Saturday Gardening and Puttering Thread, Day after Christmas, 2020 [KT]

Happy Day after Christmas! Above, a Cyclamen like no other I have ever seen, sent in by Neal in Israel. He has others in his yard, too. Breeders have been hard at work! More details and photos to come.

Even though it is winter, there is still some gardening activity going on. But there may be more puttering this time of year.

Puttering

Photography and related endeavors

This week, we had the "Christmas Star" (the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn). Did you get a chance to see it? Much too foggy where we were.

By-Tor started taking photos as they neared each other. You can tell they're planets, not stars, here:

Best I could do without some sort of telescope attachment. This is from a Canon EOS d50, with a Sigma 100-300 EX lens, with Sigma 1.4X teleconverter. ISO at the max, 3200. I tried all sorts of settings; the best seem to be in the 1/20 to 1/40th between f4 to 5.6.

And another aerial object, photographed in the daytime

Here's a photo taken near Livermore, California.

And one taken either at Ball State or Boise State. The facts are not clear.

Kilauea had a new eruption this week. Someone reported a double moonbow.

The eruption itself was pretty dramatic.

Puttering involving or inspired by trees

This is a family tradition being passed down in one branch of my family. Do you have any Christmas tree-related traditions in your family?

And a distant relative made this for other relatives, so they could take nativity photos. Ever thought of making a manger with your tree prunings?

Useful in do-it-yourself Nativity scenes.

Attractive to cats.

Seems to calm babies. You can also place a light in the folds of the cloth and photograph children or even adults looking into the manger in a darkened room.

Christmas (and Lenten) Roses

Some people get roses for Christmas, but there is an unrelated, non-edible Christmas Rose that blooms outdoors at Christmastime in some climates. We've discussed hellebores before, but it's been a while. There is some dramatic history connected with these flowers.

There are about 20 species of hellebores. Most of them prefer dappled shade to full shade. Some are more tolerant of warm winters than others. . . Some species are evergreen. Some, like the Christmas Rose, are quite hardy and will bloom in the snow. The Lenten Rose is reputedly the easiest of the common garden species to transplant.
Hellebores tend to produce inter-species hybrids easily. Specialists have also done a great deal of work on flower forms, including double forms. There is now a much wider range of colors than in the past. Named varieties and seed strains produce plants with predictable, desirable characteristics.

Most hellebores are toxic and acrid and are therefore deer-proof and rodent-proof. If you have a pet that eats strange stuff even if the strange stuff really tastes nasty, you may need to take some precautions.
The Wiki on hellebores is quite informative. One species was reportedly used in early chemical warfare, to poison the water supply during the Siege of Kirrha in 585 B. C., allowing the slaughter of the entire population. Nevertheless, hellebores have been used for medical treatments, including treatment for insanity.
Some people think that Alexander the Great accidentally killed himself with a hellebore preparation while trying to self-medicate. I don?t know how much evidence there is for this theory.

The Christmas Rose is H. niger.

How to grow Christmas Roses in Oklahoma

Care guide

How to make a Christmas Rose from crepe paper

I love this piece. Played the piano in a string trio arrangement with my Mom on cello and a violinist. But this is exceptional.

Art and Nature

Dr._No sent in some of his creations to remind us of the cycle of nature.

Memories of Warm

The Red Berries

Those are Pyracantha berries. He has a recipe for jelly made from them. They are related to roses and apples.

Next Year's Leaves

Gardens of The Horde

My Tropical Milk Weed is still blooming. Hard to believe!

Birds feasting on lambs quarters seeds. The wild ones here have smaller leaves than the ones I grew up with, and have a lacy look. But can grow 8 feet tall.

The navel oranges are starting to get really good in the foothills. Hope we don't have a hard freeze.

Anything going on in your garden?

If you would like to send information and/or photos for the Saturday Gardening Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden
at that g mail dot com place

Include the nic by which you wish to be known when you comment at AoSHQ,
unless you want to remain a lurker.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 01:07 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs and Snow Bunnies

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2020 01:09 PM (Cxk7w)

2 I bought a small cyclamen like the one in the top pic at Trader Joe's right before Thanksgiving. The flowers have faded a bit but it's still going strong.

Posted by: JuJuBee at December 26, 2020 01:10 PM (mNhhD)

3 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - Office of the Mr. Dr. President Elect at December 26, 2020 01:11 PM (Zz0t1)

4 How to grow Christmas Roses in Oklahoma

She's thick. I give her a 1.

