sgt.barney

Nothing growing here at the moment. We had 10 degrees (F) a few weeks back, but made plenty of additions late fall and in the last few months for next year (and many more years into the future). Most of this season's additions were to the Nut Orchard and will take more than a decade until full production. 4 Chinese Chestnut trees in the nut orchard. 4 Allegheny Chinquapin (a kind of mini chestnut) 4 varieties of English Walnut trees. Planted 16 Black Walnuts from a wild patch at the woodlot. Hoping 4 make it from seed to maturity in the Nut Orchard. Propagated the existing Hazelnuts from 6 bushes to 26 - made a "living fence" of future Nutella along the East property line. 4 Hardy Kiwi Vines (3 cultivars female, one male for pollination). 6 years 'til fruit production on these vines Started Pineberries (a dozen starts - will be hundreds next year, and thousands in future years - they propagate easily and weed-like) Planted 50 Pawpaw seeds, hoping to end up with a handful (maybe 5 or 6) make it to maturity.Tried this year but 100% failure. Probably dead seed. These 50 are "take two" - if at first you don't succeed ... Added a second type of Elderberries to the existing Elderberry hedge. Elderberry wine next year! The existing hedge is 5 years old. Had enough for wine this year, but let the birds have the berries 'cause we were on vacation climbing mountains in Colorado and New Mexico. Added both Raspberries and Yellow Raspberries to the Berry Patch. Added Egyptian "Walking" Onions to the Salad Garden (perennial onions) and finally, started an experiment in Sunchokes (Jerusalem Artichoke) and American Groundnut companion planting. Gonna be an interesting year next year. :) Easy Peasy

It really pulls the room together . Easy Peasy

Most "flu" ... isn't. Just flu-like symptoms with nary an influenza bug anywhere for miles. Easy Peasy (Yeah, I know - that didn't help none.)

For your consideration, Sergeant A: http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_01_13_gradual_withdrawal.html HINT - Joel is spot on with this one. You're making it very hard on yourself this way. Easy Peasy

Great. Now what am I supposed to do with you when it's time to hand out the traditional "promotion to Sergeant, one year anniversary" stripes ... ;) Easy Peasy.

You took a wrong turn with The Vape - it's a slippery slope and the slide is deadly. You might want to back the train up a bit and consider losing your new Vape. Easy Peasy

The Sarge wasn't born. He was hatched out of a crumpled up hard box of half smoked Marlboro Reds when it was tossed out the window of a Ford truck galloping down the highway. Easy Peasy

Ask anything, she said .... When are you going to leave that boring old life of alligators and jelly squids and come live a life of adventure with The Sarges. We'll throw you out of perfectly good airplanes at 11,000 feet, drag you up to 14,000 ft peaks hanging vertical off a slice of dental floss, and have you running marathons before breakfast. Did I mention the sport of Extreme Gardening that awaits you in your new life? When will you be joining us? Easy Peasy

The Sarge still wonders. You know who the second biggest population of preventable cancer is? We are. Us. Ex-smokers. We don't get a pass on decade-on-top-of-decade of poison and long-term damage just because we recently quit, y'know? Easy Peasy

Combat Boots always go over well with the Kiddies at Christmas. It's hard to get 'em to fit inside the stocking, though. Easy Peasy

:)

They all suck.. Embrace The Suck, and all will be well. Easy Peasy

Insanity? Good. Herbalife? Snake-oil hokum. Easy Peasy

Nope. Nobody but you every thinks of smoking. It's not normal at all. Easy Peasy </sarcasm>

You lose nothing and gain everything. Everything. That feeling of loss is your Inner Junkie telling you those same-old, used-up, tired-assed lies that kept you smoking for decades. Recognize it for what it is. Easy Peasy

Embrace The Suck, Bro - it's the only way through to the other side. Easy Peasy.

Nanny State at its finest. Sarge is 100% against this because ... freedom. Easy Peasy

Hey now - remember there are those of us who are ... differently testicled. :) Easy Peasy

Wouldn't know. Never had any depression nor dark clouds. It's completely under your control, y'know? You have a choice, right? Today I'm gonna be all gloom-and-doom-woe-is-me because I can't poison myself with nicotine **OR** today I'm gonna live it up because: FARK YEAH, I'M FREE! Choose. Choose life. Embrace the suck, and be happy. Easy Peasy

"What was stopping you ... ?" How hard everyone said it was. Successful quitters said " that was the hardest thing I ever did ". Failed quitters said " that was too damned hard ". Turns out they were all wrong. It was easy. Easy Peasy

Be advised: today's results say nothing of an additional test ten years on ... or even next week. Easy Peasy

Ummm ... duh? Easy Peasy

Did someone say "sausage" ? Easy Peasy

How? The same way you quit smoking. It starts with a single thought: " It's time ..." ... time to quit smoking ... time to push away from the table Y'all act as if these things are out of your control. HINT: They're not. It's time. it's time. Easy Peasy

Lease? Pay for something you give back? Are you crazy? Haven't had a payment since 1998. When you own, you can keep driving for years, decades even, with no payment. More Americans waste more money on cars than anyone or anything else in the world. Ever. Ever. Easy Peasy