Liz Writes Life 9-2-2020

 Sept. 2, 2020

Liz Writes Life

 

On Sunday night, I finally noticed how long the shadows were at 7 p.m. The sun was almost down. Yep, we have lost more than an hour of daylight in the evening. Morning is the same. This past week, it was chilly as I was starting to irrigate at 8 a.m. with the sun barely peeking above the cottonwood trees. I have noticed that the plants do not need as much water, even though some days are pretty hot still. It must be because of less daylight hours and longer dark time. Fall will be here -- soon I hope.

But, it is still summer temperatures and that makes the garden continue to grow well. So, today I will report on the ups and downs of my garden.

Whew, it is finally September! Don’t know why August (and January) just seem to take forever to get through. Like I mentioned last week, extra hot temps of the dog days of summer are going to be with us for two more weeks – at least. Ugh!

Actually, I am pleased that the garden is doing so well, especially the tomato plants that are huge and full of tomatoes. I planned better when adding the right kind of fertilizer at the right times, this year, and it has paid off.

Last week, I picked two dozen red tomatoes, lots of cucumbers, too much zucchini, a handful of green beans from the one plant that survived and four large bell peppers. These pepper plants are small, but producing really well. The plant I picked has four more peppers on it and there are five more plants! I sliced and froze these peppers to use in the Green Tomato Sweet Relish that I will make after I can all the red tomatoes that I need.

On Saturday, I got into a weeding mode and cleaned-up around the zucchini plants and the potatoes. Ended-up popping out four Russet potatoes. I didn’t need more potatoes, so I didn’t dig in the soil to search for more. Some weeds have made it through the lawn clippings, between the rows, but are easy to pull out. You just have to do it!

Outside the garden: I didn’t get all the puncture vine sprayed as I had hoped. About two or three more gallons of herbicide should do it. Because the sprayer nozzle seems to go bad easily, I am rinsing the little inch-long nozzle when I am done. I think it is helping it spray better.

The onions that I planted from seed in May and then transplanted the first week of July have grown really well. Most stems are three-feet high and the bases on some of the plants are getting quite big. So I decided to pull one up to see how big the bulb had gotten. Oops, not big at all. These are torpedo-shaped purple onions and won’t grow huge, but I did expect a bulb bigger than an inch-wide. I did clean it and sliced it for a bacon and tomato sandwich. Yum!

I haven’t said much lately about the moles, but it is time to complain about their tunnels that I try to mash down – when I find them. The little varmints seem to like the cantaloupe row. I have been able to keep the soil irrigated, but there are some nice-sized cantaloupes growing and they are getting too wet. Many of the cantaloupes are producing right next to the base of the plant (where I irrigate) and two half-grown melons fell-off the stems, when I tried to move them a bit. No, they were not ripe.

This is quite frustrating, so I used a brick that was handy to place under one much bigger melon and a small piece of board under several others to protect them from the soggy soil. Unfortunately, the moles keep re-tunneling in this area. I will need to plan better next year. Maybe, I could use two-by-four boards to place a few inches from the plant base stem that would hold the melons up off the ground? I better write that down somewhere, so I will remember to do it. Ha, ha.

A mole tunnel was also affecting the large rhubarb plant. One morning, as I was irrigating, I noticed a bunch of water pouring out in the gravel driveway about 12 feet away. Yep, the water was coming from the hose I was using on the rhubarb. Rats! Or rather moles! I started at the fence and stomped and stomped the ground all the way around the rhubarb. So far, the mole has stayed away, but I am checking and mashing every day.

This rhubarb hadn’t been harvested for two months and the stems with heavy leaves were turning into mulch under the plant. So, I decided to harvest it starting at the bottom. There were about six huge red stems in the middle that did pull out easily. When I was done, the plant actually looked pretty even (shockingly, I didn’t over harvest) and I gave away about 10 pounds of rhubarb!

It seems like this summer has been extra long. And it has as it was actually the end of March, when I started hand-irrigating perennials because of the spring drought. Five months of gardening! In looking at the weather predictions for September, there will be two weeks of high temps and then, maybe just maybe, a cooling of 10 to 15 degrees to normal. But, it doesn’t look like any frosts are in the September forecast. I am not used to six months of gardening and admit that I am tired.

