I lost my job a month ago. It's been a blessing and a curse. I get to spend more time focusing on and connecting with my children. But I was the main breadwinner, and our income has been drastically reduced.
Losing my job has lead to an increase in my anxiety, and I haven't been capable of doing anything to better our position yet. I would love to go into business for myself, but everything I would want to do is so far from fruition and would need more money than we have to start it up. And sadly, due to poor management in the past, my credit is nowhere near where it needs to be in order to get a business loan.
I'm slowly working on getting out of the funk. I am ready to work on a regular devotional practice. I will be helping my husband where I can with his shop and I am working on getting the garden and home into better working order.
The garden is so overwhelming right now. We tilled about 1600 sq ft and almost all of it is overgrown with weeds. I never got the broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and brussels sprouts in because all of our seedlings died before it was warm enough to put out. I know, now, that they weren't getting enough sun. Hopefully we can either build or acquire a greenhouse for those this fall or winter so that won't happen again. Or maybe a grow light, but we don't have much room indoors.
I'm talking to our local Heathen community about starting up a study group, and a women's circle. So many more people are coming out into the open, and I am hoping to build the bonds of our local Heathen community.
The last bit I'm focusing on is setting up an altar to Frigga. I also want a place for offerings to the house wights inside and the land wight outside.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Spring
Winter is over, Spring is here. It was a fairly mild winter, but it was tough for me. Depression comes and goes, and right now I feel like it's lifting. But I've been feeling like this on and off for a few months, now. So I may have another low point. I'm hoping not.
I hear fish oil, vitamin D, and turmeric all help, so I might try those.
Our garden is tilled. Mostly. It was given a once over, but we have some wild violets taking it back already. We have this claw tool that helps pull it up by the roots, and it makes the work easier, at least.
We need to get our hose connected to a spigot. I'm not sure if we have one outside that works, but may have one in the laundry nook that can reach the garden.
Our garlic looks to be doing well. I planted two varieties last fall. Some USA grown garlic that I picked up from Sam's Club, and some Elephant Garlic that I got online. I only got about 6 or 7 cloves of the elephant garlic out of the bulbs, though, so I may order some more come autumn. I planned on just replanting the ones we have, but I want to have a bit more and to use what we grew.
I have some cabbage sprouted, but the cats knock over the broccoli and brussels and I don't know what was saved. It's about time where I can plant it outside. So I think I'll just do most of it direct. Once I get those off my very limited indoor space I'll start some tomatoes and peppers. It's tough with the limited indoor space. We are hoping to save enough money on groceries to afford a small greenhouse for these things next year. I want to connect one to the southern door like a porch so that we can have some passive heating and maybe grow a few things as perennials that we couldn't otherwise.
I'm sure this is rambling, but I needed to write. I can't figure out a good way to plan out and document the garden otherwise.
I hear fish oil, vitamin D, and turmeric all help, so I might try those.
Our garden is tilled. Mostly. It was given a once over, but we have some wild violets taking it back already. We have this claw tool that helps pull it up by the roots, and it makes the work easier, at least.
We need to get our hose connected to a spigot. I'm not sure if we have one outside that works, but may have one in the laundry nook that can reach the garden.
Our garlic looks to be doing well. I planted two varieties last fall. Some USA grown garlic that I picked up from Sam's Club, and some Elephant Garlic that I got online. I only got about 6 or 7 cloves of the elephant garlic out of the bulbs, though, so I may order some more come autumn. I planned on just replanting the ones we have, but I want to have a bit more and to use what we grew.
I have some cabbage sprouted, but the cats knock over the broccoli and brussels and I don't know what was saved. It's about time where I can plant it outside. So I think I'll just do most of it direct. Once I get those off my very limited indoor space I'll start some tomatoes and peppers. It's tough with the limited indoor space. We are hoping to save enough money on groceries to afford a small greenhouse for these things next year. I want to connect one to the southern door like a porch so that we can have some passive heating and maybe grow a few things as perennials that we couldn't otherwise.
I'm sure this is rambling, but I needed to write. I can't figure out a good way to plan out and document the garden otherwise.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Restarting
So here I am, starting over again. Autumn has always been a time for starting over for me.
Having the baby back in April put me behind. No gardening got done. I'm just now getting back into a routine and having a clean home. We're prepping for next year's garden.
Last fall our log splitter broke, and it hasn't been fixed, so we have hardly any wood for this winter. It's going to be tough. We have gas heating, but it isn't the same and it costs so much more than free wood does.
Our wood stove needs repaired. There is a hole in the elbow of the vent. The chimney needs cleaned. We need to get both of those taken care of ASAP. We can probably do the repair ourselves, but I want to get it checked out to make sure there isn't anything else wrong. We don't need a house fire.
In that mindset, I also plan on taking pictures of everything and documenting for insurance sake..
Blah blah blah.
This weekend we're planting garlic. I had intended on getting it in the ground last weekend, but didn't get things prepared properly to get it done.
There is a lot that needs fixed up around here. Hopefully we can get it done. Going to write up some goals for next year soon.
