Free Trees!

 I make it a policy to refrain from complaining.  But, truth be told, I have to admit...

we are a bit droopy, around here, from the heat.  

The best times of day to do anything (grazing included) are very early mornings and later in the evenings.

 In other words, when the sun is out - we avoid melting.

The thermometer reached the mid-nineties yesterday with high humidity. 

 It's the humidity that makes the summer heat difficult for all.  I envy those places that enjoy dry heat.  Central Pennsylvania can be a sauna in the summertime.  And yet... by week's end it is to be a bit cooler.  I'll be celebrating!

Yesterday was a busy farm work day.  We mowed everything.  Then I worked in the garden for just a little while... pruning all of the tomatoes and tying them to stakes.  I am amazed by the amount of little tomatoes that are hanging on the plants... as well as the amount of peppers that are now visible.  It seems like the garden is producing earlier this year.  Perhaps it's the heat.

Garden watering was saved for evening time.  It's so pleasant to be there at that time when the sun is down and the bugs have gone to bed!

 A couple weeks ago I mentioned that I had cut some branches from our willow tree and stuck them in potting soil... hoping to propagate new trees.  Within a couple of weeks, those branches looked completely dead - all the leaves dried up and fell off.  I kept my fingers crossed and kept watering them and in a couple more weeks new leaves grew.

Last week, I repotted each of the little trees into large pots.  I was happy to see that they each had grown a good amount of roots.

Now I have three new trees started that I will plant this autumn.  I am going to try this with a few of my bushes as well.  I'll let you know how it goes.  There's nothing better than free trees!

Today, Amanda arrives from Colorado.  We have not seen her in a year- and we are very excited!  I know she is excited to visit... and especially to see all the animals again.  Annie will be especially happy to have her running partner back again.  Amanda and Annie love to go for runs in the woods together.