Jerry Apps's Blog, page 11

Blackcaps in Abundance This Year

Blackcap photo by Jerry Apps

My mother called them blackcaps. These little wild black raspberries grew in abundance on the home farm. My two brothers and I picked a bunch of them during the hot and sticky days of mid-summer. Wearing long-sleeve shirts to protect us from the inevitable scratches from the berry bushes, and a feeble attempt to keep the mosquitoes at bay, we picked these little black beauties.

Pa found old belts to strap around our waists—we wore bib overalls at the time. He said to run the belt through the handle on the buckets and in that way we could pick with both hands. And so we did. The berries are small, so it took lots of patience to fill a bucket, but fill buckets we did.

Back home, Ma preserved jar after jar of blackcap sauce, many little jars of blackcap jam, and always saved enough to make a berry pie or two.

This year we have an abundance of blackcaps at Roshara. They seem to be everywhere--alongside the woodshed, at the edge of the tractor shed, along the driveway, on either side of the trail to the pond. The warm and wet spring and early summer proved ideal for them. For too many years, a dry spell in early summer meant no berries. But not the summer of 2020.

My daughter-in-law, Natasha takes the prize for the best blackcap picker in the family. She has picked several small buckets of them. And like my mother, made them into jam.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Don’t overlook the bounties of nature. They are often there for the picking.

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS AND DVDS.
Check out “Old Farm Country Cookbook” for jam and jelly recipes. It’s available at your local bookstore or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s. They have a great selection of my books or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414.

Remembering the Importance of Little Things

Daylily beauty—hybridized by my brother, Darrel Apps. Photo by Jerry Apps

During this summer of lost dreams and failed promises, with most county fairs closed, family reunions canceled, travel restricted, incomes lost, and fears of catching the virus in the background, it’s easy to feel down. To let worry take over.

I’m reminded of World War II, 1941-1945. True, there was no pandemic then, but there were shortages and turmoil. There was rationing, and there was worry. When will it end? Will my cousins return from the fighting? When will we be able to buy sugar again?

At the time, we had little of what we take for granted today—no electricity, no indoor plumbing, woodstove heat. We milked cows by hand and farmed with horses. I was in grade school then, attending a one-room country school where we also had no electricity until I was in third or fourth grade.

The little things I remember that helped us through those dreadful war years —fresh vegetables from the garden, wild berries from the woods. On Saturday nights in summer, we’d drive to Wild Rose in our 1936 Plymouth for supplies. Pa would buy a half-gallon of ice cream. Once home, he’d take a butcher knife from a kitchen drawer, and cut the ice cream into five pieces. What a treat it was. My mother always had a few flowers, hollyhocks I remember most. They added a little color to a dreary, worrisome time. Little things that made a difference.

Most of all, those tough times brought our family together as it brought the neighbors together, everyone ready to help each other.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Do the best you can with what you’ve got.

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS AND DVDS.

My books, including Garden Wisdom, which has recipes for the various vegetables, are available at your local bookstore or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s. Say hello to Jana and look at their great selection of my books or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414.

Fourth of July Garden Report

Daughter, Sue, and daughter-in-law Natasha, hoeing in family garden. Photo by Jerry Apps






Daughter, Sue and daughter-in-Law Natasha helping with weed control. Photo by Jerry Apps

Time for my Fourth of July garden report. Here is an appraisal of our family garden, located in western Waushara County sand country. I am always interested in how other vegetable gardens are doing this year with all the heat and a fair amount of rain as well. Send me a note.

Red potatoes-A. White Potatoes-B (Potatoes really don’t like high temperatures)
Onions-A. Tomatoes-B (My tomato plants are uneven, several in blossom, some with small tomatoes, some plants merely surviving. String Beans-A, Lettuce A+ (Best lettuce we’ve grown in years).

Sweet corn-B (Some waist-high, some less than knee-high). Kohlrabi-A (Have harvested some of it—so good raw). Radishes-F (Nothing, worst crop ever. Not one decent radish). Beets-A. Carrots-A. Zucchini- B+. Winter squash-B. Pumpkins-B. Cucumbers-B.

Peas-B (Harvested last of them, pulled the pea vines and planted the row to sweet corn, if we’re lucky we’ll have some sweet corn in September).

Cabbage-B. Broccoli-C (Struggling, mostly because a bunny found the plants).

Sunflowers-C (Don’t know what their problem is, but they are growing oh so slowly).

Overall comments—about an average vegetable gardening year. I was most disappointed in the zero radish crop—I like radishes. I like to eat them fresh out of the ground.

I hope the rabbit problem doesn’t increase. Over 50 years of gardening, I’ve had few problems with rabbits at this location—jeez, they’ve got 120 acres with lots of lush stuff to eat, why my broccoli? Deer and wild turkey—well, that’s another story.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Every year is a good garden year; but some years are better than others.

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS AND DVDS.

