Where are we and how did we get in this handbasket?

I have tried to sit down and continue with this blog so many times I've lost count.  I wish I could say, life just happens but it's so much more than that.  A country under siege happens.  A constant daily attack on the environment, the institutions I've depended on for my entire life.  The National Parks, the CDC website, every branch of the government and state. Climate Change is real and the only people who think it isn't real work and live in air conditioning.  I watched ICE vans roll through my town.  The educational system is in a horrible state, then talk of defunding PBS and libraries.  No one held accountable for any thing, a bought and paid for corrupt Supreme Court. Enter Super El Nino and nobody know what will happen to the food system and water systems by the time we get through that.  And then they attacked food security and something we all took for granted.  That was my line in the sand.  Then Taylor Farms and explosive diarrhea hit the country and then I found all the companies owned by Taylor Farms.  "Organic" Companies bought and sold and field workers provided with no bathroom facilities or hand washing facility so I put 2 and 2 together and decided no more store bought produce and time to know my local farms and farmers.  I have utter contempt for the billionaires and what they have done to this place we call home.  

Sooooo I stayed on the compound, watched the news occasionally and knew we were headed for a pretty rough road ahead.  Especially when the agricultural reports started coming in and then the wheat reports and cattle reports and and and...... 

Better start planting as much as I can possibly plant on this little plot and the studio was turned into grand central seed starting station.  Then I dropped down the hydroponic tunnel.  I bought another system and I love it! 

The fourth summer of high humidity, high heat and bolting lettuce.  We like lettuce a lot, so indoor gardening during the summer months is now a thing.  

Then the American Farm Bureau Federation released a report on April 13, 2026; stating farm bankruptcies have surged 46% in 2025 - 315 filings.  Half of all farmers now hold jobs off the farm.  The report does not provide information on farms that ceased to operate or been consolidated by a corporate AG farm.  AND YET the USDA reports that farmers are experiencing "THE GOLDEN AGE" of farming.  Can interest you in some beef from Argentina that China rejected?  Ya, if you eat food and are not a breathairian, and even if you are have you looked at the air quality reports?  Ya, we are fucked.  

Then I read Chapter 10 of Project 2025 and watched as it unfolded for farmers, federal farm subsidies and crop insurance, Biotechnology and Regulations on food with little to no regulations, nutrition assistance, school lunch programs, farmers, food banks, dietary guidelines.  Chapter 10 of Project 2025 was written by Daren Bakst (senior Research Fellow in Agricultural Policy at the Heritage Foundation), focuses on the USDA and critques the current direction of the agricultural policy, particularly it's emphasis on climate change and environmental issues. 

In February of this year I gave my first presentation on Urban Homesteading, Home Canning and Food Preservation.  I was a busy weekend and I was so happy to see other people are concerned about this stuff too!  Not just me in my little bubble on the compound.  I had hopes there would so much more that would continue on after the "Homesteaders Conference" hosted by Lake Metro Parks.  There is clearly an interest and a need for this information.  It was hope we would be able to keep in contact with other people interested gardening and food preservation and how we get through this.  It is valuable information to hear which crops failed or if one tomato made it through the heat and humidity of this summer before succumbing to the dreaded blight.  Hybrids vs Heirlooms maybe a little of both.  Seed saving and sharing with neighbors.  It felt like a missed opportunity.  

We ventured off the compound to attend "No Kings" protests,  "No Data Center" protests and realized the residents could not even show up to a "No Data Center" protest and the majority of us holding signs were from neighboring communities.  My time was better spent planting more seeds and saving them.  

This month I opened my garden and home to a tour for Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Asso.  I am a member and support their mission for the state of Ohio.  Anything that connects farmers and consumers is a win in my book.  Keep your dollar in the community and don't give it to a huge corporation dictating the price of crops to your local farmer.  Shouldn't the farm have a say in how much he earns not some corporate monopoly?  Again, 30 people show up and no word of getting together to compare notes on the year in review.  But then it's still early and we have time to still get this together.  

Henderson Library called and asked if I could present a canning workshop. I already had the power point so why not?  On June 11th we had 30 people register, the library was surprised and so was I!  We decided to hold monthly meetings on food preservation and gardening.  I drive 45 minutes out to a rural library and talk about food preservation in the middle of a farming community.  I love it and I love all the people who attend and support this library. 

 

Yesterday I filled my van up and the cost of gas in NE Ohio is now $4.59 a gallon.  I'm on social security and decided I would be driving, only when absolutely necessary,  Plus I am a believer in public transportation and I can walk to the bus if I need too.  I can also walk to the library.  I'm looking into an electric bike for local errands. 

