Well, you can find out if you go here and read my award winning in my own mind column in the Douglas Budget, my hometown newspaper.
Please?
In it, I mention goat-heads, but I'm not talking about a chupacabra snack, I'm talking about these:
We have them in Wyoming and I've seen them in the southwest and California.
Do you have them where you live?
You might not see them on the ground at first glance but you'll know it if you ride a bicycle through them because they will poke a hole in your tire. Jas has a sixth sense about them, when she gets near them she just comes to a dead stop and refuses to budge; I don't blame her.
They're very hard, like manly sandspurs, which is kind of appropriate since they are used in herbal supplements as a man-aid, if you know what I mean. *wink, wink*
Happy Friday!
Loved the article. Your round up of which crops grow where really cracked me up!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why they don't put up signs identifying the crops in California anymore. When I was growing up, it seemed every field had a sign. I always wish they'd still do that.
It may be that they rotate the crops more frequently and can't be bothered to put up signs. Also, the day of the "family farm" is pretty much over...along with their quaint practices. Or...people just steal the signs. Probably all of the above. Gone the way of Burma Shave signs and Route 66.
Thanks DDP! Yeah, farms are huge corporate operations now. Putting signs up would probably decrease their bottom line too much. :/
DeleteIt's funny Jas has a sixth sense about Goat Heads but not Chupacabras. I haven't gone to the Douglas Budget yet to review your article, but since I have accdss to the newspaper, I'll just wait until the paper is delivered (it's more exciting that way)
ReplyDeleteHa! I think Jas is using all available brain cells in the detecting of goat heads, so she doesn't have any left for things like chupacabras. Or cats. Or sknunks. Or snakes.....
DeleteYeah, you're lucky to get the real newspaper, since it has my picture in it. It comes in handy for pest control. :)
you're right, it never makes sense yo water during the heat of the day...especially in climates where you can hear the water sizzle as it hits it's mark!
ReplyDeletei thought those were sandspurs...i never heard of goat-heads! but the ones we have here don't pop bike tires...they're just not as macho as those out west! but you DO need pliers to pluck them off...even the more, uh...girly sandspurs here...don't try to do pluck 'em with your fingers or they'll get stuck in your skin...barbed like mini arrows! ouch!
I know, it's crazy! I grew up with north Florida's sandspurs and well remember how they stick to your fingers when you try to pluck them off--no fun for a barefoot kid!
DeleteGoat heads are much harder and I'm pretty sure they could be used as a shiv, if needed. ;)
Great article! I didn't know California produced olives - I thought they grew in the can.
ReplyDeleteWhile on vacation we made fun of the neighbors, who put their sprinkler on every day and let half the spray water the beach and the lake. Dumb heads. At least they did it early in the morning, though...
Thanks! All Wyoming produce comes in a can or frozen. Sometimes both, in the winter.
DeleteIn Oregon the main crop that we grow is awesomeness.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget grass seed! Are you getting paid for all the Oregon propaganda? Because *that* would be awesome.
DeleteI have always considered Oregon to be my back-up state if we ever move from Wyoming. Or New Foundland.
Great article! I bet you could do wonders with tumbleweeds... add a few prickly pears, sage & you're good to go...
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYou are really on a blog reading roll today!! =)
Yeah, my life has been crazy this summer, so I get in blog reading when I can - thus all the "hits" in a row here. Pouring rain as I write this - even some thunder & lightening, which is are here. "Oh summer, where art thou..."
DeleteHave a good one, Tumbleweed!
..which is RARE here...
DeleteHee hee. I was wondering what kind of poetic term "which is are here" meant. It sounds kind of deep! ;)
DeleteOh and we got at least 2 MINUTES of rain here today, a miracle for Wyoming!
I'd gladly send you some of ours - I'm sure you need it & we sure don't...
DeleteIf there is one thing Wyoming grows penty of, it's goat heads. My bicycle tires are always needing a repair because of those little devils.
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