On the upside, maybe folks in Quartz Valley will get to pick some ripe tomatoes for a change!

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

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Liz Writes Life 8-26-2020

 August 26, 2020

Liz Writes Life

Dreaded puncture vine is growing. All it takes is a good thunderstorm in July or August to get it going. Last year, I started getting rid of the pokey plants by cutting them out of the ground and “carefully” putting them in a black trash bag I was dragging with me. I remember my hand quickly got tired of the cutting/digging in the hard, dry dirt, so I decided to use a sprayer with herbicide. That is what I am doing this year -- spraying the plants. I try to do a gallon each morning and should have most of it conquered by the end of this week. Yay!

It is the end of August and I wish it was also the last of the dog days of summer. Ha, ha, the weather predictions are not showing much change in the weather, which is hot! The smoke certainly creates a gloominess that makes the heat of the day seem to drag-on especially when it takes a while for the temps to cool in the evening.

Several weeks ago, Barb Turner, from Montague, called me to ask about purchasing some dill. I was happy to give her as much as she needed. No, I didn’t sell it. In our conversation, she told me of a recent scam. She was called by a man, who told her she had won the Publishers Clearing House millions. Barb was cautious and started asking questions, especially when she was asked if she had a bank account for the money to be sent. When asked, the man gave her his phone number and after having a relative check on-line about Publisher’s Clearing House, Barb called him back. He actually answered and she told him he was a scammer.

I checked the company on-line and it states that their big winners are notified by mail or the PCH Prize patrol actually showing up at your doorstep like it shows on the television commercials. It does not notify big winners by telephone, email or bulk mail.

There is another scam involving Publisher’s Clearing House. In this one, you are mailed a check and told it is a partial prize. You are then asked to cash it and send a portion back to claim the full prize award. Do not do this! This is a fake check. Publishers Clearing House does not ask for money to claim a prize.

Thanks Barb for the heads-up. We certainly need to be careful.

I touted my flowers last week, but some are feeling the effects of a long summer. The red bee balm look bedraggled as do half of the hollyhocks. On a bright note, the seven lemon yellow cosmos are finally blooming.

Surprisingly, the tomatoes started turning red in early August. After giving them better fertilizer this year, the plants are large and hardy with lots of green tomatoes. Good thing I am about done canning dill pickles, cuz it will soon be time to do tomatoes.

Voting

There has been quite a bit of discussion on the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified by 36 states on August 18, 1920. Then on August 26, 1920, the amendment was certified. Women could vote! For decades, many women had worked, organized, been jailed and demanded the right to vote. Wyoming was the first state in 1869 to officially allow women the privilege of voting. Tennessee was the 36^th state that provided the number necessary to secure adoption of the amendment.

So, on Nov. 2, 1920, women voted in the U.S. Presidential election. Republican U.S. Senator Warren G. Harding won over Democratic Ohio Governor, James M. Cox.

As I was reading (on-line) about the 19^th Amendment, I also read about other issues in the United States and realized that our country had many ongoing battles within its borders – much like today. The difference is we now learn about them much faster. You see, it was on August 20, 1920 that the first commercial radio station began operation. That was in Detroit, Michigan. Oh, the advances in media technology in 100 years!

Here are a few other facts from 1920, some fun and some not-so-fun.

On January 6^th, the trade of Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees was made public.

On January 7^th, the New York State Assembly refused to seat five duly elected Socialist assemblymen.

On January 17^th, prohibition of alcohol in the United States began after the 18^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution had been certified.

On January 19^th, the American Civil Liberties Union was founded.

On January 30^th, a professional wrestling match between Joe Stecher and Earl Caddock at Madison Square Garden was filmed and is the oldest surviving movie of a pro-wrestling match.

On Feb. 14^th, the League of Women Voters was founded in Chicago.

On March 19^th, the U.S. Congress refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles.

On March 28^th, the 1920 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak hit the Great Lakes region and the Deep South states causing much damage.

