There's one sad truth in life...

"There's one sad truth in life I've found
While journeying east and west -
The only folks we really wound
Are those we love the best.
We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those who love us best.

"Ella Wheeler Wilcox"

Fun Fact

FUN FACT!

Each American eats 54 quarts of popcorn a year!

Ribbit Ribbit...

Here is Emilie’s latest hobby – a tank of amphibians.

We have four female American toads, (Bufo americanus) and six frogs – four green frogs (Rana clamitans), a pickerel frog (Rana palustris) and a wood frog (Rana sylvatica). The later two were added to the mix yesterday, so not seen in the above photo. We found the green frogs in our pool. The toads were found in various spots in our yard.

Emilie checks the pool each morning for frogs and skims out any live insects and then relocates them, as breakfast, to the tank. We also walk our yard each evening looking for and catching insects to feed these critters. Fortunately, the toads are not fussy eaters and will pretty much eat whatever insect you drop in, as long as they move. The Japanese beetles, Oriental beetles, and June beetles are plentiful right now and eagerly gobbled up. Other edible insects, that take more effort to catch, are; woodlouse, also known as sow bugs, pillbugs and isopods, centipedes, earwigs, ants, worms, etc.

It’s actually very interesting to watch these amphibians eat. It happens too fast to really see their tongues in action, however, you can hear the sound of their tongues lashing out snatch a meal.

The pickerel frog will need to be released soon. In researching this posting I've learned that pickerel frog are known to be toxic to other frogs - when stressed their skin secrets a toxin that can be fatal to other frogs...

Fun Fact

FUN FACT!

Bananas are native to Southeast Asia. Currently, India is the world’s largest producer of bananas."

Happy Cucumbers...

Our cucumbers are starting to come in, yum yum. There are about 6 to 8 coming along and in various stages. Somewhat of a surprise to have so many since the plants themselves are what I believe to be on the smaller size. They're climbing up the trellis nicely, just not as big a plant as I anticipated - perhaps, the rainy weather we had for most of the spring contributed to this.

As you can see from the picture above this cucumber was happy to see us ;-)

Swearing Makes You Feel Less Pain

This just in - Swearing Makes You Feel Less Pain

I knew it! It's true! It's been working for me for years but no one would listen.

It DOES! YES IT DOES! SHIT, I'm telling you it works DAMIT! PISS OFF...

Allium California Soft Neck - Jumbo garlic

Emilie and I harvested our Allium California Soft Neck - Jumbo garlic Thursday night. We planted 36 cloves back on October 7, 2008 and dug out 36 beautiful whole garlic bulbs on July 9, 2009.

We rinsed the dirt from them and now have them drying.

Can't wait to get a taste of these gems, delish! It will also keep the vampires away...

Fun Fact

Did You Know:

Elephants have a 22-month gestation period, which is the longest of any mammal.

I See You...

I'm watching you!!

Celebrities in the News (today)

What's going on today? Apparently, it's tough being famous and gifted...

'Laverne and Shirley' Star Eddie Mekka Arrested for DUI

'Three's Company' Actress Joyce DeWitt Arrested for Drunk Driving

'Harry Potter' Star Could Face 14 Years for Growing Marijuana Farm

Former Figure Skating Champ Nicole Bobek Charged in Meth Bust

Soft Rot

OK, enough all ready. We've had enough rain, how bouts some nice, dry, warm summer like weather?!

It's been a horrible spring here in New England weather wise. We've had more rain and cold days than I care to count. One plus is that everyone's lawn looks fantastic and alive; nice and dark green. However, too much rain can be problematic also. Take for example our broccoli - the plants themselves look great, nice, big and full. However, the conditions have been perfect for a disease called "Soft Rot", see picture below.

Soft rot of broccoli is brought on by long periods of wet weather. The results are a watery and slimy rot with an offending rotten odor. This condition also attracts a surprisingly large numbers of flies, which seem to enjoy dining on the slim. It's so bad that even our domestic rabbits, which typically love and devour broccoli, won't even touch it!

I was lucky enough to pick one smaller broccoli head before the rot arrived and let me tell you, it was DELICIOUS! Also, if I remember correctly last year each broccoli plant produced a second, smaller head following the initial harvesting . Perhaps, this will happen again this year - only time will tell.

Earwigs

Q: Last year, earwigs devoured our bean plants. Can you suggest a way to get rid of them?

A: Combine equal parts soy sauce and olive oil, put it in a small plastic container, and secure the lid. (A cottage cheese container works well.) Punch holes in the top of the container, near the lid. Make the holes large enough for the earwigs to get in. Bury the container in the soil just up to the holes. The soy sauce will attract the earwigs, and the oil will prevent them from escaping. Change the mixture as needed.

Facilities Update, alas...

Question:

What has a total distance of 57.49 miles and a total time of 1 hour and 6 minutes?

