I have waited long enough - the ground is dry and we will till today - David's got two gardens to till - then we finally get our own done. I have lots of overgrown cole crops - and I never plan to start these again cuz I have the shittiest (I'm sorry but this is the word to use) luck when it comes to broccoli and the like. My cherry tomatoes are ready for the big pots - now! Do I dare - and the geese still sit where I plan to move my regular tomatoes - grrrrrr. Lord help me - the forsyntia is in bloom - plant your peas now too - hurry - more rain coming Friday.
Footnote - if you get a huge influx of grasshoppers - grab all you can, stuff them into a blender and make grasshopper sludge - if there is disease in them and you spray it all over your garden, they will consume themselves - they are cannibalistic that way - and the germs the smushy ones have will be shared - and they die quicker. They also do not like the taste of very very hot peppers - a good use for Kong Pow (not the right spelling) and Habanero - she said with a deep bow at hips and whispering - good luck muchachos.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
OPCG Work Party
Breaking ground and first planting party at Owen Park Community Garden. Edison and Santa Fe. Tonight at 6pm
The 8th Plague of Egypt.
God then had Moses stretch his staff over Egypt, and a wind picked up from the east. The wind continued until the following day, when it brought a locust swarm. The swarm covered the sky, casting a shadow over Egypt. It consumed all the remaining Egyptian crops, leaving no tree or plant standing.
Scary Stuff. Let's hope the swarm dies down before it reaches us.
Scary Stuff. Let's hope the swarm dies down before it reaches us.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Requiem for Detroit
I watched this BBC documentary last night. Very good insight into the rise and fall of American's fourth largest city, and the collapse of the industrial world as well. It ends with the Urban homesteaders raising food on empty lots. I loved the guy talking about he makes $500.00 a week growing food in Detroit, and the other guy exclaiming "That is about the same that I make working at Chrysler. You can watch it online. If you have a slow Internet connection, press play, let it connect and buffer, then hit pause till it downloads.
Nothin Tastes Better...
Than a home grown Tomato. If you are Tomato challenged plan on attending:
Tomato Growing Workshop with Sue Gray, OSU Extension
presented by: The Oklahoma Horticulture Study Group
Plant sales 10am-12Noon & 2pm to 4pm, Program with Sue Gray 12 till 2pm. We will have a small selection of tomato plants, and herbs for purchase.
Tomato Growing Workshop with Sue Gray, OSU Extension
presented by: The Oklahoma Horticulture Study Group
Plant sales 10am-12Noon & 2pm to 4pm, Program with Sue Gray 12 till 2pm. We will have a small selection of tomato plants, and herbs for purchase.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Walmart Tax.
Why should it cost a citizen $750.00 to ask permission to do business in Tulsa. When other cities encourage and even fund entrepreneurs. I sure am glad we have all this planners and zoning to protect Walmart opps...I mean us.
Saving your garden seeds
I was watching the documentary Collapse, and one of the things he stressed was to save your seeds for next years planting. I have started growing a variety of sweet pea and I have been successful in saving to seeds and getting them to germinating the next year and actually be the same plant as the parent plant.
I was talking to a friend about saving seeds and she told me that her mother had green bean seeds that had been passed down from mother to daughter for countless generations. She was so distressed about it because at the time she was not gardening and did not get the bean seeds from her mother to plant before her mother died. She has contacted relatives, but no one has the bean seeds for her to start growing. That strain of green beans that her family ate for generations is now lost to the ages.
As I plan my garden this year I want to try and grow varieties I can save the seeds from. I was shopping for seeds at my local garden center, I felt lost. I know I can always refer to the OK State fact sheet. But can you save the seeds and get the same plant year after year?. The fact sheet does not say. The seed packs aren't labeled. Should I just buy some and hope for the best? It could be two seasons before I find out it was a bad decision. Then just because it is an "Heirloom" doesn't mean it will grown well in Oklahoma.
