Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like a great two days Jim. I can't imagine trying to keep up with a 20 month old little boy.

 

[jvls1942]

Sounds like a great two days Jim. I can't imagine trying to keep up with a 20 month old little boy.

I didn't try to keep up. I just sat and watched mom and dad chase after him. lol

 

[Callender Girl]

Yesterday was one of those rare days when I awoke with enthusiasm and the determination to cross off as many things as possible on my to-do list. Then, reality slapped me upside the head.

I spent an hour crafting a lengthy (no surprise there, huh?) email to a pet rescue group that is responsible for me getting one of my dogs. I detailed how I ended up with three dumped adult cats, managed to rehome 5 kittens and asked if the rescue would take the cats that are in my basement. I was thrilled to get a response within minutes -- until I read it. I was told the cats were lucky to have me taking care of them, but the foster homes are all full. Strike One.

I have had been locked out of my Social Security account and have received a second "reset code" after not being able to EXACTLY answer the verification questions after forgetting my password. However, I can't figure out EXACTLY where to insert the code and will now have to try to reach Social Security by phone, which can be a total nightmare and not one I felt up to dealing with yesterday. Strike Two.

The company that delivers propane wants to know how much is still in the tank before a refill. So I went out to check and discovered a massive bird nest under the gauge cover. Once I removed it (big enough for a flock of somethings), I had to scrub bird poop off the gauge. I was wearing Sloggers without socks and almost immediately realized I was having a reaction to something that was growing by the propane tank. The tops of my feet got red, itchy rashes. Strike Three.

My enthusiasm dashed for the day, I spent the afternoon on the sofa watching baseball. Unsurprisingly, team I was rooting for lost.

On the plus side, I have been waiting for a "Cherokee Purple" to get a bit more color before I picked it. I realized yesterday that it will never get red because a vine from a neighboring Gold Medal tomato has intertwined with the Purple plant. So I picked a lovely orange tomato, the only one produced by the Gold Medal plant.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That sounds like one really bad day Barb.

There are too many cats this time of year. Two nights ago someone stopped to turn around in our driveway. I'm pretty sure it during these turning around that cats get dumped. So far no new kitties, but they can take a while to show up. I'm hoping not.

It is hard to keep multiple cats happy. I never knew they were so testy. My favorite kitty keeps leaving again because the others are always so hostile to her. Not sure why. Probably because she's prone to hissing first. I wish we had room to bring her in our basement.

We generally get hornets under our propane tank hood. Never a bird. That sounds like it was a mess.

I have one dog chewing her feet for the past month from some sort of allergies. I will be happy after the freeze happens.

I cannot imagine the horrors of dealing with SS. Anything government seems to be over complicated.

Jim that's the best way to watch the grandkids.

 

[Callender Girl]

Sorry to hear about the kitty trauma and possible new "dumpees." Also, it's tough to have a dog with outdoor allergies; my Great Pyrenees got really itchy. Still, I'm not eager for cold weather -- although I wouldn't mind if the flies that hang around the coops and get into the house would drop dead, from cold or anything else.

I managed to talk with a live person at Social Security yesterday. It didn't go well. Not only was she unpleasant and unhelpful, but the call concluded when she told me she "didn't have time" to wait for me to find an email that was allegedly sent to me in July.

Never mind that I had to wait half an hour for a callback (at least SS provides that service). This woman, whose job is supposed to be helping people, apparently had something else to do.

Perhaps she was overdue for her coffee break? Late for a mandatory customer service meeting? In any case, I checked my phone. I had taken up 6 minutes and 11 seconds of her valuable time.

