August 14, 2026
On August 9, we got up late. Fortunately, the weather was cooler (high 70sF to mid F)from the thunderstorm the day before. The cooler weather meant we could do more later in the day.
I completed weeding one more section of the blueberry ring. A section is the area that lines up between four blueberries, front to back. It was enough for me.
Bruce continued his rampage of slashing blackberry canes, privet, and Virginia creeper in the former pig pen.
Using shovels, instead of the tractor, Bruce and I planted the pawpaw tree in the front yard. The rain softened the clay dirt, making it easier to dig, and the dirt wasn’t sloppy.
After lunch, Bruce was trying to figure out what he wanted to do with the tractor. (Gotta get the tractor time in.) We discussed what task he should pick.
We decided on consolidating the two piles of Bama Dirt Pro Mix into one pile. This was an easy job with the tractor. It only took 3 and a half buckets (scoops). We did use shovels to help encourage the last of the dirt into the bucket.
I harvested from the garden. So, so many cucumbers.
I cursed at the leaf legged bugs as they flew away. They are destroying my tomatoes. I checked the horseradish and found a few Harlequin bugs. I removed them and into soapy water they went.
We gave up the outside work for the day.
I looked up recipes online of ways to prepare cucumbers besides pickling. I found a simple recipe online for making a cucumber drink. It took a blender, one large cucumber, lemon juice, fresh mint, sugar, and salt. I chopped the cucumber and added it to the blender, along with the other ingredients. Once throughly blended, I strained the mixture for juice. I poured the juice into a bottle for refrigeration. The recipe called for mixing the juice half and half with soda water.
Bruce showed up (Remember his super power of knowing when food is ready, apparently it works on drinks as well.) and asked if he could have some. I said sure, you can have some and got a glass for him. While I was getting soda water out of the fridge, he poured a glassful of the juice and started drinking it. Seeing the soda water, he asked if was meant to be a mixer. I said yes, half and half, Bruce assured me that it was delicious and didn’t need to be diluted. He happily drank his juice. I drank the remainder of the juice, with soda water.
The sunset was pretty.
Blackberry Homestead 