Late Spring Updates and Links

[furtech]

...which are now early summer updates. I've been busy, but not that busy: just distracted. Some of these distractions I direct you to below.

Life Bullet points:
• Now I remember why I never grew many tomatoes: they are like an organic super-magnet for pests, disease, fungi. Up north it was always whiteflies: clouds of them. Down here it's spider-mites. I've tried nearly everything short of an ariel Malathion bombardment. Most of the solutions (soap spray, neet, root-absorbed pesticides) seem to make the mites more robust.

• Despite the pest-problem, I remember why ripe, fresh picked tomatoes are so wonderful...and how awful store bought and even Farmers Market tomatoes are.

• Over the hump of the worst of the foxtail problem (most have fallen off by now). Two surgeries and countless painful removals later both the dogs and I are relieved.

• Enjoying June Gloom. Daytime walks. Chilly nights.

• Added a berm to the back of the lawn so the dogs don't jump down any more (hard on their backs). Also gives the lawn more character.

• Discovered (was told) that pet-safe snail death exists! Joy!

Links!
• For artists: Check out/friend James Gurney on Facebook . He's best known for "Dinotopia", but he is an amazing teacher and source of art information. He also does tutorials and links to useful resources: you won't be sorry!

• Here's an example of something he linked to: a 17th century figure drawing manual ...that can be downloaded in ebook form for *free*!! Amazing resource!

• Since Dome is just starting on tv, here's something timely: !
Stephen King Character Flowchart Now you can see how King connects EVERYTHING!

• Clockwork toy: the most amazing wooden clockwork toy I've ever seen. Applejack's Harvest (My Little Pony)
Applejack's Harvest

• Love tidepools and sea life? Aquamarine Discovery is a great blog!

Comments

[tcreynolds]

"Applejack's harvest"

MIND. BLOWWWWWWNNNNNNN

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Tell me about it! I was pretty damned impress with the basic clockwork...but when you see the little Winona wagging and head-tilting my brain just exploded.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Congrats on conquering the foxtails!

Alas, June gloom is done for a few days they say.... gonna be a broiler this weekend... ;P

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Not so much conquering as enduring them until they pass.

You're not kidding: I just got back from a dog-hike and the temps were still in the mid-80's! Ugh.

[porsupah.livejournal.com]

Oh, FSM, yes - real, home-grown tomatoes are a wonder. I never liked tomatoes at all (beyond ketchup and soup, for whatever reason =:) until I tried some from the allotment we had at the time.. that remains one of my first culinary revelations. (For some reason, I felt similarly ill disposed toward mushrooms, until I realised how good they could be on a real pizza)