shade...

For those who thought I wouldn't get enough sun in my greenhouse courtyard...I can tell that I'm getting too much already - and it's not even summer yet.  Added some temporary shade till I can rig a movable system. 

Had a great visit today from friends I met 3 years ago at the Living With Nature Festival in Marathon.  Charles and Candace from Alpine finally came out for a first visit and donated a small compost bin....and some beer.

Got a nice surprise from UPS yesterday...my new friend George Fourqurean from www.sunpumper.com in Odessa sent me a sweet timer circuit for my upcoming misting experiment.
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GDU's

Frankenstein Friday at TFL.  Solar powered radiator fan, an Agrometer from knife maker R. Brooks( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growing-degree_day ), and an upside down bean plant thanks to a Topsy Turvy tomato planter from Aunt Kathy.  80,92,51,0,B

planter score...

The good neighbors (McKenna/Elmore) scored a couple hundred feed tubs destined to live again as planters...I got 24 for free.  That brings me up to 39 total - I think that ought to be enough for year one of growing tests.

Blew two fuses on the 50 amp battery charger that I use with my generator on cloudy days.  Not sure what caused the malfunction but its working again.  That little zip lock bag with replacement fuses that I taped next to the charger 3 years ago finally came in handy.  Sure feels good to be prepared.

Got more plants in the mail today - a dwarf fig and a coffee plant to experiment with. 

Had our last chance for a rainstorm this afternoon - not a drop at TFL.  Next 10 days = no chance.  76,90,55,0,C

on demand...

Good longhorn fight at TFL this morning. 
On and off day digging up misting info.  I have this pump  http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_357081_357081
that someone gave me a couple of years ago to experiment with....can get hose and misting nozzles in Alpine.  The goal is to come up with an intermittent system that will make an acceptable difference in the courtyard using only 10 gallons per day.

Figured out why Carl has been spending most of the day inside the woo room - there is a mirror in there.  He spends a lot of time just standing in front of it.  A cactus rescue from last year has some nice new pads sprouting out. 

Had a call late this afternoon about a possible Benita sighting.  The same person told me this over a month ago and I found a good lookalike then.  Took another drive up to Taurus Mesa and sure enough - it was the same Benita-not.  Has to be one of her daughters though.  As long as I was there, I chatted her up and gave her a nice range feed snack.  77,90,56,0,C

close but no rain...

Some guzzlers dumped around me but nothing at TFL.  Got my order of new swamp cooler pads - soon it will be time to put the Pepino II back into operation.  Working up some movable shade for the courtyard (and its not even hot yet) and looking into some 12V misting systems like this one to help control temperature and humidity...  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbScr3EKWjo  70,89,53,0,B

plantmonday

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FIELDLABSUNDAY

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cutsomedoors

Started off with a power breakfast at the GrubShack - The Bob Special: GS trademark potatoes with salsa, bacon, cheddar cheese, and a fried egg on top...with wheat toast.  Had an early visit from my (and now Carl's) friend Chris Cobb. 

Finished the window frames installation.  Cleared the west side of the greenhouse for the next phase.  Been wondering how my grinder with a cutting wheel would work on the containers and I found out today.  Cuts like butter - only used three wheels to do two cutouts - 80" x 43.5".  Took 2 hours to cut the door holes.  85,92,46,0,C

moredoorparts

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frames...

Cut'n'weld day...finished the outer frames for the rest of the west side door windows. 

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west rim trail...

Just about worn out all the trails....Benita done hid herself good.  Had a nice surprise late today - Benita's daughter Beatrice came in with her latest calf....the legend lives on.

An unannounced visitor came by this afternoon with her out of control dog.  Carl almost bit the dust.  Fortunately, he is just a a little freaked out and a few feathers short of a full load.  The visitor is no longer welcome at TFL.  She knows there is livestock here and I have warned her before.  Irresponsible pet owners really piss me off.  59,74,34,0,B

the search continues...

Still too windy to work so I took the long trek today checking the SE trail - still no sign of Benita.

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Field Lab Guards

Alpine for business...critters on guard today.  Got home to find seeds in the mail today from my friend Yehouda - my old upstairs neighbor from my NYC days.  "Something to add some spice and color to my food supply".  70,80,66,0,W

It's What's For Dinner

The last of the Panther Mountain Clan hit the road for home today.  They gifted me as usual with their leftover supplies - including a bag of prairie oysters and a brief description of how to prepare calf fries.  First chance to try out the new knife and it did the trick ( that's Russell the knife maker in the middle and yes he does sell them so if anyone is interested - I can put you in touch with him). 

Since this is my first time trying these, I must admit the prep is a bit creepy because...well...they feel like testicles.  Dipped in flour, salt, and pepper - I deep fried them in olive oil.  Pretty dang tasty - kinda like fried chicken livers. 

I thought about doing a video of my prep work but found this one on YouTube with a much better looking host.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UndHdzhrsAs   80,87,62,0,W