Altivo Overo's Blog, page 5
November 18, 2021
Rehearsal day
Tuesday is the day we usually rehearse with ThingamaJig, our Celtic/Jazz/Folk quartet. It's always enjoyable, both for the music and the company, but it takes a big chunk out of the day so I end up catching up late or chasing my tail as it were.
Most of our gigs are in the summer, at farmers' markets and other outdoor events. This is the time of year when we look at potential new repertoire and experiment with new formats. I've been pushing my ukulele skills, but mostly because I need to replace the strings on my tenor banjo and Irish bouzouki. Also, those latter two are large and heavy to pack and carry. The ukuleles are eminently portable. I can't keep getting away with this, though. Must get those strings changed. It's just a task I've always hated. Both instruments have springy wire strings that want to puncture your fingers or worse, poke you in the eye.
It's on my "to do" list, as husband Gary says. But I need to push it to the top.
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Most of our gigs are in the summer, at farmers' markets and other outdoor events. This is the time of year when we look at potential new repertoire and experiment with new formats. I've been pushing my ukulele skills, but mostly because I need to replace the strings on my tenor banjo and Irish bouzouki. Also, those latter two are large and heavy to pack and carry. The ukuleles are eminently portable. I can't keep getting away with this, though. Must get those strings changed. It's just a task I've always hated. Both instruments have springy wire strings that want to puncture your fingers or worse, poke you in the eye.
It's on my "to do" list, as husband Gary says. But I need to push it to the top.
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November 15, 2021
Today's big task: stacking firewood
[image error]
[Can't see the photo? Try right click on the tiny icon above and choose to open it in a new window or in a new tab. That seems to work here. I don't know what DW's problem is with my photos.]
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[Can't see the photo? Try right click on the tiny icon above and choose to open it in a new window or in a new tab. That seems to work here. I don't know what DW's problem is with my photos.]
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November 14, 2021
Asher the pony and the very blustery day
Another gray day, thermometer stuck at 35°F most of the day, then started going down as the winds increased. Asher is usually pretty cooperative, and has been near perfect about putting the blanket on in the morning and taking it off when he comes indoors in the afternoon, so that's good. I am learning to perform the necessary tasks more quickly too, which helps.
Archie is no longer suspicious of Asher because he is dressed funny. The two of them were playing normally this afternoon, much as if they were a lot younger than they are. Though Archie tried a couple of times to pull the blanket off during the first two days, he leaves it alone now. Asher steps up to me and waits for me to put it on him in the morning, so he seems to appreciate what it does for him.
In other seasonal news, the cuttings I took from yard annuals have sprouted roots and I should be able to pot them up in the next few days. Tonight is supposed to be the coldest yet, well below freezing and with some sort of precipitation. Whether this will be snow, freezing rain, or sleet seems unclear.
There are reports of a "turkey shortage" appearing in the media. Oh noes! We might have to eat chicken, or even California eggplants on Thanksgiving? I'm not worried about it. We are planning to go to Gary's brother's place in Wisconsin for that day anyway. But I checked, and I do still have a turkey in the deep freeze here. Takes three days to thaw one in the fridge, but there's time if plans change.
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Archie is no longer suspicious of Asher because he is dressed funny. The two of them were playing normally this afternoon, much as if they were a lot younger than they are. Though Archie tried a couple of times to pull the blanket off during the first two days, he leaves it alone now. Asher steps up to me and waits for me to put it on him in the morning, so he seems to appreciate what it does for him.
In other seasonal news, the cuttings I took from yard annuals have sprouted roots and I should be able to pot them up in the next few days. Tonight is supposed to be the coldest yet, well below freezing and with some sort of precipitation. Whether this will be snow, freezing rain, or sleet seems unclear.
There are reports of a "turkey shortage" appearing in the media. Oh noes! We might have to eat chicken, or even California eggplants on Thanksgiving? I'm not worried about it. We are planning to go to Gary's brother's place in Wisconsin for that day anyway. But I checked, and I do still have a turkey in the deep freeze here. Takes three days to thaw one in the fridge, but there's time if plans change.
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November 13, 2021
Ah, warmth!
Gray and gloomy all day, 34 - 35°F and not budging. The wind was only 10 mph most of the time but it felt bitter. Horses wanted to be outside, so they were. Asher in his new blanket was probably more comfy than Archie, but I went ahead and ordered the same style blankie for Arch as well. Color for that one is a red plaid. They will look like bed quilts when they stand together, I guess.
