CERTIFY YOUR HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE

Winter wheat as of July 4

A couple of years ago, Mike decided to discontinue mowing the area behind the farmhouse. We designated it as an orchard and planted apple trees. As time went on, we began to identify weeds, encouraging those we deemed desirable, and we continue to plant drought-tolerant perennials.

The National Wildlife Federation sponsors a program to certify wildlife habitat (here). Complete a simple form, give them a $20 donation, and your habitat is enrolled in the program. It looks like you don’t get much for your money except the knowledge that your donation helps the programs of the Wildlife Federation to improve habitat for wildlife.

“Isn’t this the silliest thing,” I asked myself. “Why should I donate when we already do what we can to encourage wildlife and pollinators through our plantings?”

But then, as we prepared for the family reunion over Memorial Day, something clicked with me and I wanted to officially join. I filled out the form and paid the $20. Then I paid a lot more and bought the official sign.

Before the reunion weekend, Mike installed the sign for me in the orchard / meadow. Then, using the app on his phone, we identified the more outstanding weeds and I made markers. I don’t think anyone noticed or cared, which I totally expected, but I enjoyed doing it, and I will continue to do it.

Now the Wildlife Federation has a new logo and a new sign. Wouldn’t you know it? Well, maybe I’ll buy one next year.

Mike and I were up by 6:30 this morning. We did a half hour session of yoga and then walked to the mailbox and back (two miles round trip). The sun was already hot as we walked. Back at the house, I watered the raised beds and the fruit trees. Then together we swathed the Lapins sweet cherry tree. The cherries are in various stages of ripeness, and the birds are already nibbling them.

The excessive heat alert is now in effect from the 6^th through the 12^th. Brother Chuck wonders how this hot spell will affect the grain. We’ll see.

It’s 86 right now (2:30 p.m. on Mike's little shed) and 71 in the house. We stay quite cool inside if we open the house in the evening and close by 9:00 in the morning. KW

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES

June 26, 2024

July 3, 2024

The photos above illustrate how quickly the winter wheat is ripening. With the anticipated excessive heat alert predicted for next week, we expect the rapid change to continue. 

This photo, also taken today (July 3) is meant to show the difference between the winter wheat in the foreground and the spring wheat beyond (on the horizon). It's not effective for that purpose.

So -- here's a photo of the spring wheat on the neighbor's place (formerly the Plank place).

And here's a photo taken by my dad in 1966. KW

WRONGFUL DEATH UPDATE

Mike and I came to town on Thursday (June 27) so that he could pursue various motorcycling activities. We have had to stay in town two days longer than we expected because I have a chipped tooth and couldn’t get an appointment until Tuesday (July 2). We are determined to spend the Fourth on the farm, though, because Bess has developed “noise anxiety” and can’t handle the fireworks. “They’re shooting guns out there,” she cries, “and they didn’t invite me.”

We have not had an update from the prosecutor regarding Milo’s wrongful death in a month or so. To our knowledge, his murderer still hasn’t been officially named and charges haven’t been filed. They say they are investigating carefully, and these things take time. Seems like an open-and-shut case to me. Two guys were locked in a cell together. One was killed with no defensive wounds, so the other guy had to be the perpetrator. But of course, the truly culpable party – the prison itself (the State of Idaho) – will not be charged. As a second-generation native Idahoan, I feel betrayed.

Through certain contacts, we have reason to believe that the prison continues to place vulnerable inmates in harm’s way. I can’t help but feel that to some extent this is deliberate. It’s at least negligent.

Some people have said to me, “I know what you’re going through. I lost my precious baby.” Or they say, “It’s just wrong to bury your child; it goes against nature.” Not to minimize anyone’s grief, but the overarching issue here is that our son and brother was killed in state custody where he should have been safe, and the issues go on and on and on. My heart hurts for what Milo endured in his final days and hours as he was under threat by his delusional cellmate and prison personnel were unresponsive to his pleas for help. Do you think this will come out in the trial – if there is a trial?

And the longer “they” drag out the investigation, the more this horrible crime slips from collective memory. The public has a short memory, and they know it. 

If it could happen to Milo, it could happen to anyone -- and it does. KW