Looking back on this gardening season
I just took a look at the 10-day forecast for our area. It looks like the honeymoon’s over, for we’ve not just frost forecast in the next few days, but freezing temps. *sigh* This is always a bittersweet time of year for the gardener in me, and this year’s no exception.
On the one hand, I am usually ready to put the garden to bed for the winter. Once we get a few hard freezes, the garden is officially dormant and I can look out the window without thinking, “man, those thistles are killing me. I should be out there weeding.”
In years where I’ve not let my gardening eyes get bigger than my gardening stomach, I’ve controlled my plant hoarding tendencies; in these sensible years, I don’t still have languishing pots of both annuals and perennials by this time of the year. Each year finds me being a little more realistic, tempering my spring and early summer enthusiasm with a harsh dose of reality acknowledging my tendency to poop out come mid-July. And that’s when I haven’t been in a car wreck!
This year, I have a few things still in pots out back by the shed, but they are hardy things like ornamental grasses, daylilies and some sedums. My favorite tropicals are already in the house, already being gnawed by cats and deposited in slimy piles of upchuck on the floor. Oh, yes.
On the other hand, I am sad to see the temperatures dip, dismayed at the leaves falling. Howie and I spent a lot of time outside this year, only turning the AC on when the mercury was forecast to be in the 90’s for days on end and the night air fails to cool down. Without the AC, the gazebo-shaded patio is cooler than our living room come mid-afternoon when the sun beats down on the picture window.
But now we’re closing in on a season of closed-windows and the thrum of the furnace, of dry air we must artificially hydrate with a humidifier. It’s a time of shorter, grayer days. The gazebo’s canopy is coming down soon - this weekend, I suspect - and that marks the end of summer to me. It goes so quickly!
So, yes, I am a little melancholy today as I see that forecast. I feel like I lost so much of my summer to my car accident and the subsequent shoulder surgery. When I see the weeds in the yard I feel both frustrated by the limitations I had this season and guilty for my inactivity toward those things I could do. Truth be told, my heart just wasn’t in it.
Now the time’s flown by and it’s time to put the yard to rest and hunker down for winter. Part of me is relieved by that, the forced respite from watering, weeding, planting and maintenance. Part of me is always relieved by that! But this year it’s a little different.
I look back to spring, when I was so thankful to even be able to do things in the yard. Howie shoveled the mulch into small piles in the beds and I hand-spread it as I planted. I planted tomato seedlings in the rain. I had such plans! And now it’s time to close up shop, and it’s too late for this year. Maybe I didn’t accumulate more plants than I could care for, but I built up unrealistic expectations of how I was going to keep the weeds under control and keep what we have looking nice.
But you know, even with the weeds, this year was our garden’s best year. The neighbor’s cherry tree bordering our yard not only bloomed, but produced of cherries for the first time in the 9 years we’ve lived here. There were thousands of cherries on those branches! Our climbing rose was loaded with blooms in late June. The butterfly bushes had large panicles of healthy flowers for much of its blooming season. And the coneflowers, bellflowers and daylilies were fabulous. A lot of this has to do with the extended spring freeze we endured last year, I am sure; the plants, unable to produce flowers and fruit last season, worked doubly hard this time around.
This makes me think, just now, that God had a hand in making our garden its most beautiful for us in a year when I was the least able to contribute to that beauty. Now, that’s something to think about.
Sleep tight, little garden. Rest up, for you have big things to do next year.
How to save money on groceries
It’s no secret that our economy is hurting. All around our town, I’ve seen businesses closing and others struggling. People are still spending money, but what they’re spending it on has changed a lot this last year, at least as far as I’ve seen. With increased gas prices, grocery prices have gone up. It costs producers more to produce and ship the food.
Howie and I are trying to find a balance in our spending, frequenting Aldi Foods for canned vegetables and other staples. Trader Joe’s is a favorite of ours, especially since their store brand products are inexpensive and good, but they’re about 40 minutes away and the cost of driving there and back discourages us going there unless we make an afternoon of it or have other business to attend to near the store.
