... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...

Latest Articles

... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
Page Previous 1, 2, 3 ... 295, 296, 297 ... 423, 424, 425 Next

Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own

Author

Message

gregotyn

Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 17 3:36 pm Post subject:

My trees are a good shelter belt even now as they have never been trimmed out at the bottom. I would put them in a vat of preservative and then leave to dry for 12 months before use to give them time to absorb and dry out. I want minimum leaching of noxious substances, but maximum time as posts!

Had a really bad day. Snow at 6 am. cleared windscreen with wipers and the one went over the other wiper due to too much snow-my fault. Then thought I would go to a friend's to get the wipers fixed and wait for him to appear; driving down to his place in the snow got a puncture. Set out to change tyre and friend said to leave it and do it at his place-he pumped it up and it got me to the workshop. I changed the wheel to the spare. then fixed the wipers as best and off to the place who will supply a new cross piece for the windscreen wiper and fit new air bags as they are faulty and will be paid for by Mitsubishi. The new tube for the windscreen wiper fitted is just over Â£200, 1 hours work. Guess I am in the wrong job-should have been a garage owner/fitter.
Work were a bit fed up as I didn't turn up till after 10 am. to tell them I wasn't going there today. If they get rid of me it will be a pain as the money is good, but they want me to be there, understandably, but things do happen. The boys have these phones which sing and dance, but I can't work them, so I don't bother! I have the theory that if I die who cares? not me for sure-I'm out of it!

I must not preach, MR, but could you cut more logs earlier in the season? or is it that you cut when logging material becomes available, i.e. falls down rather than cutting purposely for logs if you see what I mean.

I hope Cassandra is ok but it seems so from what you say.

In theory I am going to the works Christmas do on Saturday. It is a round trip of 50 miles in the dark and I am not looking forward the driving and I didn't like much on the menu-nothing simple as I like it, all with foreign sounding extras-Turkey and Christmas pudding both with some foreign sounding stuff on them,is all I understood so that's what I am having with no booze-25 miles back at night is not my idea of fun especially with snow about.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15575

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 17 8:07 am Post subject:

Yes, I forgot they stay quite bushy at the bottom if they are on the outside. You seem to have got the right idea about preservative too.

You seem to have had rather a bad day. Think part of the trouble is that the parts sometimes cost rather a lot too. We have stuck to Fords for that very reason but Mazda, which are cheaper, parts fit most places, but sadly not the back lights which we tried to replace with Mazda ones and they didn't fit.

We have tried to cut logs and put them in a log store, and I have been having some out of there, but we just put all shapes in, so have to sort them and I have had the ones from there now so am waiting for special ones to be cut. To go in our log bags they have to be fairly even or they won't sit in right and make filling the bags even worse than usual.

I hope you enjoy your works do. If it is a sauce or stuffing or something on the food, you can always scrape most of it off if you don't like it. You never know, you might find some of it quite nice. I agree about night driving. Not sure if it is because we don't do much of it now, or whether it is our age, but we are finding it increasingly hard too.

Had a slightly bothersome day yesterday as the man who had ordered one of my baskets by post paid and wanted it sent immediately. We packed it up, and husband, in a short break between log loads, managed to sort out the courier, which was defeating me, and took it down to the pick up. Sadly it was too late, so it will have to go Monday. Then had food bank, which was very busy again, then had a phone call to make which was a bit difficult, as it was to discuss aspects of a grant we are applying for. After that was able to relax a bit, so did some spinning in the evening and watched a couple of interesting programmes on TV.

gregotyn

Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 17 11:32 am Post subject:

