End of the Road Farm

[sKePTiKal]

Looks like it's still too cool for the next week, to start setting out my herbs. At least, night time temps are 10 degrees below normal. Most of May is looking chilly at nights too, but at least I won't be running a/c... not even in June, the way it looks right now.

I've got some ordering to do... I want a new watering can. Plastic ones will just blow away in this wind - which appears to be a constant in our weather for the foreseeable future.

I've been cleaning up the downstairs front porch bed. Leaves tend to collect up to a foot deep there, and I leave them, all winter long. Rhododendrons, lots of vinca, a couple roses and yellow daisies in there right now. I'll be planting spearmint in that bed, since mints are supposed to discourage stinkbugs. I need to take a rest... but then I really should get up and keep going. SOOOO much to get caught up on and now I can "see" how I want things. It's going to take time; can't happen overnight. But I want what I want - LOL.

I don't see myself building fence. But the auger is going to help tremendously planting trees and shrubs. I'll be filling the holes with topsoil and compost by hand, most likely. But the digging is what would convince me to move to a condo at the beach again. LOL.

I just NEED to be outside to start building up some strength again. It's unreal what a toll even this simple, light work is taking on me. I don't like it one bit and the only way to fix that - is work, rest, and work again.

[lighter]

You sound exhilarated, Amber.

I wish I had some of that this morning. 

Lighter

[sKePTiKal]

Yes, doing my happy dance Lighter!

There is a good kind of tired, and that's what I am. Pleasant temps; no wind to contend with. Perfect for working into building the strength/stamina for the bigger projects to come. My seeds came today. My parking area kitchen beds are started; the idea is going to work!

I have wild violets/violas coming up through the moss in the yard - moss covers probably 75% of the yard - you'd love it -because there's no topsoil to speak of. Time to see if I can get the truckloads delivered! The bobcat will be here Tuesday and I think one scoop of dirt might be perfect for most of the new beds.

Big surprise - when I finally opened the deck box - I found the missing top piece to my rolling greenhouse and the tool rack I'd been looking for since I moved in. I've clean up alot of the junk on that downstairs front porch too. And chased away the bird who keep trying to nest under my upstair front porch. Multiple times - LOL.

This is what I wanted to do with myself when I bought this place. There are still big jobs on the list - but I wanted to spend my time doing this kind of stuff. And the weather looks to be PERFECT for the next few weeks to indulge myself. Only thing I didn't do, that I wanted to was test start the mowers. It's getting to be "time" - especially in the garden field. It's all green and lush. Pretty sure that's the best batch of topsoil I've got. I can't wait for the redbuds to start blooming - they are out along the highway - but my micro-climate is just a bit cooler here.

[Twoapenny]

I get tired just reading through your thread, Skep, you are so busy, even when you're not busy!  Lol   I always think I've only missed a couple of posts and then I start reading and loads has been going on.  I'm glad you're at a point when you can get on with doing the bits you like, though.  I enjoy the finishing off part of a project much more than the preparation and the slog of getting all the work done

[sKePTiKal]

Preparation can be tedious Tupp; I usually forget something in the process. But it's also kinda zen, if you allow yourself the space/time to get into it. And the "doing"... is the quick way into "the zone" for me. I need to find things to do, that put me in the zone MORE - lot's more. It's a great place to be for me for some reason.

And I think being in the zone, is what generates that "pleasantly tired", and a little stiff, but not sore the next day feeling... so that you feel like you want to DO MORE - from the zone again. Knowing this "place" it's really hard for me to take "exercise" seriously. I've never gotten this feeling from exercise - maybe I don't have improvements around me to look at.

I'll for sure stretch this morning. And I'm not going back to the work I've done for 2 days - doing something different today. Then I'll get back to moving those blocks in place.

[Twoapenny]

Preparation can be tedious Tupp; I usually forget something in the process. But it's also kinda zen, if you allow yourself the space/time to get into it. And the "doing"... is the quick way into "the zone" for me. I need to find things to do, that put me in the zone MORE - lot's more. It's a great place to be for me for some reason.