In June, the U.S. Post Office ruled that children could not be sent via parcel post.

On July 29^th, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began construction of the Link River Dam as part of the Klamath Reclamation Project.

On Aug. 20^th, the National Football League was founded.

On Sept. 16^th, the Wall Street bombing using a horse and wagon left in front of the J.P. Morgan building killed 38 people and injured 400.

In September, Westinghouse began selling the first domestic radio sets in stores. Cost for a radio was a whopping $10.

Oh, the relevancy and irony in these issues 100 years later!

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

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Liz Writes Life 8-19-2020

Aug. 19, 2020

Liz Writes Life

 

Good news for gun owners. Those who own gun magazines that hold more than 10 bullets are no longer an outlaw. But, don’t hold your breath as it may be temporary.

Last week, a three-judge panel of the 9^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted against California’s ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines. Believe it or not, the panel said one of the newest California gun laws violates the U.S. Constitution’s protection of the right to bear arms. Wow, this is an amazing move by what is considered a very liberal appeals court.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office has not responded to the appeal and stated it is reviewing the decision. And gun owners cannot immediately rush to buy high-capacity magazines, because the stay issued by the lower court judge is still in place. Unfortunately, Becerra can ask a larger 11-judge appellate panel to reconsider the ruling or Becerra could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

But, on a note of good news for those who believe in the Bill of Rights, appellate Judge Kenneth Lee wrote the ban on higher-capacity magazines strikes at the core of the Second Amendment, which is the right to armed self-defense.

Sam Paredes, executive director for the Gun Owners of California, was pleased the decision has “lots of great content.” Highlights include: Large-capacity magazines are protected by the Second Amendment; and these types of magazines are not unusual and are commonly used in lawful activity. The Gun Owners group was a major litigant in the case titled Duncan v Becerra.

Church in California

The Grace Community Church was able to hold indoor services last Sunday, although the members did wear masks and were socially distanced. The pastor, John MacArthur, brought a complaint against Gov. Gavin Newsom, CA. A.G. Xavier Becerra, the Los Angeles mayor and Los Angeles County health officials alleging they had shown unconstitutional favoritism in the enforcement of Covid-19 regulations to the detriment of churches.

The Los Angeles Times reported that L.A. County brought a lawsuit against the church stating the congregation could not conduct indoor-in-person worship. Religious services could only be held outdoors. Grace Community Church, in Sun Valley, counter-filed.

Last Friday, Superior Court Judge Gregory W. Alarcon issued his decision after hearing arguments. Pastor MacArthur said he was grateful the court has allowed them to meet inside – at least for a few weeks. Yep, you guessed it. L.A. County or CA. A.G. Becerra can appeal the decision. MacArthur added that his congregation is “not trying to be rebellious or unreasonable, but that we will stand firm to protect our church against unreasonable, unconstitutional restriction.”

The Grace Church attorney added that the government “has given free rein to protesters and is not similarly restricting marijuana dispensaries, large retail outlets and factories and abortion providers.”

For sure, this is good news that an L.A. County Superior Court judge ruled in the church’s favor.

Remember

Call to get your $20 ticket to support the Yreka Elks Lodge and pickup a tasty boxed dinner cooked by grill master Dave Tyler and his crew. This is an easy drive-thru dinner at Black’s Appliance Parking lot by Walmart on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020. Call 530-842-1980 or 530-340-3443 to get your tickets for the Hawaiian pulled pork or chicken thighs and full Island-style dinner.

Trump and police

A Support President Donald Trump rally combined with a Support Our Police rally will be held this Friday at Jolly’s Club Saloon parking lot, in Yreka, from 10 a.m. to noontime. Campaign hats, bumper stickers and flags will be available for purchase. Stop in or honk your horn when you drive by.

In an unusual move, but very telling in the current riot and looting climate in U.S. big cities, the New York City Police Union voted to support President Trump in the November presidential election. Trump has decried the protestors that have vandalized and destroyed stores, government buildings and historical monuments.

Union President Patrick Lynch praised Trump for what he called a willingness to “speak the truth.” Lynch lamented that there is a false narrative about the city’s law enforcement officers and they are not evil.