I went to see my young neighbours last night and the female partner wants me to be taken to the works "do" and they would do it with pleasure. I declined, but viewed today's snow offering and decided to eat humble pie and ask if they would really mind and if they had not decided to do anything else. And they are going to take me, and I am very grateful. I don't mind, but don't especially like night driving, but do it-slower. Modern cars headlights seem to be much brighter-is this the LED revolution? Today's generation seem to be able to go at the same speed day and night and more and more seem to remember to dip their lights rather later than they should which does me in a bit. My main dark driving is around 4 to 6am so not so bad. Most drivers on the road our way are in timber lorries at that time and they are ok-they don't have the same inflated view of the width of their lorries, they know how wide they are! I digress, but I went to see them this morning to say if the offer still stands then I would accept, and they have-there is a God. They are a lovely couple the horse grazes my ground, which I give them for nothing as they have been so good in the past. He anticipates doing my fergy tractor up as a project. He drives one of those big timber harvesters for his family business. She has just got a new job in an agricultural merchants, so with luck cheap working trousers for me!
What a nuisance with the basket, MR, I hope it gets there in time for why he needed it in such a hurry. I would think spinning is very relaxing. The man who used to spin for his wife to knit in the back of his fruit and veg. shop in the village said that spinning was a way of taking anything troublesome out of the way for as long as he was spinning. I find wood turning is a relaxing pastime, I haven't found time for that for a few years, and worse I am not good at it either! But it is fun!
I find also that cutting kindling slows me down a bit-I have to take fire wood to the shop; there were 10 there last night and only 2 there this morning as I passed, so a return trip down to the town this afternoon-got to keep my little old ladies warm.

Jam Lady

Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2506
Location: New Jersey, USA

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 17 4:55 pm Post subject:

It's snowing. First storm of the season. Sticking to driveway and street. Expecting 2 to 4 inches.

Switched to a new hosting service for my web site. It's migrated over but I cannot convince the file transfer service to recognize the new IP address. I will try again after lunch (leftover chili with black beans and an egg over easy.) I'm good with cooking and gardening, ignorant with computer things. And no, that's not boasting. It's a fact. I'd really rather be baking Christmas cookies this afternoon.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15575

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 17 7:38 am Post subject:

I was a bit worried about you when I heard it was going to snow where you are, especially as you were a bit nervous about the night driving Gregotyn. Very kind of them to offer the lift, and worth taking them up on it.

Perhaps you should take up a bit of wood turning again, even if you are not much good. Still, like me, it seems you will be working hard to keep people warm for the foreseeable future.

I think the man only wanted the basket sent Friday as he would be at home to receive it Saturday, so hopefully not a disaster.

Jam Lady, hope the snow doesn't cause you any trouble. I suppose you are more used to it than we are. We don't get snow every year, so when we do it tends to be a bit of a steep learning curve. Also hope you get your computer sorted quickly.

I spent most of yesterday doing paperwork. We are applying for a grant for some equipment and the application form is a nightmare. I was trying to sort out the projected company balance sheets. How on earth do you work out what your outgoings are going to be in 5 years time when the price of fuel is up and down like a yoyo and can even be affected by whether a tanker can get into Milford Haven? Have made some guesses and hope they turn out to be about right.

Jam Lady

Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2506
Location: New Jersey, USA

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 17 4:16 pm Post subject:
This is precisely when we can expect the first snowfall. It's just that it is not usually so much. It's sunny. Overnight low was 23 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature has now crept up above the freezing point. Mr Jam Lord is tidying up the driveway and clearing out the cars. They get moved to the bottom before the snow begins to accumulate.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15575

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 17 7:59 am Post subject:

You have fairly stable weather then. We woke up to snow this morning and that is quite unusual for us. It is still snowing, so work could be a bit delayed until son gets in, or has to be collected, as his car isn't really suitable for this weather. I notice the traffic is at least going quite slowly, but as they are driving straight into what we tend to call a blizzard here, I am glad to see it.

You seem very well set up for snow, but as we don't get it every year, and when we do it is usually later, it is going to be a bit of a shock to our collective system here in the south of England.

Jam Lady

Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2506
Location: New Jersey, USA

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 17 11:31 pm Post subject:

Cassandra, when you are back with us here at Downsizer, still taking it easy but perhaps somewhat bored

I'd like to ask you about a New Zealand cookie, oops I guess I mean biscuit.

