Every year, I look forward to this exact moment. Walking out to the backyard and picking the first Asian pears off the trees I planted years ago. You’d think I was harvesting a rare delicacy from some secret orchard in the Himalayas. Nope. Just me, standing in the grass in my bare feet, grinning like I’ve won the produce lottery.
There’s something about that crisp snap when you bite into an Asian Pear that makes all the tending worthwhile. Sweet, … Read More
I wondered why my green bean production was so low this year. Now I know why. This little smarty pants figured out how to open the garden gate to let himself in anytime he felt like having a little snack.
… Read More[This reader found me by way of this post: Remedies for Dogs with Thunderstorm Anxieties. You may also want to check out that post.]
From the Mailbag:
My lab was never afraid of the weather until we had a tornado hit behind our house, and she was in her outside pen that day. Ever since then, she has been TERRIFIED of any little peal of thunder or gust of wind. She is a hunting dog, and the noise from … Read More
Lyme Disease in the Northeast is No Longer Just a Dog ProblemIf you live in the Northeast, spend any time outdoors, or have dogs who do, you already know the drill: ticks are everywhere. And with them, the very real risk of Lyme disease.
So when I see claims downplaying Lyme risk (like in this video), I have to push back. She gives the likelihood of getting Lyme 3/10. I give this video 3/10 for accuracy for the … Read More
Will I actually get to eat a peach from my peach trees this year, or will the squirrels, deer, and raccoons get them all again just before I’m ready to pick them?
Because they always nab them the day before they ripen, that’s my strong clue that I have squirrels and raccoons monitoring the fruit just as closely as I am.
Long-time readers know the night sky has my heart. And on July 30, it’s putting on a rare twin show!
The Southern Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids are hitting their peak at the same time. They may not be the brightest showers of summer, but two for the price of one? That’s a celestial bargain!
So mark your calendar, and then grab a blanket, find some dark sky, and look up. You’re bound to be rewarded with a shooting star … Read More
My dogs hate the heat. All three of them struggle all summer long to find the coolest spots. If there’s a fan, there’s a dog underneath it. If there’s a cross breeze, a dog is lying in it. If there is a tile floor, yep, careful not to step on another dog. You get the idea.
I’ve tried several “cooling mats/blankets,” including this gel mat (27″x43″), but it’s oddly heavy and has to be hand-washed. And this Cooling Blanket for … Read More
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