(DF) GREAT PUMPKIN AWARD? SERIOUSLY??

For the record, NO, I didn't grow these pumpkins.  I didn't even purchase them, or for that matter, carry them to the vehicle.  As much as I would love to take at least some credit for these cute little specimens, I simply can't.

This morning, as I sat quietly eating breakfast, the phone rang.  The number on the screen was not a familiar one so I hesitated.  Finally, I answered it, curious to see what kind of nut job would be calling at breakfast time on Sunday.

When I answered, the voice asked if I was Mr. Smith.  When I indicated that I was, he informed me that I had been selected to receive the "Great Pumpkin Award".  My reaction was a somewhat sarcastic one.  "Great Pumpkin Award?"  "SERIOUSLY??", I asked with no hesitation.

The laughter that came next, I recognized.  It was the brother-in-law type character on the next hill.  Turns out the rumors of him growing pumpkins this year were true, and I was invited to come and pick out a couple.

These are not the largest in the patch, but will serve nicely.  Honestly, I am not currently in shape to lift the largest ones, which are quite a bit bigger.

Anna and I had hoped to grow some of this type of pumpkin, but it is hard for a tightwad to justify the price of seeds for giant pumpkins (they are a bit pricey).  Now, we have plenty of seeds and the opportunity to test the quality of these pumpkins.  I'm sure they will taste great, and I can hardly wait to sample the "Great Pumpkin Award".

(DF) NEW GARDEN TILLER (UGH!!!)

For the record, I don't really like garden tillers.  The reasons are many.  The rotary tines break up and spread grass roots, the engine requires fuel, though the emissions are cleaner than in the past, they are still not good for the environment.  On a more personal note, the engine noise is irritating and I don't like the smell.  Add to this list the fact that it is a less self-sufficient means of gardening than more primitive methods and I'm sure you get my point.

From a more practical stand point, however, there were other considerations.  One big one is the fact that I will not be able to even start using a shovel for quite some time, much less turn the whole garden.  With this in mind, there would certainly be no cover crop this fall, and with the garden gone native, it would be difficult to have it ready for spring planting.

Under normal circumstances, it is possible (though not easy) to raise enough vegetables for home use with only hand tools, but surplus is another matter.  Anna and I have been planning to raise enough for our own use and plenty to sell for part of our income.  The fact is clear that it is not physically possible to work as much ground with a shovel and hoe as with a tiller.

All these factors came under consideration when Anna and I were deciding whether or not to buy a tiller.  Of course, we also considered that Anna doesn't share my aversion to small engines.

Anna and I had been discussing this matter while I was unable to walk.  As soon as I could drive and spend a little time on my feet, we started shopping a bit.  We did not want to get a used tiller and end up having to work on it all the time.  With new equipment being so expensive, we had to shop around some.

With fall approaching, the selection was not as large as in springtime.  Most were not as powerful as we needed and prices were pretty high even on sale.  VERY FRUSTRATING!!!  We needed a tiller that would suit our needs and at a good price.

Finally, when it seemed we might have to settle for less than we wanted, my tightwad self had a thought.  The local equipment rental company sells their equipment after a period of time.  They are also very particular about how their equipment is maintained.  It turned out that they had exactly what we needed (actually, it was the only tiller they had available).  It had been rented out once, but had obviously not been used much.  The price was substantially reduced, helping my tightwad tendencies.  As an added bonus, it came with full factory warranty.

Though I am still not overly fond of rotary tillers, it does make it possible to work up the ground.  Don't get me wrong, I will still keep a good shovel and hoe, just in case the machine breaks down.

(DF) RECOVERY AND RECLAMATION

During the past couple of months, while I have been down with a bad foot, very little work has been done here on Dave's Farm.  Not only have things not progressed, nature has taken its course.  Un-mown lawns and un-worked gardens not only don't get better. they actually grow up. In this case, the grass has grown quite well and is now four to six feet high.

Yes, maintenance is right out the window here.  The worst of it is the garden.  It has been a perfect summer here for grass and it has really       gotten established.  In short, it has become a major reclamation project.
Reclamation has begun.  I am using a scythe to cut the tall grass, a little at a time as my recovery allows.  The work is very slow as I am still unable to walk well and can only stay on my feet for a short time before having to stop and rest awhile.  This process makes me feel a bit lazy and worthless, but I try not to say it too loud because Anna gets onto me for saying such things about myself.

