Spring creeping north, Frost, Rabbits

The Black Locust started blooming locally and are at about the same stage as the Black Locust in Knoxville on May 1, 2023.

That works out to spring-time proceeding northward at 130 miles a week (in 2023).

Charlotte, Michigan (just west of me) received 1.6 inches of rain since April 15 and experienced a potential-evaporation of 5.4 inches in the same time-frame.

Based on predictions of temperatures, humidity and wind-speed, the moisture gap is expected hit 4.9 inches by the end of the month.

Frost

Another cold night is predicted for tonight. I left the protection in place over the tomatoes and peppers.

Friday will be pedal-to-the-medal planting the garden.

Then next major "tombstone date" is the mid-June to July-4 when the root vegetables to into the ground. That plays into optimum day-lengths and the biological cycle of root vegetables that store up reserves for the sprint to make seeds the next spring.

Rabbits

Handsome Hombre expressed an interest in raising rabbits!

The tension is that I see rabbits as livestock that are a great ace-in-the-hole if things get goofy. 

Rabbits don't have to compete for human-quality food. They can be fed trimmings from beside the road and weeds and garden waste and hay peeled from a round-bale. Their productivity will not be as high as if they are fed optimally blended pellets but they will put some meat on the table.

Handsome Hombre looked stricken when I staked out my position.

He sees them as cuddly pets.

Another difference is that I lean toward rabbits look a lot like "wild" rabbits because they have the fewest health problems.

English Lop rabbits

Handsome Hombre is leaning toward "Lop" rabbits which have a tendency toward ear and dental problems. At least he is not in love with Holland Lops which have pushed-in, pug-like faces which doubles the problems.

Silver Fox rabbits. Oddly, they do not look a thing like Mrs ERJ.

If HH's interest in rabbits continues, I suspect we will end up with a couple of English, French or Velveteen Lop doe rabbits. These are full-sized breeds and make pets because they have the dispositions of Basset Hounds. I also envision having a "commercial breed" buck (California, New Zealand, Palomino, Champaign d' Argent, Silver Fox, Flemish Giant) standing in the wings in case things get squirrelly.

That would be a very acceptable solution to me.

Work gloves

HH was moderately impressed with the work-glove locker at Casa ERJ.

His new boss believes in working hard and playing smart. If it makes sense from a travel-time standpoint to work 11 or 12 or 13 hour days for four days and to knock off on Friday...then that is what the crew does. That means HH has little time to shop for the items that would make his life easier.

 I told him that I would be in the neighborhood of a big-box store and asked if there was anything he wanted me to pick up. HH's hands have been getting beaten up on the job.

He admitted that he was out of work gloves and asked if I could pick up a pair.

I showed him the work-glove locker. He found a pair in the locker that would get him through the day. Not optimal but better than nothing.

I picked up four pairs in his size today. Once we confirm what works best for him I will make a bulk-buy. Boots and gloves are where the rubber hits the road.

Happiness is having your needs met. Joy is having your preferences met. HH is on the pointy end of things. Hunting down the exact brand and size of gloves he prefers is a small thing for me to do.