It's Monday and no one has started it so here it goes. Been rushing around trying to get a bunch done before I go to my daughter's for the week to help her stay in bed. Bed rest with 3 little children is next to impossible and her husband just has to go back to work.

I did manage to figure out that I could save my favorite links to a floppy disk so I can easily find the forum etc. at my daughter's. I really do find this forum to be my "port in a storm". Something about just knowing that I can access freinds so easily is very reassuring.

I have found myself experiencing a bit of anxiety every time we talk about opening up to new members. Never do change very easily and it seems like we are doing pretty good. Maybe too good?? Like jz and joj never visit anymore..........are we boring???? I received e-mail from rick this weekend asking about the forum. I think he thinks it was my doing that he was not admitted. I have tryed several times to explain to him that Jim had been absent and we had just stayed very small for a while and to just e-mail Jim and see what was happening.

I guess I am rambling; just having a lot of mixed feelings about "growing" and what that means. My husband still thinks it a bit odd that I have "friends" that I have never meet, although after meeting Sherri he started to get a better idea of how we could actually make friends with someone without meeting face to face. I hope everyone has a great week.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Answers

Meeting online friends is exciting and terrifying. I mean, what if the "online" person is so very different from the real thing and they are a total wanker? I have been very lucky in that most of my online friends have been just as terrific in person. I understand your concerns, Di. If it ain't broke don't fix it..lets keep it cozy.. But at the same time part of the fun is introducing our friends to each other don't you think? Maybe I have no room for opinion being new to BTS myself but I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and truly enjoy those that visit here. I trust their judgement that whomever they nominate is a half decent and intelligent individual. They let us in didn't they???? LOL :o) I think its very kind of you to go visit you daughter and help her out. My mom was absolutely no help to me when I had my babies and I had a very bad time of it and could have used some in house support when my husband went back to work. I was only on bed rest with the first so didn't have you daughters problem of bed rest with kiddies but the post partum depression with both was debilitating. We all pulled through though. My hat is off to you, Di. I hope you enjoy your stay with your grand kids and have heaps of fun with them. This weekend was great! I learned how to yank off a rooster's over grown spurs (yuck), how to sex my rabbits (uh-oh), chicken wired the wall between coop and barn and installed an old storm door to it so the chickens are confined to their coop now and the sheep will have a tidier time of it. 60 bales of lovely fine hay were delivered and are in the loft keeping things cozier, and my husband started building pens in the barn for the sheep. It was gorgeous when we got up saturday because it had snowed and everything was under a "mantle of white". It was so beautiful! Then Sunday it rained and blew ferociously. Through the night it shifted and was a real gale, shaking the house, and rattling and creaking. When I got up with the kids I discovered that the rain had changed to snow so we have white ground again. But my that wind was strong last night!!! Starlings have taken over the feeder today the darn rascals. Oh well, I guess everyone has to eat and I have lots of seed. :o)

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

I am buying anther Blazer to replace the one that left with her. Watching my spring garden starts for the outside garden pop up in their containers (my indoor garden is really going good still ). And best of all, my weekly weigh in shows I lost another three pounds (can I get a big mac as a reward? :>)

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Only if you want to regain the three pounds, Jay -- sorry!

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Thanks for the encouragement Alison. This visit is a bone of contention with my husband and I. My daughter has never asked me to do much of anything before. We have had a long history of mis- communication and what not that I won't go into here, but the root of it has been she thought my goats were more important to me than her because I missed the birth of her daughter because my goat was kidding. (she never mentions that we had been barely speaking and she had not asked me to be there, but the bottom line was that I was not there and we both felt bad about it) Now that same doe is due TODAY and showing no signs of going into labor and she is a very old doe that I never would have bred but she let herself in to the buck pen behind my back!!! Hubby is major pissed that I am leaving since he refuses to handle kiddings, and I told him if he was that concerned about it either call one of our Amish neighbors who all keep sheep or ship her but I needed to be there for my daughter.

I love my old goat, but my daughter and grandchildren are going to hopefully be here for many years to come and I have to put them first. So, sent some prayer or energy or whatever this way that my old girl will kid before 11:00 tomorrow morning when my son-in-law gets here to take me off to the big city!!!!