Forecast yesterday called for an inch of snow tonight, but that seems to have been rescinded. Still felt cool enough here in the house that I cleared out the space around the wood stove and got it going. We have plenty of wood, but I generally resist using it because it contributes to the carbon dioxide mess. Probably less so that if we had a dozen cows like some neighbors do, but still.
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Forecast yesterday called for an inch of snow tonight, but that seems to have been rescinded. Still felt cool enough here in the house that I cleared out the space around the wood stove and got it going. We have plenty of wood, but I generally resist using it because it contributes to the carbon dioxide mess. Probably less so that if we had a dozen cows like some neighbors do, but still.
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November 12, 2021
First real snow
Well, it was more like graupel, the name skiers use for little slushballs. I think graupel is formed high in the atmosphere, wherever the margin is between sub-freezing air and temperatures above freezing. By the time it reaches the ground, it can be just slush or raindrops, but under the right conditions it accumulates on cool surfaces. Today it was unpaved areas, like decorative bedding soil or mulch. It looks sort of like soggy grits, but can be quite slippery to step on. We were out shopping when it started falling in alternating fits with splattery cold rain and plain dry wind gusts.
Asher's new blanket got a serious test today. We were gone for several hours, and when we returned he was still properly covered and protected from the weather. I was pleased. Schneider Tack gave me a $20 credit from that order, and I'm thinking seriously about getting a matching blanket in a different color for his brother Archie.
Mix of birds continues to be interesting. I heard what I'm pretty sure was a Carolina Wren this morning. We are getting groups of cardinals, male and female. The red breasted nuthatches persist, mixed in with the more common white-breasted variety. And the first dark-eyed juncos have appeared. The latter are here only during winter. Sometimes called "snowbirds" because their arrival often heralds the first snow, just as it did for us today.
Leaves are falling fast now, soon all the branches will be barren until spring.
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Asher's new blanket got a serious test today. We were gone for several hours, and when we returned he was still properly covered and protected from the weather. I was pleased. Schneider Tack gave me a $20 credit from that order, and I'm thinking seriously about getting a matching blanket in a different color for his brother Archie.
Mix of birds continues to be interesting. I heard what I'm pretty sure was a Carolina Wren this morning. We are getting groups of cardinals, male and female. The red breasted nuthatches persist, mixed in with the more common white-breasted variety. And the first dark-eyed juncos have appeared. The latter are here only during winter. Sometimes called "snowbirds" because their arrival often heralds the first snow, just as it did for us today.
Leaves are falling fast now, soon all the branches will be barren until spring.
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November 11, 2021
Asher's new blanket
Cold and rainy this morning, so we went ahead and put Asher's blanket on him. I expected him to have some objections, but he did not. Just stood calmly while I dropped it over him and fastened the various buckles. When I opened the door and let him out into the yard he shares with his brother Archie, he just walked out calmly and started eating hay.
Archie, however, did have objections when I let him out. He kept snorting and sniffing and backing away from Asher, who ignored his brother and kept on eating. Eventually they settled it and I looked out a bit later to see them standing shoulder to shoulder and sharing the hay as usual. So much for that worry.
Four hours later, the blanket remains intact and properly in place. It's waterproof, but the rain has stopped and it looks dry on the outside now. No mud yet, though I'm sure at some point Asher will roll in the mud with it as is his usual habit. Perhaps not today though. Just a couple more hours and they go back indoors.
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Archie, however, did have objections when I let him out. He kept snorting and sniffing and backing away from Asher, who ignored his brother and kept on eating. Eventually they settled it and I looked out a bit later to see them standing shoulder to shoulder and sharing the hay as usual. So much for that worry.
Four hours later, the blanket remains intact and properly in place. It's waterproof, but the rain has stopped and it looks dry on the outside now. No mud yet, though I'm sure at some point Asher will roll in the mud with it as is his usual habit. Perhaps not today though. Just a couple more hours and they go back indoors.
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November 10, 2021
Levantine Dinner
Overloaded day included two shopping trips as well as lunch out with the library retirees (or at least some of us.) We met at the Stanchion (in the Starline building, Harvard Illinois) for a reasonably priced lunch and not too crowded environment.
