Devv's 2015 - 16, Life is good!

Well here we go again!
 
I just got finished planting seeds for 70 plants. Scaling back a bit this year; last year was a lot of work! That and I have to do more than garden this season
 
My apologies as I can't remember shit where I got all the seeds from. Some were harvested from pods some I saved, and some were sent to me. I can say this 99% originated from the most generous THP members!
 
Without further ado, here's the 2015 list:
 
Red 7 Pot Lava: Mikey
Black Thai        : Mikey
Yellow Jonah  : Mikey
Jack’s Choc Superhot: Mikey
Red Bhutlah   : Mikey
Tepin x Lemmon drop
Pimenta Lisa : Stefan
Brazilian Starfish
Bell
Poblano
Billy Biker
Jalapeno
Jimmy Nardello
Bishops Crown
Sweet Hungarian Paprika
Bahamian Goat
Urfa Biber
Jelly Bean White Hab
Jigsaw
Nagabrain F4
Numex Jalamundo
Cream Fatalii
Isabella Island Hab: Jim
Cherry Bomb: Jim
Moa
Kurt’s
JA Habs
White Bhut
Anaheim
Jigsaw
Burgundy
Ma Wiri wiri: Jim
Pepperdew: Jim
Pimenta De Padron: Jim
Wild tepin: Jim
Jigsaw
Six secrets from Stefan
Orange Primo: Mikey
Choc Bhutlah
Scotch Bonnet x Indian Red
Red Lava: Mikey
White Hab
Naga King: Rick
BOC: Rick
 
I leaned more towards peppers my wife can eat. After all she helped me quite a bit, I might as well grow some for her
 
Last season was a challenge regarding what was what. I eventually figured them out, but was not happy with the confusion. And yeah, I'm easily confused.
 
Here's a pic of the 70 starters:
 

 
Trying something different, the Jiffy's are numbered and will be entered into a spreadsheet. As they pop, they will go into the solo cups with permanent marker to label them.
 
This year I'm starting things in the converted hunting room (man cave?). LB wanted the extra bedroom back   The room is part of the shop; 24x8 and insulated. It's been rather nasty for the last 4 or 5 days, damp and temps below 52°, but it was 68° in there a few minutes ago. Also I'm trying a heating mat to help with germination, which was abysmal IMHO last year.
 
Anyone who knows how I fly, knows I like to grow in the dirt. I have a few in containers from last season, but they just don't do as well.
 
I put a ton (literally) of work into the soil since the start of last season.
 
I feel soil preparation is the key to success:
 

 

 
I tilled in over 24 yards of RCW and 10 yards of shredded leaves after pulling the plants in the fall.
 

 
I then planted Crimson Clover and Rye as a cover crop, this pic is from 2 weeks ago..
 

 
The area I planted the cover crop in is 2,300 to 2,500 square feet. Half is framed for sunshade. A must in the 100% summer sun the garden gets. There's some Comfrey of the left
 

 

 
Dec. 6th I tilled in the whole shootin' match. I waited too long. But I do like it when it darkens up. This is what it looks like after 2 2" deep passes. If you wait too long the roots form a sod, this makes for a bad day of tilling. I got this far and decided to call it. Shiner time!

Once I'm sure most is dead and wont come back when I water crop 2 goes in.
 

 
On 12-10

The grass on top has dried, and rain is forecast through Sunday (yeah right), so I tilled again. It brought up the grass from below and now the garden looks like last Sunday. I went a couple of notches deeper this time to break up more of the roots. I spread rye seed and watered for 45 minutes. It should come up quickly as the weather is warm for a week or more. 50's-70's.
 

 
This is the garden today, the second cover crop is just coming up. And I have to prep an area for onions, which hit the dirt January 15th. The rest gets tilled in at the end of the month.
 
I fly out of here tomorrow afternoon, and won't be back until a week from now. So I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
 

 

[randyp]

Scott I will be sending you a welcome back Pkg this week,I have a couple sauces and the pods are huge,I will be including some white habs I grew from the pod you sent me last year.If I have any varieties that you would like let me know.That or I will just surprise you buddy.Glad to see ya around again buddy.

 

[PeriPeri]

Good to hear from you again buddy - welcome back. As half German myself all I can say is the answer lies in Sauerkraut and beer

 

[Sawyer]

Glad to hear you're on the mend, Scott.  I try to avoid doctors like the plague, precisely because of situations like you describe.  Of course, I'll probably drop from something easily treatable, but, oh well.  Can't offer you any pods right now, but as soon as I get a label finalized, I'll send you a sample of sauce.  Keep on truckin'!

