Eleanor Kuhns's Blog, page 18
July 2, 2014
June 24, 2014
Goodreads Giveaway
I am looking forward to the giveaway of my first book, A Simple Murder, next week, to celebrate the publication of Cradle to Grave. 'Cradle' is the third in the Will Rees series. Stay tuned.
June 19, 2014
vegetable garden
Now that the ground hog is gone, my garden is doing well. Something, and I think it is a rabbit, is biting the tops off my peas. But all the other plants are lush.
First, a note about recycling. I recycle all my kitchen garbage. Not bones or anything like that but all the peelings, spoiled fruit, coffee grounds and tea leaves. I keep a bucket in the kitchen to put the stuff in.
When the bucket is full I take it outside to Big Bertha, my recycling barrel.
I used to have a barrel that looked like darth Vader's helmet but I couldn't turn it. This one turns. In the fall, I spread the compost on the garden, cover it with black plastic, and turn it in to the soil in the spring. I took clay soil and after five years of this turned it into great garden soil. Then we moved but that is another story.
Anyway, with what I have in the earth boxes on the garden I have ten tomato plants. Why so many? I can't bear to kill any of them so I let them live. And I will have tomatoes coming out of my ears this year. All the plants already have tons of flowers.
We have already eaten swiss chard. the cucumbers and squash are covered with blossoms.
Finally, I have several rows of green beans. I fill in empty rows with beans. They grow well, produce heavily and, like peas, put nitrogen into the soil.
I also began a row of turnips. The beets are doing OK. My root crops don't do as well as I'd like. But next year I plan to put in a row of kale and a row of spinach. I am pondering potatoes.
First, a note about recycling. I recycle all my kitchen garbage. Not bones or anything like that but all the peelings, spoiled fruit, coffee grounds and tea leaves. I keep a bucket in the kitchen to put the stuff in.
When the bucket is full I take it outside to Big Bertha, my recycling barrel.
I used to have a barrel that looked like darth Vader's helmet but I couldn't turn it. This one turns. In the fall, I spread the compost on the garden, cover it with black plastic, and turn it in to the soil in the spring. I took clay soil and after five years of this turned it into great garden soil. Then we moved but that is another story.
Anyway, with what I have in the earth boxes on the garden I have ten tomato plants. Why so many? I can't bear to kill any of them so I let them live. And I will have tomatoes coming out of my ears this year. All the plants already have tons of flowers.
We have already eaten swiss chard. the cucumbers and squash are covered with blossoms.
Finally, I have several rows of green beans. I fill in empty rows with beans. They grow well, produce heavily and, like peas, put nitrogen into the soil.
I also began a row of turnips. The beets are doing OK. My root crops don't do as well as I'd like. But next year I plan to put in a row of kale and a row of spinach. I am pondering potatoes.
June 11, 2014
More about Shelby and the groundhog
Since Shelby's epic battle with the groundhog, she has been swaggering around the house as though she met and defeated a lion. She had done her job - and has none of the conflicted emotions I am experiencing. She spends as much time as she can outside on guard, either watching the groundhog holes or sitting on the deck keeping an eye on her territory.
I know we have at least one rabbit around. So far he has been both faster and smarter than Shelby. I hope he has the good sense to leave. I don't think I could take another dead animal.
I know we have at least one rabbit around. So far he has been both faster and smarter than Shelby. I hope he has the good sense to leave. I don't think I could take another dead animal.
June 10, 2014
Derby wharf
The Derby wharf was the longest and perhaps the most important wharf during the heyday of Salem's maritime career. Before I went to Salem, I pictured the wharf as a long pier, built on pilings. Union Wharf (now Pickering) may have been built in such a manner but derby wharf looks more like a long spit of land.
The wharf has been reconstructed. Pictures before the rebuilt show little pieces of land broken up by water. You can see that would happen; the wharf is barely above sea level and at high tide the water would be up to the wall, if not over.
When Will Rees visits Salem, this wharf, and all the others (and there were over fifty) would be lined with warehouses filled with spices, cloth and other luxury goods from the East.