I have decided I probably won't be driving out to Henderson Library much as it isn't cost effective or good for my carbon foot print and I am a volunteer.  

All this and its time to resurrect the blog.  Maybe better for my carbon foot print but I am sure it's connected to a data center somewhere.  With more people canning, gardening, dehydrating, cooking etc I thought it would be a good time to start posting when I start seeds, how to put a garden to bed, how to stock my pantry etc.  It's a good cost effective way to keep sharing and getting through the day to day war of living in a crazy world.  Lawyers, guns and money were great for Warren Zevon.  Yes, Warren the shit has hit the fan but send the gardeners, seeds and chickens.

Peace out and stock your pantry!  

and June is over........

 Solstice has come and gone.  The days of summer are here.  

The gardens are changing daily.  Flowers are coming in and out of season in rapid secession as the days are very hot and humid.  I have not had to water much this year, unlike last years drought.  I stand at the ready with sprinkler hoses in hand but the ground has stayed saturated.  The only thing I am watering are newly planted carrot and bean seeds, above ground beds, containers and that's about it.  

Hello Annabell........ 

June has been nice; hot and humid but not so frantic.  June has seemed manageable.  I've had a few indoor days for playing in the kitchen.  I've had time to take a couple classes too!  Strawberry season has come and gone.  Storms have come and gone. 

Cherry season lasted three days this year.  We have been under a heat dome for way too long.  

My strawberry bushes were just loaded this Spring and I had high hopes of picking and filling the freezer.  Then the chipmunks moved in and Roz, the neighborhood feral murder mitten mistress, went MIA sometime in late winter.  Roz was our feral chipmunk, mouse and mole eradicator; best murder mittens ever!  Roz showed up one day, stayed and I was grateful!  We knew Roz was good but I didn't know just how good.  After drooling over this bumper crop and not getting one strawberry; I was reduced to supporting a local farmer.  I knew I had to make a few changes!  New covered beds and new chipmunk killer on the way! 

I do manage to get out in the garden everyday.  I walk around the "estate" with morning tea and assess the days chores. Work until noon or 1 pm, then get out!  Don't work in the direct sun!  Hydrate!  4-5 hours and I'm pretty well toast.  I'm not really wanting to go anywhere and many outdoor projects got put on hold. 

The garlic is ready to be harvested and I'm having one of the best onion years ever! 

So many garlic scapes this year!  I made scape pesto and scape oil; all in the freezer ready for salad dressings, pasta and stir fried veggies. 

Rhubarb and strawberries are still waiting in the freezer.  Every year I attempt a jelly or jam and fail miserably.  I try to make a few jars for Butch but it ends up syrup as it never sets.  This year Harbor Gardens in Ashtabula offered a low sugar/no sugar class, I signed up.  It was great and I learned a lot! 

So fire up the canner and let's go!  

I've already started making canning lists for this year.  The freezer is almost full and tomato season hasn't even begun!  I guess there will be a few bubbling pots on too warm days!  Summer is the season of bounty and I love to take advantage of everything that comes in from the garden.  A bumper broccoli and cauliflower year!  10 bags tucked away for winter dinners.  We ate so much I don't think I'll be ready to eat cauliflower & broccoli until winter!  We grilled it, served with plant based cheese sauce, bbq sauce, tossed it with tofu and anything else I could think of.  The last two plants were pulled yesterday and beans were quickly tossed in the open ground.  This is my first year of diligently working at succession planting.

Then this happened!  Yes, we hired someone to build this.  They were done in 3 hours and we paid them.  It was amazing and would have taken us all summer.  

He's a happy camper and can now cross this off his list!  The hammock has already been hung.  In another few weeks it will be a terrific outdoor canning kitchen!  I had to remove my raku kiln for the "pavilion" and now have barrels of fire brick sitting around so next week if the weather holds I will begin an outdoor pizza oven.  Or veggie oven or bread oven.... I'm anxious to get this project underway!  I have just about all the materials needed after years of kilns and pottery projects.  I think the only thing I'll need to purchase is a chimney pipe, mortar, outdoor surface brick and cement for the pad it will sit on.  

I flipped the compost pile as I came up with these big pizza oven plans

The compost is cooking nicely!

The carrots and beans grew while I thought about it......

And as I wandered the yard looking at flowers I came up with a pretty good plan.....

or so I think; stay tuned for that adventure! 

What a year for poppies!  I should have enough poppyseed for Hungarian poppyseed rolls this year! 

