community market

Well, I have managed to miss almost all of the Community Market this year. Yesterday was the penultimate Saturday, and I did make it down there under my own steam. (0.28 mile, counting the jog up to Mulberry to cross Carroll with a light, 13 minutes. Even crossing with a light was a little scary, as the light at Mulberry is much too short, even for people without healing ankles. And a fresh gust of south breeze blew my empty shopping bag out of  my stroller as I crossed. I did NOT attempt to retrieve it.)

I was hoping that the last hold-outs of the  farmers along the curb would be there, including Mrs. Beatty from whom I  could get a tongue and some ground beef, but their season is evidently over. The Community folks were going strong, though. I talked to some of the craft-persons, who said it has been quite a good summer. Good news for being a vendor next year.

Sadly, the tomatoes were gone entirely. Guess fresh homegrown local tomatoes -- the only kind worth eating --  are off the menu for the next six months. Bright red bell peppers were in some abundance, as well as pipsqueak eggplants, and early greens. So I got a pretty good stroller-ful of goodies.

I bought tiny eggplants, some tomatillos, and mustard sprouts from  this gentleman. His partner was kind enough to  to document the occasion. I think this was Denton's Backyard Farms' booth.

faster, farther, and outside!

A month ago Dr. Whatley pronounced my tibia fully knit, and said I could do whatever I felt up to. So Kay and I forthwith went to Choice Med and gave them back my wonderful Camel-scooter, and I have been more or less on my feet since then. Here is the line-up of my walking aids:

Stroller, Stick, Walker, Big Black Boot

At first I wore the boot for support whenever I put any weight on the joint, and I took most of my right-foot weight on my hands. So much so that I developed extremely painful pressure sores on the heels of my hands -- bad idea. Took days and days to heal. The boot was good to have, once the stitches had healed and I needed it for support. They just gave it to me a month too early.

I think the last time I wore it may have been to the Naturalist meeting September 20th. Now I don't need it at all any more; I can put all of my weight on the right foot. Two days after that  meeting I fixed up the broomstick with the walker-leg-end tip, and used it Sept. 23rd at Zilly-boy Park at the Interpretive Center and to get to the lake-shore to go swimming. Good thing I got my swim in,  because we have now had a real cold snap, almost a frost, this past week-end, and I don't think I'll be swimming outdoors again till next year. Oh, well.

Last week Ben got the very flat tires of Tom's old stroller fixed up, and I have new gone on a couple of walks OUTSIDE! On the SIDEWALK! Around the BLOCK! That is, today I made it around the Bernard-Mulberry-Carroll block. 0.7 miles. Though I was lagging, and taking baby steps, by the time I got  back. Still, I made it, down the drive (talk about baby steps! and much use of brake), around the block, and back up and to the ramp. And as a reward, look what is blooming in the front yard since the rain a week ago.

Schoolhouse Lilies AKA Red Rain Lilies

winter, but sunny

I had a nice fire last night as temps went down into the thirties. 8 smallish logs (most 3-4”, one 6” or more) lasted about 4 hours. Agate was happy in my lap for much of the time; Alabaster was off somewhere else. I missed Tut, curled up sleepily watchful on the futon couch.

This morning, clear and sunny, it was just under freezing at 7:30, so I didn’t bother to go look for frost-flower sculptures. The forecast was 27°, and I had the herb bed all covered up again. The rest of the week is just supposed to be in the low to middle thirties, so I will uncover it and water and let it get acclimated to winter.

With the sun shining it’s up to 40° by just after 9:00am.

10:30 - 50° - went on walk. First down to persimmons to nail down ID of second one. Got a twig off it and the one I found with fruit, and the leaf-scars and buds are identical. Need to bring binoculars to see if that is a last persimmon up high in the larger one.

Walked from tank down through path in woods and then back on the lane. Tried to go through the old broken white gate, but it has shifted so that its chain is too tight to open.

Something is happening at the gas-well site. Couldn’t make out if they had a folded-up crane, ar if maybe they have brought back a derrick that’s still on the truck. Later - looks like they are putting up a derrick again. Hmmmm.

Found several persimmon seeds in the lane sand near the house, where I have evidently driven over a seed-laden scat.

Bee notes: By 10:30 it was fifty; by noon a bit over sixty. Bees coming and going, bringing in a good bit of orange and dirty-white pollen. I assume this is from the eleagnus, still perfuming the air and buzzing with bees, and the remnant of scarlet sage in the corner of the yard under the hackberry, which seem to have been protected from outer-space cold so far and still have quite a few scattered blooms. A few days ago these pollens were in the minority as about five out of six loads seemed to be golden yellow, the last of the broomweed and maybe other comps. They are about all gone now.

muggy ugh

Oh, ugh. Sunset, overcast, 85°, and 63% humidity. The AC is not on because it isn't hot enough,and the room fan is just circulating the fug. I think I'll go adjust the thermostat, and electric bill and global warming be hanged! Weather says that areas that had rain are in the 70s, but we didn't. Weather, weather every where, and not a drop to fall.

Actually today it seemed fairly cool, in the afternoon. I believe it must have been raining up on Mingo Road, or Aubrey, or somewhere. I walked to Point Bank, and there were noticeable northeasterly cool breezes.

Walking that mile and a quarter was no problem. The second one, on the way BACK, did wear me out, especially that hill at the end. Stopping when you are only half way to tired is always the problem. Besides, I needed to go to Point Bank to put in a check for Crispin.

Yesterday Eddie and Stephen put in 4-1/2 hours clearing the sides of the lane at the Ridge -- the lower half is looking quite inviting. They were able to cut the dead tree at the kink in the road. Meanwhile, I excavated the herb bed from the Johnson grass that was threatening to overwhelm it.

I took some more pictures of the progress on the honey frames. Or make that non-progress. They don't look any more capped than last week, and they almost look as though the bees have been eating all the honey out of some spots. Sigh. Won't be a harvest at this rate. John tell me the rule of thumb is that you can harvest when they are three-quarters capped. I sent him this picture, and he said it was a beautiful frame of honey. Now all they have to do is FINISH it!

They continue to bring in lots of pollen. I got some video of that that I hope to get on Youtube or Fileden soon.

Ugh. Wrists are sweating all over the laptop. Off to set the AC lower.

hot ...

11 pm and AC going, hot and muggy outside. Remind me again why I wanted the rain to stop ...
Not near as hot as it might be. I walked probably 2-1/2 miles this afternoon between 6pm and 8pm, to the bank and City Hall (utility bill) and the Cupboard and home, and it was pretty much OK. Mid-nineties. But still 84° after 11pm.
Going to be sore tomorrow, probably.
Just put in my order for medium frames, small cell foundation, extra veil (for Tom or whoever) at Walter Kelley.