How to make it all go away.....

[NRaleighLiberal]

I've been immersed - filthy dirty, covered in sweat, tending a too-big garden. when showered and not dirty, immersed in writing my tomato book....or watching the Bruins. Or walking my dogs with my wife.....or...or....

Sure, I know who Snowden is....vaguely, it is somewhere in the haze that's been the past few months. Obama - oh yes, our president. The broken congress? yes indeedy...still broken, I suspect.

I am checking in here briefly....very very briefly....5 min or so per day, sometimes not at all. No TV in months (aside from sports and some netflix movies).

Sure, go ahead - chastise me! I am letting my guard down...by immersing myself in life. It feels good - it feels worthwhile, and very satisfying. I am sure that phone calls, emails, posts, you name it - pictures of my bumper sticker festooned (love that word...gramps McCain used it in a debate!) truck - are recorded for posterity somewhere "upstairs". Do I care?

Anyway, just a quick hello. I know heavy duty shit is going down....and it is serious and upsetting.

And at the moment, I can't say I care very much. I've made it go away - I am sure I will be back to reality (or is the garden/book/family stuff reality? to me, it is!).

So this is just a PSA - if it gets too much, too depressing, too...too.....just too. You too can make it all go away - and it will all be right back in place if/when we all choose to return to the mess that is around us!

[randome]

1. Absolutely awesome advice!

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font]
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[LeftofObama]

2. Every now and then I have to take a break myself.

It just gets to be somewhat overwhelming at times, doesn't it?

[NYC_SKP]

3. This is the height of 'mater season around here. Priorities.

I got a first time ever volunteer roque itinerant feral tomato plant that sprung up on the top of the levee where I usually park the car.

It's looking GREAT!

[SidDithers]

4. Can't wait for the book...

happy writing.

Sid

[snooper2]

5. You know a good way to keep these bastards off my tomato plants?

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. gently saute in olive oil and garlic

Either spray with BT, or just look for the poop balls, look up, hand pick throw in the air as high as you can and watch them pop. they are also good thrown on the roof on a hot day for the sizzle effect.

If they have white egg cases along their backs leave them - wasps hatch and eat the wormies from the inside.

[femmocrat]

15. I throw mine into the neighbor's garden.

hehehe

[Hissyspit]

51. I throw them in the pond for the fish to eat.

[Nay]

20. IIRC, they glow under black light. You can find them very easily that way. An offbeat thing

to try is to see if your dog (if you have one) can be taught to spot them. A long time ago, someone told me they trained their dog to find and eat/seize the little bastards.

[Andy823]

26. Plant marigolds

My grandmother told me this many years ago, and I have followed her advice since and they really do repel these guys, along with other bad insects. I have dozens of them planted my raised vegetable beds, as well as in my wife's glower gardens, and they look great as well.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. Now I'm dying for a tomato sandwich.

Looking forward to the first good tomato of the summer soon.

Enjoy your life, NRL.

[Stryder]

32. Oh yahhh.

My beefsteaks got a rough start. But they're kickin now.
3/4" slice, paper thin onions(plenty of em), Brown mustard & mayo on a very lightly toasted slab of Italian bread.
Unfortunately there only just now flowering.(Northern Ohio)
Thanks for the anticipation though. I guess I could always run up to the local processed food like substance station and pick up some genetically altered for durability and shelf life red rubber balls.
Yummmm.

[Stryder]

33. Yah,yah I know

"They're" not "there". I'm tried

[Floyd_Gondolli]

8. Way too many people here are addicted to rage.

We've even got one well known poster who believes the government is watching her through her TV.

Get out and take a walk. Get some fresh air, folks. Live your life for a little while away from the computer.

Also, your tomatoes look fucking awesome.

[Politicalboi]

11. I wonder how many people I have slept with

While my TV was on while I was sleeping.

I did back in the 90's talk about being watched through ones TV. I also predicted movies on a disc as small as a quarter, and you put in your TV like a vending machine. So close but yet so far.

[zappaman]

9. Nothing better than a BLT using fresh heirlooms!

REC!

[lpbk2713]

10. But ... but ... how will you ever know ...

what Zimmy had for breakfast?



