4-29-10

FAVA BEANS IN HOOP HOUSE

BASKING IN THE SUN

VAMPIRES DON'T GET GARLIC BREATH

UNCOVERED HOOP HOUSE

STARTING A BRUSH FIRE

PYROMANIAC

We woke up to sub freezing temperatures and frost covering the ground, but the clouds finally broke, the sun shone through, and we were at last able to do some productive outdoor work. The first thing we did in the garden was prepare a vegetable bed by loosening up the soil. Loose soil is good for plants because their roots can more easily stretch and reach in all directions, and stronger healthy roots make stronger, healthier, happier, and more delicious plants. We used a variety of manual implements of destruction in the garden, but it was still frigid, so we decided to moved onto a warmer activity.

California is infamous for wild fires. During hot, breezy, dry stretches, forest fires spread easily over miles and miles, destroying everything in their path. Forest fires serve a valuable purpose in the broad scheme of nature by getting rid of dead weak plants and allowing what's left to thrive, sort of like getting a hair cut. Also, once a forest canopy is thinned, new plants grow up towards a newly exposed window to the sun. However, people are weary of losing private property, so they often try to prevent the start of, or extinguish an existing fire. One way to reduce the threat of a forest fire from beginning is by burning small brush piles in controlled settings. Small piles of brush in the forest are the likeliest to catch, ignite, and be the catalyst for massive, very destructive forest fires. A few trees fell this winter, and Patricia cut the dead logs into fire wood, but there was leftover brush. Today was a good day for burning the small limbs because the forest was so wet, and because there was no wind, so the likelihood of surrounding trees catching on fire was minimal. This activity warmed us up in a hurry.

After work, we went into Willits with Patricia to check out the library, local organic health food store, and the farmers market at the Grange. Patricia let us use her kitchen and we made a big salad, brown rice, and a coconut curry vegetable stir-fry dish for dinner. It was by far the most flavorful dish we have eaten this week, and Patricia took seconds so we were happy. To end the night, we watched "Australia" with her in her living room on her laptop. Our review: a bit cheesy, pretty predictable, a little long, but overall, quite enjoyable.