Ahh -- Rain! You can almost hear the garden sighing!

It's been way too dry so far; the grass crackles when I walk on it, and I can hear the tomatoes beg for a drink as I walk by. Sometimes I carry a couple of gallons of water, but I have to be careful; the one mean zucchini tried to trip me, and I thought I was going to have to call for Tom Bombadil to get me loose!

No, it's not that bad yet, and this afternoon's rain will help for a few days. Maybe long enough for me to bury a temporary water line out to the garden shed so I can do some watering at night. It's nice having our own well.

We've been dealing with pacemakers and other health issues, so I've been doing more reading than writing, but I'm getting caught up on some books I haven't had time for until now. Sometimes I wish there were 36 hours in a day instead of 24, but I'm sure the extra time would fill up to overflowing, and things would be right back to hectic in a hurry!

We've lost some good friends since I was last here, most notably Ray Bradbury. I still read his books whenever I get a chance. Another one I'll really miss is Andy Griffith. He was like everybody's favorite uncle, cousin, big brother, all rolled into one. I'm hopin' that up in Heaven there's a street sign pointing to Mayberry.

There are others, but these two are enough to miss for now.

And that's enough of this for now as well. Hoping not to take so long between entries -- gotta get back to what I'd like to do best!

see ya

That long ago?

It's hard to believe the last time I posted on this blog was back in November! Lots of things happening since then. So much so that I don't know where to begin! But to keep it short, I'll just hit the high points.

I published two more books since then -- Mattie's Town, and Annie Down The Street on Kindle, and then moved my first book Mattie's Place  to Kindle as well. Now to get them visible enough to start selling!

We are currently visiting our daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids in Wickenburg, Arizona. It's beautiful here, and I've been doing lots of reading, and actually finished and published my third Kindle book from here a little over a week ago.

Dorie is retired now, so after this trip we'll settle down to learning how to live in today's economy on a retirement income. She's busy making dresses for our oldest granddaughter's upcoming (June) wedding. She'll be making the wedding cake as well -- a large Red Velvet cake. Lots of work!

I can't wait to get back into the garden! Even planted a row of peas on January 9th. Cari Grace, our youngest granddaughter, started some seeds for me yesterday back home, so I'll have some tomatoes and cucumbers all ready to go into the garden when it's time.

Will try to keep this more up to date, but gotta run along now.

That long ago?

It's hard to believe the last time I posted on this blog was back in November! Lots of things happening since then.

November 30?

Can you believe this weather? Here it is the last day of November, and the day before yesterday I was out on the back deck with a cup of coffee, reading a book! Amazing!
Cold weather is coming soon, though, time to snuggle in for the winter, I think.

Just canned another batch of Dorie's veggie-beef soup, and we're looking at doing up another batch of applesauce, while they still have apples at a decent price at the orchard. We've got some granddaughters who can't get enough of that stuff! And I should have made a double batch of apple butter as well!

The garden is resting for the winter, but there's activity going on underneath. The garlic is in, and I'm doing next year's garden on paper -- lots of heirloom tomatoes, more parsnips, and I'll be trying some of the vertical gardening techniques I've been learning about.

Didn't get the tunnel greenhouse built this year, but it's still on the burner for next year. Of course, if the snow holds off I just might still be able to get it put up this year.

Finally got my shop cleared out so that I can work in it again. I'm hoping that one of the Edenpure heaters will keep it warm enough, as I don't like using the kerosene heater in a space that small.

Still working on the next two books, and planning to send them all to the various Ebook venues, like Kindle, Nook, Sony reader, etc. Maybe soon!

Enjoy!

So much happening!

Taking a break from shredding and canning sauerkraut, and thought I'd catch up a bit.

We went up into New England for a long weekend, went on a whale watch, then drove up to Freeport, ME to the L.L.Bean store. Fun! We had perfect weather for it, nice and warm and clear. The fall foliage is a little dull this year, with only a few spots showing good color.

I got my garlic planted earlier this week, and helped Dorie with canning. She's been doing beets, pickled beets, applesauce, veggie-beef soup, and grape jelly. Still lots to do, but the garden is about done for the season.

I'm close to sending my next short story collection into Kindle for publication, and will probably send Mattie's Place there as well. The new Kindle Fire looks good, and the pricing changes on the old ones are attractive as well, so I figure it's going to be a good market for me.

Back to the grind ,,, errr,,, shred!   :-)

Retired!

Lots going on, with the floods and all. So many people hurting, and so many people helping, even in the midst of their own hurts. I've heard about folks who have lost everything, but still take time helping those who are even less fortunate. One local business owner, after losing his car dealership and service station, put everything on hold, and personally went to help those of his employees who had been displaced by the floods. He maintained his payroll, and kept everyone going. "There's time enough to replace inventory and things later. Right now my employees need the help more than I do." God bless him, and others like him!

As my heading indicates, I'm now officially retired! I'd been feeling lousy the past few weeks, and finally went to the doctor, who informed me that I had walking pneumonia, and put me on an antibiotic. I decided then that I'd had enough of slinging groceries, and told my managers at Weis that I would be resigning. They didn't hold me to the customary two weeks' notice, so I cleaned out my locker and left. Feel some better now, but still fighting the remnants of the pneumonia.

Those who enjoy gardening might enjoy my garlic article, published in the last issue of Backwoods Home Magazine. You can see it online at http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/tuckey131.html

Floods!

There are lots of hurting people around here today. These are the worst floods in recent memory, more devastating even, than the 2006 flooding. We're high and dry here at home, but have friends and family who have been flooded out. Binghamton, Vestal, Endicott -- the whole Chenango/Susquehanna river valley, in fact, is inundated by flood waters dumped from tropical storm Lee when it stalled over us. We've been told to expect more, that it's not over yet. You may still be able to see the pictures at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=245296512172392&set=pu.115976508437727&type=1