Woolly Bear & Old Man Winter

Folklore, which goes back to Colonial times, says the upcoming winter can be predicted by the stripes on the Woolly Bear caterpillar.  

According to the legend, the longer the woolly bear’s black bands, the more severe the winter will be–longer, colder and snowier. On the flip side, the wider the middle brown band is, the milder the upcoming winter will be. 

In addition, the position of the longest dark band is said to indicate which part of winter will be coldest and hardest. So, if the head end is dark, then the beginning of winter will be worse. If the opposite end is dark, the end of winter will be colder.

According to the folklore, the 13 segments of the caterpillar’s body correspond to the 13 weeks of winter. And the "woolier" the coat, the colder the winter.

The caterpillar’s coloring is thought to be based on its age, how long it’s been feeding and its species. In North America, there are over 200 species.

I took the below pics the other day on my walk.  Seems, based on these dudes anyway, that we're in for a milder winter around here, if you believe in the folklore.  We'll have to wait and see what Old Man Winter delivers...

Sure Does

 

**This is NOT related to a cheating ex-wife!

What's Up, Doc?

I harvested my carrots yesterday afternoon!

I planted an 8' row back on June 10th and they took off, see first pic. The challenge was keeping the deer and rabbits away all summer long.  Did you know that carrots are related to parsley, which explains why I had Black Swallowtail caterpillars dining and enjoying both my carrots and parsley!

Carrots seeds are so tiny, making them a challenge to plant. I gently shake them out of their package directly into the dirt and try to space them evenly, which is near impossible.  Once they start growing, you should really go through and thin them out but I didn't do that. Perhaps why there were so many different sizes, from small to large, too crowed but that's fine and about what I expected.

Here's one of the many clumps I pulled -

Half filled a basket with my haul -

Some of these will be used in my crockpot for tonight's dinner!  A nice pork loin and carrots along with some of my freshly grown potatoes, beans, peppers and garlic, mmm mmm good!

Let the peeling and dicing and chopping and preparing begin!  The aroma as it cooks will fill the house and be such a tease all day. I can almost taste it already and can't wait!

We're Doomed!

 

OY VEY!

Up and out early today to get my errands done before all the douche bags start venturing out.

Stopped at the market to get my groceries for the week.  This morning I brought my returnable cans and was able to get them processed in the machine quick and easy. No lines and no waiting; in and out, perfect!

A whole $1.55 coming back to be, yippie!

A month or so ago I went to my bank and cashed in my saved coins.  There were a handful of coins that the machine rejected.  Most were Canadian coins but there were some damaged US coins too.  So, I keep these rejects in my car and use them where I can to get ride of them.  Today, with my can returns, was a perfect opportunity.

I took my $1.55 return receipt to the Shaw's cashier.  A tall good looking kid named Luke.  I handed Luke the receipt AND (2) dimes and (1) quarter, and you would have thought I asked him to solve a trigonometry problem.  He was at a complete loss, I kid you not!  He had absolutely NO idea what I was asking or what to do and was struggling with the math.  I explained it to him twice by physically re-handed him the receipt, then each coin as I counted it for him and still nothing but a look of complete puzzlement.  Honestly, this all happened.  He eventually perked up and say "got it" and proceeded to hand me my two one dollar bills.  However, I really don't think he understood any of it, just wanted me gone as there was a line growing behind me.

What in the world are they teaching these kids in school today?  This is basic math; as basic as you get.  Luke looked to be high school aged, junior or senior I'd guess, C'MON!  I know, let's blame covid!  That's convenient and has been the perfect excuse for almost everything these last several years. Sadly, that excuse will not help poor old Luke.

As Glum, from Gulliver's Travels would say, "We're done for: We'll never make it!"

FPD Parking Anxiety Perhaps?!

Franklin's finest but clearly not the brightest!

This police officer was onsite at the Shaw's market here in Franklin today helping, well more like struggling from what I witnessed, to assist a woman who had locked her keys in the car.  Great right!  I didn't stick around but fairly certain he was able to eventually get the car unlocked despite his struggles.

I have NO problem with the public service of the FPD and appreciate all that they do.  What I am struggling with is why the need to park his cruiser on the raised pedestrian walkway, essentially blocking it, like a complete douchebag?!

