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61

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by sKePTiKal on January 23, 2026, 07:35:08 AM »

I hope you ladies are ready for the ice storm. Lighter, you'll probably see the worst of the ice on this coast. Power outages expected; probably trees down in places. And freezing (near zero) temps. Fortunately, I don't think there will any strong wind.

Cold is already settling in here. We're in the mostly snow range - a foot or more. That puts B and maybe Hol on plowing duty. I can shovel around the decks and jeeps. C needs picked up from the airport - Sunday was original flight. Storm is expected to continue here & north into Monday. LOLOL. A person just has to work around the weather! I'm probably gonna have to reschedule eye appt Tues if my jeep can't get out to the highway.

We went out Tues/Wed to prepare to be snowed in and total slugs. MIGHT lose internet - our starlink is on a plug that's not on generator. The ipad has it's own cell chip - so as long as the tower is up, I have my "lifeline". LOL. Hol and I did a radio check yesterday (handhelds) just in case.

As long as there's no wind... we should be good. Even with the arctic temps.

62

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by Hopalong on January 22, 2026, 11:50:07 AM »

That's so cool, Lighter!
Hope you do it, and for once, I'll track every detail, promise.

hugs
Hops

63

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by lighter on January 22, 2026, 11:46:44 AM »

I researched mushroom logs!  I'm fascinated by the idea, Hops!

Lighter

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by Hopalong on January 20, 2026, 04:25:41 PM »

I've seen really cool raised beds made of stock watering troughs perched on sawhorses, or something like that. Actually waist height, which sounds so wonderful to me. Guess I could set up a couple of those for salad stuff, wouldn't mind! (Of course, my helper would do the lifting part.) Might be some of those around second hand, do you think?

Ex BF M and I enjoyed a mushroom kit I got him on Amazon. He loved it, it popped all over with oyster mushrooms and lion's mane (good for ADD) was to be next. When it was spent we tossed the debris (and spores) in his woods to do what they would. He'd add them to omelettes, stir-fries, anything he did with meat...happy boy. But not for y'all, so you'll find something you love better to grow. BTW, if you do anything about a raised-to-waist height bed, I'd really love to hear about it.

This is what I fantasize about (don't ask me if I used AI...aaaack):
 Elevated Trough Planters
If you prefer a standard trough but need the 3-foot height for ergonomics, use a trough with a built-in stand.
Tarter & Behlen: Produce "elevated" planter versions of their stock tanks.
Stands: You can find 2-pack horse troughs with 3-level adjustable height stands that can bring the rim to approximately 3 feet.
Gardeners Edge: Sells a trough-style raised bed on a rustic stand that provides a waist-high gardening experience.

hugs
Hops

65

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by sKePTiKal on January 20, 2026, 11:18:15 AM »

Even 18" tall "raised beds are actually low to the ground. We don't eat many mushrooms.

66

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: facing the world

« Last post by Hopalong on January 19, 2026, 04:19:28 PM »

We had a snow "shower" yesterday (right after I wrote "no snow here") and it's all gone now.

I wrote a poem this morning about the mulberry trees in snow looking like something out of Tolkein, ready to pull up their roots and "walk outta here."

hugs
Hops

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by Hopalong on January 19, 2026, 04:15:35 PM »

I LOVE the greenhouse idea, and who could do it better? Waist high "table" beds, bravo!
I accepted that I can no longer garden in the raised beds out back, because a 6" "raise" is no help to my back. Had I the resources I'd create what you're contemplating for sure.

How about a mushroom log or two? SO easy. Spores available online, wonderful harvests.

hugs
Hops

68

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by sKePTiKal on January 19, 2026, 11:49:32 AM »

OOO thanks Meh! I like hellebore. I'm going to try adding some flowers into my herb bed(s).

So the garden plans. Every year, I plant a decent sized plot for 2 people & a variety of veg. Every year - bugs & excessive heat prevent me keeping up with it. Last year (and other places around the country same) had a very cool (too cold to plant) spring - then we went right to drought.

I'm REAL tired of messing with that & feeling like I MUST have a garden, when physically - it's very much a pain for me. So, I'm thinking.... being blessed with a lot of local produce (and meat)... at my age, do I really WANT to keep up this Sisyphean fight? I need some other sort of growing plan, just to satisfy me need to "know where my food came from and how it was nourished.

Maybe some sort of greenhouse (warm in the cooler temps) with raised beds.... like almost waist high so it's EASY. Most of the things I want to grow are root vegetables or greens - not so many "summer" crops. Hmmmm. (thinking out loud) Maybe that's the point to enter the re-design process. Getting ideas floating along in the brain ... maybe, if I do this... why do things need to be the x,y,z pattern? Try something DIFFERENT.

Meanwhile, I have painting to do in the "birthing" mudroom and trim to add, too. The white primer is bright in the dark corner, but it's glaring bright. Probably just use the khaki paint I used inside the doors. Khaki would be interesting with red & black.....

69

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: facing the world

« Last post by sKePTiKal on January 19, 2026, 11:30:23 AM »

OOOO... an historical family mystery! Maybe it'll "explain some things" hithertofore left hanging.

It's right nasty out today - 20-25 mph winds, sunny but temp dropping like a rock. Think we'll start fire today around 2. And I'm contemplating a batch of split pea soup... wish I had crusty bread, but I haven't tackled that bugaboo yet.

S L O W L Y making decisions about doing something diferent with garden this year.

70

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Mindfulness and codependence thread

« Last post by sKePTiKal on January 19, 2026, 11:21:35 AM »

Well. In winter, I wear Uggs exclusively "out", unless I'm clearing or walking in snow. (Not wearing those boots this year, it looks like!) Inside, I'm a fan of slipper socks - suede sole, so less slippy - and my baggy socks fit fine in those. Tight, thick socks feel like Chinese foot bindings!!