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Thursday, February 23, 2017

Thises and Thatses

My commute this winter has been particularly challenging.  Besides the icy mountain road - sometimes also thick with fog - there seems to be a preponderance of drivers who use the "short bursts of consciousness" method of driving.  I'm sure it's texting-related, because how hard can it be to drive a 1000#+ piece of metal on a winding road covered with frozen slush, while sending an extremely urgent text to your pals most likely related to bodily functions or television shows.  Idiots.


While I'm peeving, what is it with people who don't bother to use their turn signals until they are halfway through the turn? 




I am chomping at the bit - I am so ready to get into my garden.  I find February and Farch probably the most frustrating of all winter months.  Right now, the temperatures are going up to 60 during the day and there is...wait for it...sun.  We are also supposed to get rain for three days.  Ooooh.  I just can't wait to be ankle deep in muck.  Especially when I am sure it will freeze solid when I'm just ready to accept that spring is early.  Pfft.





Bertie continues on his snow adventures.  The latest - now that it's melted and frozen a few times and not as easy to run through - is to shove his entire head in the snow and plow.  I could watch them for hours.  Notice the absence of The Pepperoni?  He is inside, wrapped like a burrito on the sofa.

Last weekend I made a favorite recipe - Quinoa Bake - as I had a butternut squash to use up and I always have quinoa.  I was wondering why I hadn't made it in quite a while...I had forgotten that it requires the use of almost every pot and pan in your kitchen and clean-up is endless.  I do really enjoy it, however, and I guess I can stand washing pots for an hour once a year.  I also started to clean out the office/craft room/plant room.  Again.  I set up my mini greenhouse and got out my seedling mats.  I know it's too early to start seeds, but at least it made me feel a little more hopeful.  I will take a look at what I'm starting this year and see if there is anything I can sneak in early...patience is not one of my virtues.

As excited as I am for spring to arrive, I cringe at the thought of how much clean-up there is going to be.  Lord Almighty.  With 40+ chickens cooped up in the coop, and four ducks cooped up in the duck house, I might need a front end loader.  If things thaw a bit, I might try to tackle the giant pile of llama beans and get a layer tossed on my rhubarb.  I have made a list of projects for 2017 and, as usual, it's a little over the top.  I may have to prioritize it to rein it back into reality.  I have to build a new hay feeder - my fat sheep have pulverized the existing one (which was fished out of a friend's burn pile 10 years ago), I need to put up at least one more rain barrel for the chicken yard, I need to work on my fencing (more destruction by fat sheep), I'd like to build a high top for the cold frame, I need to re-cover my fuel tank shelter, ditto the hoop house.  Then there is replacing the railings and one set of steps on the back deck, a pergola built over said deck so that I can enjoy it in the summer, work on my erosion problem, rebuilding the pump house, building a three-stall compost structure, rebuilding at least two raised beds, replacing the herb raised bed, replanting the back beds in flowers, skirting 50 fleeces, you get the picture.  Oh, and I must clean out and reorganize the big shed, put a gravel surface in the carport, defrost my freezers, clean out my gutters, have snow rails put on the roof, clean two sides of the house, clean the outside of the gutters....I need a nap.





25 comments:

Florida Farm Girl said...

So, Susan, when you get done with those piddly chores, what are you going to do with all that free time? :)

Mama Pea said...

First off, you are in trouble. Your summer list of projects is starting to look like ours. And I personally know how unrealistic (not to mention impossible) our list is.

No chomping on the bit to get started on gardening here yet. As much as I love to garden and never want to be without it, I looooove my winters which allow me to be inside more than outside. Well, most years. This winter has been way too busy and I'm not relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to hit the garden plots.

I'm with you 100% with the stoopid drivers. I'm not on the road anywhere near as much as you are (that's for sure), but when I'm wanting to pull out onto a road waiting for the line of cars on said road to pass and there's the guy at the head of the line who doesn't put on his turn signal until he's into the turn (as you describe), I have this nearly overpowering urge to ram into the side of his vehicle as he s-l-o-w-l-y turns in front of me. Good thing I'm well-adjusted enough to curb my road rage instinct, isn't it? :o/

Sue said...

I love lists---even long ones. Guess the best thing to do is put the important ones at the top-----and work your way down.
I hate texters too. I wish there was a gadget that one could press and their phones would blow up in their face.
Gosh I'm ornery today too!

Michelle said...

