Full Moon

The past few nights have been brightened by the fulling moon. 

I can see the boards fence, the trees, the outline of the distant mountains, the ghostly clouds quite clearly by the light of the moon.

As the moon light directly shines into my window and onto me,  I think that perhaps a pair of moonglasses would be in order or a swathing of moontan lotion - the light is that bright.  Only kidding, even though; the source of the light is the sun.

In reality, I relish the uniqueness, the unearthly aura.  I look forward to sleeping enveloped in this mystical glow;  to those nights which are illuminated by moon beams.  I am tranquil, at peace. 

And, in another 30 days, I will get to experience this unrivaled serenity over again.

What Happened to the Watermelon?

The verdict is in...the vine growing in the small, raised, flower bed on the mountain side (sometimes I call it the back of the house, sometimes the front) of the house is not the long anticipated watermelon, but decorative gourds instead - boo, hoo!

 

For the past two summers, we have been growing, almost by accident; the reddest, the juiciest, the best tasting watermelon ever in a small (4' X 10') raised bed adjacent to the deck.  Glenn and I usually sit on this deck to eat the dripping melon, then spit the seeds into the bed. The blooming flowers hide our bad manners. The following summer, those same seeds produce delicious fruit without any help from us.

This year, I decided to deliberately plant two different varieties of watermelon in that same bed.  I was getting the best of both worlds - my choice of melon with all the flavor.  What happened?  I guess I tempted fate as a gourd vine grew instead of a watermelon vine, any watermelon vine - how disappointing!

The gourds are beautiful and will make quite a lovely fall decoration, but they are not quite the mouth-watering, juice dribbling down the chin, sticky finger harvest we were waiting on.

Starry Sky

I was awaken by the barking of the fox. He was quite near, but by the sounds of his bark; on the move. 

I thought about my chickens...had they been closed-up for the night.  Becky was here for supper and she was given that task.  So, at 4:15 AM, flashlight in hand, I walked out to the chicken house.  Buddy joined me half way.  The chickens were secure.  Whew!  Thank you Becky.

The bonus from my early walk was the starry sky above.  The full sweep of my view was filled with stars, and a planet or two.  Gee, I wonder if I can get a picture of this. (I guess by now you have figured out that I am not only obsessed with writing, but also with taking photographs.) I quietly went back into the house, trying to keep from waking Glenn, and grabbed my camera and tripod.

Back outside, I set the camera for both night and starry sky trying to find which setting would get me the best night sky photo.  A very slow click....click....click came from the camera as it was on a fifteen second delay due to the darkness.

Not bad for a first attempt if you really strain your eyes.  No, those specks are not dust, those specks are stars.  If you look closely, you can see the constellation Orion, or at least, in part.

Hmmm...there will be a full moon soon...

Golden Silk Orb-Weaver

I was out in the garden early, as usually, to beat the heat. 

I noticed a difference in the air - not as humid, and more bearable - not quite the sense of autumn around the corner, but definitely a welcomed change.  I was able to putter longer than I have in recent weeks with no sweat running down into my eyes.  Sweet!  I was actually enjoying my gardening, again.

I went inside to fetch my camera.  I really should just keep my camera hanging permanently from my neck, as I always seem to be running to get it for a great photo op, then; I miss the op.

This time, I wanted to get a few pictures of our the three bucks - as in male sheep.  But, by the time it took to get the camera, they had moved into a combination sunny, shady area and the lighting was too tricky for my novice photography abilities.  I moved into the veggie garden hoping to get a few good vegetable shots.  Again, lighting all wrong.

Nevertheless, I did happen upon a golden orb spider that just nabbed what looked like a huge June bug.  He started spinning his prey - round and round.  A thin layer of silk swiftly held the beetle, then a few more turns of the spider's legs (all eight were working) and soon the bug was encased in a thick capsule of perfectly rolled white thread.  I quickly adjusted the  camera settings and took a few  shots.  I come upon golden orb-weavers quite frequently, but never had I seen any prey in the webs until now.  And, to witness the actual capture and spinning was absolutely amazing to watch. 

I wanted a video.  From past experience, a video without the aid of a tripod is always shaky, but I did not have time to retrieve my tripod.  I attempted the video, handheld.  Unfortunately, I was already standing unbalanced, a bit contorted, straining myself as I reached over a massive tomato plant to get my close-up photos (anything for that 'good' shot).  I was at a disadvantage. Within seconds, I felt myself falling. I was able to shoot about two seconds of video.

I am satisfied with two seconds.  I might never get a similar chance ever again.

For some reason, I always liked the orb-weaver spiders (as far as spiders go)  - maybe because I could always see them (they are large),  I always knew their location.