What year for roses too...... they love a good drink! 

Speaking of poppies let me introduce Poppy!  

She was born on April 8th and arrived last week.  Poppy is an Aries, as in the god of war.  She will be an outside cat, hopefully catching chipmunks and moles.  At night she will be on the porch in her heated humble abode.  She has job to do and as her mother is feral and Poppy is pretty close, I think she'll be a great addition to this small homestead.  I don't foresee her sitting on anyones lap. 

I have only ever, in my 70 years on the planet had dogs.  Dogs are great!  Instantly they come at you, tail wagging; "Are you my new mother?"  "I love you!"  "Let me lick your face, friend!"  and then there is this kitten!  So suspicious!  Do not touch me and my job is to escape your evil clutches!  Every morning I take my coffee out to the studio, turn the lights on and cheerfully say: Good Morning Poppy, how are you today?! 

Poppy shrinks back to her corner and yowls.  I talk and drink my coffee, she never makes a move to come out.  Okey Dokey, our hour of bonding is up and I'll be in the garden if you need me.  I eat lunch with Poppy and spend an hour in the evening.  Nothing doing lady, get out but leave food!  During this heatwave Poppy has been in the air-conditioned studio.  When temperatures finally drop I'll move her to the porch.  She can have the run of the porch and eventually be let outside.  She has escaped into the studio twice and there are just way too many hiding places in the studio!  We are off to the vet to get our shots and spayed. 

BUT, I'm looking for a dog!  A tail wagging, face licking friend, smaller than 95 pounds.  Kirby almost killed me lugging him around.  

The chickens are doing very well and are now mostly getting along.  

Fern is a bitch and I do carry a super soaker if she goes after the Littles. 

She's learning though and we haven't had a maiming in over a week!  

Good Job Fern!  Fern has gone on strike in the egg laying dept. since the hot humid weather hit. 

No pressure, we just don't eat many eggs. 

Poppies and petunias, what could be better? 

Time for drying herbs!  Holy or Tulsi basil is drying under the ceiling fan.

and more heat.......

Star of the garden this year; Clary Sage!  

What a beautiful flower and the smell is wonderful! 

I'm still working facebook marketplace.  The roofers were tossing bundles of shingles on the roof so hard our beautiful chandelier came crashing down!  Of course after they left.....  We have had a dangling light bulb hang where the stained glass fixture used to be.  I shopped and looked and could not find a replacement that I liked as much as the one we had.  Then the waters parted and a "hanging light fixture" was listed for $10 and it matched the one in the sitting room we already have!  What are the chances? 

I even let it sit for a week because it was an hour away.  One night I got up in the middle of the night and looked at the dangling lightbulb and thought go check on the "hanging light fixture".  At 3:30 am I whipped off a message asking if it was still available.  The next morning I got an answer; Yes, it is!  That afternoon in the pouring rain,  we met in a Sheetz gas station parking lot on route 90 and I handed over $10. This is what I got!  We wired it ourselves too, team effort! 

I'm over the moon with this!  

I will save other marketplace score for a later post.  Mining the gold..... 

So it has been quite a June and I can't believe Solstice has come and gone already.  I've reveled in the garden this year and all the outdoors.  I'm so enjoying summer this year and watching things grow. 

I'm finding great peace in the garden.  We've attended protests and rallies and can't wrap my brain around where this country is headed.  It is truly a scary time to live in the U.S. because we are far from United.  If the Big Beautiful Bull Shit bill passes we will need to help our neighbors unlike anything we have experienced in a generation or two.  It's a fearful place we now live in.  Blessing to one and all who stumble to this blog........ some how we must find a way back to sanity. 

And it's June........

It's peony season!  And iris season and sweet william season and lady's mantel season and so many other seasons as things are finally awake and ready to bloom.  It's been a spectacular year for roses!  Every rose bush I have seen is loaded with blooms and buds.  I guess it's true, roses like to drink! 

This past month has been exhausting at times.  Every morning I'd get up and race to the wheel barrow. Happy to say all the mulching is done!  The rain barrels are in place and now to get everything hooked up!  So far we really haven't needed them this year.  We seem to get rain when we need it but I know that is about to end and the dry spells will be here. 

Mother's Day was a day off and we took a spin out to the Black Door in Madison.  What a great get-away spot for an afternoon.  The food was good and the drinks even better. 

I love small plates instead of a big meal.  I don't need to come home and nap after small plates :) 

 

Then home for a nice FaceTime with the Alaska Sisters.  I'd call that a perfect day! 

