Alligatorob's Diary

[alligatorob]

Didn't get this posted last night, so here it is now.

Today was a good day, I ate relatively well, more calories than some days, but not bad. And I got some sort of exercise, worked on peaches from 6 am to 7 pm with few breaks. All peaches are now picked and processing has started. I got about 250 pounds, picked, cleaned, mashed and pectic enzyme added to increase juice yield. I'll do the juicing in a day or two. Also had some friends come by and pick some of them, way too many for us.

Man that giant peach!!!

Yep, and delicious, ripe and runny. There were lots that big and bigger in this last lot.

That's one beautiful peach! Man, fully ripe peaches are so good and they're so hard to come by here...

Most of my life I avoided peaches, store bought ones can be disappointing. Now I am lucky to have a plethora... I will try to figure it out, but between the brandy, wine, juice, leather, frozen etc I think we got about 1,000 pounds this year! Not really a bumper crop year, we have just been more efficient in using them.

I_have_serious_peach_envy!

As well you should, LOL. Figuring out how not to let them go to waste is a challenge, its hard work.

 

[Llama]

1000 pounds of peaches???

 

[liza3]

Good for you with all that work with the peaches--as I mentioned before we had a lot of fruit trees growing up and I remember it as being very work intensive trying to get them all picked and processed or even shared out! It will be nice when winter comes to sit back with all your peach juice to bring you back to warmer days

 

[Cate]

My Mum used to spend so much time dealing with fruit & I remember how much work was involved. It sounds like you are doing well with it all Rob.

 

[Emilyrose]

Rob and the Giant Peach!

 

[alligatorob]

Should have posted this last night...

Today was a pretty good day, I ate well, exercised and feel good tonight. Rainy and cold so no peach squeezing got done, hopefully tomorrow.

1000 pounds of peaches???

Thanks for the song, I like it. And I did move to the country and am eating lots of peaches. Our freezers are completely full, no way will we be able to eat or drink it all alone, have to give lots away.

Good for you with all that work with the peaches--as I mentioned before we had a lot of fruit trees growing up and I remember it as being very work intensive trying to get them all picked and processed or even shared out! It will be nice when winter comes to sit back with all your peach juice to bring you back to warmer days

Thanks Liza, what kind of fruit trees did you have? Peaches are of course our big one, but we have cherry, apricot, apple, two kinds of plum and two kinds of pear as well. Too much to keep up with...

My Mum used to spend so much time dealing with fruit & I remember how much work was involved. It sounds like you are doing well with it all Rob.

Thanks Cate, it is lots of work, I hope we are doing well.

Rob and the Giant Peach!

LOL, could be a movie... maybe a horror one.

 

[alligatorob]

Today was a good day, not the best dinner, but not bad. Got in some good exercise.

Did not get the peaches juiced today, it was still too cold and rainy. Should be able to do it tomorrow, I am a bit worried about the peaches starting to ferment on me... However its been cold and I added some stabilizer to them so I think I will be ok. Racked the wine today, had to taste a little of it. I think its about the best I have made, real peachy flavor.

 

[Marsia]

It's wonderful all the wine and hard alcohol-making skills you have. I hope you can find people who will really enjoy all the fruits of your labor! Rob and the Giant Peach as a horror film sounds like a good indie film! Glad you had a good food day, and I hope all goes well with the fermentation process on this batch.

 

[alligatorob]

Rob and the Giant Peach as a horror film sounds like a good indie film!

I may have trouble sleeping tonight...

 

[Cate]

Funny one, Rob
I think you're safe.

 

[alligatorob]

Today was a good day, but a really busy one. I went to the gym, had a doctor's appointment, and physical therapy, then I finished juicing the peaches. Got almost 15 gallons (~56 liters) of juice, combined with the earlier squeezing that's over 20 gallons, almost 25. The freezer is groaning. Got no idea what to do with it, I doubt I can drink all that, or even a lot of it...

