Pecans, Storms, and Hangers

Be careful what you wish for!  I wished for rain and the ponds are almost overflowing.  The storms were not too fierce for us.  Others were not so lucky.  I am grateful for the rain.

Many of you have heard how Mom and Dad planted pecans around the perimeter of the yard the year they married.  This will give you some idea of how the trees that survived have grown.

The small not improved version of pecans they planted taste magnificent and have more oil compared to our Paper Shell Pecan. During our recent winds pecans fell a little prematurely but that has not stopped the crows, squirrels, ground squirrels and other animals from enjoying the sweet meat.

This picture does not even begin to show the size of the tree.  I believe it would take two people to wrap their arms around the trunk. Two remain of the many Mom and Dad planted even before they built this house we now live in.

I have mentioned "hangers", limbs broken by wind or ice but still hanging on the tree.  They need to be removed for safety reasons. We use the tractor bucket to reach them for removal.  We can not reach them all.

Here is one hanger after all our wind.  This is sticking into the ground about four inches.  The wind tore off the dead limb.  Gravity planted it.  It would be most unfortunate to have been standing here when the limb fell.

Yesterday I picked up and piled limbs, mostly smaller ones since we've done some trimming and removal.  I began another pile to burn.

While the rains fell I oiled the school desk, adding an old Purex jar with feathers and pretties.  Now have a new place to sit and remove my muddy boots or shoes and have put an old piece to a good use. This is one of the few mirrors I have in the house.  It is reflecting my painting and the inch thick red heart cedar tongue and groove wood walls of the hall. The wood was harvested from this land, dried, milled and installed by Mom and Dad.  I will never paint it.  I oil it about twice a year and it will outlast me, I'm sure.

The weather had me sorting closets, cleaning cupboards and sorting clothes...and hunting for a sweater.  I have rearranged my painting/craft/sewing/project area repeatedly.

While cleaning the fridge I cooked fresh turnip greens with cornbread, the end of garden okra, banana pudding, chocolate pudding and a German Chocolate cake and a dishpan full of fresh salad (Andrew ate that is one setting!)

I am lost without my washer.  I've made one trip to the laundromat and must make another soon.  I surely dislike waiting for warranty repairs.

Wishing you safe rain and many blessings.

Storm Damage

The valley over cannas

These are called "hangers".  These limbs were a danger during the ice storm and are still a danger when the wind blows.  A sheriff was skilled somewhere in Arkansas from a "hanger" while helping people during the storm.

Another view from my yard over the dark cannas.

Walking In The Heat

can be rather dangerous these days. I took my time and enjoyed the scenery and tried not to see all the work waiting to be done.

These are effects from our ice storm last winter but it good to know life is growing out of the destruction. We are getting the few acres around the house cleared. Ten acres down and one hundred plus to go.

We have a few, uh, many brush piles.

These limbs, called hangers, are the most dangerous. If they decide to fall while you are under them, they can even kill you. We do not have the equipment needed to remove these. We will have to wait on Mother Nature and watch out when the wind is blowing.

I am almost to the creek and then I will cool my feet and rest before the last part of my journey home.