We also watch the sales circulars and shop our local grocery stores, Giant Eagle and Meijer, Wal-Mart, Carnival Foods and Kroger.
How about coupons? We are not typically big coupon clippers. We don’t usually buy the Sunday paper, for one. Also, people tend to buy products they wouldn’t have otherwise purchased, so they spend more money in the long run. Additionally, coupons tend to be for packaged conenience foods that we don’t buy, things like Hamburger Helper and the like. There aren’t many coupons for our staple items: fresh fruit, eggs, meat and rice. I look for coupons online and use them some things, as long as they’re items I buy anyway and they don’t still cost more than a less expensive brand’s normal price.
Of the grocery stores I mentioned, Giant Eagle is the one we shop most often. It’s closest to us, which saves us gas, plus they offer FuelPerks, which really add up. They also offer $1 FuelPerk for each new or transferred prescription, including the $4 generic drugs. My recent shoulder surgery resulted in many new prescriptions, racking up $16 in FuelPerks. That’s enough to fill our van about four times at no cost. Cha-ching! The service is also good there (except the pharmacy, meh), and they have a wide selection of healthy foods and international offerings.
We do spend more on some things, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. During the summer, we try to buy these from local vendors at the downtown farmer’s market. Buying locally, we support area growers and enjoy fresh produce often picked that morning. We also enjoy the interaction, getting to know the vendors.
When I make things like soup beans, casseroles or chili, I make them in big batches. That way, I can freeze portions to have later. The cost per meal is quite low when doing it this way, plus we’re more likely to eat at home if there is something easy to heat and serve when we don’t feel like cooking. There are numerous sites which offer OAMC (Once A Month Cooking) recipes and ideas - I won’t go into all that here, but you can Google OAMC to see what I mean. A plus: Some friends and families make a day of it, cooking together while they visit, then splitting the food between them.
But what about some non-traditional means of saving money on the grocery bill?
There is a money-saving available, too, with a couple of pickup locations right in our town. After hearing about this program for about a year, I finally decided to try them out: Angel Food Ministries. They have no income guides and it’s not just for struggling individuals. That was Howie’s first concern, in that he never wants to be taking away from others truly in need. It is not a food pantry. Don’t let the word ministry deter you; AFM is not a charity for low-income individuals. The food is not free, but it is less expensive than you can buy on your own. The organization is able to buy in bulk, plus I am sure they receive donations.
The standard monthly box costs $30. The menu varies by month, which is one of the reasons we’ve not ordered before now. Some months they’ve had a lot of processed foods like corndogs, chicken nuggets and other more fattening, less nutritious foods we don’t typically eat. This month’s menu looked pretty decent, so we decided to take the plunge and order. We are getting both October’s standard box and the Fruits & veggies box, an add-on for $21. They have several add-on boxes available each month and, like in the standard box, their contents vary. You can view the monthly menus on their site.
Here are the items we’ll receive on October 25. Including a $1 service fee for using a debit/credit card to order online, it came to $51.All we have to do is show up and bring our boxes home.
Standard Box, $30
- One Dessert Item
- One Dozen Eggs
- 1 lb. All Meat Hot Dogs
- 1 lb. Boneless Center-Cut Pork Chops (4 x 4 oz.)
- 1 lb. California Blend Vegetables
- 1 lb. Chicken Breast Fajita Strips
- 1 lb. Frozen Sliced Carrots
- 1 lb. Fully Cooked Meatballs
- 1 lb. Pasta
- 1.5 lb. Ribeye Steaks (4 x 6 oz.)
