Debbie 🇨🇦

When we were consumers in a “disposable society” be bought lots
… so we had to make lots
… so there were lots of jobs available

Today, we buy less, need less, make less,
= less jobs in the manufacturing/sales fields.

Today: We shift to service & trades?

JAGO: just a grandma’s opinion

Be the change you want to see.

Speak it; empower it; act it.

(And don’t forget to hold government representatives & business owners accountable to the community and to the country. Reach out to them. Speak with them. Educate them. Remind them.)

- Debbie
JAGO
(Just a grandma’s opinion)

Changing the narrative to “evolving” empowers us to embrace change, initiate and support change, and to focus on the future and the possibilities rather than the pain caused by what isn’t working and the blaming of others.

Envision the possibilities (not just identifying the wrongs).
(… Cont.)

We tried things on for size, got addicted to many things, and let go of somethings, having learned that they didn’t “fit” after all or the side effects outweighed the benefits.

Today, it seems to me, as we label things as “broken”, we create anger, disempowerment, and divisiveness
(… continued)

It’s not “broken”.

It is evolving.

We are evolving.

Society is evolving.

Looking back through my life, I can see that our society tried different things, most often because we discovered and invented new things, new ideas.
… (continued)

Bradley electric smoker; smoked chicken and potatoes; thumbs up success

#bbqs

I bought a Bradley electric smoker to add to my outdoor kitchen.

Today, I tried it for the first time, with some pre-seasoned chicken that I had in the freezer.

It was yummy; meat fell off the bone.

I did good - no mistakes, really.

Next: chicken thighs with just salt and pepper

At least you have tomatoes .. mine are just starting to flower (congrats)

I’ve read that pigs can do the trick because they are constantly digging and consuming everything so the bindweed doesn’t have a chance but, then, I bet the bindweed just makes it way to outside the pig’s area and continues on.

My heart goes out to you.
Bindweed argh. There is no winning

There has to be a “balancer” in its native environment. Haven’t found one, yet, here. Nothing stops it.

Isn’t that interesting: in normal times it would be a scandal .. and so because everything is bonkers they can do whatever they want … insightful

Hi. I think it is a lady bug, during one of its stages

I love “firsts” .. congratulations (I’ve never grown any)

Even with frequent 5c nights and the 2c extreme low, the plants survived.

I thought they would die. I gave up hope but left them in the soil.

And now? We get a ripe, delicious, tomato every couple of days!

Will definitely repeat this strategy.

#gardening #vegetablegardening #gardeningsenior

While I wait for my “real” tomatoes, I get to snack on the dwarf varieties.

I started 4 plants in January, in a hydroponics system.

April: transplanted to pots

May: outside into GreenStalks.

Then, surprise lows, even a 2c last week ..

I’m crossing my fingers for everything in my garden. We had a surprise low of 1c last weekend

You are inspirational

I like your positivity!!

Grrr :(
My strawberries are still green but I will be putting something over them this year - last year I put little mesh bags over each berry and the birds destroyed the bags and berries

BEFORE: plastic raised bed with greenhouse plastic cover (after wind: everything was on the ground)

#vegetablegardening #gardening #gardeningsenior

The mini greenhouse

✔️raised bed
✔️frost protection

It’s plastic but it works

‘Til high winds & the 4 beds toppled, plants buried, plastic ripped, frames broken; soil lost

No pix: too traumatized

Back upright & replanted

Will they survive?

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I wait and see. Can’t hurt to leave it there for a while.

#gardening

Here is a surprise plant in my garden.

Is it a tobacco plant?

If so: There no tobacco farms nearby. Where did it come from?

Jars of FREEZEDRIED mixed berries

#freezedrying
One of my favourite things to freezedry is mixed berries.

I purchase a bulk bag of frozen berries & preserve them.

No taking up room in the freezer or risking a thaw during power outages

No risk of going bad in fridge.

& I ❤️ the texture when added to yoghurt or oatmeal.

June 1: went down to 2c this morning. What is happening??!!

Plastic raised beds with greenhouse plastic cover. (Each holding 2 tomato plants)

#gardening #gardeningsenior

May 31: going down to a windy 5c again tomorrow & the next day. Will we ever get warm weather?

My poor plants.

These raised bed / greenhouses were 1/2 price so I bought some.

They are plastic and won’t last long but I bet my 🍅 plants like them!

As will my back

It is like we have lost a month of growing season (Ont. Canada)

#gardening #gardeningsenior

Tell me again why my knees, back, & muscles hurt?

There was a lot of “just push through it and get it done” moments.

It will hopefully look amazing in a month’s time when everything is flourishing.

Tomatoes, beets, carrots, onions, herbs, lettuce, potatoes & more

Dozens of daffodil bulbs & plants, freshly dug, laid out on a drying rack

#gardening #gardeningsenior
Years ago, I planted 10 #daffodils.

Today, I had to dig them up or cover them with a fire pit.

I dug them. Dozens of them!

They had JUST started to die back. I don’t know if they will survive the move.

They are now drying inside of my little cabin.

Any tips?

Young Orange tree growing - having survived a Canadian winter outside

#gardening #gardeningsenior #citrus

For several years, I’ve grown a lemon Meyer tree and some calemondin oranges.

Last summer, one orange didn’t survive. I just left the pot outside. (For a 🇨🇦 winter)

Today, I went to use the pot for something - only to find a little orange tree growing!

$20 US price?

Two broken wheelbarrows

#gardening #gardeningsenior

Back to back wheelbarrow troubles.

Our wheelbarrows are ancient but still work just fine …. well, until the wood handles/frame broke on the one & the wheel fell off

I got the second one, only for it to break in the exact same way.

Replacement arms? $70/pair