with Cistus purpureus - purple flowered rock rose? I'm in love with its look, but know nothing about it.

Bought a bag full of ramps today and plan to expand my colony this weekend.

Perfect weather for getting stuff done. I'm up way before light, and chomping at the bit to get out there.

I've decided to leave my laptop in town, which makes for two big changes. I'm a FreeCell addict, and it has taken away both work time and reading time. Without the dang gizmo, I'm both working better and reading more. Much more in harmony with my location.

I did find a few ramps returned to the bed I established, but not nearly what I'd hoped. So I planted a bunch more in various spots on the hillside.

I worked all morning in the briars and spent the afternoon with daughter and Theia. The theory was I was tending the baby so that Rose could get stuff done around the house. The reality was the three of us took a long walk. Er, hike. It's been a while since I've done any walking in Berea. Sheesh! Steep hills. And a heavy stroller. I was puffing. Today, I paid with painful leg muscles. But that's okay. It's that good kind of pain.

I also stopped at the Potting Shed so as to be sure to acquire another peach tree. Last year they sold out quickly. A red (actually deep purply-pink) crabapple grabbed my eye as well. I put both in the ground this morning. My peach tree is in full bloom. I tapped each flower, hoping to make sure of fertilization. The new tree's flowers are further along, and a couple have already formed tiny fruits. (Excited!) The tree stock come from Tennessee. I do hope the bit further north is not a deterrent for fruiting.

There was just enough rain last night and this morning to assure watering what I planted.

I've picked up a bad sore throat today, which was kind of miserable driving back to WV.

To bed!

Happy Easter all!

I'm still feeling punky from flu and sinus infection, so I've stayed home and bundled up. When we had a warm spell, I shut off all the gas heat and put most winter clothes away in the attic. Spring did what it usually does, and it's chilly again. I still had some snugly clothes in my fresh laundry baskets, so I didn't have to undo my work.

I finally got around to reading the free local paper that occasionally lands on my front porch. And glad I am! There was a story about a West Virginia ramp farmer, Glen Facemire. He's ready to retire, but he's still selling his book on ramp farming as well as seeds. Will order them tomorrow.

Went off looking for some local WV honey last week and found some yummy raw honey, creamed honey, and a bronchitis herb tea. And met some very nice ladies as well.

And possibly found a source for gift sized cordial bottles.

I had carried a room rug home from KY and I've been dodging the lump of it in my front hall. I finally cleared the room, pulled up the old rug (bundling it for outside use on the ridgetop) and rolled out the new:



For now, it looks like a normal room, minus excess books.

>13 2wonderY: I'm in love with that rug. Completely. It looks old, and well cared for. I have several older rugs (although most of them that size have been given to others), but that is just beautiful. Better than a garden flower (no need to water or take care of it), and every bit as lovely.

I couldn’t pass it up at the Habitat ReStore. I think I paid $40. And I believe it’s wool.

It is absolutely wool. I'd bet that it's at least 1930 era, and probably earlier. For $40, you got a bargain...but then, you knew that.

Looking forward to planting ramp seeds this year. They arrived in the mail with a copy of Having Your Ramps and Eating Them Too.

Well, drat! The thunderstorms just arrived after a beautiful few days. It hadn't occurred to me to check the forecast; but it's rain all weekend. So much for my plans.

I had that weekend a week ago. This week it was just everything taking up my time, and keeping me from doing anything fun. I'm excited for Sunday, when I'll be able to go out and just revel in the smell of earth, and the silent screams of the weeds as I pull them out of the ground. There's a solid month of weeding, maybe more.

It *is* rather cruel for you to have perfectly good ramp seeds that want to be in the ground, but better to plant them when you can be sure they won't be washed away.

My weeds aren't nearly so despairing. In fact, I think I can hear a collective snicker.

The other reason I didn't travel is my grandbaby wasn't home. She was stashed away at the other grandparents' house while Rose and Nathan (and presumably other help) sanded and re-finished their floors on the main level.

I'll go down next weekend and help them move their furnishings back into place, no matter the weather.

And it is supposed to rain again then. Mind you, I haven't fired up the new mower there yet. Guess what I'll be doing my birthday week later in the month.

My van was full of stuff for the ridgetop. But rain was forecast. A bit of sunshine this morning heartened me, and I got on the road.

Got most of the yard mowed in just a couple of hours with the new mower. Time enough to go back into town and shop plants. Bought another Contender peach tree. The established tree has about 30 fruit. I’m dreaming of peach ice cream!

I typically buy another rose bush in May for my birthday. I bought three, they were so compelling; and a fourth for daughter..

Got lots of holes to dig in the morning.

Plugging window tracks made a huge difference in fly and ladybug numbers. Almost no flies and hundreds instead of millions of ladybugs.

