Over the last week we have been digging our new Grocery Row Gardens and installing trees.

Our friend James brought over his tractor and tilled. It’s been dry ever since (about three weeks without rain!) and the grass has mostly died out, so we’re putting in our beds.

There are seven beds that are about 80′ each. The lack of rain is hard on the trees and plants we are transplanting and there’s still no precipitation in sight, despite the hurricane hitting Florida to the southeast. (Good luck, Tampa!)

I’m probably just going to have to get a longer hose and drag it around to keep things alive. The weather has gotten cooler and it feels great outside, so it’s a wonderful time to be in the garden.

This morning I started a new gallon batch of sauerkraut, strained out some kefir cheese, started a 2-liter bottle of mead, and got some sheets from the thrift store I can cut up and use for straining out curds. I’ve also got some wheat berries sprouting on the counter, which will soon be dehydrated and turned into wheat beer.

I really should be working on my current book project, but just can’t bring myself to get to real work.

On other news, our goat Ada Claire died this morning. She’s been ill for the last few weeks since we got her home from a friend’s farm. Weak and lethargic. I tried everything I could, from de-worming to giving her kelp meal, pine needles and molasses water, but no luck. She was a very good goat and I was sad to see her crumpled up on the grass this morning.

So… off to the Grocery Row Garden with her.

We’ll miss you, but at least you’ll help us grow some trees and vegetables.

Rest in peas.

In yet other news, pecans are falling from the trees. They are small, seedling pecans, with good flavor. The trees are huge and old! Probably 150 years and still producing.

Yesterday we also got a few gallons of chestnuts off the amazing tree down the road. That’s a blessing. I’ll be planting them all over the yard soon.

Hope you all are well. I should probably find something to do that actually makes money. Perhaps I’ll finish my video on the Grocery Row Garden installation. That would be better than looking up fermentation recipes and listening to lounge music…