My books, including Garden Wisdom, which has recipes for the various vegetables, are available at your local bookstore or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s. Say hello to Jana and look at their great selection of my books.., or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414.

Memories of Fairs

Merry-go-round, Waushara County Fair, 2019. Photo by Jerry Apps

It’s a dark and dreary summer for those of us who love our fairs. Among all the stress and challenges the COVId-19 pandemic has caused, forcing our county fairs to cancel, as well as the state fair ranks right up near the top.

For so many years, a fair was the highlight of my summer—the years I was in 4-H, the years I helped manage fairs as an extension agent, the years I served as a fair judge and the years I just visited a fair. All gone this summer. The excitement of judging day and the challenge of competition. The look on the face of a 4-H member winning her first blue ribbon. The chance to meet people seen only once a year. The opportunity to sleep over at the fair.

Memories of the smells of the fair, everything from the smell of onions frying in a food stand, to the cattle barns’ smell. The sounds of a rooster crowing in the poultry shed, the crowd sounds from the grandstand during a horse race, the sound from the merry-go-round with its little horses bobbing up and down as it goes around. The cry of the Midway barker, “Three balls for a dollar—everyone wins a prize.” Or a few feet away, another carny yells, “Guess your age within three years.”

All of these sounds, smells and sights tucked away in my memory bank. COVID-19 may take away most of our fairs this summer, but it can not take away the memories. For me, they will remain forever.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: When so much seems to be disappearing—our memories remain.

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS AND DVDS.

My booksare available at your local bookstore or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.. They have a great selection of my books for sale, or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414.

High Water

Water covers County Highway O, between Highways 22 and 73 in Waushara County. Photo by Jerry Apps

For a dozen years or more, the water table at my farm and throughout central Wisconsin had been dropping. My two ponds, several acres each when they are at their normal levels were fast becoming mere puddles, marshy substitutes for what they should have been. My ponds have no inlets or outlets; they rise and fall with the water table. Other lakes in the area suffered in a similar fashion. Lake property owners complained that their property taxes reflected a lake home, and what they had was a home that looked out over what looked like a grassy cow pasture.

About three years ago, heavy rainfall each year recharged the water table until today it reached levels no one, not even the oldest of the old timers ever remembered. Lakes and ponds ran over their banks, roads flooded, and water surrounded some farmsteads. Fields that at one time were cultivated, are now ponds. Trees, some of them more than 100 years old and grow on the banks of ponds and lakes are now surrounded by water. I doubt the trees, especially the oaks will survive.

It’s a most interesting time--especially that no one predicted this would happen. Indeed there was concern the water table would continue to drop and cause havoc for irrigation systems, wells, and of course lake recreation.

The questions many now have are: how long will the water table keep rising? How high will it reach? When will it begin dropping again? How far will it drop?

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Never underestimate Mother Nature. She is full of surprises.

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS AND DVDS.

My books are available at your local bookstore or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.. They have a great selection of my books for sale, or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414.

Home grown Lettuce with Homemade Dressing

Photo by Jerry Apps

As I am cutting lettuce in my garden this morning, my mind goes back to the days when I was a kid, helping my mother with her big garden. Her garden grew just to the north of our farmhouse, along the south side of our 20-acre woodlot.

Leaf lettuce was one of the earliest crops we harvested. I don’t remember that my mother ever bought head lettuce—or if head lettuce was even available in the grocery stores when I was a kid.

Once the lettuce was cut, Ma washed it, put it in a big bowl, made her own special dressing and we dug in. Nothing tasted better, as we had been accustomed to eating the canned vegetables that Ma had put up the previous fall. About all we had eaten fresh up to this time in spring, had been asparagus and rhubarb. Fresh strawberries were next, but that is another story.

For those who grow their own garden, and many do these days, here is my mother’s special recipe. The store-bought dressing is okay, but the homemade type, especially my mother’s home recipe is just the best.

Leaf Lettuce Salad
4-6 cups of leaf lettuce
¼ cup evaporated milk
1 Tablespoon sugar
5 teaspoons vinegar
¼ teaspoon pepper

Wash and dry lettuce and place in a serving bowl. In a separate small bowl, stir together evaporated milk and sugar. Add vinegar and stir until mixture thickens. Add pepper. Pour mixture over lettuce and serve immediately.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Homegrown lettuce; homemade dressing. The best.

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS AND DVDS.

This recipe and other garden recipes are in my book: Garden Wisdom. It, along with my other books, is available at your local bookstore or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.. They have a great selection of my books for sale, or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414.

Small Space Garden Report

Photo by Jerry Apps

Here is a report on the small space garden I started a few weeks ago. My son-in-law, Paul built it for me and it has several features designed just for me and for where the garden is located. The garden is 4-feet by 8-feet and is about three feet above ground level, thus it is easy for me to tend. We have an abundance of hungry, vegetable loving bunnies—a fence around the garden keeps them at bay. The fence also provides a place for various vegetables to climb, thus making the 32 square feet of garden space larger than it actually is.