>21 2wonderY: Your day sounds wonderfully productive, and your plans for tomorrow as well. I intend to join you tomorrow (here, not there, so only in spirit).

I think I need to plant a new rose as well.

>22 Lyndatrue: I wish we could all get together.

Whoosh! I really didn't know where most of the new guys were going to be put. There is a likely spot along the deck, but has been notoriously bad luck for roses. So I had to elbow them in, digging other stuff out to make some room. I had no idea how successful Queen of the Prairie would be out there, and I had to be very severe today. They had crowded my little trifoliate orange tree (now almost 3 feet tall) and are moving to take over the entire bed.

I found a raised bed out in the meadow without anything in it and got the peach tree in the ground. Otherwise I would have had to fight shoulder high orchard grass.

I've got the week after this off, and it's when I get my beds in order, and mow around the fruits & veggie beds in the meadow. I may give up on my apple trees. Still no fruit after 4 years. Very disappointing.

Looking for a source for hazelnut starts.

Back to WV for now. More talk later perhaps.

Hoping daughter took my hint - I asked for a new wheelbarrow for Mother's Day/birthday. The one I have has seen a lot - A LOT - of work, both on my place and hers; but this is the second flat tire it has experienced. And I'm impatient with that sort of issue anymore. I did use it yesterday to move some mulch.

As I was reaching to unload it, a pretty little brown snake stretched itself out from the pile. I don't know how I can tell at first glance, but my being seems to recognize venomous vs non-venomous immediately. Without hesitation, I picked it up and placed it back on the ground and out of the way. It was probably a garter snake, and the frontal picture on the Kentucky site shows that it is as cute as a turtle

As fuzzi did though, I'll warn those who don't like to look
(picture below)

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>24 2wonderY: That is an extraordinary photograph. I always thought that garter snakes had more green than that, but then, I haven't seen anything but rattlesnakes in many years.

The Northwestern Garter Snake (Thamnophis ordinoides) is the one I'm most used to. I loved them when I was a little girl, and wish I had some right now. Then again, one hot day, and they'd be toast.

https://www.wildernesscollege.com/garter-snakes.html

I’m here for the week, so projects begun everywhere. Trying to clean up the flower beds, I’ve got buckets of extras to give away.
Main job is to gain control of the meadow, which means mowing shoulder high grass and thistle and volunteer trees. That’s what i focused on today. Mostly done; might hit it once more. Lots of tree limbs to chip.

The woods are in good shape. Appears my weed discipline is effective. I’m seeing lots more natives like mayapple and jack-in-the-pulpits.

My work on the honeysuckle in March really paid off. The blackberries have recovered the space and will be easy to access.

Fun times with Theia. We have our special games and connections.

Drank two beers this evening honoring my birthday tomorrow. Will sleep well.

Happy Birthday!

>26 2wonderY: I made a note to come back here today, but I can see that someone else has thought of you as well. Happy Birthday, and I'll lift my glass of wine this evening in your general direction. Give the beauteous Theia a hug for us all, and have some blackberry jam in anticipation of their gifts, later in the season.

Thanks! I’m 65, look 50, and feel like 35. Can’t beat that with a drum. But that reminds me - Theia needs a drum. We were using metal pots yesterday.

Gone looking for a wheelbarrow today that can keep up with me.

I knew there was a hornets nest being built on the electric service box, and I had meant to spray it, but forgot. I’m lucky I only got one sting, as I had to run away, after starting to clean out the weeds growing around the pole. I had my home remedy at hand, so the pain subsided almost immediately. But it did swell and itch all night.

It’s too hot to work outside except mornings and evenings, so got out there this morning and promptly turns an ankle in a hole.

So I took it easy today, yard saling ang hunted up a commercial tree grower out in the country beyond me. Was hoping for hazelnuts; but struck out there. I will return for some varietal paw paws and perhaps a jujube tree in the fall.

It is so pleasant to share the small bits of day with someone in person (daughter). Living alone is narrowing in that regard. Thankfully, I have you guys!

It’s been 42 days without rain here, and a farmer called it a drought already. It is unseasonably dry, and one of the roses I put in 2 weeks ago died. The others are fine. I’ve got a few more items to get in the ground, and I’m leaf mulching heavily.

A young lady staying with daughter makes a wonderful skin lotion with honeysuckle flowers. I typically hate scented products, but this knocked my socks off when she walked by me after a shower. She says she’s lazy and usually buys the dried honeysuckle flowers. Huh. I collected a half gallon this morning in just a few minutes. I’ll get some more tomorrow, going out just a little bit earlier to avoid the bumblebees. They are mild, but a bit territorial.

I heard, but did not see a hummingbird coming in for a morning sip.

