The Evolution of GJ

6 August 2010, by gj

When we first moved into the house we now live in, there was nothing in the yard but a dead rose bush, some wild raspberries, and grass.
Perfect – tabla rasa (me and the yard).
I put in a small vegetable garden, modest by comparison to the one I have now, and started planting flowers.

Yes, that’s right, I planted flowers.

Like my father, great uncle and grandfather before me; in fact I have phlox from my great uncle’s garden.

Over time the vegetable garden got bigger and the flowers beds got overgrown.

These days I can easily name this flower:

and this one:

and even this one:

but I have no idea what this is called
(though it is lovely and gets bigger every year)

The only reason it doesn’t get weed-whacked is because I had the foresight to put a marker there to remind me that I planted it intentionally.

This is the yarrow, trying to stay alive amidst the phlox that was planted quite a distance away

Now I realize flowers are beautiful and can feed the soul. Like this one:

I can’t take credit for that, though. SaveTheWorld planted it this past spring – My bulbs are still in the box they came in.

So what happened? Why did my gardening leanings shift?
Certainly, food for the soul is every bit as important as food to eat.

I thought for a while that perhaps I needed a good reason to justify the money I spent on gardening. If I produced food, it would balance out.
That may have been somewhat true when our budget was tighter, not so much now.

So why do I continue on the vegetable garden path (excuse the unintended pun)… in fact expanding to the point where harvesting requires at least two people and a weekend to accomplish?
It isn’t the money anymore.

I think I’ve simply found my food for the body and my food for the soul in the same flower:

Categories: keeping up with the joneses

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When I’m 54?

1 August 2010, by gj

Part 3
Please read Part 1 and Part 2

Over the past few weeks, as I worked on this last page, I thought a lot about it.
It’s okay, don’t worry. I’ve thought before and I was alright when it was over.

Although I cannot say what the year will hold, here’s what I’m thinking:
1. Get older, not old
As I have mentioned, I work a lot with our older population. They will often say to me, when complaining about their aches and medications, “Don’t get old!”
I jokingly respond “It beats the alternative!”
After thinking about it, they are right. “Don’t get old” doesn’t mean “don’t get older”…it refers to the negative aspects of aging. Aches, pains, procedures, and limitations- that’s what they are referring to.
Though they seem to take great pride in comparing things like ‘procedures’ ‘meds’ and ‘movements’.
There are numerous healthy choices to prevent those negatives. Gardening is a great one that I already enjoy; keeping mentally active by learning new things is a definite plus.
It is time to step it up a bit, though; I need to look at my diet and other habits that may make me get old too soon. In order to make it work, I need to take it a little at a time, and friends can help a lot. Let me know if you want me to share the info, we can all not get ‘older’ together.

2. Make a difference, a real difference
SaveTheWorld keeps telling me “Mom, look at how many FB friends you have…you can make a difference!” She’s right, I guess… I just don’t know where I want to start. There are so many great causes and I am not one to go beat anyone over the head for something I think is right.
I remember I once followed a rather heated argument on a gardening site regarding what to use to build raised beds; treated vs. untreated lumber, etc. If that’s a controversy, a real topic could be hellfire.
I’ll pick an appropriate cause.
I’ll do it subversively. (Muhahahaha!)

3. Simplify one aspect of my life (like this is possible?)
Geez, did I write that? I *think* I will choose my home life. It is time to start getting rid of some of the clutter that has accumulated lo these many years. Not an easy task for someone who obsesses. Wish me luck – Obviously this is going to be my weak spot.

4. Plan as if I’ll live to be 108
If I’m going to take better care of my self, I’d better plan on living longer. I used to tell myself that I wanted to retire from working with seniors before I became one, by the time I was 55. Now I wonder if instead, I can’t just reexamine my job once more and adjust it to suit me. If I work just a few more years my retirement will be that much easier. Maybe I can start to retire subtly. Sound like a plan?
Doesn’t ‘Four-Day Work Week’ have a nice ring to it? That’s my new goal.

5. Do one thing I know I must do
Eleanor Roosevelt said “Whatever it is in life that you think you cannot possibly do, that is what you must do.” That statement helped me quit smoking over 10 years ago.
I know what it is I must do, I must learn to let go. There is one thing that is aging me more than any other; I need to let it go before it consumes me. This is a highly personal matter, so no details, sorry.
I do know that I will need permission to do this; and it absolutely is the ‘one thing’ I know I must do.

Now this isn’t like some New Year’s resolutions. I have all year to work towards these goals. For me that makes it much easier to accomplish.

So thank you for letting me wax a little philosophic on my birthday;
and seriously,
just be glad that unlike poor Mandolin,
you never had to listen while I learned to play the fiddle.

