What Shall I Write About Today?

I often develop a blog the day before I post it. This way I can think about it, edit, and add to my blog before I publish. This morning I was wondering what I might publish the next day. Oh, and I don't post at any early morning time, although I've seen some weird times of 5:22, etc. No way. I am usually posting around 9 AM. That looks like something else I can figure out with this blogging experience.

As I went out today to take care of my Camp Colegate chores, I wondered what I might be writing for my next blog. Since I was heading out to feed the hens, I thought about them as a topic, but for some reason, I keep putting off that topic. Perhaps I'm thinking that I won't get much more opportunity outdoors, and I feel the need to focus on this beautiful fall. After I took care of them, I checked on my Cold Frame Garden, and was devastated. There was nothing there under the trellis. How could that be? I had shown Bruce the garden on Sunday afternoon, so he could appreciate the crunchy lettuce and radishes he was going to enjoy in a few weeks. Here on Tuesday morning, the bed was totally empty of vegetation. Had they simply dried up with all the wind we've had? Had crows or other birds been able to poke between the lattice and enjoy the seedlings? I gave the bed a token watering, and with regret, will check on it later.

I then decided to do some rounding on my own, since I've kept this to a minimum with my allergies. As I walked up to the pond, I saw something shiny on the Turtle Log. Then I heard a loud splash and the log was clear. Interesting. I didn't think we'd have a turtle sunning this late in the season. I certainly hadn't seen this for a few weeks. Even though we've had warm weather, Bruce and I both thought that the pond critters had been working their way into the mud for the winter.


Anna Kate and her Cousin Natalie in front of the Turtle Log at Bonfire 2010

 I headed down the Hedgerow Trail to the corner of woods in the back. The wind reminded me of being at the beach, particularly when the wind was working its way through the huge oaks on the Hedgerow Trail. As I entered the woods area, I was suprised with how many limbs were swaying in the wind. The kayaks that we store upright in the woods were nice and tight and not moving at all. I wondered about that hornets nest. I hadn't looked to see if my neighbor Marsha and I walk directly under it when we do our rounds of Camp Colegate. What a surprise. We had been walking directly under it all summer. Very interesting.

Kayaks Waiting in the Woods

I then walked toward my Meditation Platform on the Cedar Loop. Since bad weather was forecast for the afternoon, I thought it would be a good idea to take a few minutes out of day and mediate. Bad idea. Could not clear my head at all. I routinely assume a sitting position and focus on my breathing. That worked for about 5 to 10 seconds, and then thoughts on all my projects for the day kept rushing into my head. I could not keep them out. This is a usual challenge for me, although I've been slightly improving on this - not today.

Then I decided to check out my bayberry shrubs. I could still hear and see my warblers in action, but they have been busy and have pretty much decimated their berry crop for the season. What a delight to have been able to observe them in action.

So, there you have it. Just when I think there isn't much to write about, all I have to do is make my rounds. I am always delighted with the happenings here at Camp Colegate. When we move down South, I definitely have to live where I can round and ramble. I'm going to have to save and turn off the computer. We're 20 minutes away from a dangerous storm heading our way. I'm watching the Artimis Camera video over the news. The storm is hitting downtown Cincinnati right now, and it is awesome. I need to protect my computers. Hope we keep our power.

Addendum: I was keeping in touch with sister Susie in Columbus before and during the storm. We had both staged our basement areas for a possible siege. So Hank and Ruth. Those genes resurface all the time. We survived the storm just fine. It was beautiful. When I checked the hens in the evening, they were wet. Not enough sense to come in from the rain.

Exploring at Camp Colegate

We know that in a few years we'll be leaving Ohio and moving South to be closer to our girls. If we had our choice, we would pick up Camp Colegate and drop it next door to one of our daughters. Hmmmmm, that sounds very unlikely. For now, I'm making a mental note of all the aspects of Camp Colegate that we love, and perhaps we can incorporate some of those into our next place.

One of the most rewarding opportunities that Camp Colegate provides is discovering through exploration. We have a perimeter trail that I use for exercise, bonding with Grace, and learning. I don't think that there is a day that goes by without a new discovery. Over the years I have realized how important this is to me. When we lived in Landen, I was able to walk the bike trails. One year, after reading Mary Blocksma's Naming Nature, I started a journal on what I learned from my walks. I not only learned to name trees, flowers, and birds, but also learned that there was great diversity, even in a suburban setting. My twenty minute walk took me through three different habitats, big woods, streamside, and meadow. I learned so much that year.

