Mister Polyhistor

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

If you can't stand the heat...

I made my 4th of July reservations for Davis Mountains State Park this morning. It's a 7 hour drive, but it'll be nice to escape the heat (highs in the mid 80's, lows in the mid 50's), and I could use some alone time. I'll be primitive camping 2 nights (4 mile hike in, 4 mile hike out), but the last night I'll be staying in the Indian Lodge. I booked one of the original 1930s rooms on the 2nd floor. It's suppose to have nice views, original furnishings, a king size bed, and a fireplace. After 3 days of not showering, it's going to feel like paradise.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Make your bed, part 4

Finished the front bed and dry creek today. Just need to finish building the fence. Maybe tomorrow:

The basil is rooting well. Should be able to plant in a few days:

Duck mole is just as good the 2nd night. Yum:

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Up a creek

Went for a quick 2.5 mile hike around Turkey Creek this morning. It's been a couple of years, but I remember the cool, clear water the last time I was there. What a difference a couple of years makes. Turkey Creek is a real misnomer right now, considering there is no water in it. It's just a barren trail. Very sad to see:

Got the seeds planted in the back yard this afternoon. Should have fresh vegetables any month now.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Make your bed, part 3

Made a nice dinner tonight with gifts from Betsy's garden - white eggplants, 2 kinds of tomatoes, and 2 kinds of basil - over a bed of organic pasta:

Speaking of garden, my backyard bed is finished. Still working on the hose situation, but Geo Growers dumped 3 yards of soil in front of my house this morning. This represents probably one and a quarter yards:

I'll be working this weekend on the fence and side garden with Clay - a foolish person who's agreed to trade labor in return for bike parts:

And this is just a bonus:

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Poem

Apologies to Joyce Kilmer...

"Hackberry Trees"

I think I will breathe a sigh of relief
When chainsaws take down this hackberry tree.

A tree crew will arrive at my behest,
And lay to rest this ruinous mess;

A tree whose greatest testament of peeve,
Angered me with downed electricity;

Upon the ground where fallen limbs stain;
Who stump grinders soon will consume of remains.

Poems are a great gift for the likes of thee;
But only a fool would plant a hackberry.

Yes, I just spent a lot of money to have yet another dying hackberry removed from my back yard. I wish I had been home this afternoon to see the stump grinders in action. While the crew was at it, they removed the stumps from my front yard also. A truckload (3 yards) of dirt is arriving tomorrow morning. Finishing up the side fence this weekend. Hopefully, beds will be planted by Sunday evening. Hopefully.

Before...