It's good to know you have a life.

[Corruption Inc]

12. The NSA didn't go away and we're arming Syrians

And if you need medical attention it is still for-profit. If you ever use money it's still ruled by criminal banks and if some Monsanto seeds fly into your garden, they can sue you for patent infringement and win!

Nothing goes away by ignoring it, that's why it's call denial.

[NRaleighLiberal]

13. Wow.

You didn't get the point of my post at all....but that's OK.

[monmouth3]

14. I did and made up my mind to go out and play tomorrow. I miss Jersey Tomatoes..The best..

[femmocrat]

16. I can't get interested in these "scandals" either, NRL. It's summertime!

I just blocked NSA and Snowden and find DU much more readable.

We are having such a cool, rainy June that I am not getting much done outside. The weeds are out of control!

I love reading about your garden.... don't get too busy to post an update now and then, OK?

[Myrina]

17. Gotta love this year's Stanley Cup Series!

I'm a Blackhawks fan but would hold no ill will if the Bruins win ... this thing is fantastic!!

Torey Krug played his Jr. hockey here in Indy so I have a little vested interest in seeing him do well, too.

[Rebellious Republican]

18. Concur, do it myself often, good medicine, good advice! K&R

I take extended breaks from all politics and media, for my sanity. It feels good and gives fresh perspective. I have been hanging around DU for a few days, 3650 approximately give or take a couple. I have seen many come and go, they get burnt out and to depressed because they do not stop to smell the tomato's.

Off topic, I love garden fresh tomato's, yum!!!!!

[timdog44]

19. Absolutely awesome.

Nothing better than being sweaty and dirty, in a garden, brushing against the herbs and smelling the lovely fragrances wafting over you. I too have a too big garden and sadly am having to sell my place. Age and a bad back prevent me from doing justice to the place any more. Hoping to move to an 80,000 sq ft place instead of 800,000 sq ft.

"garden/book/family" is reality. And too bad not reality for a lot of others who seem to be out of joint all the time.

I think I asked you before, be sure to announce when you book comes out. I recall you said something like 2015. I would like to be first in line. Love the pictures of you tomatoes. Especially the cherokee black. Absolutely the best I have ever eaten.

No chastisement from this quarter. You are living the life. I'll bet it does feel good. Love getting done with my chores and sitting down and admiring my little garden of eden. And yes I am bragging. And if somehow a glass of wine ends up in my hands, so much the better and especially if there is a plate of Humboldt Fog cheese.

Nothing but good on you from me.

[malokvale77]

21. Gardening keeps me healthy and fit...

I get on DU when I come in to cool off (I'm in Texas). Then I really get hot and go back to my garden to cool off. Go figure.
Happy gardening!

[calimary]

22. Are those your tomatoes? MAN! Gorgeous! Recommend ACIDIC music for weed-pulling!

AWESOME, vigorous, catchy rock 'n' roll to get your energy up! And if you want to turn up the volume, there are no swear words to offend the neighbors!

www.facebook.com/acidicband - and go to BandPage to hear tunes!

[quakerboy]

23. My garden is pathetic this year

We took and old dresser, converted it to a minigreenhouse and started a bunch of stuff from seed instead of just buying plants

The plants came up in just a week, and looked beautiful for several weeks. Then they just... stopped. They didnt get bigger, but they didnt die or shrink. After a while, i figured move em outside, maybe that will change something. Same thing, a month later. Same size. Not dead. Little leaves are still green, not dried out or anything. But still only like 2 inches tall.

So I have a bunch of mini tomato plants that show no signs of growing. A few plants have come up from seeds dropped last year, they are doing fine. But none of the ones I spent so much effort trying to grow.

[timdog44]

31. Try a mixture

of epsom salts. Yes, epsom salts. I think a tablespoon to a gallon. But I would google that to be sure.

I do my houseplants all the time with epsom salts and they are doing great. AM not having any problems with outdoor stuff this year. It has been our turn (nothern Illinois) to have had a great growing season so far. Farmers are complaining, but what is new.