Posted by: Sponge - Office of the Mr. Dr. President Elect at December 26, 2020 01:13 PM (Zz0t1)

5 I Hooded
Lost a 8 inch wide branch about 35 feet long Christmas eve taking out a fence section. Guess if I don't get it cleaned up it's not going to go anywhere, right?

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2020 01:14 PM (Cxk7w)

6 We want to do a raised garden along side the house, but I have to redo my fence.

I'm finding that fence builders are out of the MIND expensive.

Posted by: Sponge - Office of the Mr. Dr. President Elect at December 26, 2020 01:14 PM (Zz0t1)

7 If the roots are strong, there will be growth in the Spring.

Posted by: Chauncy Gardner at December 26, 2020 01:15 PM (ZCiJZ)

8
I commend your distant cousin's skill at lashings for the manger.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 26, 2020 01:17 PM (pNxlR)

9 I have given up on growing grass for a lawn.
Birds eat all the seeds.

Posted by: navybrat, quarantined at December 26, 2020 01:18 PM (w7KSn)

10 I'm finding that fence builders are out of the MIND expensive.
Posted by: Sponge

It's not limited to the fences. A 'handyman' quoted me $100K to retile a 6 x 6 shower and put up 12 feet of white picket fence.

Nope - not even close pal.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 26, 2020 01:18 PM (Rvt88)

11
Here in Brazoria County, Texas, our little garden is largely dormant right now. The bottlebrushes are still in bloom and, with daytime highs in the 60s, attracting quite a few bees.

We have three tray feeders with sunflower seed and corn, a large tube feeder with songbird mix and a suet block. Our visitors are red-winged blackbirds, blue jays, cardinals, doves, sparrows and Carolina chickadees. We think they're locals and not the migratory ones.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 26, 2020 01:18 PM (mht8P)

12 So you're saying I'd better learn to ~~code~~ put up my own dang fence?

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at December 26, 2020 01:20 PM (02b6n)

13
Is that the manger which so many Karens demand to see and speak with?

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 26, 2020 01:20 PM (pNxlR)

14
To continue:

One of the bushes under the tray feeders is rather overgrown, but we're leaving it as it is for now because the little birds find shelter in it.

We also have a birdbath fountain kept running during the day. Once we had six or seven sparrows taking a bath in it simultaneously.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 26, 2020 01:21 PM (mht8P)

15 Here in Brazoria County, Texas, our little garden is largely dormant right now. The bottlebrushes are still in bloom and, with daytime highs in the 60s, attracting quite a few bees.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

H the 7th. I finally made it down to the Tyler Rose Gardens in October. Still gorgeous to my eyes.

I have winterized my roses here - I hope they make it. Some years they do, and some years they don't.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 26, 2020 01:21 PM (Rvt88)

16
It's not limited to the fences. A 'handyman' quoted me $100K to retile a 6 x 6 shower and put up 12 feet of white picket fence.

Nope - not even close pal.
Posted by: Tonypete

I agree -- as if, bub.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 26, 2020 01:23 PM (pNxlR)

17 Beautiful photos! I'm jealous of whomever grew that Cyclamen. Gorgeous.

Just went out to the back yard to survey the damage from the storm that passed through on Christmas eve (I'm in NH). Lots of small broken branches and fortunately no big limbs.

Weird how two feet of snow disappeared in less than two days. Seems like early spring, not the beginning of winter!

Posted by: squeakywheel at December 26, 2020 01:23 PM (T2vUn)

18 Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 26, 2020 01:17 PM

I have no idea how he is related to me. I think he is married to a relative of an in-law.

Posted by: KT at December 26, 2020 01:24 PM (BVQ+1)

19 @skip we live in a heavy wood. We have 2 chain saws.

I had a similar branch - bigger about 14 inches thick where it broke off. Quote $2500 to clean it up by tree people.

Nope. Out came the chain saws.

Posted by: blaster at December 26, 2020 01:25 PM (ZfRYq)

20 And he either made two of them, or it got passed around so different families could do nativity activities with their kids.

Posted by: KT at December 26, 2020 01:25 PM (BVQ+1)

21 Lambsquarters is one of the problem weeds around here ... in a fertilized field with only soybeans or corn to compete against, they can take off, if not controlled. Always amazes me how fast weeds can spring up ... but at least some birds get fed.

Nice little manger, good use of trimmings.