A thunderstorm came through Sunday night and damped the ground. I'm glad I had put equipment away and stashed several paper yard bags of composting leaves in the old shed. The random bags of leaves deposited near the gardens have mostly been emptied and applied. We had more rain Monday morning but it cleared off and I was able to finish my veggie gardening tasks and also mow the yard once more, so it looks respectable.

So, I identified the huge volunteer in my raspberry bed as fennel. What do you do with fennel?

My bed weeding produced huge mounds of organic matter which I'm laying down in the swale created by my neighbor last year when she buried her power line across my yard, and she never came back and filled it in. I've also got a huge pile of small limbs that need chipped that work well for that kind of remediation.

I finally got zucchini and squash plants in the ground. I'm planning on making a zucchini relish this year. I bought a jar of it at a church bazaar last year and it's delish.

Finally knocked off late afternoon and drove back to WV. I'm back at work today, scratched and bug-bit, but very relaxed.

Fennel tastes very good with fish. You can just lay a bed of it down below fish that is being steamed or simmered. Only, of course if you like anise-type flavours.

I have a very good zucchini relish recipe, but I haven't made it many, many years. My sister was engaged to a boy with seven brothers. The mother never gave the recipe out, but she gave it to me. I was both family and not in the area. Oh, yes, my sister called it off two weeks before the wedding.

I'm very far away... Will you share the recipe with me?

Have you looked at your profile recently?

Oh, yes - Thanks! I saw it from my phone; and meant to print it out when I got back to work. Looks straightforward and delicious.

That reminds me to rhapsodize on old kitchen equipment. I made a cucumber salad this weekend for a large crew, and borrowed daughter's Wear-Ever food processor.



My dad worked for Wear-Ever and then Alcoa, when they bought Wear-Ever. So we always had this and the citrus juicer:



So, I've made sure my kitchen and theirs are adequately equipped. They are so simple to use and then clean. And they never break.

Ha! I'll have to try using the juicer this fall when I process my cordial. It hadn't occurred to me before.

>37 2wonderY: My mom had lots of wear-ever pots and kitchen stuff, including the same juicer you show there. I think I took it last summer when she was downsizing, must check. Sometimes old stuff is the best.

*happy dance*

I ate my first asparagus spear from my own garden. Yay! I looked in March and nothing was up. I looked in April, and the few stems were already leafed out. I looked in May, and there was no change. Today, there was a fresh stem over a foot tall. I kept snapping it off a few inches at a time, and it was tender all the way down. Bliss!

And, encouraged by a poster over at permies.com, I picked up several clearance packages at Home Depot and will try to establish more.

Granddaughter is nearly 11 months old. I only got to see her for a little while today. When she saw me, her greeting was a solemn soft head bump and eye gaze. (see >8 2wonderY:) It seems to be special between us and no one else. Happy sigh.

I drove down yesterday and got a good half day's work mowing, mulching, weeding. Today I had planned more of the same, but the rain came in unexpectedly. It started with the sun still shining! I went into the woods instead and did some clearing. Had to put the mower up though, so left earlier than I'd planned. Did stop to visit a friend who has just moved back to Berea. Another Yay!

Lots of berries on the vines.

Another month for the blackberries, but I cleared the kitchen and have got all the tools and parts stashed under the work table. Remarkably, I've been able to scavenge a couple dozen wide mouth glass mayonnaise jars from the municipal recycling bin in the last couple of weeks. The wide-mouth style makes decanting so much easier, as I have sprouting lids that act as sieves. And I invested in the Ball Leak-Proof re-usable lids. Much nicer than the canning lids that rust or sometimes resist opening again; and that do sometimes leak when I'm shaking the jar to dissolve the sugar.

Raspberries are producing well enough for me to have a daily bowl. I tried planting bush beans again within that bed, but either snails or rabbits got them all.

Gooseberries are turning ripe, but I don't really like them. Will offer the bush to a friend or rip it out.

Blueberries have been a disappointment. The bushes seem to just sit there, not really making any effort. It's not a fruit I have much kinship, so they may follow the gooseberry.

Blueberries need acid soil. I would happily take the gooseberries from you, but not really practical. Try them cooked with elder flowers.

I did find a partial bag of blueberry specific fertilizer, so I might give them another season to just DO SOMETHING! My soil is clay, so naturally on the acidic side. And I've got pine needles in WV that ought to be bagged and spread in that bed.

Shared the first ripe peach with Theia. The main crop is still at least a month away.

Mystery tree in the meadow. Has set fruit - and lots. Still very green, but probably plums. Will take a picture.

Picked 2 quarts of blackberries this morning. The ripe berries are few and scattered. I could have picked more if I wasn’t trying to clip and stomp for better access later. Everyone says it’s abnormally hot here, but it feels normal to me.

But I am keeping to morning and evening outside work.

