heading for home and time in texas

I have spent the last two weeks enjoying the fun and sun in Southern Texas, and it has been joyful to spend time with my mom, who has lived there for approximately fourteen years. That is certainly a long time to spend in one place. I ahve lived in my current town for approximately seven and a half years. I'm in this town for the long haul. Tired of moving! What is unfortunate is I think I'm going to have to move again soon. I was able to enjoy a year in the house I currently live in, but the neighborhood went up for auction and it sold. They are clearing the land, probably to resell at a higher cost. I don't blame them really. The spot truly is prime real estate, which is why I lived there. It is right in the heart of the shopping areas for me. Kmart really close, as well as walmart and other stores. I hate to lose what I have put into the garden! That bugs the crap out of me! I know God has a plan, but dang it!

Mulberries and Juneberries!

Tis the season in this neck of the woods to gather Mulberries and Juneberries! I have been diligently gathering, getting ready for the end of the season. I've frozen quite a few, and some will be canned. I attempted to make Jam with some, but didn't add enough pectin, so it's a syrupy mess!

I went out this morning to enjoy God in His creation, and it was truly wonderful! I ate some mulberries off trees on the way as well as a few juneberries! I have eaten them since I was a child living in Germany. I'm so glad that someone thought to bring them here. I'm looking forward to putting them into muffins and the like, maybe find a scone recipe for them! Sounds very yummy!

As far as herbal foraging, I haven't been doing much of that. I've got some Kale that I can't wait to fry up in a bit of bacon grease! My sugar snap peas are starting to get little pods on them. I expect to be able to bring in a firstfruits offering to church from them. Can't wait really. I'm expecting God to bless my efforts. The other half said that while I'm in TX, he would weed the garden. I'd like to find some grass clippings already bagged up before he can get to it. I can smother them out that way!

I have noticed that blackberries are coming along nicely. The blooms have all fallen off and now the berries are taking shape! I'm hoping they do so before I leave, I'd like to harvest some of those. The grapes have some time I do believe! Multiflora are looking wonderful and smell awesome. There should be no shortage of rosehips like there was last year! That was my own mistake, never again. I use them to make Iced tea with, so that the benefits are there in the tea all year, plus I use them during cold season! I will post pics of juneberries soon!

cleanup days

Well, this is my favorite time of year for more than just my gardening efforts, but it is when all the college kids go home and pitch all their really good stuff out for the pickers. I love it. I'm on a search for windows, such that I'd like to construct a greenhouse from reclaimed windows. I have one window that has cracked into three pieces of glass that will be taped together. I'm not looking for anything pretty but useful. I'll tape the glass and use as is. Nice little coldframe when I'm done!

spite

To spite the sale of our neighborhood...I planted maters!!!Romas to be exact!

Stinging nettle

I went out this afternoon after sleeping all morning recovering from work. It had been raining off and on all morning, which makes it nice in the spring. Gentle rain, overcast, and not too cold. I headed over to Compton Park to look for the stnad of stinging nettle that I had harvested from sometime in April. I then proceeded to find some that was easier to get into and out of, so I went there. This nettle will be bound and hund in the office to dry for tea. It is supposed to be really good for arthritis. I'm pretty excited about this, because since I have so many diffrent herbs around me in town, I don't have to bug our friends from Smithfield to bring quite so much. I have found a source of pine, plenty of creeping charlie, plenty of raspberry leaves....hoping for raspberries as well, at another park, there is some multiflora rose, from which we will harvest rosehips this fall....crossing my fingers!

I still don't know bergamot or pennyroyal, which tastes wonderful!

Selling my neighborhood

I just found out today that my landlord is selling the trailer park I live in and this will occur on June 9th at noon. I look forward to seeing what all transpires at this event, as my whole life is wrapped up in this neighborhood, in more ways than one! ;)
I look forward to seeing how God plays this hand as well as how well I handle whatever comes my way. I had heard rumors that the house will not go in the sale, but who knows for certain. No one is saying anything in details. We are supposed to get a letter from our landlord soon.

God has not given us a spirit of fear
God has not given us a spirit of fear
but he's given unto us
a spirit of love
a spirit of power
and a sound mind

Tarrying

Tarrying for the fruit of my labor
it's hard
the hands stiffen with each sunrise
reminiscent of the nightwork
it means nothing, really
a true slave working drudgery
for the profit of another
and the worker stays poor
the only hold we have on the necktie
is that they don't have to be here
getting dirty
well...I'm on my way
thru an open door
that certainly won't hit me