Posted by: illiniwek at December 26, 2020 01:25 PM (Cus5s)

22
Northern Chickadees, Cardinals, Slate-Colored Juncos, White-Breasted Nuthatches, and Hairy Woodpeckers are enjoying the suet cake hung outside our front bay window right now. Temperatures are forecasted to remain below freezing throughout the day. I'd attempt some photos, but everyone would show up as dark silhouettes against the bright sky background.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 26, 2020 01:27 PM (pNxlR)

23 So you're saying I'd better learn to code put up my own dang fence?
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at December 26, 2020 01:20 PM (02b6n)

Neighbor got a quote from one:

68 ft of fence.

$3600

No. F#@king way.

Posted by: Sponge - Office of the Mr. Dr. President Elect at December 26, 2020 01:30 PM (Zz0t1)

24 It's not limited to the fences. A 'handyman' quoted me $100K to retile a 6 x 6 shower and put up 12 feet of white picket fence.

Nope - not even close pal.
Posted by: Tonypete

Why would you put up 12 feet of white picket fence in your bathroom?

Posted by: Chauncy Gardner at December 26, 2020 01:32 PM (ZCiJZ)

25 Are you....Raphael?

Posted by: Chauncy Gardner at December 26, 2020 01:32 PM (ZCiJZ)

26
Our house in Ohio was surrounded by large trees. We had our bird feeding station just outside the kitchen window. In the morning, the cacophony was deafening.

One spring morning as we were leaving to go on errands, everything was unusually quiet. Her Majesty said, "Look!" A hawk flew away across the acreage to our neighbors. And all the trees suddenly burst into song.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 26, 2020 01:32 PM (mht8P)

27 Last month we brought in Pauly, the Carolina Reaper plant that has lived with us for about 4 years now.

Last week we discovered that aphids had ridden into the house with Pauly.

So now we are spraying him every few days with neem oil to try to break their life cycle.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 26, 2020 01:34 PM (3D/fK)

28 And all the trees suddenly burst into song.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

We have a red-shouldered hawk that can put a hurt on bird viewing at the feeder.
They all know she's there. They fear her worse than the cat.

Posted by: MarkY at December 26, 2020 01:34 PM (+yNXF)

29 Good afternoon, Horde.

I'm home from three days of intense Christmas madness. I'm enjoying the serenity. On the couch.

In terms of the garden--what doesn't make it over the winter will be replaced.

You have to be tough to be a plant in my yard.

Posted by: Ladyl at December 26, 2020 01:35 PM (TdMsT)

30 It's not limited to the fences. A 'handyman' quoted me $100K to retile a 6 x 6 shower and put up 12 feet of white picket fence.

That meth ain't gonna pay for itself.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com was dead, but it's getting better at December 26, 2020 01:35 PM (SchxB)

31
We have a red-shouldered hawk that can put a hurt on bird viewing at the feeder.
They all know she's there. They fear her worse than the cat.
Posted by: MarkY at December 26, 2020 01:34 PM (+yNXF)

---------

Yes, this spring we had a hawk at the feeders. I don't think it came for seed.

I was looking out the window one day while minding newborn puppies and saw a hawk killing and eating a bird.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 26, 2020 01:43 PM (mht8P)

32 My conjunction pics came out maybe slightly better than By-Tor's ... could see a hint of the ring. I used my Nikon-3200 with an 85-300 zoom. I used the vibration reduction thingy, which maybe helped, idk. Or maybe the skies were just a little clearer.

The better telescope pictures have software so several pics can be averaged for much sharper images. I'll have to try that, haven't had my telescope out in years. Imagining the scale and movement of planets, stars, galaxies ... pretty daunting for our little brains. Now they add in dark matter and relativity ... all quite miraculous.

Posted by: illiniwek at December 26, 2020 01:43 PM (Cus5s)

33 Where I live anyone who calls themselves a handyman is only allowed to charge $600 for the whole job, materials and labor.
After that you need to be a licensed contractor.

Posted by: navybrat, quarantined at December 26, 2020 01:44 PM (w7KSn)

34 Gesu Bambino: Wow. That was beautiful. Thanks.

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at December 26, 2020 01:45 PM (d9Cw3)

35 I think I got to see the conjunction. Not sure, sky wasn't that clear.

Posted by: Ronster at December 26, 2020 01:46 PM (P148V)

36 We got a second seed catalogue this week, Burpee. Others will arrive later but this gives me the start for a first list. That's the list based on pure fantasy and assumes we have several acres and a huge staff to do the planting and maintenance. In short order that gets cut back to a vague semblance of reality. Silly but kind of fun.

