A Hodgepodge Update for Mid-August

Rather than leave you hanging without a weekly update, I decided to give you a hodgepodge of the little things going on. 

 

Caleb is enjoying his second grade curriculum.  I was quite impressed with him the other day when during his math lesson he insisted we had the same flowers in our yard as the flowers in the lesson.  He went out, picked the flower, and came back in with a flower identical to the picture. 

Mid week, we lost our sweet little goat, Cupcake.  She became hypothermic and was unable to maintain the temperature on her own. 

I processed the quail Thursday morning and put them in the refrigerator until last night when I prepared Smothered Quail with Onions and Mushrooms.  

I noticed yesterday that my loofah gourd is FINALLY in bloom.  I am anxious to see if these plants actually produce a decent loofah or two or three. I have been trying for years to grow loofah. 

I harvested several zucchini from the garden and dehydrated them.  

I had every intention of preserving some eggs by dehydration, but the trays I ordered for liquid were warped.  Since the order was made back in April, I had to reach out to Nesco who was prompt to send out a replacement for the faulty items. So, I was only able to dehydrate about 10 eggs.  If you are curious, these are reconstituted by using 1 tablespoon of egg powder to 1 1/2 tablespoons of water. 

Yesterday I did some work in the garden and harvested some of those strange gourds I am growing.  I didn't intentionally grow these, but they are beautiful.  I am unsure if they are able to be eaten.  

While in the garden, I discovered a major infestation of squash bugs.  I pulled a dead vine out, but stood pondering my options to eliminate the pressure. It was overwhelming to say the least.  I sprayed neem and dishsoap, but it did nothing.  So, I did the next best thing: hand picked what I could.  (I want to mention, there were so many squash bugs it appeared the ground was moving after I pulled out the half dead vine and another gourd vine.)   I probably removed a hundred or so bugs. 

There really isn't much else to update on the garden since the fall garden only recently was planted.  When those things start taking off, I will definitely update.  

The cats, Sully and Max, are in quarantine for ringworm.  They just received their second dip today.  I have also started dipping Smokie, the young kitten we found.  The kids said they saw ringworm on his foot, but I didn't see anything.  Regardless, he is being treated as well.  The other two cats, Bob and Molly, are safe for now.  I see zero evidence of ringworm, probably because they are the adventurous ones and stay to themselves in the great outdoors.  Max and Sully, on the other hand, are brothers and spend so much time with each other that they both have evidence of the sores.  

The whole family has had varying amounts of ringworm as well.  We are trying to rid ourselves of this ridiculous fungus, but the spots, although not contagious, do hang around for quite some time.  It is simply a matter of being faithful with cleanliness and keeping the spots that may appear covered with a bandage and anti-fungal cream. Oh!  And the constant amount of laundry!! 

Well, I hope the week goes well for all of you.  Forgive any errors in my writing.