Linda's Backroad Musings
Thoughts about life and family
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Watching deer never gets old
Just for perspective, the area where the grass is higher is
only about 40 feet from the back of our house.
There are plenty of coyotes around which might be why Brutus and Jojo don't seem to bother them when they are here.
On a moonlit night we might even see some hanging around the windbreak. Then there is this!
Monday, March 28, 2022
Scarlett O'Hara Pieris
Kim spent a lot of time planning the replacement scrubs. We didn't actually plant everything until the fall of 2016. The timing and varieties were well-done on her part because we only lost one plant. It was an almost a perfect fall with a late freeze and good moisture.
There were once two Scarlett O’Hara Pieris plants tucked in a corner where the front juts out for the garage. This is the one that prevailed. Perhaps it was the location or the soil. Pieris plants like acid soil. According to my research, I should add some of our neighbor's corral compost we have in a pile for the best natural acidity. (More on that wonderous stuff another time)
Even though it has never been a fast grower, it continues to plug along with determination. I think it came back from the roots at least once. Kim said we should move it. However, it's become a favorite where it is located. I admire people and plants with spunk and determination
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Do you really want to know what I cook for dinner?
In the past
few years, I have not felt like writing on this humble blog. There were months when we mostly stayed
home. I do not think anyone would want
to read what I cooked for dinner each day.
The videos I
make are fun. I mostly try my hand
at making shorts. Both Instagram and
YouTube have that available. In the end,
writing is most enjoyable for me. And, more importantly, it takes hours to
produce a short five-minute video that is only marginally creative. I'm definitely a faster typist.
I do occasionally
post on social media, but I prefer a place where family and friends can check
in if they want to rather than have my activities randomly pop up.
Even though
I did not write here, I kept a journal for the past year and a half. I have
a printer (Canon and Kodak both make one) which enables me to include little
pictures in my journal. Definitely old
school—I will show you sometime. In the
end, journaling is a lot like posting here.
I have had
several ask me about my blog recently and my most loyal reader still checks in
(thank you Paul). So, I thought I would
give it another roll. Summer is upon us,
the garden is ready to plant, Dan has his projects and we are venturing out
in our little RV. All of these
activities provide fodder for pictures and words.
I am going
to try to put something on here twice a week—Tuesday and Saturday
mornings. Will see how that goes. If I find I’m once again not fulfilling my
promise, I’ll let you know.
Friday, March 25, 2022
Monday, August 09, 2021
Wednesday, March 03, 2021
Friday, February 19, 2021
Sunday, December 27, 2020
Christmas 2020
I found it especially important this year to remind myself
of all the wonderful things that have happened this year. Around Thanksgiving, it became clear we weren’t
anywhere near back to normal. Lockdowns
were not going away. That meant that
some things that have been tradition were not going to happen. Still there were a bunch of happy memories made this year.
Topping the list were graduation celebrations with family and friends. Then road trips with Dan, road trips with friends, and road trips to visit family and friends. Remodeling the PW, which I don’t think I’ve ever shown the completed project because, as usual for us it’s not quite complete. The garden was wonderful so we were able to preserve and share with neighbors and friends. Dan has been busy all year with his backhoe doing one project or another. We have enjoyed others pets and our own kitty. We have enjoyed conversations on porches, around fires and by phone.
There has been aspect of luck for Dan and I this year. Many times we could have been exposed to the virus. We have worn masks when out and about since the very beginning, but who knows. As I said, it just might boil down to luck.
Over Christmas, we were able to spend time with Kim, Marc,
Adam and Evan. Aaron was not there because
he is in Air Force Basic Training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio but he was able to be in touch.
About a month ago, I had this thought that it might be fun
to have an outdoor bonfire on Christmas Eve.
Several days later, I talked to a friend who lives in Wilson Kansas and
she said she was thinking a big bonfire would be fun on Christmas Eve. I told her I had the same thought. She said if two people are thinking the same
thought, it is a good one and if three people are thinking the same thought, it’s
from an Angel. When I mentioned it to
Kim, she said they were in. So, the plan
was made for what I like to call a “Pop up Christmas Eve Party” mainly because
it wasn’t finalized until the day of because of the weather. We just had a few neighbors and family down
and it was really fun. All outdoors on a
17 degree night.
I am thinking there will still be more celebrating. I’ll let you know. In fact, I am thinking I will make a New Year
Resolution. That would be to post on
this blog once a week. I think each Friday
would be a good day. Let’s see how long
I can go with this resolution in 2021 because I’ve made them before and
failed. I’m feeling good about at least
50 posts on this blog next year. Until then,
Merry Belated Christmas and Happy New Year.
I appreciate you loyal readers who hang in there with my musings. I truly appreciate your support.
Monday, November 30, 2020
Thanksgiving 2020
Thursday, November 26, 2020
Life Rings
Sunday, November 22, 2020
One Minute Garden 2020
Thursday, October 08, 2020
Monday, September 21, 2020
Persimmon Tree
We have three wild persimmon trees in our pasture. These were probably "planted" by wildlife eating fruit from a persimmon tree by a nearby home. Just like any other fruit tree, the yield varies year to year. Fruit on these trees have disappeared almost overnight when they ripen. I am sure the squirrel and raccoon have something to do with that. This year, however, they will be mighty full if they strip this tree and the other two near by.
I've tried to make persimmon jelly in the past. It wasn't as tasty as I had hoped. So, the critters can have at it!