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

That's a great story about your daughter, Diane! So glad things are better now between you and your daughter. When you said "I love my old goat.." I thought maybe you were talking about your husband! :) Hopefully your doe will do fine on her own.

I share some of Diane's anxiety about new members too. I wonder if we should come to some agreement on criteria for new folks,or in other words, what are we looking for in community? In countryside, its all about homesteading, and its still a good place to go for solid info in that arena I think. But this place is an entirely different animal to me anyway. Whatcha think?

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

I know I've nominated a few folks - Cass, Phyllis, Ali and Terry. I knew them either personally or from other forums or e-mail, and felt that they would be a good fit for this forum. Sometimes I feel, what - maybe a lull - in the conversation here. This forum is a large part of my intimate interaction with other humans. You folks know me better than a lot of my extended family members! I'm comfy here in saying what I want to say, or being as dorky as I sometimes feel that I am. But, sometimes when I come here and nobody is talking, I wish maybe we had some new blood to keep things lively.

Alan and Ernest are both easy to get an handle on by doing a google search and reading their old posts; or looking currently on CS and CF. They remind me of the group here - just can't quite stuff them in to any of the other forum "molds"! Ali, does your friend post anywhere in particular that we might be able to get a handle on her?

Well, on to home news: got home this am and had to take Hubs to the doc. He has been having chest pain and dizzy spells; had a bad one last night but waited for me to come home from work this morning instead of coming in to ER last night. MEN!! His Daddy died of a massive heart attack at 45; so they are thinking of doing a cath which should reassure him if it comes back negative, as I feel sure it will. His EKG showed only some common abnormalities and his stress test and lipids were fine. I think he's having anxiety attacks myself. He remembers feeling the same way as he watched the news reports of the 9/11 attacks. The current economic situation - lots of lay-offs and closings around here - doesn't help. And, he's recently admitted that he can no longer physically participate in the hobby that he's been involved in for nearly 25 years - motocross racing - knees just won't take any more abuse! The doc gave him some Paxil to try; and I'm going to try to wean him away from TV, as I think being bombarded with bad news and people are evil stories and made up problems is probably exacerbating his anxiety. Wish me luck!

I've decided to let Pop out of the attic this spring after all. In fact, I, err, ummm...asked him to order me some rhubarb and raspberries when he sent in his order for the 2000 more strawberry plants. Listen for that dull thunking sound long about July - that will be my head hitting the wall as I wonder why I ever thought this was an okay idea!! By the way; here's an unpaid shill:

Daisy Farms, Small Fruit Nursery; 28355 M-152; Dowagiac, MI 49047. (616) 782-6321 www.daisyfarms.net

Family owned concern and David Daisy is a great guy - looking forward to talking to him if he makes it to a trade show this far south this year. We've dealt with him for many years and have never been unhappy with either the quality of the plants or the service. He treats his small customers like us as well or better than his large ones. Only problem we've ever had was when we waited to long to order and a variety has been out of stock - and Pop's tendency for procrastination certainly can't be blamed on Dave! And when they didn't have what we wanted, what Dave recommended always worked out good for us anyway - that's how we got hooked on Jewel strawberries.

Okay, back to gossip...Hubs is building me a new seed starting shelf by reworking a tire rack he'd made for his bike tires. It's not quite 4 feet long, so my grow lights will stick out a bit over each end - I figure I'll have them hanging over on opposite ends and that way I can put taller plants on the floor under them. I'm going to get the tomatoes outside earlier this year by making a temp cold frame with straw bales and old storm windows. Hmmmm - wonder what neighbor Mike did with his old patio door last week when he put the new one in? Note to self: Self - bake chocolate chip cookies; invite Mike over to walk fields and look for arrowheads. Hee-hee-hee!

I'm trying to decide whether to use (gasp!) bleached white paper towels from the store for my seed squares this year or to go with brown tri-folds. I guess I could go really cheap and cut newspapers to size, but the towels are already a good size. I need to figure ut some sort of grid I can use for spacing the seeds. Last year I just sort of winged it and got them too close. Maybe cardboard templates with holes cut in them at the correct spacing? Where's our resident engineer when you need him?! Oh, Jaaay!!!