Put up a gallon of berries this morning. But it was still tough going. I still haven't gone directly downslope, but I've been everywhere else. Lots of berries are visible in cascades of red. Those are the later ripening ones' the bushes that yield handfuls all at once.

I changed out of my long pants and long sleeves and took a nice nap. Now I have no desire to dress like that again till it starts getting shady. So I lounged and read a notably engaging old novel. Then I decided to come to town and catch up here.

The yard is mowed, and I'd like to hit the meadow once again, as well as the lower road.

It's 89 degrees at the moment. The cabin is staying very comfortable, once I opened the vent windows in the front gable. Is allows for nice air flow, just as designed.

I worked hard this entire weekend, but in blocks of time, with lots of rest in between.

Saturday evening, I revved up the Simplicity mower and took down the entire meadow, even the parts I had only poked at last time. I really really need a weed wacker for the edges and around the shed, etc.
Thankfully, the box turtle in those weeds got his motivator in gear, because I didn't see him till he was zooming away.

The lower road is unusually muddy, so I will mow it another time.

Confirmed the plum tree, but if this is what it produces, it's a complete disappointment. It's a red variety, and the fruit seems to fall as soon as it turns color. At inch and a half across and a cling pit, there is little fruit to satisfy the effort. Taste is mediocre. Thoughts?

I've been noticing more close up bird activity this year. First day, a crow seemed to be challenging me. They usually stay further up the slope and don't pay me any attention.

While I was in the brambles, I had both a hummingbird and a woodpecker buzz me. The woodpecker actually seemed curious, alighting on a nearby limb and chatting several times.

Some of the best producing brambles are those associated with trees. They drape themselves up into the branches and it's a matter of reaching up (sometimes way up) to pluck the huge fruit. I might have to refine my thinking on tree management on the downslope.

Oh, and Theia update. I brought her a huge yellow soft plastic ball. It was nearly as big as she is, but entirely light and hand friendly. She can raise it over her head. It was, of course, the hit of the weekend. She is officially a toddler now, only crawling when speed is needed. She's completely casual about her new found skills.

You might be able to graft useful varieties onto the plum tree. At least they are edible, if boring. Our neighbor has some sort of decorative cherry/plum that are so tannic, you can't eat them. They just drop into the drive when they are ripe and make a mess.

If they drop as soon as they ripen, and therefore are hard to harvest, you can spread old sheets on the ground and pick them up once a day, maybe after using sticks to shake the branches. (See videos of olive harvesting.) I would use them in jams or jellies, either half/half with a strongly flavoured fruit or with spices.You could try half plum/ half blackberry, and would have a jam which would still taste like blackberry, but with only half the seeds. For jellies, they could be juiced without removing the pits first. I used to make a spiced mulberry jam, and use a spoonful in hot apple juice in the winter. Yum! (Mulberries are also a hassle to harvest, fall down before you get to them, and taste like not much. Add on that the branches are likely to crack under your weight, I didn't do much with them.)

Or you can use the tree as a central point for feeding the birds, considering these plums as part of it.

I knew you'd have some useful ideas.

I had the sheet thought too, which was one of my motivations for mowing.

Oh, yes. The liqueurs I tried to make with the mulberries were foul when I made them, not much better after 6 months, but I was too lazy to throw them away. Tasted again after a few years they were wonderful.

>45 2wonderY: I am extraordinarily heartless when it comes to plants that I'll regret keeping, down the road. Plums like to make more plums, especially if they're already not wonderful in taste.I would take it out, and plant a sapling of something you liked instead. Then again, that's a lot of work.

Is it in a good position to offer home to more blackberries? There can never be too many blackberries. :-}

I admit that a plum tree that doesn't produce cling-free fruits, and doesn't taste all that good, seems like a candidate for firewood (or furniture) to me. They're such a messy tree when the fruit is only destined for trash. Do the birds seem to like it? I've kept a tree around just because it attracted birds (crabapple)...okay, I also kept it because it was beautiful.

>46 2wonderY: Theia has achieved that enviable state. She's cute, and endearing, and is about to demonstrate what comes after toddler (running away, and in general, giving the big folks heart attacks).

>50 Lyndatrue: Blackberries are not allowed in the meadow! I'm converting that space to all other fruits and veggies.

It's too early to tell whether the birds will be attracted, but in this case, it'd be a negative. I want the birds to stay away from this food source location. Because I'm depriving them of poison ivy and cat briar berries, I've been planting other specimens that add winter food for birds on the other side of the property. But they'd better stay away from my peaches! And the cherries, as they come along.

I'll give this tree a bit more time, but it's in a prime location, and will probably end up removed.

You're wrong - Blackberries would take over the world, if allowed. I've reached an accommodation with them, but hey!