- 12 ct. Corn Tortillas
- 26 oz. Heat and Serve Meatloaf and Brown Gravy
- 28 oz. Marinara Sauce
- 32 oz. Borden 2% Reduced Fat Shelf Stable Milk
- 4.5 lb. (avg) Split Chicken Breast Family Tray Pack
- 48 oz. Hawaiian Punch
Fruit and Veggie Box, $21:
- 1 head California Iceberg Lettuce (Cello wrapped)
- 1 bunch California Broccoli
- 2 lb. Medium-Large Idaho/East Oregon Yellow Onions
- 5 lb. New Crop Yukon Gold Potatoes
- 3 lb. North Carolina New Crop Red Apples
- 2 lb. Bag of California Fancy Lemons
- 1 Super Sweet Gold Pineapple
- 1 lb. Bag of California Peeled Baby Carrots
Some of it, like the Hawaiian Punch, we’ll not use. Those we’ll give to others who do use them. Other things, like the meatloaf and gravy, we will use, but in moderation. These would be good items to save and use when we have company, so we’re not tempted to eat too much at a time, plus there won’t be leftovers to tempt us.The meats are frozen, so they’ll last us a long time. All in all, it’s a good deal.
Here’s a video explaining what Angel Food Ministries is and how they started:
They accept donations. I’d like to support them once I am able to work again and our finances get a little better.
Cruel packaging
The generic loperamide HTC anti-diarrheal product distributed by LNK International of Hauppauge, NY, takes the prize when it comes to cruelty in packaging. LNK is, by the way, the manufacturer of the store brand “Equate” OTC drugs sold at Wal-Mart.
Anyone who’s deals with upset tummy issues, with miserable bouts of diarrhea, knows how urgently that little aqua Immodium-like tablet is needed. When you need them, you need them fast. You want to ingest these pills as soon as possible, hopefully in time to stave off another worried dash to the restroom.
Normally, manufacturers of these tiny, blister-packed helpers include a small perforated strip which facilitates the removal of the packaging. But not LNK, oh no. With their brand, you’d better have some sort of sharp implement with you. Check out the directions on the back of the blister-packed tablets:
Scissors? Are you kidding me?
Is this packaging some kind of sick joke? Who the heck carries scissors in the pocket or purse?They obviously can make perforations, since they included them for the purpose of separating the packaging into individual portions. Why did they not carry it a step further so people could actually get the pills out of the plastic without resorting to the use of blades?
And, no, you can’t simply push the pills through the cardboard packaging. There is some sort of untearable layer in there, one I think is made out of the same tiles NASA uses to protect the space shuttles during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
They do know people need this stuff in a hurry, right?
Camping: Day 2
7:42am Monday 9/15
The inverter was not, of course, sufficient for powering the coffee maker! LOL We thought mom and dad had some pots in here, but alas they do not. So, We can’t boil water for coffee. We were able to run the grinder, so the smell is torture. Howie didn’t want to try boiling it in a can and pouring it over the grounds in the maker’s basket. Oh, the tragedy! 
*Shrug*
He’s gone to the little market nearby to buy ice if they have power. He’ll also get a pot or a metal camping percolator, providing they stock such things. The Diet Pepsi has caffeine, but it’s just not the same as a steaming mug of coffee. Well, we forgot our mugs, too, so let’s revise that to “steaming coffee in a re-used McDonald’s cup”.
9:58am
Howie bought a saucepan and a few disposable aluminum pans. He also brought back two large coffees. Mmmmm, yeah! He will poke holes in the bottom of one of the smaller pans and use to roast veggies on the grill. We have green and red bell peppers, plus some sweet onions.
Gosh it feels good just to be lazy and not have a dirty house making me feel guilty. =) If I can get the laptop to connect via the phone’s data connection (so far sporadic), I might post some photos. Otherwise, I will post snippets like this from the phone. I wish I’d set up e-mail posts before We left. I might be able to set up moblog entries through Flickr. If not, oh well!
Camping: Day 1
12:16pm, Sunday 9/14
We are in Bardstown right now and the wind is buffeting our van like crazy. Power was out in the first section of town we went through. On the Bluegrass Parkway, Howie had a white-knucked grip on the steering wheel and we were constantly swaying in the strong gusts of wind.