I sooooo want to get out in the garden and DO SOMETHING!! Today was the last day of my weight/lifting restriction so I am ready to go move some poop!! I still have one load of composted manure from the sale barn dumped in a pile by my garden (need I tell you how Pop feels about a manure pile in the front yard? ;o)!) One of my co- workers has horses and has offered me all the horse pucky I want; downside is I have to hand load it. Are biceps sexy on old women?

I'm thinking about doing my indeterminate tomatoes like this: Dig a 2' hole with the post hole digger. Set 8' T post in hole. Add about 6" moderately aged horse manure (I still want some heat in it). Dump in about 4 to 6 more inches of sand, soil, compost mix, firm. Plant tomato on top, leaving it maybe 4 or so inches below cround level. Cover with plastic jug or pop bottle hot cap. Fill in hole with soil as plant grows. Tie to post as plant grows. (Or do this around one of Jay's tomato rings.) I was hoping that maybe the bottom warmth plus the hot caps would allow me to put the plants out earlier. Do you think I need more soil and less manure in the bottom of the hole? I really don't want to burn the roots. How long will it take the 'mater roots to grow down into the manure?

Wonder if when I make that cold frame if I made it 2 bales high on the back and sides and one bale high in the front; then layered the bottom with fairly fresh horse manure and covered it with some leaves, then newspapers and sand; if that would make it nice and toasty for my plants. I wasn't planning on planting them in the soil in the cold frame anyway, just setting the plants in their pots in there; since it will probably be almost warm enough for chard, spinach and lettuce by the time I get it built.

Any comments? Suggestions? About either idea - or anything else, for that matter?!

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Thought perhaps I should clarify before anyone got to thinking.......I was not questioning anyone's judgment about who should be here. No nothing like that. Just how do we find the balance between lively and interesting and the small, close community that we seem to have now. Just questions.....perhaps a whole thread on what everyone thinks we should have or they want?? Community goals?? Or am I just getting way to out there and complicated??

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Polly,

To achieve proper spacing I have used many techniques. My favorite since doing SFG is to start my seedlings in oblong window boxes lined with multiple sheets of newspaper. I pour in the potting mix and "wrap the package " in the box. Then select my spacing and cut holes to plant the seeds and feed regularly. When transplant time comes, the 3 ft box goes to the SFG and is layed in the spacing trench. Zero transplant shock.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

diane,

My "most important " thread posted on CS sort of went in the direction your talking of. I used the one question as an unscientific poll to indicate the community mix with 50 entries.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Whoops! I wasn't clear about what I was looking for, Jay. I use thumbtacks and twine out in the garden for planting seedlings like maters, broccoli etc.. no problem there. What I'm looking for is something to use with your paper towel idea for planting seeds in the garden (or you might have said newspaper and I just used paper towels; not sure as it's been almost a year now). Where you used glue to dot the seeds onto the paper and then planted paper and all in the garden? I used this idea last year with great success, except I put too many seeds (too close of spacing) on each towel. I don't want to have to get a ruler and mark off the proper spacing on each towel. I was thinking about maybe a grid using soda straws and those little metal things used to hold papers together; but that wouldn't allow for the offset spacing that I use that allows me to cram more plants in each area. So then I thought about drawing each of the different spacings out on towels and tranferring it to cardboard or stencil plactic (or making my own out of bleach or soda bottles) so that I could just put it over a towel and dot my glue on, then take it off and drop the seeds and be done. I guess if I made them out of plastic, then I could use them out in the garden for transplants that use the same spacing; tho onion sets is about all I can think of at the moment.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Polly,

For spacing in my SFG I use an old multi pane window with no glass for a squares template and chicken wire templates with this for tighter placements when neccesary. For rows, I like laying black mulch plastic with a two inch space for planting if I intend to remove the plastic.Or I lay plastic and cut holes for the plants to grow in (this aids in watering during dry seasons).