Posted by: JTB at December 26, 2020 01:47 PM (7EjX1)

37 >>> 31
We have a red-shouldered hawk that can put a hurt on bird viewing at the feeder.
They all know she's there. They fear her worse than the cat.
Posted by: MarkY at December 26, 2020 01:34 PM (+yNXF)

Yes, this spring we had a hawk at the feeders. I don't think it came for seed.
.....
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 26, 2020 01:43 PM (mht8P)

Well you hoomans SAID it was a bird feeder!

Posted by: The Hawk at December 26, 2020 01:49 PM (02b6n)

38 100k for some tile and fencing??? Are the tiles gold plated?.?

Posted by: lin-duh at December 26, 2020 01:50 PM (UUBmN)

39 We were so excited when I was able to put the 48x spotter scope on a good tripod, and actually make out the moons of Jupiter and he existence of the rings around Saturn.

Not big, mind you, but sharp as all get out.

So we stop to see if the neighbor wants to see it, and he mentions that he really needs to get his telescope fixed.

Then he shows my this huge honking 12" reflector that the tube stands six foot tall from one end to the other, on a computerized tracking base.

Then I looked back at my little spotting scope.

Oh well, at least we saw it.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 26, 2020 01:51 PM (3D/fK)

40 JTB at December 26, 2020 01:47 PM
Those fantasy lists are fun, aren't they. As long as you don't order all the seeds from them.

Posted by: KT at December 26, 2020 01:52 PM (BVQ+1)

41 That branch broke but was hanging on by a little bark for weeks, I knew it was coming down eventually on its own and knew the fence was in its way. Should have taken that section apart.

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2020 01:53 PM (Cxk7w)

42 A 'handyman' quoted me $100K to retile a 6 x 6 shower and put up 12 feet of white picket fence.

I didn't spend that much building my house.

Posted by: Ronster at December 26, 2020 01:53 PM (P148V)

43 VIA, the "little" spotting scope is fine for most anything in our Solar system.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at December 26, 2020 01:54 PM (02b6n)

44 Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 26, 2020 01:51 PM
Someone not far from us built a little observatory in a cow pasture. Big enough for a few people to stand inside.

But it's foggy this time of year. Useless most of the time for viewing the night sky.

Posted by: KT at December 26, 2020 01:55 PM (BVQ+1)

45 Buck Throckmorton at December 26, 2020 01:45 PM
Love those men's choruses. Especially that one.

Posted by: KT at December 26, 2020 01:59 PM (BVQ+1)

46 Fencing. Urg.

I've got to replace and reposition a section of about 20' of fencing, between my neighbors and my house.

But, I've also got to make it into a functioning, heavily reinforced gate, as I will eventually use it to park either an RV or a trailered boat in the side-yard of the house.

Fence posts will be 6" steel, sunk 4' into the ground with a heavy pour of concrete for the anchors.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 26, 2020 02:02 PM (QzJWU)

47 Fence posts will be 6" steel, sunk 4' into the ground with a heavy pour of concrete for the anchors.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 26, 2020 02:02 PM (QzJWU)

I'll do it for $100k

Posted by: BignJames at December 26, 2020 02:04 PM (AwYPR)

48 Fencing. UrgII.

The gate will be framed in steel tubing, with wooden fence boards affixed to keep with neighborhood design standards.

And yep, I'll affix a spring loaded wheel to the free end of the gate, to keep it supported throughout the arc.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 26, 2020 02:05 PM (QzJWU)

49 Maybe I should Learn to Fence if the rates are that insane.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at December 26, 2020 02:06 PM (02b6n)

50 I've come across several mentions of people having, or expecting to have, trouble ordering seeds. I don't know if this is based in reality. In any case, I plan to get a few extra packets of the salad greens, herbs, and tomatoes we prefer. Not to get crazy. I'll leave that for the real shortages of ammo and reloading components. But a couple of extra packets is cheap insurance.

Posted by: JTB at December 26, 2020 02:07 PM (7EjX1)

51 " VIA, the "little" spotting scope is fine for most anything in our Solar system. "

Good to know. Will have to try it for other stuff in the sky.

Thanks

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 26, 2020 02:09 PM (3D/fK)

52 Why would you put up 12 feet of white picket fence in your bathroom?
Posted by: Chauncy Gardner

Gotta keep the steers out of the shower. They hog the body wash.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 26, 2020 02:10 PM (Rvt88)

53 I puttered on putting together a 'neat' feeder for the equines yesterday. Need to finish that one today and should do 2 more. I made 3 for the other group and they are holding up and do reduce the hay stomped into the dirt/mud by quite a bit. But its such nice weather I need to live up to my nic before it goes back to normal.

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 02:11 PM (Aashi)

54 40 ... "Those fantasy lists are fun, aren't they. As long as you don't order all the seeds from them."