Even though I now have a basic knowledge of nature, there is always something new, changing, or curious. I don't need to go elsewhere for stimulation, as everything I need to challenge me is right here. I had been spending my afternoons outdoors sketching, until my allergy status deteriorated. I promised Bruce that I would stay indoors and avoid any unnecessary encounters. Yesterday afternoon, we couldn't resist rounding, with this lovely, dry temperate weather we've been experiencing. We had walked to the pond in the front and were finishing our walk to the back and the bonfire area, when Bruce stopped me and pointed to a hornets' next in high in the maple tree by the grands' climbing tree. I was stunned. We had never been able to see it with all the full leaf canopy,

In Naming Nature, Mary Blocksma references hornets, but does not elbaorate. I found the following web page helpful: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2077.html. I know that my next residence must allow opportunities to get out and walk and observe nature, so good hiking trails or quiet streets.

Hornets' nest in middle of photo

Grands' play area in lower left, next in upper right

Closeup from underneath nest

Grace

When we first moved to Camp Colegate, I felt we needed a pair of cats to perform mousing duty in the country. I can't recall specifically how many pairs a good friend, Barb Bowman, donated to our cause, but I believe Grace and George were the third. We had a lot of attrition through vehicular accidents, and who knows, wandering off, coyote feasts, etc. This pair was originally named by Bruce in memory of George and Gracie Allen, but eventually George left our company, but Grace persevered. We believe she's been with us at least ten years.

My family was surprised that I brought cats into our life. I have fairly strong allergies, which include cats. Grace is invited into our sunroom in the morning, where she can sleep in peace. I find that this is a nice compromise for both of us. Sometimes I can sit out there with her, sometimes not. Since we have never had her declawed, regal outdoor cat that she is, we can't have her inside the house. There have been times that she has escaped, and she makes a quick shot to the guest bedroom in the back of the house, where she positions herself on top of the pillows in front of the windows. Other than that, she spends her hours outdoors, and sleeps in a sheltered, protected, and heated area of the garage.

Grace no longer bears the identify of a fabulous comedienne, but rather a royal princess. She has some of the best coloring I have ever seen, and has the speed and agility of a jaguar. Sometimes she assumes the personality of a faithful family dog, accompanying us on our ramblings over Camp Colegate. She'll walk behind us, then suddently race in front of us, scurrying up any nearby tree. When we were both working and returning home in the late afternoon, I might often find her sitting patiently at the junction of our drive and lane, waiting expectantly for our return. Unlike most outdoor cats, Grace does not disappear when company arrives. She lies peacefully while our grandchildren play with her. I find this quite unusual, especially for an older cat.

Anna Kate with Grace

Grace on her throne on the sunporch

Warbler Watch

When we moved to Camp Colegate in 1998, I purchased three bayberry shrubs to attract fall warblers. The berries of the bayberry shrub have a high cholesterol content, which fuels the warblers for their migration South. In addition to that desirable quality, the shrub has a tendency to holds its leaves longer than most shrubs. However, living here in the country, I quickly learned that many shrubs do not survive the windy conditions of our former wheat field. The shrubs survived, but don't hold their leaves like foundation plantings would. I quickly learned that only one of our three bears the fruit, so there must be a male/female connection here. I have been delighted to learn on my wanderings around Camp Colegate, that we have bayberry volunteers throughout the property, and they are bearing fruit. What a delightful surprise.

Over the years, I have learned that the birds come in around or after Bonfire (see my first blog). It only takes a few days of feasting for them to gorge themselves and move on. Thankfully, they were so gracious to spread their visit over a weekend that I would be off. My clue to their presence was their sweet chipping and flurry of action. They are nearly impossible to spot with binoculars, as they flit from the tree line, across the trail, and into the interior of the shrub. I quickly learned to train my binoculars on the mid-sized trees at the trail edge. Eventually, a bird would fly into my binoculars' field of vision, and I could then identify the bird. The Cornell website has great information: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler/id

Now that I'm no longer working, I have the luxury of spending time outdoors, leisurely watching for these sweet birds and observing the dwindling berries. I've included a few photos of the bayberry shrub with berries, the mid-sized trees across the trail which they use as their base of ooperations, and the trail. The bayberry shrubs are on the left, the trees on the right of the trail. Good luck finding the warblers in there.

Putting the Garden to Rest

Bruce and I have gardened in his and hers plots for several years. His is the traditional row garden, in which he grows tomatoes, cantaloupe, and my lovely butternut squash. I have ten raised beds, which I refer to as my culinary gardens. The rows are short and varied. My annual gardens include: asparagus, onions, salad garden I, salad garden II, root vegetables, green beans, cucumbers for pickling, night shades & okra, summer squash, and tomatoes. All with herbs intermingled.

My goal each year is to clean and prepare my beds for winter. Each year I almost reach that goal, but then a period of rain moves in, followed by the cold, and the beds stay saturated until spring. We find the pace of spring so hectic, so that it’s next to impossible to do our chores, work the beds, and then plant. Each bed requires about an hour and a half of preparation which includes cleaning, spading, adding sand, compost, and lime, followed by a protective covering of straw. If I can get all of this done in the fall, the amendments to the soil can work their way in and the soil can beneficially heave and thaw throughout the winter. Should I have time in the spring to spade one more time, then that is a good thing. If not, I can go right on planting with minimum effort.  Now that I'm no longer working, this process no longer is an item on my to do list, but a much anticipated activity.

