Made a second post cause...

Things were getting long as far as how much I wrote so I went ahead and made a second post. This takes up where the other left off.

Never really napped, just laid there thinking. I called Kevin a little after noon (I think). Asked about getting the goat crap saying I would prefer having him show me “the rules”. He said there were no rules but mentioned the gate for the mustang he’s training or breaking. “That’s rules Kevin” I let him know and explained I just wanted to make sure of how things should be done. He said he would call his son and have him drop by after school and show me things. That works.

Cody (Kevin’s son) came by around three and I followed him to the house. Good thing too cause I might not have figured it out. He showed me where the goat bins were and got me a rake and shovel because I had forgotten mine. It didn’t take long to fill the two trash cans. Doesn’t look I even touched what was there. The manure under the roof was dry, dusty, and caked into solid bricks. When I talked with Cody he said he just raked up the loose stuff. I’ll do that next time. This stuff was a lot heavier than I thought. The first trash can was a small one and it was a struggle for me to lift it up into the back of the truck. The second is my big one so I only filled it halfway. Still it was heavier than the first. I hurt myself getting it loaded. Still hurt as I lay here typing despite taking a whole Hydrocodone instead of half like I usually do. Next time I’ll have to find an easier way.

When I got home I backed the truck up to the pile of weeds I had made over the last few days to unload the goat crap. Wasn’t about to try and lug them over there. Not with this pain level. Then I decided it would be smart to read the directions on that stuff I bought at Aldredge designed to help the composting process. I like directions. Really help when you don’t have a clue what your doing. Sure, I’ve studied composting on the internet quite a few times but most of that knowledge vanishes like a fog in the wind if I don’t put it to use several times to cement it in. So I made layers of vegetation, dirt, and the goat crap like it said. Actually it just said dirt and vegetation, didn’t mention goat crap at all. What’s wrong with these guys. Didn’t they know I was going to be the goat crap compost king? Oh well.

What I did read and actually remembered is that air is a crucial part of this process. That’s why they say one should “turn” the pile over every three weeks or so. This helps air get in. I dimly recall from my studies of commercial compost operations a set up that had air pumped into the bottom of the pile with a plastic cover that had vents on the top to let it breath. I think that’s how it went. Anyway, because of that I decided to be innovative so I cut two lengths of this plastic hose that had been partly buried out here. I took them and shoved them halfway through the bottom of the compost pile. What I’m thinking is hooking up the vacuum in reverse as I do with the burn barrel so it blows air into the hose and thus aerates the pile. This should speed up the process. It will be interesting to watch.

If we get the commercial greenhouse operation going making compost will be an important part of the operation. Why buy it when I can make it. This is all part of being self sufficient. Plus this stuff can be bagged and sold. Business is business. There is lots of crap out here in Martin county (You can take that anyway you want to) and you can sell it. Some folks say they won’t take any crap from anyone but you know what? I’ll take all the crap I can get. Ha Ha. Aren’t I funny? I’ll probably rue these words one day.

So I got most of that done. Still have to mix the compost stuff I bought and pour it on the pile. Tried to set the sprinkler up to water the pile as suggested but had forgotten (Big surprise) that the west Texas sand had once again made the sprinkler non functional about two or three weeks ago. Never did take it apart like I had planned. I’ll go finish watering the pile and cover it with plastic after putting the compost mix on.

All this goat crap dust got on everything, including my hair. It’s nice and warm out and washing my hair by pouring water on it as I lean over the tub just isn’t going to cut it, especially with the level of pain in my back. So I took off my shirt and went outside and took the hose to it and my chest and shoulders. Perhaps I should look into setting up some kind of curtain arrangement on the clothesline in the back yard where I can get naked and take a shower. My luck the West Texas wind would blow all that away just as someone happened to be looking as they drove by. Hell with my luck it would be the sheriffs wife or something. Still it’s a concept I will think on. Taking a shower is a luxury that would be nice. I wouldn’t have a problem but Cherie wouldn’t even consider doing something like that. The T shirt and jeans will make their way into the dirty clothes basket tonight. Took the pants off after I had already sat on the bed but before I laid down. Glad I thought of it.