KT,

Merry Christmas and thanks for the thread. The fantasy list goes through at least three or four reductions before any orders are placed. Mrs. JTB and I learned long ago to bring reality to such matters before spending money. :-)

Posted by: JTB at December 26, 2020 02:12 PM (7EjX1)

55
It's not limited to the fences. A 'handyman' quoted me $100K to retile a 6 x 6 shower and put up 12 feet of white picket fence.

Nope - not even close pal.
Posted by: Tonypete at December 26, 2020 01:18 PM (Rvt8

----

Does he drive a truck with South Carolina plates?

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at December 26, 2020 02:12 PM (t5m5e)

56 Cats LOVE crashing nativity scenes:

https://tinyurl.com/yc2xc97e

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Iron Fist in Velvet Glove in Iron Gauntlet Clutching an Iron Mace at December 26, 2020 02:14 PM (Dc2NZ)

57 I looked at the conjunction with binoculars. Could not hold the steady enough to get a good view and see rings etc. I imagine both Jupiter and Saturn are fairly close to that spot and would be nice viewing with a telescope on a tripod.

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 02:15 PM (Aashi)

58 I've come across several mentions of people having, or expecting to
have, trouble ordering seeds. I don't know if this is based in reality.
In any case, I plan to get a few extra packets of the salad greens,
herbs, and tomatoes we prefer. Not to get crazy. I'll leave that for the
real shortages of ammo and reloading components. But a couple of extra
packets is cheap insurance.

It's easy to save seeds from tomatoes you like every year and really most anything. I usually pick a nice one and put the seeds in a glass with a little water, cover with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in it and leave it out until a white mold starts. Then rinse and lay out on a plate to dry.

Posted by: dartist at December 26, 2020 02:16 PM (+ya+t)

59 "Someone not far from us built a little observatory in a cow pasture. Big enough for a few people to stand inside. "

Now that could be fun

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 26, 2020 02:17 PM (3D/fK)

60 My garden is under 2 feet of snow. The potted tomato and pepper plants are a bust this year--probably too cold in the back room even with a gro-light. Perhaps next year I will try heat mats or something to make them do better.

A true greenhouse on the south side of the house would be lovely, but astronomically expensive to heat.

Guess I'll buy produce at Fred Meyer and call it good.

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 26, 2020 02:17 PM (qQnCr)

61 Puttering alright, kitchen ceiling fan all taken apart, cleaned and put back together

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2020 02:18 PM (Cxk7w)

62 Does he drive a truck with South Carolina plates?

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at December 26, 2020 02:12 PM (t5m5e)

Yes, I do.

Posted by: BignJames at December 26, 2020 02:18 PM (AwYPR)

63 Either you have an awesome neighbor to allow you to drive thru their yard when you open this gate to get the vehicle in or I am not comprehending things Jim.

BTW do you still have the FIV cat needing a home?

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 02:18 PM (Aashi)

64 I have a telescope, haven't dug it out in years, I should.

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2020 02:18 PM (Cxk7w)

65 Night of the Conjunction, pre 600 limit, I'd written expansively about the incredible image rendered by the Vortex Razor, 27x60x85 spotting scope.

Rings of Saturn clearly and distinctly visible, with brilliant contrast of the different ring colors. Jupiter's moons perfectly presented. No fuzzy edges, no haloing, just simply, perfect tiny points of properly circular light.

Helluva Scope.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 26, 2020 02:20 PM (QzJWU)

66 In short order that gets cut back to a vague semblance of reality. Silly but kind of fun.

Posted by: JTB at December 26, 2020 01:47 PM (7EjX1)

Next thing you know you are buying a tractor and looking lustfully at the neighbor's yard...

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 26, 2020 02:20 PM (qQnCr)

67 Now would be the time Skip unless your locale is usually cloudy this time of year. Getting to see Saturn and Jupiter at 6 pm is kind of a rare treat.

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 02:21 PM (Aashi)

68 dartist at December 26, 2020 02:16 PM
That usually works pretty well with open-pollinated tomatoes.

You are likely to get something different the next year if you save seeds from hybrid tomatoes, especially big ones.

Don't try this with hybrid specialty melons.

Posted by: KT at December 26, 2020 02:23 PM (BVQ+1)

69 Pale Rider,

Yep. Kitty needs a good home. He's such a snuggle, too. Lap monster of the first order.