Monday it was back to finish up mulching and start planting annuals.  The baby chicks were evicted from the kitchen and moved to the studio.  And now a month later they're about to be evicted from the studio to a bigger pen.  

By May 15th I thought OH NO! here comes summer.  It was ridiculously hot and I still had so many projects to get done. 

Thought it was a good day to cross one quick project off my list.  Deciding it a good day to put a new trellis system down the driveway for tomatoes.  Thought I'd be out by 1 or 2 pm.  Nothing says welcome summer like standing on a hot asphalt driveway digging post holes but they were done by evening and so was I.... stick a fork in me! 

And the garden kept doing garden things.... What a Spring here this year! 

I slammed marigolds and a few other perennials in the front beds, big mistake.  Summer really wasn't here yet and then the rain and cold hit again.  I think I have lost half of the six flats I planted.  They were becoming root bound and really needed to go out. So between being thrown into the elements and being root bound, they struggled.   

All the pots and flower boxes were planted.  Potting soil was made this year, decided I could do better than the big box store stuff and it was a significant savings. 

May 18th arrived and I went into hyper cleaning mode.  Living in a small house is a  wonderful thing as I can pretty well whip this place into shape in a day and half.  Floors scrubbed, bedding laundered, wall scrubbed etc.  May 19th, Rachael's roommate from Alaska arrived for 4 days.  She had appointments at Cleveland Clinic and we were so happy we could offer a bed and hot meals!  While Raina was at the clinic I pulled out all the fence posts in the old garden, rolled up the old fence and planted more marigolds.  We took a trip to Middlefield to stock up on pork, sending it back to Alaska in same box the frozen salmon arrived in.  We'll see who the next meat mule is! We are calling that a win for everybody!  Raina departed on Thursday afternoon with a box of pork and happy to head back to Alaska as the weather in Alaska was better than the weather in Cleveland!  

The studio has been clean out ...... again!  All tools put away.  Garden piles put away or removed.  The shed got a good cleaning again and we still have one more shed to go.  It houses all my booth stuff from years of doing shows so that is going to be bitter sweet but I can honestly say I am done doing do shows.  Not so much done doing pottery but in these uncertain times; weather & political, my priorities have shifted and I am much more interested in growing food.  The disposable income is not out there and people are worried about the current state affairs.  The raku kiln has been disassembled and bricks saved for a future pizza oven.  Those years are over too.  Amazing what turning 70 will do for your priorities. 

Finally on May 25th I started planting peppers and tomatoes!  I knew we were not quite done with the cold weather but all this stuff needed to get in the ground.  Sure enough May 31st frost warnings went up.  I was hoping the lake would keep us warm and it did but we dropped to 38 degrees.  I covered everything the night before and was happy I did, 38 degrees is just too cold for peppers, tomatoes, squash and melons.  Yes, I have enough frost cloth to cover the half acre of gardens.   

Meanwhile things had started producing! 

The rhubarb has been out of control this year, there are three big bags sitting in the freezer waiting for me. Rhubarb BBQ sauce is on the horizon. 

And of course the flowers......

The hoop house has been cleaned and cucumbers are in residence.  They seem to like their new home. 

 May 26th we hosted the neighborhood Memorial Day picnic.  Canopies were up, the grill was hot and the parade came down the street, then the neighbors arrived.  No one on Casement will ever starve! 

The party ended around 10:30 pm and we all waddled home.  It was another perfect day.  I have to say we live in a great neighborhood.  I love that we have a core group of 10 people who have lived here a very long time and we enjoy hanging out for holidays and getting together whenever. 

By Tuesday it was back to planting tomatoes, fixing trellises, wrestling a big ass hydrangeas out of the ground and replanting in the back 40.  The hole was replaced with hot peppers, eggplant and watermelons. 

and yes, this is the front yard :) 

The great pepper experiment started.  I mixed up more potting soil and filled 10-10 gallon grow bags.  I planted one pepper and one marigold in each bag, sprinkled with azomite and moved them to the back 40 against the fence.  I want to see if these portable peppers will grow as well as the peppers in the ground.  

It's been a very busy month as May always is and I suppose will continue to be.  It has kept me away from the news and TV and for that I am grateful.  I love plants, that is all.  The dehydrator chugs away nonstop on the counter and I'm about to drag the canning stuff out of the nooks of crannies in this old house.  The basement isn't as empty as I thought it would be as I have canned throughout the cold months this year.  I guess canning and preserving season never really ends. 

I've spent so much time on my hands and knees but have made some amazing friends.... 

This one has much better opinions than anything coming out of Washington ☺️

Welcome June!