feed the twigs

Do you ever see something so often you forget it's there?

I noticed something kinda odd while sweeping the house today.

Well, for one- I was sweeping. Usually I'm vacuuming, giant beaster bunny is a non-stop shedding machine. I can barely keep up.

(note: those tiles are each 1 foot square or more/ that's a full sized bathroom door)

But that wasn't the odd part.. the odd part was the funny twisted little twigs I kept finding near 'Touf's litter box. I couldn't figure out where they were coming from... I checked my boots to see if there were any stuck to them, I checked the bunny to see if they were stuck to his coat... I checked outside the door to see if they were on the sidewalk... later outside I checked to see if they were from a dried plant in the garden... They were tiny weird little things.

I found one again later... after sweeping.

Picked it up.

Threw it on the ground.

I figured it out.

I went and got the newspaper.
I shredded the newspaper.
I picked thru the rabbit litter box (with a litter sifter.... don't worry)

And then I opened up the three bins sitting beside the back door... and fed the starving compost worms. Compost worms that had been slowly escaping looking for compost...  compost worms that dry out and look like little twigs.

gross.

Mac attack

it appears that the neighbourhood just got more awesome. Yet another amazing family moved onto the street. I have visions of street parties, campfires, good times. oh, wait.. those already happen.

The bunnies are excited that they've moved in too... 'Touf is in love with their kids, and FynnPants is from their first litter..

what's new?
I'm increasingly frustrated that I don't own my home. I figure I should at least attain one of the "normal" milestones in life that my peer group has set, and at this point I'm fixating on this one.
sheesh.
problems with this...
1) since when do I care about milestones?
2) since when do the people I went to highschool with count as my "peer group"?
3) houses are expensive... a puppy would be cheaper... and much more entertaining
4) I think it's signalling a midlife crisis.

if someone would like to give me a winning lotto ticket, or a farm... it would be much appreciated.
I'm going to go sort some worms.

da da da daaaaaa!

and the winner is....

(thanks Crilly Sr.)

"slippery worms"

why didn't I think of that?

ideas

this year seems to be bringing with it new ideas.

this one's been brewing for a bit. stewing.

mmm, stew. 

I've been able to give away some worms to some people, helping them to get set up to do their own vermicomposting. Very exciting! I also harvested my first bin and a half of castings. lovely lovely dirt.

Dirt that I have no real use for.. because this year I had to admit that I'm the worst gardener ever. 

BUT. worms... worms I'm good with. They like it when they get ignored. neglected.

SO. I'd been playing around with the idea of doing something this coming summer with wormy things. starter kits possibly. (which means I have to start feeding those wormies so they muliply) and worm tea bags. tied up with raffia. people will buy anything tied up with raffia. even shit in a bag.

it's true.

and, I've become a little addicted to these slippers that I've been making- I made 7 pairs for Christmas gifts, and it's kind of all consuming now. soooo, maybe I could be selling them too. I'd only want to (only be able to) do the market every other weekend.. so it wouldn't be too crazy. Maybe I can share a booth with a friend. who knows.

mostly I'm in idea stages.

name ideas?

current favourites include :: worms and warm, wormns, dirty feet, growing toes

got any to add?

et phone home

honest to goodness conversation that I just had on the phone...

the phone rings.... I recognise the name on the display as the old couple I got my first batch of worms from... so I answer... (side note:: I'd answer no matter who was calling- who are we kidding?)

L: Hello?

W: Hello this is  Mrs. worm lady**

L::Hello Mrs. W! how are you doing? This is L.

W: Oh, Hello L, I'm fine- I don't know that I know you. 

L: Oh, you met me thru your husband, I got some worms from him awhile back.

W: Oh! well, that's nice. How are things with you L?

L: Things are good thank you, how are the two of you doing?

W: Well, things aren't so good around here you know. But, we'll be here until the weekend if you're trying to reach us ok?

L: Ok.

W: well, take care.

L: uhhh, ok, you too? Bye.

W: Bye now.

** name protected as this is a rather embarrassing story

I hung up and started laughing. But then I got worried- Mrs. Worm Lady is elderly, and she's been having some health issues- I'm sure I remember someone not too long ago saying that she was having some memory problems. Also, they open their home often to some people who are not always so trustworthy. So I called back.