It's workin' out with the neighbor, because I'm building a twin to my gate on his side of the fence, too. He'll be puttin' a 2 jet ski trailer on his side of the fence. And we're both putting the Agreement Document into both of our Title Deed Recordings.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 26, 2020 02:24 PM (QzJWU)

70 65: Yes, I read that and was jealous. Its possible we have a lesser spotting scope and tripod around here but normally its just too cold for me to want to bother anyway and I just look up pics other people took.

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 02:24 PM (Aashi)

71
Yes, I do.
Posted by: BignJames at December 26, 2020 02:18 PM (AwYPR)

----

I had in mind the village of Irish Travelers there.

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at December 26, 2020 02:25 PM (t5m5e)

72 There is a yearly meteor shower in January but it's usually to cold to bother.

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2020 02:27 PM (Cxk7w)

73 "Helluva Scope.

Jim "

Is that the one that goes for roughly $1,600.00?

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 26, 2020 02:27 PM (3D/fK)

74 You are likely to get something different the next year if you save seeds from hybrid tomatoes, especially big ones.

I didn't know that. I've only grown heirlooms. One thing I noticed over the years is one variety starts looking like another. Is it possible for them to cross pollinate or whatever it's called by planting too close together?

Posted by: dartist at December 26, 2020 02:31 PM (+ya+t)

75 The Nashville RV explosion was an elaborate suicide. That is my prediction, based on nothing but the sparse facts that we have.

Posted by: Rusty Nail at December 26, 2020 02:33 PM (h7JOx)

76 I'm puttering around trying to get my car unstuck. It's basically hung up from the front bumper to the back bumper.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at December 26, 2020 02:33 PM (lgiXo)

77 From Idaho's Treasure Valley, Boise area: This text box is cutting off my message. Is there something going on now where message size is limited, or is it some weird effect from having a new computer?? I don't really want to have to post this paragraph by paragraph...

Posted by: Pat* at December 26, 2020 02:36 PM (2pX/F)

78 Nashville RV would be a storybook way to cover up a murder or two.

Hot tub observatory would keep one or both warm while winter skygazing.

Posted by: klaftern at December 26, 2020 02:37 PM (RuIsu)

79 It's basically hung up from the front bumper to the back bumper.

We used to call that high centered.

Posted by: Ronster at December 26, 2020 02:38 PM (P148V)

80 Pat* - yeah - text is now limited to 600 or less characters. Along with some other limitations that I'm still trying to dope out.

But I'm a slow learner.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 26, 2020 02:38 PM (Rvt88)

81 We used to call that high centered.
Posted by: Ronster at December 26, 2020 02:38 PM (P148V

That's what I call it too.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at December 26, 2020 02:39 PM (lgiXo)

82 76. Ugh. Having dug the snow away from it, it may be time to find a neighbor with a pickup and tow strap, so you only have to dig out an axle to get the strap around?

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 02:39 PM (Aashi)

83 Pat- 600 characters and it doesn't like links. If you copy someones post to comment on delete the post number.

Posted by: dartist at December 26, 2020 02:41 PM (+ya+t)

84 Having dug the snow away from it, it may be time to find a neighbor with a pickup and tow strap, so you only have to dig out an axle to get the strap around?
Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 02:39 PM (Aashi)

The car doesn't have a tow hook.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at December 26, 2020 02:41 PM (lgiXo)

85 The Nashville RV explosion was an elaborate suicide. That is my prediction, based on nothing but the sparse facts that we have.
Posted by: Rusty Nail

No, no, no. Now get your tinfoil hat...
That AT&T center was IDed by Snowden as one of 6 NSA facilities across the USA.
The blast knocked out the power, so the generators kicked in to maintain data integrity. Then the City shut off gas to check for leaks.
Everything went dead.
The blast created a communication dead zone. Dunno why, but that's my story til I hear a better one.

Posted by: MarkY at December 26, 2020 02:45 PM (+yNXF)

86 V.I.P. Yessir, I believe it is. MSRP on 'em is a buck less than two thousand, but Optics Planet and others usually have them at your price point.

I got lucky and got a better deal, and didn't hesitate.

That one went into the Buy Once Cry Once files. But it sure does work out well at the range. Every time I have it at the range, I'm glad I made the purchase.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 26, 2020 02:45 PM (QzJWU)

87 Most cars do not, and bumpers are not sturdy enough anymore. But if it doesn't have too complete of underbody shielding so you can run get a strap around the front or rear axle that will work to tow it 15 feet out of the snow its high centered in. BTDT

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 02:45 PM (Aashi)

88 I'm puttering around trying to get my car unstuck. It's basically hung up from the front bumper to the back bumper.

That sucks. Maybe time to go in the house and wait for the good Lord to unstick it for you. Keep your fluids up Brother!

