Progress notes, mid July

Too much going on to concentrate on my favorite activity - gardening. Fortunately is is semi-self-maintaining. Weeds are growing in the dormant lawn, so it's messy. I have been watering the 'at risk' life almost daily (tomatoes, contanerized plants) due to hot weather. Not watering most shrubs or roses. Without generous mulch, much of it applied over several years; increased humus from bark, compost, and leaves, and some selective pressure (plants not adapted to this situation don't make it), it would have be a disaster this year. As it is, it's messy but not beyond hope.

The plan for tomorrow is to bike to work. In retrospect, I could have today, but sometimes we have to give ourselves a break. Not that I dont love doing it - I do. But the body needs to regenerate a little from time to time. Just as I cant be a "fundamentalist organic gardener" or a "fundamentalist vegetarian" (although people accuse me of both), I can't be a "fundamentalist bike commuter" either. But as in many things, every little bit adds up.

So far we have had 4 zucchinis (yummy, buttery falvor), uncountable raspberries, uncountable strawberries, a few dozen apriums, and tonight I had the first of the Inchelium Red garlic (pasta, crushed raw garlic, olice oil, and parmesan. That's all. Makes me feel all warm inside). Also a few crops of Chinese Chives, made into dumplings; some bunches of cilantro.

Time for bed if I'm going to bike. Early=beats traffic (not that ther is much on my route anyway), cool morning breeze, not hectic.

This agapanthus was grown from seed, plated 5 years ago. It took about 3 years to the first blossom, and others planted at the same time were lost. There is something very cool about growing somethinglike this from seeds.
Cucumbers starting to climb the obelisk (with substantial help).
Is it Xmas yet? This Xmas cactus is blooming.
Despite all of the hybrids, the oriential species lilies are still my favorite - possible my favorite of all flowers (at least in July). This bunch started as one bag (3 bulbs?) about 4 years ago. It's fairly dry tolerant and is spreading a little every year.

Could I be a vegetarian? I hope so - I have for 27 years)

You Could Definitely Be a Vegetarian

You would make a great vegetarian - if you aren't one already. You're adventurous enough to try all sorts of new veggie foods... And your commitment to animal welfare will motivate you to stay meat free!

Could You Be a Vegetarian?

Bathroom Project. Month # 8

Of course, it shouldn't take 8 months to redo a bathroom, but I can only work on it about 1 or 2 days per month. Since the last blog entry on this project:

1. Floor is replaced with 3/4 inch outdoor grade plywood. On top of the plywood I laminated a 4-ml polyethylene barrier. Then 1/4 inch cement backer-board, thin-set and screwed into place with backerboard screws. It is ready to tile.

2. Walls are reframed. About 1/2 of the framing was recycled. The new drywall is mold resistant paperless drywall. Bathtub surround is 1/2" backer board. Insulation in the ceiling was changed from 3" to 7". New exhaust fan is installed.

Today I sanded the walls and ceiling, and painted with primer.

Have a Zucchini!

These have a buttery texture. Cut them when small - they taste better and you dont have to figure out what to do with a 10 pound wonder.

Fast Growing Eucalyptus

Not only did it survive the winter, it is growing by leaps and bounds without supplemental watering! This tree has some potential. Of course, next winter might be colder, resulting in a dead eucalyptus, but that's part of the intrigue.