cold

Congrats and deep appreciation for one and all!

Thanks!

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Ants shepherd / tend the aphids for their honeydew ( poop or waste ) which is high in sugar. Ever park your car underneath a tree and find its covered with a sticky sap like substance? It's the honey dew. It's some real sticky shit ! A synergistic partnership exists between the ants and aphids, somewhat like mankind and cows. Some postulate the manna from heaven was honeydew. A stretch in mho.

Snakes are a farmers friend eating a lot of pests including but not limited to rodents as M H pointed out they love mice. I appreciate them, but do get startled when I encounter them.

"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." The character J. B. Books in The Shootist, a 1976 film starring John Wayne directed by Don Siegel.

Killdeer have been known to nest on my farm. Laying their eggs in gravel to camouflage them. Once hatched the parent guarding the nest will feign an injury running in circles to draw attention away from the hatchlings. Before too long the youngsters follow their parents antics running in circles, faking a broken wing. It's quite a show while it lasts.

The Lovely Mrs. Apech ? Beware strangers bearing gifts.

My definition of respect includes avoiding a snarling barking dog, giving it space and distance (but discrete attention at a minimum ) it may be on guard, it may have been abused. Some discrimination is in order. No other action up to or until it directly threatens my or another's safety,at which point may I act. As of course one rights end where the others begin. But why add to anxiety if it can be avoided?

Who's transgender problem? Where do I stand when first they come for the ______________, and I wasn't _________________ so I do / did nothing? Everything deserves respect. One can't or won't love some body / thing they don't / won't respect.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. first recorded by Otis Redding. Further refined / defined by Aretha Franklin! We owe everything we encounter respect. I agree with thelerner love is to high a bar. Too often respect is a struggle. At least for me.

Neville Brothers Will the circle be unbroken. Sorry for your loss.

if you don't mind it it don't matter mind over matter it's a choice

Suicide is so very painful to those who remain. Assisted suicide and or pulling the plug may not be the blessing expected. Talk to a pet owner whom has put a beloved pet down, and or the Veterinarian whom participated. It weighs heavily. Yes, it goes with the territory, but is a Huge responsibility. I have had the sad responsibility of putting down many dogs for whom they was no quality of life remaining. I did not do it easily nor did I lightly allow my Uncle's do not resuscitate order be followed lightly. Don't go gently into that good night ....

Sorry not a real estate agent but have some experience in land / real estate sales. I purchased or sold three homes for sale by owner and one farm. I employed a lawyer for closing each time 1. Get an appraisal from a third party. ($250.00 or so in Maryland.) 2. Goggle Maryland Land Advisors and see how it works in Maryland. I am in early stages of negotiations exploration with Maryland Land Advisors. My first time dealing with them. I would expect the process to be universal in USA with minor regional differences. I own land which was rural when I got it in early eighties and farm it organically. But land all around is being developed. So I am exploring relocation options. 3. Best of Luck

Clean water air soil YEA!

Yes you most certainly can eat garlic raw! i grow alot of garlic and use it as scallions (planting the small bulbs singly or grouping the smallest cloves together for just that reason after selecting the largest cloves from the largest bulbs to grow again large bulbs. Garlic is often selected for storage ability not taste, what a difference real fresh garlic offers. The hard neck garligs try to flower producing a scape which is also fantastic! Go to a local Farmers market and find buy some real garlic (hopefully organically grown) and whether you eat it raw or cook with it peel of the skin and dice it allowing it to breathe for a few moments or more and taste the increase in flavor!

i am content well mostly with what i do to earn a (meager by most peoples standards) living, by farming about an acre and a half, organically. In season April thru October 40 hours a week are a dream, as are 8 hour days. So as i get older it gets tougher to get and stay in shape, and to work from dawn to dusk or almost so 6 days a week. But i meet and work with some really incredible people! I would do it any how pay or not, but seed and land taxes have to be paid. But gleaning also provides a lot of satifaction. The ongoing quest is balance in the farm, and in my life. dave

Heart&mind, and Steve, (if i may be so forward as to address you as Steve, my given name is Dave) Many thanks for your kind thoughts and words. cold (dave)

A follow up of sorts. I am in Fl. with my Uncle this being 8 days since my aunt passed on and two weeks to the day since my Mother passed on, she fooled me that one did, my Mothers passing of a brain hemorrhage. It was quick and painless, or so I tell myself. I suffered most on the road to FL. exploring different, plans, schemes, and scenarios. Trying not to follow the mad hatter down the hole, fell into that one big time following my Fathers passing, got stuck there to for months... Got stuck in worry, fear and impotence as well, slowly along a crooked cragged path i came to acceptance and empathy.. I hope to embrace them daily and practice hard embracing them. but for now tonight at least i will cry both out of loss and love. thanks Sean for creating a place a space where i could come to rest reflect and heal. And thank you all who repounded with so good intentions. wishing you one and all many blessings cold from florida

WOW i am humbled and grateful That is beautiful... and so right on! Thanks so much! cold

A bit of history, my father passed peacefully at home three and a half years ago after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which spread to other organs, he survived a remarkable 11 months after diagnosis, 3 months or less was general expectation. I spent a lot of time with him as he underwent chemotherapy and accupuncture... was there almost every day - treatment. He was strong in spirit and body... In the final weeks he became very ill and the Doctor pulled me aside at his last chemo treatment appt. and explained that was it... my dad was to ill to continue chemo... Did i want to tell him? i declined of course, and shortly afterwards my family gathered as the news was given. "Treatment is of no use, I am arranging for hospice, you have 3 weeks to 3 months... That was on a Thursday, Sunday after Church, he was saying goodbye to friends explaining he was going home in a few weeks, i (wrongly?) corrected him saying no it could be months... he retired to a hospitol bed in the family room of his home, i stayed with him many nights, and daily visits from a puzzled hospice nurse continued, he is ready she remarked often... is something bothering him? it could be any time... some nights towards the end were real tough... finally on advice frriends and family gathered around on a Sunday Afternoon, wishing him well and goodbye, Monday (the next day) afternoon iwas awoken by my brother, get up its time, confused and tired, i had spent the last few nights in vigil, i came to him and he passsed on surronded by family, a little better than three weeks after being told... i have struggled since did i out of selfishness - fear contribute to his suffering? about the same time a friends mother passed, and the next night her father shot himself in the head... he made it the hospitol and survived another 6 hours... My uncle has said many times do not recusitate, signed the papers only to change his mind just before surgery. I have been depresssed and so know well the signs and symptoms, one of which is certainly a feeling of hopelessness, i have faced this in fits and spurts... several weeks ago asking for the gun expressing my concerns, his reply "DON'T TOUCH THE GUN!" i have talked it over with family you know the elphant in the room... Passing on from a broken heart or spirit is one thing, even an accidental overdose can be somewhat ignored, but my o my what pain one leaves behind when one violently takes their own life... My uncle is in denial, telling my aunt to hang on you got a couple of good years left... i will be leaving soon for a visit, and trust (pray) i will know what to and when - how to ... the biggest struggle is clearly what is correct... thank you one and all cold

Thanks to JOEBLAST i have looked further into the use of blanks and ruled them out as a possibility. He would immediatley notice if the gun was missing I am sure he has extra bullets but i do not know where. I plan now to visit soon and make an appt. for him with his dr. explaining my concerns and following up with the dr. as needed. Thanks

Hmm... thanks

First rate!