Sweet and Sour

Mr. Fuzzy returned from the Fort Frederick & Kentucky journey a bit tired and with prodigious sinus production. Two days later, it made a turn for the worse and Mr. Fuzzy was bedridden. After three trips to doctors over fourteen days, the problem is still unclear except that the lungs were struck and a ten day asthma attack was part of the mix. Sinus cavities and lung lobes are at long last back to normal but stamina and strength still prove elusive.

Even these pregnant does realized Mr. Fuzzy was no real threat as he yelled at them from the the front door. Only when the dogs of war (Rufus & Rocky) were loosed did they meander elsewhere. From the four does observed this week, they should be giving birth any day now.

Although Mr. Fuzzy still was running a low grade fever and was more than his usual level of fuzzy-minded, he managed to attend Rebecca Shannon's class on making vinegar. It was a most interesting class full of learning and theory but the unique portion was taste testing some of Rebecca's various vinegars. Most of the class preferred the maple-syrup vinegar but it was too sweet for Himself. He has begun two vinegars, one based on red wine, the other on white wine; he had never tasted a white wine vinegar until the class and found it a most appealing flavour.

The flame azaleas (R. calendulaceum) have begun their spectacular bloom, shaming all else which bloometh in the forest at this or any other time. There are two basic colours with many shades, orange and yellow-peach. There are some at Stratheden Farms but the Blue Ridge Parkway is lined with thousands of fine specimens in their great glory.

More subtle & modest are the two varieties of wild iris found on the farm.  The native blue flag iris (Iris virginica L.) is ubiquitous in this area and are found in numerous sites at Stratheden. Some are natural and others are where Mr. Fuzzy has transplanted them; they seem thrive in damp or dry conditions, full sun or half-day shade. They are smaller than modern garden iris but no less beautiful.

The other native iris found on the farm is the brilliant yellow bog iris (Iris pseudacorus), a plant so successful that it is considered invasive. Unlike its blue cousin, this only lives in wetlands. Although considered invasive, it is an excellent solution to erosion; the roots run six to eight inches deep and are strongly interlocked from plant to plant... and they are beautiful during their relatively brief bloom period. Flowers are only fresh for one day and the group will be in bloom only a week or so. A damp meadow filled with this brilliant yellow is a sight to beheld.

The Creator surely blessed the Blue Ridge region more than its share of beauty.

Time to start seeds

It is undoubtedly time to start seeds in peat pots; in fact, perhaps the task  should have been initiated a fortnight ago. Despite the high temperatures experiences in the last two months, it is the lows which much concern the gardener. At sun rise this morn, the temperature was a scanty 37F and tonight is forecast to be somewhat colder. Then by Wednesday, a high of 84F (no, dearest reader, that is not a typographical error).

Despite the irregular conditions, some flowers are ahead of schedule. For example, the clematis to the left, which burst into exquisite bloom this very day. One iris next to a west facing wall should open in a day or two and the poppies blooms are round and full, ready to erupt into colour.

It is perhaps past time to relate some of the successes of the 2012 vegetable garden. Going against tradition, Mr. Fuzzy planted several hybrid varieties and was more than amply rewarded by their bounty. Sunburst Hybrid Patty Pan Squash produced dozens of large patty pans per plant, beautiful and flavorful, they dominated the kitchen larder for two months before succumbing to an infestation of squash bugs.

Cucumbers brought pounds of produce to the kitchen. Some were pickled, some were salad makings. Alibi Hybrid Pickling Cucumber was said to be edible if picked young and this was true. Mr. Fuzzy is not a major fan of cukes but this variety made him reconsider. The other very successful cucumber was a venerable old variety, Edmunton. Delicious fresh and superb pickled. Both varieties yielded bushels of produce until the plague of stem borers struck. By that time, Mr. Fuzzy couldn't look at another cucumber.

Not as prolific as those listed above, Hokkaido Stella Blue winter squash deserves special mention for outstanding flavor. Each one was about 2 to 3 pounds, an enchanting blue color on the exterior and a rich orange meat which beyond any doubt was the most flavorful of the squashes Mr. Fuzzy ever masticated. Only two squash per plant - thus this year about a dozen plants will be cultivated with hopes of enough to last through the winter.

Various sorts of peppers yielded well and were robustly flavored. World Beater bell pepper was a heavy yielder per plant and they were delicious. Italian sweet pepper seemed a delicate plant but the brilliant red succulent peppers were well worth the land space. Gourmet sweet pepper (both of these peppers were sourced from Territorial Seed) plants looked sickly and frail but pumped out the peppers and were off the charts sweet when lightly roasted over a hot fire.