New York City police union is not the only group to stand against the rioting and looting. County sheriffs are supporting officers and events called “Cops for Trump” are happening in various states.

Garden

For those who are still reading my column, I will switch from politics to gardening. Hollyhocks, red bee balm, a few glads and lavender phlox are still blooming. Two volunteer cosmos plants are flowering. One has lavender and white stripes and the other is sporting solid maroon flowers -- the same color as the big-headed amaranths. Velvety purple morning glories have climbed all over the amaranths and fence. Pink Echinacea, tall yellow yarrow and purple thistles are also in full bloom.

All 30 volunteer four o-clocks are boasting white trumpets, just like I expected, except one that just flowered a pretty pink. Yay! And most of the Sweet William are still blooming under the pine tree along with both multi-colored dahlias and a few straggling yellow and red snapdragons. Yep, it is August and everything looks abundant, even in this heat!

Been picking cucumbers and have pickled five more quarts. The last quart was canned the old-fashioned way, because the power was off. Actually, it wasn’t difficult, because I have a propane kitchen cook stove and only needed to strike a match to light the burners. I keep plenty of water for drinking and cooking (had 12 gallons), so was able to make the brine and have water for heating the lid and semi-sort-of-mini-hot water bath.

The power went off for about four hours on Saturday and Sunday afternoons – right when the fans really help cool the house and when I usually have a soaker hose on the vegetables. At least it came back on by evening and I was able to irrigate.

Happy gardening!

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

 

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Liz Writes Life 8-12-2020

 August 12, 2020

Liz Writes Life

Church in Nevada

A coalition of church groups, in Nevada, can’t seem to catch a break. After the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Nevada governor’s edict stating only 50 people can attend any religious service, a group called “Evangelicals for Trump” decided to hold a church service at the Ahern Hotel and Convention Center in Las Vegas on Aug. 7, 2020. The dispute is that casinos are allowed a much larger population of up to 50 percent the maximum recommended for a room or facility.

Many evangelical leaders claim the biased restrictions infringe on their First Amendment right. So, they rented a convention room with a legal maximum of 1,600 individuals. About 500 people attended. Temperatures were checked and masks were worn with social distancing encouraged.

Nevada’s governor was immediately notified of the religious event in the casino and sent a letter demanding compliance to his regulation of a maximum of 50 people attending a religious service. A $250 fine was levied against the evangelical event’s organizers and also the owner of the casino.

Yes, religious folks are frustrated and want at least equal treatment. I learned of another religious group that decided to hold their service inside a Pennsylvania Walmart back on June 26, 2020. The group claimed that if people can go to a large grocery store, it seems absurd they couldn’t attend religious services. I am not sure of the result of the Walmart event.

Must say, I sure don’t understand why Nevada casinos can house a large number of gamblers, but a church service of more than 50 people can’t be held there. Our U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are being trampled by our own governments in a variety of ways.

Bundys

There is good news for Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, 74, his family and some of his supporters. Recently, the federal government tried to overturn a decision by U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro, who declared a mistrial with prejudice back in January 2018. As a result, the Bundys and other pre-trial incarcerated men walked free. Cliven Bundy, his sons and other men had been held in prison for nearly two years before the trial.

Federal prosecutors spent millions of dollars in attempting to prosecute Bundy and 19 men for their roles in the Bunkerville protest of 2014 and over-played their hand, when it was revealed federal lawmen did have a “kill list” for the Bundy family; and the feds did indeed have snipers surrounding the Bundy ranch family homes; and the feds did have on-going video camera surveillance of the Bundys that was not revealed by the prosecution.

So after nearly three months of the appeal working through the court system, last Thursday, the 9^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in San Francisco, denied the federal prosecutors their appeal of Judge Navarro’s 2018 decision. And it looks like the decision is final. Unfortunately, Judge Navarro did have the authority to punish the federal government’s prosecutors for their deceptions and did not.

The Bundy, and supporters, situation was complicated. Cliven Bundy maintains the federal government has no jurisdiction over Nevada state lands. That is where his fight has been with the federal Bureau of Land Management and his grazing rights. He says his cattle grazing contract is not with the BLM. So far, this state versus federal land issue has not been settled.

