10/17: Bits and Pieces

Here's just a few thoughts:

New View Group:
See: http://newviewgroupllc.lefora.com/forum/category/all/page1/

We finally got our forum's topics all set up; looks good, doesn't it!! For those interested in having a "backyard grocery", there's the gardening topics, like pests, container gardening, and companion planting. And for those who want to help the new kids of today, there's the "kids" topics like labels, "planet protectors", education, and special gifts. Please feel free to check out our forum, and contribute to or start a discussion!

Backyard Grocery:
Our across-the-street neighbor has a couple of apple trees in his back yard. Doug and I noticed them as we were walking our dog, Spirit, past his house last week. A day later, Doug walked over and asked the owner if he would trade some of his apples (yellow and red) for some of our tomatoes. The neighbor said we could have as many as we want; he hadn't sprayed them this year and they were full of worms. We took over 2 plastic crates, but found only enough decent apples to cover the bottom of each. Unfortunately we had to leave many because they had squirrel bites or worms or were rotten. (In exchange, we took over a gallon-size baggie of tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, etc.)

We've dehydrated some (yum - with cinnamon), and plan to dry some more tomorrow (Saturday). It's a time consuming process because of all of the rotten and wormy areas. Then once the dehydrator is loaded again, we'll use the rest to make homemade applesauce. First time!

I walked outside today to check on the front yard sunflowers, and was amazed. A butterfly had alighted on the biggest sunflower. For a good 5 minutes I watched it go from one bit to another, went inside for the camera, and since it was still there, I snapped a few pictures of it. I'll post them when I can get a moment to download them.

Kid Whispers:
Weslee continues to amaze me. He's terrified of spiders but he sweetly and efficiently waters our tomato plants, indoor and out. He must have said "thank you" to me a hundred times today.

When do children outgrow their love for the cartoons they loved when they were preschoolers?

Thanks for reading! Vikki... http://www.newviewgroupllc.com/