Saturday Slight

 

I loved finding this leaf hanging from the maple tree yesterday. 

In my mind, it displays the brutality and beauty of nature's artwork. 

The combination set it aside as a unique specimen amidst the multitude of other perfectly formed leaves hanging from the tree and showcasing the brilliant colors of fall. 

Yesterday was carrot-harvest day. 

I had thought long and hard about the best way to preserve the carrots over the winter.  Last year, I tried freezing them, only to learn that they soften up with that mode. 

I'd heard of leaving them in the ground and had tried that once, only to have orange mush to clean up the following spring. 

There's also a method where gardeners put the carrots in a bucket with either sand or shavings and keep them in an area that gets cold but not too cold. 

My approach was leaning toward the latter of the above. 

I could not wait to poke the pitchfork into the ground, loosen up the soil and pull out the bounty below all those healthy and thriving carrot tops which had received tender loving care throughout the summer. 

Well, like pretty much everything else in my garden this year, the soil in which the carrots had developed over the summer was hiding the ugly truth.  

About 75 percent of this year's crop might reach two inches long and maybe a quarter inch around, if lucky. 

Just like the potatoes and the cukes, a few prizes stood out but not many. 

When all was said and done, most of the carrot harvest went to the barn and in one of the apple boxes. 

Horses will get mini carrot treats for the next few days. 

With only a single-gallon freezer-bag yield, I opted for the "put them in an air tight bag and keep them in the refrigerator" method, knowing I'd better find a use for them in the next month or so. 

At least the horses will be happy. 

Speaking of which, Bill is starting the new barnyard gate project today.  Those horses are just gonna go a little crazy when they see that big change in their confinement area. 

I swear that horses are the most observant animals on earth.  Any change, no matter how subtle, they react. 

Yesterday I moved three or four boards from the pile next to the water tank.

The instant Lefty walked through the gate from his day in the pasture, he turned toward the board pile, surveyed it for a moment and walked on to see if anything else new had happened within his domain.

So, the new gate is gonna be a big shocker for this trio, and I'm thinking the other gate next to the barn, which we'll leave in place, will turn into a toy---to rattle or push or to pound with their hooves. 

I did some more brush hogging yesterday, including redoing the pathways in the woods. 

It was big-time equipment scene at one spot along the swale in the far woods.  I passed by the parked 4-wheeler, which Bill was using, along with his chain saw, for bucking up another load of wood to bring up to the winter-storage area. 

It's nice to have that firewood as we keep hearing about the cost of other forms of heating rising substantially over the winter. 

Slowly but surely, we're getting projects completed and utilizing what ever fruits and veggies this place has produced.

It may not be much this year, but every little bit counts in helping with the grocery bill. 

Today, my agenda, besides watching some college football, includes cooking up one more batch of jelly (apple, this time) and after that's finished, I'll start on this year's supply of applesauce.

I read this morning that Coach Ryan Knowles' Sandpoint Bulldogs won last night's game against Moscow 61-0. 

Congratulations, Bulldogs! A very impressive win. 

Happy Saturday.