We keep talking about what a mild winter it’s been. Driving around the farm the other day, we observed a lot of action going on in the vegetable garden. I guess if it’s going to be unseasonably warm, you might as well take advantage of the situation!
1 Sharkey, what are they guys doing in the vegetable garden? It usually doesn't see much action this time of year! Let's investigate!
2 Normally, in the depths of winter, the ground is so frozen you couldn't possibly dig like that. Plus, it's usually covered with snow!
3 That's right, Franny! This has been an exceptionally mild winter, allowing for the guys to get a head start on garden preparations for the spring!
4 At the start of every growing season, the garden gets turned over, meaning the first ten to twelve inches of soil is dug up and flipped.
5 But, before that happens, any weeds are cultivated out and discarded in the compost pile. There, those weeds get 'cooked' by the heat of the decaying organic matter, killing their seeds.
6 Once that job is done, the digging begins, a process that aerates the soil. You could even spread a layer of compost first to incorporate more nutrients into the soil. You can smell that this soil is very nutrient-rich!
7 Phurba, you're doing a splendid job! Franny, aerating sounds like a good idea, but it seems like so much work. Why is this done for the garden? Isn't it just...dirt?
8 Think about it, Sharkey! This isn't just dirt, it's what plants live in! Aeration helps replenish nutrients and provides a loose soil for vegetable roots to grow deep and strong.
9 Right! It's all coming back to me now, Francesca. It also helps with good water drainage. Is this the next section to turn?
10 Yikes!!! No way, Sharkey. This is Martha's prized asparagus and rhubarb plot. This section never gets turned!
11 Sharkey, all this talk about vegetables and nutrients has made me hungry! Let's go find a snack!
How many of you Daily Wag readers saw that very funny Sketchers commercial during the Super Bowl about Mr. Quiggly, the French bulldog? Apparently, if a Frenchie wears a set of Skektchers running shoes, he or she can outrun a pack of greyhounds! Too funny!
1 Sharkey, do you remember that hysterical commercial during the Super Bowl with the French Bulldog? The dog that looks like you? Well, I found it online, so let's watch it again!
2 Oh Franny, who could forget this one, about the Frenchie racing against greyhounds? It's kind of making fun of our breed with our stout bodies and short legs. We don't much look like the racing type!
3 Then, along comes Mr. Quiggly! Sharkey, he really looks so much like you!
4 Hmmm...Yes, there is a strong resemblance, but he seems to have many more wrinkles around his neck.
5 You're right, Sharkey. And besides, Mr. Quiggly is a handsome male and you are a beautiful lady.
6 Sharkey, what about those running shoes he's wearing? They must have special powers to make him run so fast!
7 If we order shoes like that, do you think we'll run as fast as Mr. Quiggly? Just think about it - the squirrels around here wouldn't stand a chance!
8 I've seen shoes for dogs before to protect paws from harsh elements, but I've never seen dog shoes for running!
9 Besides, Francesca, you can't believe everything you see on television! I think this is just a clever commercial. Staying healthy and fit is what will keep us in shape for squirrel chasing, not shoes!
In our never-ending quest to be crackerjack squirrel chasers, we tore across the farm after one the other day. We were just inches away from its tail, when the darn thing darted and made a beeline for the hollow of an old apple tree. You’ll get yours yet, squirrel!
1 I chased a squirrel right into this big hole in this apple tree! There's a bird feeder nearby and the squirrel has been eating the seeds!
2 You're right, Sharkey! It's too dark to see him, but I can certainly smell the critter!
3 Hmm, it smells like a common gray squirrel, right Franny? They don't hibernate in the winter like many other animals. But they often take shelter inside hollow tree trunks to stay warm and to stay near a food source.
4 Hey, squirrel!!! Come out of there! You're eating all the birdseed. You know, there's no such thing as a free lunch around here!
5 Maybe if we both shove our heads inside the hole at the same time...
6 Wait, Sharkey! There's a hole at the top of the tree, too!
7 Say, I have an idea...let's flank him! You stay down at the bottom and I'll just jump up to that one. He'll have nowhere to go!
8 One, two, three - jump! Such athleticism!
9 Aw, come on, darling sweet little squirrel! We just want to play with you!
10 Franny, I'm beginning to feel like a foolish Frenchie. I think we've been had by that squirrel. I think he used that top hole as a back door and now, he's outta here! Probably sitting in another tree laughing at us!
Now that The Martha Stewart Show is back on the air, we have been quite busy. We headed into Manhattan for the day because that day's taping included some very important guests—us!
