Recovering From Seeding Destruction

Did I mention how my sweet and much-beloved pair of pups destroyed most of my seedlings?

Gambit is a thief who stashes his treasures under the living room table.  These days, he mostly confines his thieving and stashing to dog toys, stray papers, and the occasional pilfered article of clothing.  I never expected him to steal seedlings off the patio table and stash them under a bush.  I didn't expect Ty to join in the fun for tearing the seedling flats apart in tug of war.

I swear, it was as if the pair went on a bender in Vegas.  And they looked just as guilty when I walked out there to gawk at the aftermath.

I was left with a few tomatoes (mostly the Roma), some peppers, cauliflower, summer squash, and a few watermelon.  So I went searching--begging and buying--for more seedlings.  Usually, there are plenty to be had mid-May, but because our last frost came a month earlier than usual, seedlings are sparse.  My neighbor has said he's picking up surplus seedlings from a family member this weekend, but we're not certain what they'll be.  Tomatoes, okra and kale had been mentioned, but quantity and other possibilities are a mystery.

In the meantime, I've planted all that I have, and put up a new flat of seedlings for later planting.  I'll direct-seed carrots, radishes and bush beans this evening.  And my seedling hunt also resulted in finding stevia to go in my front garden area.

I dislike the appearance of gardens at this stage.  Too much bare dirt.  It will look lush and wild in a few weeks, but right now, it looks like...a lot of bare dirt dotted with green.  Even worse, because the soil isn't the greatest quality.  Worse still, knowing how many seedling ought to be there!

Closer to School

While Dev was at work last Friday, I met with the guidance counselor of the high school I'd want him to attend.  The woman had been quite happy to set the meeting with me.  Even so, I went armed with print-outs of statutes governing homeschool/public school interactions, requirements and the like.  Experience had taught me to expect resistance at best and derision at worst.

( Here's why: )

Barring unforeseen problems, Dev will take electives at that high school, beginning after the winter break.  As long as his grades--online and in-class--stay up, he can do all extracurricular activities.

I'm not certain which one of us is more excited about it!

A trio of Links

Since I dare not allow myself to peek at my writing projects lest I immediately lose interest in all the things I must do this week, y'all have to put up with me writing more posts.  It's a coping mechanism. ;-)

Following a tweet from @KristineRusch, I watched this video of Neil Gaiman giving a commencement speech for the University of the Arts.  Loved it.  I was especially amused by the body language of some faculty when Neil discussed lying to get his first job.  I was extremely happy to hear his words about the future of art's distribution.

From a posting by jaylake, here's an article highlighting the correlation between organic food and asshole behavior.  Actually, what the study concludes is that when one participates in behavior seen as morally superior, one takes that virtuousness as an excuse to act like a jerk in another setting.  I see this often in the natural health field.  I also see it in the field of fitness, nursing, writing, martial arts, mainstream medicine, education, political activism, and any other endeavor that aligns itself with moral determinations.

Choosing to eat organically doesn't mean a person has joined the cult of Organic-ism and is now above being touched by the Dorito-stained fingers of others.  If one really wants to do something that might actually make a difference, quit giving cheap canned goods, white rice, and processed foods to the local food pantry.  Supply them with those organic foods of yours instead.  Folks frequenting food pantries have a far higher need for those vitamins, minerals, and chemical-free foods.

Lastly, in connection with mention of organic foods, here's a summary of research finding higher intake of saturated fats versus monounsaturated fats correlates with a decline in memory and cognition.  As always, researchers point to red meat as a main culprit.  In truth, that should commercially-raised red meat.  Grass-fed beef has only about 10% of its fat as saturated fat; it is instead high in omega-3 fatty acids.  But as long as such researchers and health writers consider food to be fuel rather than construction materials, the composition of most foods won't be considered, alas. 

(Aside: The more saturated fat--aka marbling--in a cut of meat, the higher the USDA will rate its quality.)