Categories: keeping up with the joneses, special holiday posts

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Self-Serving Chickens

31 July 2010, by gj

I saw a few pictures and directions on the internet on how to make a feeder for a small backyard flock (links below) so decided to try it.
The galvanized feeders at the local farm store run $30-$48 each, this one was free!
I used an old clean cement bucket, a discarded plastic pot tray, 2 screws/bolts/washers as shown. The project took less than 1/2 hour.

Some great sites that did similar projects:
Fowl Visions
Loomis Living
Backyard Chickens Forum
More links on my website

Categories: keeping up with the joneses

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Will You Still Feed Me…

28 July 2010, by gj

Part 2 of 3
Five Years Later (The Aftermath)
Please read Part 1 here

1. I would learn something new, really really new
As I mentioned, the fiddle (or violin, different names, same instrument) is considered the hardest instrument to learn. I refused to give up; though I admit there were many times I wanted to throw it out the window. I couldn’t play along with Mandolin for a long time because I (stunk, squeaked, played the wrong note…pick one, they all fit). So I ended up learning to play an Irish drum or Bodhran (pron. Bo-ron), the guitar, the concertina (just a small 20 button), and the soprano ukulele (I won’t mention the Tin Whistle or Baby Harp at all). Yeah, it’s the personality thing: take it to the extreme
2. I would do something totally altruistic
I have since thrown another, more successful fundraiser; bringing in over $5000 for an individual’s unexpected funeral expenses at the sudden loss of her husband at age 53. I feel like maybe the first one was the dry-run, it gave me a chance to learn what I needed to do when perhaps it meant more.
3. I would do something I never thought I could do
I play in public all the time now. I’ve taught guitar to a few seniors and run a chorus and band at a local senior center. Mandolin and I play Traditional Irish around St. Pat’s and hold Open Sessions at a local pub. I still get nervous, but it is getting better. (I no longer have the false ‘vibrato’ AKA hand shaking on the fiddle bow). It never ceases to amaze me how this one thing has made such a difference in my life, how much happiness it has brought.
4. I would do something I always wanted to, but never did
I recently added to the tattoo.
It’s too funny. Ten years ago, if you told me that I would have quit smoking cigarettes, be playing and instrument in public and singing, and would have a tattoo…I would either have sat you quietly down (and called the police) or would have checked your veins for holes.
5. I would take one aspect of my life, and make a leap of faith
I love my job. I admit, if I could garden for a living I’d be out of there in a heartbeat, but I couldn’t expect a better job than the one I have. The bad parts are pfff, no big deal; the good parts are way better. And it pays for my gardening addiction

So now what? Now I am about to start my 55th year, I will on the occasion of my 54th birthday. No more ‘early 50’s’. Another time for some reassessment and to reinvent.
Again I want to choose 5 things, 5 similar but different things.
For this occasion they will focus more on time passing:

1. Get older, not old
2. Make a difference, a real difference
3. Simplify one aspect of my life (like this is possible?)
4. Plan as if I’ll live to be 108
5. Do the one thing I know I must do

(the particulars coming soon)

the song reference

Categories: keeping up with the joneses, special holiday posts

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Will You Still Need Me…

24 July 2010, by gj

Part I of III

On the day of my 49th birthday, the start of my 50th year, I decided to mark the upcoming special occasion by doing 5 things.
I felt like turning 50 was a kind of Do-Over Time, a time to change what I wanted to change.
I didn’t know what 5 things, but 5 for the big 5-0 seemed appropriate. Over the next week or two I chose the following:
1. I would learn something new, really really new
2. I would do something totally altruistic
3. I would do something I never thought I could do
4. I would do something I always wanted to, but never did
5. I would take one aspect of my life, and make a leap of faith

Little by little the particulars started to fall into place. The course of the year yielded the following results to each aspect:

1. I would learn something new, really really new
I bought a fiddle and started to teach myself how to play. As a little kid I had a handful of piano lessons from my grandfather, and in college my future husband showed me how to play a few guitar chords. Otherwise I really didn’t play an instrument. But Mandolin did. I thought this would be something we could share. I had no idea that the violin is considered to be the hardest instrument to learn, and I’m glad I didn’t know.

2. I would do something totally altruistic
For my 50th birthday party I threw a fundraiser for a local volunteer fire department: “Hot Wings and Cool Music”. Unfortunately it hit 97 degrees that day and the firehall was not air conditioned. The turn out was light, but all was not lost. The company was throwing a farewell party the next night for one of their members who had enlisted in the service. There was plenty of food and beverages for them to enjoy- and nobody had to cook in the heat. I actually liked that better.

