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posted by Michael on 05/12/12

The other day I was able to photograph a few of my buddies in the orchard. (All pictures taken May 7th)
Do you see anything special here?

Here’s a better look at our NEW RECRUITS! Adorable!

A few minutes after taking the above pictures, I witnessed something else. Hurrah for Mrs Wasp! She just caught a horrid caterpillar off the plum tree and is devouring it with a vengeance! Good job!

I have a special place in my heart for these next beloved allies. I found an Eastern Milk Snake here about four feet long once. They are usually very tame and fun to play with, but while I’m asleep at night they are working to rid me of some of my worst enemies: meadow voles!

Speaking of fun, this little critter serves for entertainment whenever it is needed. Lay them on their back and they pop themselves up into the air in order to get them selves right side up again. Click beetles or “skipjacks” come in many sizes and colors, but by far the most common around hear are the little brown ones that are easy to find hiding near the tips of shoots. I’m not sure if they do as much practical good as some species do (like the Eyed Elater which dines on harmful pests) but they don’t do any harm either, so we get along just fine. (The damage you see on the shoot tip was done by a leaf-roller caterpillar.)

I must mention the lady bug. They are often hated for infesting houses in the fall, but if you like apples, or anything made from apples, or even wheat for that matter, don’t be too hasty in your condemnation. Aphids are very destructive pests that spread disease and stunt growth of important crops. Ladybird Beetles hunt them down and chew them up with splendid voracity!

There are many other highly beneficial friends that work along with me in the orchard that did not allow me to take their pictures that day. Wonderful birds like the Nuthatches and Brown Creepers, and countless spiders and pollinating insects and soil-dwellers, who do more than I could ever thank them for to keep things in balance. It’s an amazing place to be!

“O LORD, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches.”
Psalm 104:24

5 Comments » | posted in Possessing the Land

posted by Michael on 05/8/12

We’ve had snow in April before, but it is usually just a light dusting, and early in the month. What made it especially unusual this year was the warm weather preceding it, which had caused many plants to  leaf out and bloom early. This situation enabled us to take pictures of the snow with things like nearly ripe honeyberries, young peaches and blueberries, Autumn Olive in full bloom, and raspberry flower buds. How much would it damage our frost tender plants and young fruits?

Thankfully the temperature did not quite dip down to freezing, and even our hardy kiwi’s new growth was unharmed by the snow! There had been some freeze damage earlier in the year, but thankfully nothing additional due to the snow. In the afternoon the snow was gone, and the next day the hillside was sparkling with buttercups again and the bees were buzzing as if nothing had happened.

He sendeth forth His commandment upon earth:
His word runneth very swiftly.
He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes…
He sendeth out His word, and melteth them:
He causeth His wind to blow, and the waters flow.
Psalm 147:16 and 18

5 Comments » | posted in Possessing the Land

posted by Michael on 04/21/12

Gus Douglas, the long standing Commissioner of Agriculture in West Virginia reported some good news in his April 2012 update.

“In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court last month settled the dispute over ownership of streambeds and stream banks, ruling that landowners, not government, are the rightful owners. President Bob Stallman said farmers and ranchers prevailed with the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of landowner property rights in the case PPL v. Montana. …It was further noted that this decision helps ensure farmers and ranchers will not have to pay the government for use of land or water from streambeds that run alongside or through their property. This ruling is for farmers and ranchers nationwide and all private property owners.”

Secondly, “The  court recognized that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was arbitrary in assuming that any increase above pristine nutrient levels is harmful. …To further reinforce landowner rights a U.S. District Court in Tallahassee, Florida, has ruled that the EPA-imposed numeric nutrient criteria for Florida streams and unimpaired lakes are unlawful because they are arbitrary and have no scientific basis. This good news was reported in the FBNews, March 5, 2012.”

With all freedom comes responsibility. It is farmers’ and ranchers’ job to go to any length necessary protect the quality of the water that so much depends on, both on the farm and beyond.

Leave a Comment » | posted in Politics, Possessing the Land

posted by Michael on 04/9/12

As the United States Supreme Court heard the case against government controlled health care less than two weeks ago, over 4,000 freedom-loving Americans rallied in Washington DC and let their voices be heard. It appears federal government thought it could nail down its absolute control over every last corner of our lives and decisions, no matter what the people or the constitution say. Good Samaritan Ministries reports that “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently made the final announcement confirming that federal health care regulations will be forced on citizens, even those with opposing beliefs.” But as the administration puts its foot down, it finds a lot of nails standing up in the opposite direction.

It could be that Europe has experienced some benefits along with their government-run health care. But that’s Europe. Americans don’t give up freedom for ease. Otherwise the United States would never have been born. Remember Patrick Henry. Remember our fathers who against all foreseeable odds set their firm reliance on divine Providence and won the liberty for good people to make their own decisions without hindrance.

And the voice of freedom will again be heard. No matter how hard the tyrants press the people to conform to their agenda, true American patriots will still say “Give me liberty or give me death.” And we praise the Lord for those patriots who make their voices heard to avoid the deadly “spiral of silence” before it is too late. Lord willing, the Supreme Court will have the wisdom to remember that we have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. And if not, well, the fight has just begun.

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Michael on 02/6/12

Its has already been four years since I first wrote about growing rosemary outdoors up here in the mountains! I still do not know if anyone else grows rosemary outdoors year-round in north-central  West Virginia. But the Creator has given us a treasure in the Rosemary plant with many hygienic, culinary and medicinal uses. Can a plant that loves a hot dry climate and sandy soil survive in a cool damp climate with clay soil?

There is one hurtle to jump in growing Rosemary here. Other than that, I have found our ‘Madeline Hill’ hardy Rosemary an easy-to-care-for herb. No pruning needed, or fertilizing, or watering even in drought, and no disease or insect problems. Harvest is easy, and as a seasoning, a little goes a long way. It even dries quickly for preservation and has a lot more flavor than the who-knows-how-old stuff from the store.

Winter protection is the mysterious hurtle. Protection from constant dampness may be more important than insulation from the cold and wind, at least to a degree. The tag that came with our Madeline Hill plant said it would survive –15 F, and I have seen it survive –3 F without protection. Plant it on the south side of a wall or foundation – and if the eves protect it from too much moisture, that is all the better.

If you feel you will need to insulate it, just watch the forecast for dangerous temperatures… and when they have arrived, put a support over the plant and drape something over it like several layers of burlap or blankets. I would recommend a final waterproof layer. It is nice to uncover it in warmer sunnier weather, and it is not too much work to cover it up again once or twice during the winter if needed. I would insulate any rosemary plant in its first winter if the temperature goes below +15 degrees F.

I hope you give it a try!

Yes, our original ‘Madeline Hill’ plant is still thriving, and we have a 2nd one now. If you are interested, here are some details on winter protection  and survival experiences since the last update…

(more…)

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