A very Happy New Year to you all. Here's to weed-free gardens, the biggest fish in the lake, the biggest buck on your hunt, the vine with the biggest tomatoes, and the plant with the prettiest flower. May all your outdoor dreams come true (and while we're still dreaming, let's wish for the indoors to be totally clean when we wake up in the morning!). 
I planted four Fall crops. I germinated them all (except for the mustard) in moist paper towels in plastic bags. Here are the crops:
Well, we got a new puppy! He's a Kangal. They get to be quite big; the males are five to six feet (rarely seven) on their hind legs, and 150 lbs. Our male's name is Mamanska. We named him that so that we could call him "Mah Man" for short. 
Here are some pictures my sister took:
It's already been nearly four days since we got him. Time flew by! I meant to post this on here earlier, but have been quite busy with Ma Man.
Until next time,
For a few weeks Rusty's health had been declining, but today was the day it had come to an end for Russell (nicknamed "Rusty"). He was a breed of terrier, Jack Russell and poodle. Thirteen years he was a part of my life, which makes it nearly all my life I've known him. In the good times and bad, when playing ball with my siblings…Rusty was always there.
My older brother and I just finished burying him, and we left some heartfelt pretty rocks to mark his grave. I composed a poem for Rusty:
Physical things do come and go
But it seemed Rusty would never.
He's always by my side, fast or slow
And nothing will ever render
My so deep love and care for him
Completely gone. He always will
Keep my cup of joy filled to the brim
Always running on with me still.
This was him a few years ago rolling around in the grass:
And another picture:
Rest in peace, my furry friend.
Well, the roots and leaves finally dried out all the way through, so I was able to crush the dandelions and put it in a teabag. I tried it. As my mom said, it's like drinking spinach. Yeah, it's gross. I see now why most people don't drink it for pleasure, and only drink it for the medicinal properties.
Still waiting on my radishes. They're taking a long time this year, longer than last year. I have them in a different area than last year, so I'm wondering if maybe the soil just doesn't have as many nutrients. They're supposed to take 25 days to mature, and it has already passed the twenty day marker. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
We're supposed to have frost tonight, as well as tomorrow night. Frost. On May 20th, and 21st? It's unheard of! Anyway, I've already planted some of my Sugar Baby watermelon in the ground outside, so unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about that. The plants outside will have to tough it out with the frost. But I did bring in my cantaloupe, peppers, coriander, tobacco, and some more Sugar Baby seedlings into the house, since they're all in containers.
I'm hoping it doesn't get too cold. We had some snow about a couple weeks ago, when my radishes were really young, and they still survived through the frost and two inches of snow on top of them. I'm hoping they'll do that again.
Until next time,