Saw another piece of the native wildlife earlier while I was weeding. I thought these guys are supposed to be slow but this little tortoise moved pretty good when I pulled up his cover. Cute little guy.

It’s been a great day with my energy level staying up there and even the nap/rest time was short. Got a lot done. Hope I do as well tomorrow. I’m due for one of those week long stretches of cognizance and energy. The depression seems to be in remission for now. That really affects my thoughts and my insecurities. The depression enhances my feelings that others don’t like me and talk about me. That changes the whole view of the world and affects how I write. Hard to believe the confidence I faced every challenge with at one time. Hell I looked forward to challenges, even looked for them. And I taught corporate sales staff the power of positive thinking and a “can do” attitude in the sales seminars I put on. Now I worry and fret, hiding away from what I don’t know. But the pendulum swings. Now I am positive with a little more confidence. Talking with Eric helped immensely. Thanks dude.

Still a shame I couldn’t get this from the church family despite practically begging for it. That still has me boggled and wondering why. Such a little thing to ask for. Pastor Dave has been great but as I said before he has a world of others who are going through tremendous issues like relatives dying and cancer and stuff. Love the guy but won’t press for his time. He would give it but that would be selfish of me and unfair to those who’s needs are much greater than mine. Ya know, I need to stop whining about that and move on. Like Dave said in an E mail get off the “I, Me, Mine’’ focus on myself.

It’s gonna get dark in about forty minutes so I need to download the picture of the turtle and stuff and get a few things done outside. Gotta get out a fresh pair of jeans first.

Worked up quite a sweat as I rushed to dig a bed for the next batch of corn before it got too dark. Having the products I was able to glean from Aldredge changes everything when it comes to this garden. Here is a picture of the herb garden beds. Of course I haven’t planted a thing there yet and on the map I drew of it only determined a place for one thing, the spearmint. Being more alive and energetic, a direct result of coming out of this depression that has been haunting me for quite some time now, things should start getting done. Anyway I now have fertilizer, compost, and some quality soil designed for starting seeds and stuff. BIG change. What a blessing that was. Another need supplied from an unexpected corner. BAM, Right out of the blue.

I noticed that I didn’t take my evening medicine last night and forgot to take it this morning as well. Got to get better at that. I’ve lost five pounds since Cherie left. The “forget to eat” diet works quite well. Too bad I can’t package it cause I’d make a million. Can envision the infomercial now. By the way, I’ve got a great sense of humor that’s been hiding for a while. Maybe you’ll see some more of it.

Cherie just called. Things are so tough and will be for a while. They are going to get dad to the doctor, hopefully tomorrow, to see about medication to control this violent meanness that’s coming out. Thing is Dad has always had a cruel side. I remember hearing how he would pick on Cathy when she was a baby till she would cry and then he would laugh. Now he is afraid of being put in a home and depressed so this is coming out now. He hasn’t apologized or anything for hurting Cherie. All he did is ask if her hand still hurt.

Mom had her first meal this morning. All fluid food like Malt o Meal and a pureed sausage gravy. She got it down well. The cardiologist said it will take her six months to fully recover. He’s weaning her off all the medicine her other doctor had been loading her up with for years. Another “Here, take another pill” doctor who just shoves medicine at her instead of diagnosing the problem. And it’s always the expensive stuff that you know he gets the typical payoff from the drug company reps for prescribing. The expense of this has drained them for years and he refuses to prescribe the less expensive generics.

Poor Cathy is walking that thin line that comes with the combined stresses of learning she won’t work her teaching job this summer, needing to find a place to live, and all of the issues regarding her parents. Cherie said she’s just bouncing off the walls with changing ideas of what to do. Would like to buy Decker’s business and have her run it. She definitely has the qualifications and I have the business background to keep things guided. No easy answers for anything back there.

I’m getting tired. Been a long and good day. Night all.