Slight Detour: Clouds and Cool Toil

The clouds have been fascinating during these past few cooler days.

It's hard not to look at them and revel in their unique beauty from morning until sundown.

I especially like billowy clouds because of their heavenly sense.

The clouds and the cooler temps have awakened our desire to spend more time outside actually doing some work.

Bill gathered two loads of firewood throughout the day yesterday while I worked in the garden, pulling and digging and hauling stuff away.

Yesterday, it was bean plants, a few sunflowers that had been blown over in the wind and a whole lot of weeds that have grown tall enough for me to pull without having to bend over.

That is one advantage of letting weeds grow for awhile, but while doing so, they create a jungle in the garden.

I also harvested the rest of my cabbage and gave it to a friend. Ann, are you reading??? 😉

I worried that the cabbage heads had hints of slight slug invasions but that the residue from the slugs could be cut away.

Ann told me she'd been cutting away the bad stuff on veggies, etc. for years.

So, now she can do some more in preparation for the sauerkraut she's planning to make.

I have found that more than just minimal amounts of cabbage and/or sauerkraut can do a number on my fragile tummy so I was happy to give the cabbage away.

Anyway, the garden looks a lot better, but I'm planning, during the cooler weather, to continue an assault on the weeds inside the enclosure.

And, then there are the awful weeds that are threatening to take over my pastures and pretty much everywhere around the place.

I've learned more about mares tail, which rears its ugly heads in July. In asking questions, I've also discovered that the weed which grows upward and branches out with its tiny amber buds has become a major nuisance throughout the county.

Two weed control specialists have told me that studies and experiments are occurring in hopes of getting it under control.

One, thankfully will come and spray our place this fall.

Weeds are like bad politicians.

They're everywhere, it seems, they are obnoxious irritants and they just won't go away.

I'm not fond of either.

Below: that big guy on the left is from Sandpoint, and he's one of the five captains for the University of Montana Griz football team this season.

Yes, I've said before, that Brandon Casey has helped us put hay in the barn, and we see him almost every time we see his girl friend Emma.

We are proud to know Brandon, who is not a one dimensional young man by any means. He's received distinction for both his play on the field and his achievements in the classroom.

Congratulations, Brandon, and your proud family.

Your hometown of Sandpoint is proud of you.

Good luck, Griz!

And, congratulations Coach Ryan Knowles and your Sandpoint Bulldogs on winning the season opener.