(I'm much more generous with bird-feeding plants on my in-town property. They have a much tougher time finding food year-round.)

>51 2wonderY: You live in a place where it seems easy to grow things. I'm good at growing weeds (or so it's seemed, these past two years or so), but most things takemore than a bit of babying and care...not that I mind, or object. The environment is comfortable for me, but I know if I want blackberries that I can pick off a vine, such as yours, that I'll have to travel west, to where it's cooler in temperature, and more humid.

Raspberries seem to do well here; at least I see plenty of them in the local Farmer's Markets. I see the other berries too, but they generally come from Oregon, or from (as we fondly call it) the wet side of the state.

I do not fear the infestation of your blackberry vines (although I suppose anything's possible). I'd take them over more people, though. Any day of the week.

>52 Lyndatrue: "I'd take them over more people"

Agreed!

I've got two gallons of cordial put up and I will be back on site the entire next week. Don't know yet whether I'll have any help from a grandchild.

I hit the timing right on the nose. I scheduled this week off to pick blackberries. After a detour to Cinci, I’m back on the ridge top, and the berries are at their peak. Double handfuls of thumb-sized ripe fruit on every branch. Waited for early evening shade and picked a gallon just along the edges of yard and meadow. I’ll wade into the wild places tomorrow.

Bought a lovely old oak chifferobe because the asking price was ridiculously low. I knew one of my daughters would want it. It took up the entire van, so I was glad to drop it off.

Realized I hadn’t eaten yet today so dashed back into town for a few groceries. Finally got a small fridge plugged in again. Yay! I’d been using an ice chest.

>54 2wonderY: I'd have eaten blackberries until I turned purple, myself. It sounds like a fabulous day. :-}

Put up another gallon this morning, going straight downhill to the lower road. Interrupted a box turtle at his breakfast. I left the low ones for him. Off to get more vodka. I had some sweet vermouth left in the cupboard - my dad liked manhattans - so added a touch of that to the jars.

It looks like it might rain. The ground is desert dry, cracking where not covered, despite the heavy rains a couple weeks ago.

Took the evening off, as my body was complaining. Took a couple aspirin, and relaxed with a beer, and went to bed before dark. Back at it this morning for a few hours, for another gallon. Poked around in the cabin sorting and tossing old stuff. Found my Kitchen Kutter food processor. Wanted to hit town when daughter got home from work, but it seems I'm early. At the library now playing with my new iPad.

Yesterday was a similar routine. The morning spent in the brambles, a midday jaunt into town and then a relaxing evening. Today may be more of the same. Spent 4 hours out picking and clipping this AM. Hung out with daughter and Theia this afternoon.

I’m considering running my chipper or the mower; but maybe not. It is a vacation, after all.

I did mow. Couldn’t start the new mower, so pulled out old reliable.

Today it’s obvious the season is nearly over. There are still some fat plump berries, but a lot are old and seedy. The canes are turning brown. One more collection tomorrow, and I’m going to top out at 7+ gallons.

I spent more time clipping and clearing honeysuckle and catbrier. There are still healthy fruiting plants underneath that burden.

I dragged the chipper out and cleared a pile of branches. After a good wash up and lunch I crashed on the couch for a while.

Heat advisory today so taking it easy in town.

Hoo boy! Eight gallons! Who's gonna help me drink all this cordial?!

>60 2wonderY: Not I. I prefer the berries in the bucket, or even as jam. I'm not going to cross the country for cordial. It's too hot over thataway. You're just going to have to drink it for me. :-}

At some point I will have a more complete kitchen out here. Right now, I would have to haul the berries too far to process them in other ways. I do like cobbler!

>61 Lyndatrue: I don't understand this liking the raw berry. It's not nearly as pleasant or tasty as raspberries. I did bring my last half gallon back to town for cobbler.

There were a couple of stray dogs wandering up the driveway yesterday and while I was making my last sweep through the brambles, they seemed to challenge me. I out-growled them and they slunk off. I tried to email my neighbor, as he has chickens, but he must have changed his address.

Neighbor Jody drove by once surveying the wreck of her house, but she didn't stop.

I did a reasonable job keeping the bug bites to a minimum. Some chigger bites, but very few, considering the amount of time in the weeds and my intimate communing with all things plantish. Saw one tick only, and it was not on me.

Dealing with the heat meant washing down with cool water after exertion, and going to the library in the mid-day. The fridge with cold drinks was a huge plus.

Yesterday was Theia's first birthday. I've spent enough fun time this week with her that she will come to me on her own (even from Mama's arms once!) to cuddle and play. I brought balloons and bubbles and books. She has never had cake before. Rose made a heavy-ish banana cake with blueberry frosting, and gave her a generous slab. The girl stuffed it into her mouth so fast by the fistful. She is a dedicated food enthusiast, but none of us has seen her be this extreme before.

