Better than a Persian Rug

To me a lush carpet

of pine needles

or spongy grass

is more welcome

than the most luxurious Persian rug.

Helen Keller

Burn Baby Burn!

Saturday we began burning stumps. As of today we have had lots and lots and lots... well, you get the idea.... of smoke. The stumps don't seem to have been reduced in size much and several of the neighbors are somewhat irritated. The weather has been very warm for January and tomorrow is supposed to set a new record high but what we really need right now is WIND. It would help fuel the fires so that they would burn rather than smolder and it would keep the smoke moving rather than just hanging around. I hope that tomorrow might be a "rather blustery day" to help the process along but alas, I lost my power over the weather when.... OK, I have absolutely no control over any part of the weather but wouldn't it be fun if you could turn the wind or rain or sun off and on like a switch? Until I invent that contraption, I'll just sit and watch the smoke roll by and pray that the stumps will burn completely (and soon).

YIPPEEE!!! Great way to start a new year!!

D got the news this evening on the radio on the way home that the BURN BAN IS LIFTED!! We had several good rains over the holidays and thankfully the Governor has finally lifted the ban. I will go try to get a permit tomorrow morning and we will begin burning (if there's no wind) this weekend. We are hoping that our neighbor Mr. Simpson can help us keep the piles in order for the next week or so. I'll post again as soon as something is definitive. If we can get the piles burnt in the next two weeks, then two weeks for prepping the land and two for liming will put us about late Feb. to plant, Lord willing. Just barely enough time if all goes well between now and then.