It is supposed to blow through quickly and Prizer Point should be clear after 4 or 5pm. So far, there is no rain forecast the rest of the week.
We had a great time with our friends in Winchester yesterday and spent the night at the Hampton Inn there. It is beautiful and clean, plus the staff is very friendly. If you ever need to stop in that area, we recommend it!
Postmandug is here in Bardstown, right on our way, and we’re stopping by to pick up some firewood from him. That will save us a bundle (or two or three) this week.
We can’t wait to get camp set up and relax for the week. It will be great to see DG friends start trickling in mid-week.
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5:02pm, Sunday 9/14
I am posting from the phone and have limited time or I will run the battery down.
Well, we at Prizer Point Marinara have something in common with Louisianans, Texans and everyone else who was within Ike’s extended path: Huge trees down and power knocked out. The guy who we first saw here said power’s out for about a 12-mile area. Just before getting here, we saw two trees down on power lines twice in a 1-mile stretch. I am sure this was repeated in many areas and I am glad we were on the W-I-D-E Western KY Pkwy during the high winds and not out here on the point amidst all these trees and right on the water. The wind gets really strong here even if the remnants of a hurricane aren’t blowing through! They don’t call this Hurricane Creek for nothing. You who have been here during storms know what I mean.
Howie is putting up the camper and I am letting friends and Family know we’re here. I am glad we have a good signal on the phone! We have just enough gas to go get gas tomorrow - stations were without power.
It is cool now, at least, and the stormy gales have passed.
We won’t be on the laptops until power’s back…No gas, no recharging the battery in the van if the inverter drains it.
Unplugged,
Kimberley
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7:33pm, Sunday 9/14
Hi again. Well, we called the Chevron Station on 293 and they were back hereopen again. So, we just got gas. It was still “only” $3.99/gallon. I believe the governor of Kentucky declared a state of emergency so stations can’t gouge consumers.
At least now we can use the inverter with relative impugnity.
The sun broke thru the clouds about an hour ago and we enjoyed that classic golden lit trees against a backdrop of dark gray clouds. Nice sunset here, too. Beautiful. It’s gonna be dark-dark-dark at camp tonight. We love it. Nice folks next to us, from Springfield, IL: Tom and Linda.
G’night.
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9:28pm Sunday 9/14
Until we read at our local paper’s site, we had no idea how severe a storm system it still was.
Ike left a swath of damage in his wake, from the gulf coast clear up through Canada. There is heavy wind damage all throughout the states he blustered through, tens of thousands without power, roofs gone, trees down.
Up in our part of Ohio, the roof was blown off an 84 Lumber store in Pataskala and a church in Granville lost its copper-covered steeple. The International airport in Cincy had to cancel 40 flights and a Delta hanger lost part of its roof.
We are going to recharge the cellphones using the inverter. Nice being able to keep in touch. We’ll try to power the Bunn coffee pot in the morning. LOL Inverter is 300-watt and has override safety. Have to look up Bunn’s wattage.
Gearing up for some downtime
Downtime. What a loaded word that can be. If you’re a business owner, downtime isn’t a good thing, though it’s expected. If you’re looking forward to getting away from your responsibilities and enjoying a vacation, downtime’s as desireable as it is illusive.
We’re in the second camp, looking forward to vacation. It’s time for the annual Kentucky Roundup (aka the KYRU) with our friends at Dave’s Garden, and we can’t wait. For the first time ever, we’re making a vacation out of it. We’ll be staying not three days, but eight!I think the last time we took a real vacation anywhere was nearly ten years ago when we visited Howie’s sister in Montgomery, Alabama.
But about Kentucky. Yes. YES! Our plan all along was to tent camp, but since I went ahead and got my surgery over with early, we were concerned with how it would go with me sleeping on an air mattress in the cold and damp night air. Getting up from ground level, one-armed, in the middle of the night just doesn’t sound that easy.
