October 3, 2007

t is not cold enough here, but it is trying to snow. The elder aboriginals in our area say that if wasps build their nests high, it means for deep snows in the winter. Most of all the nests I have seen this year are 15-40 feet up in poplar trees. This one I have been watching all summer from the end of our driveway and belongs to a Bald Faced Wasp colony. This nest is larger than a basketball. These nests should be left alone unless they are in a high traffic human area, as they are beneficial and eat flies and other insects. Sometimes the Bald Faced Hornet also visits flowers for nectar and therefore helps to pollinate. 

Yesterday I had 2 magazine readers come and visit the farm (and smell the remaining stench of the skunk!). We had tea and took a small tour of the remains of the garden, green house and checked out the root cellar. I made a fresh (and still warm out of the oven) Pound Cake with fresh grated nutmeg in it and I forgot to serve it between checking out her handmade socks, checking out my handmade socks and other goodies. I send them home with a pocketful of "Orange Zinger" calendula seeds and some ripe peppers.

Later today, I will take the remaining things out of the garden, roll up the soaker hoses and store them in the greenhouse for the winter after I rearrange the greenhouse and pick the last of the tomatoes and peppers. I did bring in one "Aurora" pepper to the kitchen for the winter as it makes a lovely houseplant. I wish I had enough light through my windows to bring in more. I also love the "Fish" peppers which also make an excellent plant for the house with its variegated leaves. And the "Thai Hot" pepper has been one of my favorites for years.