And I think being in the zone, is what generates that "pleasantly tired", and a little stiff, but not sore the next day feeling... so that you feel like you want to DO MORE - from the zone again. Knowing this "place" it's really hard for me to take "exercise" seriously. I've never gotten this feeling from exercise - maybe I don't have improvements around me to look at.

I'll for sure stretch this morning. And I'm not going back to the work I've done for 2 days - doing something different today. Then I'll get back to moving those blocks in place.

I think the thing I dislike about prep is that you do such a lot of work but it doesn't look like much?  Because the nature of prep is usually that the finished project looks good or works well or wasn't a nightmare to implement - it's the sort of 'avoiding future problems' stage of it.  So when decorating and decluttering for example, I might spend two days clearing out cupboards and washing and sanding walls and it doesn't look any different   It just means the end result is nicer than it would be if I hadn't done it all.  It's always worth it, it just feels like a slog at the time.  I'm glad you've got something different to do today and I hope the weather is clearing up a little xx

[sKePTiKal]

Been BUSY!!   

The list of "doing what" is long, and definitely a "one from column A, one from column B" sorta combination. So busy, I forgot the clothes in the washer overnight; and again in the dryer. LOL. I guess I'll see if they're that wrinkled and run them again. Before I start today's madness.

After today, I'm "in" for awhile and have some bigger jobs to tackle over the next 5-6 days or till it rains again. Someday, I'll dust & vacumn. House needs it top to bottom and I just remembered this morning, I never finished the interior poly on the windows. Need to get back at that too.

Having a new recurring dream: I'm lost in the city and trying to find my way back to where I can get a ride home. I quite literally don't know where I am and am dependent on total strangers. And it's a scary enough dream to wake me up. Nothing bad happens to me in the dream, except I don't know where I am. Holly sometimes figures in the dream; sometimes not.

[Hopalong]

I have been trying to figure out how to make a list.
That is ridiculous.
What happens is, when I start writing down all I need to do I become totally overwhelmed about prioritizing and give up.
I'm ashamed of it because it's part ADD but part obstinant resistance.
When I can read for hours and NOT: plant patio pots, water blueberries (did have those planted after thinking about it for 5 years), sort/purge, paper, novel, etc.

I just brain freeze. Avoid deciding until I go to work around 1:00.
THEN, because I'm taking care of someone else...I'm motivated.

Your lists help. Your energy and ability to motivate yourself to do all this work FOR yourself are something I would like an injection of.

Thanks for the inspiration, Amber.

A poetry prof once said, there's no such thing as a nightmare, our subconscious is processing something. It's getting released that way, so it won't hobble us.

love
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

Hops, limit yourself to 3 things on the list! Those are today's targets. If you don't get there today (and yes, I have days like that) transfer them to tomorrow's list -- and don't add anything ELSE. I have a tremendous amount of resistance that particularly pops up about things "I want". I think it's because after all this time of doing it myself I REALLY want someone to do it for me. And when I ignore the whole list... the whiny inner child is saying "I don't feel like it", "I don't wanna". So, I don't... and remind her it will still be there tomorrow.

Sometimes, I have to go do something I really enjoy BEFORE I can muster the motivation to the things I know I need to do. Things that are in the way of me doing other things I enjoy.

[sKePTiKal]

I'm being lazy today. Not quite "comfortably" lazy. I feel like I "should" be taking advantage of the slightly cooler temps and good breeze today - lots to be done and half my dirt's here! But oak pollen is pretty strong right now and I am physically tired. I had to hustle to get a space ready for the dirt yesterday... and then they couldn't put it there without risking turning the dump truck over. Two days and nights of really HOT weather was enough of "trying to work through it" or sleep through it, for me.