Posted by: dartist at December 26, 2020 02:45 PM (+ya+t)

89 I'm puttering around trying to get my car unstuck. It's basically hung up from the front bumper to the back bumper.

That sucks. Maybe time to go in the house and wait for the good Lord to unstick it for you. Keep your fluids up Brother!

Posted by: dartist at December 26, 2020 02:45 PM (+ya+

The beer option has a certain appeal.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at December 26, 2020 02:46 PM (lgiXo)

90 76 I'm puttering around trying to get my car unstuck. It's basically hung up from the front bumper to the back bumper.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at December 26, 2020 02:33 PM (lgiXo)

Northernlurker, it took us an hour and a half to dig out my car this morning.

Posted by: Ladyl at December 26, 2020 02:46 PM (TdMsT)

91 I'm puttering around trying to get my car unstuck. It's basically hung up from the front bumper to the back bumper.

You didn't get Elon Musk's flamethrower for Christmas?

Posted by: MarkY at December 26, 2020 02:46 PM (+yNXF)

92 I've always been interested in saving seeds just to see if I can. I'm planning to get a couple of heirloom types, not hybrid, of tomatoes and maybe a summer and one winter squash. Even if the crop isn't great, the seed saving could be fun. It was a common practise in frontier days and I would like to try replicating the process.

Posted by: JTB at December 26, 2020 02:47 PM (7EjX1)

93 75 The Nashville RV explosion was an elaborate suicide. That is my
prediction, based on nothing but the sparse facts that we have.

Posted by: Rusty Nail at December 26, 2020 02:33 PM (h7JOx)

My wild-assed guess is it's lockdown-related. There's a Tony Warner who owns a large apartment building not far from the explosion site who probably hasn't seen a rent check in almost a year. He also runs a big haunted house business.

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at December 26, 2020 02:47 PM (IbxQb)

94 We wanted to see the conjunction but it was always too cloudy. Bummer!

Posted by: JTB at December 26, 2020 02:49 PM (7EjX1)

95 Weird thing is that everytime I put my boots back on so I can do more shoveling the dog gets upset.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at December 26, 2020 02:50 PM (lgiXo)

96 Oy vey.

Posted by: The Detroit Lions at December 26, 2020 02:52 PM (W4eKo)

97 The Russians beat the U.S. in World Junior Hockey Championships yesterday.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at December 26, 2020 02:53 PM (lgiXo)

98 The Improved Meyer is loaded with bright yellow lemons now. Not the bumper crop we had last year; but, plenty. I'm going to try to do the 'fermented lemon' thing with some.

The hummingbirds are finally sharing now that we have 6 feeders. Well for some definitions of sharing. There are now 4 birds sharing 6 instead of 1 hoarding (chasing any other bird out if the yard with lots noise) all 4.)

The tomatoes are still producing and the Cherokee Purple seems to be doing well. I saw that we are supposed to have a night of freezing temps during the next 10 days so I'll have to cover them.

Posted by: AZ deplorably isolated at December 26, 2020 02:55 PM (gtatv)

99 The Russians beat the U.S. in World Junior Hockey Championships yesterday.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker

Our Junior High team played an inner-city team one year.
Half the other team drove to the game.

Posted by: MarkY at December 26, 2020 02:56 PM (+yNXF)

100 The only thing I have in my garden is the green onions that I planted last spring from a bundle I bought from the store, volunteer lettuce and my remaining rows of swiss chard.

I finally started building one of those row hoop covers, but I don't have enough plastic to cover it for the cold weather. I also don't have the metal or PVC piping that is usually used, so I used suckers from the filbert trees with some cross members woven into it (yes I have a wattle row cover now)

Currently due to the rains, my garden is flooded .

Posted by: Kindltot at December 26, 2020 02:57 PM (EaFhp)

101 I finally started building one of those row hoop covers, but I don't have enough plastic to cover it for the cold weather. I also don't have the metal or PVC piping that is usually used, so I used suckers from the filbert trees with some cross members woven into it (yes I have a wattle row cover now)

That is really neat! My Dad once built a grape arbor using osage orange whips. We had to take it down with chainsaws.