 

And got the answering machine.

I left a detailed message for Mrs. AND Mr. explaining why I was calling and left my number.

Then called the Sheffhouse ... because I needed to share with SOMEBODY! 

I get PaSheff on the phone... who launches into a story about a dead guy he didn't know about.  (yeah... ?) At this point- or rather, during this story about the unknown dead guy, I'm trying desperately not to start laughing. And it's not working well, so I cover the receiver and start making hand motions at my roommate- who looks as confused, if not more, than I. 

The dead man is given some body to his newly-passed life- and I then share with PaSheff my Mrs.W story. PaSheff is unable to make a complete sentence he's laughing so hard. So I say "do you think she's going thru something right now?" Without missing a beat, he replies "you mean like the phone book?"

And now I can't talk, I'm laughing too hard.

A little while later, the phone rings again.

It's Mrs. Worm Lady returning my call.

L: Hello?

W: Hello, this is Mrs.W calling. We just spoke.

L: Yes, I left a message because I wasn't sure why you'd called, and I wasn't sure if you were ok.

W: I know you're the young lady who helps across the way [referring to GTI- she lives on the property behind the motel]. I was returning your call.

L: Well, yes, I just left that message after you called, I wasn't sure why you called the first time.

W: There was a message on our phone, you called here.

L: I haven't called in ....

W: We've been away. For a month

[I called the week before I got my worms... that was months ago!]

L: oh... ok. 

W: Well, We're doing poorly here right now, we're under quarantine I have to go now Bye.

(click)

L: uh... bye?

one track mind

Ok, sometimes... I don't pay attention to what's going on around me while I'm doing something... I mean, I'm attentive- I'm just not good with details while I'm getting something done... Because I'm pretty focused on finishing it.

Case in point this evening::

I'm pretty sure the roommate is going to kick me out.

I started to shred paper for one of the worm bins. (Yes, I said bins... remember when I started one? and then the one turned into four? and now it's five?) Anyway, I'd just gotten a bucket of compost for one of the bins. I haven't been home much in the past two weeks, so the amount of organic matter (OM) has been minimal- and this new bin eats A LOT. So, I'd gotten a pile of compost, and I wanted to cover it with some extra shredded paper to cut down on the likelihood of fruit flies- So I started shredding and I had the bin in the kitchen with me so I could add water to the paper and pop it into the bin.

So that's what I did.

And then I realized that WHILE I'd been shredding, my roommate, whom I'd been chatting with while I worked, was making her sandwich- on the counter beside the bin.

The OPEN worm bin.

You know... the worm bin full of WORMS.

And WORM POO.

And I'd just plopped it there beside her sandwich and was working away, oblivious to the suddenly cold looks coming my way.

'Cause I'm a little slow that way.

For the record:: I noticed my error and was horrified by my own actions. 

Also for the record:: I always wipe the counter with disinfectant afterwards... so you can still come eat at my house.

who decided that?

I got to insist that I be joined by a manager today at work... they had a replacement for someone who was away- but then the person came back, so they cancelled the replacement- but then the person called in sick, and there was no replacement... on the busiest day of the week.

I was thankful that she was willing to come in... there's not too many places where that would happen.

Ordered some more worms today... very very excited about them coming... I'll give the mailman a heads up this week...

I spent some time at the trailer, looking to hang out with some friends... turns out they were waiting for me at the beach... that's what I get for leaving my cell phone at home.. though, I'm thinking that when this one dies... I might just go without. (a scary thought.. but... might be a good idea)

and finally, I ran 2+ Kms tonight... 

Don't expect much from me tomorrow.

OK... are you serious?

No, really? Is this for real? 

So I was thinking about how many hours I've been spending online- trying to decide who to get worms from (as I want to boost my bin) and just in general looking for other folks who are doing what I'm doing.. to talk thru some wormy things. And... adding up the numbers.... I was getting embarrassed. 

People at work, and friends are starting to roll their eyes at me.

Last night, I was getting out to my car to go to the store, but saw Friendly Neighbour T (FNT) watering his plants, so I decided to stop for a second and let him know about the break in the other night. He warned me about a family of skunks that had taken up residence under the other neighbour's shed... 

Now.. did I mention he was watering his plants with Coke? A large two liter bottle of Coke.