Elks fundraiser

A fundraiser will be held for the Yreka Elks Lodge #1980 on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020 at Black’s Appliance Parking lot by Walmart. The Covid-19 lockdown has adversely affected the lodge, which is trying to stay open and viable. It will be helpful for the $20 tickets to be purchased early, so they know how much to cook. Call 530-842-1980 or 530-340-3443 to get your tickets.

Dave Tyler is the grill master for this tasty dinner that includes Kahlua pulled pork or barbecue chicken thighs, Island Macaroni Salad, Island rice, cabbage slaw with pineapple, Kings Hawaiian rolls and cookies. This comes as a boxed dinner in an easy access drive-thru.

Eating more beef

Apparently, the Covid-19 virus lockdown has not diminished our desire for meat. Several of the farm news sites recently announced an increase of beef sales during the pandemic. Since March 15, 2020, the dollar sales are up 35 percent over the same period last year. Apparently, this translates into an additional $7.7 billion in meat department sales, which included $3.5 billion for beef, $1.1 billion for chicken and $814 million for pork.

With the restaurant industry hammered and closed by the pandemic, people have looked-up recipes and lighted the barbecue doing their own cooking of their favorite foods. Early-on during the pandemic, there were some infrastructure supply-line problems, but the livestock industry couldn’t slow down and Americans have continued eating meat.

Garden

The cucumbers are starting to come on and I was able to can two quarts of dill pickles last week. Yay! There are plenty of volunteer dill plants in the garden. Some are five feet tall. I cleaned the dry stems and dirt-covered paper-layers from the garlic that I dug-up in July and ended-up with 21 bulbs. They all have nice-sized cloves. I was happy to have both dill and garlic ready to go for the pickles.

The 10 comfrey plants that I transplanted in June are doing well with lots of leaves and some are nearly two-feet tall. Yep, old timers told me you can’t kill comfrey!

Also the onions that I transplanted a month ago are growing well with some over a foot tall. Last week, I weeded them a second time and put some dry grass clippings around them for mulch.

I am pleased with the five tomato plants. Two are nearly five-feet tall and all have lots of green tomatoes. Couldn’t believe how fast the harvested rhubarb plant has grown back. The one green bean plant is growing well despite the moles that are still making lots of tunnels that I try to mash down every morning.

Hope your garden is doing well!

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

 

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Liz Writes Life 8-5-2020

Aug. 5, 2020

Liz Writes Life

U.S. Supreme Court

Last week, I wrote about a “fake” news story that may not be so fake. Apparently, the author of the fake story sensed the U.S. Supreme Court would rule against a Nevada church that claimed the state was treating houses of worship less favorably than it does casinos, restaurants and amusement parks. Those businesses have been limited to 50 percent of their legal capacities, yet churches have been subject to a flat 50-person maximum in Nevada.

This U.S. Supreme Court anti-church decision was made last week and followed the same type of decision by the court, in May, when a California church argued its capacity restrictions were more severe than many secular gatherings.

These two recent decisions have religions concerned and I agree with the dissenting opinion of Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., who wrote that the Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion. Then, he said the Constitution says nothing about the freedom to play craps or blackjack or slot machines.

Nine U.S. Senators are showing their concern about the situation and wrote a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to stop states and cities from “discrimination” against people seeking to practice their religion. The senators are led by Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who believes there is more the federal government can do to stop this discrimination at the state level. Lee added a list of reasons for support and said that “religious liberty matters.” I agree.

So, we will see if Nevada churches start installing slot machines, so they can increase the legal size of their congregations? 

Garden

I am so sorry that I complained about the zucchini not producing very well last week. That has changed and overnight several zuccs doubled in size. Well, it is August and that is when things start producing. Started picking cucumbers and they are sweet! That is so important. I guess the amount of water they are getting is right. A month ago, I went to the cupboard to get a quart of dill pickles and couldn’t find any. Didn’t realize I had eaten them all!