Altogether a hugely successful week.

>63 2wonderY: I am reminded that "blackberry" is a catchall for multiple varieties.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackberry (I am astonished to learn that Wikipedia is VERY case sensitive...BlackBerry is the phone, Blackberry is the delicious fruit).

I also confess that after reading that article in depth, that some of the blackberries I love and eat are almost certainly Black Raspberries, rather than true Blackberries. I also love Marionberries (which are a type of Blackberry), and another local variety, whose name escapes me.

I had to laugh at the thought of Theia and the birthday cake. You put a plateful of solid sugar in front of her; I'm sure it required a serious bath, afterwards. Now I want banana bread, and there's no chance in the world that I'm baking until autumn. Banana cake with blueberry frosting, my oh my. :-}

I'm so glad you referenced the Wikipedia article. There are some terms I need to incorporate into my conversation. "Prickles," however, is not one of them. When they break off and embed in my flesh, they are "thorns."

"some of the blackberries I love and eat are almost certainly Black Raspberries"
Ah, well, now it makes sense!

>66 2wonderY: That's a beautiful little face, and so full of joy! Thank you for elevating the day!

XXOO

>66 2wonderY: She's gorgeous!

Returned to KY yesterday and Theia continues to greet me with a special forehead bump. I brought her a couple of pull-toys, and we had some fun learning how to walk them and enjoy them all at the same time.

At meal time she is proficient at signing "more" and has her own version of "thank you."

I took a tour downslope this morning and there were just a handful of berries left, and though they looked fine, they had no flavor. Spent several hours clearing a corner of the honeysuckle. Down here, this plant is going great guns, though languishing in my WV yard.

Weeded the first garden where I stuck blueberries and asparagus. The asparagus is doing right well there, so I need to decide whether to expand there or what.

In town for a Theia break in the midday. heat.

I forgot to mention the tree problems I had to address. My young persimmons have a new menace - some sort of fall webworm. Small yellow fuzzy things. I got the kerosene spray bottle out and torched the webs, but was not time sensitive. Morning or evening would have caught all the worms at home, but I did my clean-up midday. I also saw one I'd missed heading off the place yesterday - in the plum tree.

My lovely peach tree is a wreck! I had temporarily fenced it, to keep the deer away. My guess is a raccoon swarmed up the fence and stole all the fruit and broke one of the main branches. The break was not complete, and the leaves hadn't wilted, so I've tried splinting it, but don't hold much hope. The other main branch was sagging as well. Comparing it to neighbor's more mature tree, this seems to be a seasonal feature. He still has fruit, and is protecting them from aerial attack.

>70 2wonderY: I'm very sad to hear about the tree problems, especially the peach tree. My neighborhood has less than half the trees it used to have, and I miss every single one of them. Walnut trees are messy, and I understand why someone would take theirs out, but they're very lovely trees, and provide shade, and home to a wide variety of creatures. I admit I don't miss the squirrels (there are still some around, but I cannot imagine what they're eating).

Fruit trees are so very resilient. The ornamental plum next door had a branch broken in the wind, and it still flowered, and leafed out, until someone decided to come in and spruce up the yard (they cut the branch off, and trimmed it up otherwise). I will be glad when he comes back home (he's been gone for months, due to a broken leg), just for the sake of having someone there.

When you say "torched the webs" do you mean that you actually lit a small fire? Or was it just an expression?

Oh, torching literally. It's a good way to micro-target just the pest. And very satisfying.

Spraying kerosene on webs and pouring just a little bit of gasoline down ant and ground bee (yellow jackets) nests.

I'm astonished to hear this. I've always lived in deserts. Even in SoCal, I made my home in various areas within the San Fernando Valley, which is (or at least was) desert. If I used your method on a tree here, I'd have a dead tree (because the whole tree would have gone up in flames).

I've dug around ground bee nests when I find them (it's rare, but it happens). Most of the ants here that are pests are pavement ants, and I just saturate the nest with Sevin, which convinces them to move...usually. I have dealt with the fearsome red ant varieties, so common in the east, and the south, and hope never to see them here.

I will now have dreams of trees with little fires in them tonight...or maybe not. It's still an interesting image.

ETA: I see you added the qualifier Yellow Jackets to the ground bee entry. I've poured bleach on those nests before. Death to yellow jackets.

I hasten to add that I'm not trying to eradicate the ground insects. The large mound building ants can build all they want down in the woods, but not next to my pond. The yellow jackets can nest anywhere but my mow path.

And the kerosene is a self limiting fuel.

Btw, There were a large number of big yellow butterflies on the ridgetop on the weekend. I'm thinking Tiger Swallowtails now, but I didn't stop to check them out. They were sipping at milkweed, spearmint and roses. I've got some 12 foot tall milkweed in the brushy areas.

