Safe Harbor

You never know when you are going to be called upon to lend a helping hand to one of God's creatures, two or four legged.

Yesterday, while enjoying a sunbreak to plant some lettuce and more spinach in the trough-garden, I was startled to have little Nikki start barking right behind me. She was warning me that a stray cat was intruding.

And there she was. The thinniest little kitty I've ever laid eyes on. At first I figured she was one of the feral cats that show up from time to time in farm country. But she was only about 15 feet away, and let me tell you no feral cat will get that close to people, let alone a dog. So there was a good chance she was a discard, which happens much too often in farm country. I don't know why people think it is OK to dump unwanted animals near a farm. The cats or pups often end up dead on the road, or suffer starvation. Which seemed to be the case I was looking at.

Nikki promptly put the cat up a tree. After putting Nikki in the cabin, I went out to see what could be done. I was a bit surprised when after only about 10 minutes, I had a dandelion-puff of a kitty in my hands. She was frantically hungry, but didn't struggle or scratch.

She was made comfy in one of our multi-use dog crates (it was a pig-carrier a few weeks ago).



















She looks to be about 4-6 months old. After a few small feedings over the next several hours, she seemed content to be warm and safe on the back porch, where the sun shines through the big windows.



















The next thing of course, is what to do with her? Jetta isn't very receptive to other cats on her turf. She sat on the stairs where she could watch this interloper through the storm door window, with a steady golden glare that warned of sparks to come.



















The Lakeshore Humane Society in Manitowoc has a side service called Free Roaming Felines Program. They provide free spaying/neutering and vaccinations for stray cats that have been dumped or wandered from homes. After the vet visit, the cats are placed in foster homes until they can be permanently adopted. Some of the cats end up by request at horse barns or dairy barns, even a bee yard in one case. Others, which have obviously been a house pet or at least used to being handled by people, are more appropriate to place in pet homes. The program keeps track of the re-homed cats, checking in at least once a year to see how they are doing. I was impressed, after a 20-minute phone conversation, with the quality and care offered the program.

This little girl has been handled; she is not afraid of humans or dogs (at least small dogs). She likely was a pet. We'll never know if she was dumped or strayed.

I will soon be taking her in to one of the vets who work with the program, for spaying and shots. Then I'll foster her until she is healthy and hopefully placed in a permanent home.

Which brings me to the purpose of this post. I was instructed that she would have to be named before she went to the vet, because that's how they track the cats. By name.

We need a name, here, folks. Any ideas??

Leeks

Every garden season, it's mandatory to try a new veggie. This year it's going to be LEEKS.
I've been playing with leeks in different recipes. They are milder than onions, their structure lends a different texture and visual impact, they are very versatile. And danged good!

The only drawback is that they can be a bit pricey - more than onions, anyway. So we are going to grow our own.

After consulting some of my fav gardening books for details of leek culture, I realized we should have gotten these babies into pots about a month ago. It took a couple different sources, but I found some early Leeks, Kalina, so here's to better late than never.

In the spirit of frugal farming, I rounded up the ingredients for seedling pots. Newspaper, a bottle, some tape, and a marker. This is one of my favorite spring "aha" projects - easy and thrifty, and they WORK.

Wa-la! A perfect biodegradable seedling pot.

It didn't take Chef J long to figure out something was going on in the kitchen. Even though we had to put off trying out the new brownie recipe, he was game for helping with the potting project.

"Gramma, this looks like dirt cake!"

"Just like filling up cupcake cups, right?"

Those rotisserie chicken containers make grand mini-green houses for starting seeds.

In 8-12 days, we should have some baby leeks showing.

No gummy-worms were injured in this project.

Stand by.

Spring III

Cold ground. Not just cold. Frozen. Deep. Four feet or more. The term "frozen tundra" that we somewhat facetiously use to refer to Wisconsin, Minnesota and upper Michigan, is more accurate than you might think.

When the warm gulf air masses swirl northward in spring, spawning tornadoes and floods, the ground here is still deeply frozen. It takes some time for it to thaw. One of the real signs of spring is when we see ground fog forming, hanging around most of the day.

