Misc blather Archives

What’s wrong with this picture?

By lifstrand | July 3, 2024 - 7:00 pm |July 3, 2024 Critters, Homesteading

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I’ll give you a hint about what’s wrong: The horse on the right is a stallion, the horse on the left is his daughter. There is no fence between them. Story to follow.

Of valerian and other out-of-control issues

By lifstrand | June 28, 2024 - 1:10 am |June 28, 2024 Art, Critters, Dark Green, Homesteading, Writing Business

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Before I say anything else, I want to mention that the flowers in the photo at left are pink valerian and orange marigold. When I found the valerian plant at a local nursery I got excited. I’ve discovered that valerian helps me get to sleep and I thought it would… Continue reading →

The value of education

By lifstrand | April 28, 2024 - 9:11 pm |April 28, 2024 Art, Education, Writing Business

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“College is not about grades. No one cares what grades you got in college. College is about exploring. Just try stuff.” That’s what Kevin Kelly says in his book, Excellent Advice for Living. I agree! After learning the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, I believe the value of any… Continue reading →

Progress reports

By lifstrand | March 10, 2024 - 7:39 pm |March 10, 2024 Dark Green, Misc blather

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Spring is almost here, which is not to say that winter is over. But I have news! At least three tulip bulbs survived the winter, so that’s some kind of progress, isn’t it? On the other hand, an unidentified critter has been munching on the tulips and the crocus, so… Continue reading →

Mac & cheese

By lifstrand | February 12, 2024 - 9:33 pm |February 12, 2024 Food, Misc blather

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This is a true story about today’s lunch, mac & cheese. This is how I cook. Kids, don’t try this at home. Every day I have a huge salad for my main meal. Except I never seem to be able to time my shopping in order to have enough ingredients… Continue reading →

National Days

By lifstrand | January 5, 2024 - 9:39 pm |January 5, 2024 Misc blather

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Whoever dreamed up all these National Days and Months must be a really irritating person. Read a Book Day (September 6)? National Selfie Day (June 21)? Really? Have you looked at Facebook or Twitter/X lately? Everybody posts selfies all day every day – we don’t need a special day to… Continue reading →

Burning down the house

By lifstrand | December 26, 2023 - 8:22 pm |December 26, 2023 Homesteading, Misc blather

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An interesting morning so far. I almost burned down the house. Fun fact: almost burning down the house is not just interesting – it’s actually quite exciting. But also stupid. Just sayin’. I’ve been smelling an odd odor in one corner of my studio lately. Kind of onion-like. Not a… Continue reading →

Winter solstice

By lifstrand | December 21, 2023 - 10:24 pm |December 21, 2023 Food, Misc blather

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What better way to celebrate the winter solstice, having survived the cold dark hours of the longest night of the year and to greet the return of increasingly longer days, than by baking a loaf of bread? And let me tell you what a joy it is to be able… Continue reading →

Raven on the roof

By lifstrand | October 1, 2023 - 5:32 pm |October 1, 2023 Critters, Misc blather

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I’ve got lots of news to report but I’m too busy so here’s a raven photo. I call this bird my barn raven, because she/he/it hangs out with my horses. My raven is usually alone even though there are plenty of other ravens that live in and above my valley…. Continue reading →

Pesto = stuff of the gods

By lifstrand | September 12, 2023 - 7:17 pm |September 12, 2023 Food, Misc blather

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Pesto. Is there anything as good, as rich, as satisfying? Pesto is the stuff of the gods, it is. And I can make it myself! Wait – I just did make it myself! My basil plant was starting to flower. I needed to nip those buds off, but just one… Continue reading →