Quick trip down to accomplish a number of small tasks.

Transplanted some asparagus into the main garden from temporary pots.

Returned the chipper/grinder.

Determined where a friend will place two beehives. It was surprisingly complicated. Must be level, of course, with good morning sun. Not too close to normal activities, yet not remote. My criteria - low grounds maintenance. I don't want to be mowing too close.

Construction has picked up again at the end of the driveway. Efforts to improve drainage and set the building back on level. The block work underneath is so higgledy-piggledy, and on bare ground, not even concrete. It'll be interesting to see whether it holds up.

Brought Theia her own kitchen set and chairs her size. She is learning how to spill tea.

It was time to replace my vehicle. I thought I was getting something similarly sized, but when I began loading, this newer vehicle held at least twice the cargo. And gets the same gas mileage.

Spruced up the beds around the house, made the driveway neater, mowed the yard and the lower road. Admired the bee hives.

Enjoyed the quiet!!

My chipper won't start. Wah!

We haven't had much rain this summer, and most species are suffering. The raspberries look very sad. However, in the area I tackled honeysuckle this spring, the blackberries have surged.

I'm taking next week off and visiting both birthday daughters and their families. Cincinnati daughter is just getting interested in gardening. She has a planting bed around the front of her house that we're cultivating. Last year I gave her some of my leaf harvest to mulch the space, but the winds blew it all away. This year, I was hoping to line the space with a 1 foot tall fence to hold it in, but haven't found the right product yet. I could buy a 2 foot roll and cut it in half, but that is an annoying option.

I've been hanging out on another Talk site, Permies.com and a member just offered a shed full of chicken & rabbit litter just north of Cinci. So I'll go with a stack of 5 gallon buckets and harvest some of that. I also raided someone's trash pile this week and rescued a huge pile of burlap. If we have to resort to leaves again, it will serve to hold the light material down and allow it to rot in place. We'll see just how much my new vehicle carries. Though it is newer and shiny, it's still just a workhorse in my world.

Twenty buckets. That’s how many my new vehicle holds on one level. We could have stacked them if I’d had more buckets on hand. As it is, we made two trips, with granddaughters helping with the muscle work.

Spending the week moving forward on projects to make their lives better. Hanging out with all the grands. Two of them got up in the middle of the night and helped me when I got sick to my stomach. I am blessed.

We've had morning frosts most of last week, so I trekked down to KY to winterize the cabin, closing all the windows and removing liquids. Got the last of the asparagus into the garden beds from temporary pots. Stuck a few yuccas into temporary spots in the circle garden. Cut a grove of locust saplings and poisoned their stumps. Realized when I got to town that I'd failed to stow the pesticide sprayer back in its box. So, it's sitting outside till I get there again. Drat. There's always something.

Spent a chunk of the weekend at daughter's house with grandchild. We had loads of fun. Trick or treat was Saturday, so went along. Theia didn't understand the concept, but did allow a kangaroo costume. As the youngest of the crowd, she declined to ride in the stroller, and was the slowest and least cooperative child. She has never had candy, and I think her Mom is eating the treats. Theia just learned about cookies last week, and asked for them repeatedly. Here comes the great food struggles.

Rose and I put up alphabet animals in Theia's room on Sunday. They're very beautiful images:



because I like the donkey so much, I went searching

Hah! I didn't leave the sprayer out to fend for itself. I stuck it in the car with the other liquids containers.

>81 2wonderY: They say the second thing to go is your memory. I don't remember what the first thing is.

(Donkey is very cute.)

Q is for quail (am I right?). My adult daughters still remember J is for jaguar, and that the jaguar was jealous. :)

Very nice decorating idea.

I've been sorting and categorizing photos I've stashed on this computer in various places since 2011. It's been a good exercise in this dark winter month. It helps to reflect all of the work and life events that have passed, and is energizing me to get going on some of those I had to stop working on for various reasons. As soon as the weather modifies, I think I'll be eagerly doing out there again.

I won't start a 2020 thread just yet.

Finally got some bags of leaves stowed in the car and drove down for the weekend. I don’t have any heat at this point, so skipped Friday night at 17F. Saturday was much better at 40F. Only my nose tip was cold. Got a box bed set up around the hive in the meadow and filled it with glass mulch. I must have disturbed them, they got quite active after a bit.
Spending the rest of the day with daughter and grandbaby. Brought her a barn and animals. She knew donkey from those pictures on her wall.

>85 2wonderY: I had to read through your post about six times, before I gathered that you'd made a simple typo, and meant grass mulch instead of glass mulch.

Bees are precious. I think I saw very few last year, and I envy you for having them.

I feel fortunate to have them and not have the responsibility. I can just observe at this point.