Once the grass is cut and allowed to dry, it is being hauled in the wheelbarrow to the barn and stored for winter goat feed.  After the grass is hauled away from the garden, I am gradually tilling up the garden in preparation for planting a cover crop (probably winter peas this time).  When the garden is finished, the lawn can be reclaimed in the same manner, mowing the stubble when the tall grass has been removed.  A slow process, but a necessary one.

Reclamation and recovery will be slow.  The doctor told me last week that it will be at least two more months before I can return to my job, and from the way it feels, he is probably right.  I am having to move slow and only a little at a time, so it will take some time for both recovery and reclamation.

When I am finished with reclamation, I can then start catching up.  Thank goodness other things like building fence and farm buildings actually DO just sit there instead of having to be reclaimed. 

Wish me luck.

DAVE IS SICK (update)

Before I start, thanks so much for the thoughts and prayers.  We appreciate all of you so much.  I really missed the communication over the past couple of months. 

As Anna has already posted, I have been a bit under the weather for quite a while.  Of course, though I was unable to use it anyway, it has been frustrating not having computer access.  The computer and the foot broke down about the same time, you see.  Since Anna didn't go into detail, I will give a brief rundown as to the problem.

The story goes back to mid-June.  You may recall that I had started taking down an old barn on my brother's place for the material which we need for out buildings and such.  In mid-June, after delays with truck repairs, I was finally back to the demolition project.  The end of a productive day of suck work found me tired and with the last board of the day still attached by one small nail.  Did I do the sensible thing, take a few steps to get the hammer?  Of course not.  In true Dave-like fashion, I simply kicked it (just as I have done many times before with no ill effect).  This time there was a twinge of pain but not serious.

Next morning, it was more painful so I decided to take a couple of days off work and let it heal.  Two days later, I was in the emergency room with extreme swelling part way up my leg and lots of pain.  The bruising in the foot had led to cellulitis (aka infection in the soft tissue).  And yes there were a couple of chips and fractures, but nothing serious.

After a brief stay in the hospital, I went back to work, wearing a walking boot (most awkward, I might add) and using pain pills when it got too rough.  Things were going pretty well until the antibiotics ran out.

A few days later, I was back in the hospital, a longer stay this time, with osteomylitis (aka bone infection)  I got the standard informational pep talk that goes with this malady, which includes all the possibilities for treatment ranging from IV antibiotics to surgery to AMPUTATION or even death.  There is not much in this world that still frightens me but, if you must know, I was terrified at this point.  Not much of what I do in life works without feet.

So after a week or so, I was released from the hospital with a pic line for the antibiotics, instructions on how to use it and strict orders not to put any weight on that foot for at least six weeks.  Please understand that I don't normally take doctor's orders too seriously, but having known people with this problem for whom the outcome was not great, I followed carefully.

A week later, I was back in the hospital, this time with a particularly nasty intestinal infection caused by the antibiotics.  For this, they gave me lots of IV fluids and yet another antibiotic.  A was also ordered to eat lots of yogurt and avocados (an enjoyable prescription at least).

After a couple more trips to the emergency room and weekly trips for blood work, they finally let me start putting weight on my sore foot.  That was almost two weeks ago and I must say it feels good not to have to use a walker and hold my foot up, even though each step is still like walking on broken glass.  Pain is something I learned to deal with long ago but being extremely weak and out of shape is really hard to tolerate.  I just keep pushing to the limit and trying to be patient.  Yes, there is that word.  Patience is a virtue, unfortunately NOT one of mine, thank you very much.

Thursday, I go back to the doctor and hopefully, they will pull the pic line. I can hardly wait.

Poor Anna deserves a medal for all the worry and hard work she has endured through this ordeal.  Not only has she been working hard in the garden and trying to hold everything together,while constantly worrying about me, she has also had to put up with my bummed out attitude the whole time.  Even after all of that, she still loves me and is willing to put up with me.  WOW!!!!!

As for the internet, they came and installed it Saturday afternoon.  They told me it would be worth the wait, and for the first time, they told the truth.  It really is as fast as they said it would be.  Now if I can get to the point of having my foot down for more than a half hour at a time, I might get something done.

I best go prop the foot up again.  Thanks again for the prayers.

WoooHoooo!!! :)

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