It has been a crazy summer here at Exotic Gardening Farms & Wildlife Habitat. This summer has been the worst since we have lived here for drought. The ground is cracked, the corn dried up. The tomatoes are doing fine, still and the pole beans made it through most of the summer ok. The potatoes were ate by something. Everyone I dug had chew holes in them. Interestingly a friend went up north to get potatoes and there were none there. What is unusual about this is that these come from a large potato chip company, and on average, I bring back about 1,000 pounds a year. She came home empty handed.

We had our first baby sheep born on May 9.

The intense summer heat caused her mother Pearl to have heat stroke and die, shortly thereafter we lost Jewel to lightening. Johnny is doing fine, but quite lonely. I am trying to get to Virginia to pick up a mate for Johnny, but I am not sure that is going to happen this year.

Sugar and Spice, the goats, gave birth in July. Sugar had one little boy and Spice had two girls. They are doing fine and ready to go to new homes.

Trisha, my step-daughter (sort-of, because her dad and I were never married), came down and brought her baby Noah to visit. She also brought two new cats to stay with us, Bubby and Lucky.

My dad had two massive heart attacks the beginning of September. He spent most of the month in the hospital. He is living here with us for now. He was also diagnosed with diabetes, kidney failure, his pancreas is failing, he is low on potassium and had to be given magnesium as well. It is touch and go, but hopefully he will get his strength back soon.

In addition to my dad, his two dogs, Bubba and Justis, are staying here too. Four dogs in the house, and two cats are loads of fun……….

The bunnies escaped their cages this year and are running around the property. We had six babies born, but the cats found them before I was able to get them put into a cage.

Lots of trees, shrubs and perennials, including some natives have died off this year. Even the privet hedge, which have been here for years, are showing signs of drought.

I did not get as much food put up as I would have liked, so winter will be tough this year, but the winter garden is planted, so that should help. I expect the greenhouse is not going to get repaired. There is just too much going on here.

Hopefully winter will be short and somewhat mild. I’m hoping spring will bring better weather and good news. I think we could all use some.