3. I would do something I never thought I could do
At the fundraiser I played a song on my fiddle and sang two songs, in public take note. Just two years before I had directed a musical show at a senior center. I was so shy I didn’t even accept my flowers on stage. When I was in high school I had been in a few of plays and a couple of musical performances, but never got positive feedback. As an adult, I had played a few small parts in dinner shows at our restaurant, against my better judgment (I was so nervous , my hands would shake terribly).
So for me to perform, of my own accord, especially to sing and play an instrument was a giant step. More, as it turned out, than I could have imagined.

4. I would do something I always wanted to, but never did
I got a tattoo.

5. I would take one aspect of my life, and make a leap of faith
I chose my work life. Although I had a good job, I wasn’t happy at it. I thought maybe it was time for a change. An opportunity arose and I interviewed. In total I interviewed three times, as they narrowed the field. I was going to take a leap of faith and let that decide what I would do. As I went through the interview process I realized that I actually did like my job more than I knew. I decided instead of leaving, I would adjust it where I could; adjust ME where I needed to, and make my job one I would like more.
I didn’t see that one coming that’s for sure. I was soo happy when I didn’t get hired! It really ended up being a leap of faith.

Parts II and III coming by 8/1/10

Categories: keeping up with the joneses, special holiday posts

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Puppy Love

23 July 2010, by gj

We’ve had our rescued lab/Dane mix puppy, aka ‘Mandog’ a little over a year now. He can reach all but the highest places in the house and loves to chew. Just about anything.
I should say here that of course anything he has gotten is our fault, he is just a puppy and whatever is within his unusually high reach is fair game.
He is especially fond of wood and wood–like items, and bread. He loves to lick plastic cheese wrappers and plastic bread wrappers.
Fortunately he doesn’t ingest anything inedible, he just tares. To shreds.
Here is some of his booty to-date:

1 antique oak rocker runner (ouch)
4 loaves of bread, numerous sandwiches and bread ends (he seems to have a slight preference for homemade)
5 bodhran tippers, including 3 handmade for me (another ouch)
1 rather expensive Large Breed Dog Bed
2 containers of salt, sans the salt
Any fresh produce left unattended, including hot peppers and garlic
3 houseplants
The back of the couch, and part of the side
1 scan disk (again, he does not eat, only destroys)
1 cell phone
1 wooden chair
Gourds…numerous gourds

1 leash, 2 runs, 1 collar
1 large wooden swing set
1 kitchen chair seat
3 jars of peanut butter
1 canning book
1 shoe insert
1 hammer handle, 1 plunger handle
Enough cat food to aggravate the cat
3 slippers from 3 different pairs

Several gum packs
Parts of the back of the house
A few sips of Irish Cream. Twice.
1 Box tissues, inc. the box
Assorted napkins and paper towels
3 rolls toilet paper
1 perfectly cooked and seasoned Black Angus steak, just the way I like it

This last picture says it all.
We love our rescued puppy, and wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you are in the market for a pet, consider adoption.
They will love you for it.
A Lovely Dog Video
Just my dog and me
Through a dog’s eyes
The heartbreak of shelters

Categories: keeping up with the joneses

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“It’s For Your Own Good”

20 July 2010, by gj

That was never a good thing to hear growing up, about as nasty as “It’ll only hurt for a minute”.
Today I feel sad because today is the first day The Ladies have really been contained.

We tried to build them a run when they first graduated to living in the coop. It wasn’t long before they found every available way out, finally just flying over the top of the fence. We knew the day would come when we had to make a more permanent structure.
Now I have to say that they did have fun roaming about when they got loose and that they were pretty good about coming back each evening. I would have liked to let them stay that way, even though I was worried that they might get too close to the road or a neighbor’s dog might get loose.
There were two other problems.
The first was the coyote puppy on our front porch last spring. I had pretty much forgotten about it when Mandolin reminded me. “It’s for their own good.” He said, referring to the new enclosure and responding to my fretting.
Then there was the bobcat kitten I saw the other day. Even as a kitten it was as big as our Fat-cat with Attitude, who did incidentally, keep it frightened under the front porch for a while. Good Fat-cat.

So it is for their own good, for their protection. Mandolin built a lovely 8’ x 3’ enclosure with a roof to keep them protected from the rain and sun.
I made them a new feeder (directions will be posted on the website soon!).
Today though they did not seem as happy and they certainly did not understand what happened to having the entire world to roam.

So I went to the garden and picked them a nice selection of swiss chard, broccoli leaves and fresh lettuce; because I remember another saying from my childhood –
“Eat something, you’ll feel better”.