I just came across Afghan biscuits. Very buttery, little sugar, some flour, cocoa, crushed corn flakes. Chocolate icing and topped with a walnut half.

They sound very interesting. Recipes - easy to find. But why New Zealand decide to name them Afghan biscuits? Not so much information.

I turn to you as our fact finder on the ground. In fact, have you ever eaten one? Are they good?

In these PC times people are ranting about how incorrect the name is, so I want to ask before the PC police change the name / vanish the biscuits into who knows where.

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but satisfaction brought her back. TIA from a curious Jam Lady.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15575

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 17 7:53 am Post subject:
I have never come across those Jam Lady, not by that name anyway. Perhaps Cassandra has in her travels, as I think she was in NZ for a time. We had snow most of yesterday but only a light sprinkling stayed on the ground here. It cleared over in the late afternoon and we had a glorious sunset, but of course everything is wet and then it froze. Today is going to be interesting getting about.

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8600
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 17 1:48 pm Post subject:
Afghan cookies are good Anzac biscuits come a close second!

gregotyn

Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 17 2:32 pm Post subject:

We set off with 6 inches of snow and topped it up the next day-Sunday-with a further 7 inches. The roads were clear; our highways department round here are fantastic and keep all roads clear, if they can, so that even side roads get cleared. This allows farmers to get stock to market on Monday. I guess the council drivers like the overtime, I'm just glad I can get to work!

The weekend was interesting. On Saturday we had the annual Christmas do where our MD takes the staff out for a meal and pays for the lot. This was my 3rd time of going-always refused before then-explaining to the boys I get them all day and don't want them all night as well! This time we went to a place about 25 miles from me, and kindly my neighbours took me and collected me, and went to do their shopping in a nearby town so not a wasted journey for them. Then we got another 7 inches of snow the next night, so I dug that out and the girl will park on my patch to be able her to go to work today. I didn't get in to work yesterday till 12pm as I woke up late 7.30 am for some reason, but I have a cold and sore throat so that may have been the problem When you consider the alarm goes off at 4 am.
I also have a late day tomorrow. I have to take my car in to a garage as the air bags will fire shrapnel at me if I have an impact so that will be done free and a new windscreen wiper control arm fitted-Â£200, so an expensive afternoon! I will however leave work earlier than normal to make sure I have time to shop for a newspaper to occupy me whilst I am waiting. The garage is 20 miles from work in the opposite direction to home. 35 miles home in the rush hour!

You, however, Jam Lady, appear to have a lot of snow compared to us. I just hope it is not going to come over here to add to our current burden. You are well equipped to cope , I just have a shovel!

cassandra

Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia

Posted: Wed Dec 13, 17 1:12 am Post subject:

Afghan biscuits - not sure I have run into them, either here or in NZ. If they were Australian it would be because we have a lot of descendants of Afghans (and related areas) who came to Australia early on to run the camel trains that supported various hapless British explorers, but I am not aware of them having been active in NZ. There seem to be numerous explanations for its origin however, most of them speculative and highly romanticised. Edmonds Cook Book (gifted to every NZ bride) does not feature it until the 1930s so I guess it is a relatively recent invention.

Gregotyn, I have been watching the weather in your part of the world in horror for some days - I do hope it does not set in badly at this time of year, or the next few months will be no fun at all. Good of your neighbours to take care of you so well.

Apart from a really sloppy dressing on the part of the surgeon (now removed and being dressed by me), all went well, though my kind friends were badly inconvenienced because I did not go in at the scheduled time but seem to have been last cab off the rank (certainly in terms of discharge from post-op, where the staff were keen to get rid of me, but in a caring and considerate way). Stitches are due out on Friday but in consultation with my local doctor it has been agreed that can be done locally to save me a trip to Hobart for five minutes effort.

While I have been away they have been carrying out road works at our level crossing (to improve drainage, not safety), and the road will be cloased for two days over the weekend. This has created much consternation amongst newer arrivals as they have no idea where the detour will take them. I have no idea either but instead of bailing up innocent dogwalkers and demanding answers (as has happened to me several times now), I just googled it and satisfied myself I knew where it would take me (several kilometres out of the way).