Time To Leave the Nest, in a manner of speaking

Glenn set the boundaries of the flerd's next move with electric fencing. The norm was one wire for the cattle; but now with the sheep, Glenn ran two wires hoping that two would be sufficient to retain the sheep within the limits of the day's feeding area. Before he was able to correct a 'short', the evening light darkened.  The release of the flerd would have to wait until morning.

I drifted in and out of a soft sleep all night listening to a few bleating sheep and a few bellowing cows spending their final night in the barn lot. Then I heard something  different, in the same location as the flerd; a series of short barks that kept repeating. 

I woke Glenn and we went out to investigate.  I was armed with a flashlight.  Glenn was armed with a flashlight and a '22'.  Upon reaching the fence dividing the yard and the paddock, Glenn 'ID'ed the sound as that of a fox.  Then, there was silence.  It was 2:00 AM.  Glenn went back to sleep.  I was fully awake, so I went to the office and paid bills. (Note: Fox do not attack nor do they eat sheep, chicken on the otherhand....)

Later in the morning, Glenn opened the paddock gate and gave a call.  It was time for the flerd to leave the security of the barn lot and begin the feeding rotation on the grasses of the main pastureland.  The cattle are at ease with this routine.  But, this is a first for the sheep.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that the fence will hold the sheep in. The cattle moved quickly onto the fresh grass with the sheep happily following behind. Sheep are natural followers.  Let the munching begin!

Glenn held the two steers, that had been keeping Ember company, back. They did not get to join the main flerd.  The South Poll was not pleased with the decision and jumped over the fence into the middle paddock - out, but not with the flerd.  I watched as this steer paced the fence. In an instant, the steer was chasing a small, red fox along the wooded fence line until the fox ducked, probably, into his den.  This had to be the same fox that we heard earlier in the morning.  What a thrill!  For me, witnessing a fox is a rare event. In any case, I think we might want to rethink Ember's company.  She seems comfortable with the three bucks as her new companions.  I do not think we need to include the two steers any longer.

Meanwhile, a few of the sheep have experienced the 'hot' wire and have been initiated.  So far, the majority of the sheep are following the rules.  But, the day is young.  There is still plenty of time to be rebellious.

One Man's Outlook

This morning I woke to a cloudy sky and dampness in the air.  Perhaps this is the day; as it feels like the best chance for rain yet!

We wearily continue through summer's  drought.  The ground, as hard as rock, stresses the plants/grasses more as each day proceeds without moisture.  We have been in this same circumstance many times in the past.  We know the weather will eventually break, but when?  We can really only wait to get the answer.

The cattle and sheep get use to each other within the confines of the three permanent barn paddocks.  One day per paddock. The bonding has been more successful and faster than anticipated.

Glenn watches the progress from the comfort of his throne - an old lawn chair set on top of a dirt pile, which was supposed to be relocated years ago, within the vast shade of the silver maple.  There, he watches over his animal kingdom - his sheep and cattle. 

Glenn can sit and watch for hours, happy and content, usually accompanied by his 'loyal subjects' - Buddy, Onnie, and Cricket.  Jake is present from time to time, but wanders off during one of his doggie senior moments.

Add a drink, and there is no leaving... coffee in the morning, iced tea at mid-day, and a lite beer in late afternoon.  Glenn is in heaven.

Wait Until Next Year

We planted four, scrawny grape vines three years ago.  Two years ago, we set the wires even though the vines barely grew tall enough to reach the lowest one.  This year we are eating a very diminutive sampling of one variety, maybe two by the end of the season. 

Reliance - ready to eat!

Blue Concord - just beginning to ripen

The vines are still compact, but they have doubled their size over last season.  They are following the standard regimen - slow, steady growth for the first couple of years to establish the vine, then begin to favor grape production after year three.

Himrod vine

Next year should be the start of a regular harvest.  I am looking forward to it.  My mouth is already watering.

There are two, seedless Blue Concords, just in case we want to make jelly or wine; one Reliance, a glowing red and so tasty; and a Himrod, a white grape perfect for golden raisins.  But, if we are too busy or too lazy; we can just eat all the grapes as fresh fruit, which I already do.  When I am out weeding or checking the chicken's water, I frequently step over to the vines and pick just a few of the ripe grapes and pop them into my mouth.  Even the smallest grape is packed with a sweet juiciness that is all grape. The flavor lingers on my palette, and satisfies my taste buds so that I can continue my chores without taking a real break - a quick and easy refreshment. 

Japanese beetles were my main competition for the grapes this year.  Daily, I would scan the vines, pluck those nasty insects into a jar of diesel fuel, and maintain my control over the 'fruits of my labor'. 

yummy!

Excuse me while I go get my morning snack of grapes....