The Ladies First Day of Confinement Video

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Raising Chickens 101

9 July 2010, by gj

We’ve had The Ladies about 7 weeks, this is what we have learned so far:

They need to be kept very warm, via a heat bulb, until they reach near ‘teenage’
When you first get them home they are really cute
After a while, like with any baby-anything, cute turns to affection and usually humor , as personalities develop
They eat ‘starter feed’ that is later supplemented with fresh greens and bread crumbs
They grow fast and they learn fast. I always thought chickens were fairly brainless, not so. We made the mistake of letting them totally free range while we built their run. Now they try to get out of the run (and as soon as they get out, they try to get back in). I have witnessed them plotting their escape. Really.
They don’t smell if you keep everything clean
All 5 of our chickens want to be in exactly the same spot at the same time, all the time
They will all sleep in one nest box. No matter how crowded. See above.
They are funny and surprisingly interesting to watch
Other people that have small flocks understand
It really is enjoyable to hold and pet them. They ‘coo’ when they are happy. After molting, their feathers are actually softer.
Men don’t want to pet chickens. Especially Men That Grill
Unexpectedly, you will begin to tell the difference between their vocalizations. You can tell if they are hungry, happy or afraid; or if they are upset. Weird.
Chickens can, and will, fly. Not high or far, but enough to get them out of their coop and/or into trouble.
Keep them cool in the heat by adding a small fan to the coop, also by adding a frozen milk jug of water. (Thanks Dawn!!!)
You are actually proud of their first ‘cluck’ or when they learn to fly up to their perch
Local farmers may laugh at you for keeping them as ‘pets’ …but they don’t know what they are missing

Our Chickens on YouTube
Chickens Playing ‘Chicken’
A Little Bit of Chicken Fried

Got Pics?
It is almost impossible to find building plans for a small flock chicken coop online. We will be posting ours on the website.
‘Hub-made’ coops are apparently common.
Share your pics and your chick stories and hints-I love hearing them!!! I’ll gather them all to the website to share and Thanks!

Related Sites

The Country Chicken
All About Chickens
Backyard Chickens
Self Sufficient
Poultry Pages

Categories: keeping up with the joneses, vegetarian

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Def-Def-Definately Not Rain Man… Perhaps ‘Sprinkler Woman’

16 June 2010, by gj

I may have known the answers once, not now. I often joke that my brain reached capacity in 1985; that’s when I graduated college… I think. I’m not too good with dates either.

After that, anytime I learn something new some other fact is automatically discarded. I just don’t seem to be able to retain trivia like this. At least that’s what I thought until today.

The weather report was on and I commented that I hope we have a better summer than last year. It only hit 90 degrees one day and was so rainy, mostly on the weekends.

Mandolin looked at me and asked, “How did you know that? They just said that, before you were watching? You remember that?”

I recognized the look on his face. It was the same one I have on my face when I am admiring how much he knows.

It felt good.

So good in fact that I proceeded to tell him what the summer weather was like pretty much for the last 14 years.

I probably lost his interest after 3 years, but I couldn’t help myself. What a great feeling to be admired for knowing something so seemingly useless.

Am I a Rain Man? Heck No!… I can’t remember that much!  

Answers:

1. The Yankees

2. The Pittsburgh Steelers

3. Nixon vs. McGovern

4. Andrew Jackson 

5. Eric Clapton aka Slowhand

6. REO Speedwagon (now, where did that band name come from, do you know?)

The Rain Man Movie Trailer

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Chicken Who? (The Contest)

13 June 2010, by gj

It has been three weeks since we brought home ‘the ladies’.
Now they are in that goofy looking stage (like we all go through) between chick and chicken.

All but one of them has been named. That’s where you come in. First, let me introduce the rest:
The first to be named is “MJ”, the black and white Barred Plymouth Rock who walked backward (2x) when we first got her home. That name was obvious.
My daughter, SaveTheWorld Jones, next named her favorite Pooka. She is a cutie Araucanas that will be laying blue or green eggs (the chick, not my daughter).
My older daughter (Mrs. Jones-Ninja) named the Golden Comet “Nugget”. Her vegetarian sister wasn’t too happy.
The White Leghorn was named Pertelote.

So far we have a Rock Star, a Literary Character, An Imaginary One and an Edible; and one chick left without a name. She is the fastest runner, medium in size. She is a Rhode Island Red, considered to be one of the most prolific egg layers.
With animals, somehow you just know if a name is right or not. We can’t seem to come up with one we like for her.

So here’s the deal. I’m asking you to just leave your name idea in the comment area. If SaveTheWorld chooses the name you suggest, you get your choice of a gourd pictured below. (Hand painted and signed, by yours truly). Another winner will be chosen randomly and will receive the other gourd.

If you have never left a comment before, it won’t show up until it is approved (spam prevention). After that commenting is automatic.
You can make more that one suggestion, but only one per day.
Good luck and thanks – I’m really looking forward to hearing your ideas!
What’s a Pooka?
A quick video of the chicks

Categories: keeping up with the joneses

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