So, I made sure I have all the supplies I need to can pickles. There are lots of volunteer dill plants in the garden. Some are four-feet tall and starting to dry up. I had to search for canning lids and ended-up buying them with rings. That was OK, cuz a lot of my rings are not in good shape.

Accidentally, pulled on a potato vine popping a bunch of red potatoes above the soil. So, I started scraping the area with my hand and kept digging out potatoes – over 10 pounds! And that was from just one plant. I had some red potatoes in the refrig that I haven’t eaten, so I called a friend and gave this batch away. Now to just get rid of 15 pounds of zucchini!

Pirates

Last week, the Yreka High School Drama Club was able to present its performance of “Pirates of Penzance” at Hibbard Field in Yreka. Originally, the play was planned for the end of March, but covid-19 pandemic stopped the performance. A young friend of mine was playing a lead and I had never heard him sing, so I wanted to attend. He did a really good job!

I mention this event, because I am so pleased that the leaders -- like YHS Music Director Eric Seiler -- and so many others decided the show must go on. It was an enjoyable, fun play with the community orchestra adding wonderful accompaniment for the opera singers. Several friends attended with me and we were impressed with the quality of the singers. It was a positive outcome for these teens and I hope it gave them a confidence boost during this time of lockdown.

A strange scam

Several weeks ago, about 1,000 residents throughout the United States received unsolicited packages of seeds that seemed to be mailed from China and had Chinese writing on the package. USDA has been investigating and has identified many of the seeds as mustard, cabbage, mint, sage, rosemary, lavender and flowers like morning glory and hibiscus. Those who have received the seeds have been asked to send them to USDA and not to plant them.

The mystery surrounding the mailings is still unclear, but some have suggested it could be a “brushing scam” where people receive the unsolicited items and the proposed seller posts false customer reviews to boost sales. Whatever it is, this is a bit unnerving. So, I guess we need to be vigilant about our mail and question odd things for sure.

Klamath dams

California Gov. Gavin Newsom caused concern last week, when he sent a letter to Warren Buffett, owner of Berkshire Hathaway and PacifiCorp, urging the destruction of four hydro-electric dams in the Klamath River. This was after the recent decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to bind the non-profit Klamath River Renewal Corp., to PacifiCorp as potential co-licensees of the dams.

First, PacifiCorp has up to six months to decide if it wants to be a co-licensee with KRRC. The decision has yet to be announced. Second, the cost and liabilities of environmental damage from dam destruction is a major concern for PacifiCorp and has yet to truly be determined. 

Hum, I wonder if this is just a flamboyant ploy, by Newsom, to appease the Tribes and environmental groups that want the dams destroyed. I believe funding from the State of California for its portion of the destruction of the Klamath dams is no longer available. So, why the big news article by L.A. Times, Indian Country Today.com and other news outlets about Newsom’s letter to Buffett? (More fake news!)

Maybe it is because there is some good headway happening at the federal administration level regarding the Klamath issues. Congressman Doug LaMalfa recently announced the Bureau of Reclamation will utilize over $1 million to review and update the 20 to 30 years-old science that has burdened the entire Klamath Basin. This is really good news for those of us hoping the Klamath dams will be saved. Please continue to question any headlines about removal of the Klamath dams.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

 

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Liz Writes Life 7-29-2020

July 29, 2020

Liz Writes Life

Garden

Loved, loved, loved the heavy hour-long rain we received last Wednesday night. One previously-empty bucket had over an inch in it. Yep, didn’t have to irrigate for nearly two days. But, I sure don’t like the fires that start from the lightning. Good luck and prayers for firefighters and safety personnel! Go get ‘um!

Surprisingly, the zucchini babies have not grown much this past week. The plants are huge and the leaves stayed happy through this heat. But, there are over a dozen zucchini that are only about four-inches long. I picked one that was close to five inches. The plants are healthy with lots of blooms, so I don’t have the faintest idea why the actual vegetables are being slow. The first zucchinis I picked seemed to double in size overnight. One caught me off-guard at nine-inches long, but that was two weeks ago. Hum, puzzling.

I see baby cantaloupe starting and several tomato plants are boasting quite a few green tomatoes. There is one tiny bell pepper starting as well. Yay!

