Shutting Down

[mike]

I'm shutting my gardens down today and tomorrow. I'm going to wait until after I've recovered a bit from surgery before I start again. I have a few things that need dealing with over the next month. I'll still be checking in.

[Shawn]

I hope all your gardens are well advanced that you do not lose anything major.  But it is understandable that you want to start fresh and not have to worry about anything.

Of course I will be thinking of you especially during the time of surgery.  I am thrilled that you will still be checking in.  Please check in now, before, and of course when you can after surgery to let us know how you are.

[cjsbabygirl313]

Will be sending healing and strengthening vibes your way - both physically and emotionally. Take care and remember to take it easy ... let us know how things are going!

[drbanks]

Bummer, but best wishes with your surgery!  And hope to see some exciting new projects when you're back into the swing of things!

[mike]

This is still my favorite hobby. I actually want to do some rearranging. I want to pull out the four Ultra CFL units. I want to put two of them, each, back to back and hang a Roleadro light overhead. I am curious about that. I did that on a couple of Extras growing Jalapeno M peppers with the red/blue lights I used before. That was my most successful jalapeno grow ever. I still have some of those dehydrated pepper rings in my spice cabinet. That was from 2014, I believe. I need to find some tables for them, first.

[drbanks]

Still hoping for a Jalapeno M grow-along.  I've already procured seeds...

[mike]

If you don't mind waiting a bit, I figure the middle of January should be OK. I won't get my seeds before December 18 anyway. That's what I get for ordering them from Amazon.

[drbanks]

No worries.  I have about 20 varieties of peppers growing now, and one jalapeno plant that's just starting to be productive, so I'm in no hurry.

Heavy lifting and planning before.. a wise choice!
 It's still early days, and that gives you time to prepare
One thing I did in advance also was to stock up on water, milk , a week's worth of groceries..anything you won't want to be lifting out of the car from the market and up the stairs into the apartment.
 

[mike]

I actually have 6-months of dehydrated food on hand. And my condo complex has an elevator to my 3rd floor. My freezer is packed. I even have 21-gallons of water in storage. I also have tons of personally pressure-canned goods for use. I need to start weeding out some of the older stuff. That doesn't even in include the store bought canned stuff.

UR prepared for the Apocalypse!

[mike]

I wouldn't say apocalypse. Everything I have fits in a small bedroom. I'm more concerned about what happens if the power grid goes down for an extended period of time. The first thing that would happen would be the grocery stores would be cleaned out. I do know a couple of serious preppers. They are the ones with underground bunkers on their hunting property.

Ha! Around here if they say "snow! 3-5 inches expected" there would be a  run on the markets for bread , milk and Doritos!You wouldn't be able to find a place in the parking lot.

[Shawn]

It is the same here Corinne, but even for a dusting they go nuts.  Me, I drive in it as long as it is not icy.  However I usually have what I need on hand and a full freezer in the garage.

[mike]

Here in Michigan, 3-5 feet can happen. I've had to creep out at an intersection in my car before you can see if anyone is coming because the snow is so high. We've had it easy the last few years. Usually not more than a foot of snow when it was "bad". The snow doesn't bother me. But I HATE the ice! I don't care what driving skills you have, ice is the great equalizer.

A while ago, I visited an old neighbor who now lives in North Carolina. It was late November. I stayed with my friends for a few days. But the folks in their community started to panic because of the 1" of snow they got.  I decided to head home. I actually got pulled over by a North Carolina State cop. He wanted to know why I was out on the road with the weather was so bad. I laughed. I hope he didn't get ticked, but I told him "Sir, I'm from Michigan. We have a minimum of 6" of snow on the ground from Halloween to Mayday." That was certainly an exaggeration, but I had fun with it.

[Shawn]

I just hate the bitter cold.  I do not like more then an inch or two either.   I used to but my body and bones can't take it any more

[drbanks]

Here in cow Hampshire, we get one inch of snow and everyone starts shouting "Blizzard of '78" and then declare a French toast day.

[cjsbabygirl313]

Dusting of snow here in Maryland empties grocery stores, streets are abandoned, and the iditots who DO go out can’t drive to save their lives ... Marylanders are snow wimps

Yes. I have heard that  from my cousin who lives in MD. She works in DC and says it is  unbelieveable .You'd think by now they would be prepared.