March 08th, 2020

The photo above is a lovely illustration of runoff and soil loss. The flow coming in from above is running out of permanent pasture with a forest strip on the boundary. The flow from the right is run off from a bare field left uncovered through the winter. 

You know those really annoying blouse, t-shirts and dresses in shops that have arms that are sooooo tight once the item of clohing that you are trying on in the shop is on, the only way to remove it is with a chisel Well I have worked out what the problem is...... Fast-acting cleaning products and wipe clean surfaces.
There I was in the charity shop looking for inspiration surrounded by solid wood furniture at 40 euros for a wardrobe and realised that no one wanted it anymore because it would need the occaional polish or dust rather than a quick wipe with a damp cloth. And then again in the bathroom cleaning this morning having to rub slightly more enthusiastically to clean the sink with my home-made cleaner, rather than having some instant chemical filled "wash away in an instant cleaner"  which requires a light movement to remove bathroom scum. We have arm atrophy in the fashion industry. Encouraged by humans forgetting how to use their arm muscles.

After a couple of weeks with Gavin on half power or less, Alice and I most certainly do not have arm atrophy. We are also delighted that he is finding his way back to perfect health. Gavin however is incensed by the fact that after a week lying on the sofa, all his muscles have suffered from atrophy and now his body is objecting to returning to his normal schedule. I haven't dared to suggest that the year of his birth may have assisted in the slower bounce back time, for fear of him reminding me of mine :)

Flies on poop

Worms on rotting wood

I weeded my lavender this morning to cure myself of grey sky depression, as putting your hands in the soil is said to improve mental health. I feel better and now the sun is trying to do something outside so my washing will dry on the line for a change rather than become musty smelling in front of the fire.
​There are a lot of mushrooms sprouting in our fields. A good sign of soil health. All the bugs, microbes and microscopic thingummybobs you cant see below the surface are busy collecting, processing and releasing all the good things to make new soil and grow lovely lush grass.

Mushrooms in the field