I love this chore. I choose the perfect weather, not too hot, not too cool, and  not too windy. I take my time, pausing to listen to the birds and the wind, to crumble the soil, and take in the views of the fall color change and the bluest of blue sky. I usually work one bed at a time, as the spading is pretty much of a good workout for me. For some reason, this is a very gratifying and fulfilling chore. Perhaps it’s the promise of bounty for  the next season,  or the communion with nature. Yesterday I watched the bluebirds investigate the bluebird box by the apple tree – a little premature, but such a classic union: bluebirds and apple trees. The pileated woodpecker announced his presence with his primal call as he worked his way down the hedgerow. I have one more bed left to work, but the Swiss Chard simply does not want to give it up. Nature doesn’t get any better.

Extending the Growing Season with Cold Frames

First of all, let me share that I have attempted to garden with cold frames before, with no success. Or shall I say,  no follow through?  Last year I had asked my sister, Susie, for a window frame when she had done some window replacement. We brought this extremely heavy window home, designed a make shift area in our compost area for a frame, planted spinach, and watched nothing happen. Needless to say, it was a total bust. It seems so long ago. I really can’t remember nor explain what went wrong.

Oh, here comes Grace, my gorgeous outdoor kitty. Now that I’m retired, she checks out my office window every morning. If she finds me at my computer, which is pretty much daily.  She jumps up on the window sill and does a ‘sail kitty’ on the screen. That is my cue to step outside to greet her, pick her up to cuddle minimally (cat allergy), and carry her through the house to the sun porch.  I turn on her heater, donated by Andrew and Brad, and leave her there to warm up. I’m sure she’d prefer to cuddle up in the office with me, but my allergies could not tolerate that. I think she’s content to nap on the porch, as she never misses a morning greeting.

Back to the cold frame. This summer Bruce replaced the glass, which was now broken, with a piece of plexiglass, which greatly reduced the weight of the frame. I still was reluctant to go through this frustrating exercise again, until I decided to retire. One must have time to put the top on and remove it when needed. We garden on the cheap, so purchasing an elaborate cold frame with the thermometer and automatic opener was not an option.

So, before last weekend’s bonfire, I planted radishes and ‘Little Gem’ lettuce in the corner of the onion garden. I was inspired by an episode of ‘House Hunters International.” A couple was looking for a home in Poland, and in the backyard of one of the choices was a huge garden, covered with a cold frame. For the life of me, I cannot imagine how they removed the glass. Of course, this aspect of the property was not detailed, but it looked pretty simple, rustic, and obviously worth the effort, or it would not have been so extensive.

My seeds broke ground a few days ago. I had covered the planting area with a piece of trellis, as gorgeous Grace loves to roll and scratch her back in my newly planted areas, which deters seed emergence/growth. We had a heavy freeze warning last night, so I removed the trellis and placed my window over the top. As the temperature rises, I’ll be able to switch back to the trellis later on in the morning. Maybe this will be our successful attempt.

Bonfire 2010

What a lovely way to begin my Camp Colegate Chronicles. My Dad  introduced us to his family tradition of a fall ‘weinie bake’ back in the late eighties. Our family has been bonfiring ever since. Bonfire BC, before grandchildren, was very slow-paced, reflective, and tranquil.  We had several  locations,  including Camp Kern, before we settled in permanently on the five acres of Camp Colegate, our current residence. Bruce and I enjoy five acres with a pond, garden, chicken coop, and camping area.  The first few years were held in the field in the back, but as the field returned to forest, we now have Bonfire AC, after grandchildren. Bonfire now includes exploring all the trails, fishing in the pond,  collecting the hens’ eggs, playing Red Rover,  and teaching fire skills and safety.  It is loud, raucous, and very busy.

This year we were blessed with perfect fall weather. Every family makes their best effort to save this weekend, which my daughters from Georgia and South Carolina take turns choosing. We usually bonfire the second or third weekend in October, which offers the choice weather and fall color change.  Families have comes from as far as Wisconsin, Florida, and the Piedmont. We always remember our Dad, Hank Jones, who started this tradition. He was the most extraordinary ordinary man, and we were so fortunate to have known and loved him.

Our family bonfires to come together in a unique setting. We celebrate what happens to be my favorite season of the year, which also happens to be the season I met Bruce. Although we now work around scheduled school vacations and sports events, it is a time of less activity and more free time. My sisters totally commit to this event, and our children also make that special effort to attend. It is such great fun watching the little ones interact, or as they mature, as with the oldest grandchild, Katie, engage in conversations with the adults. This year, it was such a treat to watch my Anna Kate moving down the trails with Natalie, a year older; their bodies nearly joined together, heads tilted in toward each other as they discuss the possible scenarios of their imaginary games.