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Thanks Jay!

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

College classes started this week and I'm scared as could be becasue I havn't been in a classroom for 10 years!! I'm afraid that even though I've bought a book on studying (that appears to be good, I'm reading it the second time now) that I'm gonna find out all those brain cells are dead from too much herbal remedies the first few years after leaving college the first time. How long does it take to train the remaining cells, anyway??

I have only one rooster, and the poor things caught a leg on a fence yesterday, and looks to be in bad shape. I've cleaned the leg, and put him in his own space, but he looks depressed. I sure hope I don't loose him, as he's supposed to help get the next generation underway this spring.

I wish I felt O.K. with all this!! Aagh! I know I don't always say a lot, but I sure could use an encouraging word today.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Marty, take heart!! School is lots easier the 2nd time around. I got out of high school in '76; went to college 78-80, 91-92 and 95- 97. The later years were much, much easier!!

I studied an average of 1 to 3 hours a week the last time I went to college and those were for my nursing classes. The trick is not to leave the classroom until you understand what the teacher is talking about! If the instructor doesn't offer a class outline/timeline; go to their office and bug them until they give you one! That way you can look over the material the night before class and write out your questions BEFORE the instructor covers the material. It's really important to do this. That way, when you listen in class and if they haven't answered your questions - ASK! And if you still don't get it; ask again. And if class is over and you still don't get it; go to their office and ask again!

Since you are an adult student, most campuses have an organization for adults students - sometimes even a nice quiet area where you can go study away from the kids. There will probably be someone there who can help you with your classes if you get stuck. Most campuses also offer tutoring if it is a really big problem. Or come here - maybe we can help!!

And remember - you've got a ton of life experiences that are going to make understanding stuff in class easier. Plus, you're married, so you aren't worrying about the opposite sex or partying or being drafted or any of the other stuff the kids have on their minds. You are used to getting things done, so you'll find organizing your assignments and homework a breeze. You're gonna do just fine!!

What are you studying, anyway? What classes?

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Seed spacing can be done with a piece of chicken wire since the holes can be about 1 inch apart depending on your gauge. I think I got that idea from Tips For The Lazy Gardener by Linda Tilgner. Its my fave gardeneing book. I don't know whats up with me but I just am not getting into garden mode yet. I have catalogues and everything!! Whats up with that?!

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

My husband took a stone job over 1 1/2 hrs.away so life here has been tough,he leaves at 4am amd tries to be home by 8 pm so I am solo with all the chores and children. I am grateful he has work but I think this has crossed the line. The job may end by March and then the regular spring jobs start so I guess the gardens and all will once again be my job.Am I complaining? yep you bet I am LOL.I think it was on the CS forum where someone said that she thought the day would come when her husband wold walk in and see mud again and that would be it,he would be gone,well I have this feeling mine is about to do the same.Lastnight he asked why I bought more geese,well I have not they are the babies from last year,he still does not believe me. I wonder how you can miss something like that for a year?!

The kids are all doing well. The twins have figured how to escape from their cribs,Sadie is moveing into 2nd grade she is 6 and Adeline is almost done K she is 4.Cabin fever has not really set in yet so we should be fine.

I will be working on makeing the run in shed door bigger since the sheep cant fit in anymore and are due to lamb next month,the goat should kid next week and I am pretty sure the heifer is bred. The ponies are turning into yard art but thats ok I dont have time for lessons right now.I also need to get the hoop house finished and alot of work awaits me inside too,boy I need a clone.