Then just like the Lone Ranger, I get an email discussing the topic of seed saving. It seems the Kerr Center has done the trials and here is the list. So for those of you who are concerned about securing seeds as part of your food security, you will find everything you need to get started.
I was talking to a friend about saving seeds and she told me that her mother had green bean seeds that had been passed down from mother to daughter for countless generations. She was so distressed about it because at the time she was not gardening and did not get the bean seeds from her mother to plant before her mother died. She has contacted relatives, but no one has the bean seeds for her to start growing. That strain of green beans that her family ate for generations is now lost to the ages.
As I plan my garden this year I want to try and grow varieties I can save the seeds from. I was shopping for seeds at my local garden center, I felt lost. I know I can always refer to the OK State fact sheet. But can you save the seeds and get the same plant year after year?. The fact sheet does not say. The seed packs aren't labeled. Should I just buy some and hope for the best? It could be two seasons before I find out it was a bad decision. Then just because it is an "Heirloom" doesn't mean it will grown well in Oklahoma.
Then just like the Lone Ranger, I get an email discussing the topic of seed saving. It seems the Kerr Center has done the trials and here is the list. So for those of you who are concerned about securing seeds as part of your food security, you will find everything you need to get started.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Deconstructing Dinner,
This spring Beekeepers discovered a 90% loss on Vancouver Island. Deconstructed Dinner has an interview with Paul van Westendorp, provincial apiculturist, ministry of agriculture & lands, Province of British Columbia and Bob Liptrot, co-owner, Tugwell Creek Honey Farm & Meadery (Sooke, BC) about the collapse. You can listen online or if you have a slow connection you can download the program.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Food Deserts
I hear the term "Food Desert" and I wonder what is the cause? Is it Walmart forcing shopping to move from a neighborhood store to a more regional shopping center. Or is it a choice made by the consumer as to this is where I prefer to shop. My shopping choices tend to be places that have the brands I prefer in stock so I know I can get everything on my list in one trip. I am not a person who goes to the store more than once a week, and I hate it when I have to make a second trip just for one item that was out of stock.
For the past three or so years, North Tulsa's shopping issues have been in the news. When you have the Mayor driving across town for a shopping photo op, then you know its all politics. But is it worth the cost of 2.2 million going to one place or one entrepreneur? All your eggs in one basket so to speak.
I ran across the article about how New York City is trying to combat health issues and food deserts and the same time. I came to the conclusion that 2.2 million would fund a lot of vegetable carts, entrepreneurs, and community gardens.
For the past three or so years, North Tulsa's shopping issues have been in the news. When you have the Mayor driving across town for a shopping photo op, then you know its all politics. But is it worth the cost of 2.2 million going to one place or one entrepreneur? All your eggs in one basket so to speak.
I ran across the article about how New York City is trying to combat health issues and food deserts and the same time. I came to the conclusion that 2.2 million would fund a lot of vegetable carts, entrepreneurs, and community gardens.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Winter's Back
If I had had time yesterday I would have picked a massive bouquet of daffodils - right now there's an inch of snow on the roses outside the window - Yesterday was over 70 and the greenhouse was hot. No mood to even go look today - so I need to work on taxes and the day is over at 4:43 - shopping was more fun. I am going to spray a bacillius in the greenhouse tomorrow to murder my only pest - fungus gnats disappear when plants hit the great outdoors - they only survive in the warmth and artificial environment of the greenhouse.
I am struggling with not wanting to make labels and not sure if I could get away without them - I could number things - with a silver pen - and then hand out ID sheets or cards - eggplant are up and peppers look ok - most maters have are looking good too. I transplanted a lot of nasturtiums and hyacinth beans - it's funny when you think about how much something costs at fancy restaurants and all it is is a flower or two in a salad.
Well, work isn't getting done without my eyes and hands - so this is a short note. I wish it had not snowed - it makes it all soggy wet again - nothing has been planted here, onions are growing in the sack they were purchased in - sad state of affairs - but it will get there - slowly.