Compost is supposed to be delivered today. I'm still waiting on diesel fuel cans (for the bobcat) to get delivered. It's not as "thrifty" as the ranger is with fuel... and it's me hauling them to the gas station and lifting/carrying heavy cans. Not my favorite chore. And I've committed to getting tires on the Cherokee tomorrow... so I guess this is just regroup time. I still having mowing to do... and so many other things... and well, they'll still be there if I don't do them right now.   

Highs are going back to the 70s next week. Much better for me to work in. And a really humid/wet weekend ahead. There's still stuff I can do inside to cross off the list finally.

[Hopalong]

Hah
and
HAH!

Amber, "lazy."

Snicker.
Snort.
Giggle.
Etc.

You are ridiculously inspiring. Maybe it worked!
Although my back can't do it, I at least bought eight thornless hollies today, and Esteban came and planted them beauteously (needed a hedge between me and my neighbor's trucks) including two baby shrubs B gave me....a hydrangea (lemon lime?) and a cherry laurel. He misunderstood my note and put the hydrangea in the wrong corner but who cares.

I felt crazy productive (by my standards, which are like the bottom of a tortoise's belly...but still.)

Thanks for the leadership, Farm Queen Amber!

Hugs
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

Those kinds of projects are kinda their own reward Hops. First the "doing" feels good, then the new "landscape" you're making will provide entertainment through all the seasons.

Thursday, I tried shovelling in the dirt/shale into one the holes made when a tree fell over. I'd forgotten how awful digging "dirt" (I use the term loosely) that is 70% shale is. This old lady about wore herself out on one hole. Now, I've got 10 rugosas (if they all make it) to plant and they need a pretty good sized hole, with a lot of topsoil/compost added to thrive here. TEN HOLES... 2x3 ft might be enough for this sized bareroot stock.

Which is why I have a bobcat now. With an auger. And now I want/think I need a digging bucket too. Which means I need a new shed to store all those attachments out of the weather and so I can drive up to them and hook up. LOL.

Is this what they call "progress"???

[lighter]

YES.

This is exactly the definition of progress, Amber.

You are an Amazon soldier!

Lighter

[sKePTiKal]

LOL.... if that's true Lighter, then I've been on R&R since Friday. Nursery had an open house this weekend, so I didn't get the truckload of compost yet. I figure those guys had their hands full; when I drove past on Sat, the parking lot was full. I went into town to have better tires put on the Cherokee for mud/snow. Plus the OEM tires were hitting their max mileage. Next up is an oil change for that vehicle.

And it POURED here. Between all my frogs, the wind and rain... it's like I still live at the beach. But the pollen isn't as bad... LOL.

When do you go back to the cottage?

[lighter]

I'm back as of yesterday afternoon.  Contractor has the cistern in back bedroom covered tight so my froh problem there is solved.  I had golden frogs... Some as large as your fist, coming and going.

The taxi put my stuff behind his van, insisting little ladies like me shouldn't be lifting, then ran over my stuff.  Brand new laptop....crunched.  Many things crunched, in fact.  To be fair he was distracted by a handicapped gentleman....but darnit.  I needed all the stuff I schlepped here.

My renter intends to get money back from cab driver, but I'm not hopeful.  Will see.

I put insulation over the skylights in the bunkbed room today.  Cleaned out that entire space as it became the storage room.  Started taking up broken tile flooring.  Will seal the cement floor....possibly stain it first.

Exterior on main house got pressure washed today....some caulking done.

Hit water heater hooked up 10 minutes ago, woo hoo!  Will enjoy that tonight.

Cooking steak, potatoes and corn for dinner.

Tomorrow morning I'll do an old driftwood gray wash on the countertop, and see how It goes.  Maybe do the same in the front room which ended up bead board with 2 feet of stucco at bottom if wall for when hurricanes blow water in.  The old wood siding just ducked up the water and warped.

I really like the painting jobs.  Will get house painted tomorrow with some local help, then storm shutters can go up.

Going back to organize more, and clean so the place will feel better.  Maybe work out on beach as sun begins setting.

I'm here for 2 more weeks. 
Lighter