I did mean glass. It’s crushed and tumbled and marketed as permanent mulch. Free for the hauling in the next county over recycling center. It has been the perfect solution under my deck. Prior to laying it, I had blackberry canes coming up through the planks.

I've got a picture of the glass mulch. (I joined Permies.com, and I have broad picture upload allowances there.)

I made a dash to Kentucky more than a week ago, thinking I might stay there. But, hell didn't break loose as I thought it might. so I'm back in WV for the moment. I'd been looking forward to retiring in just a couple of months, even applying for Social Security.

Along with the Covid changes, my agency is in great flux anyway. My co-worker left at the end of last week. I'm the one left with personal connections and knowledge of our clients. And besides the entire state program being understaffed, there is a strong rumor of re-organization which will greatly negatively impact our ability to do our jobs.

So I'm working from my dining room table now. I could move it to KY, if there was such a thing as mobile phone service on my ridgetop. Ha!

But I left three bare root trees in a tank of water up there. They need to get put in the ground soon. A honey crisp apple and two Chinese chestnuts.

It occurs to me to share my picture thread at Permies.

https://permies.com/t/133852

>90 2wonderY: I'm not sure whether someone else has already mentioned this to you, but no one can view your photographs (at least not through the link above). I just get a sign up page, with the message: "You must log in or register before you can access this."

oh well.

How did I not find or star this thread last year?

I just had a delightful partial hour reading all your posts and contributions by others. You paint a pretty picture with your words.

MarthaJeanne is celebrating some rain, so I thought I'd report as well.

I finally asked my daughter to drive to my place and just stick those babies (see #89) in the ground somewhere; and she did. But I worried that they might need watered, which she hasn't time to do.
I asked the bee lady to check on them and just dump a bucket on them whenever she goes out to check on her hives. Rose planted them right nearby the water tank. My friend called today to report that they've been having torrential rains for 12 hours and the babies are well watered.

Retirement report:
SSA rep called me Friday and said I'd be better off applying as a survivor on my husband's account. He's been deceased for 30 years, and I had no idea his earnings still exceeded mine. Huh. So I had to withdraw my application and submit a new one. Also required to track down old old records, both mine and his, before the application is complete.

>94 2wonderY: I'm glad the SSA rep got back to you with helpful information.

And that your babies are in the ground and well-watered!

>94 2wonderY: I don't have torrential rains, but would be grateful if a little more fell tonight.

>94 2wonderY: Most all SSA people are good souls. I'd say all if I wasn't hedging my bets. I've seen endless kindnesses from them, too numerous to mention, and it always warms my heart.

I retired early, many years ago, and I have never regretted it. I'm happy for you that you're moving forward with it, and hope it brings you much joy.

My bee friend volunteered to mow up on the ridgetop. She is seeing more of it than I am, going up to check on her hives.

Sigh.

I found the crest image that suits me:

>98 2wonderY: It's perfect. I'm almost tempted to say that it's mine, too. Then again, it's just barely tipped over into weather that I'm willing to work in...

Stay safe. Stay well.

>98 2wonderY: I like that.

I did go to Kentucky this weekend. Got both mowers out on Saturday and got maybe half of the yard mowed and made some paths through the meadow to and around the veggie garden. I thought I might do more on Sunday, but didn't. Mornings it's too wet. I went into town and played tea party with Theia. I brought her a box full of bears from my attic and a baby doll carriage from the basement, and I was the best Grandma ever this weekend.

The electric company was out clearing anything near the power line, and took down a bunch of junk, but also some cultivated trees. And they just left the mess for me to clear.

My apple trees again did not flower. What's up with that?
I have no peaches this year. My raspberries are looking sickly. There are a few blueberries on the few bushes that aren't dead.

But the blackberries are coming on fruit. It's going to be a later harvest than usual though. They are mostly still flowering, and the fruit is tiny, just starting.

I've been moving plants from my WV garden over the years, but all of a sudden, daughter is gardening in her yard and happy to take donations. Brought her spiderwort, lily of the valley, irises, thrift, blue-eyed grass.

Weird about the power company, they usually chip all the branches they cut. I used to beg for the chips but it wasn't about asking, it was who you knew who worked for the utilities.

I don't know much about fruit trees, but I believe it's weather-related when they don't flower.

Have you been getting the deluges of rain as we have?

These apple trees have never bloomed, and they have been there, what ? 5 years? The peaches did bloom in April and I did the poke each bloom activity to make sure they would pollinate, as I did last year. I expected some fruit.

>103 2wonderY: as I said, weird. Maybe the local Cooperative Extension would have some answers or at least suggestions for you.

We had a Kumquat my husband grew from a seed. It would bloom but never set fruit. Two years ago we had a really cold day and it's never recovered. I suspect it will be cut down to the ground one of these weekends.