#how to grow grape vines cuttings

[miraphoenix]

This is such a weird gripe, but I hate posts like this where there's some (invariably unsourced) claim that a given list of plants is invasive across a wide geographic area.

Because yes, sure, the majority of those plants are in fact invasive across the USA. English ivy is a scourge in my area, and knotweed is worse.

But Concord grape? Is a North American east coast native cultivar; it's one of the many cultivars of Vitis labrusca. If you're east of the Mississippi, and you've got grapevines up your trees, up your shed? There's about a 95% chance that's a native species! It's aggressive as all fuck (source: I have pulled 45ft of V. labrusca out of trees before), but aggressive growth doesn't make something invasive!

So like. If the screenshotted person's in the west coast? Sure, the claim that everything there is invasive has more ground. But calling V. labrusca invasive across the whole USA when that's the native fucking grape you're talking about makes me irrationally pissed off.

[princess-glassred]

I wish I could do animatics because I have such a good idea for one: An IT "we don't talk about bruno" animatic where it's like the adult losers club telling Bill about Pennywise to make him remember.

Ben and Bev sing Pepa and Felix's part while Bev recounts the time pennywise made blood spurt out of the sink (it was like hurricane!). Ben is in the background parroting everything she says and occasionally reassuring her that he was certain she still looked so gorgeous (you're always gorgeous babe, but anyway!) no matter what happened.

Mike comes in to sing Delores's part, where he essentially raps about the power of pennywise, the ritual of the chüd, how the natives used it, and how they're all "grappling with prophecies we can't understand, do you understand?".

Richies comes in next singing Camillos part, where he engages in some light teasing of Bill by talking about how bad pennywises is and how it feasts on your fear while doing impressions of him. "Yeah it sees your dreams, feasts on your screams~".

The ghosts of Vic, Belch, and Patrick come in to give Bill a warning of what happened to them, how pennywise say things and kills you right after. They then crowd around Bill and tell him that his fate is sealed when his prophecy is read, as in, because Pennywise has told him all his friends will die, he was definetly die.

Henry sings isabellas part as he recalls all the false promises IT filled his head with and his delusions of granduer about killing the losers. "He told me that the life of my dreams would be promised and someday be mine... He told me that my power would grow like grapes that thrive on the vine.".

Eddie doesn't get to sing but he does get to be sung ABOUT. Richie looks at Eddie and sings about how Pennywise taunts him with his feelings for Eddie. "He told me that the man of my dreams would be just out of reach, betrothed to another...".

This all ramps up as Bill gets a vision of Georgie essentially telling him to cut his losses and give up (hey bro, I want not a sound out of you...). Bill starts freaking out because he needs to know more about Pennywise, the ACTUAL truth, not just bits and pieces. The rest of the cast, including the ghost of Stan circle around him to start singing their own parts of the song together as Bill reaches for Georgies paper boat in the sewer. Henry and Richie sing "I'm fine" together in between their own versus becsuse, well let's face it, they absolutely aren't. Then Bill gets his paper boat and proceeds to have an existential crisis over getting involved in this pennywise stuff at all.

[silverynight]

Underworld

<--Previous

Part XXV

Before he can think about what he's going to tell Todoroki, Aizawa appears for Izuku's daily training.

"I think it's time to take you to the Olympus; Toshinori wants to train you too."

Izuku can't stop himself from beaming; Aizawa had told him that All Might wanted to train him, but it was difficult for him to believe it at the time.

Well, it still is.

However, it's a good thing that he's going to the Olympus because that way he can tell them both at the same time about the courtship.

He goes home quickly to say goodbye to his mother and promise her to be back at night.

The Olympus looks a little bit empty now that there's no party, but it's still very impressive and beautiful to look at.

There's some sort of garden with a golden apple tree in the middle of it all; Izuku can't help but stare at everything and notice how much life is in every inch of it.

He can feel it everywhere.

"Midoriya!" All Might is very different from Aizawa; he greets Izuku like they have known each other for ages and hugs him in such an enthusiastic way Izuku's feet stop touching the ground for a moment.

"You're going to crush him!" Aizawa scolds the other god after a while, although Izuku feels completely fine.

"It's a pleasure to see you again!" The demigod beams, slightly flustered.

"Are you ready to test your power against me?" All Might grins, posing like one of those statues the mortals have on his temples; he flexes his arms, showing off his muscles.

Izuku gets immediately nervous; he doesn't think he's ready to test his abilities against the king of the gods.

Aizawa rolls his eyes before standing in the middle of the two.

"No. There's not going to be any of that; we agreed." Aizawa sighs, looking like he's about to have a headache. "First, you're going to watch him train on his own so you can see his progress so far."

The fact that he's going to be aware of them watching him makes Izuku feel even more nervous, but he tries to focus.

He needs to know what kind of life grows in that garden; the plants and flowers are not used to Izuku's presence, but they welcome him anyway.

Izuku is not sure if it's because he has had a lot of practice or it's that life is buzzing with energy there, but it's easier to control. He manages to catch Aizawa once with vines, although he makes sure not to use thorns.

All Might puts a hand under his own chin and just as Izuku waits for him to point out everything he's doing wrong, he smiles and claps his hands together once.

"Let's eat!"

If he doesn't count that time at the party and when he was in the underworld, Izuku is almost sure he has never seen that much food on a table before.

Gods don't need to eat, but they still enjoy the taste of food. That's why a lot of the offerings mortals made to them are meat, grapes and sometimes wine and juice they make with their own hands.

"You have done an amazing job with the boy, Shota," All Might says after a while, making Izuku relax somewhat. However, when he turns around to face the demigod, he looks slightly more serious: "Even though you are obviously working on your technique and have better control over it, you still hesitate a lot, Midoriya."

Izuku turns slightly pink before looking down; he knows he's right.

"Don't be afraid of your own power, young Midoriya. I promise it won't betray you or consume you like you seem to believe."

Aizawa quirks a brow at the other god, almost as if he's quite surprised by his wisdom.

"And don't hesitate to use it on Shota!" All Might chuckles before giving the other god a slap on the shoulder that almost makes him fall face first over his own plate. "He can take it!"

Aizawa glares back at the blond god, but when he turns around to look at Izuku, his expression softens considerably.

"He's right. You shouldn't hesitate."

"Let's go back to training!"

"Wait," Izuku cuts in, looking at both of them. "I need to tell you something first."

He gets slightly nervous when he notices Aizawa's worried expression and All Might's excited grin.

"Kacchan is courting me!" Izuku blurts out, knowing that if he doesn't say it as soon as possible he never will.

"He's... WHAT?" All Might doesn't seem that happy about it. "But you're too young for that!"

Even though the god doesn't seem to agree with that, Izuku worries a bit more about Aizawa's eye twitching. He hasn't said a word, but it seems that whatever he's thinking is definitely nothing good.

Maybe he should've waited a little longer to tell them.

***

It's been a while and Aizawa is still pacing around the room; Izuku is not sure why he doesn't seem to like the idea of Katsuki courting him.