 

[bpwilly]

   ​​Really glad to hear your back and on the mend.  Really missed reading your glog and chatting with you as well as seeing how your soil and garden is doing.  +1 what Chuck said -  if there is anything you need of that we can provide, just let us know.  I got powders coming out my ears from last year, and I am sure many more from this year, so if you need something to practice your heat tolerance on, let me know.
 
Bill

 

[Jeff H]

Great to hear from you Scott and glad things are turning around for you.

 

[Devv]

Wow guys thanks!
 
'Yall are great!
 
This thing with steroid withdrawal really messed me up for 3 months (read up on it, you never want to go there.), I finally feel like the 'old me' is coming back.
 
So I was given the "go ahead and abuse yourself" about 75 days ago. SO during that time I tilled the garden and addressed a nut grass (sedge) problem. I first saw them the season before last and they kept spreading. I've been digging every one that sprouts and finding "the nut" all while keeping the soil moist enough so they show themselves if present. I won't plant there this year so I can keep an eye on this problem. Also the heavy soil I added last year, to sand I might add was so heavy I skimmed some and finished the 'bottom'. I also spread the composted shredded leaves and tilled them in. No cover crop is going to be planted where the nut grass has shown so I can keep after it. Garlic goes in September 15th. I'm so looking forward to growing again!
 
I'm also in the process of moving the raised beds into full sun. I'm trying a different approach; I made a 6" wide base of concrete to set the landscape timbers on, and for the bottom I put 2"s of sacrete with 2 1.5" drains (used PVC pipe). The bottom is sloped so heavy rains (God willing) will drain. Today I pulled the PVC, it was there to just make the holes in the bottom for the drains. I'll use sun shade to guard against the summer sun. I'm also making them high enough so the dogs won't be able to get in and dig.
 

 
This is Charli & Marli, they're Blue Lacy pups. The state dog of Tejas. Really hard to get a pic of them as they don't ever stop. I wish I had their energy. Otis is gone, he got loose and never came back. I hope he was picked up by someone and didn't run into the neighbors dogs. I bought 2 so if the neighbors dogs do come by (once they get older) they can defend themselves. From what I hear Pit Bulls won't be a problem if they come by...BTW 2 of the problem dogs are carryin' some lead , Just 177 pellets but they haven't been seen since. I did warn them more than once.
 
So while I was recooping I mainly just practiced playing (making noise?) the guitar.
 

 
My first build (the midnight special), a Les Paul knock off with Seth Lover Humbuckers and "50's wiring", it simply sounds fantastic. LB said it was great to see me "doing something again"
 
Well my appolgies for so much off topic material.
 
I really look forward to the next grow.
 
Scott

 

[GA Growhead]

Good to hear Scott! Glad you are make progress on the recovery road!
Guitar looks nice!

 

[Essegi]

Really glad to hear you Scott! Hope thing will continue to be better from now!
Those puppies are adorable!
Sorry for Otis, that's bad.
Cool guitar!

 

[romy6]

 Man Scotty sorry to hear about Otis 
 
But those puppies look precious 
 
And super stoked your on the rebound 

 

[stickman]

 I've really gotta wonder what they're teaching doctor trainees these days... wasn't the name "antibiotics" a clue as to possible side effects? What's next, leeches and purging? At least you're out of their clutches again and on your feet and doing... woo hoo! 

 

[Devv]

Good to hear Scott! Glad you are make progress on the recovery road!
Guitar looks nice!

 Thanks Jason, I've been pushing as hard as I dare. The hard part was it was already hot out, I missed the spring ramp up to the heat.
 
 

 Man Scotty sorry to hear about Otis 
 
But those puppies look precious 
 
And super stoked your on the rebound 

 Thanks Jamie,
 
Otis is certainly missed, I just hope someone picked him up. And those two pups, if it ain't tied down they drag it off. And if you want it, don't let them have access to it. I'm glad we have some room for them, they never stop.
 
Yes sir, feels good to be out and doing stuff again. The garden is ready!
 
 

 I've really gotta wonder what they're teaching doctor trainees these days... wasn't the name "antibiotics" a clue as to possible side effects? What's next, leeches and purging? At least you're out of their clutches again and on your feet and doing... woo hoo! 

 
Thanks Rick,
 
The second time I came home from the hospital, they sent me home without a script for Prednisone, after I had been on it for over 30 plus days and I went into shock. I didn't know at that time one had to be brought down slowly. That's when they nuked me with intravenous antibiotics, my mouth still feels like I just burned it on hot pizza. The 4th time (and this is crazy) they ran a test called a "Bronch"; and had a Infectious disease specialist on the case. He cancelled the drugs and sent me home. He basically told me they had made a mess of things. And this time they tapered me off the steroids, and I still had issues lasting over 100 days. Pain, fatigue, no sleep, you name it. Funny how I never got bills for the last 2 hospital trips; none not from anyone.  Now what does that tell you?
 
