August Homestead Happenings

Hello, friends.  We were blessed with cooler temperatures last week.  One morning, when I saw the forecast had lowered to a high of 75, I changed the days to do list, and ended up canning garbanzo beans and homegrown crowder peas.  We were out of crowder peas entirely, and pints of garbanzo beans, and I was waiting for a cool spell to can some up, so that worked out wonderfully.  It's been lovely having the windows open so much.  I found a misshapen watermelon in the pond garden, the only one that's made it this far, without rotting or being chewed on.  I cut it on Sunday, and found it was a yellow one.  Not the best tasting, but edible.  The chickens enjoyed the rind and scraps.

The hornworms and various other tomato worms have made a resurgence.  Curious about this hornworm having darker coloration, I researched it, and learned this is a tobacco hornworm, which has a red horn and black lines.  Apparently, the tobacco hornworm also eats tomato plants, and tomato hornworms also eat tobacco.  Though not exactly pretty, they're definitely interesting looking critters.  On a positive note, the rotting tomatoes have abated.  Interestingly, at a dental appointment close to an hour and a half away, I learned my dentist experienced the same thing in his garden, which was unusual for him as well.  Using my sister's link, I'm giving Fetch a try, and have scanned a number of receipts already.  

Joseph planted four o'clock seeds in the spring, and there are two plants in bloom now.  I've never grown them, and it seems they bloom early morning, as well as around four o'clock.  On another cool day, I gave the pups baths in the outdoor shower, and cleaned the chicken coop.  Mint was pulled, to add to the nest boxes and floor.  Saturday was a workday at a pottery, and I brought some paperwork to work on, as well as reading material.  I'm watering the house plants, mostly orchids, and looking after the chickens while I'm there, in addition to shop sitting.  She told me to take any eggs I gathered, and as we're averaging one a day, I took her up on that.  I hope you've been managing to keep your peace, in this tumultuous world.  Keep sharing your light.  The world so needs it.