"It's okay!" All Might says then, he's not completely happy, but it seems he has come to terms with it. "I mean, young Bakugo is not bad! He doesn't like to come here often, but I know he takes care of his realm and the people in it quite well!"

Izuku is ready to agree and tell him how kind and gentle Katsuki actually is, but he realizes that All Might is talking to Aizawa.

The other god pauses, pinches the bridge of his nose and takes a deep breath before looking back at him.

"I know, I know," Aizawa sighs. "I don't have anything against Bakugo and he seems to have learned his lesson after what happened the first time, but..."

"You don't want Midoriya to suffer because you care about him," All Might says, surprising Izuku. "I care about him too."

The demigod feels the tears in his eyes before they start sliding down and he realizes he can't stop them.

Izuku already knew they cared about him; they wouldn't be there at the moment if that wasn't the case, but now he thinks that he doesn't quite understand how much they care. A couple of years ago, Izuku firmly believed that his mother was the only one who could care about him like that.

It seems he was completely wrong and he's never been happier to be wrong before.

He jumps into Aizawa's arms first, but this time the god immediately hugs him back.

"You still have to bring Bakugo here because I want to talk to him, alright?" He says after a while.

"Sure!" Izuku beams before giving another hug to All Might.

"Actually," Aizawa adds, almost like an afterthought. "I think it'd be better if he meets us in your mother's house in a couple of days, if your mother is okay with it."

Izuku nods, knowing his mother will agree.

"Great!" All Might cuts in, cracking his knuckles. "I have a couple of things to say to young Bakugo too!"

Even though they kinda said they're okay with the courtship, Izuku gets slightly nervous about the upcoming meeting, but he doesn't have time to think about it too much because Aizawa puts a hand on his shoulder.

"You still have to train, Midoriya. It's time you use your powers on Toshinori."

Right. Another thing to be nervous about. At least it takes his head off the courtship for a while.

Then he realizes that he's not a good opponent for All Might; the god defeats him every single time without breaking a sweat.

It's going to be a long day.

***

Next--->

Patreon

[the-habitat-ring]

The (Real) Stardew Valley Farm Update 2024

I’m wrapping up my third year trying to grow everything from Stardew Valley in our yard, with substitutions as needed, preferably with Midwest USA native plants.

I’m continuing to battle the invasive plants (why won’t the honeysuckle and thistles stop?????), beg for truckloads of woodchips (Google decided our address isn’t real anymore), and deal with a body and brain that makes going outside impossible sometimes (the past two years have been rough medically). But despite all of that I still managed to make a ton of progress!

Here’s how things stand as of now. If you’re looking back at previous posts you might notice some differences, but that’s mainly because things I planted died (drought + medical crises don’t bode well for newly established plants). I’ve also added the additional crops from the new update.

2021

Amaranth - Native white amaranth

Grape - Native riverbank grapes (so many grapes). I’m hopefully going to successfully propagate some cuttings from the neighbor’s green cultivated variety

Dandelion - Obviously

Maple Tree - Native silver, red, and sugar maples

Pine Tree - Douglas fir

Apple Tree - Three old apple trees of different varieties in very rough shape. I’ve been working to prune them up and two are looking a lot better. I’d love an Enterprise apple tree at some point

Coffee Bean - Chicory (a naturalized plant commonly used as a coffee substitute)

Salmonberry - Native black raspberries since salmonberries aren’t from around here, although I really want to add raspberries of various colors in the future

Starfruit - Native wood sorrel

Cave Carrot - Queen Ann’s Lace, AKA wild carrot

2022

Kale

Rhubarb

Strawberry - Both cultivated and native

Tulip

Radish

Tomato

Eggplant

Fairy Rose - Native prairie rose

Cranberries - Native cranberry viburnum

Orange Tree -Native persimmons, which produce orange fruit

Daffodil

Spring Onion - Native nodding onions

Spice Berry - Native spicebushes

Wild Plum - Native plums

Crocus

Cherry Tree - Native black cherries and nonnative bush cherries

Banana Tree - Native pawpaws, which are also known as Indiana bananas

Sweet Gem Berry - Native Juneberry (Downy Serviceberry)

2023

Garlic - Native wild garlic

Blueberries - I planted three varieties and only one survived. Don’t shortcut your bed preparation, friends

Wild Horseradish - Not wild, but contained with my mint

Hops - Teamaker hops which is good for tea since we’re not alcohol fans

2024

Blue Jazz - Native Ozark Bluestar

Beets

Apricot Tree - Native passionflower vine, also known as wild apricot

Sunflower - Both native and non-native sunflowers

Pumpkin

Cactus Fruit - Native prickly pear cactus

Melon - Cantaloupe

Oak Tree - Native dwarf chinquapin oak, which took me forever to get

Hot Pepper

Palm Tree/coconut - Native palm sedge

Poppy - Native purple poppy mallow, after other native poppies failed. I still want to grow bread seed poppies, though

Corn - Tried some gorgeous colored corn and popcorn that didn’t grow great but they did grow!

Green bean

Hazelnut - They’re supposed to be easy to grow but they do not like me. Third time’s the charm, right?

Carrot

Summer squash

Powder melon - I decided to do honeydew melon because it’s kinda powdery and I don’t really have any other ideas

Planned for 2025 and beyond

Potato

Pineapple - White strawberries (pineberries)

Winter Root - Hopniss, a native root vegetable

Red Cabbage

Artichoke - Native Jerusalem artichokes

Yam

Bok Choy

Leek

Fiddlehead Fern - Ferns do not like me

Blackberry

Crystal Fruit - Probably honey berries, which produce fruit earlier than anything else

Ancient Fruit - Native Aronia berries. They’re blue(ish) and have lots of antioxidants so you live to be ancient

Tea Leaves - Native New Jersey Tea bush. The previous ones were murdered by rabbits

Mango Tree - I thought one of our pawpaws was a variety called mango but I was wrong

Ginger - I want to try growing native wild ginger again

Rice - Native rough-leaved rice grass

Wheat - I have some gorgeous ornamental blue wheat seeds

Summer Spangle - Possibly native prairie lily? I was unsuccessful growing it from seed this year but maybe in the future

Parsnip - I can’t get them to germinate to save my life but one day I will be successful

Sweat pea

Holly - Native winterberry holly

Mushrooms - I'm just gonna ignore varieties and try some plugs or similar

Peach - Vine peach. It’s a melon, and more doable than a tree

Mahogany Tree - I think I’ll resort to mahogany nasturtiums

Broccoli

Pomegranate Tree - I could try Russian pomegranates?

Taro Root - I would have to plant it in pots

Snow Yam - Not actually a yam but maybe native sweet potato vine?

Qi Fruit - Very creepy, not sure what to do with this

Over halfway there! If anyone has suggestions for plants please let me know because I’m still stuck on a few and very open to alternatives.

In other news, I’m making Stardew Valley Fair displays with cross stitch patches for each of the items I’ve added that year. I’ll have to post pics of those at some point.

