September 29-30, 2012

It had been cloudy and cool with a good chance of rain for days, but we didn't get any. The gauge had only 2 tenths of an inch, although both rain barrels were full. Sally was so chilled she got a jacket out. Buffalo burgers and wine for dinner.

Mow

Even though we are still way short on rain, there has been enough falling to get the grass growing again – everything needed mowing. I did some in the morning, and finished up Saturday afternoon. Sunday I did some weed eating.

Beaver Den?

I noticed this pile of beaver sticks half in the pond while mowing, so went over to investigate. I certainly do not want the beavers to return, and thought this might be the beginnings of a new den. But there were no freshly cut trees, so I presume these were the sticks I had pulled out of the previous den and left up hill. I guess gravity pulled them down and back into the water. I'll need to return and drag them out at some point, and continue to monitor for beavers.

Tarantula

Sally was sitting out back reading when this guy decided to stroll across the yard (most Fall's we've seen at least one tarantula). It was Tender that noticed him and went to investigate, and thus brought him to Sally's attention. She said Tender's nose was right up to him. I came by later and he was still there for me to snap this picture.

Walk to Pond

Sally wanted to take a good walk, but Tender has just not been up to long walks recently. So Sunday morning he had crashed in the living room and we slipped out without waking him. There is still no water coming in and the pond remains as low as it has ever been. Leaves on the persimmon, some walnuts, and the few maples we have (like this one across the pond) are beginning to turn. We're not sure what kind of fall we will have given the drought.

Garden

Sally tended the garden, though I did some weeding. The jalapeno plants were just loaded, but we didn't pick any since we still have a whole bowl full from two weeks earlier. (Should have brought them to work to give away.) Lots of chard (with more coming up from seed along with some beets) and a little kale. One tomato plant has not produced more than a few tomatoes all year, the other had a few red ones and lots of green ones (all small). The basil has been fantastic though. Sally picked enough for a double batch of pesto, and another 4 cups for Sarah. I picked some for Donna and Joy and left it on the stems. Joy said she got 5 batches from her bag and Donna enough for 4 batches.