Our faithful “BIG DOG” Black Lab, has Spencer, had a tumor on his hind leg. Although it was relatively small and didn’t seem attached, we opted to just leave it alone. But over the years, it grew slowly and finally developed a cyst, which broke and drained. So we decided it was time to have it removed. While he was at the vet’s, he also had a small skin tag removed from his right upper eyelid. It was causing his eye to matter in the mornings but didn’t seem to be bothering him, but we decided to have it taken off before it caused trouble for our friend.

The surgery went well and Dr. Fisher, our vet, said it didn’t appear to be cancer. So we were happy and Spencer was too when I drove to McDonalds and bought him two cheeseburgers to celebrate. Now he has a cute “little piggy” Vet Wrap on to cover the stitches. But I have to change it soon as he and Ashley’s Golden Retriever snuck down to the spring basin for a swim while she was brushing the horses. Bad dog! Otherwise, he’s good about leaving wounds alone so thankfully he doesn’t have to wear an Elizabethan collar, which is clunky and dogs hate wearing. (The collar keeps dogs from licking and chewing at stitched wounds or other sores.)

The garden is mostly fantastic! We’ve got White Flag cauliflower, Magpie bush beans and Iroquois pole beans. The corn is covered with big ears and the silks on some are starting to dry down. Our first ripe tomatoes are on the vine and we’re anxiously waiting for a taste test. (The garden is late this year, probably due to all the early high heat.)

This weekend, Will and I will be at the Orr Homesteading and Self-Reliance Expo in Orr, MN. I’ll be speaking on seed saving, heirloom seeds, and canning. And we’ll be at a booth, promoting our Seed Treasures seed business as well. If any of you can come, we’d love to have you drop by for a visit! And next week is our homesteading seminar. We’re busy getting ready, deciding menus for our afternoon lunches and other getting-ducks-in-the-row stuff. We did have one cancellation due to a lady’s back going out on her so if anyone would like to fill her spot, let us know. (218) 780-4902.

Our Hansen’s Bush cherries are getting ripe and I’m looking forward to making jam. They are SO good! This year, I’m saving their seeds to add to our seed listing next year. They are very easy to start from seed. A bird dropped one in an empty pot on our deck and now we have a bush cherry started. (I also saved seeds from our huge rhubarb. Right now, the stalks are two inches in diameter and the leaves are thirty inches across!)

I’m really enjoying our flowers this year. So far, my favorite is a daylily called Seashells and Lace, a very ruffled pink with a yellow throat and lighter edge. Mine came from Dancing Daylily in Georgia.
Becky has WONDERFUL flowers at reasonable prices.

Gotta run. I’ve got some shelves to put together for our front closet. Right now our winter boots are piled and overflowing onto the floor! Hopefully tonight it will be much more organized. Well, maybe… — Jackie

9 COMMENTS

  1. Are the cherries sweet or sour? I have tried many times to grow cherries, but our mostly clay soil it too wet and the trees die. Will the tree survive in a pot or will I need to plant it in the soil? Thanks.

  2. Anita,

    Many times when your cauliflower gets loose heads it’s just because of the weather so just keep trying. You also might try another variety as some tolerate this change in the weather more than others.

  3. Rick,

    Our garden is real late this year due to fluctuations in the temperature; hot, then cold. We’re about 3 weeks late. Eeek! Love September but this year I’m busy doing expos and seminars and stuff everywhere around the country so it’s lucky we ARE late or I’d be SO behind. Whew! I’m happy to hear you’re doing well.

  5. Miss Jackie, Such a nice cauliflower. I grew those a couple years as they were recommended by a Mennonite greenhouse near me. My problem is that I am reluctant to pick as they seem to keep growing and then one day the curds get over mature, and they are not as tender. Same with broccoli. That daylily is enough to make ones heart palpitate!!! Last week we canned peaches, to day it is tomatoes, the first this year, and I have honey to extract! Hurrah for August! It’s hot, there is good stuff to can, and the fruit cellar is starting to recover from the predations of last winter.
    Blessings to you all!!! Rick

  6. Hi Jackie

    Here’s to Spencer recovering fast and completely. Love the cauliflower! I have sphaghetti squash that is about 15in long!!! With all this rain and then the heat, the garden is going crazy, but loving it all the same. Take care and have a great day!

    Lisa

  7. Do you have any problems with worms in your cherries? I also have been wanting to try some Hanson cherries.
    Also my cauliflower didn’t get nice tight heads this year or last year, the heads are very loose. What causes that and what can I do to prevent it?

    Thanks!

  9. That is a beautiful daylily! I’m glad to know you’ll be offering the Hansen cherries. I’ve not seen those before, and would like to try them.

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