Bee-lieve it or not

 Yesterday afternoon, another package arrived. It was like Christmas again. Even though I knew what would be in the box (replacements parts for our honey bee hive, and some new equipment), it was still exciting to open the box.

Yes, you read that correctly: BEES

 Here's our new smoker. You smoke the hive when you open it so the bees aren't as crazy.

 The rest of the goodies: new frames, new wax foundation, bee brush, queen excluder and foundation pins.

 And some curiosity from one of the extremely pregger momma-cats. Everyday I come home expecting to see new kittens, but she still walks around lovin' on my legs and purring.

The bees arrive on Monday or Tuesday!

We have a lot of construction to do between now and then.

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How to Grow Plastic Containers

You could buy these professionally made plastic coats for your tomato plants. Or you could use old plastic containers with the bottoms cut off. I used a variety: milk jugs, gatorade bottles, fruit juice bottles... even a diesel additive bottle. You place them on top of the planted vegetables and then your garden ends up looking like you're growing containers rather than plants:

This odd assortment of plastic containers was required because I went on a shopping spree on Monday at lunch at the local garden center (Sunny Hill):

I bought:
Toma Verde Tomatillos x 2
Sweet 100 tomato x 4
Beefsteak tomato x 4
Cherokee Purple tomato x 1
Ancho/Poblano pepper x 2
Golden California Wonder pepper x 4
Red Bell pepper x 4
Jalapeno x 4
Sweet Banana pepper x 4

In my defense, the 4 packs were $1.99 and the individual plants in 3" pots were $2.99. So it made better sense to buy a four pack rather than individual plants.

But I'm not finished. I'd like a couple more heirloom type tomatoes, and a couple eggplants. Although I have no idea where they are going in the garden.





I covered the plants because even though the Farmer's Almanac said April 7 was the last predicted frost date, this was our weather forecast:

I was standing in the garden after planting yesterday and realized over half of it is planted now. (Shhh. Don't tell Dad.)

 Beyond the milk jugs there is a row of cabbages and peppers, then four half rows of corn. The other half of those rows will be beans. Then beyond that is all that is un-planted as of now. But there are plans for it: squash, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, more beans and corn, and okra.

I've decided these peas earned their name "Early Frosty" because they sprouted faster than the Eclipse peas right next to them, that were planted on the same day.

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Variety is the Spice of Life

At my job I wear many hats. I'm the commercial building plan reviewer, but also assist with facilities maintenance. Last week, in addition to reviewing plans, I attended a seminar on mold, and then went back to the office to do more research:

Source

I worked on a template for a stormwater pollution prevention plan:

Source

I learned about sizing grease interceptors:

Source

And I worked on a cost estimate for repairs to a City facility.

In the same 8 hours at a job in an architecture firm, I would have spent the entire day drawing wall sections.

Then I went home and planted several rows of veggies in the garden.

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Garden Update 4.8.12

 Yesterday, we planted:
4 Roma Tomatoes
4 Yellow tomatoes
4 green cabbage
4 red cabbage
2 half rows of Cream & Sugar Corn
2 half rows of Honey Select Corn

Saturday, I planted a package of Detroit Dark Red beets.

We watered in everything yesterday, and then covered the tomato plants with milk jugs.

Some of the peas sprouted, and some of the strawberry plants have set on berries as big as my thumbnail!

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Music Monday: Lady Gaga "Hair"

When it comes to Lady Gaga, there are two distinct groups of people: those that love her and those that can't stand her.

I like her because she's so unique. But others hate her for that exact reason. "She wears weird costumes" or "She does weird things to her hair" are the reasons for disliking her. But those are the same reasons I like her.

In this version of "Hair" she talks about why her hair is so important her. Her hair and costumes are part of her identity, part of what makes her different from others.

You may not like her, but why wouldn't you want to "die living just as free as [your] hair"?

[Lady Gaga - Verse 1]

Whenever I dress cool,
My parents put up a fight
And if I’m a hotshot,
Mom will cut hair at night
In the morning I’m sure of my identity
I scream Mom and Dad
Why can't I be who I wanna be?

I just wanna be myself,
And I want you to love me for who I am
I just wanna be myself,
And I want you to know, I am my Hair

[Chorus]

I’ve had enough
This is my prayer
That I’ll die living just as free as my hair

I’ve had enough
This is my prayer
That I’ll die living just as free as my hair

I’ve had enough
I’m not a freak
I must keep fighting to stay cool on the streets

I’ve had enough, enough, enough
And this is my prayer, I swear
I’m as free as my hair

[Lady Gaga - Verse 2]

Sometimes I want to rock on some highlights
Just because
I want my friend to think that I am dynamite
And on party, roxy, high school dance
I got my bangs too hard
That I don't stand a chance
A chance

I just wanna be myself,
And I want you to love me for who I am
I just wanna be myself,
And I want you to know, I am my Hair

[Chorus]

I’ve had enough
This is my prayer
That I’ll die living just as free as my hair

I’ve had enough
This is my prayer
That I’ll die living just as free as my hair

I’ve had enough
I’m not a freak
I must keep fighting to stay cool on the streets

I’ve had enough, enough, enough
And this is my prayer, I swear
I’m as free as my hair

[Bridge]

I just want to be free, I just want to be me
And I want lots of friends that invite me to their parties

I don't wanna change,
And I don't wanna be ashamed
I'm the spirit of my Hair
It's all the glory that I bare
I am my Hair!

I'm my hair, I am my hair
It's all the glory that I bare
I'm my hair-am my hair
I'm my hair-am my hair yeah!

[Chorus]

I’ve had enough
This is my prayer
That I’ll die living just as free as my hair

I’ve had enough
This is my prayer
That I’ll die living just as free as my hair

I’ve had enough
I’m not a freak
I must keep fighting to stay cool on the streets

I’ve had enough, enough, enough
And this is my prayer, I swear
I’m as free as my hair

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Planted and Hilled

 Kickboxing was cancelled last night, so I walked/ran for 20 minutes and then attempted to lift weights while four very rude, immature, "14" year olds sat on the weight benches and slammed weights around. Needless to say, I didn't get a full workout in, and when I got home I went for a walk down to the field. Dad and Daniel were subsoiling the field we soil tested.

On the way down the hill to the field, there were more wild flowers blooming:

 They were nearly finished by the time I walked down, so I hitched a ride on the tractor fender. Then we planted four rows of potatoes.

Planted

One row is 3/4 Yukon Gold and 1/4 Superior.
One row is Kennebec.
Two rows are Cobbler.

... and hilled

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What's blooming

Irises

Sage

Strawberries

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