Answer:

How long it's gonna take me, in good weather and with NO traffic, and the mileage I'm facing (one way), to drive to my new office location!

Yup, that's right. We just received word that the company I work for has decided to consolidate their three locations (buildings) down to two. To stay with the company I (we) have two choices - work out of either the Andover or Boston facilities.

Staggered moves will begin in September with the transition expected to be complete by December 31, 2009.

Door etiquette or rather lack there of...

Let’s talk about door etiquette or lack there of; more specifically the proper use of double doors. The ones often found in business, malls, schools, etc.

When you approach double doors, similar to the ones pictured above, how would you proceed? Would you use the door on the left or door on the right? For example, let’s say you’re exiting, so you’re walking out of the building. Which door (side) do you select and why?

Just curious because all too often I witness people using the door on the left, why?! I find this a strange and unexplainable phenomenon; it’s mind boggling. Often times this occurs even when someone is attempting to enter at the same time - daaaaaahhhhhhh.

I do not know if there are any “official” rules governing the use of doors, if not maybe there should be, but at a minimum I'd like to think that common sense and common courtesy would prevail and guide those confused soles. Alas, like SO many other things these days, no such luck – you’ve got a better chance of hearing a turtle fart…

Why can't we just all remember to use the door on the right? Don't use the door on the left, even if it happens to be open. Even if using the left door wouldn't put you in anyone's way, you still shouldn't use the left door. Follow the Door Rules. Walk on the right, and use the door on the right. Don't try to slip through on the left, even when nobody else is around, because the entire door system will break down.

Someone needs to come up with a song to help teach those offending dipsticks proper door etiquette. Perhaps, something similar to the Gary Rosen and Peter Gould song called– “righty tighty, lefty loosey” jingle.

Here are some additional door etiquette topics to discuss and ponder: Single doors used as both an exit and entrance - Letting people exit before entering, i.e. elevators. Holding doors for others – when and when not to and Revolving doors - use common sense.

Oh Deer Frances Williams...

This is a picture of a Frances Williams hosta, one of my favorites, and was given to me by Emilie and JoAnne for Father's Day. Unfortunately, I've not had good luck or success with the Frances Williams in the past. The plethora of other hostas we have are doing fantastic. However, this was the one; the one plant that was going to do well, after all it was a given as a special gift, so it must!



Take a look at her today, less than a month since being put in the ground here. Now if her condition doesn't infuriate you then you're dead inside. This is what I came upon the other afternoon and it REALLY makes my blood boil! This was NOT the only plant to fall victim to this carnage. There was another hosta stripped of her beautiful heart shaped leaves, as well as a section of our raspberry bushes, urrgh!!

Care to take a stab (at the guilty party) at who or what is responsible for this pruning?



"(Our) Survey said!" (from the game show Family Feud) -



They were fun to watch when in the neighbor's yard nibbling but not anymore. That all changed when they came a grazing in our yard and gardens. They're NOT too cute to me anymore! If it's not one critter pest, i.e. woodchuck, rabbit, slug even, then it's another! Venison anyone...

Find the Critter XII

Can you find the critters in the above picture?

1 Chick, 2 Chick, 3 Chick Make 9...

Here are the latest additions to the ole Lincoln Street homestead -

From front to back; a Black Australorp, a Rhode Island Red and a Barred Rock (like New Honey).

These little ladies (pullets) are 3 weeks old and will be joining the 8 week old Amberlink and Black Sex-link chicks already outside in the coop when they're older and full feathered - about 3 more weeks.

These three bring our chicken total to nine with the plan being to cull down to 6; one of each breed, plus one. All brown egg layers and making our backyard coop a unique and interesting mixture.

Boobies Make Me Smile!

OH MY GOODNESS!!

Just what did you think I was referring to?!?! Geesh, you all need to get you dirty little minds out of the gutter!

But of course I am referring to the Blue-footed Booby, Sula nebouxii (pictured below). The Blue-footed Booby has a long neck, a sharp bill and bright blue feet. Its feather are brown on the wings, and its head and neck are brown with black streaks. Its chest and undersides are white.

The name “booby” comes from the Spanish term bobo, which means "Stupid" or "Fool" or "Clown". This is because the Blue-footed Booby is clumsy on the land.

Father's Day 2009

"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty." - Unknown

Happy Father's Day!

Below is a little history on this wonderful holiday:

• In 1910, the city of Spokane, Washington celebrated the first Father's Day.
• In 1924, the third Sunday in June was proclaimed Father's Day by President Calvin Coolidge.
• In 1926, the National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City.
• In 1956, Congress recognized Father's Day as a holiday.
• In 1966, a presidential proclamation by Lyndon B. Johnson declared the third Sunday of June officially Father's Day.
• In 1972, President Richard Nixon made the third Sunday in June a permanent national observance of Father’s Day.

Find the Critter XI

Please disregard the mess...

Can you find the critters in the above picture?