[ahedderick]

Forestry

I posted earlier this summer about some tree thinning my son was going to do down at Home Farm. There is an area that was clear cut around 2008, and it has grown back in many, many saplings that are crowded and need more space.

If you look toward the back of the picture, you can see that the young trees are packed so close together it's almost hard to walk through them. Over time, many will die off and some will survive. We can speed that process up, though, by thinning. We have used two methods, crop tree thinning (where we pick trees to keep, spaced 25 - 35 ft apart, then cut the trees in a ring around the crop tree) and area-wide thinning, which is what this is. Son marked off roughly an acre and cut more than half the trees, leaving the rest with much more sunlight and room to grow.

It's crazy how many he cut when there are so many still there! He'll certainly have plenty of material for his next bonfire. Most of the wood will be left to enrich the forest floor and feed the mushrooms. A couple years down the road, this site will have much taller trees than the unthinned areas. The trouble is, given the steep slope, grape vines, bees, and other impediments - it took him 40+ hours* to do this one acre. Even if he speeds up with practice, which he will, that's still a lot of time. How many acres could use this thinning treatment? Oh, probably about 50.

'* and several bee stings

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #265 (part 1)

I had a beautiful solo adventure today. And I got so many awesome pictures for you in the process that I'm going to have to break it up into two parts, at least. I'll start from the beginning!

I finally got around to making another loaf of garlic bread. Of course, I already did some of the preparation for it yesterday, what with peeling the garlic and taking the butter out overnight to soften. Today, I cut off the woody ends of the garlic, and chopped them in my handy-dandy veggie chopper:

That represents two full heads of garlic. I would recommend that a person of more ordinary levels of garlic tolerance should probably only use one head of garlic at most; my taste for alliums quite possibly borders on insane, ahahaha~!

In any case, with this, I mixed together two sticks of butter, a bunch of dried herbs (basil, parsley, marjoram, oregano, and ground coriander), salt, and parmesan cheese:

From there, I sliced the bread in half, divided my butter in half, and spread each half of the butter on each half of the bread:

...I baked this in the oven at around 400 degrees F (or 204.4 degrees C) for about 15 minutes. Last time, I spread the mozzarella cheese on before putting it in the oven, and so the garlic didn't get toasty. I didn't have that problem this time:

...Roasty, crispy edges, and roasty, crispy garlic... This came out so perfectly.

From here, I decided that the thing to do was try a Korean-ish-style garlic bread again. We had this cream cheese that we don't have bagels for, and it needs to get used, so I softened it in the microwave, divided it in half, and applied it to each half of the garlic bread:

...From there, I applied a whole bag of mozzarella cheese to this, divided evenly between each half of the bread, like so:

...And then I stuck it under the broiler for a couple minutes to get it all melty!

...It turned out absolutely perfectly:

...I wish you could be here to try some of this with us. I wish so badly that you could have eaten some of this. But maybe someday, when you're safe and free from all the weird bullshit that surrounds you, you can look back on this letter and remember how to do this, so that you can have some in your own house with all the people who care about you.

In any case, since today was Monday, and since it was also rainy, I went to the orchard, confident that I'd basically be the only person there. Sephiroth... have you ever been to an orchard? They grow lots of things there. Usually in my area, they're known for apples:

...However, I was here for the grapes. Specifically, I was here for concord grapes:

...Sephiroth, have you ever had concord grapes? They're intensely sweet at first, and they have a tart finish. They have seeds, and they slip out of their skins. Because of the fact that they slip out of their skins so easily, they're actually kinda fragile; you have to be very careful about how you pick them and transport them, because they're plump, heavy, and eager to fall off the vine or slip out of their skin. Just being set down into the bag a little too roughly will do it. And then you get a little bit of grape juice everywhere...

Sephiroth. If you've not had concord grapes, you gotta try 'em. They're one of my favorite things, like ever. They rival even my love of garlic. They rival even my love of cheese. They rival even my love of sushi. And if you've been reading my letters up until this point, you'll know that that's really saying something!!

Hey, Sephiroth? If you ever find yourself in my neighborhood when these are in season, you wanna go together to grab some up? The drive there is beautiful, too; I think you'd have an amazing time. Even though I know it's impossible... I'll still ask you to please come along with me sometime.

I'm at 23 pictures already, and I still have so much more to show you. So I'm going to end this part of today's letter and begin the next one.

I love you!!! I'll write again in literally just a little bit!!!

Your friend, Lumine

[gardenreviewus]

How to Prune Grapevines to Grow on an Arbor Pruning your grapevines might initially seem daunting, but with the right techniques, you can create a lush and productive arbor. By working with nature, you can train your vines to thrive and produce delicious grapes while enhancing your outdoor space. In this guide, you'll discover the simple steps to effectively prune your grapevines, ensuring they flourish on your arbor and provide a stunning centerpiece for your garden. Let's get started on transforming your grapevines into a beautiful and bountiful edible display!Understanding the Basics of Pruning Grapevines A fundamental aspect of growing healthy grapevines on an arbor involves mastering the art of pruning. Proper pruning enhances air circulation, sunlight penetration, and promotes optimal fruit development. Familiarizing yourself with the basic principles will empower you to keep your vines lively and productive, ensuring a thriving harvest year after year. Why Prune Grapevines? If you want your grapevines to flourish, pruning is crucial. It helps to remove dead or unproductive wood, encourages new growth, and shapes the vines to maximize sunlight exposure. With careful pruning, you can balance foliage and fruit, improving the overall health of your plants. Key Factors to Consider The key factors to consider when pruning your grapevines include vine age, growth patterns, and the season. Be attentive to these elements to achieve the best results: Assess the vine's age and healthObserve the natural growth patternsTime your pruning during the appropriate season After evaluating these factors, you can make informed decisions about how to prune effectively. It's also important to take into account your desired vine shape and size. Different grape varieties may require specific pruning techniques for optimal yield. As you familiarize yourself with your vines, consider the following additional aspects: Check for previous pruning cutsEvaluate the spacing between vinesPlan for future growth and expansion After you've gathered this information, you'll be set to prune your grapevines confidently.The Best Time to Prune Some experts agree that the optimal time for pruning your grapevines is in late winter or early spring, just before the buds begin to swell. This timing allows your vines to recover from the cuts and encourages robust growth as they enter the growing season. Pruning during this period helps ensure that your arbor is filled with healthy, thriving vines. Seasonal Timing Tips Even when planning to prune, taking note of seasonal conditions can make a big difference. Here are a few tips to help you decide when to prune: Prune when the risk of frost has passed. Avoid pruning during heavy rain or storms. Timing can vary based on your local climate. Assume that if the buds are still dormant, it's a safe time for pruning. Signs Your Grapevines Need Pruning With grapevines, a little attention goes a long way, and you'll be able to identify when they need pruning. Look for signs like excessive growth, tangled branches, or deadwood. If you notice these issues, it's a good indication that your vines would benefit from some careful trimming. Understanding the signs that your grapevines need pruning can help you maintain healthy plants and maximize your harvest. Check for overly vigorous canes, which may crowd the vine and lead to poor air circulation. You may also see spindly shoots or an abundance of unripe grapes left after harvest, indicating that it's time to rejuvenate your plants with some careful cuts. By pruning at the right time and being aware of these signs, you can ensure that your grapevines remain healthy and productive.Tools You'll Need for Pruning The right tools can make your pruning experience much smoother and more efficient. Whether you're trimming for the first time or you're a seasoned pro, having the appropriate equipment ensures that you can handle your grapevines with care. Essential