The physical therapist is pretty much saying the same, I have regained some strength, but it is by compensation, the effected muscles are not responding... Have the come to Jesus meeting with my doctor Friday, I suspect it will result in scheduling surgery. I sure hate that, but it is probably better than the alternative...

My doctor's appointment today was for the one year follow up to knee surgery. Doctor says I am doing fine, better than expected. I complained to him about a little ongoing pain and stiffness, he said that was normal and would probably disappear in the second year. He examined me and said there is still a little swelling in the knees, probably the source of the problems. He said that was pretty normal and should go away with time. He said he wanted a follow up in 5 year... kind of surprised me, never heard of a 5 year follow up.

Funny one, Rob
I think you're safe.

I don't know, tonight I feel kind of like that peach rolled over me...

 

[Cate]

I don't know, tonight I feel kind of like that peach rolled over me...

I feel like that whenever I pack too much into one day. I need a day in between to recover usually.

 

[Llama]

I don't know, tonight I feel kind of like that peach rolled over me...

What Cate said You've been doing a LOT.

 

[liza3]

Got almost 15 gallons (~56 liters) of juice, combined with the earlier squeezing that's over 20 gallons, almost 25. The freezer is groaning. Got no idea what to do with it, I doubt I can drink all that, or even a lot of it...

Sounds like you'll have to have lots of peach juice parties through the winter!

 

[alligatorob]

Yesterday was a borderline day for food, ate too much for my late night snack, but not quite a binge. Oh well, could have been worse. I did get in some good exercise and spent a long time cleaning up the peach mess... Today is the come to Jesus doctor's meeting... surgery decision day.

Fall colors are nice right now. Picture taken a couple of miles from here.

I feel like that whenever I pack too much into one day. I need a day in between to recover usually.

Me too, yesterday was a bit of a recovery day.

What Cate said You've been doing a LOT.

LOL, I probably do less than I make it sound like...

Sounds like you'll have to have lots of peach juice parties through the winter!

Yep, guess we need to be having those peach parties.

 

[Llama]

I probably do less than I make it sound like...

I very much doubt it. Best of luck at the doctor's.

 

[Emilyrose]

Beautiful photos Rob.

 

[Cate]

Lovely photos, Rob. Hope your appointment went well & your surgeon can give you confidence that you will be better off after surgery. The sooner the better.

 

[alligatorob]

Yesterday was a good food and exercise day, and I felt good.

Went to the doctor and made the decision to have the neck surgery, no date yet that will come next week... I hope I am doing the right thing. I asked the doctor if he would do it if he were in my place and he said yes, however he also said that waiting was not an unreasonable decision either. He did say that my right arm and shoulder would be more likely to be permanately weaker the longer I waited. So I pulled the trigger... I hate this whole thing.

I very much doubt it. Best of luck at the doctor's.

Thanks Llama, sometimes I do feel like I exaggerate my accomplishments... guess that's just how I am. Do you ever feel that way?

Beautiful photos Rob.

Thanks, it was an easy subject. Our fall colors are better this year than I remember in Utah, probably the wet winter and wetter than average summer. You must get nice fall colors in Ireland.

Hope your appointment went well & your surgeon can give you confidence that you will be better off after surgery.

Thanks Cate, he is an honest guy. He told me he thought it was for the best... but no guarantees.

 

[liza3]

Went to the doctor and made the decision to have the neck surgery, no date yet that will come next week... I hope I am doing the right thing. I asked the doctor if he would do it if he were in my place and he said yes, however he also said that waiting was not an unreasonable decision either. He did say that my right arm and shoulder would be more likely to be permanately weaker the longer I waited. So I pulled the trigger... I hate this whole thing.

Aw that's tough Rob. To hate to have to go in for another surgery...and even to have to make the decision one way or another....anyways you've done so well with recovery from the knee surgery and as you say that's a longer recovery, I'm sure you'll do ok.

Those are gorgeous photos of the fall colors! I want to cycle along that road!!