redux: Bah Humbug

July 4th. Bah Humbug!!

A July 4th photo from many years ago. I always think of it on the 4th as Bob’s expression so conveys my own feelings about the 4th of July … most particularly the fireworks … and not public shows, but the individual stuff.

Although, for the record, Bob is likely looking so irritated because I kept trying to take a photo with him wearing the ribbons and he was not having it. He was a curmudgeon extraordinaire, but also a snuggle boy when he felt like it.

Emmett and Auggie are not perturbed by fireworks or gunshots or thunder. Last night, Mother Nature told the fireworks how amateur they are. We had a thunderstorm that went right overhead with the kind of thunder that makes me think the sky is splitting. They both slept through it. I did not, but since they do not get upset, I am free to enjoy … which I do except for knowing that there are many animals that do get upset … RATS.

I entertained some hope that the Lakota Sioux would take some revenge for Wounded Knee, but no. Probably for the best, I would hate to see any (Sioux!) go to prison or be hurt or killed over the idiotic event. In high school, I wrote a research paper on the 1890 massacre and subsequent events. I have ever since been appalled by Mt. Rushmore … a desecration of sacred ground.

So, I end as I started. 4th of July: Bah Humbug.

Stay home, wear a mask if you must go out, keep your distance. Let’s get through this with some discipline and respect.

We are starting our 6th month. WWII … 6 YEARS of rationing, life disrupted.

A public service announcement :)

So, I believe that I have done the last upgrade needed to allow the subscription plugin to function properly.

AND, I believe that those who previously subscribed are still subscribed … if you receive an email about this post and would not mind posting a confirmation comment … or if you don’t like to comment, send me an email: liz@beardogco.com .

YIKES!

This is kind of the tale of the “cobbler’s children” … the cobbler being so busy making and repairing shoes for everyone else and no time to shoe his own children.

Anyway, hopefully we now have COMPLETE update and resolution of all things WordPress (my blog platform).

Meanwhile, my least favorite “holiday” of the year is upon us.

But, thankfully, Auggie and Emmett are not sensitive to the noise of fireworks which is a good thing as the noise has begun …

Who cares?

I do, but I am so very grateful that Auggie and Emmett do not.

Cheers!

All the vegetables: from Lower Valley Farm

First, a little blog info … I have had to delete the Subscribe option. There is one more update needed before I can re-enable that. I heard from a few that a re-confirmation email was sent. Sorry! I will put a blurb on the sidebar when all is reset and again, sorry … but you will need to re-subscribe if you’d like to be notified of new posts. Meanwhile, I will be posting at least several times per week and maybe daily if only a photo or two. My Instagram is on “inactive” status although it appears it is viewable to followers … so I’m unclear what “Inactivate” did.

On to gorgeous vegetables and some Lower Valley Farm love!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBqTBYHDf_F/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Lower Valley Farm’s setup at Kalispell Farmer’s Market. I miss it very much. The Farm stand is there, I just will not attend market at the moment.

BUT, Jay and Mandy did NOT let COVID-19 stop them. They applied for and received a grant to allow them funds to buy software and labor to set up an online ordering system. I can login and select a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday “no contact” pickup of vegetables.

There’s more, but you can see how it works!
This photo is part of the farm, on my first visit in April. On 6 acres, they grow vegetables and a few fruits to feed a LOT of people. AND, they have researched soil and growing information so that all they grow is nutrient dense which also equates to FULL.OF.FLAVOR.

As a 1 human household, even a 1 human that tries to make all meals vegetable-centric, it can be a challenge to eat a “share” (actually partial share) of vegetables every week. I have learned a lot over the last 10 years that I’ve been buying and have a process for using and preserving … nothing goes to waste.

For me, the changes made with the online ordering, have been a silver lining of COVID-19. I am able to order online … what I know I will eat … pick up safely and have delicious vegetables. AND, what I buy is picked the morning before I pick it up. This means that what I buy, lasts for 2-2.5 weeks! I do have some containers and methods that I know from experience, work well to maintain various items.

Still, my experience with grocery store organics is that I am fortunate to get 3-7 days life, depending on the item. Yes, Lower Valley Farm is certified organic. And, I am supporting a local family as well as the people that they employ. I am happy to do that and thrilled that I have this available. In fact, the Flathead Valley, where I live, is home to a number of organic farms that do similar, i.e. there are a variety of options, no matter where you live in the valley, to eat well and support local agriculture. HOO-RAH!!

This week, 2.5 weeks after my last order … and I still have some kale, chard, collards … I ordered large:

I usually order for Thursday at the farm, but because of the holiday and not wanting to be out and about on Thursday afternoon before the Friday holiday AND because of the wonderful flexibility offered … I ordered for this afternoon at a location near the small, natural grocery I like …

So, in addition to the large direct order from Lower Valley Farm, I added micro radish from https://www.mountainvalleyfoods.com/ which is supplied by Lower Valley Farm: win-win. For the record, https://www.mountainvalleyfoods.com/ is local family owned and they have been super vigilant about safe protocol: masks, 10 people max in store, 1 way aisles and curbside option.

And lest we forget Auggie and Emmett (NEVER) … Chewy.com will be delivering this week.

We are all set for weeks. Seriously, I have been going to public grocery bi-tri-weekly as well as Lower Valley Farm bi-weekly. My love of cooking means I love to grocery shop, but having segued into longer intervals, I am finding that very freeing, so ???

Onward.

Auggie, Emmett and I wholeheartedly agree!!!

Sadly, although the public stuff is not happening, the private stuff is and it is the private stuff which gives us (me actually, as neither Auggie nor Emmett get upset about the noise…) grief. Bah, humbug!!