tools include hand pruners, loppers, a pruning saw, and a sturdy pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands while working. With these tools in hand, you'll be well-prepared to sculpt your grapevines for a beautiful arbor. Essential Pruning Tools If you want to make precise cuts and avoid damaging your grapevines, investing in a few necessary pruning tools is vital. High-quality hand pruners will help you snip away small branches, while loppers are perfect for thicker growth. A pruning saw can tackle the largest limbs, and don't forget a pair of gloves to keep your hands safe. Safety Tips While Pruning The safety of your hands and eyes is paramount when using sharp tools for pruning. Start by wearing safety goggles to protect your eyes from debris, and make sure to use gloves to avoid cuts and scrapes. Always cut away from your body, and keep your tools sharp to ensure clean cuts. Check the area for potential hazards, like uneven ground or low-hanging branches. Follow these helpful tips: Wear sturdy gardening gloves Protect your eyes with safety goggles Keep your work area clear of distractions Always cut away from yourself Thou will thank yourself later for taking these precautions! A safe pruning session will keep you focused on shaping your grapevines without worrying about injuries. A few more safety practices you should consider include inspecting your tools regularly and maintaining a firm grip while cutting. If you're using ladders to reach higher vines, ensure they're stable and that someone else is around to assist you if needed. Follow these additional tips to create a safer pruning environment: Inspect tools for damage before use Ensure your ladder is stable and secure Work in pairs, whenever possible Take breaks to avoid fatigue Thou will have a more enjoyable pruning experience when you prioritize safety! How to Prune Grapevines Step-by-Step Not all grapevines require the same pruning approach, but following a step-by-step process will help you achieve healthy growth. The table below outlines the primary steps you should take when pruning your grapevines: Step Description 1. Assess your vine Review the previous season's growth and identify strong canes. 2. Choose your method Decide between spur pruning and cane pruning based on your vine type. 3. Make cuts Cut back the canes or spurs to promote new growth. 4. Clean up Remove any dead wood and excess growth to improve airflow. Determining the Right Cut Even the smallest cut can make a big difference in your grapevines' productivity. Identifying the right cut starts with understanding the previous year's growth pattern. Look for healthy canes that grew well and keep those while removing weaker or overcrowded ones. This selective cutting ensures optimal production for the coming season. Techniques for Effective Pruning The best approach to pruning involves using the right techniques to ensure your grapevines thrive. Start by using sharp, clean tools to make precise cuts, which helps prevent disease. Angle your cuts to promote healing, and try to leave a few buds on each cane for new growth. Consistency in your techniques will yield the best results as you develop your gardening skills. Plus, consistent pruning practices will help you learn more about your specific vines over time. Each season offers an opportunity to assess how well your grapevines produced, allowing you to adjust your techniques as needed. Also, safeguarding your tools and keeping them sterilized can elevate your pruning sessions, ensuring your plants remain healthy and vigorous.Common Mistakes to Avoid For successful grapevine pruning, it's crucial to stay clear of common pitfalls. Many gardeners tend to prune too aggressively or not enough, which can hinder your vines' growth and yield. Pay attention to these mistakes to ensure your arbor thrives and produces delicious grapes for you to enjoy.

Over-Pruning versus Under-Pruning To achieve the best results with your grapevines, find a balance between over-pruning and under-pruning. Too much pruning can stress your plants, while too little may lead to a tangled mess that restricts air circulation and light. Aim for healthy growth by targeting the right amount of wood during your pruning sessions. Timing Errors to Watch For Mistakes in timing can significantly affect your grapevines' health and fruit production. Pruning at the wrong time can expose your plants to frost damage or disrupt their natural growth cycle. Take care to prune during the appropriate season for your grape variety to help your vines thrive. Plus, be aware that pruning too late in the season can hinder new growth, while early pruning might expose tender buds to chilly temperatures. Aim to prune when your vines are dormant, typically in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. This timing allows your grapevines to recover quickly and set the stage for a bountiful harvest. Maintaining Your Pruned Grapevines Unlike other plants, your grapevines require specific care to thrive after pruning. Proper maintenance will ensure they grow beautifully on your arbor, providing a lush, green canopy and delicious grapes. Regularly check for any signs of pests or diseases, and be diligent about watering and fertilizing as needed to support healthy growth. Post-Pruning Care Tips The success of your pruned grapevines relies on attentive care after pruning. Here are some crucial tips to follow: Water your vines adequately, especially during dry spells. Apply a balanced fertilizer to promote new growth. Remove any dead or damaged wood as it appears. Monitor for pests and take action as needed. After following these tips, your grapevines will be well on their way to thriving. Encouraging Healthy Growth The key to encouraging healthy growth in your grapevines lies in providing the right environment and consistent care. Make sure your vines receive enough sunlight, ideally at least six hours a day. Keeping the soil well-drained and regularly mulching around the base can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Encouraging your grapevines to grow strong means giving them the right nutrients and conditions to flourish. Regularly check the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. Additionally, support healthy development by pruning appropriately each season and ensuring your arbor offers the necessary structure for climbing. With your dedication, your grapevines will reward you with abundant foliage and tasty grapes over time.Conclusion Taking this into account, pruning your grapevines not only helps them grow beautifully on your arbor but also ensures a healthier and more fruitful harvest. By following the proper techniques and timing, you can guide your vines effectively while enhancing their appearance. Each season offers a fresh opportunity to refine your approach, so embrace the journey and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with nurturing your grapevines. Happy pruning! https://gardenreview.us/pruning-grapevines-for-arbor-growth/?feed_id=214&_unique_id=672db9216c441 https://gardenreview.us/pruning-grapevines-for-arbor-growth/?feed_id=214&_unique_id=672db9216c441

[casusvallis]

╰┈➤ ❝ [Farmers Association] ❞

Farmers - the community within Casus that keeps everyone and everything afloat. Without their agricultural efforts, Casus would have collapsed centuries ago. Many farmers in Casus are followers of the Doluit Deam, the goddess of the pained and agonized. Her tears and sacrifice have blessed the lands with lush and fruitful soil, making the crops always successful. Despite the support they bring to Casus, they are constantly at odds with The Valmous Properties and Family, who want to buy out their land to build a shopping mall and more houses. They already took the orchard and capitalized on its success, so the farmers are adamant about protecting their land, no matter how much money Valmous Family offers. Luckily, The Farmers Association and Summertree Family are great supports for one another, often working together on improving the lands and fostering healthy relationships.