The warm air settles over the cold ground. It's like a glorified science project.

There was a discussion among the punks this morning, regarding the ghostly fields, and what it would feel like to walk through this eerie fog. They were able to explain to me why this fog was forming, which was gratifying to hear. It always amazes me, what they know.

Nebby, on the other hand, wasn't impressed.

It takes a field of tall green grass to convince her that spring is a reality.

Of course by then, it's summer.

Wisconsin has only 2 1/2 seasons, doncha know.

Winter.

Two weeks of spring.

Summer.

Two weeks of fall.

Farms grow good sense, too...

Here's one you've probably heard:
"Use it up, wear it out,
make it do, or do without."

Probably depression era, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was BC vintage.

Where ever it came from, the idea behind it is as sound today as in the beginning. On a farm, one is freqently forced to improvise. You use what's at hand, for two reasons: 1) you are a long way from the neighborhood hardware/farm store, and 2) who wants to spend money when you can revel in brain power?!

This latch, on the farm when we moved in, is a wonderful example.






























It has served as the gate latch for chickens, and now the goat kids. I chuckle everytime I use it, and that's another thing - the joy that improvisation can give you, that self-satisfaction of making something do.

Today's project was coming up with a way to keep the salt and mineral mix for the goat kids from ending up on the floor. The small dog crate cups are a great size for two young kids, but typical of their species, the girls are into pawing at, climbing into and otherwise playing with anything new in their pen. The light weight cups were no match for their combined efforts, they were always on the floor, with contents scattered. We are frugal with our feed supplements, so this was an aggravating situation. After several tries at different hanging places, something more substantial was in order.
Recruiting Than, he and I spent some time in the barn workshop, and came up with a pretty nifty holder. With the aid of bolt-cutters (which were overkill for the job) we snipped out a section of used wire fence panel that was set aside for such projects (no self-respecting farmer throws anything away...), and with a little bending and some judicious use of Farmer's Right Hand AKA duct tape on any little sharp places, we secured the cups in a portable hanger.

Than is learning good thinking, reasoning, planning and executing skills. His dad is Mr. Fixit around the farm and the boys are getting some great coaching at repairing, creating, and improvising.

Some things that are a necessity to raise on a farm.

We consider them lifeskills.

Purdy burdy burdy burdy...

The birdfeeders and suet baskets have been colorful carousels the past few weeks. Gold finches, White crown sparrows, House finches, Redwing blackbirds, starlings, chickadees, Slate juncos, Whitebreasted nuthatch, Downy and Hairy woodpeckers, Gold shafted flickers, Grackles, Bluejays, Cardinals ... those Cardinals with their distinctive "purdy burdy burdy burdy" signature song keep things lively around the cabin.
And so do the punks. Spring is clean it out, clean it up, work work work time. But work can be fun, as the guys always prove.
The garden cart may not have been designed for hauling kids, but it works - as long as they can draft a puller!





















Even the youngest "big boy" loves to help, as long as it's a work "party" he's all about being right in the middle of things. He and Jayden had a good gig going, 25 cents per bucket of big spruce cones. Picked up, hauled, and delivered to the wood porch. That was the deal.




















Max. Hey. That's NOT a cone. Look behind you. BEHIND you....























It cost me $4.50 by the time they were done. I now have a huge pile of cones stored with the wood on the porch. They make great firestarters! If I can keep the resident squirrel out of them...he found them a couple days ago, now there are cones and seeds all over the porch every morning.




















The rake crew was efficient and full of jokes. As they scooped leaves into the cart to haul off, they scooped a surprise!




















Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is a toadcicle. He was under a pile of leaves, barely out of his sandy winter hibernation den. That was one COLD toad. Poor guy could hardly open his eyes. He got tucked back under a pile of leaves in a safe place, to continue thawing.



















Another spring clean-up necessity - the newest tool on the farm, a Pioneer Partner chainsaw.
A super deal from Craig's List.




