Here is a site that talks about it. http://gardening.about.com/od/organicgardenin1/f/Epsom_Salts.htm

[quakerboy]

45. I will give it a try

It certainly cant make it any worse. The only thing growing is the zucchini, which is going nuts, exactly like last year.

[quakerboy]

46. Also.. any ideas on Onions and Carrots?

I planted a bunch of seeds for both, and there is no sign either have done anything. Not a leaf or hint of green to be seen in that section.

[timdog44]

50. I've never had any

luck with onion seeds either. I always use sets. And the trick to those, so they don't get too hot is water them like crazy.

Carrots. I always dig the area I put the seeds about 12 inches deep. Smooth it all out, carefully lay a few short rows of seeds and then use potting soil to cover them. Not too deep. Pat that down and usually water them a couple times a day until they start to show. Always have to thin them out because I can never space them little suckers far enough apart, the seeds are so small. When winter comes around I mulch them with about a 10-12" layer of straw. Then when I want some, roll back some mulch and there they are. Cover em back up until I need some again.

Interesting that I did not use them all up one year. Carrots are actually a biennial. If they get to the following year, they come up again and go to seed. Looks just like Queen Ann's lace, which there are a cultivar of. Good luck.

[timdog44]

53. I made my comment about onions and carrots

not knowing exactly what growing zone you are in. I am in zone 5 trending to zone 6 what with global warming.

But as far as planting seeds, I always like to top off the seeds with potting soil because it is a different color than the soil, and it ads a little fertilizer to the mix. I do the same when I start my herbs. I have those green laminated rings that people use by attaching posts to them and use them as a plant support system. What I do with the rings is put them on the ground, scatter those little herb seeds inside the perimeter of the ring and then top the whole thing with a shallow cover of potting soil again. I use tent stakes to hold them in place and know exactly where to water because the soil is a different color. When they get to be a couple inches tall, just remove the rings and it makes a perfect size herb cluster.

[tech3149]

24. I sure hope and believe you're a seed saver

When my old man turned 85 he couldn't keep up the garden so we put grass back where the garden was. The compromise was to plant a small row along the fence line. The soil is rich and healthy and better than a foot deep. The total area was about 20 sq/yd and we had great tomatoes all summer and usually canned better than 30 qt for the winter. The last few years have been tough. Half the fruit was affected by some fungus or black rot. This year the only thing I have growing are a few herbs, onions, and garlic. I was just turning the soil and weeding today and the soil is so rich and dark that I have to plant something.

Back to the intent of your post, I had lived most of my adult life in rentals or townhouses where you couldn't do anything with the ground or exterior of the property. I grew up with all forms of food being grown in the backyard and in every neighbors home. Back then even field corn was a choice target for a bunch of roving teenagers.
There is no feeling better than sex as to get your hand dirty and grow tour own food or be really connected to where it comes from. Beyond getting you away from the clatter of the infotainment world it really does give you a chance to focus on what really matters. I'm no biologist or neurological specialist but there is definitely a positive effect on your attitude and emotional balance from getting your hands down in the dirt and helping something else to live.

If you are a seed saver could I possibly glom a few from you? Most of the commercial heritage seed sellers just rape people for what should be if not free at least cheap.
BTW, your tomatoes look soo good that every post I read gets my mouth watering.

[Curmudgeoness]

29. Not only is he a seed saver....

he is THE seed saver. NRL has actually developed tomato varieties, has resurrected many heirlooms, and is an expert in tomatoes. Come visit the gardening group here on DU sometime, especially if you need advice on tomatoes. He LIVES tomatoes.

He also has a seed saving/sharing thread pinned in the gardening group. And check out his "garden":

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11593505

And he has a blog:

http://nctomatoman.weebly.com/1/post/2013/05/what-im-growing-in-2013-part-1-indeterminate-tomatoes-main-garden-and-driveway-large-container.html

Seriously, NRL is a serious gardener and tomato expert.

[NRaleighLiberal]

44. .

[NRaleighLiberal]

43. you've got DU mail!