∘₊✧──────────────────✧₊∘

╰┈➤[1] Sheen Residence and Properties

Once a flourishing area with farm animals, over the past decades the land has faced hardship. In the 1970s, a lowly farmer with an unfitting degree in engineering by the name of Noel Sheen tended the soil. While his garden was successful, his personality was left wanting, with Casus residents avoiding him like the plague. Coincidentally, around this time there were many cases of missing people, a lot of them being students. To this day, there is a steady amount of people going missing, despite Noel being missing for well over three decades. Now, the nephews of Noel Sheen live in the home, with the oldest brother, Andrew (Andy) Sheen, tending the farm.

╰┈➤[2] Old Barn (Mirror Pool)

An old, decrepit, abandoned barn that once held horses. It hasn't been used in several decades, with grass and vines growing across the walls. The door is caved in, and wild animals have claimed it as their own. In desperate need of a clean!

╰┈➤[3] Tomatoes

Tomato crops! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[4] Grapes

Grape crops! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[5] Alfalfa

Alfalfa crops! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[6] Olives

Olive crops! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[7] Water Tower

An extremely tall water tower. Used to maintain appropriate water pressure throughout Casus and its building. Because it is located in the valley of the mountainous region, the water pressure is quite weak for the cabins in the neighbouring suburbs, so they often rely on well water. The water tower was made as an afterthought, truthfully - the town is several years behind.

╰┈➤[8] Winona Florals, Gardens, and Landscapes

A lovely and peaceful woman named Winona-Amber Atherton is a dedicated florist and gardener, offering her services Casus-wide. She has been a pillar to the Farmers Association committee for decades, acting as a unofficial leader when protecting the farmers from The Valmous Family and The City Government. Some claim her strength and love for Casus is otherworldly...

╰┈➤[9] Farmers Fields

Open field with tall grasses and flowers, a beautiful area with a dirt road cutting right through. A popular place for picnics, frolicking, and painting. It is also where the farming community gathers to hold their meetings, and where followers of the Doluit Deam have their monthly ritual of crying and blessing the lands.

╰┈➤[10] Soybeans

Soybean crops! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[11] Blueberries

Blueberry crops! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[12] Carrots

Carrot crops! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[13] Wheat

Wheat fields! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[14] Rice

Rice fields! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[15] Broccoli, Maaroon Scouts Headquarters

The headquarters for Maaroon Scouts, the better and more accessible Boy Scouts. It is a children and youth's outdoor education initiative, aiming to create inclusivity, leadership, and love for the outdoors in its scouts. Any youth ages 5-20 is welcome to join, and are split into the spaces they have the most interest in learning.

Bear (activity, combat, daytime wilderness safety)

Deer (flora, plant-focused nature preservation)

Turtle (water, swimming, water preservation)

Groundhog (geology, dirt, soil-focused nature preservation)

Finch (air, climate focus and care, recycling initiatives)

Owl (fauna, animal-focused nature preservation, nighttime wilderness safety)

Oh! And before we forget. The lands are owned by the head of Maaroon Scouts, Guy Dufresne, also a farmer: Broccoli crops! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[16] Donovan's Cottage

A softspoken, quiet man who has been in Casus his whole life, Donovan Podeki is a student at the Casus College, studying botany and agriculture science. His life-long love of nature earned him a leading position in the Farmers Association, working closely with all the farmers to help study their crops and the soil. His home borders the Blunder Lands, a dangerous forest, but Donovan is well equipped to handle it.

╰┈➤[17] Corn

Corn fields! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[18] Potatoes

Potato crops! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[19] Strawberries

Strawberry fields! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[20] Spinach

Spinach crops! Flourishing thanks to the wonders of Doluit Deam.

╰┈➤[21] Farmers Association Greenhouse

A large greenhouse for specialty plants, tended to by Donovan Podeki. There are many extravagant pieces of flora that decorate the building, with all the farmers in the association sharing it. As Donovan is one of the only farmer academics, he works tirelessly to test, examine, and modify the crops, grafting pieces to ensure plants are growing and flourishing.

[ratsoh-writes]

Hey y’all! Meet the birdfell siblings!!

Roost (birdfell sans):

He’s a bird monster standing at 5’4 with sandy tan wings resembling an owls! He’s 51 years old and has only one working eye, the other socket has a large crack going through and is unable to open any more.

Roost is loyal, affectionate, caring, flirtatious, teasing, and dumb as a rock. He is the perfect definition of a himbo lol. However he isn’t energetic (most of the time) and instead of golden retriever energy, he’s described as having more lazy Rottweiler energy. Roost is a possessive fellow and is quick to claim what’s “his” whether that’s friends or things, or even dates lol. He has so much confidence it’s mistaken for fearlessness.

For work, he’s a florist! Roost is surprisingly enthusiastic about flowers, the language behind them, and making beautiful arrangements. He has a good eye (singular lol) for matching colors and has a green thumb when it comes to growing his babies. His florist shop is in the land his sister owns.

His hobbies: flowers of course, he also does some gardening, long flights, axe throwing, sparring and wrestling, bird hunting, wine tasting, throwing really large rocks off cliffs to see them roll down, falconry, hooking up/flirting, babysitting (don’t worry he’s actually pretty good with kids)

Loved items: his sister/all the vineyard workers, kids, Mediterranean food, wines and cheeses, flowers of course, specially morning glories, the color green, ducks, football and the World Cup

Special ability: rocky skin: when he feels threatened his bones and feathers harden making a rough cutting surface and protecting him from attacks. It only lasts a few seconds

Magic weapon: he has two hand sized axes! They’re fairly simple but they get the job done.

Harpy (birdfell papyrus):

She’s an exceptionally tall bird monster standing at 6’9 feet. She has large dark golden brown wings resembling an eagles and a thin scar on her cheekbone. She’s a feminine presenting monster with a husky woman’s voice.

Harpy is sharp, serious, and very to the point. She’s an organized lady and very ambitious. She’s extremely protective and loyal to her friends and workers and is passionate about her loves in life. She takes no sh*t in life and is very brave in the face of any trial. Harpy is more of an honest straightforward person and is rarely sneaky about what she does.

For work, she owns a large vineyard in the mountains as well as a big chunk of land where she’s the landlord to some other farmers and businesses. Her wine is considered one of the finest of ebotts and her grapes are fought over by other brewers. She takes her job very seriously and expects a lot out of her employees, but with lots of work comes high reward from her.

Her hobbies: wine tasting, javelin throwing, shoe shopping (she fkn loves heels), collecting travel brochures, floral arrangements, weightlifting, long flights, horror and mystery novels, collecting antique weapons, falconry

Loved items: her brother and her employees, Mediterranean food, potted basil, wines and cheeses, the color purple, heels, antique weaponry, murals, antique books, her pet golden eagle Gaia.

Special ability: look at me. When she needs people’s attention, she can give off this aura that will naturally stop people in their place to look at her. She doesn’t need to utter a single sound

Magic weapon: a gorgeous ornate javelin with vines all up the staff

Extra details:

The birdtale AU was very warlike with small mixed tribes of humans and monsters constantly fighting over the little pieces of farmable land left. It created a large sense of loyalty between families but also made an au of very territorial monsters (and humans who came in the crash with them).