The usual daily farm chores had to be done as well. No time for reading, and I need to do that. I need to finish about 12 more books before New Year in order to meet my 90 book pledge at Goodreads.
When dinner time rolled around, neither of us really felt like cooking, but also felt it was too soon to revisit a couple of substantial leftovers in the fridge. In the end, I pulled some unusual (for me anyway) "convenience" food out of the freezer. I had a box of falafel, precooked, reheat in the oven. Those came from ALDI a few weeks ago and I had forgotten I had them.
We combined that with whole wheat pocket pita, Greek yogurt, Gary's home made hummus, mixed chopped fresh raw veggies (sweet onion, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and snap peas.) Oh, and some pickled beets I happened to have in the fridge. Red wine and green tea for beverages. Quite a good result, and respectably vegan except for the yogurt. I like falafel anyway, but have had none for a couple of years.
Tonight's low temperature is supposed to stay in the mid-50s (F) but that may also be the high for the day as temperatures drop during the daylight hours with possible snow flurries Friday night. So much for Indian Summer, always too short anyway. Fortunately, Asher's new horse blanket arrived this afternoon, so we will try it on him in the morning and if he accepts it calmly, let him wear it tomorrow both day and night. It's blue plaid, with a waterproof shell and a medium weight insulated lining, which should be just what the vet recommended. The plaid is on the bright side for my taste, but I know he won't object to that. The other choices were a pink plaid or a solid purple, so the blue plaid is the least offensive in my opinion. Besides, his saddle blanket, halter, and lead rope are all blue. (Archie has red, Tess has green.)
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The usual daily farm chores had to be done as well. No time for reading, and I need to do that. I need to finish about 12 more books before New Year in order to meet my 90 book pledge at Goodreads.
When dinner time rolled around, neither of us really felt like cooking, but also felt it was too soon to revisit a couple of substantial leftovers in the fridge. In the end, I pulled some unusual (for me anyway) "convenience" food out of the freezer. I had a box of falafel, precooked, reheat in the oven. Those came from ALDI a few weeks ago and I had forgotten I had them.
We combined that with whole wheat pocket pita, Greek yogurt, Gary's home made hummus, mixed chopped fresh raw veggies (sweet onion, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and snap peas.) Oh, and some pickled beets I happened to have in the fridge. Red wine and green tea for beverages. Quite a good result, and respectably vegan except for the yogurt. I like falafel anyway, but have had none for a couple of years.
Tonight's low temperature is supposed to stay in the mid-50s (F) but that may also be the high for the day as temperatures drop during the daylight hours with possible snow flurries Friday night. So much for Indian Summer, always too short anyway. Fortunately, Asher's new horse blanket arrived this afternoon, so we will try it on him in the morning and if he accepts it calmly, let him wear it tomorrow both day and night. It's blue plaid, with a waterproof shell and a medium weight insulated lining, which should be just what the vet recommended. The plaid is on the bright side for my taste, but I know he won't object to that. The other choices were a pink plaid or a solid purple, so the blue plaid is the least offensive in my opinion. Besides, his saddle blanket, halter, and lead rope are all blue. (Archie has red, Tess has green.)
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Saving the flowers
Saved the best mixed flower pots from the back deck by putting them under timed fluorescent lighting in the garage. As long as I remember to water them lightly a couple of times a week, they should be set to take off when spring arrives. [I hope.]
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November 8, 2021
OMG Indian Summer
It suddenly dawns on me today, with bright sun and a temperature around 68°F, that this is what we used to call "Indian Summer." Of course, it used to come somewhat earlier, like mid-October or something. I don't remember thinking about it in November before. Forecast calls for similarly balmy weather for most of this week, but the ice hits the fan on the weekend, leading quickly to daytime highs below freezing. Yow!
At the same time, we are seeing birds here that normally show up during severe cold winters in Canada. The red-breasted nuthatch, the evening grosbeak, the tufted titmouse are all appearing on a daily basis at the moment. We saw none of them last year. I'm pretty sure I got a glimpse of a three-toed woodpecker a few days ago. If/when we see these, there's usually already a pile of snow north of the border, which isn't yet the case as far as I know. But sometimes the birds and animals seem to know things about the weather that we don't have an instinct for. Have to wait and see, I guess.
At least I got some weight onto my problem eater before the cold sets in, and we measured him and ordered him a new blanket last week. That might get here before the big chill, or at least not long after.
