Cabbage Head

A view of my pepper garden. I used a ton of straw to keep the veggies wet in this drought.

My first head of green cabbage grown from seed. I gave away three and lost 2 to mildew. I learned that cabbage loves full sun and not the shade of tomatoes. And everything likes to sample cabbage so heavy on the DE every time I water.

Baby Stealth

I found this fledgling swallow struggling on the farm hillside. It was tired and thirsty after 

107 degree day of first flight. Today was a brutal day on the farm for birds. We lost 2 chicks from the heat in the coop even with a fan and lost 1 to chicken violence. 

So I picked this wild one up and brought in to cool off and get some water. I think the flat head is amazing.

 Even this young it is a flying machine. It started to regain its strength so we brought it near the swallow house on the hill. It took off into the sky and up into the woods without anymore problems.

Follow the Pink Toad

While watering my garden this pink toad came for a visit. It jumped at my boots and stayed under the shade of the tomato plants and straw. It is always good to have a few toads around to keep the bugs under control.

Higgity Piggity

Pigs are very different farm animals from chickens, goats and horses. I have been curious about how other farmers raise them. I love bacon and baked ham and thought it might be nice to raise some for food. We went to a farm to view their method of raising pigs. These pigs were feral and afraid of people. But they were on a pad, had mud and water and looked healthy.I liked their spots instead of the standard pink ones. These 3 month olds will triple in size before being processed in the fall. The down side is pigs are smelly and messy and would have to be raised far from the house. We just do not eat enough pork to justify the smell and work that pigs demand. 

Pain Detective

I have become my own pain manager and detective. Pain started last week in my lower jaw a dull throb that would not go away. It moved up my face and under my eye and ear. The pain was bad, then it got a lot worse. It is like a gremlin moved into my face and began a root canal. So thinking it was tooth related, we drove to see the dentist. After several x-rays and exams by the staff I got a big zero for the cause of my face pain. My teeth are fine and nothing could be seen. I was given antibiotics and pain meds and told to report back mid week. So far the pain is still there and nothing has changed. My doctor is out of town for the next 2 weeks so I have to deal until then. My mom is a nurse and thinks I have trigeminal nerve neuralgia serious stuff I don't want. So what set this pain off? I thought it might stem from my broken nose and sinus pain. Or perhaps hitting my head on the side when getting into the car (the seat was too far back). Either way I can't sleep and eating is excruciating painful. It is not fun to be me. I can get some things done then I have to stop and wait out the pain. At least my garden is thriving in this heat and I can enjoy it.