I need that recipe; I have butternut and quinoa.

Theresa Y said...

Your list is as long as mine. I guess we'd best get cracking...after our naps :-)

jaz@octoberfarm said...

we've been having 70 degree weather so i am getting little things done outside. arghhhh...where's my winter!!!

Mama Pea said...

P.S. Aren't you glad you got Bertie for Lovey? (Oh, wait. You thought you got him for you!)

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh dear just reading what you are going to do makes me tired and feeling lazy ;). I love quinoa and butternut squash I would make that. MUD yes I know of it yuk.
There is a huge fine here in Ontario Canada and loss of demerit points on your drivers license for anyone caught texting and driving. They do not fool around here. Too many people have lost their lives for nothing because of it. Have fun in the nice weather ahead what ever that may be :) Hugs B

Sandy Livesay said...

Susan,

Bertie and Lovey are just loving the snow a bit to much:-)
I wish their energy would rub off on us when it's cold and there's snow on the ground. They're adorable playing in the video you placed up on your post. Thanks for sharing your pups with us. I always love watching videos on animals.

Even though you're waiting to plant your seeds in your greenhouse, you're already prepared.....that's more than I am right now. I'm deep into packing boxes, and donating stuff.

OMG.....girl your spring to do list has already tired me out. There's so much to do, are you sure you're going to be able to tackle all of this yourself? We're renting a bobcat tomorrow to move soil from the old garden boxes....If we were closer I would drive over and help you!!!

Watch out for those crazy drivers.......looking at their cell phones and texting is more important than actually driving. I have a resolution for that it's called a Taser. Tase the crazy driver, and he/she is immediately gone....they just disappear!!! I can wish can't I?

Hugs,
Sandy

Rain said...

That is quite a list! I think I have one just as long...but I tackle things really slowly so I don't overwhelm myself. I have "sand and repaint kitchen cabinets" on my list and it's been there since 2015! Your dogs are so adorable...I love seeing happy dogs together. Our huskies do the same thing as Bertie...you wonder how they breathe under there...they stay under for so long, lol...like ostriches!

ElaineChicago said...

Hire a "helper" person to come over and do those chores. It's not worth making yourself crazy!!

Susan said...

FFG - Hahahaha! I bet I am even busier when I finally retire.

Susan said...

I was thinking of that, as I wrote the list. Can I borrow Baby Pea, aka Chicken Mama? Can I? :) I DID get Bertie for Lovey. She was so depressed when we lost Scrappy, I couldn't stand it. Now we all love Bertie - The Pepperoni does, too. With reservations.

Susan said...

Sue - I have to say that enjoy writing up my list way more than actually checking things off - only because it takes so darn long to make a dent. I would love to invent a remote control stink spray that would give them a blast every time they looked down when they drove. I'm ornery every day... :)

Susan said...

On it's way.

Susan said...

Theresa, you go first.... :)

Susan said...

Jaz - What winter? The three weeks of snow in between all the mild weather? I just want it over now. If it's not going to behave like winter, then it can go away.

Susan said...

Buttons, we have fines and regulations here but I rarely see anyone pulled over because of it. If they want to commit suicide, then go ahead - but they usually hurt someone else as well.

Susan said...

Sandy - What is this? Packing boxes? LOL! I like your taser idea. Wouldn't that get them focused...! Just think of all the wonderful gardening in your (near) future! I really love to take videos of the dogs - I can't get enough of them! xoxo

Susan said...

Rain - Well, sanding and repainting kitchen cabinets would be at the bottom of my list! It's like The Pepperoni - he insists on being swaddled (head and all) firmly in his fleece blanket before falling asleep. I don't know how he can stand it, let alone breathe.

Susan said...

Elaine - I would give my right arm for minions...

Susan said...

Just adore those happy, alert, tail wagging pups. We are in mud season here and little paws are busy digging holes. Love the list, mine is a five year plan-two years left and hardly a thing crossed off,not to mention the things I keep adding.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

I love your video. Dogs are so funny in the snow. We have zero here. Your list reminds of my own list. I think my list is carrying over year after year sadly. I need to hop to it and get some things done.

Fiona said...

Is he mouse hunting?

Erin said...

Ugh, I feel you on the driving. I can't really write much about it, but suffice it to say that I am lucky to be alive right now... my medical "stuff" that has been happening is the result of a distracted driver. Someday I hope I can share the photos of myself and my car. Stay safe out there.