It's been a whirlwind here lately, and I don't mean the weather.
School started and I am now taking two classes - Contemporary Math and Introduction to Chemistry which includes a three hour lab one day per week. This year I'm paying out of pocket (last year I did too, but I had more pocket to dig in), and it's expensive! Some days I'm not even sure if it's worth it, but I do want to learn, so I slog through it. Easier said than done. I'm pleasantly surprised by my Chemistry course average so far - a 93 - even though it's easily the worst combination for my brain (difficult math and seemingly random symbols). It doesn't help that everyone is eight years my junior and "just did this stuff last year." I expected to do well in Contemporary Math, as it's very easy, and so far, I'm not disappointed. I am maintaining a 99 in that course.
As soon as school started, I practically abandoned the garden. I was supremely disappointed in how my garden did. I think the first (and foremost) problem was that I chose a very bad spot. One end received far too much sun and the other nearly drowned in water. I chose my plants carefully because I suspected this, but I wasn't prepared for the harshness of it all. The peppers didn't do much of anything until very recently. The only reliable plants were the green beans (and much later, the purple podded pole beans), the carrots, the snow peas, and the herbs. There is some garlic growing, but it was only planted this summer, so it won't be ready until next year.
So I'm left considering my options. Should I grow a garden? I know my grandmother was not happy with the way I kept it (too weedy), so moving from that bad area could be a challenge. I also disappointed myself with my own struggles against laziness in the last stretch. I was so good (out every day to check, weeding fairly regularly, etc.) from March through about September, but then I lost my drive for the care and upkeep. It doesn't help that I feel limited by my own skills and my want/need to please my grandmother.
Some to-dos are still left, and there's no telling when or how I'll accomplish them.
- I really really wanted to finish cleaning out and then installing the pipes for the rain water tank. It held some kind of food grade goo in it, but there's still a small residual amount left and it needs to come out. I've been trying all summer to find someone with a power washer to borrow, but I'm having a hard time getting people to help. I may break down and buy one.
- I really really wanted to build a chicken coop for chickens in the spring, but who knows now? My grandmother is not so keen on the idea and believe it or not, sometimes I find her intimidating to ask.
- I need to weed the strawberry patch before it goes to bed for the winter. It looks tremendous now that I stopped pinching off the runners. Only spring will tell if I've done harm.
Until next time,
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI noticed you were 'following' my blog- sorry I haven't updated it in a lonnnnnnnnng time! (We lost our home and had to move and moved my 80+ parents in and had to start over in homesteading on a rental property... and I've been dealing with 'getting over it'.)
My theme song for this year, based on the experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i2Q7NNXaVU
I just wanted to say I've copied your monthly seasonal idea for homestead chores and since it was just such a great idea you had- wondered how and what you do to come up with the end-of-year overall 'homestead plan'.
Also, I have a great link to share for homestead management that should give you plenty more ideas!
Try Reformation Acres http://www.reformationacres.com/category/homestead-management. Especially the Yearly schedule, Homestead Yields & Cost Analysis~ and Getting it Done (plus free binder forms).
And if you have extra time...and you think it's important, this is really good helpful info on creating basic emergency prep (I think all of us need to do this-and more) - and A Bowl Full of Lemons has a great way of presenting it! http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/category/emergency-preparednesshttp://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/category/emergency-preparedness
Like they say- work on a farm is never done! (If I can't find anything to do, then I might rearrange the chicken coop. It's sort of like a grown woman's playhouse, lol).
Can't wait to see what's next on your list!
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeletewow, your obstacles list is pretty long. Maybe I can help by looking at it from another point of view (it's often easier from the outside looking in, right?)
Lets see, starting with "- I really really wanted to build a chicken coop..." (and the fact that no one seems willing to help you right now):
#1 on getting help, is always sweeten the pot. Maybe make some nut brittle -try multiple kinds of nuts from a jar and add a hint of cayenne pepper! Then wrap it in wax paper and string and pass it out to your prospective helpers in return for nothing (the first time). Then the next week, maybe bake some ginormous choc. chip cookies (or if you have the time and money, set the BBQ up (or bake/crock pot) some ribs and corn on the cob. Boys will always work for food! (I would seek out high school kids around the neighborhood if men are too busy).
#2, you can build a make-shift coop for free, using pallets and plywood. Simply set 2 or 4 of them up against each other -wide at the base like a tee-pee - connect the pallets at the top with baling wire, or other bendable wire. Then find scrap wood, carpet or tarp and cover. It will do for summer anyway... plenty of time to arrange something else to work. Also, maybe someone will feels sorry for you - or your chickens, lol.
For power scrubbing- try a cheapo car wash wand (plastic brush on a 3' hollow handle that you attach to a hose).
Ah, gotta run for now- hope something clicks in place for you soon!