Any how, I once again learned

 

[Trippa]

Prednisone. .. nasty stuff to be on long term ... Messed my Dad up pretty bad including loss of taste and smell and swelling of limbs etc ... Glad you are mending Scott .. we have missed your presence!!

 

[Roguejim]

Guitar builder?? Huh?!?! Seth Lovers are a good choice for PAF tone.

Are you doing any BBQ/smoking? I've been spending a fair amount of time at the Texas BBQ Forum, and the BBQ Brethren Forum.

 

[Sawyer]

I'd never heard of a Blue Lacy before.  Interesting to read about them.  Sounds like they might need some serious training to contain all that energy.
 

  Funny how I never got bills for the last 2 hospital trips; none not from anyone.  Now what does that tell you?

 
That you should speak to a lawyer?  I'm not one to support frivolous lawsuits, but this seems like anything but frivolous.

 

[jedisushi06]

whats up scott?

 

[organic pepper]

Glad to hear you are up and doing better Scott! Cheers pal!

 

[Devv]

Prednisone. .. nasty stuff to be on long term ... Messed my Dad up pretty bad including loss of taste and smell and swelling of limbs etc ... Glad you are mending Scott .. we have missed your presence!!

 
Thanks
 
Very bad stuff! I'll never take it again unless it's a life threatening issue.
 
 

Guitar builder?? Huh?!?! Seth Lovers are a good choice for PAF tone.

Are you doing any BBQ/smoking? I've been spending a fair amount of time at the Texas BBQ Forum, and the BBQ Brethren Forum.

 
That guitar sounds better than all but the SG, it's about tied for sweetness
 
Have a look at http://bngguitars.com/
 
That's the next one I'm going to make (er clone), using the Pearly Gates pickups. I already have the Maple (17"s wide!) and the Mahogany.
 
Oh yeah, always BBQing
 

 
Just hauled this home last week, the school puts these in dumpsters, if I don't snag them. I have the big saw and the 30 ton splitter. That's 2-3 years easy worth of wood, I even make my own charcoal..
 

I'd never heard of a Blue Lacy before.  Interesting to read about them.  Sounds like they might need some serious training to contain all that energy.
 
 
That you should speak to a lawyer?  I'm not one to support frivolous lawsuits, but this seems like anything but frivolous.

 
 The dog are a bit rambunctious, but that's why I bought 2. They keep themselves occupied, and they have plenty of yard to run in. They are super smart, each was taught to sit in less than 3 tries. They love treats, and run up to me and sit expecting a treat. Today I taught both to "hold" in 1 try, so they sit and don't jump after the treat. These two are a blast!
 
I thought about lawyering up, but the burden of proof would be on me. And I may in the future, for now, I just want to continue to move forward.
 

whats up scott?

 
Not much Mikey, just trying to get back into normal life
 
 

Glad to hear you are up and doing better Scott! Cheers pal!

 
Thanks Aaron!
 
Finally past the steroid issues (mostly). It feels good to work outside again. I'm back in shape for being out in the heat and good for 4-5 hours of hard work. I hit a roadblock come noon, but keep pushing it

 

[Roguejim]

In defense of prednisone, as a lifelong asthmatic, it has saved my ass a few times when I was younger, and the asthma was worse than in later years. Blame the quacks this time, not the drug.

Scott, how long have you been building guitars? Did you apprentice with someone? When are you going to wind your own p'ups?

 

[Devv]

In defense of prednisone, as a lifelong asthmatic, it has saved my ass a few times when I was younger, and the asthma was worse than in later years. Blame the quacks this time, not the drug.

Scott, how long have you been building guitars? Did you apprentice with someone? When are you going to wind your own p'ups?

 
Jim,
 
It was the docs for sure...
 
That was my first try at building a guitar, no apprenticeship.  After a lot of research I bought a kit from:
 
http://buy.precisionguitarkits.com/product/lp-59-carved-top-our-best-seller
 
I first wanted to see how a kit would come out before creating from scratch. The next will be totally from scratch. I need to purchase the tools to make the fret board and a few router bits. Other than that I have the rest of the equipment. I'm hoping I can make a few bucks after I retire. I need to learn more before I get into the winding stuff, but I just love the PAF tones.
 
Do you play?

 

[Roguejim]

Yes, I've been playing electric blues since 1978. I'm old school.

Regarding your guitar building endeavors, you should really Google the name Dan Erlewine. He's built guitars for many, many pro players, and is very forthcoming with info via email. A nice gentleman, really. He's been at it a long time. As for making $$ at it, I'm sure you realize the competition is pretty stiff.