 

[jvls1942]

I will try again. I wrote a long post and byc wouldn't let me send it.
I am off of the shed project for a while. since Annie is going upstairs in the garage so often, I think she shoud have a good hand rail. I have it about half finished.
Annie picked raspberries at DD Barby's . Made a pie.
I had pie for breakfast.
Bro Dave gave us about a dozen pound packages of ground venison. yesterday I made two pounds of sloppy Joes . might have to freeze some of it.
I like to eat them with a can of root beer.
No sign of baby squashes yet. the tomatoes are all done.
the weather guy said something about a hard freeze this weekend .
that's OK. we quit mowing the grass already anyhow.
Barb, maybe try going to commission on aging.
they might be able to help you with SS.

 

[Callender Girl]

Hope you're making good progress with that hand rail to keep Annie safe. She is a pretty valuable asset!!

Dad used to hunt elk in Colorado and whitetail in Iowa, but I don't remember that we ever ground the meat. Mom used to cook the steaks in the oven covered with dry onion soup mix and brown gravy, and served with potatoes.

Today, for the first time since the kittens left, I was awakened by the singing of coyotes. I have not missed their concerts nor having to fly downstairs and yell at them; at least it didn't take long today. Since it was only 1:30, I decided to nap on the sofa for a bit. My stiff neck indicates this was not a great idea.

I'm not planning on taking SS benefits until 2026, so I'm not bothering with calling them again soon. I'm sure I will get another "reminder" that I won't be able to sign in to my account because SS is changing how it's done. Perhaps then, I will try again.

I've never had pumpkins live long enough to ripen. I'm still amazed the ewe hasn't realized those orange things hanging from the fence are the same foods she likes to eat every fall when the neighbor brings over extras. Sheep likely aren't among the world's smartest creatures; at least, Rachel isn't. But, she's sweet and lovely.

It's too early to get a hard frost! Winter is already getting too close for my comfort.

 

[jvls1942]

that steak w/mushrooms and gravy sounds delicious. will have to try that.
the railing is almost finished. had a Dr appt for a blood draw. did some shopping and general wasting time today. gotta do that some time.

 

[Callender Girl]

It's been a week! I finally got a response from Social Security. Apparently, it takes DAYS for SS to send an automated response that only tells you how to contact yet another aspect of the organization. I'm sure glad I'm not planning to take benefits until 2026; it may take that long to be able to sign into my account again.

This weekend is my 50-year high school class reunion. I sent a check for the meal, bought some reasonably fashionable shoes and intended to head to southern Iowa. However, none of my usual pet sitters were available, so I'm not going. Now, I won't get to see how old those other people have gotten!

Early in the week, I yelled at a hawk that was flying just over my head, and it dropped the prey that was in its talons -- a smaller hawk -- which then flew onto my garage to compose itself for several minutes. I had no idea that hawks preyed on other hawks.

Since I'm not spending a weekend out of town, I really need to work on a gazillion outdoor projects before the weather gets unpleasant. In four weeks, the "work crew" is scheduled to return, and I'd like to be able to show off that I CAN accomplish some things on my own. But, I'm really grateful that I won't have to do everything alone.

I was pleasantly surprised that one of my daylilies rebloomed lovely yellow flowers this week, and one more of the Willie's Garden tomatoes ripened. Also, I discovered a rogue cherry tomato plant, nestled among the blackberry bushes and gathered a handful of pretty little red tomatoes that I put into an omelet.

 

[jvls1942]

Barb, truly sorry that you couldn't make the reunion
We had our 60th in 2o21. they announced that it would be our last one. I wasn't sure what they meant by that. No more reunions ? or that I wouldn't make it to the next one. I managed to go to every one , every five years..
the last one looked like a hospital ward. canes, walkers and wheelchairs.
now we can watch the obituaries . both of our classes are dropping like flies.
our tomatoes are finished. I am going to move the planters to a winter storage area. still no sign of any baby squashes.
I have Annie's hand rail all preassembled. tomorrow I will see if it fits properly.
it is a work ofart .
I was going to buy a 2x4. Annie's sister told Annie that she had one that I could have. as it turned out, there were dozens of tiny unseen nails along both sides of the board. instead of pulling them all out, I just ran the board through the table saw and ended up with a 2 1/2" board. I could still use it.