Dixie on the Golf Course

Today the weather turned sunny and mild in the afternoon 

and I decided to take Dixie for her afternoon walk 

across the local golf course. 

The golf season is over, the Club House is closed for the winter, 

 but people are allowed to use the area. 

We try to stay on the Fringe, the rough, grassy edges, as much as possible 

and only cross the Fairway if necessary.

It is always so peaceful. 

At the bottom of this Fairway there is small lake where 

rainwater run-off gathers. 

Several small trails, used by the caretakers, 

connect the Fairways. They are nice short cuts for us and

Dixie is allowed to run off leash.

The grass is covered with colourful maple leaves.

I use the opportunity to train the command: "sit"

Perfect- on a distance of 15m (49')

 Dixie is looking around, questioning herself 

as to "why" I choose to ask her to sit. 

She always does that when I call er in or command her to sit.

There must be a reason, or? - she seems to think.

I have spotted people/dogs and taken her on the leash 

before Dixie gets aware of them.

Better safe than sorry.

No-one around this time.

After about an hours walk 

we are ready to leave for home.

A last look around, enjoying the sunlight.

Dixie - our big girl.

Great Pyrenee/Anatolian Shepherd/whatever mixed breed.

14 month, 63cm, 70kg - (28", 154 pound)

Translation

___________________________________________

Solange das Wetter mild ist machen wir täglich einen langen Spaziergang. Heute sind wir über den 

örtlichen Golf Course gewandert. Nach Saisonende dürfen alle die grünen Flächen benutzen.

Einige Pfade kreuzen die Rasenflächen und wir üben "Sitz" auf 15m Entfernung.

Klappt auch ganz gut. Sie sieht sich allerdings misstrauisch um. Hat sie etwas übersehen?

Meistens gibt es Kommandos wenn ich Leute oder fremde Hunde gesehen habe. 

Aber diesmal war keiner da.

Nach einer Stunde sind wir wieder am Ausgangspunkt angekommen und es geht

ab nach Hause.

Dixie, unsere Mischlingshündin, ist ganz schön gewachsen. 

14 Monate alt, Schulterhöhe 63cm und 70 kg schwer.

Mulch in a can (container)

Yes, I took a big break from blogging. It is about 3 month since my last posting. I felt like there was not much to write about. Writers block. It is not uncommon I have heard.

It is still everyday stuff, though, but now I feel more in the mood to write about it again.

What am I up to? 

Leaves, lots of leaves. 

That is a sign of fall. Recently I read that people should not longer dump their leaves into the garbage. The leaves clog up the landfills etc. One should rather mulch and re-use it in the garden.

I am fortunate to HAVE a garden. But unfortunately I don't have a shredder, or lawn mower equipped with mulch addition. Hubby tried to use our old mower. 

The upside: it worked fantastic. 

The downside: all the finely shredded leaves disappeared into the lawn. Gone. Not the result I wanted.

I went online and did some research. Several gardeners came up with the idea to use a weed-trimmer and a big container. Totes, garbage can or something like that. 

That sounded like a plan.

Today I tried it myself and I think it worked out quiet well. After a little trial and error I came up with the best method for my purpose. Put on goggles and a dust mask.

Set the (electrical) weed-trimmer into the empty garbage can. Fill the can up to the top with dry leaves. Turn on the motor and shift the machine in a gently circular movement up and down. 

Within seconds I could top up with another batch of leaves. Repeat that until the can is half full. It takes a lot, I tell you! The voluminous heap of raked leaves turns into nearly nothing after it is shredded.

Transfer the shredded stuff to the vegetable beds. Voilà! 

It was a healthy mix of finely shredded leaves, and partly shredded ones. After the 4th can was done I had the outcome perfected to mostly fin shredded particles.

Good food for the earthworms. I hope they are willing to work on this over the winter and transform it into good compost.

For protection against wind the beds were covered with spruce branches. Now I am waiting for a friend to come and deliver some real cow manure. Next will be a turn to the beach to go and harvest dry sea weeds. That shall be good for the soil too, I have heard.

These components will go into the compost heap.

Done with that task, I opened up the plastic cover of the last vegetable 

bed 

 and harvested fresh lettuce and carrots for dinner.

November 9, Temp 53F (12C), sunny. 

All in all a good day!

_________________________

Aunties translation

Nach langer Pause heute mal wieder ein Eintag.

Heute habe ich das Laub geschredded. 

Dazu habe ich einen elektrischen Unkrautmäher in

eine Mülltonne gesteckt und diese mit trockenem

Laub aufgefüllt. Die Maschine hat das Laub im Nu kurz 

und klein gehäckselt. Eine dicke Mulchschicht wurde dann auf

im Gemüsegarten ausgebreitet und mit Zweigen

gegen den Wind abgedeckt.

Danach habe ich noch frischen Salat und Karotten

geerntet. 

Heute, am 9. November war es sonnig mit 

einer Tagestemperatur von 12C.