Independence Days Challenge Update 6/29/08

Another week of progress in some areas, but still too many areas neglected.  Time management is a perennial struggle for me, and when I add in the emotional post-relationship stresses I’m feeling, plus the full-plates-at-work stress (which I don’t necessarily hate, it just leaves me feeling exhausted at the end of the day and un-inclined to focus on other projects), well, it can just get out of control.  Extreme weather can also augment my lack of productivity, as I tend to just “ride out” really hot or really cold weather without doing much productive other than fending off weather-related crises.

All that said, this week wasn’t too bad!  Here’s my report:

Plant something: Transplanted into garden:  dipper gourd starts, and one special bell pepper plant whose variety is apparently is acclimated to Klamath Falls, Oregon, which is not far from here.  Hopefully this means it grows in a shorter season, as we often don’t have enough time to grow bell peppers in this area.

Harvest something:  First, R brought me five tiny strawberries from his garden (that was my garden last year, strawberries I planted).  That was the entire harvest and it was very nice of him to bring them to me.  Also I ate the mesclun mix I was growing in a pot — it didn’t get nearly as big as I expected, but perhaps that’s how mesclun mix is.  And with the heat it was getting leggy and planning to bolt sometime next week.  It wasn’t enough for a salad, but I added it to an existing salad and it was very tasty!  Harvested some comfrey leaves to dry.

Preserve something:  Those comfrey leaves are drying in the dehydrator.

Store something:  Rainbow rotelli pasta.

Managed reserves:  Nothing this week.

Prepped:  Finally, after months of waiting — I bought a Geo Metro!  We finally got an appointment for a smog test.  It had some valve or vent that was clogged that took an extra $200 to fix, but then it passed the smog test.  This car will double (or perhaps even triple) the mileage I’m getting, though I’m afraid to tally up the insurance, registration, etc, to see what my REAL savings is (’cause I’m not getting rid of the truck just because I’ve added the Geo).  I consider it an important part of “walking the talk” and demonstrating to my community as well as my literal gas savings, so that would have to add in to the equation as well.  I’ve only had it for 2 days, so no mileage results yet, but I plan to top off the tank tomorrow so that I can start my tracking.  Also under prep:  bought a Grundig crank AM/FM/SW radio for $7 at a yard sale.

Cooked Something New:  Not really, but since I’m not aware of having eaten mesclun mix before (I probably have in restaurant or potluck salads, but I wasn’t aware of it), I’ll count that.  Especially since I’ve been disappointed several times in the taste of lettuce varieties I’ve grown, and this stuff I really liked!

Advocated for local food economy:  Well, I did set up a table at this Saturday’s farmer’s market, but I was selling books and movies that the library is trying to get rid of, so that doesn’t count except socially!  However, I did learn that our one local certified organic grower has you-pick options!  And he’s only about 25 miles away!  He’s named his endeavor “Locavore Farms” which is also highly encouraging.  Here’s his website just because I gotta say how pleased I am to learn what he’s doing: http://www.lxw.com/LocavoreFarms/ 

I plan to go up and see his place, maybe volunteer a little, get to know them, and DEFINITELY go get some you-pick stuff as it’s ready!  And speaking of volunteering, the other local food economy thing I did this week was my monthly volunteering to sort co-op orders.  This month’s effort is particularly notable since, due primarily to my submitting my order at the last possible moment and putting it in a mail slot that the co-op guy forgot to check before calling his orders in, I personally received *nothing* from the order this month!  Oh well, as long as the economy doesn’t collapse before next month…  :o

Reduce waste:  I’ve been snipping scotch thistle which are exploding on the property I rent.  I told the landlady that I did NOT want the county spraying to kill them, so that obligated me to deal with them somehow.  I’ve been snipping them down with long-handled loppers, though I suspect that I really need to dig them to keep them from resprouting.  But no time for that now, they’re putting out seedheads, so lopping is faster.  The waste reduction part is that today I loaded the back of the pickup full of thistles and took them to Kate’s house.  Kate has goats, who love to eat thistle!  I suppose I could have just left the thistles to dry and decompose in situ, especially since they are scattered out in several fields, but I think the seeds can germinate even when the plant is snipped before the flowers have opened, so it would be better if I burned or discarded the plants.  Eaten by goats is the best deal, as it not only reduces the waste I have to discard, it also reduces the amount of feed Kate has to provide them.

New skill learned:  Well, I’m getting the hang of cutting down thistles without getting poked — er, make that without getting poked AS MUCH.  Nothing I can think of beyond that this week.