The garden is growing--expanding, that is. I'm adding five new 4x8 beds, in an area that hasn't been dug before. The sod is fairly thick, so to reduce the labor of spading it, I'm solarizing the area. I've done this before, with clear plastic (which is maybe more effective), but this black weed barrier is what I had on hand (and I am NOT driving 30 miles to buy another plastic, oil-based product!), so I'm using it. Here in the Texas Hill Country, we're heading into a summer of many 90-100 degree days, so whatever material I use, it won't take long to kill the weeds, grass, and grubs. The fence (recycled hog wire) will have to be moved, too. We live with deer, rabbits, and armadillos, and they would all dearly love to visit the garden and get acquainted with the veggies. The fence is a necessity.
Harvested zukes, a few cukes, lots of beans and tomatoes this week. Thinking of cutting the kale back to see if it will put out a new crop in the fall/winter. If you've done this and it worked (or didn't) leave a comment and let me know.
Good progress on The Tale of Oat Cake Crag this week (#7 in the Cottage Tales). About that title (for those of you who are interested). I originally called it The Tale of Oatmeal Crag--which is a real place, an outcropping on Hill Top Farm. But I needed a spot nearer Windermere, the ribbon lake to the east of Hill Top and the Sawrey villages (Near and Far). I decided to call it Oat Cake and invented a story to explain the title. Here's my fictional tale: It seems that a group of Scottish soldiers marching to London with Bonnie Prince Charlie were dispatched to the crag, a lookout point high above Windermere. While they were there, they cooked some oat cakes--a flat bread, like pancakes or tortillas. Ever after, it's been called Oat Cake Crag. I always have a great deal of trouble with a book or a short story until I know the title. Seems to pull everything together for me. In this case, the fiction of those Scottish soldiers gave me an idea for a subplot. Fun for me, I hope for you too, when you read it. This book will be out in September 2010. One more Cottage Tale after that: #8, The Tale of Castle Cottage. No doubt about that title: it is the home that Beatrix and her Willie moved into when they married in 1913, and where they lived (very happily) until 1943, when she died.
I got an email today from a reader who didn't like Wormwood because China Bayles is not the main character throughout. "I want China Bayles," she says, "not some Shaker chicks. Blech!" I'll be posting on that topic later this week. Stay tuned.
Watched What a Way to Go: Life at the End of Empire last night. A thoughtful, serious film (got it on DVD, from Netflix) about how we must change our way of life in order to survive and thrive in the coming era of energy depletion and global climate change. Highly recommended if you are thoughtful and serious about these issues. Did you watch Earth 2100 on ABC Tuesday night? I was surprised and pleased that a major network would produce and air such a program. Gives me hope. A little.
Reading note. For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it.--Patrick Henry