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At the same time, we are seeing birds here that normally show up during severe cold winters in Canada. The red-breasted nuthatch, the evening grosbeak, the tufted titmouse are all appearing on a daily basis at the moment. We saw none of them last year. I'm pretty sure I got a glimpse of a three-toed woodpecker a few days ago. If/when we see these, there's usually already a pile of snow north of the border, which isn't yet the case as far as I know. But sometimes the birds and animals seem to know things about the weather that we don't have an instinct for. Have to wait and see, I guess.
At least I got some weight onto my problem eater before the cold sets in, and we measured him and ordered him a new blanket last week. That might get here before the big chill, or at least not long after.
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November 7, 2021
End of Daylight "Savings"
Means the horses get put indoors an hour earlier so as not to leave them out in the dark. Since they tell time by the sun anyway, they don't object. To them, it's the same time as ever. However, in the morning they may get restless unless we start going out earlier to feed and turn them out.
Sunny day today, with high temperature in the mid-50s F. We groomed all three horses and gave them their semi-annual dose of that controversial ivermectin stuff. In the fall, it is combined with praziquantel (a specific anti-tapeworm drug.) Had some trouble getting three doses of it, but after hunting around for a few days I found some at a farm store in our area. Many places are "out of stock" on it, presumably because the conspiracy theorists are taking it themselves. Unfortunately, if it poisons them they'll just come up with some other crazy theory.
We have had a dearth of our usual songbirds this summer. Presumably related to the drought, which continues apace. Some of the winter birds are starting to show up, and we are trying to keep water and food available to them.
I was sweeping leaves off the front and back decks and discovered that we were wrong about acorns. We assumed that there just weren't any this year because of the drought. That is wrong. There were lots of them, but they are micro-sized. I swept up a pile of them, most less than 1/8 inch in diameter, complete with the little caps and all. I don't imagine any of them are viable for germination, though.
Cold nights have reduced the impatiens and begonias that were left out to a bunch of droopy stems hanging out of their pots. Fortunately, I had brought in several of the best planters and pots and they are under timed fluorescents in the garage. With any luck, those will repopulate the other now empty planters. The remaining green tomatoes on their vines were frozen solid, but thawed today. Still firm enough to pick, so I chopped a bunch of them up and made a green tomato pie. That is pretty similar in taste and texture to rhubarb (or 'pie plant' as it is called in some areas.) We haven't cut into it yet, but I expect it to be reasonably successful. You add raisins or grapes to the chopped tomatoes, sweeten it all with brown sugar, spice it with lemon peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and bake away.
Long day, we're folding up. Met all the quotas on the fitbits, which is a bit unusual. Normally we miss one or two.
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Sunny day today, with high temperature in the mid-50s F. We groomed all three horses and gave them their semi-annual dose of that controversial ivermectin stuff. In the fall, it is combined with praziquantel (a specific anti-tapeworm drug.) Had some trouble getting three doses of it, but after hunting around for a few days I found some at a farm store in our area. Many places are "out of stock" on it, presumably because the conspiracy theorists are taking it themselves. Unfortunately, if it poisons them they'll just come up with some other crazy theory.
We have had a dearth of our usual songbirds this summer. Presumably related to the drought, which continues apace. Some of the winter birds are starting to show up, and we are trying to keep water and food available to them.
I was sweeping leaves off the front and back decks and discovered that we were wrong about acorns. We assumed that there just weren't any this year because of the drought. That is wrong. There were lots of them, but they are micro-sized. I swept up a pile of them, most less than 1/8 inch in diameter, complete with the little caps and all. I don't imagine any of them are viable for germination, though.
Cold nights have reduced the impatiens and begonias that were left out to a bunch of droopy stems hanging out of their pots. Fortunately, I had brought in several of the best planters and pots and they are under timed fluorescents in the garage. With any luck, those will repopulate the other now empty planters. The remaining green tomatoes on their vines were frozen solid, but thawed today. Still firm enough to pick, so I chopped a bunch of them up and made a green tomato pie. That is pretty similar in taste and texture to rhubarb (or 'pie plant' as it is called in some areas.) We haven't cut into it yet, but I expect it to be reasonably successful. You add raisins or grapes to the chopped tomatoes, sweeten it all with brown sugar, spice it with lemon peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and bake away.
Long day, we're folding up. Met all the quotas on the fitbits, which is a bit unusual. Normally we miss one or two.
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