Pacific

Today was pretty busy, I did a lot of driving. Another Master Gardener and I did a presentation on vermiposting. It was so fun, even with a small crowd and a couple people not sure about worms. I hope these people left with some good info and maybe some laughs. For me, doing presentations can be intimidating. In no way do I know it all about vermiposting, but I think I know enough to help someone get started. For me, it's always learning as I instruct.
After the event my son Joaquin and I went on a small walk around Chino Basin Water Conservation District. Neither of us had been there before. We only saw a small section of it, but it was so serene and peaceful. I plan on going back soon and getting better acquainted with the area. Driving to new places is still hard for me. But, I do challenge myself and have been doing it more. I have to admit I did not take the freeway, for some reason that section of the 10 makes a weird vibration that really bothers me. So, if I am not in a rush I will avoid the freeway.
A lot of what I do lately is challenging myself. So I think I need to add another challenge, get back to the YMCA. For some reason I have a hard time going if I am going by myself. Really, I just need to stop making excuses. Working out has always helped out with my anxiety. Last year after a series of deaths, I just kind of got stuck. I just let myself get all worked up about death and figured since my peers were dying maybe I should just accept the inevitable and stop fighting for myself. Of course I will not cheat death, I will die one day. But, I should fight to be healthy and live a life I can love. It's hard to love a life full of anxiety and doubt. I know I am not the only one who can relate to this.
I think for my birthday I will try and schedule both a beach clean up and a trail maintenance day. For my 42nd birthday I want to give back to the Pacific Ocean coastline, and of course a local trail. Maybe throw some camping in the mix. I might move a little slow (thanks arthritis) but, I move and can get things done. One of the things that really hold me back is being heat sensitive but last year I joined a challenge and some of the ladies have me some tips. Obviously I need to stay hydrated, but there are some items I purchased that helped, including cooling socks....yes! The cooling socks are worth the money.

Tomorrow I need to look at my calendar for the next month and add in some hiking trips. I love the sounds of my boots hitting the dirt, and the smells of the changing air, plants, and yes the dirt. We have a California Explorer Annual Pass, so we will be finding more places to explore and enjoy. Adventuring is fun, inspiring, and invigorating.
This week, I also need to get some more seeds started for spring planting. I am excited for the chance of frost to pass. Some night we can still drop into the 30's and warm weather plants tend to not like that. We lost all of our seedlings last year because of that. We live and learn. Right now we have broccoli, napa cabbage, iceberg lettuce, and strawberries growing. Also, we still have citrus flowering and coming in. I am hoping as the years go on the size of our garden progresses and we become more food secure in the fresh food area. I want to plant a lot of tomatoes so we have fresh and I can can some sauces, and what not. That is why I am loving the Master Food Preservers class.
Coming next month I will be starting an irrigation class. When I finish that and pass the test I will be a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper. All this little things will help me do better at home, and get me to my goal of having a good harvest, without too much cost.
That is all I have for now.....tomorrow my oldest two celebrate a Rite at Mass....I am excited, but also weary we will not find a Sponsor or a Godparent before they make their sacrements.

Roots to Braches

Today was pretty good, with a friend I made in my Master Gardener class I volunteered with Redlands Conservancy. We put some seeds to start in trays, and small pots. They are all native plants to the area. The seeds were collected locally and will go back to into the conservancy land ruined by a recent fire. Yesterday, they started reforestation of Live Oaks. Someone from IERCD was there and spoke to us, and he helped. I came home with some wildflower seeds to put into the ground at home.

 

 This is the California Holly. It is related to rose, and tastes like a crab apple. You can make jellies out of it. Look below and you will see it even looks like a miniature apple for a dollhouse.

 

 

Here we are getting instruction for one of the Outdoor Ambassadors on how are are going to plan the seeds, and on her yucca starts. Yucca is also edible. Did you know there is several ways to prepare it?

 Above is white sage, it is mostly ceremonial but is also edible. White sage, like black sage is stronger than a kitchen nursery sage and should be used to taste.

 Here are some of the pots I got started, it was pretty fun. I got to bring home one thing of white sage. I use it during prayer and meditation.

The grren tubes are Live Oak saplings and acorns. This is the first step of the reforestation.

 I Live Oak that survived the fire this summer. Standing strong.

A volunteer for IERCD showing us how to plant the seedlings the best way.

Here is my hat, all kattywompus while I was handcasting wildflower seeds. I think this and putting plans into the ground was my favorite part.

This area that we live in, there are some things that people consider "weeds" that actually serve a purpose. They help keep beneficial incest alive, and those insects help pollinate our other plants. Some of these native "weeds" are the telegraph weed, Pomona local weed, buckwheat, and the yucca. So before you go pulling things out, try and identify if it is something that is good or if it is invasive.

Oh, hey! Look at me in my skirt form the Goodwill! getting work done and living the wildlife.

Unaware

Today I got to volunteer at the helpline for the Master Gardeners program I am in. I enjoy the office space, and I was worried at first it would be too quiet for me, it wasn't. Day to day I am used to lots of noise, kids, the traffic of the neighborhood I live in, and media. Even when I go hiking or trail walking, I have my earbuds in and have on music or a podcast. I played some podcasts while I was working and reading one of the books in the office. I think when I am there and have any down time I will read and listen to podcasts. Which reminds me that I need to find a good gardening podcast. Well, I just looked on iTunes and found Master Gardeners Hour. I will give it a whirl and post about it after a few episodes seep into my ears.

I took Joaquin to see his pediatric neurologist today. For now he is off his seizure medication pending an eight hour EEG, but will remain on hos tourettes medication. He is coming a long way.

While I do spend time volunteering, maybe more than some people think is okay for me, I am still looking for a part time job. Our income is really been basically cut in half, which makes things pretty hard. Ideally I would like to keep our house. I know it is not okay to dwell on it, and yet the stress is making one of my eyelids twitch. I think so rest, prayer, and meditation is in order. That is my plan for this weekend.

Last night in the Master Gardener class I learned about fruit trees. Now I need to make a spreadsheet for the trees I have and when I should be pruning them. Some of the trees on the property flower but do not fruit. So now I know how I might be able to help them. I will give it a year and if they no long fruit and are not diseased they will become mulch. Once finances are better I will be investing in a mulcher. There are some small ones on Amazon I have been eyeing. One step at a time, I know this.

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