August 26, 2015
My wife Andrea’s brother put some Corona bottles neck down in the soil in our garden last Spring. We didn’t see them until after he left town. When Andrea asked him why he did it he said,” I’m hoping it will grow beer plants.” Well, it did. Her brother and wife will be in town today so they can help with the harvest.
We’ll plant more next year.
August 25, 2015
Smoke doesn’t bother me much but the smoke in the Okanagan Valley the last couple days has. My throat is a bit sore. Less energy too.
Smokey Okanagan morning 2015
It’s smoke to the ground, inside and out in Kelowna. Sensitive people must leave the valley.
August 24, 2015
It was supposed to be 28 degrees today but never was. It was so smokey from the wildfires in Washington, Idaho. and BC, that the sun never got through. My throat is sore from breathing smoke all day.
I hope the wind moves it away somewhat for tomorrow. However, I guess someone else be just getting it. Been a long hot summer in the Okanagan and most places. we are 2 weeks or more in advance of our regular harvesting in the garden. Check out Castanet for up to date wildfire awareness in BC/Okanagan
August 18, 2015
Potted the rose cuttings into soil and pot yesterday. Looking good. The original rose goes back 100 years when my grandfather gave his wife some roses. Clippings have been taken through the years. I took these about 5 weeks ago.
100 year old rose keeps living
Keeps on growing
August 18, 2015
On the way to work this morning at 5:30am I could see the sky turning red. I wanted to find a place to stop and get a photo.
Okanagan red clouds
Well I did find a place to stop in time and happy with the photos
Okanagan red clouds with white whisper
August 15, 2015
A fire started at 1:30 on August 13, within 1 hour it was over 800 hectars and today it is around 2500.It is slowing down a bit but lightening, thunder, and high winds are predicted. http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-146015-3-.htm#146015
Rock Creek wildfire 2015
Two more fires broke out near Oliver today. We badly need some rain in Southern BC
August 15, 2015
Upgraded Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 last week and I like it compared to 8.1. It’ more like Window XP/7 than 8.1. Some software drivers are not fully 10 ready but that shouldn’t be too long.
Upgrading to Windows 10
The upgrade/install didn’t take too long and was quite smooth.The Control Panel we are all used to seems to be gone and replaced by “Settings.” Over all, quite happy. It’s more similar to Windows XP/7 than it is to 8.1. Still waiting for some software to upgrade their drivers for Windows 10 but that shouldn’t be too long. If you have Windows 7 to 8.1 you can upgrade for free for the next year. I will post more as I learn more about Windows 10.
August 12, 2015
If you are interested in or want to contribute check out the Bateman Blog. It has lots of info about the Bateman family and growing every day. Bateman Blog
August 12, 2015
Two and a half months of extremely hot weather has put garden harvest well in advance.
15 lbs+ potatoes per plant
I’m getting 15 pounds or more of potatoes per plane. Wow, I’ve got about 30 plants.
The beans keep producing faster than we can keep up with pickling and freezing
Squash varieties just keep producing
August 12, 2015
A great grandfather on my mothers side of the family gave his wife some roses 100 years ago. She made some cuttings and they survived. Over the last 100 years different family members have made cuttings and the rose still grows, I was at a Bateman family reunion in Nanaimo this year and took five cuttings. Put them in a container, covered them in plastic to keep moisture in and brought them home. One month later three of them are producing new growth. Live on.
I used gel rooting compound and put cuttings into peat pellets.
