Boy, what a great time of anticipation for us in the rainy Northwest. We have maximum faith that summer will really come after all. There is an old joke that says that summer starts July 5th around here. Man, we have had our share of moisture and clouds. So any second now!
Catherine my Mass partner came today so we could have our worship service. We are doing great with this by the way. But “real” church calls and we will be there soon. Maybe we will have two more sessions here at the ranch and then try and go back. We both miss Communion which we can’t duplicate.
Each time that Catherine and I get together we work on a set of mysteries. To my knowledge there are four sets and today we were discussing the Luminous Mysteries which are my favorite. Forgive me if I talked about these before. They are forever new to me.
And in the corn news I did take some pics several days ago. And you all need a progress report as we approach the Fourth. The old adage of “knee high by the Fourth of July” is always in play. It is a special challenge this year here with all the rain and cold. Not as red hot as normal but we are close. It was boot high Friday and a week to go.
Maybe I will include a pic from last year because I am trying something new and you can see. Up to this year I was trying to keep the whole plot clear of weeds. Well that works to a certain point where it just gets overwhelming and I say good enough, “Corn you are on your own.” This year I seeded the whole plot with New Zealand White clover directly after the corn went in the ground. This was an attempt at forming a “green mulch”or living mat to keep the weeds down. So you will see what that looks like.
( photo J Meiklejohn)
(photo P Volker)
(photo P Volker)
Well, I think that is it for a Sunday late in June in the time of the pandemic. Sincerely hope that you are holding up under the strain of all this these days. Thanks for checking in.
extremely corny loves, Felipé.
Hola Farmer Felipe!
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNXWWb_zbd7w680ClZLSMw0kTPzkNOZ79bkmLX0
Hopefully this picture will come through as you read this comment. It’s from a couple of years ago just before the 4th of July. The kids were out “measuring’ the corn to see if it was going to be the proverbial knee high by the 4th of July. It definitely was!
I like the looks of your corn plot with the white clover cover crop. You didn’t mention the “boost” you’re going to experience with the added nitrogen supplied by the clover. As a legume, it has the ability to “fix” nitrogen from the air and store it in nodules on the root hairs. The corn plants share that as nitrogen is its favorite food ingredient, and it will use it no matter where it comes from, be it a neighbor clover plant or a bag of fertilizer from the coop, or, as in our case, as anhydrous ammonia fertilizer injected into the soil. I’ll be watching expectantly from afar. 🙂
Our corn crop is looking wonderful, as we have had ample rains and now that high summer is here, ample heat units to really get it growing and going! Iowa is so verdantly green in the summer! I just love it!
We at St Joseph’s had our first “parking lot Mass” yesterday. It came off without a hitch as we had prepared carefully and Fr Bill was really on his game! My 30 foot gooseneck flatbed trailer is the new altar platform, and we had a portable altar and attractive white tent covering for Fr Bill and his two attending Deacons. I’ll try to forward a picture of that if I find this one works of the corn.
I’ve been very relieved to hear of the positive reports of your cancer screens. You are a regular recipient of the family prayers.
I answered a request from a young friend of Annie’s who is doing an on line survey of Camino participants and planning-to-be-Pilgrims. He has cerebral palsy and participated in the Camino last year with assistance from some friends who pushed his wheel chair. A heart warming story the young man has! Check out Annie’s FB page if you haven’t seen it. I’m sure he would be thrilled with your input!
Semper Fi,
PFJ
Thank you Farmer John, all good stuff. Good corn news and good church news. You guys are moving right along. Stay safe and hello to the fam, have to walk in a minute, Felipé.