Knitting has been the standard occupation but that has been impeded by Billy the Limpet who has claimed permanent possession of my lap (occasionally contested by Smidgen). I have had to lock him in the bathroom to resume contact with the outside world as a seated Cassandra is weighted down by a cat who is not satisfied with sitting on my lap, but insists on nudging my hand (a relentless pressure applied with the head) when I am trying to do anything more active than watching television.

So I am heading to Hobart tomorrow anyway, for another medical appt, but at least I am not having to do it two days in a row which is a relief both energywise and financially.

Jam Lady

Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2506
Location: New Jersey, USA

Posted: Wed Dec 13, 17 3:14 am Post subject:

Welcome back, Cassandra. Good to hear that all went reasonably well. Don't rush to push along with getting things done. Getting better is Job # 1 for you right now. Tell the cat to purr - it's supposed to have healing properties.

And for your amusement there's a thread on Ravelry about knitting with cats. Lots of pictures too - cats on your lap on your knitting, cats on your FO (finished object), cats looking imperious with yarn. I'd send a link but it's a members only site. No charge, just sign up. Lots of helpful stitching members to answer questions, find patterns, etc etc.

Cars back at the bottom of the driveway - it's been drizzling this evening and forecast night temperature of 18 degrees Fahrenheit could lead to skating rink conditions.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15575

Posted: Wed Dec 13, 17 7:17 am Post subject:

We had one day where it snowed most of the day then cleared over late afternoon, so froze overnight, then it was about freezing all day yesterday. Trying to pack log sacks with attached frozen on snow wasn't fun, but the exercise even warmed my hands up in the end. Last night it rained, so back to normal for us.

Hope you manage all right Gregotyn and Jam Lady. Go careful anyway. Your highways people seem very good Gregotyn. Ours are a bit variable, although the men do their very best for us. They have been gritting at all hours of the day and night, but we get a lot less snow than you, so we perhaps don't have as many snow ploughs as you. Farmers are contracted to do snow clearance round here; we were on the list for some years, but it wasn't worth it as it put up our insurance, so we have come off it, although in case of emergency we would still take the vans out with grit or supplies.

Cassandra, Billy seemed to miss you a lot then. Hope all goes well in Hobart and you get a clean bill of health.

I was on Ravelry once but I can't seem to get into it again. I will try again sometime and contact them if I am still locked out.

Had a phone call from the farm shop we sell sawdust to yesterday as they needed 4 more bags, in spite of saying they thought they had enough. Must be another big order for bacon for Christmas. Was a bit tricky digging it out as it was frozen on top, but once through the crust it was fine.

Jam Lady

Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2506
Location: New Jersey, USA

Posted: Wed Dec 13, 17 9:19 pm Post subject:

It only dropped to 20 degrees Fahrenheit last night, and the wind must have blown moisture off the driveway. This morning my sweet, kind husband walked down (before he had his breakfast) and brought my car up top. Thus I had an easy time departing for the Wednesday knitting group, followed by our annual luncheon at the cafe.

After which I went grocery shopping. This is traditional because more snow is forecast for tonight / tomorrow. So both cars are again being shuttled down the driveway.

The roads have a whitish look - the various road departments, both state and county, spray brine in advance of a snow forecast. It dries. Then when they plow the snow is easily separated from the asphalt. It is not just NaCl, there's other "stuff" in it.

And snow fencing is up in fields, somewhat back from the edge of the road. That way when we have heavy snowfall and it's windy the snow is trapped in drifts by the fencing. Sort of like the sand in the beach image I shared recently.

Currently it is a bitterly cold 27 degrees Fahrenheit at 4:15 p.m. with a wind that just knifes right through all the layers I'm wearing.

	Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own	All times are GMT Page Previous 1, 2, 3 ... 295, 296, 297 ... 423, 424, 425 Next
Page 296 of 425

View Latest Posts