Sunday, June 27, 2021

"Michael's" Project

In 2019 we visited the Pyran Farm (which I still haven't blogged). Michael noted their high wind tunnels and the corn growing under them. 

He spent considerable time researching, thinking, and doodling this winter. I knew he was thinking of how to grow corn up here. We priced kits new and used.  His doodling grew into plans and a shopping list. 


I didn't fully grasp what he was talking about...but he made a jig which looked rather interesting.  He bought PVC pipe, sand and clamps.  He made a plug.  On May 18th this was my view from the table. 

I finally understood the vision. He cut the pipe into various links. Grandpa spent May 19th cutting and sanding pipes. 


Michael used the propane turkey fryer to heat up sand, they poured the sand into the pipes and then bent them around the jig and left them to cool off. 

Alex's help was enlisted
 
May 24th proved Michael could find a job for anyone who wanted to help out.  Benny's assistance was enlisted.
 GG and Benny working on "Papa's job" 

Things began to take shape. This man is determined to grow corn in Alaska. 


Our timing was off. Michael worked to get this done as soon as the weather was nice enough to be outside, but I needed to be able to plant by June 1st.  All his time was going to here and THIS is why we didn't get much of the garden tilled and planted this summer. I planted the beds. If I had a realistic idea of this project, I would have hired someone to till the potato and corn patches...or to burn the weeds in the spring or something. 



It began to take recognizable shape on May 27th. 

Allie and Stacia spent a lot of time helping in this phase of the build. 





On June 21st Michael and Allie began covering the frame with plastic. 

Looking good

The kids came over for Father's Day on June 27th. They all got together and moved the "greenhouse" to the spot where we grow corn. Unfortunately, it was too late to start corn. I already had my seedlings planted into beds...but we are set up nicely for the garden of 2022. 


Michael left the ends open so the wind would blow through it this year and not tear it apart. In the spring, he'll put the ends back on it. I may put some heat in it and use it to start seeds. It may well cover our corn rows this year...it's worth a try.  It currently houses much of our yard furniture and garden tools etc.  It's Dec 30th and it's withstanding the winter wind and snow fairly well. 

This was a great unifying project. Everyone had a part in its creation. Michael has the plans and jig to make more. It IS sturdier than the kits we saw, and it cost less to build too.... free labor is always a bonus in these situations.😏

I envision lush green growing in the garden, arches with beans and roses growing over the top, a gazebo for summer visitors...and all this white plastic was not in my vision. BUT if we want to GROW many things we NEED the hoop houses and tunnels. There you have it. I'm still trying to figure out how to make the garden a lovely spot of refreshment as well as a functioning garden. 

June's Celebration

We cut it close, but today we gathered for June's celebrations.  Everyone, but Nolan and Larissa made it.  It is always fun when so many can make it. We had a Mexican potluck....and several had the same idea, "Let's cook at Mom and Dad's."  It was great fun. There were a LOT of Gherkins in the kitchen...

Maria made Puerto Rican Rice, Krista was working on a Southwest hot salad, Josiah is about to start tacos and Jared is making Fajitas....I made Enchiladas before church and they were in the oven. 

We remembered Dad and Mom G's anniversary. We celebrated the six fathers in our midst: G Dog, Michael, Luke, Izaak, Cory, and Cy.  We also celebrated Bre, Maria and Krista's birthdays.

 It was Maria's birthday today....she won the privilege of wearing the pig hat. Stacia had made an ice cream cake and had continued her practicing on the Spring Fling Cake....it was sugar free and tasted good. It's growing on me. LOL 



If Luke hadn't already won my heart, he surely would have when he walked in and immediately went to sit with Grandpa. Grandpa enjoyed sharing the paper. 


Oh yea, before there was cake we DID eat dinner. It turned into a beautiful day and so we ate outside. 


Lot's of cousin fun going on this afternoon. 
Gideon and Benny

Annie's Pony

Maria and Danny

They got Uncle Jared on the trampoline again! 

Enjoying the shade.
Arielle, Cory, Grandpa, Carrie, Cyu, Danny and Maria

Bella asked me to show her the things she'd planted. THIS is the reason it is good to do something even if I can't do EVERYTHING I want to do. It's been making me CRAZY to see the state of the garden but with my physical ailments and Michael's projects....it's all I've been able to do....

THIS is an excellent reason to feel good about doing something - even if I can't do it all.  She was extremely excited to see the radishes growing. She was pretty impressed with the carrots too. 


Michael asked everyone to help him move his project to the garden.  He's been writing stories for Story Worth.  He decided to write about an incident he'd told me - and no one else in 38 years. I KNEW the kids would get a kick out of the story. Michael is pretty private. This story was out of character for the Michael the kids have known. He read the story to us today...and it was a hoot. 




Shortly after this folks began to go home. Everyone needs to get ready for the new week. It will be a BIG week in our family....Nate and Heather will get her on the 1st, we'll have a wedding on the 3rd and we have much to do BEFORE we reach Saturday. 

Ready...Set... Go!!!!!


When a Moose Comes to Play

 We have a new bull in the yard. This one is quite a bit smaller and younger. Those velvet antlers are bothering him. He was on a wild search to find  either something to scratch on, or to play on. 



WHUT???? Nothing to see here! 


This is NOT the way to play Volleyball. 

Hmmm....now what could I do on the swing set?


He couldn't figure out how to scratch his antlers on the swings, so he was off to the trampoline, a favorite among moose.