Having the baby back in April put me behind. No gardening got done. I'm just now getting back into a routine and having a clean home. We're prepping for next year's garden.
Last fall our log splitter broke, and it hasn't been fixed, so we have hardly any wood for this winter. It's going to be tough. We have gas heating, but it isn't the same and it costs so much more than free wood does.
Our wood stove needs repaired. There is a hole in the elbow of the vent. The chimney needs cleaned. We need to get both of those taken care of ASAP. We can probably do the repair ourselves, but I want to get it checked out to make sure there isn't anything else wrong. We don't need a house fire.
In that mindset, I also plan on taking pictures of everything and documenting for insurance sake..
Blah blah blah.
This weekend we're planting garlic. I had intended on getting it in the ground last weekend, but didn't get things prepared properly to get it done.
There is a lot that needs fixed up around here. Hopefully we can get it done. Going to write up some goals for next year soon.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Ostara
This upcoming weekend, we are having a gathering at our house for Ostara. Being an introvert, I have mixed feelings about this. While I love getting the growing Iowa Heathen community together, it means I have to open my home to people I don't know very well, and many more of them than I would like at one time.
I love our gatherings. The last time we had one was Yule, so it's definitely time for another.
I have mixed feelings about Ostara though. Within Asatru, Germanic Reconstruction, Heathenism, or whatever you want to call it, I haven't found many accurate accounts for a spring celebration akin to the way Ostara is celebrated. Bunnies, and eggs, fertility, and dawn. Or whatever they want to put it as.
While I certainly feel like the Equinox should be celebrated, I don't think I quite like the way that it has been done lately. Now, I also don't know how to fix it. I haven't had nearly enough time to read through lore, and historical accounts. I think maybe focus on the spinning of the wheel, sure some sort of fertility can go in there. But leave out the bunnies, and the references to Eostre. I think Frigg would be an acceptable Goddess to honor. Freya, maybe to a lesser extent. She is more of a sexual warrior type of personality, that I don't think quite fits in with Spring. Frigg nurtures, the way that spring is nurturing the earth after the long winter, making way for summer.
This all sounds very hippy of me, in my opinion. I started on a pagan path through Wicca, and have since moved on from the very mystical side of things. They're still there, but my main focus is on the tangible, and making the best life for myself, my kin, and community.
I can't seem to get my thoughts straight lately, and lean towards rambling more often than not.
I love our gatherings. The last time we had one was Yule, so it's definitely time for another.
I have mixed feelings about Ostara though. Within Asatru, Germanic Reconstruction, Heathenism, or whatever you want to call it, I haven't found many accurate accounts for a spring celebration akin to the way Ostara is celebrated. Bunnies, and eggs, fertility, and dawn. Or whatever they want to put it as.
While I certainly feel like the Equinox should be celebrated, I don't think I quite like the way that it has been done lately. Now, I also don't know how to fix it. I haven't had nearly enough time to read through lore, and historical accounts. I think maybe focus on the spinning of the wheel, sure some sort of fertility can go in there. But leave out the bunnies, and the references to Eostre. I think Frigg would be an acceptable Goddess to honor. Freya, maybe to a lesser extent. She is more of a sexual warrior type of personality, that I don't think quite fits in with Spring. Frigg nurtures, the way that spring is nurturing the earth after the long winter, making way for summer.
This all sounds very hippy of me, in my opinion. I started on a pagan path through Wicca, and have since moved on from the very mystical side of things. They're still there, but my main focus is on the tangible, and making the best life for myself, my kin, and community.
I can't seem to get my thoughts straight lately, and lean towards rambling more often than not.
Monday, March 16, 2015
More Seedlings Started
Just started more seedlings. These ones are actually for outside.
My previous plants were mostly herbs that I intend to keep in containers. Not sure if I'll be putting them outside at some point, or if I'll keep them as indoor plants.
Started a bunch of peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli/cauliflower/brussels sprouts/cabbage. I've heard mixed reviews about how the broccoli and whatnot transplant, so we'll see how that works out.
Most of the stuff that is supposed to be planted directly outside is supposed to go in right when I am expecting baby to come. So I'll have to get a bunch of help with that from my partner. Cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, radishes, peas. Then a couple weeks later, for spinach, kale, zucchini/summer squash. Seedlings are supposed to be transplanted too.
Our garden bed still isn't ready.
I was thinking of doing a mix of a square foot garden and a back to eden, or return to eden, whatever it's called method of gardening. So I'm outlining where I want the beds with brick. There is currently a bunch of sticks and weeds, and some kind of woody vine thing going on there. I don't want to purchase any extra soil to fill in a proper square foot container, so I was planning on planting into the ground and mulching on top of it once things start growing. Adding compost and grass clippings as they come. We should be able to get some wood chips at some point this summer/fall. And once stuff is done growing, I'll put that on there.