As I turned to leave, I took a closer look at his Coke bottle... it looked suspicious. 

On a whim... I say "feeding some worm tea to the plants?" 

FNT's eyebrows SHOT up. But, in FNT fashion, calmly and slowly said "yup."

Shocked unto death I croak out "are you serious?"

FNT : "yup"

Me: did you buy it in town?

FNT: nope

Me: DO YOU HAVE WORMS???

FNT: yup

Me (croaking more): are you serious????

FNT: yup (but laughing now)

... THe conversation continued, turns out FNT has been verimicomposting his kitchen scraps for about 3 years- he's got one active bin, and five bins of castings... we chatted for a little bit, but I had to get going, we parted- me smiling my frickin' face off, FNT simply smiling (but more animated then I've ever seen him).

When I got back from my outing, he and his wife were out on the front porch... watching the world go by... that's what people do in this neighbourhood. I hear from the porch (FNT's wife) call out "I hear you want some worms? take them all!".

FNT just laughs.

What are the frickin odds?

we're going to have to get together for some worm chats.

why not?

Ok, So I've been spending some time online in a vermicomposting forum.... ok.. yeah... I'm a bit of a dork... a bit obsessed of late. And by "some" I mean... hours reading information.

My bin has been doing really well, and after reading some other people's past projects, I want to give it a try too. Tonight I went out and bought three mini bins. (Pictures to follow sometime tomorrow) I've got three projects in mind. 

One- the ark- I've read it's a great idea to have a secondary colony set up... just in case something goes wrong, so you don't have to start from scratch.

 Two- the 4 worm challenge- taking 4 adult worms, and seeing how long it takes to get an established bin going/ see how they do after 3 months... do a count at the end.

 And finally, Three- the Eggsperiment- pretty much the same as number two, but starting with just egg cases. I haven't decided how many eggs to start out with... because I'm not sure if I can successfully have all the cocoons hatch. I've heard pretty wet is good - for the bedding I mean... to encourage the cocoons... I've heard that the darker they are, the sooner they are to hatching... so- I'm not sure if I should have older cocoons, or a variety of ages, or... just whatever I happen to scoop up first. Any ideas?

I was chatting with Bethfield today about what I want to do with all this... I know I don't have the time- nor am I committed to- making a business out of it, but... I might like to have a go at making the "worm tea" tea bags to sell at the farmers market. That sounds like something fun... and it's not too much of a commitment  ... we all know how good I am at finishing what I start.

... don't be surprised if a mini bin shows up under my desk at work.

Haiku

haiku for my worms.....

worms turn food to ground

little plants waiting hunger

growing food for me

my favourite haiku ever was from Sherman's Lagoon. It was about fish.

999c

ok, I missed lots on the interwebs last weeek!

THIS

is something you need to watch!!!
it reminded me, my plants NEED to get into some dirt... and soon.
Shoulda, coulda, woulda... yadda yadda yadda.

I have baby worms! (yeah!) hopefully sometime soon, I'll have enough to actually make a dent on the compost! (side note... when I got the worms, I only got a 1/4 pound, big bin, few wormies, little eating going on still.... now, the pill bugs on the other hand.....)

Me and the Mac are making friends. I turned it on for the first time this evening.... have you ever turned on a Mac for the first time? All I could think was "my computer LIKES me!" ... if you've set one up... you know what I mean.
Hopefully I'll get it figured out enough to put it to use... uh... after I plant my little green babies.

ACTUAL quote from the dollarstore the other day (I hate the concept of the dollarstore, but my budget requires that I visit once in awhile)
(said by the woman loading her three LARGE reusable shopping bags)(in a really loud voice so everyone could hear)
"now, I know you're all mad I'm taking so long, but you all need to switch to reusable bags too... I CARE about my children... I CARE about their future and the environment!"

oh my goodness the irony of it all nearly killed me.. I pretended to have a coughing fit to cover my guffaws.

GTI

mmm, dinner of Mac and Cheese and hot dogs or sausages... you'd think we planned it or something.

