Persimmon Roulette

We have a very tall persimmon tree that grows by our gate. Every fall it showers us with ripe persimmons. There would be no way to pick them as they are at least 30 ft off the ground. The tricky thing is knowing when you should try and eat one. Get it at the right stage of ripeness and it is the most delectable of fruit. Tastes like the finest orange marmalade! Try it just a little too early and it’s sort of like someone has poured a can of alum on your tongue. They must be super-ripe. Almost bordering on rotten. I’m not ready to test them just yet.

The bionic cherry tree

When we were making this place a bit more fit for permanent habitation last fall, I had to use a chain-saw type excavator to scribe some trenches for water and power conduits. At one point on the back embankment it got a little out of control on the incline and hit a cherry tree I’d planted here a few years back. It split it pretty badly in a couple places. I felt bad about it and figured it was destined to die of it’s injuries. One evening a couple weeks later the wind started kicking up and threatened to completely split the tree. Out of desperation I drilled a couple holes completely through it and reinforced it with carriage bolts and washers. To my surprise, it has thrived this year and even produced a huge number of cherries. It appears to have completely fused back together. Maybe a lot of things can heal if you just give them the right kind of help?

Last year we got comfrey going at the new homestead. We contained it in some tires so it didn’t take the place. If you don’t know comfrey, it is an awesome medicinal plant. Really does close wounds quickly (careful with a puncture wound where you might seal up infection in there). Contains allantoin, a cell proliferant. It’s also a great generator of compost material and happens to have attractive blossoms.

Ok. I give in. It is the caterpillar blog! All caterpillars! All the time!

I’m joking. But I couldn’t resist completing the bizarre caterpillar trifecta with this Tomato Hornworm M just found in the garden. Covered in parasitic wasp pupae, I thought he was worthy of a photo.

It’s not been a fantastic year for most tomatoes in these parts, but the cherry tomatoes are dependable as usual.

Ok. Not trying to make this the caterpillar blog, but we have seen some interesting ones lately. Yesterday the Saddleback. Today, a pink-furred variety we found walking down our lane.

A closer look at the venomous little guy.

I’d not have noticed this fellow if he hadn’t stung the daylights out of my shoulder as I passed while cycling this morning. Very much like being stung by a wasp, only with less lasting effects. Nice colors though!

Kazak is growing up fast. And learning more every day. We lost his great-great-grandmother, Gudrun this week. She was 12 and fairly active up to the end. Acting as security at work most of her life, she was truly the best of dogs. We accidentally ended up with one of her descendants (didn’t know until we got his papers). It’s nice to know we still have some of her good genes around the place.

Kang Kob pumpkins on the fence. They’re a variety from Thailand. I’m no aficionado, but it’s really the best pumpkin I’ve ever tasted. Got seeds from Baker Creek several years ago and have been saving them out of a nice pumpkin ever since. Looks like it’s going to be a good year for them.

The first open thistle of the year. We hike nightly and often see amazing flora and/or wildlife. The thistle blooms are a striking burst of color at a time when not much else is flowering.