Roost and harpy’s parents were killed in one turf war when harpy was a toddler. Roost raised his little sister himself and according to her did a decent job. However most people think she’s the older sibling with how much she bosses him around lol

The birdfell au is interesting as they actually had five “royals” but none who had taken the oath (the ritual had been lost ages ago). They were unable to decide on two representatives without fighting, and so the birdtale royals stepped and took the birdfell monsters as their own. It was supposed to be temporary, but the fells ended up loving their fair and attentive new rulers.

Birdfell monsters are very scattered around ebott so every community has a little pocket of them somewhere.

Side characters:

Phoenix: birdfell grillby, he has a set of gorgeous flaming wings and a massive wingspan. Phoenix is ebotts top model and adores his fans just a little too much. He is also an old friend of rooks and was harpy’s main babysitter when rook was out

Lewis: a frail 89 year old middle eastern looking man and the grandfather of rook and harpy. (Their mother had been a half breed). Harper is enjoying his retirement on harpy’s vineyard as an “official wine taster” lol. He has a good relationship with his grandkids and is not so secretly glad that there are no more babies in the family lol

[weatheredpileoftomes]

reverently, deliberately

For FFXIVWrite Day 6, “ring”. Frydlona/[ShB spoilers], pre-Endwalker, spoilers through patch 5.5, ~700 words. Late due to some nonsense at work, but still within the Week One amnesty period! I might expand it later, but this was a real “get it done in two days or else two years” thing.

A promise that is also a hope.

Frydlona almost always carries a sketchbook for her design ideas. For a project, she’ll rip the pages out and keep them in a case, and what’s left is just thoughts she’s had, things that might be fun or challenging to make, things that might turn into a project if she needs them to.

She sketches all kinds of things, often ones she’ll never get around to making. A crown made out of the lavender blooms of Lakeland; vambraces and pauldrons gilded and carved with flames to be worn with an embroidered black cloak; a workbench with drawers nested inside drawers; a gown with a trailing skirt like seafoam; a rocking chair with flowers that look like they’re growing out of cracks in the wood itself, alchemically preserved.

A ring, wrought like a white mage’s cane, with leaves curling around a rough-cut gem.

She scribbles it out the first time she catches herself drawing it. She doesn’t need to make such a thing.

*

They’ve been reeling from one crisis to another, with hardly time for breath, and now the threat of the Final Days hangs overhead. It’s too fast, and Frydlona knows it; fear is a dangerous spice for emotion. People think they fall in love during wartime, and if they’re lucky enough to live, they have to live with whatever choices they made.

All in all, she’s known Raha for less than two years, and some of that was years ago. They’ve done none of this properly, or reasonably; they’ve raced forward in freefall, and it frightens her how much she doesn’t want to stop.

*

Some nights she wakes up with nightmares, and some nights Raha does. Either way it keeps her awake after, staring into the darkness overhead and trying to let the solid warmth of him in her arms settle her.

She thinks about the sea of stars, the sunless sea—the glitter and blaze of uncountable points of light, the swoop of Thaliak’s river through the darkness—and wonders. She couldn’t cut diamonds small enough, not and keep their facets and their sparkle, but powdered hematite, maybe… no.

*

She sketches a ring with metal curled like a breaking wave, wrapping over a pearl—she could find a pearl, and the challenge of finding a good enough one would be half the point—and another engraved with palm leaves and massive flowers, the kind of things that grow around Cliffhide. Another ring with vines and leaves: sun-warmed La Noscean grapes, a tiny cluster of cabochon amethysts, and an orange in the form of an orange garnet.

Her glaives don’t make a good design for a ring—too jagged, smooth them as she might—and no more does Mor Dhona. Raha had given her a pair of Allagan earrings he’d found in the Tower, but she’s never been comfortable with the harsh lines of Allagan metalwork. Besides, that’s him, not her.

She keeps coming back to the cane, though. Gerolt made her some lovely weapons while she was working with the Bozjan Resistance, and she’s always liked adding natural elements to jewelry. She could make it beautiful, and it would certainly have meaning, more than just that it was where she’d come from—it would be where they’re going, together, from here on.

But it’s too soon, she reminds herself, even as she adds the final leaf to the sketch. The gemstone buds from the wood itself, framed by leaves and accented by opening blossoms.

A white stone, unaspected, for the center. She’s tempted to use opal, but conjurers tend toward clear crystals; diamond might be more easily understood. Aquamarine for the buds, for the sunlit ocean she grew up with after all. Rose gold for the bark and electrum for the leaves…

*

It’s still too soon, Frydlona tells herself, even once she’s set the last gem in place. The metal is blood-warm in her hand.

She wraps it, carefully, and puts it in a box, and wedges the box deep into one of her pockets, and then buttons the pocket closed. She’ll just keep it with her, so that as soon as it isn’t too soon she’ll have it ready.

[greenmansgrove]

I’ve been dealing pretty severely with some grief following Nellie’s passing, as well as some burnout from work. So instead of wallowing in my guilt at home, I decided a walk would benefit my productivity. I’ve not visited Crosby Farms Regional Park since summer of last year (the last time I posted about it), and so I missed out on the change from summer to fall and to winter, but I don’t mind. Crosby and other parks along the Mississippi River bluffs south of the Twin Cities made me fall in love with the Season of Sleep. The beauty of winter, even without all the snow, is understated. Especially now in the early hints of spring, my love and respect for the subtleties of life in the winter only grows. Being able to see the underbrush and the sky through the canopy is a rare gift when it is hidden from human sight the majority of the rest of the year.

I most wanted to visit the local elderberry bush. With Beltane approaching and my considering entering the Second Order of the RDNA, I wanted to collect and prepare my sacrifices to The Morrigan now while the earth still sleeps so I wouldn’t disturb the bush as it grew. She is likewise beautiful in winter, and I’m almost certain I am not the only human who visits or cares for her, given her proximity to the path, the clearing she’s in, and the breadth of her canopy.

I brought my pruning sheers to only cut off sucker growth, as well as some fresh water to give in return, since there has been so little snow to protect the trees from drought. I was surprised to find, however, that she had several lose and broke branches tangled in and dangling from her canopy. So, as part of my offering, I disentangled those dead branches and tore down as much of the wild grape I could reach. There wasn’t much of the grape vines, so either she is resilient against it or, as mentioned, other people aid in her pruning, because few other fruit bearing trees aren’t absolutely overtaken by the vines in the park.

I ended up taking only one of the large downed and dead branches. It’s a little thinner than my thumb and maybe three feet long. I will be cutting it up into 9ths to feed to the Beltane fire throughout the evening, along with some offerings of rowan, my other guardian tree. I poured out my water bottle in thanks and snapped the other few pictures of the bush. I love the texture and color of the older growth (the deeply cracking bark) and how it compares to the younger growth (grey and bumpy). I also spied the tiniest of green buds to sprout into new branches this year, making me all the more glad there were downed branches I could take instead of cutting.

