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the rogue soup can

11/30/2014

While watching the Packers/Bears game I thought that some dry roasted peanuts would make the viewing experience perfect. Well, not so much... While reaching for the peanuts on the top shelf of the pantry, I inadvertently knocked a can of tomato soup off the shelf. The first slow motion thought in my head? "Move your feet--MOVE THEM FAST!" Unfortunately for me, after I quickly moved my feet the soup can ricocheted off of the door jamb and hit me anyway, edge-side first on my unprotected right foot. This hurt so much I was at a loss for (pleasant) words!

So I spent the rest of the game NOT happily eating peanuts, but icing my throbbing foot. All of my toes moved and everything seemed okay; of course it was sore, which was expected. But, as the next week progressed my foot got more and more sore, until it wouldn't fit in my shoe and I could hardly walk without wincing. Long story short--after a visit to the podiatrist, I have a broken bone in my foot! Now I'm sporting a new fashion accessory that goes with every outfit I wear whether I like it or not. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to have this stylish boot - my foot feels SO much better with it on, and I can now walk without pain. Treatment? Limit walking as much as possible, and 3-4 weeks with the compression boot.

What I take away from this:
* Patience, patience, and more patience
* Injuries hurt even more when you inflict them upon yourself
* The podiatrist's office has awesome coffee
* It's okay that it's snowy and cold outside
* And finally, move ALL cans to the lowest shelf in the pantry

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turkey lurkeys

11/23/2014

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With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought this would be a perfect week to post about the wild turkeys that roam around our home and surrounding area on a regular basis. This photo was taken in our backyard over the summer. Wild turkeys are a noisy bunch, so you can't miss them when they are in the vicinity. I also try to miss them with my car! I'm always on the lookout for deer while driving, so it really throws me off guard when I have to dodge one of these guys.

Twelve wild turkey facts courtesy of the National Wildlife Federation:

The bird really is named after the nation of Turkey. Early European visitors to the Americas saw the creature and it reminded them of a bird familiar to them back home known as a “Turkey bird.”
Adult male turkeys are called toms and females are called hens. Very young birds are poults and adolescents are called jakes.
The wild turkey’s bald head can change color in seconds with excitement or emotion. The birds’ heads can be red, pink, white or blue.
Turkeys’ gobbles can be heard a mile or more away and they are fast on their feet with a top running speed of about 25 miles per hour or about the same as a human track star.
A young poult is up, out of the nest and walking around searching for food within 24 hours. Turkeys have been known to lay as many as 18 eggs in a clutch.
Arboreal wild turkeys sleep in trees. The birds are usually seen walking so many people are surprised they even fly. Though they only fly for short distances, they are speedy and hit about 55 miles per hour when going full tilt.
Courting Tom turkeys show courting behaviors much like the peacock with displays of their tails.
Subspecies of wild turkeys include Eastern, Osceola, Rio Grande, Merriam’s and Gould’s. There are subtle differences and different ranges that distinguish the birds.
A group of turkeys has many descriptive nouns, including a “crop”, “dole”, “gang”, “posse”, and “raffle.”
Wild turkeys were first domesticated in Mexico and then exported to Europe only to come back here later.
It is said that the first presidential pardon ever given was by Harry Truman in 1947-- and it was given to a turkey. That started an annual tradition of allowing two turkeys (one for the President and one for the Vice-President) to be spared each Thanksgiving.
America’s turkeys almost went extinct in 1930 from loss of forest habitat and over hunting. Recovery efforts, including those by the National Wildlife Federation and the Wild Turkey Federation, have been successful over the past 80 years and there are now an estimated 7 million wild turkeys in North and Central America.

Thankfully, the wild turkeys have no interest in my daylilies.

Have an enjoyable holiday whether you eat turkey, Tofurkey, or something else entirely.

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turbine power

11/16/2014

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Ange and I took a road trip a few Saturdays ago. The scenery was picture postcard beautiful. Even though fall is winding down, the birch trees looked gorgeous in the coulees, framed by the brown leaves on the hills and ground. While driving through the countryside we came upon some giant wind turbines. We were able to drive right up to them and stopped to see them up close. They are quite impressive when you can see and hear them whirring overhead.

Wind energy is one of those double-edged swords. You are either a lover or a hater. So my interest was piqued. Here's what I learned:

Pros of Wind Energy

Wind is a green energy source and does not cause pollution.
Abundant domestic supply – far more than what the entire population needs.
Wind power is renewable and we can't run out of it.
Wind turbines are incredibly space-efficient.
The power is essentially free once the infrastructure is paid for.
Costs continue to decrease.
Residential wind turbines yields energy savings and protects homeowners from power outages.

Cons of Wind Energy

The wind is inconsistent, unsteady and unpredictable.
Wind power, like many energy sources, rely on government subsidies to remain competitive.
The manufacturing and installation of wind turbines requires heavy upfront investments – both in commercial and residential applications.
Wind turbines can be a threat to wildlife (e.g. birds, bats).
Side note: The Audubon Society supports wind power, provided that it is planned and sited in areas to minimize harm to wildlife.
Noise is regularly reported as a problem by neighboring homes.
How wind turbines look (aesthetics) is a legitimate concern for some people.
Localized impact on night-time temperatures and weather

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shores of time

11/9/2014

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"Shores of Time" is one of the prettiest pink daylilies that I grow. I took this photo early in the morning. As the day progresses the pink mellows somewhat, but it still remains quite showy. It's a 26" dormant with a 6" bloom. I've made note on next year's 'to-do' list to move Shores of Time closer to the house so I can enjoy it more.

Shores of Time came to me by serendipity. I was in Madison a few years ago at the annual WI Daylily Sale. At the last minute, just before leaving, I decided to do one final walk-through. While passing by the "PINK" aisle, I overheard a couple of people discussing this plant's virtues. The picture was certainly appealing, and miraculously, there happened to be *one* package left in the bin. This daylily wasn't on my original list, but it came home with me. What a stroke of luck this last-minute, impulse-purchase proved to be. Love the color, the ruffles, the fragrance...this is a super plant!

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the best garden tools ever!

11/2/2014

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Last May I purchased the best garden tools ever! Radius tools. After using them for about a week, I ditched all my other garden tools...forever. And I haven't looked back.

Radius tools are ergonomic, lightweight, have a lifetime guarantee, and you can't lose 'em in the garden with the vibrant handles. They are so pretty that you may be initially reluctant to get them dirty! Weeding has become more fun than ever! Sort of.

Check them out at: www.radiusgarden.com/ Some of the big-box stores also carry them, as well as eBay and Amazon, etc.

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