I am struggling with not wanting to make labels and not sure if I could get away without them - I could number things - with a silver pen - and then hand out ID sheets or cards - eggplant are up and peppers look ok - most maters have are looking good too. I transplanted a lot of nasturtiums and hyacinth beans - it's funny when you think about how much something costs at fancy restaurants and all it is is a flower or two in a salad.
Well, work isn't getting done without my eyes and hands - so this is a short note. I wish it had not snowed - it makes it all soggy wet again - nothing has been planted here, onions are growing in the sack they were purchased in - sad state of affairs - but it will get there - slowly.
Friday, March 19, 2010
In case you missed it...
Kim Flottum editor of Bee Culture Magazine and author of The Backyard Beekeeper. will be the keynote speaker at Bee Buzz this weekend. Rich Fisher interviewed him this week on Studio Tulsa. You can listen to the Interview online.
More from Cleveland.
I always thought it surreal to go into the Shopping Malls from the 1980's with the imitation outdoors environment under the expansive glass atrium ceilings. Promenade Mall is a good example of this. The outdoor shopping center was enclosed to allow complete control of the shopping experience. And of course you have to have the sound of falling water to give you the right white noise in the background. But what do you do when Macy's packs up and leaves? You revamp the Food Court.
I have been reading a lot about Cleveland Ohio.
Cleveland is one of the northern cities hit hard by job migration. Like Detroit and Flint, Cleveland's citizens are coming up with some innovative survival tactics to rebuild their community. I have ranted before about the Tulsa Development Authority holding land in common just to grow Bermuda grass. I think the concept of a "Land Bank"is much more inline with today's realities than the "Development" concept of the 1970's urban renewal. Why does a place have to hit rock bottom, and land revert back to nature before land use becomes a political topic. It is crazy that we have huge discussions about Tulsa's parks and rec centers. But no one every claims we do not have the money to mow or maintain TDA land.
Food, Inc. The Documentary
For those of you who have not seen Food, Inc. or would like to see it again. You can watch it online HERE.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Better Days
Got up early to get dirt picked up at Amanda's. David saw the upside down wheelbarrow in his way at the garage door - guess he took it as a hint. I was still awake when he came in and nothing harsh was exchanged.
Life got a lot better today - he tilled the garden again, helped me get the potting soil and I just took the bird to the greenhouse with me- wore her out. Did I mention we have a Goffin Cockatoo? Time - they eat time up but if you put her on your shoulder and work - hey, killing birds with a stone. Got a lot done - tomatoes transplanted - 2 flats, 5 more hanging baskets, 5 pots of mixed flowers - edible types and even took time to run to store to find trellises. And she's tired - Peaches it the bird's name - whoohoo I won't have to hear her screaming tonight - she's not said a word this afternoon at all - Pooooooped I tell ya!
I mentioned Food Inc to Amanda - she's not seen it - but I think she saw the previews on Oprah's show regarding it. I need to cook a meal or two but my motion right now is plant, plant, plant - and not cook, cook, cook - amazing I've lost weight eating out - just doesn't include Hamburger buns, french fries or large quantities of gravy on anything. I've made sugar my enemy - now if I could get off diet Coke - my last refuge of bad food habituation - I think that's a word.
Like I said, it was a better day - first thing in the morning - two flats must be watered, remaining seedless tomatoes transplanted and then the beefsteaks seem the tallest - oh, I got all kinds of squash planted today - 8-ball zucchini - round stuff, cocozelle - light green zuch, straightneck and white scallop and a whole flat of parks whopper cucumbers - they do well but I am completely hooked on their Whopper line except the stupid squash is treated - I don't like treated seed. Next two days I hope to get cole crops into the garden for our use, peas would be nice, beets, carrots, and all the dang onions are growing in the bag - literally up and green onion sized greens - rolls eyes - not bragging - either - that's not entirely normal.
