Sweet Potatoes 2015

Since 1971, North Carolina has ranked as the No. 1 sweet potato producing state in the U.S. Its hot, moist climate and rich, fertile soil are ideal for cultivating sweet potatoes, averaging at nearly 50% of the U.S. supply. According to the USDA, North Carolina harvested nearly 50,000 acres of sweet potatoes in 2010, the same amount produced by California, Louisiana and Mississippi combined – also top producing states. Sampson, Nash and Johnston are the top producing counties accounting for about half of the state’s supply.
So with all that said, I planted sweet potatoes this year - Beauregard - which originated in Louisiana in 1987. Considering I did absolutely nothing, I got a really good crop.  I remember eating sweet potatoes growing up - my Mom baked them in the oven and they would turn this horrible brown color and look like death warmed over (this was before microwaves and saran wrap).  But they were good and a staple in our household.
Disclaimer: I don't know who is holding those sweet potatoes but they look similar to mine.

Chickens and Eggs

So things have changed with my chickens.  I only have three now - all Barred Rock which are great but it's like having triplets!  After many long months of bickering they have settled down and are living the good life.
Time passed and no eggs so I called the man I bought them from and expressed my concern (mainly, did I get roosters - what's going on here).  Well he assured me I would know if they were roosters and every chicken is different so give them time.  Good things come to those who wait (is that right?)  Anyhow, I was cleaning the coop a couple of weeks ago and over in the darkest corner was a nest with 17 eggs - I know - where was I when all this was happening - who knows!  So fixed that and now I'm getting eggs on a regular basis.

 

Alfred Hitchcock

Well, Happy Halloween! 

"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" is on Antenna TV all day - a marathon for Halloween.  I love watching these now but when I was a teenager they scared the bejesus out of me.  I could barely get thru the whole show before I chickened out and cut off the tv (this was black and white tv days).  And after that was over, The Twilight Zone came on and it was beyond scary. 
So hope everybody gets some treats tonight.

I'm still alive and kicking ....

Lots going on but nothing earth shattering.  I don't know how people do Facebook and all that crap.  I can't even do a blog once in three months.  And trust me, nobody needs to know what I do - I'm about as dull a dirt.
But all that said, I'll be back soon.

Moon Craters

 I was down at the river last week - yep, it was hot.  The river is brackish and the water flows in and out and varies from day to day - sometimes hour to hour.  A large variety of fish, wildlife and now a alligator (which I usually see every time I'm there).  The water was out as far as I've seen it.  These photos are from the "sandy waterhole" which is connected to the river.  Usually this area is covered with 2-3 feet of water.  These are bream beds along the edge - they really do look like moon craters.

So I fished a little - caught some nice bream and the next day the water was back to normal and all this was covered up.

Bee Checkup and Hot Weather

We're having a heat wave!  No kidding - it's really hot.  So the bees are hanging around outside during late afternoon and evening.  They all get back inside before the morning and of course if there's bad weather.

I checked the hives on Saturday morning.  Nuc #3 was gone - there were only a few bees in the box.  They were there on Wednesday.  I saw a lot of activity but sometime in between they left.  Who knows why, I certainly don't. 
Hive #4 - took off 4 full frames of honey.
Nuc #1 - took off 5 full frames of honey.
Nuc #2 - took off a full super (10 frames) of honey
No hive beetles, lots of bees - everything looks good.
So I have three hives right now - don't plan on making any more nucs - things didn't go well this year with that so maybe I'll try again next year or not.
Lots in the news lately about bees.  Bayer certainly has their name out there and well they should since they provide the pesticides that kill the bees - talking out the side of their mouth.  I have issues with the pesticide companies - I could rant for hours and hours about them. But enough about that . . . . 

Poor Lily

Lily is exhausted!  Taking care of business in the yard and protecting our chickens is hard work and it's always at night!  Possums, possums, and more possums are hanging around - if they only knew they'd travel down the road.  So in the morning Lily is ready for bed- another one last night.
FYI - I'm not a possum fan.