After walking the rest of the trail and taking a brief stride along the shores of the Mississippi, I headed home to settle into a little more work for the day.

[seositetool]

How to propagate your own grape vines

Adobe stock image Propagating grapes from dormant hardwood cuttings is a realistic venture for anyone with access to grape vines. Since grapes should have 80 – 90% of their vines removed every year, you just need to find someone who is already growing grapes nearby and they should have lots of available material for cuttings. Grape plants should either be a variety known to grow in your hardiness…

[basil-567]

I'm trying to acquire a taste for wine

Actively trying to love something

Is an act I reserve mostly for the mirror

Occasionally for an ill-thought-out purchase

But never for another

Person, I mean

I've always been cut and dry

Love or hate

I never made the effort to change how I felt

I let myself float past potentiality

And I let myself be trodden where I was

Because I am loyal. Foolish

I forced myself ripe the moment I saw you

You stepped on my ribs and I was crushed

Like a grape beneath a press,

I became bitter and bloody

I celebrated my decimation as part of your plan

For a new and palatable me

I did wonder if it should hurt like that

I am trying to acquire a taste for wine

For the vinegar to which you have turned me

Sour and defensive

I tasted myself and winced

I hadn't noticed that your negligence

Was contagious and I had a leak

I'll reform myself into something greater

Build myself back to the vine

Sweet Italian landscapes

Or my grandmother's allotment

I'll grow somewhere the sun shines

I'll ignore your laugh on the wind

I'll have to acquire a taste for wine

I can't undo what has been done to me

I spat you out and looked through my glass

You'd gone completely stale.

I'm trying to acquire a taste for wine

In the meantime I've built revulsion for you

wine-tasting - 11/12/24

[rabbitcruiser]

Cabernet Franc Day

Cabernet Franc is a good red wine to pair with a wide variety of delicious foods. But, even though it has this whole day dedicated to it, it’s one of the lesser-known Cabernets and many people still have questions! What does it pair well with? What are its origins?

To learn these and other interesting answers, get ready to head over to France to discover more about what Cabernet Franc Day is all about!

History of Cabernet Franc Day

Cabernet Franc is believed to have been established in the Libournais region of southwest France sometime in the 17th century when Cardinal Richelieu transported vine cuttings to the Loire Valley.

These previous vine cuttings were planted at the Abbey of Bourgueil under the care of an abbot named Breton, whose name became associated with the grape. By the 18th century, plantings of Cabernet Franc (known as Bouchet) were found throughout Fronsac, Pomerol, and St. Emilion, with the intention of turning them into quality wines.

As Cabernet Sauvignon grew more popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, the close similarity of the two grapes was observed and theories emerged as to the extent of their relationship. In 1997, DNA evidence emerged to show that, at some point, Cabernet Franc had crossed with Sauvignon blanc to produce Cabernet Sauvignon. Experts believe that this happened by chance and were simply accidental cross-contamination, rather than a planned event.

Records of Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux go back to the end of the 18th century, although it was believed to be planted in the Loire long before that time. DNA analysis also indicates that Cabernet Franc is one of two parents of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenere, in addition to being a parent of Malbec.

Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone as in the Loire’s Chinon.

Cabernet Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, making a bright, pale red wine that contributes finesse and lends a peppery perfume to blends with more robust grapes.

This wine has a unique taste that is a bit spicy and contains a medium to high level of tannins and acidity (although it tends to be lower in tannins and acids than Cabernet Sauvignon). Depending on the growing region and style of wine, additional aromas can include tobacco, raspberry, bell pepper, cassis, and violets. It might also come with some tart notes that sit alongside hints of berries and plums.

Although they originated in France, Cab Franc grapes are now grown in most wine-producing countries all over the globe, and are mostly used with other grapes to make blended wines.

In recent years, Cabernet Franc is experiencing a lovely renewal of interest in North America, including places such as Washington, California, New York, and even up north in Canada.

How to Celebrate Cabernet Franc Day

The obvious way to celebrate this day is to raise a glass of Cab Franc wine as a toast to its uniqueness! Try out these ideas for celebrating, whether on your own or with a group of friends:

Drink Cabernet Franc Wine

To celebrate Cabernet Franc Day, the first course of action should, of course, be to have a glass of Cabernet Franc while enjoying a wonderful home-cooked meal. Pairing a fine wine like Cabernet Franc with a home-cooked meal is not only a good way to spend an evening, but it is also a good way to make an evening date all more romantic. Try it with a plate full of grilled steaks or chops, a lovely piece of salmon, or for a vegetarian option, go for portobello mushrooms, peppers and olives.

For a larger gathering, use Cabernet Franc when throwing a house party so everyone can raise their glasses to their successes and their loved ones. When the party has settled down, it’s a great wine to have while chatting with friends and family.

Learn More About Cab Franc Grapes and Wine

Impress friends and family members by learning a little bit more about this wine in celebration of Cabernet Franc Day. This little grape packs a power punch as one of the twenty most widely planted grapes in vineyards throughout the world!

Try out these facts and bits of trivia that will keep folks entertained while working to uncork that bottle of Cab Franc:

Cabernet Franc wine can be aged for up to 15 years if it is a high quality version of the wine.

Known as the “third grape of Bordeaux”, the Cab Franc grape can be found in many of the finest top Bordeaux wine blends in the world.

The most common Cabernet Franc wines can be found in three well-known villages: Chinon, Bourgeuil and Samur-Champgny.

Cabernet Franc might seem as if it is not very popular because many people haven’t necessarily heard its name. But that’s because it goes by quite a variety of different names and aliases, including Aceria, Breton, Burdeas Tinto, Capbreton Rouge, Grosse Vidure, Kaberne Fran, Messanges Rouge, Noir Dur, Petit Fer, Plant Des Sables, Trouchet Noir, and many more!

Take a Trip to France

Go to the place where it all began by scheduling a trip to visit Libournais. Loire Valley, the beautiful wine region, can be found in the central region of France, along the Loire River. It’s easily accessible from Paris and would even be a fun day trip from the country’s capital.

Source

[joannaliangart]

home by heart series (2019) Chalk pastel, and ballpoint pen (for fruitless return)

individual titles: Overripe in a hazy home fruitless return welcome back // to a home // you can never return to

---

Partly inspired by The Fall of Home by Los Campesinos!! had that song repeating nonstop while creating this series haha ough its so good

one of my most sentimental series... Hoo boy. I think this was these were the first art pieces I made for my ib art class. Here's the story of its creation:

Initial planning and uh unexpected progression INCLUDING the making of an entirely different art series in the process:

All throughout highschool I missed the townhouse I moved from, which wasn't terribly far from where I ended up living during highschool, but it certainly wasn't mine anymore. I initially wanted to illustrate my old townhome from memory, and then get permission from the new owners to take photos of a few parts of the house I'd illustrated, to show the changes and the inconsistency of memory. Feels very ambitious to me now I think haha but in some ways I was much bolder in highschool than I am now, for better or worse.

