April 19 2007 Well April is more than 1/2 over & I still haven't planted my potatoes. I did get the garden spot tilled, but I need to go over it again after I finish spreading the compost on it. I hauled 5 wheelbarrow loads yesterday & am not finished yet. I mowed the lawn & discovered the site where the previous resident deposited the grass clippings. I now have plenty of mulch for my tomato plants(when I get them planted). I did put out my onion sets & rhubarb. There doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day and enough energy in this old body to accomplish all that I want to get done. I usually run out of steam about 2 in the pm & have to take a break. That usually mans a short nap & reading a couple of chapters in my current book. Then it is time to think about what we are going to have for supper. Maybe you call it dinner, but it has always been supper to me and i am too old to change now. The friendly neighborhood gophers are still around. I have eliminated 3 of them so far, but I don't believe that is all of them. There are too many tunnels for just 3 gophers. I went on line yesterday just to see what other people are doing about the problem. After reading several suggested methods of disposing of the varmits I have come to the conclusion that whatever works for you is the best method. The farmers are out in full force now that the fields are dry and the weather is a little warmer. Huge tractors pulling even bigger tilling equipment and planters are either in the fields or going from one field to the next. If you are unlucky enough to get stuck behind one, just slow down and wait for it to go into the field. It is too big to go around it. Another windy day. I guess that I shouldn't be surprised, after all this is the plains of Nebraska and the wind is a constant source of conversation around here. God must have decided that we needed something to complain about so He sends the wind. I just wish that it didn't blow so hard sometime. Speaking of God seems like we need to be constantly praying for His help. Between the politicians and someone taking out his hate on fellow students and teachers, there just is no end of things to pray about. I think that it was Paul who said we are to pray without ceasing and that sure is true in these troubled times. But Praise God one of these days He will say it is enough and will set in motion the events that will finally complete His plan for His people. I look forward to the day when there will be a complete and perfect peace and there will be no more war or sorrow or suffering. God will take it all away. I will get off of my soap box now and stop my Rambling from Nebraska for this time. Until next time remember that God loves you He really does. Gramps

Spring on the Plains of Nebraska

4/9/2007 Spring on the plains is so much different than in Lincoln. One would not think that 100 miles could make so much difference. In March we enjoyed above normal temperatures and sunny days. We had a couple of good rain storms, which was good for the ground. So far this month we have had below normal temperatures and killing frost and the North wind has been blowing 8 of the first days of April. Today we have a cool south wind with rain. The blackbirds, starlings & robins were out after it stopped raining. I watched them from the kitchen window, drinking & bathing in the standing water in the driveway. There must have been several insects brought to the surface by the rain, for the birds seemed to be having a feast. We have a pair of rabbits living in a brush pile that we inherited & haven't had time to remove. Now we will probably have more than 2 rabbits in the near future. I also have what my wife calls my nemisis. It is a gopher in our yard, more than likely there is more than one. So far I have found & plugged 5 holes, but he just keeps making new ones. My wife says that he is in his underground home laughing at my efforts to eradicate him from my lawn. I am hoping for some nice days before my grass gets too much af a head start. I will have a lot more lawn to mow here than I had in Lincoln. I am retired so that means that I will be able to work at it on a daily basis instead of saving it for the weekend. I have been looking at riding mowers, but haven't decided yet to give up my walk behind push mower for a rider. Maybe I will change my mind later in the season. We have been planning what to put in our garden. So far I have seed potatoes, rhubarb & onions. we will be planting green beans, tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, eggplant & maybe some sweet corn. If the weather doesn't cooperate the garden could just be a figment of my imagination for this year. All of this talk about work has made me tired so I think that I will stop my ramblings & go take a nap. Romans 3:23 for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Gramps