sgt.barney

On a good day, 15 or 20. On a bad day, up to 60 (and occasionally/rarely more), but that was maybe once a month, if that. Sarge has always called it at about 30, average. More than a pack, less than two packs ... most days. Put Sarge down for 30 a day, Mrs. Sarge for 12. Easy Peasy

After 3+ years, Mrs. Sarge is giving it another go and this morning she begins Day 6 without a cigarette. No "attempt" in the last 3 years was more than an hour or 3 of "I'll just see how long I can go", and the previous serious attempt of 17 Nov 2011, when The Sarges "quit together" (riiiiiight) when she didn't even make it 24 hours. She is, however, sucking fast and furiously on a Marlboro-branded e-cig / vape sham on a continual basis ... but we'll take what we can get for now. For now. The Sarge strongly suspects a simple trade of one addiction for another will be the net result, but ... baby steps, right? Easy Peasy

This is the beginning(yesterday) of the 4th week back (restricted (slow and short runs)) Next Monday it ramps back up to full speed and full distance, assuming no heel/arch pain. Looking good so far... Easy Peady

Sarge hit 54 pounds down today. It's do-able, but a tad bit more challenging than quitting smoking. The problem is: you still have to eat to stay alive. RuNing helps. A lot. Sarge highly recommends it. Easy Peasy

> How about cashews? Cashews freeze and die in Ohio winters. If they get below 50 degrees (f) they have problems, and they die at 30 degrees (f). We regularly have minus 15 to minus 20 (at least once or twice a decade). Gotta live closer to the equator... and have more rainforest-like precipitation and humidity. We have mediocre-ish success with both Virginia and Spanish Peanuts. About 50/50: one year = great crop, the next year: nothing survives. On the nut front this is what we now have: Hazelnut, Chestnut, Chinquapin (Chinkapin), Walnut, Black Walnut, Hickory and Peanuts (not really a nut - more like a bean). Not many other tasty nuts will grow in Ohio. There are more nuts, but they're nasty/not-edible. Easy Peasy

I have 4 cultivars of grafted Paw Paw on order for spring (March) delivery. These will likely be better than the seed-planted specimens (if any of those actually germinate and survive. We were 0 for 30 this last year. Not a one.) AND they will have a 3 year headstart on the seedlings so they'll fruit sooner. The hardy kiwi are different (some say better) than the standard fuzzy kiwi everyone knows. Google and youtube are your friends - check out some videos. Make sure the recipient of your gift isn't afraid of work (pruning). These things are vegetative as hell. Easy Peasy

Nothing growing here at the moment. We had 10 degrees (F) a few weeks back, but made plenty of additions late fall and in the last few months for next year (and many more years into the future). Most of this season's additions were to the Nut Orchard and will take more than a decade until full production. 4 Chinese Chestnut trees in the nut orchard. 4 Allegheny Chinquapin (a kind of mini chestnut) 4 varieties of English Walnut trees. Planted 16 Black Walnuts from a wild patch at the woodlot. Hoping 4 make it from seed to maturity in the Nut Orchard. Propagated the existing Hazelnuts from 6 bushes to 26 - made a "living fence" of future Nutella along the East property line. 4 Hardy Kiwi Vines (3 cultivars female, one male for pollination). 6 years 'til fruit production on these vines Started Pineberries (a dozen starts - will be hundreds next year, and thousands in future years - they propagate easily and weed-like) Planted 50 Pawpaw seeds, hoping to end up with a handful (maybe 5 or 6) make it to maturity.Tried this year but 100% failure. Probably dead seed. These 50 are "take two" - if at first you don't succeed ... Added a second type of Elderberries to the existing Elderberry hedge. Elderberry wine next year! The existing hedge is 5 years old. Had enough for wine this year, but let the birds have the berries 'cause we were on vacation climbing mountains in Colorado and New Mexico. Added both Raspberries and Yellow Raspberries to the Berry Patch. Added Egyptian "Walking" Onions to the Salad Garden (perennial onions) and finally, started an experiment in Sunchokes (Jerusalem Artichoke) and American Groundnut companion planting. Gonna be an interesting year next year. :) Easy Peasy

It really pulls the room together . Easy Peasy

Most "flu" ... isn't. Just flu-like symptoms with nary an influenza bug anywhere for miles. Easy Peasy (Yeah, I know - that didn't help none.)

For your consideration, Sergeant A: http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_01_13_gradual_withdrawal.html HINT - Joel is spot on with this one. You're making it very hard on yourself this way. Easy Peasy

Great. Now what am I supposed to do with you when it's time to hand out the traditional "promotion to Sergeant, one year anniversary" stripes ... ;) Easy Peasy.

You took a wrong turn with The Vape - it's a slippery slope and the slide is deadly. You might want to back the train up a bit and consider losing your new Vape. Easy Peasy

The Sarge wasn't born. He was hatched out of a crumpled up hard box of half smoked Marlboro Reds when it was tossed out the window of a Ford truck galloping down the highway. Easy Peasy

Ask anything, she said .... When are you going to leave that boring old life of alligators and jelly squids and come live a life of adventure with The Sarges. We'll throw you out of perfectly good airplanes at 11,000 feet, drag you up to 14,000 ft peaks hanging vertical off a slice of dental floss, and have you running marathons before breakfast. Did I mention the sport of Extreme Gardening that awaits you in your new life? When will you be joining us? Easy Peasy

The Sarge still wonders. You know who the second biggest population of preventable cancer is? We are. Us. Ex-smokers. We don't get a pass on decade-on-top-of-decade of poison and long-term damage just because we recently quit, y'know? Easy Peasy

Combat Boots always go over well with the Kiddies at Christmas. It's hard to get 'em to fit inside the stocking, though. Easy Peasy

:)

They all suck.. Embrace The Suck, and all will be well. Easy Peasy

Insanity? Good. Herbalife? Snake-oil hokum. Easy Peasy

Nope. Nobody but you every thinks of smoking. It's not normal at all. Easy Peasy </sarcasm>

You lose nothing and gain everything. Everything. That feeling of loss is your Inner Junkie telling you those same-old, used-up, tired-assed lies that kept you smoking for decades. Recognize it for what it is. Easy Peasy

Embrace The Suck, Bro - it's the only way through to the other side. Easy Peasy.

Nanny State at its finest. Sarge is 100% against this because ... freedom. Easy Peasy

Hey now - remember there are those of us who are ... differently testicled. :) Easy Peasy

Wouldn't know. Never had any depression nor dark clouds. It's completely under your control, y'know? You have a choice, right? Today I'm gonna be all gloom-and-doom-woe-is-me because I can't poison myself with nicotine **OR** today I'm gonna live it up because: FARK YEAH, I'M FREE! Choose. Choose life. Embrace the suck, and be happy. Easy Peasy