Jill Dyer

Mind filter active . . . I have tapestry bobbins made from olive - they are turned to make the shape though.  
Australian First Nations people made spears from the roots of (Acacia sp.?)  which were straightened over the coals of a fire.  No idea how to go about finding a tree with straight-ish roots  There is also a "Spear tree" which is Pandorea doratoxylon, which is commonly grown as a garden specimen - the straighter branches are cut to use as a spindle shafts - the spindle being rolled along the thigh - two smaller pieces are split in the middles and threaded on to be used as 'arms' for balance and for winding on the spun fibre - usually wool.  

Jammed my fingers in the car door not so long ago - elevation and a pack of frozen peas straight from the freezer (wrapped in a tea towel).
Comfrey ointment if it's available - but I've never been sure if it's the comfrey or the massaging in that does the trick, but great for bruises!

Recommend to check out Mediterranean countries for recipe ideas.  My go to is Moussaka which I believe is originally Greek.   It involves slicing the eggplants into 1 cm thick slices  - sometimes recommends salting/rinsing/draining before frying (ostensibly to remove the flatulence factor) but I usually just slice, brush with oil and grill, to no ill effect!  Then the slices get layered with a flavoured mince mix, and whatever else, (perhaps potato) and topped with a cheesy white sauce that includes an egg, then baked in the oven.  Quite a performance, but it's worth it.  It's a bit like a lasagne, but veggies instead of pasta.  Need I say, I'm not a purist
https://www.recipetineats.com/moussaka-greek-eggplant-beef-bake/#wprm-recipe-container-19656

There are also recipes for curries,  char grilled eggplant and baba ghanoush (eggplant based dip)    eggplant (perhaps where the flatulence rumour comes from?) also known as aubergine, so that's worth a look too.

Edit - your grill may not be my grill!  I mean the part of the kitchen stove that browns the tops of stuff, not the BBQ grill.  Although that works too- grilled eggplant goes will with a steak.

Any idea on how deep the clay layer is, and does it extend beyond the area covered by the plastic?   It might have been added as a base for the dog area, in which case it could be possible to remove it completely.

If you're not averse to adding minerals to the mix this article might help:-
https://www.gardeningaustraliamag.com.au/fix-clay-soil/


Good luck, and watch your back - if all else fails it might make good pottery.    A nice raku firing can make good use of the branches etc.  

I use a citric acid and salt mix to remove surface rust on my weaving reeds after they have been standing a while - though I use a lemon straight from the tree to provide the citric acid.
My husband swears by a squeeze of lemon juice if the yeast is being a bit slow in the home brew, though the Internet appears divided on the subject.

That's excellent John, another animal to add to the protectors list.  I'm familiar with Maremma dogs and alpacas being used as guardians of sheep flocks, but a pig is a new one!

That's about right - they put on weight really quickly.  If you need to "sex" them - look carefully at the legs of the chicks.  The males always have sturdier legs.  Just a thought - not helpful if they are all the same sex!  

All of the above . . . mixed with sodium bicarbonate (4 parts) to washing soda (1 part) - excellent for degreasing grill pans and stove tops.   Also neat 2 tablespoons to 1 tablespoon detergent for scouring cotton - amazing the difference it makes to the colour and softness.   Also used sparingly to alter the pH of a natural dyebath using leaves etc to alter the colour - doesn't always work, but sometimes makes a dramatic change.    Permanence of colour can also be a problem - e.g Oxalis cornuta (soursob) makes a neon yellow that changes to a neon orange - think safety vests - but neither is lightfast - great pity!
Edit:- to add - keep it away from wool in large concentrations

Welcome Jan - lots of good and helpful folk here.  Our chickens liked to roost in the tree in their pen, in spite of having luxurious accommodations available.  Also, what is the snake situation in suburban Indiana - the mice/rats attracted to the chicken feed may also conjure up a snake or two.   The eggs alone are worth keeping a couple of chickens.
If green feed got to be in short supply, we sprouted wheat/barley/oats and doled it out a square at a time (it's the same as the wheat grass for smoothies that are sold in the juice bars!) Hope you get your chickens

Google search bar indicates that today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. . .
Apart from looking good in the landscape - are there any other reasons to appreciate them -  spreading oak trees maybe, when they fail to find a stash?
What are the thoughts on this topic?