Carrie is a true chip off the block. Her dad reveled at having a chainsaw in hand, no tree or shrub was safe from a trim. Cutting wood for the stove wasn't really work, it was opportunity to PLAY! Carrie has been bugging and campaigning for a new saw, and once in hand she was unstoppable. The winter storm damage to the apple tree was like waving a red flag at a bull, she was all over that mess.



















And this is just the beginning of spring cleaning. The chicken pen and barn...

I can't wait....

This is a sad picture. Because the sun is out, the sky is blue (mostly), it is spring.

However.

Spring in Wisconsin does not mean the ground is thawed. Or even getting warm. Four feet of frost permeates the soil. Takes awhile to get a couple of inches of loose soil on top. Which means the garden area sits silent. Lonely. COLD.




Aha! Improvise. This nice old tub (well drained via the gunshot holes...wonder what THAT story was about...), full of loose dirt and convenient to my back door, is now planted with spinach. Popeye would be proud.


























And while I wait for the spinach, the wild things are calling out for notice. My favorite spring green? NETTLES!!

Tea. Soup. Tonic.

When the nettles appear, I know that spring is truly here.

Even if the daffodils aren't quite blooming yet.

Spring II

I had a lovely couple of weeks of spring during the last month in Oregon. Flying home, I couldn't help but think of all the birds on the move, migrating to nesting grounds all around the country. Touching down at Austin Straubel airfield in Green Bay, it was clear that Wisconsin was struggling to fight off the clutches of winter. There was a reason I hadn't shipped my winter coat and hat home...brrrrr.

It took another two weeks, before I spotted some green making it's way to the surface...
looks like I'll enjoy these lilies again this summer!








As well as my beloved iris that made the trip from Washington with us when we moved here.




















But what's this???? Oh. I almost forgot. Wisconsin only plays with spring, it teases and entices, and then SNOWS again.

That's grass peeking through. Yes it is. Yep, it's really spring in Wisconsin.

The Snow Queen just isn't 100% convinced yet. That's OK, the Thunder Gods are next up, and even through we have experienced "thunder snow" (no lie, it's a real thing), we know that fog and rain will soon prevail.

Gotta love spring.

The Power of Yum

There are three things I'm totally serious about in life. One is food.

Just a little warning here: I have discovered a "new" cookbook that has taken over the cookbook shelf. Beware the cook on a crusade...

I am a colon cancer survivor. My. That sounds - well, kinda strange. Wow. I just realized, I have never before referred to myself as a "cancer survivor". But that is what I am - among many other "hats" I wear.

What I want to share with you right now, is a wonderful cookbook aimed at people who have cancer, or have survived cancer, or are in treatment, or are a friend or caregiver of a cancer patient. Hey, that includes you, right?! 'Pert near everyone fits one of those categories, I think. Anyway, this is AN IMPORTANT BOOK.

One Bite at a Time; by Rebecca Katz. Published in 2004, it isn't exactly new to the scene. So it was a perfect candidate for my favorite bookstore, half.com. I got it for about $3. I would have paid the full $21.95, but hey, I needed the extra bucks saved to head for the organic produce department at the local market.

Let me just say, this recipe I'm going to shortly share with you, was worth any price. First, an introduction. Exceptional for a cookbook, it has inspiring, heartwarming stories to go with the delicious, inspiring, nourishing recipes. I read it from cover to cover. Well, actually, I read almost ANY cookbook cover to cover. But this one. This one is special. Rebecca notes in her intro paragraph, "...the power of "yum", that moment of convergence where smell, taste, and mind align to create an involuntary spasm of vocal delight." Better known as a moan of ecstacy. I'm all about yum, folks.

On to the cooking and tasting part. Here's what she has to say about MAGIC MINERAL BROTH: "It's not just a regular vegetable stock. This pot of yum is high in potassium (note: which I have problems with - being LOW in potassium) and numerous trace minerals that are often depleted by cancer therapy (note: and our typical eating habits). Sipping this nutrient-rich stock is like giving your body an internal spa treatment (note: if you've ever indulged in a spa session or massage, raise your hand and sigh in remembered joyful goodness).
Drink like a tea, or use it as a base for all your favorite soups and rice dishes. Don't be daunted by the ingredient list.
Simply chop the ingredients in chunks and throw them in the pot, roots, skins, and all."

