June 13, 2016

Stevia?

Has anyone tried growing their own stevia for sweetening?

June 7, 2016

Dog Allergies

Our two dogs, a Great Pyrenees and a Mini Dachshund, both have some kind of environmental allergy going on. The itching/scratching/chewing is driving us all crazy--especially them. The vet checked them over, no fleas (they're on preventatives). I cook for them....usually grilled or boiled chicken, and veges. Sometimes livers or gizzards, and throw a little oatmeal in, but no corn or wheat.

Since its both dogs, I can't imagine what it would be. The vet said give them benedryl. They've been on it for 2 weeks, and maybe a little temporary improvement. Going to try medicated shampoo. Allergy testing would be exorbitant, and we'd have to drive 80 miles to Louisville to get it done.

Who else has dealt with this, and what did you do that worked?

June 5, 2016

How's about a little break from politics?

And fun!

Where does your screen name come from? I'll start. "Bayard" is French for bay horse. My guy.

May 25, 2016

What would you do?

We already had several fixed cats when we bought our little farm two years ago. The problem started when three strays showed up, and had litters when they were still just babies themselves. We ended up spaying/neutering 16 cats in the past several months. I said, that's it---NO more cats!!

So, wouldn't you know it, this little calico showed up, incredibly hungry. She was obviously dumped, very friendly and affectionate. Of course I fed her. And she had kittens in my barn. Three. As cute as they are, I'm saying......oh crap. Four more surgeries. I'm not about to take them to the pound. The closest shelters don't even accept new kittens anymore. I'm always afraid to just give them away. I almost took the last couple batches to the local pet store for adoption, then chickened out. Too much under the table dog fighting around here.....couldn't stand for any to be used for training them.

We go thru a 40 pound bag of dry catfood a week. Only 4 cats in the house, the rest are barn cats. We also have a couple of big insulated cat houses on the covered front porch. (they prefer sleeping on top of them). All have names, get personal attention (lucky my husband is also a cat person), and are obnoxiously friendly. I'm lucky I can give my own vaccinations. They are excellent at catching vermin, but to my sorrow, they also get the occasional bird.

So, what do you do?

May 17, 2016

Ebay Seeds?

Has anyone ordered flower seeds off eBay? I am SO disappointed, as I spent a goodly chunk of money getting enough to plant my new flower garden. Many different varieties, guaranteed to be fresh, all US sellers. They are not coming up, even easy ones like my two favorites, purple cone flowers and black-eyed susans. They were planted over a month ago now.

All the tubers I planted are coming up fine. The seeds I bought from Baker Seed are coming up. I don't get it. I can't believe all of these sellers are rip offs.

Ideas?

April 24, 2016

Deer

Got my big new vege garden in, and everything is starting to come up. Unfortunately, it seems to be a major deer thoroughfare. They jump the board fence, run thru, and jump the fence on the other sides leaving. I can't imagine what they'll do once everything is really growing, and lines are up for running peas and beans on.

What has worked for you? I can't leave the dog out all night.

April 11, 2016

Photos?

How do I post photos?

April 8, 2016

Ok to plant?

I've been working like crazy on my big flower lasagne beds. I know I started them very late this winter, instead of last fall, but still hoping to plant seeds end of month or so when the temps at night get above freezing.

But, its not having much time to cook. My whole front yard has been torn up and just about ready to plant. How successful do you think that will be? Have all my seeds ready to go, and the hollyhocks I've already transplanted are going to town. The layers have been cardboard, horse manure, thick layer of leaves, more manure, and dead stuff raked up from the pasture. Have plenty of free wood mulch to finish once going. One thing I'm thin on is good black dirt. Mostly red clay here.

My big vege field was plowed up last week, and my wonderful hubby bought a tiller to break up further. I just have to finish tilling, rake up some weeds, and its ready to go.

March 24, 2016

Eastern monarch butterflies may be doomed

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/tech/science/environment/2016/03/21/eastern-monarch-butterflies-may-doomed/82072636/

Restoring native habitat could reverse the monarch butterfly's downward population trend, scientists say.

Without help, Eastern monarch butterflies will go extinct in the coming decades, according to a newly published study. U.S. Geological Survey and Scripps Institute of Oceanography scientists calculate a substantial chance - between 11 percent and 57 percent - of what they called "quasi-extinction" by 2036. That means a population so small that recovery becomes impossible.


I'm planting two different types of milkweed in the garden this year.

March 13, 2016

Donald Trump threatens to send supporters to disrupt Bernie Sanders’ events

Source: Raw Story

“Bernie Sanders is lying when he says his disruptors aren’t told to go to my events,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “Be careful Bernie, or my supporters will go to yours!”

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/2016/03/donald-trump-threatens-to-send-supporters-to-disrupt-bernie-sanders-events/