Naturalizing

Several years ago we decided to gradually reduce the amount of turf grass in the yard and seed it into native plants as pollinator habitat. 

It takes several years for these plants to establish themselves; nevertheless the ‘upland’ location (where the ancient farmhouse foundation is buried) is putting-on its own fireworks display. A seasonally “squishy" section at the north edge of the yard that is doing really well too. I figure as summer progresses more species are going to continue to pop.

Last fall, I retired my big garden adjacent to the machine shed and it was seeded into natives. At the present it is looking quite raggedy and rough and is due to receive some spot treatment of weeds.

There remains a section along the side of the road that was sprayed Tuesday.  After it is thoroughly dead it will be tilled under and seeded this fall. If you don’t like seeing wildflowers along the side of the road you’re likely one of those Godless Communists I’m hearing so much about from certain of my acquaintances.

Bottom line; less turf = less maintenance. More flowers = more pollinators = happier birds.

In case you’re wondering about the dump trailer in the driveway you’ll have to wait.

Bee balm (wild bergamot)

Black-eyed Susans

False sunflower (Oxeye)

Feverfew (wild quinine)

 

Motherwort

Update From The Oriole Ranch

This past week the Orioles really began hammering the feeders.  In four days I've gone thru two 30 oz. Jars of grape jelly and a navel orange.  As of last Monday we had not spotted any fledglings.

That changed on Tuesday with the appearance of the Graduating Class of 2026 having fledged the nest to come to the feeders. 

They still haven’t completely figured-out how to feed themselves so it is hilarious to observe the youngsters alight and then chatter and whine for an adult to feed them.

They’ll get the hang of it before too long.

Here are some photos from Thursday courtesy of the Oriole Cam on the porch…..

 

Friday Morning Technology

I've touched on the nostalgia of 80s computing technology and pricing before. 

Here's a nostalgic compilation of television advertisements featuring home computing pioneers such as Apple, Atari, Commodore, Tandy and Texas Instruments.  Early marketing strategies featured family educational applications, gaming, the transition from typewriters to word processors and the quantum leap to 24K of memory.  

Burgess Meredith does voice-over for Commodore, Ed Grover was the voice of Apple in the 80s and even Bill Cosby pitches  for Texas Instruments.

Oh to be able to travel back in time to share the capabilities of the latest and greatest iPhone. 

Weed Alert!

I found this growing in our newer backyard pollinator habitat.

Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), a perennial legume with small, yellow, pea-like flowers.  It is known for a sprawling growth habit and is commonly found along roadsides, in meadows, and in waste areas.

It is used as a forage crop due to its winter hardiness and ability to tolerate poor soil conditions; nevertheless, as a native to Eurasia and not North America it is a weed or invasive species.  

I'll nuke with some RoundUp first opportunity.

 

Garden To Table

I collected seven harvests of spinach from one of my raised garden beds already.  We love fresh spinach.  Yesterday I resowed one of the two rows.  My second sowing of radishes is poised for picking and last evening we had fresh garden lettuce on grilled burgers.  Everything else is coming along nicely.

 

Anyway, I made a loaded quiche recently with onion, bacon, Gruyère and garden spinach along with a rich egg and cream custard. 

 

Pretty good chow. 

 

The secret is the crust. It is made with lard….

 

 

Oldtime Baseball

While the Door County Baseball League holds itself out as one of America's oldest, continuously operating, amateur baseball leagues it doesn't hold the pole position.  It's pretty close, though.

Founded in 1914 the National Amateur Baseball Federation is the absolute oldest.

Followed by the Boston Park League founded in 1929.

Who is the absolute oldest is a matter of some controversy and dispute as a consequence of amateur vs. semi-pro, reorganizations and continuity. 

The Door County league was founded in 1931 and does hold an unbroken record of never missing a season.  It survived the Great Depression, managed to continue playing for the duration of World War II and the COVID pandemic.  Not many amateur leagues can make that claim.

So, even though it's not the oldest, this year is its 95th season of uninterrupted, small town  amateur baseball.  Which is a big claim considering the county's population (give or take) has grown from 18,000 people in 1930 to 30,000 people nowadays.

Photo - Kolberg Braves 

So if your visiting on a weekend and want to hop in the Mule with us and drive down the road about a mile to Kolberg for some Sunday afternoon baseball there's a good chance you and your sweetie can catch a Kolberg Braves home game.  Admission, a couple of beers and a hotdog might set you back $20 (all-in) so it's a bargain by any measure.

That's what made America Great!  

You can learn more here.

Summer Blooms

Meet the Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), a hardy native perennial.

Frequently found in prairies, butterfly gardens and household flowerbeds this plant loves full sun and is a favorite for pollinators and wildlife habitats.  These flowers typically bloom from July through September; consequently, they've got some staying power and you can enjoy them all summer long.