My Nemesis In The Burbs

     First, let me say...I DO like living close to everything in the metro.  Because I don't want anyone to think I have anything against living in the burbs.  HOWEVER...when it comes to some of the simple joys I appreciated with country life, the burbs get on my nerves.  Hearing the neighbors incessant bird screeching, not seeing very many stars at night, not being able to walk around naked without fear of someone seeing, and NOW...my new nemesis...the damn rabbits.

Don't let their furry adorableness fool you.  These little evil fluffballs will decimate a flower garden before you even get them planted. They have already eaten my verbena, rose moss, wand flower, and even the lilly blooms. I didn't have this problem in the country.  Why?  Because there are dogs that are allowed to chase out there.  Dogs here have to be on leashes.  They don't get to do what they do naturally.  And the damn rabbits KNOW it.

Since I can't just let the dogs out, I have to resort to other methods.  Chicken wire is most preferable - but again - I'm in the burbs.  Chicken wire would not cut it with the neighbors.  What else?  I'm going to try a couple inexpensive ideas from the Farmer's Almanac:  Irish Spring shavings and mint.  Wish me luck!

What I've Been Missing-Take 2

What have I missed? I honestly wouldn't know with all the medication I've taken over the past week! :-) !!!

I admit it, I'm at work today going through emails, sending out TV/Radio order forms, ordering supplies, updating my calendar, etc....and plowing my fields. What?, you may ask. Well, if you've not tried this facebook game yet - it's a lot of fun! FARM TOWN!

I don't play a whole lot of computer games, but if I do it's generally something where I can build/plan things or word games. And Farm Town is right up my alley. I hit level 16 today finally; planted me some cabbage! I've been without a computer for a week now and could have gotten a lot higher. But this little game is so cool! I added a buddy that I look to for ideas, "birdie." She's in the level 30s...with multiple barns, houses, ponds, and all kinds of animals. Here in the office there are 3 of us that play it - we're all neighbors of course. And some people from church are on it too. It's been funny in real life neighbor meetings!

Bill and I were at WalMart before I took my week-in-bed "rest" and met Amy McArthur, a fellow FarmTown neighbor. We starting talking about plowing, harvesting, best crop prices, livestock - you know, all things farming. Bill was confused at first until we clued him in. But he REALLY rolled his eyes when I saw another fellow "farmer" at church and we started talking about it too. I've felt like those real farmers in small towns that gather in the old storefronts or at the back of pickups to just talk and build friendships that last. I wonder if these kinds of games are just the next generation of that? Although, nothing beats that face-to-face conversation over the tailgate of a pickup!

By the way, if you've never done it, plant your own garden for real! I won't have one this year simply because my mom has a gigantic garden plowed - about a half acre at least - filled with all kinds of goodies! But I have catnip in a container on the deck just for the fur babies in the house. Plus, the Peakes have a decent size garden going as well. So I will be guaranteed fresh tomatoes and other great veggies this summer.

And if planting your own is not idealic, but you still want FRESH produce - try a farmer's market. I know New Albany has one - New Albany Farmer's Market. Not only do you save money, but it's the much better than what you get at a grocery.