Skin care...intensive skin care

Yesterday I got most of the tanning chemicals and oils ordered from Knoblock's, a premier provider to the tanning industry.  I am considering doing the deer hide if I get one this week, tanning is a valuable skill that I have long been interested in for this purpose and since I am getting started anyhow I am looking forward to getting as much use out of my new skill as I can.  Snakes are also on the list, I have officially begun seeking a large snake hunter who is in need of a partner.  It is interesting that I have had this on my mind so much of late and yesterday I found a show filmed in Miami-Dade County that features the Fire Dept. chasing these snakes it is called Swamp Wars and I do believe that they may have the coolest job ever.  I need to know if I have the strength to handle a 20 foot snake.

-TODD

Missed the woods for the trees

I am doing my annual fall dance between the woods and the homestead.   At home I have a wife and animals plus a little garden that keeps me interested and sometimes fed.  As of last year I have added another dimension i.e. the lake.  The lake is awesome for gators and pigs and friends, but not so much for the family. I am looking forward to a potential move in the near future that will put me within walking distance of a wilderness area and bring that aspect of my life closer to my home life.  Balance is what I am looking for, balance of things I like and things I love.  So far I am incorporating everything relatively well but it looks like my life is coming into even closer alignment with my goals and desires and then who knows what we can add next if I just have the strength to plan and live these daily dreams.

-TODD

Hey you have got some thick skin.

In anticipation of bringing the next gator back to the house for full processing and tanning I am beginning to research the process and appropriate materials.  FloridaFishandhunt.comFloridaFishand Hunt.com  is a website that I am new to but I really like their layout and information, click the link and check out their alligator skinning and butchering plan.  The info is about the same as you would find anywhere else bu the photos are a nice touch.  tanning skin and processing wild meat is a skill that hearkens back to the beginning of time and will serve me well into the future.  I will include photos and maybe a video or two when I start everything it should be a strong lesson.

-TODD

Well, that's just peachy

This afternoon I put the peach seed into some soil.  I liberated the seed from the pit via table vise after letting it dry for a week or so.  Planted 4" deep in Miracle Grow the little seed may bring big things.  I did mention the soil I am using since I am just beginning to use it, sort of a trial.  So now I have an avocado that has a nice root going and the shell is splitting on the seed, cherries and a plum are cooling off in the fridge prior to planting, and two oranges starting in 4" pots.  The goal obviously is to grow a bit of fruit and I am starting it in anticipation of having some ground of my own soon to plant it in.  I intend to do a bit more with the citrus by bringing in some lemon, lime and grapefruit but the oranges are the guinea pigs.  Hopefully I can work out the kinks of starting seedling prior to establishing my own mini grove.  I know the title leads toward the peaches but I am including a picture of the avocado 2 minutes ago.  I hope the root is strong!

-TODD

Can't keep a good man down

I was able as you can see to access the Blog.  A software program was to blame (a toolbar) for keeping me out.  Since the last post, we got an 11 foot gator for the freezer, turned some venison into homemade burger, got the IRA onto an auto pay program and got the next crop ready to go into the garden. This year we are growing yellow Jubilee tomatoes.  I am sure that I have missed something, but the good news is that I can share some strength with you again.

-TODD

And so began a grove...

I decided that if I live in Florida and I start trees I had ought to try my hand at citrus, good old fashioned Florida Oranges.  Not being the Citrus expert I looked to what is rapidly becoming my go to resource for how to start trees from seed, EHow.  Check out the page I am referencing during my first foray into the culture of this ideally suited South Florida plant.  I do have video, all of my thanks go to DVDSoft, without their free video converter software I never would have been able to share this poorly shot video with terrible sound...I guess that that will have to be next on the list of improvements.  All questions of quality aside, there will be more to come on the presentation front,  In the mean time check out the video and tell me what you think.

-TODD

Sharing is Caring

I thought ahead a couple of months ago and handed out some calabaza seeds to my co-workers.  I had been wanting to try to grow them myself, however my space limitations prohibited me from doing so.  When I got to work this morning one of my associates let me know that I have one coming my way and it is nearly ready.  I have been handing out seeds at work for nearly as long as I have been gardening but this was a new barter for me, each staff member got six seeds for the price of one calabaza (tropical pumpkin,)  not only do I get some produce that I can't grow at home but so do my friends with the added benefit that maybe one more person will get the itch to grow something they might otherwise overlook.  I guess that in our circle we are stronger together.

-TODD