Later in the evening, watching a game of Euchre (which I still don't know how to play) I spotted N's cigarette case, I'd just finished telling him about my dream the night before, and as I held the case I thought out loud "see, now here's another reason to start smoking" ** "It's so pretty, and shiny... I have no excuse to carry something like this around with me."
Then I spent the next few minutes trying to come up with reasons to have one of my own. At first I thought I could cake the whole thing with foot butter... and have it on hand for whenever it was needed... (also works well for chapped hands) ... and then it came....
From dear sweet FgH... "you could put some worms in it". "Like that episode of the Simpsons"

"well, I already pocket compost" hippie crush of Lisa's says, as he pulls out a handful of worms and decaying fruit...

I laughed.... HARD.
I'll admit... I'm thinking about it.... it would be a lot like that sea monkey watch I had in university- the one that had the bubble dome on it, so I could bring REAL LIVE sea monkeys with me to class...

hmmmm

** I am not smoking. I'm just infatuated with it.

k... now it's getting creepy

So I was going to do two posts tonight.. one to talk about yesterday's meeting with the mayor... and the other to talk about my worms... because I'm fascinated by them.
I decided to take a brief detour around the interwebs... and decided that in fact... Natalie Dee IS stalking me. And I couldn't be happier.

I WAS going to write this::

Well, the worm experiment is going great. I had a nightmare about them last night- someone had stolen the bin... and left me with a small box of leaves.. and 4 small wrigglers. This upset me... so for the rest of the dream, I chased after the person who had stolen them- through a full high ropes course- including one of the obstacles where you have to climb over a flashlight and a shoe. Because... uh... everyone knows that's the hardest part of a high ropes course? (whatever, leave me alone.. it was a dream) The dream ended with me smoking a nice cigarette. I'd love to be a smoker in real life. I never will be, but I have this thing... where I should be one.

Anyway, the worms... I love them. I open the bin like... 4 or 5 times a day. That doesn't seem like much, but when you factor in the fact that I'm only home 4 hours a day... well.... I might have a problem.
They smell so great.
Like fresh turned earth.
Three days ago I fed them a small scoop of bunny poop (as recommended by Ilex) it's nearly gone. Too cool. I have an abundance of bunny poop. I'm glad to have a place to put it.
Tonight- a small handful of potato and carrot peelings- they're going to need new bedding by the weekend.
I'm going slow on adding food stuffs to the box. I have a pretty small group of worms- but I was assured they'd be multiplying if they liked the set up. No one's tried to crawl out yet... I think we're doing ok.

That's what I was GOING to write.
BUT... instead... I'll just post this....




Sir Craps A-Lot... a la Natalie Dee.

kudos

ok, honestly, I'm thinking that maybe Natalie Dee is following my blog and posting comics inspired by....

well, maybe not, but nearly every week there's one that fits SO perfect....

D, you called it.

I'd like to dedicate this fine announcement to "he that called it".




you're right... I am more than likely taking a picture of a rabbit... RIGHT now.

I got my worms today.
of course, I'll be posting pictures of them... there may even be a worm'd Wednesday in the near future.

(an aside, I may have altered the picture, but it was an amazing self portrait by "he that called it" you should check out his work sometime)

I hate to wait.

I'm setting this to publish tomorrow... Thank you blogger for creating that option. I'm lazy. I think of too many things in one sitting, now I can set myself up to be "penned out" daily. wait.
Is there a replacement for the term "penned" or "written" other than "typed" I mean? "Typed" is too much of an action word...

anyway. I phoned about the worms tonight. And Mr.Worm-man is away until Thursday night. So now I must wait.
But, one fantastic thing that happened on the phone.
I called him, at his home.
His wife answered.
She was delightful (I've only met her once before... an elegant older woman in a black (antique) lace gown.
And told me to try to call him on Friday.
"Do you know how to get hold of him?" she asked me...
I paused. Afraid I'd breached some sort of code...
"Can I just call him using this number?" I asked.
"Well, of course, it's his home number."

blink.
blink.

forgetting slimey (or) you seem to have a worm problem

So I wrote the title the other day intending to add some other important information.

The green living Fair was on Saturday, we had a booth... and it was lovely. Lots of catching up with people (lol, because it's mostly the same people at these events) (and because it's a small community).

BUT

I found a guy.

not that sort of guy (sorry folks)

a worm guy.

I'm getting my worms this week... for free. And he showed me how to set up my own bin, so now I don't have to spend some crazy amount of money buying a pre-made one.

all this.. makes me happy.