Again, from what I witnessed there was no urgency to get he vehicle unlocked, for instance, there was no child locked inside.  Therefore, WHY OH WHY did he need to park like this?  The cruiser was off.  The lights were not flashing; he was essentially parked, all be it cock-eyed.  You can see the open parking space where the rear wheels are in the first pic below, so why no take the extra 30-seconds and park like a normal person?  Maybe he struggles with parallel parking, hmmm  🤔  The FPD might otta think about having parking assist added to their cruisers for the parking challenged cops on the force...

It was lunch time, so the market was pretty busy with many people using the walkway or trying to use it! I mean honestly, think about your surrounds and others, I just can't wrap my head around it and don't understand. 

Arrogant? Clueless? Whatever the reason, how bout use some common sense next time!

Dipstick for sure!

It's Garlic Planting Time!

Another fall chore crossed off my list, yippie!

I planted my garlic the other evening.  Three rows, (8) cloves per row.

In years past I would order garlic from Sow True Seeds out of Ashville, NC.  They've been great to deal with and their product is terrific.  However, this year I decided I'd try planting some of the garlic I grew myself and harvested this past July.  Same difference really, just a bit of cost savings.

I chose the three BIGGEST bulbs -

Hoed and marked my rows, placed the cloves and covered with soil - 

Then spread a generous layer of grass clippings and leaves for some added insulation and protection from the coming winter.  In an effort to keep the deer from trampling over and through, as well as to keep the digging squirrels out, I wrapped the bed with 4' wire.

Fingers crossed come spring all (24) cloves takes off.

Let The Games Begin!

Well, it's that time of the year when the cat and mouse games start.

Now that I've closed my pool and stored all outside items, e.g. flower pots, patio furniture, hoses, etc., the pool house (shed) is pretty full.  With the cold weather starting to arrive and the winter closing in, rodents begin foraging for a warmer place to stay.

As I've been doing for years now, mouse traps are deployed in the pool house to prevent these dirty vermin from squatting.  They're dirty, they poop all over the place and do damage to whatever they can chew and gnaw on to make their nests.

Their fondness of peanut butter is their kryptonite.  I set numerous snap traps in the pool house and monitor them weekly throughout the winter months.  I rebait and reset when needed and dispose of those who get snared.  Last year I caught over 20 during the winter months.  To date this year, which has been about a month, I've trapped 2.

This weekend I introduced the mouse traps older brother into the mix, the rat trap -

Hasta la vista baby!

Just Peachy Hun!

My peach tree looked and still looks great this year; the best it's looked in many, many years.

It didn't have many blossoms on it this past spring and for the first time in the 20+ years of living here, it didn't produce any peaches; not a single one.

The tree was here when I moved in back in 2000 and has been struggling some.  It has some sort of blight or fungus and several big holes in the trunk of the tree itself, see below.

I tried spaying it with some herbicide years ago, honestly don't think it did much.  I do prune it each fall to remove the diseased branches and limbs.  Suppose it's helped, as it's still here and fighting on.

Even when it had peaches in the past most went uneaten, as many of the fruit seem to have some sort of issue with them but they're still super tasty!  I'm undecided on what to do with it but leaning towards cutting it down and reclaiming the space.

Decision decisions...

The bottom hole is clear through to the other side but it's hanging on.

Rakey Rakey!

I spent several hours this past Sunday afternoon, and again after work yesterday, raking my front yard, and I have the blisters to prove it too!  I didn't rake the entire lawn, you can tell in the picture below where I raked.  Basically under the trees: the oak trees!

My goal was to rake and remove as many acorns as possible! There are a ton of acorns this year, as compared to last! Could it indicate a tough winter ahead, hmmm?!?!

Now there is some old weather folklore about an overproduction of acorns leading to a harsh winter ahead. The problem is the cycle just doesn't work out all the time and there is little correlation. Some years we have tons of acorns and we have a mild winter, then other years few acorns and a harsh winter

We'll see come spring 2024 if there was a correlation this year.

I've filled my green landscape barrel twice.  Not all acorns but believe me there are oodles of them in there!

What I am trying to avoid is the acorns taking root in my lawn, which has already begun.  Many have already started rooting, see below pic example, into the soil and the raking helps rip them out.  If not removed now they'll be harder to remove later and come spring there will be little oaks popping up all over the lawn, no no no!

Also, removing the acorns now helps keep the chipmunks and squirrels from foraging and digging up the lawn, as well as the deer coming to feed on them and pooping all over, which there are several loads out there now, UGH!