My lower garden is going to be dedicated to Okra - local grocery will take Okra - can't start it till it warms up - and I keep expecting these cold nights and cool days to burst straight from crappy yucky dampness and chill to blistering heat - we don't have a spring in Oklahoma much and seldom a fall - just Summer and Winter - in all their individual ugly HOT or COLD.
If you get close enough to - kick Inhofe in the shorts - I'll do the same if I get close enough too.
Peace and enjoy
Life got a lot better today - he tilled the garden again, helped me get the potting soil and I just took the bird to the greenhouse with me- wore her out. Did I mention we have a Goffin Cockatoo? Time - they eat time up but if you put her on your shoulder and work - hey, killing birds with a stone. Got a lot done - tomatoes transplanted - 2 flats, 5 more hanging baskets, 5 pots of mixed flowers - edible types and even took time to run to store to find trellises. And she's tired - Peaches it the bird's name - whoohoo I won't have to hear her screaming tonight - she's not said a word this afternoon at all - Pooooooped I tell ya!
I mentioned Food Inc to Amanda - she's not seen it - but I think she saw the previews on Oprah's show regarding it. I need to cook a meal or two but my motion right now is plant, plant, plant - and not cook, cook, cook - amazing I've lost weight eating out - just doesn't include Hamburger buns, french fries or large quantities of gravy on anything. I've made sugar my enemy - now if I could get off diet Coke - my last refuge of bad food habituation - I think that's a word.
Like I said, it was a better day - first thing in the morning - two flats must be watered, remaining seedless tomatoes transplanted and then the beefsteaks seem the tallest - oh, I got all kinds of squash planted today - 8-ball zucchini - round stuff, cocozelle - light green zuch, straightneck and white scallop and a whole flat of parks whopper cucumbers - they do well but I am completely hooked on their Whopper line except the stupid squash is treated - I don't like treated seed. Next two days I hope to get cole crops into the garden for our use, peas would be nice, beets, carrots, and all the dang onions are growing in the bag - literally up and green onion sized greens - rolls eyes - not bragging - either - that's not entirely normal.
My lower garden is going to be dedicated to Okra - local grocery will take Okra - can't start it till it warms up - and I keep expecting these cold nights and cool days to burst straight from crappy yucky dampness and chill to blistering heat - we don't have a spring in Oklahoma much and seldom a fall - just Summer and Winter - in all their individual ugly HOT or COLD.
If you get close enough to - kick Inhofe in the shorts - I'll do the same if I get close enough too.
Peace and enjoy
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Mad or out of Holy Basil
OK - not a good day in the greenhouse - friend shows up and wants 3 flats and of course he doesn't have potting soil worth anything and so I gave him potting soil, and spaghnum moss and 3 six packs - he gave me $5.00 but he also needed a silver pen - to mark the pots. It was the time that was so precious - and once used up it is gone forever.
David seems useless right now - he doesn't want to wake up before 9 and grudgenly does arise about 8 - but then there's breakfast that he cannot live without - and by the time we get to the feed store and stop at the grocery store we get home around 10 - dang it - the days shot. I mentioned potting soil - he didn't seem to absorb that request - so now I have to go pick it up in the morning - we store it at Amanda's - she grows scented geraniums and has a big building and she works cleaning and restoring gardens - and her season has begun so she's not home this time of year during ordinary hours. And he leaves at 1 pm - to get to work by a quarter to 3 - shrugs - don't ask, I still don't understand.
I am out of my Holy Basil tablets - which I am using for depression so I am not sure I am not rightfully mad or just lacking my happy pills - but the trash is overflowing, the carpet is a mess, the table is loaded with a plethora of crappola and I want my life back and it is only mid March.
As I ate supper I filled in the US Census and the OK Dept of Ag has sent me 3 survey's to fill in - one for my own farm and one each for the two markets - oh glory - goodie, goodie. So while I eat, I work. I came home to find my beekeeper feeding the bees. She needed a check, and somehow could not find her order form or her receipt for the check. I feel for her - cuz that's how my day had been going - then I got a phone call from a former greenhouse getting-back-into-the-business friend - guess she will be at Jenks Herb and Plant Festival and UPS made a deliver - germs to kill the small larvae called fungus gnats. Oh joy - if it would dry out I'd have less of them - but the soil itself that the greenhouse sits on is a haven for those minor greenhouse pests - I should thank God everyday that is the only menace in the greenhouse.
