Farmers Market, APA Wayzgoose, Garden, Essays, Visit

[helwen]

Farmers Market yesterday was lightly attended, but we did all right. Had some interesting conversations with various folks. Talked with a local guy, Jason, who's trying to grow wheat. We told him about our efforts with oats and flax, and he's interested in hearing about how things go with the oats. Talked about chickens too, raising feed, etc. He suggested we could always get and raise crickets for the chickens, since at this time we don't have a safe way to have them outdoors.

Managed to catch the end of the auction at the APA Wayzgoose (group of printers who've been getting together and sharing print projects for 50 years). Chatted with Bill W and Gardner about printing presses and composition typecasting. Will be working with Gardner on getting a floor press this year -- although likely we'll be going first to the museum to get another tour and refresher on the types we're considering. The museum's having their annual exhibition/open house/fundraising fair next weekend, but we'll be otherwise occupied. Besides, it would be better to do our tour when there aren't 500 other people around.

***
Planted kale, chamomile, and more borage seeds. Various squashes are working on their second leaves, and the sunflowers, cardoons, wax beans, and green beans are coming up nicely. A few lettuces are appearing as well, but no sign of the carrots or parsnips. Put more straw and dirt on some of the potatoes; need to get more mulch out there. Peas have some gaps in the line, so I want to get more seeds and fill in the gaps. Next year I'll over-seed like William did, and then I can thin them out if need be, and throw the shoots into a salad (saw them for sale with the salad greens at the market yesterday).

***
Finished up my essays for AODA 2nd Degree today. L and I had some great discussions over breakfast this morning, which made me realize I had a couple more points I wanted to include in one of the essays. gwynt_y_storm checked out the Samhuinn ritual I wrote, and I only had to make one addition to it, so that's all set. My extra spiral/synthesis project was weaving, with the primary focus for the submitted project being a Crane bag. So, everything's been sent in, and will hopefully not be found wanting! I worry about them a little, because I got the impression when gwynt_y_storm sent hers in, that her essays were pretty long. Mine were only 3-4 pages long. More importantly though, is the question of whether or not I managed to include everything that should be included. fitzw read them though and thought they were good, so we'll see.

***
Been trying to tidy up for the upcoming visit. Now that the immediate schoolwork is out of the way, I can really concentrate on getting some things done around here. The apartment is _not_ ready for guests. And the weather hasn't been helping. But things are getting moved here and there, so I'm sure the place will be habitable by four people by Friday.

And the weather is supposed to be getting less humid later in the week, which would be good... it would be nice if our friends didn't get flattened by the weather while visiting!

fitzw made up some ginger water this afternoon, which has helped revive me a bit. 'Tis the season!

Comments

[druidharper.livejournal.com]

LOL No, mine weren't long; if anything they were a touch short. They just seemed long because they cost me so much aggravation to do and I beefed about them often.

It's the content that matters most. I do not doubt you'll do fine.

[gigglingwizard.livejournal.com]

Talked about chickens too, raising feed, etc.

Mayda and I have been researching this quite a bit ourselves, lately. It turns out amaranth is really high in protein--the whole plant, not just the seeds. In fact, the green parts are higher than the seeds. Also, pigweed, which is basically wild amaranth, is also very nutritious as a chicken feed, and of course, it grows like a weed, seeing as it is one. :)

I'm going to try trapping flies. Flies have to be controlled anyway, and I've read that they can make up a large part of a chicken's diet. I'm planning to make traps from milk jugs half filled with water, vinegar, and corn syrup. I'll let you know how it works.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Hm, maybe we'll have to try amaranth too, although I don't know if we can do that this year. Sounds like good stuff though!

The traps sound interesting. Yes, please do let me know how it works.

Hope things go well for you!