I Disagree Completely!

I don't believe this, NOT for one second!

There is NO WAY, ABSOLUTELY NO WAY, NOT true love!

I don't believe you EVER forget someone you love 💔, not true love!

**This is NOT related to a cheating ex-wife!

Happy Fall!

The weather changed last night and cooled right off.  Today is much more seasonal but still beautiful.

Trying to get in the "Fall" mood by adorning my front steps some Fall stuff!

#blessed

BOO!

Leaf Peeping!

This rash causing plant, poison ivy, is one to steer clear of for sure, however, it without a doubt throws off some awesome colors come the early fall here in New England!

Do You Have A Moment...

Shucks!

I was in a meeting this morning and unable to answer the door when the Jehovah's Witnesses rang my doorbell.  I'd be lying if I told you I would have opened the door otherwise; I WOULD NOT HAVE!

I tell you, NOT my cup of tea but I've seen these gentlemen and their setup at the Franklin Dean Street commuter rail stop in the early mornings, so they're hustling, I'll give them that.

They left behind a brochure, which went immediately (except for the photo op below) into the trash.

Honestly, the way things are now a days, I suspect most people don't answer the door.  If it's not Jehovah's Witnesses soliciting, it's the idiots selling solar.

PLEASE, STAY AWAY FROM MY PROPERTY!

Things You Don't See Anymore

Remember these forgotten audio formats, the Flexi Disc, often found as magazine inserts?!

Introduced sometime in the early 60's and ran into the early 90's but by then the CD and other digital formats were coming out, so the Flexi Disc became obsolete.

Interestingly, I ordered a "new" hardcover book from Amazon, which clearly doesn't look to be "new" but that's a different issue\story.  Inside this "new" book was this collectible Flexi Disc relic and a McDonald's one at that!

You're all jealous aren't you?!  Yeah you are!

Make me an offer.

Well This Stinks!

 The invasion has begun, UGH!

It's that time of the year when my house becomes a magnet for Boxelder bugs and Stink bugs.  This is a yearly occurrence that has been taking place since I moved in.

The South side of the house is where they usual mass, especially once the sun hits and it warms up.  They're harmless, however, the issue is the poop they leave all over the clapboards when they gather.  Just as quickly as they appear, poof they go into hiding when it starts to cool down.

I could spend hours chasing and swatting them and often do but it doesn't make a difference or a dent in their numbers.  The problem too is that often times some fine there way into the house.  Again, they're harmless but the stink bugs in particular, stink, so if you try to remove them PHEW!  Unfortunately, the cold and freezing New England winters do not kill them.  They seem to overwinter just fine and reappear come spring to start the cycle all over again.

A Bumper Crop Of Peppers!

This past Sunday, after a rainy couple of days, I was finally able to pick some of my Sweet California Bell Peppers.

What's pictured came from only 4 of my 12 plants, WOW!  The other remaining plants are loaded with peppers too!

I plan to cut this batch up and freeze them.  Oh so good, pulling them out to add to my pizza, steak and cheese sandwiches, fish, whatever, mmm mmm good!  I just hope I can find the space in my freezer to store all of this.

The next batch, which I will need to pick in a week or so, I will give a go at making stuffed pepper, using my mother's recipe, giddy up!

Clearly I have more than I need or that I can use, so if you're in the area stop in and take some.

** UPDATE **

I processed about 15 of the peppers last night and separated them into smaller bags for freezing!

More to come!

Still Hurts Regardless

#blessed

As Fresh As Fresh Can Be!

Last nights dinner was a delicious and perfectly grilled New York sirloin steak that melted in my mouth!  However, the more satisfying was my very own, home grown Yukon Gold potatoes!  The overall potato haul this season was a tad disappointing with many of the spuds golf ball sized but they were still scrumptious!

Saturday morning I washed them and cut off the imperfections -

Diced them up into fry size, added olive oil, garlic and other spices, covered then let them marinate in the fridge for the day. I would occasionally give them a stir -

The cooked results, which were so so good -

#blessed

Pre-Packaged Meats

I took advantage of a great sale on chicken breast and Italian sausages this week and loaded up.

I spent the morning separating, cutting up, bagging up and adding in some preferred marinades before getting all this in the freezer.

Makes it SO much easier to grab a bag for a single meal and defrost.

#blessed

As Written By My Dad!