Racoon Alert

Our neighbor Larry knocked on our door tonight letting us know he saw a few mean racoons prowling our block. We hadn't seen them for years since they last took our prize chicken Pattrice. I hope they leave my young ladies alone.

Scented Geraniums

While accompanying C to O.S.H., all I could find desirable was a section of scented rough leaved beauties. I was thinking too hard to choose between the nutmeg and the lime and like any sensible garden saw I should take all four varieties.

High of '06 Tomato Season

Living in Berkey, one has to face up to the climate facts that global warming is only going to help your tomato crop so much. I've had the best luck with Siberian and Russian varieties so I've been giving them the choicest spots in the patch. Miss A who started me on these heirloom varieties (Black Prince, Black Krim) tells me tomatoes are the only crops you don't have to rotate. I've been bicycling regularly to the Edible Schoolyard to see how their tomatos are coming along, nothing competitive just curiosity. My clusters really kick ass tho...

Single Plum

Our plum tree this year has a single gift, a frosty and blushing thing. Two years back, we also had exactly one plum which met a most sad end. C and I will have one bite each when the time comes. I enjoy the sweetness of anticipation as much.

All over Berkeley in high summer you sidestep sidewalks pelted with uneaten plums. On the way home from BART, sometimes I meet a cardboard box full of small plums signed for giveaway. I bring some home and let them ripe, a few for the chicken, a few for myself and C, a few for just oozing past ripeness.

No go on the chicks

Sadly C's Chick Hatching Dome was full of rotten eggs. He cracked them open expecting bits of feather and bone but found nothing but rotten egg. I was a bit relieved. I read in my chicken guide that eggs hatch too early or too late may result in defective chicks. The authors strongly recommended culling.

The moral dilemma has been averted but the TLC C gave in turning these eggs were for naught. I told C I would write a strong letter to McMurray Hatchery complaining why they would sell such a junky hatchery making kids cry.

Fraises de Bois

In front of C's wood shop, I find a mystery clump of strawberries. I was waiting for any of them to turn red but they dried up instead. These ripe creamy white and have a pineapple perfume and an intense tartness.

Papyrus Planted

Saw this clump of papyrus at OSH and jumped up and down as I knew of a perfect place for it. Eventhough I vowed just that morning not to buy any more plants...

Busting up Garden Space

We borrowed a demolition drill from the Berkeley Tool Lending Library. This thing was so loud I begged C to stop so the neighbors wouldn't hate me. Victor came along and wanted to bust up the entire sidewalk.

Hammock Academy

I can hammock only a few minutes. Clees keeps promising R&R instruction, but he only keeps telling me to loosen up my tight attitude. Hmmmf.

Wild and Weedy Arugula

I sowed my first arugula seeds after returning from Italy in 2004. Italian seed packets unlike American ones have a hefty farmer amount of seeds. I noticed the ungainly hairy weedy leaves on the cover and wondered why I hadn't gotten the more refined arugula sylvetta with the pointy leaves. But since I had fistfuls of seed, I threw a bunch of seeds on bare patches of soil, handed out the rest to neighbors and friends. Mostly I forgot about them until they popped up everywhere- germination rate is high.

This "rucola coltivata" I must say is a fantastic no fuss winter shade crop and can supply you for months. The baby leaves have cheered up many a cold drizzly Northern California day with their peppery taste of green. Never buy wilty grocery baby argula again! They taste best with a balsamic vinaigrette which has the effect of neutralizing some of the spiciness. When the leaves get older, they are tasty as steamed greens drizzled with olive oil and served with shaved pecorino. Great in omlets, pastas, prosciutto sandwiches, on and on. The ivory magenta flowers are sweet to eat and who doesn't want a little floral pizazz to their salad plate. Finches delicately nibble on them. Chickens go crazy over them.

Finally when the arugula dries to hay, I sit outside, hull the seeds for giving to friends. The stems we cut it and use it for chicken bedding. What could anyone want more out a salad green.