!! SEPP to Boot: Stephen's Experience (BEL)

Phil Stevens wrote:

Derek Thille wrote:Stabby fern...prickly lettuce...y'all are cracking me up.  That's definitely a thistle - I can never remember Russian versus Canada thistle, but it doesn't matter...perennial, long tap root.

Also, Suzanne's most hated weed, so you're in good company.

After having searched the font of knowledge, I'd suspect it is Canada thistle (which is native to Europe, not Canada and is considered invasive in many places...sigh).  Here's a decent looking ID guide:  Thistle Identification.  It has a bit of a decision tree that can help confirm an ID.  There was also a decent looking page from Oklahoma State Univ Extension including some native thistles.

Good luck.

Have a closer look at the flower buds on the left, Derek. I would have said Canada thistle as well until I saw those. We have a type of puha here that is far pricklier than the others and it is also the best tasting of the bunch...hence my theory that the less bitter plants use the physical deterrent to discourage nibblers.

It's tough to be certain, especially when one isn't in the same general geographic area.  The page I found from Oklahoma showed far more varieties than I've seen this far north.  Wheaton Labs isn't as far north as we are, but is higher elevation.  Another reason for Stephen to put one or two plant identification apps on that "smart" phone that he loves so much

BEL #808

Here's a video GAMCOD update for today. Enjoy...!



Thanks for watching, and enjoy your day...!

Derek Thille wrote:It's tough to be certain, [...] Another reason for Stephen to put one or two plant identification apps on that "smart" phone that he loves so much

*shakes fist and scowls at Derek in a generally northern direction*

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:

Derek Thille wrote:It's tough to be certain, [...] Another reason for Stephen to put one or two plant identification apps on that "smart" phone that he loves so much

*shakes fist and scowls at Derek in a generally northern direction*

Thanks for the laugh.

Flip for the win

BEL #809

Today (a Sunday) is reserved mostly for Nest Labor. These are tasks we do to make our place a nicer place to live in. So I decided to dust off the ol' laser cutter and improve a few signs I'd made a couple years ago.

Here they are in the bed of the laser-cutter, getting a trim.



I've been experimenting more with the proper settings needed to accurately cut out custom shapes from bits of wood. These signs were simple, rounded rectangles. Next time I do this, I'll do three passes with the laser. As it happened, I punched-in two passes, which almost nearly kinda just didn't make it through the final layer of the veneer on one side. A little help with my cabinetry saw, and I was able to clean up the edges all right.



I wiped off the scorches and soot with a rag dipped in rubbing alcohol, and they were as ready as they were gonna be. I brought them to the Bathroom at the Fisher Price House, and compared them to the signs I'd made by hand with a pyrography pen, maybe two years ago. We've since switched to using a soldering iron, and I've gained some experience and technique since then. However, I was still comfortable in retiring the old signs in favour of these new ones.



Here's one of the new signs mounted in its new home. The rest will be mounted tomorrow in the local Willow Feeders.



That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!