The property has come alive with
bunnies! My Britt (Zoey) sits on the deck watching them while she trembles,
shakes and whines at the invaders entering her space. After a long dry summer,
the last few weeks have given rise to some durable greens. The recent showers
have promoted lush growth from formerly dormant vegetation. So now the lawn is
littered with rabbits, devouring all that they can get.
The usually timid creatures have
allowed both me and the dog some very close encounters. They are so intense on
fattening up that they ignore any interruption to the dining experience. I walk
Zoey on a leash and she slowly approaches each one. Her eyes become fixed, her
ears cock back and her steps are slow and steady. When I walk ahead of her she
gives me a look that says: “Are you nuts! Slow down or you’ll scare them away
before I catch one.” She has yet to attain her goal but my arm sockets are
getting a work out. As soon as the rabbit decides to dart away, my leashed
rocket tries to close the distance. It’s amazing how powerful a short (23
pound) dog can be.
I am happy to see that something
other than my garden is greening up. The bunnies have worked over all of my
second plantings, not a trace of a trace remains. Oddly enough they left the
original planting of Swiss chard completely alone this summer. From time to
time a young rabbit would try a leaf and then abandon the effort. This was not
the case with the tender new shoots that rose in late summer. The chard just
began to get some color and then it disappeared. “Nipped in the bud” as Don
Knott’s would say. I am going to plant some more chard today and add a fence
for good measure. Swiss chard is a cool season crop and if the weather holds,
I’ll be able to enjoy a new crop into winter.
The change in weather has enabled me
to get the dog out into the fields for some exercise, prior to the up coming
hunting season. The first few times she went, she only lasted for an hour.
Between the heat and her determined attitude to race over every square inch of
ground… she tired easily. The walks have done us each good; she is trimming
down and becoming stronger each outing. I am feeling the reawaking of the
season with the cooling air and enjoy taking long strides through the fields. I
know that my lung capacity is improving and that I will be ready for some
memorable adventures, behind my pup.
A week ago I found my first puff ball
of the year. It was just the right size, a bit bigger than a soft ball and it
had no blemishes. Autumn’s first treat for me is always some thinly cut puff
ball, fried in butter and olive oil. The aroma of the edible mushroom fills the
house with a nutty sweet fragrance. That first one was gone the day I harvested
it and I hungered for more. Yesterday I went back to the area where I find them
and searched a ridge top in the woods. Zoey raced her way through woods
climbing hills and ducking out of sight into thick undergrowth. I walked for
over an hour and found not a single white globe to bring home. I got back to
the truck, watered the dog and decided to take a quick walk around the area.
Not fifty yards from the truck I found half a dozen puffballs that were as big
as basket balls. They were too large to eat and covered with craters. I found
it hard to believe where they were growing… right out in the open!
I wandered around more and nearly
tripped over one that was big, but not too big. I plucked it from the ground
and inspected it for infestation, this one was a keeper. Not long after that I
found another and brought the pair home. My sister was over for a visit and I
fried some butter in a pan until it browned. I then added some olive oil and
the puffball slices cut to ¼” thick. With both sides browned and golden in
color, I offered my sister her first taste. She was amazed at how buttery it
was and commented that it also had a nutty flavor. Her husband is a big
mushroom fan, so I sent some sliced puff ball home with her. I shared some with
neighbors and still had enough to freeze two full zip bags. I will be looking
for more in the coming week, they are that good!
Another wild crop that I have been
keeping an eye on is apples. This morning I picked and tried one with a blush
of red, hinting that it may be ready. I bit into one very dry sour rock. Maybe
after a good frost they will soften and sweeten up. I like to use the wild
apples in my dehydrator to make the best apple chips going. The wild apples are
a good deal tarter than the cultivated variety. That tartness is enhanced when
slowly dried with a coating of sugar and cinnamon. The end result, it is like
eating a slice of apple pie and they are delicious when roaming the fields in
autumn. My biggest problem with them is making enough. My Son likes to snag a
bag each time he comes to visit. He visits often when he knows that they are
here (that’s another benefit).
This morning I took the Lyman out in
the River (yes it is still able to float). I noticed that there are virtually
no boats or boat lifts left in at this end of the River. A lot of docks sit
empty with their legs showing well above the River. I motored down to Linda
Island and drifted below billowing clouds. The sun started out full and bright
and then said clouds separated me from the warmth. There was just one line of
clouds in the sky and that line set up shop right over me. I caught a 17” small
mouth on a rebel crab and she was a strong gal. She jumped twice and then clung
to the bottom, making quick runs away from the boat. I put her back after our
meeting and a photo. Just like puffballs bass have to be of the proper size for
dining or procreation and this one was met for the latter. Cedar point state
park is looking like the season is over save a hearty few. That’s a good sign;
once the campers leave the perch might just fill in the void with another good autumn
harvest.