[DrewFlorida]

25. Boston native, GO BRUINS!

[NRaleighLiberal]

42. Pawtucket, RI native here...go Bruins (and Red Sox, and Celtics, and Pats) indeed!

[DrewFlorida]

47. Like box checked!

[Number23]

27. Oh Lord, wouldn't that be nice? To make all of this just GO AWAY

DU is too much at the best of times but it's times like this that make me wonder about the health of many of the most err... PROLIFIC posters here. Particularly in GD.

[Andy823]

28. I love the vegetable garden

I spend a lot of time in my vegetable garden, and my wife spends her spare time in her glower gardens. It's a great way to unwind, and it has helped both of us cope with the everyday problems in life. I now have 5 raised vegetable beds, much easier than the old days bending over to weed and harvest. My wife has flower beds all over the place around the house. She is not able to spend as much time in them this year because her mother is not doing to well and we take care of her, but she still finds some time and it has really helped her cope with things.

I plant heirloom tomatoes, far better flavor than they hybrids as far as I am concerned. I have ten plants this year and they are growing like weeds! Strawberries are just about done, we put up several batches of jam, and the raspberries are coming on. Looks like a good crop, and the blueberries are looking pretty good also.

What kind of tomato book are you writing?

[NRaleighLiberal]

41. General tomato book with a personal flavor...

Covering varieties, history, culture from seed starting through to harvest, some recipes, featuring 25 specific varieties responsible for my tomato hobby addiction....publish date Dec 2014, Storey.

[Curmudgeoness]

30. I couldn't agree more.

I do know more about what is in the news and on DU than you indicate that you know, but it isn't always a good thing. I often step back from the serious and controversial issues for my sanity. Most of these things are beyond our control, so obsessing on them instead of living our lives as best we can is counterproductive.

Good for you for making it all go away. Just don't get too apathetic.

[BumRushDaShow]

34. Too much rain here!

For any ground-planters, it will probably be a challenge but nothing better than picking that first ripe one.

[Hekate]

35. Fantastic advice

I wish more would heed it.

In the meanwhile, enjoy those tomatoes!

[KoKo]

36. Buried in Netflix..but not as out of touch as you who have the plants...Your Work

but we have a few...and flowers and with this weather ..it's been "interesting."

The Basil is Thriving and that House Going Up across from is a "Site to Behold." The noise..the loss of habitat for our birds and such...and every day it will be NOISE thru the Summer...and neighbor's house is on Market next door...so much Power Washing and Restructuring NOISE going on there...and we have to ReDo our Roof and found that we have "Grey Pipe" and have to RotoRoot our whole House along with Roof...and the Storms come and go...and there were twigs and branches...and it goes on an on.

We are Lucky...we Ain't CA, Colorado or Oklahoma...yet. Remember the last time we went through "Blown Away....Blown Away"...Oklahoma Blown Away........Sometime in that Great Depression that's been receded into memory.

Whatever... WE CARRY ON... "All Creatures Great and Small" and a little "Early Inspector Poirot" and some old VHS STUFF Faves we Saved......and we deal with it...except for when I "Mouth Off" on DU with Indignation..But the Partner deals with his own stuff... Still we work through it and LOVE & TOGETHER after ALL THESE YEARS.....ALWAYS WINS... Just doing a "CODE POST" to you.

And yes...always love your Tomatoes!

and

[Stryder]

37. I hear you.

Actually I got lucky on the NSA story. Spent 6/5 through 6/10 at a music fest on 45 acres of wooded bliss with some very interesting people. The only digital info I accepted was the occasional radar update.
Came home spent but rejuvenated if you know the feeling.
Of course the crap doesn't go away. But if you decompress every now and then, neither does your mind.

[hunter]

39. Yeah, yeah, it all goes away...

... and the next thing you know the NSA is putting bugs in your garden.

[NRaleighLiberal]

40. "I welcome their hatred"

[awoke_in_2003]

48. I am getting away via reading...

I am probably the only D&D geek who didn't read Tolkein. I just finishe The Hobbit, and have started the LOTR trilogy.

[Amonester]

49. LET'S GO BRUINS!! :)

And that said from a (moderate) CH fan is a rarity...

But ye gotta admit the BERGERON+PAILLE shining-star duo is quite awesome!!

[MADem]

52. Hurrah for tomatoes! nt