All of these will be replanted again this year and a favorite from two years ago, Seminole winter squash as well. These flesh colored squash were said to "store well" and indeed, beyond all expectations, they were edible for ten months and kept without decay or mold for an amazing fourteen months.

So, there dear reader, you can see the core of this year's produce garden. May your garden prosper and provide your family with healthy and flavorful nutrition this summer and autumn.

Move over Seattle

Dearest Readers,

Today marked the sixth day it has rained in the last seven days. No, this is not normal here in the Blue Ridge mountains. There has not been an official rain reporting station in the county since just before World War II but general consensus is that normal annual precipitation approximated 46 inches. A friend who keeps very detailed weather records reported to me last night he has measured 36 inches of rain this year - so far. The temperatures continue to rock back and forth - tomorrow night is forecast to sink to 32F, many people have already planted gardens (a tad premature here) and are waiting with baited breath to see if it is a killing frost. The plants are very young and tender so it wouldn't require require a temperature much below freezing.

On the positive side, the grasses are growing beautifully and some cool season grasses are already seeding. Buttercups are in abundance and the ferns seem to be delighted with the dampness.


Just before sunset tonight, the light had a beautiful quality both in color and diffusion. There was so much water vapor because the temperature was approaching the dew point that there was a Scottish mist all about, not enough to be visible unless one examined conditions most carefully, but enough to gently diffuse the rays of the setting sun. Alas, this image is but a poor approximation of the beauty.

The relatively cool temperatures and more than adequate rainfall has aided the blooming trees in holding their flowers for an extraordinary period. This native Dogwood first came into bloom almost a month ago and still is bright ans shiny. The grass color may look like a digital artifact but it is accurate - Ireland is no greener than Stratheden Farm at the moment.

Fort frederick Colonial Trade Fair

Fort Frederick is one of the few French & Indian War sites in the South and perhaps the only stone star fort (as per Sebastien de Vauban's treatise, then considered the state of the art in fortification). Begun in 1756, it was never completed as envisioned because the colonial assembly cut off funding in 1758. It never saw hostile  military action; its major impact was as a staging area. During the Revolutionary War, it was a prison for thousands of British soldiers.

Located near Big Pool, Maryland, it is easily reached by those living along I-81 today. As a Maryland state park today, it comes to life several times during the year - the largest event is the Spring colonial trade fair with about 200 vendors of quality period wares. Their items are more carefully vetted than at many other sites and many true masters of their crafts sell here.

Mr. Fuzzy enjoys this annual event more for the opportunity to visit with friends than to purchase articles of delight. He offers this visual review of the 2013 event:

The talented silhouettist who is also a phrenologist. Mr. Fuzzy resisted for two days but finally placed a $10 bill in her palm for a reading. Her accuracy was scary.

 A boot black, surely a common trade in period, but Mr. Fuzzy has never seen one at an event before.

 Bill Bischer, knife maker

 Joseph & Sue, made the plates and many cups for Stratheden House. Good friends and very dear people.

 Allan Sandy, a very talented gun maker; Mr. Fuzzy admits to lusting after the double barreled fowler shown here...

 Tim Walsh who created the two tin chandeliers in Stratheden House and all of its lanterns both indoors and out.

 Jymm Hoffman and his appretice.

 A scurrilous crew indeed

There were many fine ladies fashions present.

Spring has arrived

Spring has come to Floyd but winter tried to linger. The temperatures at sunrise recorded on the farm:
Friday     61F
Saturday 35F
Sunday   29F

Mr. Fuzzy mowed both this Sunday and the prior Sunday. A week ago, I was sunburned mowing in my t-shirt at 83F; this Sunday I was mowing in a flannel shirt under a denim jacket and still chilled when the wind arose. There was a touch of frost in low places this Sunday but the fruit trees seem unharmed. The cherry trees are blooming in great abundance:

The first apple tree opened flowers today and the other apples trees are close behind. The Mutsu apple trees produce heavily every other year and this is the year - there will be plenty to eat, preserve and give away.

Ornamental cherry trees seem to prosper in the local conditions. This especially fine specimen is in front of the local newspaper's offices.

There are native trees in bloom all over the county.

