I haven't been posting much lately, just been to busy, and not with figgy stuff.
My wife lost her job and we've been trying to restart our old business. For many years she made pottery, I did blacksmithing, and we sold it at craft shows. We let that go with the move to KY and now it's a scramble to get signed up for shows to get reestablished. She also sews tipi's and has been able to stay pretty busy with that. So, the business is taking a new direction and we're going to be doing more pow wow's, rendezvous', and primitive skills events than craft shows it seems.
We did go to Florida over Christmas and got to visit WillsC. Scored 3 out of the 4 off the top of my wish list in one swell floop. Was gifted with as many again that weren't on my wish list, but, I'm assured, should have been. He has a beautiful setup. And, his step-over VdB are a marvel to behold. That variety is suppose to be dwarf? Yeah, Right! He says they grow so vigorous because the duck go under them for shade. Gotta get some ducks.
Put the cuttings I got from him up in the same setup I used (with success) last year, and they did nothing, for three weeks. I had remodeled my heating system and that spot was running about 10 degrees cooler. I finally decided to get some rope lights to make a heater. Of course, I had missed the post Christmas sales on tree lights... but managed to catch the very first patio lights to go out in the seasonal section. Took some fiddling to get the temperature to hold in the right range, but I'm seeing buds swelling now so I think I'm back on track.
Did some heavy pruning on my big elderberry, and the ones at the abandoned house next door. Started lots of cuttings to replace the ones I fed the deer with last year. Still haven't weeded the iris.
The semi-pit greenhouse is still waiting. It's been too cold and miserable to get out and work on it. Had over a week when it didn't get over the low 20s. and, when it does warm up it rains... or snows. Had some snow go through yesterday on it's way to the great northeast. Look out guys, I seemed to hear an evil little laugh as it was setting it's sights on you.
So, anyway, I am still here, my figs are hanging in there and I do skim the forum even if I don't post much.