The building next to the Friendship was moved to this spot but it kind of illustrates what the wharves looked like. The lighthouse at the end, by the way, is new.
A slice of American history. I find it pretty fascinating. Everyone thinks of witches when one thinks of Salem (and there is a lot of witch stuff - subject for a later post) but Salem's maritime history is just as interesting. When my character visits Salem, it is the wealthiest town in the US and was practically supporting the Federal government on custom duties.
The wharf has been reconstructed. Pictures before the rebuilt show little pieces of land broken up by water. You can see that would happen; the wharf is barely above sea level and at high tide the water would be up to the wall, if not over.
When Will Rees visits Salem, this wharf, and all the others (and there were over fifty) would be lined with warehouses filled with spices, cloth and other luxury goods from the East.
The building next to the Friendship was moved to this spot but it kind of illustrates what the wharves looked like. The lighthouse at the end, by the way, is new.
A slice of American history. I find it pretty fascinating. Everyone thinks of witches when one thinks of Salem (and there is a lot of witch stuff - subject for a later post) but Salem's maritime history is just as interesting. When my character visits Salem, it is the wealthiest town in the US and was practically supporting the Federal government on custom duties.
June 8, 2014
the groundhog is no more
Yesterday the groundhog came out of its burrow while the dog was outside. Shelby immediately took off after the groundhog and cornered it by the fence. After a battle, Shelby killed the groundhog.
Although I really wanted the groundhog to go away, I feel terrible now. I am thankful that I did not witness the fight. My husband did and said it was brutal.
It remains to be seen if we have a colony of if that was the only one.
I find it ironic that I, someone who writes murder mysteries, could be so upset by the death of a pest rodent.
Although I really wanted the groundhog to go away, I feel terrible now. I am thankful that I did not witness the fight. My husband did and said it was brutal.
It remains to be seen if we have a colony of if that was the only one.
I find it ironic that I, someone who writes murder mysteries, could be so upset by the death of a pest rodent.
June 2, 2014
The Friendship
Over the weekend my husband and I visited Salem. One of the sights I most wanted to see was the Friendship, a reproduction of one of the merchant ships. The original ship was built in 1797, perfect for the period of my books.
The merchant vessels traded with India, Indonesia, and China. It was built using the 1797 plans so it is historically accurate.
Although the ship looks a lot larger close up, I can hardly believe people crossed oceans in something so tiny. The amount of space for the crew is unbelievably tiny.
And yes, my friends, my next Will Rees will be set in Salem, Mass.
The merchant vessels traded with India, Indonesia, and China. It was built using the 1797 plans so it is historically accurate.
Although the ship looks a lot larger close up, I can hardly believe people crossed oceans in something so tiny. The amount of space for the crew is unbelievably tiny.
And yes, my friends, my next Will Rees will be set in Salem, Mass.
May 29, 2014
Book Giveaway
I am happy to report that I will be having a giveaway for my new book, Cradle to Grave, when it comes out. I will see if we can make signed copies available as well.
Stay tuned for more information.
Stay tuned for more information.
Radishes and Rabbits
I've thinned the radishes three times so far and plenty more to come.
We should have peas soon - but not broccoli. I had to replant since the groundhog ate the last planting right to the ground. Since Shelby has been outside, though, no sign of the groundhog. Shelby saw a rabbit yesterday and chased it to the other side of the yard. I think she might have caught it if she hadn't been yelping with excitement.
We should have peas soon - but not broccoli. I had to replant since the groundhog ate the last planting right to the ground. Since Shelby has been outside, though, no sign of the groundhog. Shelby saw a rabbit yesterday and chased it to the other side of the yard. I think she might have caught it if she hadn't been yelping with excitement.
May 21, 2014
Fresh garden produce
Today I thinned the radishes and we actually ate some. They are about the size of walnuts and I am hopeful we will harvest many more. Last year I got one harvest before the groundhog ate the leaves to the ground. This year, with the dog running loose, I am cautiously optimistic that won't happen.