This Saturday was the spring trash pickup by our loose-knit neighborhood association along Highway 221 from Slaughter's Grocery Store to Howell Creek, a distance of about five miles. Mr. Fuzzy and The Taciturn Yankee teamed up to work the most heavily trashed stretch; I cannae speak for  T. Y., but due to his sterling company, it was made a most enjoyable task. Here is a grandfather and grandson at work policing the roadside for trash. The Falling Branch community is strong and active, contributing to the area.

The tulips on the farm did not last long this year due to wind and cold nights but they were, as always, absolutely gorgeous during their reign. Mr. Fuzzy leaves you with this image to close this epistle.

No more false alarms

Devoted Readers,

Last week the mercury climbed to 83F (28C) before turning cold once more. But Mr. Fuzzy and most of the denizens of Stratheden believe that winter has been banished for months. The trees are in full bloom and the native flowers are blooming. The chickens are so happy to walk on warm ground and to be dining on fresh, tender, newly hatched insects.

Mr. Fuzzy had a busy Saturday. In the morning, he attended the first in a series of food preservation classes sponsored by the home extension office. There are three or four more classes to the series and they must be all taken in sequence. There were two other activities that attracted Mr. Fuzzy that morn but if he missed the class, the next opportuity to take it would be too late in the autumn to can the garden's bounty. The class was informative and well taught with an overflow of students present.

Since he was already removed from the farm and the class ended at 1:00, the ravenous Mr. Fuzzy motored from town southward on state highway 8 to his favourite weekly lunch at Tuggle's Gap Restaurant, esconced on the very ridge of The Blue Ridge. Miss Cheri, the owner, lived in New Mexico and is well versed in a proper red chile sauce; the burritos are divine but they kitchen specially formulated huevos rancheros for your author. He was thoroughly delighted.

Returnrng to the farm fat and happy, the afternoon was passed ind desultory small farm tasks. A quick shower (indoors) followed in time to attend the Jacksonville Art Center's Second Saturday exhibit premier. This was a very well attended event and the quality of the art was perhaps the best yet shown there. Kudos to all involved, especially the horde of volunteers who keep the doors open.

Sunday afternoon Mr. Fuzzy spent almost five hours mowing on the farm, not to make the grass neat and scenic, but control nasty invasive species of wild roses, briars and blackberries. Because Mr. Fuzzy was down with double pneumonia last autumn, the normal October mowing did not occur; combined with a mild winter, newly germinated canes grew all winter. Although the mower is capable of cutting a very large diameter cane, the problem is the height. After the cane reaches more than perhaps a foot tall, as the mower passes above it, the cane is bent to the ground and may escape the three whirling blades only to whip back upright as soon as the rear tires have passed. Alas, some of these canes has attained heights of 4-6 feet and when they whipped back (and forth), it was rather like being scourged. The best technique is to drive with one hand and bend the other arm across the face to prevent a bloody smacking. The right arm took quite a number of thorns; both arms were badly sunburnt and remain yet most tender and easily inflamed. The Sears 26 horse power mower is a beast. Much like a Model T Ford, it is black not as luxurious as many brands but it goes in places that would cause Sears' legal department to have conniption fits. It often is engaged to pull a small wagon and perhaps is the handiest single object on the farm.

This missive is being closed by a view toward The Buffalo, the humped mountain in the distance, from the Jacksonville Burying Grounds, almost adjacent to the Art Center. The grounds are sited perfectly on a high hill above the village with a panoramic 360 degree view of the county. Perhaps it will give you, good reader, some sense of the topography and scenery of this gorgeous county. Remember, you may click on any photograph to enlarge it for more detailed examination.

Snow, snow and snow

Mr. Fuzzy hopes ye readers do not become bored with his obsession about the weather conditions; remember that on a farm, the weather is paramount. This being the 4th day of April, two weeks into the season of Spring, it has snowed for the last five hours. Below is the weather radar at 6:40 p.m. and is in error because it is snowing here and should be shown as blue. The farm is located just below the intense red area...




a                        

And here is what it looked like from the old farmhouse late in the afternoon today-

And on  March 27th-

And on March 24th-

And on March 15th-

It has snowed more since mid-March than all winter long. Mr, Fuzzy and his neighbors are all confused. With each snow fall, we believe it to be the last and spring just around the bend. Now, on April 4th, we are beginning to wonder what the spring and summer will bring, and will it be as atypical as Spring has been thus far.

Mr. Fuzzy trusts that you and yours are warm and cozy in your cabins.