Before I start my new story, I would like to add to my pond story. I mentioned that I did not have any ducks in our pond. Wrong. Yesterday I saw a mother duck and her 4 little ducklings swimming across the pond. She was there all the time hatching her eggs,and there she was leading her brood. The coloring of mother duck matched the surroundings so well that you had to know where she was to see her.
Now to my title story.
Several years ago while visiting my daughter, Sue, in Denver, she asked if we would like to visit a Locomotive Museum in Golden. I could not believe there could be such a thing. She reassured me that there was, and there was actual engines and cars on display. She warned us that there would be a lot of walking involved, because these were the actual engines and cars.
When we got there, there they were, the great big monsters. You were allowed to climbed in any and all the cars. The old puffer bellies and the diesels, some with cow catchers and some with snow plows, and some with bells, My grandson, Spencer, climbed in one and rang the bell loud and clear. He wasn't the only one. There were others before him and after him. There was a coach and also a sleeping car, similar to the one we used when our whole family went on our vacation at the dude ranch. We also found a diner where we had our breakfast. That trip was pleasant, because we had two adjoining compartments. It was cozy, but we all had a bunk. Now all these cars were on actual railroad tracks.
On the way out, of course, there was a shop selling various items including tee shirts with a message:
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Could be an Oncoming Train
So be careful!!
God Bless
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Garden Report
Yesterday I read in the newspaper that gardening is conducive to a long life. I can attest to that seeing that now I am now over 90 years. Actually when I took an aptitude test earlier when I started college, my highest score was medicine and next highest was farming. So every chance I get, I am out there planting.
This year planting in a new garden, I had my problems and almost disaster. When the plants started to grow, I could tell that the soil had too much nitrogen, because the plants were growing very large leaves and thick stems. So I started to do a lot of watering trying to dilute the nitrogen and wash it out. I don't think it did much, because the plants grew rapidly, and then they started to wilt. Previously I had experience with acid soil, so to the store we went to get a pH tester. The tests did show an acid reaction, now back to the store for some lime product to neutralize the soil. It is a guessing game to determine how much to use, because it is possible to use too much. It did not test very high, therefore a small amount of lime should be adequate. Every time you make changes in the soil, you have to wait about a week to see any changes in the plants. Now the big leaves on the tomato plants are turning yellow and drying up. What else to do? Years ago at this point, I would be hilling my tomato plants, but this soil is not doing very well. So by getting 5 bags of top soil, I was able to do quite a job of hilling the plants. By covering the main stem of the plant with soil, that stem will send out new roots into the new soil. I also found some tomato spikes that contained phosphate which the plants need to produce fruit. That finally did it. The plants started to grow new leaves, and the new blossoms were producing tomatoes. These tomatoes are a little smaller in size, but they get ripe,and they have good flavor.
Next year, if the Lord is willing, and I'm around, there are things that need to be done to the soil before planting, but I'll be ready.
God Bless You
Dr. Ray
This year planting in a new garden, I had my problems and almost disaster. When the plants started to grow, I could tell that the soil had too much nitrogen, because the plants were growing very large leaves and thick stems. So I started to do a lot of watering trying to dilute the nitrogen and wash it out. I don't think it did much, because the plants grew rapidly, and then they started to wilt. Previously I had experience with acid soil, so to the store we went to get a pH tester. The tests did show an acid reaction, now back to the store for some lime product to neutralize the soil. It is a guessing game to determine how much to use, because it is possible to use too much. It did not test very high, therefore a small amount of lime should be adequate. Every time you make changes in the soil, you have to wait about a week to see any changes in the plants. Now the big leaves on the tomato plants are turning yellow and drying up. What else to do? Years ago at this point, I would be hilling my tomato plants, but this soil is not doing very well. So by getting 5 bags of top soil, I was able to do quite a job of hilling the plants. By covering the main stem of the plant with soil, that stem will send out new roots into the new soil. I also found some tomato spikes that contained phosphate which the plants need to produce fruit. That finally did it. The plants started to grow new leaves, and the new blossoms were producing tomatoes. These tomatoes are a little smaller in size, but they get ripe,and they have good flavor.