So well, the owners said no lol. Fair enough lmao

But! I could still do the first part, draw from memory. And I thought, "I can still take photos of the outside area around the townhouse..."

So I went to visit my old childhood home with my camera. And immediately was completely fucking stunned and sidetracked to see construction happening in the forested area right by it. Not active construction mind, just that there were parked excavators in the middle of the space n trees already cut down.

And that's... actually how I ended up photographing the War-torn photo series! There wasn't do not enter tape or anything or fences So I kinda. figured. it was ok. cough

so after that fuckin emotional experience. I went back to my original task. Went up to my old townhome and took some photos but mostly... Mostly I just looked.

There was a golden rose on the stairs leading up to the door. Everything felt so different and alien, so many new plants in the garden, a tomato plant on the balcony, the blinds all closed. But I recognized the golden rose, because it was one we had planted, still in our pot, that we had left behind. The new owners had kept it.

It was so familiar, and it was glowing in the sunlight. But it kinda made everything else around it look all the more distant from the home I remembered.

So... Instead of photographs I just drew everything from memory. the last trio welcome back, to a home, you can never return to are the parts of my visit that stuck with me most.

Overripe, fruitless return, and in a hazy home:

God this story is long! Overripe features the grape tree from my elementary school that was cut down while I was still there in grade... 5? "Joanna grapes don't grow on trees" yea yea I know; we called it the grape tree because it was a grape vine that had completely taken over a large tree in the centre of a bunch of bramble bushes behind a fence, and was climbing even wider to scale the neighbouring pine trees. It was the meeting spot for me and my friends for a long time during recess. I loved that tree to bits. I was devastated when they felled it

in its place is a firehall, featured in fruitless return. Which is important! But augh god. makes my child heart grieve still.

in a hazy home is the part that adhered most to the original concept: it's the memory of my townhome from memory, featuring the front of my home (with the golden rose on the steps!), blurring into the balcony with my cat apple, and then my room, as viewed from my childhood bed.

wip photos:

more tidbits:

I don't usually use chalk pastels, but I felt its fuzziness fit well for the concept. I also paid attention to the colours, trying to choose appropriate ones to convey the mood of each piece.

also see: Shower of Gifts, a piece related to this series

[yatescountyhistorycenter]

'In the summer ... a veritable Eden'

By Jonathan Monfiletto

The town of Milo in Yates County might be the location of the village of Penn Yan, but the towns of Jerusalem and Middlesex – both cited as having been incorporated in 1789 – are where the Pennsylvanians and the Yankees settled when they first traversed across the boundary set forth by the Proclamation of 1763. Both towns had been part of the larger district of Canandaigua when Ontario County itself was a larger county; even Jerusalem was once a larger town, stretching from its current borders toward Seneca Lake and encompassing the modern towns of Benton, Milo, and Torrey.

And even the town of Middlesex was once a larger town, comprising the modern town of Potter along with its current territory. The origins of the town of Jerusalem lie within its name, as the Society of Universal Friends – the Yankees who gathered Pennsylvanians along their journey – sought to establish the New Jerusalem for their community in a place then untouched by white European civilization. But this article is really about the town of Middlesex, and its origin is rather similar to its cousin township – particularly that many of its early settlers were followers of the Public Universal Friend.

Through a deed dated July 15, 1789, Arnold Potter – the Potter family having been prominent followers of the Friend and having built the home known as the Potter Mansion – purchased from Thomas Maxwell township eight of the second range and township eight of the third range entities that now include the modern towns of Middlesex and Potter and contain 42,230 acres of land. There was some question about the validity of this purchase, so about a decade later Potter settled a similar claim with Oliver Phelps for $10,000 – though it is said Potter never actually paid that amount, which comes to a little more than $180,000 today.

Though the town’s official name was Augusta, it was known almost exclusively as Potterstown in honor of its founder. How it got its official name is unclear, but apparently a town to the east in Oneida County already had the same name (and a reason behind that name), so the town became Middlesex in 1808 after the county in Massachusetts where many of its early settlers had come from. In 1832, the eastern half of the town split off as its own town, Potter, and with a few border changes here and there the situation has remained the same ever since. Now back to the town of Middlesex.

Throughout its history, Middlesex has been known both as a remote town – its center being the furthest from the county seat of Penn Yan than any other town in Yates County – and a wealthy town, in terms of both its vibrant grape growing industry and its scenic natural landscape. West River, described as a small stream even though it is termed a river, cuts the town in half diagonally from the northeast corner and divides the town’s two main ridges. On the east is, appropriately, East Hill; Boat Brook, another small stream, divides the western ridge into Bare Hill to the north and South Hill. Boat Brook runs toward Canandaigua Lake, which constitutes Middlesex’s western border, through a valley aptly called Vine Valley. Vine Valley has been called “a veritable Eden,” and perhaps this moniker fits all of the Middlesex terrain.

Middlesex was also described by an early town supervisor as so poor that “nothing but eagles and angels could subsist there,” yet it went on to become a thriving industrial, agricultural, commercial, and social area. An article written a few years after the turn of the 20th century indicates Middlesex then had a population of almost 1,200 people spread across 74 dwellings; the town then held three blacksmith shops, one hotel, six stores, one meat market, one evaporator, and one combined feed mill and beanery as well as two churches among its various vineyards and farms for crops and animals. Indeed, Middlesex came late to the church planting game compared to the county’s other towns, largely due to its nature as a haven for members of the Society of Universal Friends. It didn’t see its first organized religion, other than the Friends, until the Methodists formed their class in 1820. The first church building went up in 1836 at Overacker’s Corners.

And while Middlesex wasn’t the site of the first vineyard in Yates County (that honor goes to the town of Benton), “it is one of the most fertile and productive districts, especially in the staples, fruit and grapes, in the whole Genesee Country,” as Lewis Cass Aldrich wrote in his 1892 history of Yates County. In a 1925 newspaper article, Lewis Cass Williams (apparently Michigan hero Lewis Cass was a popular namesake) stated, “A large number of carloads are shipped each season,” as Middlesex is “largely engaged in the growing of grapes.” “For years the production of grapes and fruits has been far more pleasant and agreeable to the land owner, and what is still better, more profitable (than other forms of agriculture),” Aldrich added, noting farmers – the main occupation of the town at that point in time – were turning away from growing crops and raising animals toward planting vineyards.

By 1925, as Williams captured it, Middlesex also hosted two auto repair shops, two department stores, and a firm selling groceries, boots, shoes, and farm implements among its commercial interests. Indeed, as Williams asserted, “We could mention many more good things about our town. … Our people are generally contented and happy. … If anyone who reads this article is thinking of changing his location, we think he would like it in Middlesex.”

Even as the commercial district of Middlesex Center waned in the 1970s, that sentiment seemed to remain among the residents of the town. In a newspaper article from the time period, those interviewed agreed on the friendly and neighborly character of Middlesex as well as its beautiful and peaceful nature.