So far, the weather has been about as good as it could be for gardening, warm days, and enough, but not too much rain. And lots of sunshine. Vegetables like sunshine.

As of today, the peas are climbing the fence and forming pods. The lettuce is about the best I’ve ever grown. The tomato plants, very slow starting this year, are catching up and are about ready for me to stake them. The green beans are ready for fence climbing, as are a couple of zucchini plants. My climbing cucumber plants are a bit behind; threatened a bit by the lettuce and green beans that are seeking to gobble up the limited space.

I will cut the lettuce later this morning, and we’ll have it for supper tonight. Nothing beats vegetables fresh from the garden. Once again, I am surprised by how much can be grown in so little space.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Vegetable gardens come in all sizes.

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS AND DVDS.

My books are available at your local bookstore or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.. They have a great selection of my books for sale, or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414.

Next Year Will be Better

Waushara County Fair. Photo by Jerry Apps

In the midst of the polio epidemic (1945-1955), with the help of County Agent. Henry Haferbecker, we organized a 4-H Club in my home community west of Wild Rose. About a dozen of us became members. The year was 1946 and one of the strong recruitment strategies Mr. Haferbecker used was telling us that 4-H members exhibited their 4-H projects at the fair, and if we chose the dairy project—all of us were from dairy farms—we could stay overnight at the fair. What kid could say no to that opportunity?

We had heard that some fairs were canceling because of polio, but that did not deter us from working hard with our 4-H calves starting as soon as spring arrived, and continuing on into summer. Any free time we used to teach our calves to lead—not an especially easy task. We took special care of them all summer. Thankfully, the Waushara County Fair did not cancel and we all exhibited our projects.

Today, because of the COVID-19 epidemic, which has swept the state, nation, and around the world, many of Wisconsin’s County Fairs and the Wisconsin State Fair are canceled, along with 4-H member’s hopes of attending and exhibiting their 4-H projects. It is very disappointing for 4-H members. Concerns for health must take first place. And as my dad always said when things looked bleak and I was disappointed about something, “Next year will be a better year.”

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Life has its stormy weather, but eventually the sun will shine again.

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS AND DVDS.

My books.are available at your local bookstore or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.. They have a great selection of my books for sale, or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414.

Memorial Day Garden Report

Photo by Jerry Apps

As has been my custom for several years, I offer periodic reports about our central Wisconsin vegetable garden and its successes and failures. This is my May 25 (Memorial Day) Report.

Until the last week or so, the weather has been cool, and generally dry. Vegetables planted on April 26: Both red and white potatoes are up and growing well. Same for the onions, peas, and radishes. Carrots are up, but not looking especially good. The lettuce and kale are only average, mostly up but not yet receiving any glowing comments. Same for the rutabagas and beets.

On May 19, Natasha and Steve set out the tomato plants I had started back in April, along with some cabbage, broccoli, and kohlrabi plants they purchased. The tomato plants, which like warm weather, are not doing well—indeed a half dozen of them died and had to be replaced. In my more than four decades of starting tomato plants, this year has to go down, so far, as “Not very tomato successful.” The hard-working gardeners also planted green beans, cucumbers, winter squash, pumpkins, gourds, sweet corn, and a row of sunflowers.

The rains came in late May, not too much, just enough, along with some high 70s and low 80s temperatures. Ideal for our sandy garden spot. The deer fence is up, so now we wait to see what happens. Besides the weather, which can make all the difference for success or failure, gardening requires lots of patience and a considerable amount of loving care.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: What would life be without a garden.

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS AND DVDS.

My book are available at your local bookstore or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.. They have a great selection of my books for sale, or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414.

Another Road to Take?

Photo by Jerry Apps

A line in a Robert Frost poem reads, with a little paraphrasing, “I took the road less traveled and that has made all the difference.” I’ve been thinking about those words. Nearly everyone is affected by the dreaded COVID-19. It is easy to yearn for the old normal, what we knew and enjoyed, at least thought we did.

What is going on today feels like a timeout. When the coach is concerned that the game isn’t going well, and we should stop playing for a bit and think about what to do next. What to do next may not be what we have been doing. Is it time to take a different road, maybe one that is not so well-traveled?

Some of us, along the way, were forced to take another road—because of an accident or an illness in the family. Or something more serious. We didn’t have a chance to choose. The choice was made for us. I was one of those. I had polio which meant I could play no sports in high school or participate in anything requiring much physical effort. I did not want to take another road—but I had to do it or else. I didn’t want to think about the “or else.”

Today, many of us have a choice of a different road to take after this crisis passes. Will we?

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: So many roads to take, which one should it be?

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS AND DVDS.

My books are available at your local bookstore or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.. They have a great selection of my books for sale, or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414.