Parentals to the rescue! My mom and dad are loaning us their neat little 2004 Starcraft 2406 pop-up camper, which has all the comforts of home, including two spacious beds, a toilet, water heater, shower, stove, sink and a heater/AC unit. We may not use it to shower, but it’ll sure be nice not having to hike to the bathhouse for every call of nature. Here’s what the floor plan looks like in this model:
Floor plan of the Starcraft 2406 pop-up camper.
By the way, I am able to sleep in bed now; Sunday night was the first time since my surgery that I could remain comfortable enough to sleep the night in bed. Yay, no more overnights of scattered sleep in the recliner! No more hearing Hattie growl and hiss at Snoopy as she pesters Hattie throughout the night hours. In my own bed, next to my slumbering mate, I have only to deal with the friendly, persistent headbutts of Snoopy or the calm, purring lump of Hattie-Cat by my side. Occasionally, they both morph into meatloaves within mere feet of each other on the comforter. There’s a tenuous peace, in the bedroom at least.
Speaking of bedrooms, Howie deep-cleaned our bedroom tonight. Thanks again, Howie! It needed it, anyway, but we want it to be especially nice for his mom. You see, when grandma watches the four-foots, grandma and the trio snuggle up in our bed. I mean, grandma can’t babysit and just let one little furkid in bed with her, can she? Anyway, her twin-sized bed downstairs in her apartment is too small for a lady plus three dogs. It’s only fair she should sleep in our king-sized bed, surrounded by snoring lumps of dogflesh.
Ah, but back to the whole V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N thing!
We’re ALSO meeting our friend Tami and her family for the first time! Last year it didn’t work out for us to stop on our way back from the KYRU, but this year we’ve made special plans. Because riding in the car is still not the most comfortable activity for me, we decided to break the drive down into two days of 4-hours’ drive each. Guess who right at that half way point…How perfect.
This way, we can enjoy a leisurely visit. Saturday afternoon will find us hanging out, kickin’ back at a cookout with Tami, Kevin and Ashley. It’s too bad Andrew and Christina are in Missouri (?). I wonder if we’ll get to meet Tami’s folks — along with tasting her dad’s infamous beer cheese, it would be icing on the cake, you know? Hint, hint.
I think a combined talky blog would be very cool. *Ahem* And, yes, I still need to post mine. I’ve just put off editing it!
Saturday evening, we’ll head to a campground for the night. Sunday morning we’ll head on down to Prizer Point.
We can’t WAIT. I’d better get to bed or I’ll be up until 5am going on about this trip!
New goodness to read: Homemade Grits
I found a new (to me) blog yesterday, Homemade Grits. Lesley and her husband Sam are expecting a baby girl, Matilda. Soon! :) I stumbled upon her blog while doing a search for something I’d seen on CBS Sunday Morning. She has a whole entry about the show and I was drawn right in. I really enjoy reading her observations about things. I don’t even know her, but I’m excited for her and Sam!
I wish her and her growing family all good things. When you visit, please click on some of her ads, okay? Let’s just call it a virtual baby shower from me and my merry little band of well-wishers. 
Anyway…Something she wrote about really piqued my interest tonight. In talking about redecorating their home office, she showed a photo of bookshelves arranged in color blocks and linked to the original article about the idea. Wow, did it catch my eye!
Now, it might make it a little hard to find anything, but it would look fabulous, so who cares?
It’s rare that I read the majority of my fiction titles more than once unless I really loved them. And my beautiful assortment of gardening reference books collect dust since it is so much easier to go online for the latest information about any given subject or project. But there they sit, survivors of good-intentioned office purgings.
Maybe if I arranged them by color, I could justify my unwillingness to give them away: “But they’re part of a theme, honey…They’re, uh, they ARE the decor in here!”
Either that or dedicate the worst day of PMS each month to the task of downsizing.
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