TOM, THE BACKROADS TRAVELLER'S - EDGEWOOD NURSERY PART 1

Tom, The Backroads Traveller has had lots of items on his blog that we have enjoyed.  But, I didn't remember seeing the business he owns - Edgewood Nursery.  So, I contacted Tom and we made arrangements for me to come out and take pictures.  I thank you Tom, for allowing me to do this. I also thank him for driving me around in his golf cart and explaining things. To me, it is like being let lose in a candy store.  Tom sells, flowers, trees, scrubs, etc. mostly to contractors - but he also said that if a private person drove in, he wouldn't turn them down.

As you can see, Tom has all sorts of different items in his business.  These are just the beginning.  I will have more on tomorrow and I will save some to put on in the winter.  You will note in picture eight that Tom also has his own pond.  Really like the last picture, too.

Tom, is one of the few people, who enjoys his job.  He looks forward to going to work everyday.  As I am, he is at the age he could retire, but enjoys his work so much, he isn't ready to retire.  He has employees working for him and his wife does the bookkeeping.  Still he gets to take vacations and enjoy life.

Tomorrow, I will put on more of the items he has in his nursery.

JEAN'S CHERRY OR APPLE OR PEACH PUDDING

JEAN'S CHERRY OR APPLE OR PEACH PUDDING

1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 pint flour
3/4 cup milk
1 cup sour cherries, or diced apples or diced peaches

Beat egg, add sugar and shortening and stir.  Sift together baking powder, salt and flour; add alternately with milk.  Stir in gently a cup of cherries, or apples or peaches, whichever you desire.  Bake in a loaf pan, for 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

ELMER'S POST - FARMERS FEED AMERICA

Farmers feed America.  In fact some of the crops that are grown in this country go to other countries, so we feed more than just America.

Marilyn was telling me she took these pictures and I told her to put them on my post.  I know some of you do not live in a farm area and some don't live in this country.  Want you to see what crops look like growing.  The last picture is of corn growing.  Think that is one the one people like the most.  Also note, by the soil, we could use some water around here.

We also have cows for milk and cattle for meat.  Some raise pigs for food.  Lambs for wool and for food.  I could go on.

Problem is, the price of farming costs a lot to farmers,  so some sell and go into another occupation.  Also, some farming areas have been purchased by others who put businesses or houses in.  Even gambling casinos.  This all makes the price of land go up.

Also, the weather God has for us, also makes a big decision on how things will grow and how much will grow.  Right now, we are not doing too bad, but if we don't get water soon, there may be problems.  People like Anna and I that have been farming for years, have saved from the good years, for the bad years.  But, new farmers like Jean's Thomas and our John, a bad year could almost wipe them out.

Being Old Order Mennonite and Amish, we wouldn't let them go under, but there are many farmers that don't have anyone to help them out during a bad year.  What they make is what they got.

Also, many young folk today, do not want to go into farming.  It takes a lot of money to get started, a lot of work and sometimes not with a great profit.  They look for other trades or occupations where you are pretty sure of a pay check every week.  If they have a family to support, in a way, I can see their way.  Honestly that is why most of us have two occupations.  I am a farmer, but I also put on house siding.  David, Jean's husband, does farming but also does inside house remodeling for people.  All of our son's and their's except David Jr., have other jobs to keep us busy and make money.

Anna says I am going on.  It's just that I want people to know where the bulk of their food comes from.  Also, that it is sad to see that there are fewer farmers in America.  Some think farming is a low grade job.  (I know I've said that before.)

Anna says "end it.  I am carrying on."  Just want you to know that I am glad to be a farmer.  Most of us are.  Glad we can put the food on your table and ours.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer

BIRD BATH TIME

A little something different this week.  Birds enjoying the bird bath.

OSPREY - THIS WEEK

Osprey are 21 - 24 inches wide.  A large long-winged "fish hawk".  Brown above and white below, head white with dark line through eye and on side of face.  Wing shows distinctive bend at the "wrist".  At a distance, can resemble a gull.  Voice is loud, musical chirping.  Nesting: 2 - 4 white, pink or buff eggs, blotched with brown, in a bulky mass of sticks and debris placed in a tree, on a telephone pole, on rocks, or on flat ground.

Osprey search for fish by flying and hovering over the water, watching the surface below.  When prey is sighted, an Osprey dives steeply, its talons outspread, and splashes into the water.  It quickly resurfaces and, if it has made a catch, flies off, adjusting the fish in its claws so that the head is pointed forward.  Ospreys declined drastically because of pesticides during the 1950's and 1960's, but since then they have made a comeback and are nesting again in areas from which they had disappeared.

Information from my National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds book.

RAINBOW AND SUNSET - NEW YORK STATE SUMMER 2016

These are pictures from after sprinkle we had last Friday.  All taken from my yard.