Diary 8/9/15

Despite the hot days, the dry summer, and the smoke from the fire over the hill, there are still some beautiful corners to the garden as it tries to survive it all. I was surprised to find this arm of a Clematis vine, blooming later than the rest. Such a nice treat.

Diary 7/4/15

I am getting closer to self-publishing the book I have written called "The Gardener's Daughter" about an orchid grower in London in 1806 and the daughter of his gardener(duh!). I am not sure how all this blogging here and at the book blog are going to go, but I will still report on things here as they occur, that is, in the garden. Bare with me~

Diary 8/1/15

As predicted, the ashfall has really started this afternoon. It was all clear skies this morning when the fire pushed towards the north. Now it is headed south and the fire is traveling southwest also. Here is a complete leaf ash I found this evening.

On a cheerier note, the ash is potash, so most plants kinda like it even if they don't need the smoky dust on their leaves. Raspberries are kicking into gear~yum!

Milo Fire from Trail: Diary 7/31/15

So a fire started 20 miles away as a crow might fly. It put up this incredible pyrocumulus cloud from the heat from a vast area burning. It is so hot and dry, the fire which started as a guy mowing dry grass, will be devastation. It will come back, but not the same and not for a long time. As you can see, I am humble human when it comes to talking about wildfires. Now it is just smoky and I can only imagine from my own experience here 13 years ago, what folks are going through. My thoughts are with them~

Finding the Huckleberries~ Diary 7/30/15

Went looking at a new area for huckleberries in our watershed. It was another drive and jump out and check with a few berries collected along the way. Finally we found the mother load right by Bessie Creek. They were huge and hanging over the trickling water. Perfect on a 100 degree day. While on our hunt, we passed through two wild fire areas. One I would say is seven or older years ago and the other much more recent; maybe only three years ago. Huge fires that burned through wilderness areas unheeded due to restrictions on using anything other than hand tools. It was sheer devastation and will take a long, long time to recuperate.

Older fire in the foreground, trees are coming back

The more recent fire area

Tinctures Diary 7/28/15

I have been having fun making salves, oils and tincture. I collected and dried most of the herbs just a few days ago, but they all dried very quickly. I made a lemon verbena, rosemary, and peppermint salve for mosquito prevention, no data in on that, yet. I also made plantain and comfrey which I use regularly for skin irritations, bee stings, and just moisturizing. I also made oil of clove, oregano, and lavendar for those herb's specialties; tooth aches, congestion, and soothing. I am soaking horehound and lemon balm to make a tincture for cold and coughs and bedtime. I am going to harvest echinacea soon for another tincture.

I use that for colds, flu, and virus attacks. I feel so fortunate to have these herbs at my disposal, and finally some time to use and experiment with them

Diary 7/25/15

Made another visit to Crater Lake,. This time included the rim drive and a walk to the Pinnacles. Always a pleasure especially since we have no major fires as of yet, so the skies were blue, but not nearly as blue as the lake which put on a beautiful show. Wwoof helper headed out yesterday morning. Another enjoyable visit from an eager young woman the earth is lucky to have.