So up to dark - I end up filling large 4 inch pots with dirt so I can water them in first thing AM and then start - yes start - squash - for my own farm and for sales - cuz this year food it where I am focusing - if you can't eat it - well, there's a few things I am growing like Sweet Grass and Aloe Vera - but mostly I am thinking food.
Nuff - maybe it is just a need for Holy Basil to keep my stern in gear - otherwise - if you don't see David at a show - I buried him - with his tiller - out back - under the woodpile - winks.
David seems useless right now - he doesn't want to wake up before 9 and grudgenly does arise about 8 - but then there's breakfast that he cannot live without - and by the time we get to the feed store and stop at the grocery store we get home around 10 - dang it - the days shot. I mentioned potting soil - he didn't seem to absorb that request - so now I have to go pick it up in the morning - we store it at Amanda's - she grows scented geraniums and has a big building and she works cleaning and restoring gardens - and her season has begun so she's not home this time of year during ordinary hours. And he leaves at 1 pm - to get to work by a quarter to 3 - shrugs - don't ask, I still don't understand.
I am out of my Holy Basil tablets - which I am using for depression so I am not sure I am not rightfully mad or just lacking my happy pills - but the trash is overflowing, the carpet is a mess, the table is loaded with a plethora of crappola and I want my life back and it is only mid March.
As I ate supper I filled in the US Census and the OK Dept of Ag has sent me 3 survey's to fill in - one for my own farm and one each for the two markets - oh glory - goodie, goodie. So while I eat, I work. I came home to find my beekeeper feeding the bees. She needed a check, and somehow could not find her order form or her receipt for the check. I feel for her - cuz that's how my day had been going - then I got a phone call from a former greenhouse getting-back-into-the-business friend - guess she will be at Jenks Herb and Plant Festival and UPS made a deliver - germs to kill the small larvae called fungus gnats. Oh joy - if it would dry out I'd have less of them - but the soil itself that the greenhouse sits on is a haven for those minor greenhouse pests - I should thank God everyday that is the only menace in the greenhouse.
So up to dark - I end up filling large 4 inch pots with dirt so I can water them in first thing AM and then start - yes start - squash - for my own farm and for sales - cuz this year food it where I am focusing - if you can't eat it - well, there's a few things I am growing like Sweet Grass and Aloe Vera - but mostly I am thinking food.
Nuff - maybe it is just a need for Holy Basil to keep my stern in gear - otherwise - if you don't see David at a show - I buried him - with his tiller - out back - under the woodpile - winks.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Transplant Insanity
Tomatoes and peppers are never consistent so I never try to direct sow those for the festivals or the markets. So that means that I use the 6 packs with 72 plants in a tray. I have about 35 flats of transplants and I got one done today. Ten hanging baskets were completed and all of my January tomato starts are now transplanted into gallon pots- there was 68 of those total so it isn't like I was sitting on my hands today.
I noticed in the Tulsa World a picture of plants - I think they were tomatoes and the caption indicated that the disease commonly known as Damping Off - was a huge problem to the home grower - cleanliness was required. I have a better answer to that age old dilemma - get some spaghnum moss - either milled or just a big bag of the brown messy moss and simply sprinkle this over your babies as they emerge. Park's Seed Company sells books on growing plants - years ago I bought the one about successful herb growing and in the first section of the book it discussed the use of milled spaghnum moss as a starter medium. Now don't go dropping the unmilled on top of your plants but do take the stuff and rub it between your hands to create a dusting of this like powdering a babies behind. Moss has a bacteria in it that prevents the bacteria that causes Damping Off to occur. Voila - no more pretty plants one day and nasty looking pinch waisted plants falling over dying. Be careful that you don't suck this stuff into your lungs - I've done this for 17 yrs and thus far, no lung cancer or hacking cough but just be careful - natural doesn't mean be stupid.