One rhubarb plant had some stems kinda drying-up, which is strange, cuz it gets plenty of water. So I harvested about half of it. Most stems pulled right out with a little wiggling, which to me means they were ready for harvest. The plant looks funky with half the stems gone. I used the huge leaves to mulch around the plant and to cover the center of the plant to protect it from the sun. On Sunday afternoon, in the 100 degree heat, the plant was doing fine. Whew!

I have been told to only harvest a few stems at a time, but these plants are prolific and huge at five to six-feet wide with very tall stems and giant leaves. They seem to need the mature stems removed and typically grow back to a large plant within a month. So far, I haven’t killed them and they are producing well. Guess, what I am doing is working. Normally, I don’t like to harvest during a hot spell, but this plant needed some clean-up.

The snapdragons and feverfew are dying back and need to be trimmed. Under the pine tree, several four o’clocks are nearly three-feet tall and producing white trumpets flowers. I am a little bummed. I like the bright yellow, pink and red blossoms and will not likely get them this year, because I let these volunteer from last year’s plants; and have found they tend to revert to white. But, I love the green foliage and mixed with the ever-expanding tall pink Japanese anemones, it is starting to look like a jungle! Another yay!

The six-foot tall pincushion dahlia opened its first multicolored pink-yellow blooms. This plant also demands a lot of water and wilts by mid-afternoon if it doesn’t get enough in the morning. (It looks so sad!) Oh, yeah, the lavender phlox are in full bloom. Ummm, I love their scent -- reminds me of picking raspberries at Mrs. Wixom’s house on Etna’s Main Street, when I was a kid. They bloomed throughout her many rows of raspberry plants.

New scam

Well, this one is interesting and may not happen here, but it is certainly worth exposing. This is about car-jacking. The would-be offender sticks a piece of paper, receipt, flyer, etc, to your back window. After you are in the car and see the paper, while backing out, it is natural to stop, get out and remove the paper. This is when they attack you and take your car. If you are a woman, your purse is likely in the car with money and personal info.

So, check your back window (and front car window) before you get in your car. If you didn’t and there is a paper there, leave it! Keep doors locked and drive away from the area. Geez, the bad guys and gals are getting trickier and trickier.

Church restrictions

With all the rules and regulations regarding covid-19, some things just seem odd – and I won’t go into all the rioting and those frustrating issues. So, this story caught my eye.

In Carson City, NV the Calvary Chapel of the Desert was informed by the state that it was violating strict restrictions of church gatherings – apparently there were too many people in the building. Pastor Chuck Carver thought about the situation and figured out a clever way around the requirements. He installed slot machines in the church.

“We put up slot machines and bam – no more restrictions,” Chuck told “The Babylon Bee” news. “The authorities dispersed and we pretty much get to do whatever we want.”

He admitted it was “kinda goofy” preaching his sermon in front of the blinking lights. On the upside, he added that the slot machines are making up for tithing the church has lost over the last few months of no-gathering allowed. And, yep, some of the congregants were testing their luck putting a few quarters into the machines. I wondered if he was likely to preach about the risks and sin of gambling?

Now, I gotta admit that I was taken-in by this “fake news” story. It seemed a bit farfetched, but times are strange. I questioned the name of the news site “The Babylon Bee” and did some internet investigating and found it writes Christian satire. So, if you repeat this story be sure to acknowledge it is satire, but it could be pretty close to the truth! Hope I made you smile!

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

 

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Liz Writes Life 7-22-2020

July 22, 2020

Liz Writes Life

Back in April, I wrote about Britain’s Colonel Tom Moore, who at age 99 decided to walk the circumference of his garden 100 times (using his walker) with the goal of raising 1,000 pounds for the country’s National Health Service charities during this covid-19 pandemic. His project was posted on Twitter as Tom began his daily 10 laps. Donations poured-in and he completed those laps. But the donations didn’t stop, so neither did Tom. People were excited by his determination and tenacity. He was also applauded for his service in the British Army during World War II. That was a while ago!

