Hello Truckers, long time no see. It’s been a while, and I apologize for the absence. Life got a little crazy, and some things didn’t fit into the schedule. I’m just going to jump back in like I never left, and with that, damn, it’s hot out. I feel bad for the kids, having just started fall ball, and it’s always at the hottest part of the day. Keep the cold water close by. With this heat, everything is going to stress. The lawn and garden for sure. If you have a cool-season fescue monocrop lawn, it will need extra hydration. Mow high, I don’t mean get high and mow, I mean set your mower deck height 4 inches or higher. This will help shade the soil, helping hold moisture and keep temps down. Water it heavy 2 times a week, allowing it to dry out a bit between watering. This will encourage deeper roots and suppress fungal diseases that thrive in warm, humid environments.
Every year around this time, I notice some of the best lawns on the street turn into toxic, dried-out dust bowls simply because they’re not watered. Why spend hundreds on seeds, fertilizers, and weed control, only to give up on them when the weather gets hot and dry by neglecting to water? Doing so invites more drought-tolerant native plants to come in, meaning you’ll need even more chemicals to keep the fescue monocrop, and the cycle goes on and on. Speaking of cycles, once again, I have let my veggie garden become an overgrown, snakey, crazy town. I’m gonna stop the cycle by leveling the whole thing to regroup and make it more manageable. First, it’s too big; I don’t have time to keep it watered and weeded. Even if I did, the deer would still eat everything, so the fence needs to be twice as high. Meanwhile, I’ll be retreating to the farmers’ market.
Back in the kitchen, I’ve focused on preparing healthy, tasty, fun meals that are roughly 50 percent veggies, 25 percent protein, and 25 percent carbohydrate. Not a hard thing to do this time of year when the veggies are fresh and abundant. Incorporate as many colors as possible into every meal. Eat the rainbow. We also rotate the protein source from chicken, beef, fish, and other sources. Little League has just started back up, which adds a challenge to sticking to healthy eating, as many parents grab a couple of Happy Meals or eat hot dogs at the ballpark. I’ve said I would bring a portable grill and tailgate, but I heard that would be rude since the ballpark has a concession stand. We will resort to a somewhat healthy option and make grilled chicken Caesar wraps. It’s quick and easy, as long as you have already grilled the chicken the day before.
We have been very busy with family trips here and there, and I’ve got plenty of stories to write about. For now, though, I’m focusing on planning our next couple of adventures, as we have some long weekends ahead. The boys have Friday off before Labor Day, making it a 4-day weekend. I’m currently studying the maps of North Carolina and the surrounding areas of the Great Smoky Mountains, aiming to stay cool by exploring the rivers and streams. We will finally utilize the packable telescoping fishing rods by biking or hiking far upstream away from the crowds to seek out some trophy trout and maybe bring back dinner. A couple of weeks after that, I’ll meet up with my brother Ted and oldest son Marley in West Virginia as we hit some whitewater on the Gauley River for its seasonal dam release, creating the best whitewater this side of the Rocky Mountains. The timing couldn’t be more perfect as we will drive home on the very last day of summer. We have some ideas for fall trips, but Nothing is set in stone yet. We will have plenty of time to discuss during drive time.
Etc., etc.
What I’m listening to is This is Strategy by Seth Godin, the audiobook version. I love hearing Seth’s thought-provoking perspective on all things from business to everyday life. This book is the inspiration and motivation you need to level up. Also, it’s narrated by Seth himself, which is even better. He is a cool dude who even got back to me when I inquired about a holiday drink recipe he mentioned in an interview I listened to.
Day trip I recommend: Rail Explorers, Bluegrass Division. This was so much fun. You ride an electric pedal car on the train tracks with a choice of a 2-seater or a 4-seater. They are conveniently located in Versailles at the Kentucky Railway Museum. Check it out. Reservations are a must.
What am I watching? Nothing. It’s summer, so I’m going outside.
Thanks for sticking around truckers. See you again soon.