Michigan

[RaZ]

RaZ- why are you wanting amphibians for your property?

When I was a kid, there was a vernal pond where we would go to gather tadpoles. They paved it over to make a bank parking lot. There was also a creek across the street that they put in concrete tubes and buried. No more frogs, crayfish or turtles around there anymore.

A few years ago when I installed my pond, American toads found it and bred there. I love hearing the mating calls of frogs and toads. Even though I'm in the burbs I'm trying to make my little slice just a bit more natural.

On a side note, I've been hearing a red wing blackbird in the morning. They like to nest near water.

 

[Elliemae 77]

RIRJen....Well now, don't I feel silly. I've been counting the day I set too. No wonder I always think my chicks are late. One of these days I'll get the hang of this incubating thing. That's good to know that.a cracked egg can survive.....I had no idea.

Nova, sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I'm all for raising my own food (as much as I can anyway). Teaching myself too. No one to help guide me. My family thinks I'm just making it harder on myself than it needs to be. So thankful that DH has got my back. Every year our garden is a little bigger, a little better. We still buy some produce from the store in the winter but only because I haven't taught myself to can yet. Maybe this year.....I hope.

I love frogs! My folks own property that has a small lake on it with tons of frogs. Used to spend my summers swimming, fishing and catching frogs and turtles. I loved summer nights when those frogs would just sing their little hearts out. We now live about 20 minutes from.my folks place out in the country and there's a little pond across the road on our property so I'm blessed to hear them sing their little hearts out here now too. Helps to make it feel like home.

 

[chicken grandma]

RaZ - when I lived in Los Angeles I would release crickets from the pet store into the yard so that I could pretend I was in Michigan. It would work for a day or two.

Frog on!

 

[RaZ]

come on CG... He wants to eat French! Frog legs are so good. And then there is the benefit of frog song. What neighbor wouldn't enjoy that?

Before he went to Nam, my cousin used to take me frog gigging and small game hunting.
I can almost taste the rabbit, squirrel, frog legs and birds we brought in.

 

[chicken grandma]

Every year our garden is a little bigger, a little better. We still buy some produce from the store in the winter but only because I haven't taught myself to can yet. Maybe this year.....I hope.

Elliemae - This is my year to learn also. Opa recommended the Balls Blue Book of Canning and Olive offered to give some written instruction. Someone recommended 'PUTTING FOOD BY' that is a book. What area of the state are you in? There are a couple of us in W.Mich. that hope to get together to can.

 

[Elliemae 77]

West Michigan.
That Opa, he's just a wealth of knowledge isn't he..

 

[RaZ]

Elliemae - This is my year to learn also. Opa recommended the Balls Blue Book of Canning and Olive offered to give some written instruction. Someone recommended 'PUTTING FOOD BY' that is a book. What area of the state are you in? There are a couple of us in W.Mich. that hope to get together to can.

You can also check with your county extension office. Some offer canning and food preservation classes.
A few of us MGs tried to do it here in Wayne County but were shot down.

 

[chicken grandma]

West Michigan.

Yeah~ If you would like to learn together, just send me a personal message! Nancy

RaZ - what is an MG and how did you get shot down?

 

[1muttsfan]

Yeah~ If you would like to learn together, just send me a personal message! Nancy

RaZ - what is an MG and how did you get shot down?

X2?

 

[RaZ]

Yeah~ If you would like to learn together, just send me a personal message! Nancy
RaZ - what is an MG and how did you get shot down?

Sorry...Master Gardener.

It's a long story but we got caught up in the Wayne County political machine. For me to mention any of the corruption that was alleged to have occurred would be libelous.