Happy Planting ya'll.
I noticed in the Tulsa World a picture of plants - I think they were tomatoes and the caption indicated that the disease commonly known as Damping Off - was a huge problem to the home grower - cleanliness was required. I have a better answer to that age old dilemma - get some spaghnum moss - either milled or just a big bag of the brown messy moss and simply sprinkle this over your babies as they emerge. Park's Seed Company sells books on growing plants - years ago I bought the one about successful herb growing and in the first section of the book it discussed the use of milled spaghnum moss as a starter medium. Now don't go dropping the unmilled on top of your plants but do take the stuff and rub it between your hands to create a dusting of this like powdering a babies behind. Moss has a bacteria in it that prevents the bacteria that causes Damping Off to occur. Voila - no more pretty plants one day and nasty looking pinch waisted plants falling over dying. Be careful that you don't suck this stuff into your lungs - I've done this for 17 yrs and thus far, no lung cancer or hacking cough but just be careful - natural doesn't mean be stupid.
Happy Planting ya'll.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Am I the only one without a Debit Card
I stopped today at Garden Ridge - I needed some kind of very inexpensive trellis for hyacinth bean to climb on and found some florist wreath hangers with 3 legs - bend them a bit and they will fit the pots - voila. I pick up ten, meander around to the front and get into line - and of course the new method of checking out seems so odd as the stores line you up like cattle waiting to be branded and take you one at a time. I had my checkbook out with pen in hand and without batting an eyelash, the young lady didn't even say, Oh, I'm sorry - she just flatly said, we don't take checks. Flatly.
I looked at her and simply didn't say a word, I reached over into my basket and yanked my purse out and turned on my heel and walked out. They didn't want me to pay them with a check, I had two credit cards but no debit card and I didn't want to add them to my credit cards enough to want the little wire wreath hanger in the first place. Not if they won't take a check. And I had cash but cash is for meals - checks are for purchases.
I already buy stuff at places where they deduct my check thru some machine the instant I am at their cash register - and I hate getting my check and a receipt stub unstapled but at least they take the check to begin with. I guess Garden Ridge is off my shopping list from now on - I wan't one of their best anyway.
I looked at her and simply didn't say a word, I reached over into my basket and yanked my purse out and turned on my heel and walked out. They didn't want me to pay them with a check, I had two credit cards but no debit card and I didn't want to add them to my credit cards enough to want the little wire wreath hanger in the first place. Not if they won't take a check. And I had cash but cash is for meals - checks are for purchases.
I already buy stuff at places where they deduct my check thru some machine the instant I am at their cash register - and I hate getting my check and a receipt stub unstapled but at least they take the check to begin with. I guess Garden Ridge is off my shopping list from now on - I wan't one of their best anyway.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Finally saw Food Inc
Wow, went to Turley last night to see Food Inc. Huge Sigh! OMG - our food system is so screwed up - much like our Corporate America. When the lady spoke of losing her 2 1/2 yr old son to ecoli - I almost lost it.
Something is terribly wrong here - cows being fed corn to grow fatter quicker develop stomach problems that result in ecoli bacteria that are pooped into massive pens with millions of other cows that all shit and stink and are killed and put into our hamburger - chickens are fed massive amounts of antibiotics to control disease and grow fat so fast their lungs and hearts cannot keep up and are loaded into trucks for the slaughter house by men who kick them and stuff them into bins going to Tyson. If you are upset with the illegals from Mexico and other south of the border countries - talk to the slaughter houses where they were encouraged to move here after we shipped cheap corn to their countries putting their farmers out of business. And don't get me started on Monsanto. They have coopted the corn, wheat, soy and now are working on alfalfa seeds. Farmers who have been feeding this nation now belong to their inner sanctum of roundup proof seed users - that resist certain bugs for now - but as those bugs begin to feed and develop resistence - no telling where that will take us. And GMO seeds- are they good for us - has the FDA really tested its affects.