While planning the garden, it seemed like it would be a lot bigger than I'm realising that it is. I think I may want to add some size to it. I have (2) 3'x24' beds planned, and one 2'x24' bed planned. I think I want to extend each by another 10'. Not sure what I'll add to the planting. Maybe more zucchini, onions. And I need a place for potatoes (sweet and probably russet). I can probably add that in there. I am not entirely sure how I want to grow potatoes, since I don't fancy digging them up with my back issues. I like the idea of the vertical planters for those, but I'm probably just going to plant them in the ground this year, at least.
I'm thinking of doing a summer/fall crop for onions. And planting radishes every couple of weeks so we aren't flooded with them all at once. Those I'll mostly be planting for my partner, anyways. I'm not a big fan. Same with lettuce and kale. Carrots?
This has been a major ramble, so if you actually read it, thanks. I was mostly just hoping to get it all out of my head.
My previous plants were mostly herbs that I intend to keep in containers. Not sure if I'll be putting them outside at some point, or if I'll keep them as indoor plants.
Started a bunch of peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli/cauliflower/brussels sprouts/cabbage. I've heard mixed reviews about how the broccoli and whatnot transplant, so we'll see how that works out.
Most of the stuff that is supposed to be planted directly outside is supposed to go in right when I am expecting baby to come. So I'll have to get a bunch of help with that from my partner. Cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, radishes, peas. Then a couple weeks later, for spinach, kale, zucchini/summer squash. Seedlings are supposed to be transplanted too.
Our garden bed still isn't ready.
I was thinking of doing a mix of a square foot garden and a back to eden, or return to eden, whatever it's called method of gardening. So I'm outlining where I want the beds with brick. There is currently a bunch of sticks and weeds, and some kind of woody vine thing going on there. I don't want to purchase any extra soil to fill in a proper square foot container, so I was planning on planting into the ground and mulching on top of it once things start growing. Adding compost and grass clippings as they come. We should be able to get some wood chips at some point this summer/fall. And once stuff is done growing, I'll put that on there.
While planning the garden, it seemed like it would be a lot bigger than I'm realising that it is. I think I may want to add some size to it. I have (2) 3'x24' beds planned, and one 2'x24' bed planned. I think I want to extend each by another 10'. Not sure what I'll add to the planting. Maybe more zucchini, onions. And I need a place for potatoes (sweet and probably russet). I can probably add that in there. I am not entirely sure how I want to grow potatoes, since I don't fancy digging them up with my back issues. I like the idea of the vertical planters for those, but I'm probably just going to plant them in the ground this year, at least.
I'm thinking of doing a summer/fall crop for onions. And planting radishes every couple of weeks so we aren't flooded with them all at once. Those I'll mostly be planting for my partner, anyways. I'm not a big fan. Same with lettuce and kale. Carrots?
This has been a major ramble, so if you actually read it, thanks. I was mostly just hoping to get it all out of my head.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Cats are Evil
Let me preface this with: I love my cats. Really, I do. They just suck.
I had my seeds all starting and being nice and growing. Celery was growing, lettuce. And my cats ruined half of that. They knocked empty pots onto my seedlings, breaking a few of them. The celery got knocked into the water it was resting in and got all mushy. Just after it was finally getting roots, too.
They knocked over my sons little pig that was growing grass, and broke that.
They knock over everything on my desk. Which annoys me because I actually need to get work done, not just clean up my desk every day.
And I have no idea how to keep them off of the window sills, tables, and desks.
Bah, humbug.
I had my seeds all starting and being nice and growing. Celery was growing, lettuce. And my cats ruined half of that. They knocked empty pots onto my seedlings, breaking a few of them. The celery got knocked into the water it was resting in and got all mushy. Just after it was finally getting roots, too.
They knocked over my sons little pig that was growing grass, and broke that.
They knock over everything on my desk. Which annoys me because I actually need to get work done, not just clean up my desk every day.
And I have no idea how to keep them off of the window sills, tables, and desks.
Bah, humbug.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Sprouting
Yesterday I posted about planting my seeds...
Well, truth is, I took pictures meaning to put them into a post later that day... Or the next day. That didn't happen until I actually had something sprouting. I finally got excited enough to post.
I am so sick of winter. I'm ready to be warmer than I'd like. I've definitely come down with a case of cabin fever, and want nothing more to get outside.
My marigold and some of my leaf lettuce have sprouted though. I'm excited by the little bit of green that brings to my day.
Well, truth is, I took pictures meaning to put them into a post later that day... Or the next day. That didn't happen until I actually had something sprouting. I finally got excited enough to post.
I am so sick of winter. I'm ready to be warmer than I'd like. I've definitely come down with a case of cabin fever, and want nothing more to get outside.
My marigold and some of my leaf lettuce have sprouted though. I'm excited by the little bit of green that brings to my day.
Green onions seem to be doing well. Previously, I have only grown them in cups of water on the windowsill, so I'm glad they're growing well after putting them directly into soil.
I'm not sure how the celery is doing. I read that it can take a while to start growing. It looks like it is making some progress, at least. We don't eat much celery, so I think this will be the only plant we'll have. I can always add another if it turns out we eat celery quicker than it grows.
 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)