Syncline

A few days ago we went on a hike just across the river in White Salmon, it is called Syncline, or Coyote Wall. There were mainly mountain bikers using the trails, and lots of them. It was a nice hike, about 6 miles. The best part in my opinion was what's in the picture below...can you see it?


Western Meadowlarks singing all around! They were very hard to see unless they were facing us, their backs are brown and blend in with the grass.


The view:


Check these two out! I have a bad feeling their larvae are the dreaded tomato hornworm, which we get in this area. Something I didn't have to deal with before - HUGE green caterpillars that decimate tomato plants. The only effective control is hand picking them off. The chickens will love them at least! I couldn't bring myself to smash these two, especially not being sure.


I don't know what this is, but it was very focused on digging that hole.


I have been trying to get out more lately, but mostly to Post Canyon just a mile from our house. Lots of trails and open space close to home, which is nice on rainy days.

Starting Seeds

My first batch of seeds are doing well, I definitely learned somethings since last spring. First some things I did wrong last year:
I planted everything at the same time
I used potting soil
I didn't give them enough light.

So here is what I learned in my seed class:
Use high quality seeds.
Plant each type of plant at the right time, so it's not in a pot longer than it wants to be. This means 2-3 indoor planting dates.
Use soilless mix made just for starting seeds - this prevents damping off.
Give them warmth - a heating mat, on top of the fridge, etc.
Light! - Not just a sunny window. They need lots of light, and just very close to keep from getting leggy. I keep my light an inch or two above my seedlings.
Thin them, overcrowding causes problems.
Fertilize with half strength fertilizer as soon as their leaves are out, I am using fish emulsion.

I started my seeds in a flat with a clear lid, I was worried about the low humidity in our house with the wood stove. However, I should have removed this lid as soon as some of the seeds sprouted because I had some seeds rot due to too much moisture.

This is the starting mix that I used


This is what Aaron built me for Valentine's day. The light was given to us by our neighbors in Corvallis when they demo'd their garage. The wood is mostly from pallets. My seedling mat is sitting on a large piece of insulation. It's not beautiful, but it is functional and my seedlings are doing great.


Gold bell peppers


Black Trifelle tomatoes


Ruby Ball Cabage - second seeding, the first round rotted.


Lots of lettuce! New Fire Red


I also have artichokes that are just popping up! They may be more trouble than it's worth, but I'll have fun trying at least.

This first planting I planted:
Tomatoes
Peppers
Cabbage
Broccoli
Lettuce
Artichokes

Next up:
Cucumbers
Melon
Squash

Register!

This really should have been posted a few days ago, but I didn't think of it until today. I registered to be a bone marrow donor in 2003 or 4, and early in 2006 I got a call that I was a match for someone. After months of tests and blood work, I began the actual donation process in July. Registration usually costs $100, the cost of the tissue typing. I got in on a free drive at OSU, never thinking I would actually match with someone.
In February Nordstrom sponsored free tissue typing for those who wanted to register. It's the first time I've seen a free registration since I signed up, so we got Aaron signed up too. We went to www.marrow.org and answered lots of questions and had them mail out a free kit (for February only).
It came after just a few days, and was much easier than what I did when I registered.


Aaron took 4 cheek swabs to collect skin cells for tissue typing. I had my finger pricked and squeezed and squeezed. And squeezed.


We drop it in the mail and he is on the registry!
Aaron is holding up the peripheral blood stem cells that I donated a few years ago. This was the first year Aaron and I started dating. He was super supportive through the whole process, as you can see it was a bit tiring for a few days.


If I see another free tissue typing drive I will post right away. If you can afford the $100 to register, please do. The chance to give the gift of life is priceless. One way to follow along is to "like" Be the Match on Facebook.