I only eat beef once very two weeks only because of anemia prevention. I still buy too much chicken and ground turkey and I still eat out but my eating has changed enough I've lost 40 lbs. I cut white flour and white sugar out of my diet mostly - white flour creeps in here and there but the sugar is pretty much gone.
I know people who buy gold and horde it as a shield against some future disaster but right now I am thinking seed. Before Monsanto starts in on Tomatoes. Before they get their hands on greenbeans. I have three tom turkeys I need to butcher soon - they are a yr old - and I wish one had been a hen but they were not. I am kinda scared for those who live in town with small yards and more scared for those who live in apartments. I have bees - and am adding a full 10 hives to the property and keeping them alive - two hives are thriving - the third was weak to begin with and may be out of the loop before their is enough food. I am going to get worms - for compost - I have a bunny and I have access to goat nahnah.
Maybe I need to learn to kill bunnies - can't believe I just said that - but they breed pretty fast and aren't huge like a cow or pigs. And I need a dozen or more chickens. Wow - are you planting - are you going to grow enough to eat and put some in your freezer, are you going to take on the job of feeding your own family this year. Yep, I am a market manager for two markets - and I am still scared that no matter how loud we yell, you will still buy from WalMart or even Whole Foods and think you are doing good but maybe it is time you think growing.
I knew I'd be smacked in the face again by the movie Food Inc. I just didn't realize how much I want you all to know I'm still scared.
Something is terribly wrong here - cows being fed corn to grow fatter quicker develop stomach problems that result in ecoli bacteria that are pooped into massive pens with millions of other cows that all shit and stink and are killed and put into our hamburger - chickens are fed massive amounts of antibiotics to control disease and grow fat so fast their lungs and hearts cannot keep up and are loaded into trucks for the slaughter house by men who kick them and stuff them into bins going to Tyson. If you are upset with the illegals from Mexico and other south of the border countries - talk to the slaughter houses where they were encouraged to move here after we shipped cheap corn to their countries putting their farmers out of business. And don't get me started on Monsanto. They have coopted the corn, wheat, soy and now are working on alfalfa seeds. Farmers who have been feeding this nation now belong to their inner sanctum of roundup proof seed users - that resist certain bugs for now - but as those bugs begin to feed and develop resistence - no telling where that will take us. And GMO seeds- are they good for us - has the FDA really tested its affects.
I only eat beef once very two weeks only because of anemia prevention. I still buy too much chicken and ground turkey and I still eat out but my eating has changed enough I've lost 40 lbs. I cut white flour and white sugar out of my diet mostly - white flour creeps in here and there but the sugar is pretty much gone.
I know people who buy gold and horde it as a shield against some future disaster but right now I am thinking seed. Before Monsanto starts in on Tomatoes. Before they get their hands on greenbeans. I have three tom turkeys I need to butcher soon - they are a yr old - and I wish one had been a hen but they were not. I am kinda scared for those who live in town with small yards and more scared for those who live in apartments. I have bees - and am adding a full 10 hives to the property and keeping them alive - two hives are thriving - the third was weak to begin with and may be out of the loop before their is enough food. I am going to get worms - for compost - I have a bunny and I have access to goat nahnah.
Maybe I need to learn to kill bunnies - can't believe I just said that - but they breed pretty fast and aren't huge like a cow or pigs. And I need a dozen or more chickens. Wow - are you planting - are you going to grow enough to eat and put some in your freezer, are you going to take on the job of feeding your own family this year. Yep, I am a market manager for two markets - and I am still scared that no matter how loud we yell, you will still buy from WalMart or even Whole Foods and think you are doing good but maybe it is time you think growing.
I knew I'd be smacked in the face again by the movie Food Inc. I just didn't realize how much I want you all to know I'm still scared.
Monday, March 1, 2010
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