Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

So, I have a composting question. I build an 8x8x4 bin out of pallets. I'm raking leaving up in the woods (yes, I must be crazy!) and shredding them with my push mower/bagger and dumping them into the bin. I've got it about 1/4 of the way full, not packed down. Should I fill it up all the way? Make another pile of un-shredded leaves for in the spring? I've never composted before, so while I understand that I need as many leaves as I can get stocked up, I don't really have a place for them where winter winds won't blow them all away.

Fill up the bin. It will get smaller over the winter.
Also add some brown material (carbon) if all you have is leaves. Also add a couple of shovels of soil to help jump start the bacteria and fungi.

 

[Opa]

As long as the birds are kept where they roost away from draft, and the humidity is kept under control, your birds can tolerate sub freezing temperatures without any difficulty. My birds are kept in a coop that has open windows all winter without any problems resulting from the cold.

 

[naglady]

chickflick good luck with your surgery.. hope you dont starve to death.. thats a late surgery..

those are cute ee.. love them..

 

[tsetse9]

Rough day today, 2 weeks ago my85 year old mom fell while stepping off a stepladder, missed a step, fell off backwards and hit her back on the kitchen counter. While her back is healing, ever since then she's been having sharp tearing feeling spasms in her upper abdomen. Doctor (who we've tried to get her to switch from for 20 years) says no biggie take some meds. Well happened today while she was driving to a little shop. She turned into the shop and had the spasm, couldn't hit the brakes, jumped the curb, hit a parked car of a worker and car stopped straddling one of those cement barriers in front of parking spots. When I got there she was in ambulance but didn't want to go to hospital. I convinced her to go, told her my sister was gonna make her go in tonight anyway, might as well get it over with. She was like I'm fine. But then would say how horrible of pain it was. We are like mom, that's not OK!!!! ( as there are 15 of us kids, and some are more forceful than others, i knew a few were gonna freak if she didnt go in) So blood work, cat scan, and hours later they can find nothing to attribute these pains too. Found some more minor things like bladder infection, etc but nothing to explain her excrutiating spasms. So frustrating, she is leaving for Florida for the winter in three days and I hate being so far that we can't check on her and visit her much. Sorry for the long rambling, I just needed to write it out and as she said, nobody better put this on Facebook!!! So I figure since no one here knows my mom I can release my worries for her here. BTW, tonight we were supposed to be taking her out to dinner and spending time together one last time before she left, but in stead I brought her take out after she was finally released this evening :-(

 

[Opa]

Rough day today,.................. Sorry for the long rambling, I just needed to write it out................... I can release my worries for her here.

Yes you sure can come here to unwind and find a others is similar situations. I for one, can relate to your concerns and oft times frustration. My mother has lived with us since my father passed and I can relate to the worry one has while trying to preserve their independence and keep them safe. Just keep doing what you are because down the road you will find it was all worth it.

 

[Amy PT]

I can release my worries for her here. BTW, tonight we were supposed to be taking her out to dinner and spending time together one last time before she left, but in stead I brought her take out after she was finally released this evening :-(

Sometimes when life is overwhelming, venting honestly helps. What a scary day for her (and you)! Good for you on insisting that she be checked out. Maybe tending to the bladder infection will help her with the pain.

 

[Opa]

As I reread my previous post I thought that I would offer a suggestion that could aid in making this thread a better read. Many time we want to answer a question from a prior post or comment on something a fellow poster has written. Usually it is only a small portion of their post that we want to reference. When their entire post is quoted the particular portion you are referring can be difficult to find.

You can edit out all but the portion you wish to reference and your post will be more concise and relevant.

 

[Opa]

Even though I've got a doctor's appointment this morning it doesn't require the inhumane requirement of no coffee.

It appears that since the last 3 posts are mine that I have managed to chase everyone away.

 

[RaZ]

You can edit out all but the portion you wish to reference and your post will be more concise and relevant.

That's what I do.

 

[1muttsfan]

Tsetse, as Opa said, the time, effort and angst are all worth it in the long run - just knowing you did the right thing for your mom is priceless.

My BF's dad is slowly dying, he has been in the hospital since his massive stroke and is not expected to make it much longer. While surrounded by family, they are a contentious bunch and at times the effort to keep things calm has left me exhausted by the end of the day. It is a strange thing to love someone but at the same time wish they could pass without long days of sorrow and, for some of the family, regrets.

Please take the time to let your loved ones know how important they are in your lives.