Posted by: MarkY at December 26, 2020 03:00 PM (+yNXF)

102
And by the way, there is still a canning lid shortage, can't get them anywhere except on ebay for famine prices.

If anyone can find a source, please post it

Posted by: Kindltot at December 26, 2020 03:03 PM (EaFhp)

103 The blast created a communication dead zone. Dunno why, but that's my story til I hear a better one.
------------
Speaking of: https://tinyurl.com/ya2y6ce6

Posted by: redbanzai the Southerner at December 26, 2020 03:03 PM (946rW)

104 I'm getting pretty close to having a beer and engaging in some sober reflection.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at December 26, 2020 03:04 PM (lgiXo)

105 I'm getting pretty close to having a beer and engaging in some sober reflection.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at December 26, 2020 03:04 PM (lgiXo)

Wouldn't sober reflection have to come before the beer?

Posted by: redbanzai the Southerner at December 26, 2020 03:05 PM (946rW)

106 Wouldn't sober reflection have to come before the beer?
Posted by: redbanzai the Southerner at December 26, 2020 03:05 PM (946rW)

Point taken but never let it be said I won't try.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at December 26, 2020 03:06 PM (lgiXo)

107 The AZ deplorable wife is a supervisor for the light rail in Phoenix. She has people get there cars stuck on the alignment every night, the other night there were 5 cars during her 8 hour shift. I built her a stack of 2x6 ramp so she would stop using a bunch of small blocks (which shot out at speed when people tried to drive up them). She loves it and now wants another for those people that get both wheels stuck. File that under no good deed goes unpunished!

Posted by: AZ deplorably isolated at December 26, 2020 03:08 PM (gtatv)

108 There is a nood pet!

Posted by: AZ deplorably isolated at December 26, 2020 03:08 PM (gtatv)

109 I don't think one beer will cause loss of sobriety. I wonder if AAA will pay to tow cars out of parking snowbanks? I think They'll cover if you neglected to replace the battery and need a jump to get to the parts store so they might.

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 03:11 PM (Aashi)

110
I don't think one beer will cause loss of sobriety. I wonder if AAA
will pay to tow cars out of parking snowbanks? I think They'll cover if
you neglected to replace the battery and need a jump to get to the
parts store so they might.
Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 03:11 PM (Aashi)

I read that as AA

Posted by: Kindltot at December 26, 2020 03:12 PM (EaFhp)

111 LOL Kindltot.

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 03:12 PM (Aashi)

112 Making a lamb barley soup with all my leftover shrooms, taters, celery, and carrots. Good weather for it.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Iron Fist in Velvet Glove in Iron Gauntlet Clutching an Iron Mace at December 26, 2020 03:13 PM (Dc2NZ)

113 You probably have to tell the AA sponsor that you'll be driving to start drinking if they don't get your car out and then they might

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 03:13 PM (Aashi)

114 driven. DOH

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at December 26, 2020 03:14 PM (Aashi)

115 Once the beer is open I'm home for the day.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at December 26, 2020 03:16 PM (lgiXo)

116 Those photos are gorgeous. It was snowing on the night of the conjunction, so I missed it.

Won't be watching the videos yet; I have to unpack and move around until the furnace does its job.

BTW only thing growing in the garden is snow.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 26, 2020 03:29 PM (/+bwe)

117 Nothing devotivates me like alcohol

Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2020 03:55 PM (Cxk7w)

118 Having lived in both Northern Indiana and Southwest Idaho, I can assure you that 'BSU' conjunction shot is from Idaho. Best sunsets of any place we've lived, with all due respects to Hoosierland.

One of the coaches for our 4H rifle team put his 80x Vortex spotter on a tripod in the range parking lot so everyone could have a look before practice. Rings visible at least as an oblong image. Didn't notice Jupiter's moons, but we had to view fairly early before the planets dropped below the roof of a neighboring industrial building, so there was still a fair amount of background sunset light.
Pat*'s post(s) will be on the way soon, since I can hear her cussing at the word processor while typing in the other room.

Posted by: Pat*'s Hubby at December 26, 2020 04:26 PM (2pX/F)

119 Nothing devotivates me like alcohol
Posted by: Skip at December 26, 2020 03:55

So Skip, you're telling us you don't smoke pot?

Posted by: Farmer at December 26, 2020 05:06 PM (Iynsv)

120 From Pat* in ID: Just heard re character limit; VERY unhappy. Raked leaves, stuffed trash. Planted midget crocus bulbs in tiny pot, brought indoors; 3 sprouts so far. Feeding birds. Chatting with new neighbors via Email.

Insert here: my usual encouragement to resist oppressive government, mock gov't officials & media, improve survival skills, and build trustworthy network of allies.

Posted by: Pat* at December 26, 2020 07:16 PM (2pX/F)

Processing 0.02, elapsed 0.0278 seconds.
14 queries taking 0.0144 seconds, 128 records returned.
Page size 82 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.