Well guess thats about it for this week,you all have a good one.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Marty,

You'll do fine. I still sign up for classes whenever I can. If you liked classes when you were younger, you'll still like it. just don't cut too many classes. :>)

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Renee, I think that was me that was wondering if my businessman husband was gonna snap someday if he came in to our muddy mud room . Actually, he mostly take little tidy freak outs now and then and then smartens up. He's actually suggesting we invest in a beef steer this year rather than buy from another person (the beef we got this year was way fatty!!). Plans are also underway for him to make an office here at home so he doesn't have to drive to the city everyday. He currently rises at about 5:30 and is gone by 20 after 6. He gets home most nights by about 5:30 pm. Your husband's commute sounds horrendous. Poor Renee. Hugs sweetie.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Things are just starting to get back to normal around here. Had a heavy, wet snowfall on Sunday. Lost the power and phones for three days! Lots of icing on the trees and roads also. Great fun!! Thank goodness we have a running brook out behind our house from which we could haul water. I don't think we're in the clear yet either, as the power has flickered several times this morning and will probably go out again today when the wind picks up. Sure reminds me of the ice storm of '98 here in New England!! Funny...I spent my birthday Sunday with no power and hauling water up through a hole in the ice just like I did during that '98 storm!! Not complaining though, I was the one who wanted snow...now we have about 8" on the ground! Got to get outside and repair fence wire on my chicken and duck pens today. An old oak tree just couldn't withstand the icing and the branches really took a toll on my pens! Signing off here before the power goes off and I lose this post! Have a good week everyone :-)!! I'll be back....

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Happy Birthday, Marcia!! Little late, but you should spend a week celebrating anyway, especially since you had to work so hard on yours! I hate those ice storms more than anything in winter.

We are white here finally again, been brown for a long time, which I didnt really mind cuz the roads were nice and dry and its been so warm. Still pretty dang mild for winter in MN, and winter is officially half over!

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Wow, we sure do have birthday "clusters"....happy birthday Marcia!!!

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Well, we got our seed orders sent out yesterday - Yippee!. I finally broke down and ordered a U-Bar digger from Lee Valley so I'm looking forward to trying it out this spring.

That's about the extent of my excitement. I've got one whopper of a cold (again!) so I've not been on the forum much these past few days. I'm hoping this cold doesn't last for almost 3 weeks like the last one I JUST got over about 3 weeks ago. (grumble)

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Hey, Jim, I'll be interested to hear what you have to say about the U- bar digger after you use it. Actually, I'd be interested in what RUTH has to say about it, if she uses it, since I know that YOU are much stronger than I.

My homeopath says that there is some new cold virus/bug going around. One of your colds might be due to that . . .

-- Anonymous, January 17, 2002

Now thats a tool I could get behind...the U bar. Oh you must must must post a critique of that puppy here!!! I have a big honkin' tiller but its such a beast! My friend Terri says that the year she tilled instead of dug was lower yields season. She's never tilled since I think. Then again that lucky gal has a sandy soil rather than my monster clay. Details when available Jim!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

WE GOT SNOW!! It hit last night as I was driving home from the ball game; by the time I'd driven the rest of the 20 or so miles home, the road was covered. Now we've got two or three inches or so, and it's still gently falling. It's nice and fluffy - perfect for sledding, so I'm willing to bet Sis and friends have hit the big hill by the dam this morning already! When I let the fur ball (sheltie) out this am, he went running out the door as he usually does; but came to a back-pedaling screeching stop! Bout that time, Haz tackled him and he ended up looking like a snowball withing about 12 seconds - Dumb Mutts!! Gotta love 'em!

I'm back picking up overtime at work; so it's time to start cracking the whip around here and getting these guys off their butts and into their aprons!! What slobs! "Wouldn't mind if they'd just pick up after themselves" sez she, as she wanders from room to room picking up paperback books and seed catalogs and assorted and sundy lists - HER junk!! But, but...those crumbs on the kitchen counter; and, and the rug by the door; the TRASH, for heaven's sake!! Why can't they take out the trash?! Must I do it all!?

Polly; stomping off to the kitchen, muttering - and not very much under her breath either!! Hee-hee!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

Hey, Jim, I'll be interested to hear what you have to say about the U- bar digger after you use it. Actually, I'd be interested in what RUTH has to say about it, if she uses it, since I know that YOU are much stronger than I.

We'll be sure to keep you appraised of how it works, Joy.

My homeopath says that there is some new cold virus/bug going around. One of your colds might be due to that . . .

Just ONE new cold virus/bug going around? Gee, that makes me feel a *whole* lot better. ;-)

Well... anyway... the one I've got is a WHOPPER! :-(

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002