Can't get any easier than that, now can it?? So here we go.

First, get out your big 12-qt. stock pot. Also, invite a few visitors to drop by later, they will swoon at the fragrance wafting from your kitchen.

Dump into the yum pot:

6 unpeeled carrots with half the tops, cut into thirds

2 unpeeled medium yellow onions, cut into quarters

1 leek, both white and green parts, cut into thirds (that's a piece of leek, on the left side of the pot)



1 bunch of celery, including the heart, cut in thirds

4 unpeeled cloves of garlic, halved

1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley (the parsley police won't show up if you only have curly, like me)

4 medium red potatoes, with skins on, quartered

2 yams or sweet potatoes, skins on, quartered

1 Garnet yam, skin on, quartered

1 T. sea salt (the salt police WILL come get you if you use Morton)

1 (6 by 1-inch) strip of kombu
(it's a seaweed folks, helps extract minerals - it's GOOD for you)

2 bay leaves

12 black peppercorns
(or colored peppercorns, if you are into the gourmet pantry items)

4 whole allspice or juniper berries
(being partial to allspice, I used about 10 berries - so I'm a rebel, what can I say...)

Fill the pot to 2 inces below the rim with water, cover, bring to boil.

Remove the lid, decrease heat to low, and simmer a minimum of 2 hours. 3 hours is good. As the stock simmers, some of the water will evaporate; add more if the veggies begin to peek out. Simmer until the full richness of the vegetables can be tasted.

Strain the stock using a large coarse-mesh strainer (or colendar - that's what I had, so that's what I used). Bring to room temp before refrigerating or freezing.

Makes 6-7 qts

You know how people always are saying something was "to die for"?? Well, we don't say that. Ever.

Words are powerful.

This is life elixir, and I'm sipping a cup as I type this.

Notice how far down the liquid simmered? Then you strain it. And you have this heap of luscious cooked veggies left over. What to do with them? Rebecca doesn't say what she does with them. So I'm going to tell you, it's OK to eat them. Only if you want to. I enjoyed the warm yams with my dinner, and knoshed on some of the carrot pieces throughout the rest of the day.

Than's pig project got the rest. That's another story.

NOTE: If you don't have time/inclination to make this broth from scratch, hasten to the market and get Pacific or Imagine brand vegetable stock, add an equal amount of water, a piece of kombu (yes, you can), and one potato. Boil for 20 minutes, strain. Goodness in a pot.

But you kinda miss out on the whole smelling-up-the-kitchen part. And that's just as good as the eating, in MY book!

Welcome home

72 days.

About 2 1/2 months.

Almost a quarter of a year.

It's good to be home.

I had a grand time with my family in Oregon. Made lots of memories. Had a few adventures.

But it's good to be home.

It's good to feel this really is home now. It's taken awhile. I miss my partner.

With the punks literally just around the corner, I have no time to sit around and mope. Grandkids and

farms keep you busy. And happy.

(artistic composition courtesy of our friend Maddy - a fine example of "refrigerator art", doncha know!)

Catz

"Oh yum. Kitty Krunchies. Again."
"Hey, it could be worse. Like Nikki Nummies."
"Where's the cream? Don't tell me. They didn't get the cream. I NEED my cream. Where's my CREAM??"
"For cryin' out loud, will you look at these dinky bowls? Whaddathey think, we're on a DIET or somethin'?" "Hisst. Hurry it up, I just heard the tread of doom. Max is up..."

"Man, the things a cat has to do just to earn a meal around here. I guess it could be worse. I could be stuck chasing down that loose snake upstairs. And this kid really needs some grooming..."

"Don't touch me."

"You touched me first."

"Did not."

"Did too."

"Did not..."

"OK, two against one is no fair. Back off, buster!"

"See what I mean? These guys got no respect for the girls around here. See what I have to put up with?"

"Look at me, I'm totally innocent...look into my eyes...loook intooooo my eyes......"

"There's a reason they call female cats the QUEENS!"

"Ya, ya, ya. Whatever."