On April 30, 2020, Tom turned 100 and was heralded as Britain’s newest sensation. He recorded a 1945 hit song with famous singer Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir. The song went viral on-line and Tom became the oldest person to top the UK’s music chart. The song is named, “You’ll never walk alone.”

Money continued to flow into the NHS charity account from well-over a million donors and has topped more than 32 million pounds. Yep, that is amazing. Then supporters began pushing for a knighthood for the centenarian. In June, British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, submitted a special nomination to Queen Elizabeth II asking for the extremely high honor.

So, Capt. Tom Moore, who was given the honorary title of Captain on his birthday, received another honor last week. One that he likely never dreamed he would receive, especially at the age of 100. He was knighted by the Queen on the lawn at Windsor Castle – the first during this pandemic. Social distancing was observed. And, I don’t think he was expected to kneel, although he did bow a bit supported by his walker!

The Queen personally praised Sir Tom Moore thanking him for “an amazing amount of money you raised.” He wore his World War II uniform and his family was in attendance to celebrate the event.

Wow, what a great feel-good story. Just reminds us that good things can happen at any time in our life!

Klamath dams

There is more good news, at least for those that want to save the Klamath dams from destruction. Surprisingly, last week, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission made a decision about the dams. The non-profit Klamath River Renewal Corp. has been demanding the transfer of the hydro-electric power license from PacifiCorp through FERC. In an unexpected move, FERC approved a “partial transfer of the license for the Lower Klamath Project from PacifiCorp (transferor) to the Renewal Corporation (transferee), contingent on PacifiCorp remaining on as a co-licensee.” This is quote is directly from the July 16, 2020 FERC meeting.

FERC makes it clear that this order does not allow for the removal of the four hydro-electric Klamath dams. Further, PacifiCorp must agree to be a co-licensee with the non-profit KRRC. It was noted that KRRC does not have experience in the demolition of dams.

Ultimately, it is the many unaddressed and unacknowledged liabilities from dam destruction that is the real sticky wicket.

Our Congressman Doug LaMalfa has been pushing hard to save the Klamath dams along with Siskiyou County and other groups in bringing attention to the adverse environmental problems that will result from dam destruction.

LaMalfa’s recent statement is straight forward. “The commission’s order today reinforces what I have been saying since KRRC’s inception: KRRC is incapable of handling any hydropower project. Rather, KRRC is nothing more than a shell corporation created for California, Oregon and other supporters of dam removal to avoid liability and leave local communities to clean up the mess they would create.”

"This order clears the way to stop this terrible project without wasting more of California taxpayer funds or Oregon ratepayer dollars," LaMalfa continued. “PacifiCorp should instead pursue relicensing of all four Klamath dams, ensuring the Basin continues to receive ample carbon free, clean power for years to come.”

So, folks, there is hope!

Garden

A lot has happened in two weeks! The three zucchini plants are huge and producing. Boy, am I going to be sorry growing three plants. Trying to find takers of zucchini (in a month) will not be easy. Yep, I will likely have to resort to leaving it in unlocked cars on Main Street. Beware!

Tall volunteer dill plants are ready for use in making pickles and, finally, the cucumbers are spreading-out and have some blossoms – as do the cantaloupes, although the plants are still small at about a foot wide. The bell pepper plants are small, too, but the older red potato plants are starting to die back and ready for eating.

Five staked tomato plants are huge with blossoms and some green fruit. The sixth plant just stopped growing, so I pulled it out. The roots looked OK. Don’t have the faintest idea why it was so puny.

The transplanted onions did really well and doubled in size. I should have dug-up the garlic a week sooner, because some tops dried up so much that they disintegrated and I don’t think I found all the bulbs. But, ended-up with over 20 bulbs and some are quite large.

Summer flowers of giant Shasta daisy, red bee balm, tall yellow yarrow and blooming pink, red and white hollyhocks are happy as long as they get enough water. Oh my, the gladioli are gorgeous with yellow, lavender, white and peach blooms. So, now to just keep everything well-watered in this heat, yep, that’s the challenge.  

Fire

Like many, I am sending love and blessings to the firefighters and safety personnel working the Badger Fire and others. May homes and Yreka be saved from destruction and all fires squashed as quickly as possible.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

 

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