life – Climate Wary Homesteader

Frost this Morning

2 common phone weather apps and the truth. If the frozen water and ice on everything didn’t tell you the truth, the apps sure aren’t. It’s below freezing. Currently at 7:30 am it’s 31.1 degrees (the truth). It’s the coolest morning since I set up the little weather station above my garden. It got downContinueContinue reading “Frost this Morning”

Red In The Morning

It’s been pretty freaking fantastic with the red skies in the morning lately. And they have been pretty true to the little ditty about red skies. It’s rained shortly after the red. It was lightly raining as it was red at the same time today. I usually notice the glow of the forest to theContinueContinue reading “Red In The Morning”

Getting some paws in the sand.

There was some speculation that last night was going to be frosty. It got close- 34.7°F here. But no frost on the ground or the truck. Still, I had taken precautions and brought a few not hardy plants into the camper for the night. And since it’s a clear night again, I brought them inContinueContinue reading “Getting some paws in the sand.”

Catch Up (ketchup?)

So many tomatoes ripe at once. To say I’ve been busy is an understatement. And that’s on top of having the Covid. I went to the trouble of masking in public. I hunted down and fought for the newest Covid variant vaccine. And it was a fight because I’m not 65 and the confusion MrContinueContinue reading “Catch Up (ketchup?)”

I’ve been busy preserving food.

I don’t think the others on the homestead really take food preservation very seriously. As I’m working diligently to fill my own place up with dehydrated cabbage, fermented concoctions, dehydrated fruits, canned and frozen foods they don’t seem to do the same or care too. But they call my other garden projects useless (like theContinueContinue reading “I’ve been busy preserving food.”

Heat Kills

The human body can only handle so much. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/13/death-toll-extreme-heat-arizona-county?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7zt_hUKB86Qzyb7tLNo-VlvZTKJdealg9VQGk9SKEcd0l78r3-isOZZcX-Tg_aem_tJp32Wbz6lNluRIimunzWg And Arizona is a place typically known for being hot. People living there generally know how to deal with the heat and the majority have air conditioning. But heat like what is now being experienced is more dangerous. Not just for humans. Animals and plants alsoContinueContinue reading “Heat Kills”

Speaking of bugs….

Ticks aren’t the only troublesome thing these days. But not unusual for here. No-see-ums and mosquitoes have been driving me nearly insane. Every time I’m outside I get so bit up. I’ve had to bathe myself just now in my witch-hazel and plantain liniment since I just put the ducks and chickens up for theContinueContinue reading “Speaking of bugs….”

Ticks and Greenbeans

Much cooler today and cloudy. We got a little light rain this morning. Sprinkles really. But I was surprised to find myself with a tick. Now this area doesn’t get ticks much. I haven’t seen one in many years. A sign it’s getting hotter here? A climate change sign? One of the issues with warmingContinueContinue reading “Ticks and Greenbeans”

Malaria wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card.

Malaria acquired in Washington State. The state I call home. Yes. We have mosquitoes but we typically don’t have tropical diseases. This could be a symptom of a warming world. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/malaria-possibly-contracted-in-wa-would-be-states-first-case/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5BjhgbJgXmAYxr0Cozfz16m6iaQG4EPCp2gLn2YtGg5uXTYV1UOpSAFU3lXw_aem_uzAiEBTaIChxNAeGn43-ug

Rain! Lovely Rain.

Last night it began. A nice gentle wash that has continued today. It’s exactly what the land needs. Just over half an inch has fallen today at a rate that soaks into the parched earth and not just run off. Of course this means I don’t have to feel guilty about not working a lotContinueContinue reading “Rain! Lovely Rain.”