A Little of This and That

As I sit and recover, I usually end up with too much time to think. I'm between books and the weather has been the typical Tule Fog of this time of the year with a few exceptions. With all that, I thought I'd share some thoughts.

Most of what needs to be planted has been. Thank you, Maureen. I can't do much in that realm yet. Today though is a nice, sunny day after a small rain. I will go out later and prune the peach tree, or at least help Wilson prune. We're pushing the limit of when they should be pruned, but the wet fog doesn't for an exciting time up a ladder. And yes, I admire those who are outside earning their living in this mucky cold weather.

The trees that need pruning are the in-ground big trees. The in the barrel trees have been shaped already. Those barrel trees have been the topic of discussion, as in they haven't all done well and maybe we need to get them in the ground soon. Also so we need as many as we have? Fruit is easy to get in this area, and relatively cheap. With our limited growing area we've been thinking of using the space to plant more vegetables. We still are uncertain about the sharecropper garden and what will happen there. So far we're still planting and working there. More to ponder.

Days like today make me want to get outside and do some work. A couple of weeks ago I did just that and hung a fence gate. Actually Wilson and I hung the gate with Wils doing the heavy lifting. I paid for it over the next few days and realized I did too much. Since then I've started physical rehab and can feel a difference. I still get tired easier, but seem to be gaining strength each week.

Which reminds me, am I older than my peers? When I go to church, rehab or my doctor, in general I am the youngest person by at least a decade. Nothing wrong with hanging out with older people, but it does seem strange at times.

I'll confess, I like to shoot. And shoot a variety of guns. Like any tool I think it's important to be proficient in using the tool, so that means more shooting. But that can be expensive. We've been discussing getting a new rifle, but will have to save for a bit. Then I watched a video and was reminded of archery. Less cost to operate and depending on what bow you buy it should be somewhat less than many rifles. Just another thought.

I was reading in the local paper that the San Francisco Bay area was having to limit and fine people for wood burning fireplaces because of poor air quality. Unlike the toilet bowl of the San Joaquin valley we live in, I always thought the Bay Area had an opening and air flow out to the Pacific that helped keep them relatively in clean air. I realize that the poor valley air is pouring over the hills along with the commuters to give the area worse air, but not to this extent. The article gave a surprising reason along with the commuters. The recent trend to entertain outdoors and the building of outdoor kitchens and pizza ovens has contributed. Or at least that is what the government can try to control. Or at least that is something the government is willing to try to control instead of all the cars on the road.

The night after reading the article I happened to talk to my brother-in-law that lives near the Bay Area and he mentioned they were on their 18th consecutive day of no burn restrictions. I have also heard that some the the Bay Area pollution is coming from China around the Pacific Rim and into the SF Bay area. Truly and example o what you do affecting others.

We may be closer to our first hoop house. We have been talking of cutting the concrete in the back and creating rows to plant in much like Salatin's Hoop House 5. We won't be cutting concrete soon, but we are talking of trying out a hoop house across the street to get a jump start on some vegetables. More on that if we do it.

The tree is calling. More thoughts later.