Next year, if the Lord is willing, and I'm around, there are things that need to be done to the soil before planting, but I'll be ready.
God Bless You
Dr. Ray
Monday, August 10, 2009
Indian Creek Pond
On the North end of my son's property there is a pond which I would like to name the Indian Creek Pond. It contains a plethora of wild life.
Last week our neighbor was carrying a very unusual object in her hand. She said she was in her garage when she found this small garter snake with a socket from a socket wrench set around the middle of its body. She said that she could not remove it. We all tried, but it was firmly in place and would go neither up or down. My granddaughter, Emma, came along, sat down on the grass, and slowly worked on it.
after about 15 minutes, she was able to remove the socket back over the head, but the snake did vomit at the end. This neighbor is on the South end of our pond, and Emma returned the socket to our neighbor. The garter snake just wiggled its way back into the grass.
Our Indian Creek Pond is about 1/4 acre with about 100' by 50' and about 8' deep. It is loaded with wild life, which indicates that it is ecologically sound. It starts early in spring with the peeper frogs making their chatter in the early evening. Then schools of tiny fish, possibly minnows, swirl in circles, and next the bullfrogs with their deep bass voices croaking. Finally the turtles showed up. Very early in spring, there were a pair of ducks came a few times, but they did not stay. Thank goodness they did not stay, because I hear they are messy.
Also around the pond are the usual cattails. Another wildflower showed up with a beautiful purple spike blossom on tall stems. They resemble lupine, but those are much shorter. Along the North shore earlier in spring, there were 3 beautiful blooming crab apple trees that are now full of crab apples. These were planted by nature not by man.
What a beautiful experience watching all these things happening, and I tried to share it with you.
God Bless all of you.
Last week our neighbor was carrying a very unusual object in her hand. She said she was in her garage when she found this small garter snake with a socket from a socket wrench set around the middle of its body. She said that she could not remove it. We all tried, but it was firmly in place and would go neither up or down. My granddaughter, Emma, came along, sat down on the grass, and slowly worked on it.
after about 15 minutes, she was able to remove the socket back over the head, but the snake did vomit at the end. This neighbor is on the South end of our pond, and Emma returned the socket to our neighbor. The garter snake just wiggled its way back into the grass.
Our Indian Creek Pond is about 1/4 acre with about 100' by 50' and about 8' deep. It is loaded with wild life, which indicates that it is ecologically sound. It starts early in spring with the peeper frogs making their chatter in the early evening. Then schools of tiny fish, possibly minnows, swirl in circles, and next the bullfrogs with their deep bass voices croaking. Finally the turtles showed up. Very early in spring, there were a pair of ducks came a few times, but they did not stay. Thank goodness they did not stay, because I hear they are messy.
Also around the pond are the usual cattails. Another wildflower showed up with a beautiful purple spike blossom on tall stems. They resemble lupine, but those are much shorter. Along the North shore earlier in spring, there were 3 beautiful blooming crab apple trees that are now full of crab apples. These were planted by nature not by man.
What a beautiful experience watching all these things happening, and I tried to share it with you.
God Bless all of you.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Birthday Party
On July 25th I had a beautiful and wonderful day to celebrate my 90th birthday with about 60 of my relatives and friends at my son Rick's home and large back yard. I live with Rick and his family. The weather was perfect with a light breeze and practically no insects to bother us. We had 2 tents with with enough tables and chairs for everyone. There was a 70lb pig on a spit roasting over charcoal that we started at 10am. It is my son's recipe which includes stuffing the cavity with lemon rinds left over from making lemonade as the only seasoning. No salt or pepper was used. We served a buffet supper of Chinese cuisine and the delicious roast pork. Then came a very large birthday cake with two numeral candles of 90. During this whole time, the background music of the Big Band era was being played. Even the children had a fun time on the trampoline.
I have to thank Rick and his wife, Hedy, and their children for being so gracious and doing all the work that was involved. This was my last hurrah, and I don't believe I need to say more.
I have to thank Rick and his wife, Hedy, and their children for being so gracious and doing all the work that was involved. This was my last hurrah, and I don't believe I need to say more.
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