Two in the Far North

Time for another "homesteading" book to help us appreciate those who decide to live a little differently and try something new. Typically, each year we watch movies where plants are the stars, but this year we're switching it up for our "homesteading in the city theme". So far we've read Four Walls Against the Wind: Finding Our Alaskan Dream, by Marge Hermans Osborn, and Tisha, as Told to Robert Specht. Both are set in Alaska, about 100 years apart!

This time our book is Two In the Far North, written by Margaret E. Murie and illustrated by Olaus J. Murie (Alaska Northwest Publishing Company, 1978). Margaret Murie tells of her adventures in Alaska through several significant times in her life. She starts off with a wonderful memoir of her family's move from Seattle, Washington to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1911, when she was nine years, and life in Fairbanks in the years to follow. In 1924, she married Olaus Marie, a naturalist studying caribou migration, and they spent their honeymoon travelling across the north by sled dog in pursuit of caribou. Her impressions of the land, the people, and life on the trail are vivid and compelling.

Next she recounts two expeditions that she and Olaus made in the 1950s, from their home in Wyoming to Old Crow River and and to Sheenjek in northern Alaska, with several young scientists. In one expedition they follow the Old Crow River (very buggy, and with a baby), and in the other they fly into the tundra with all their gear by small plane, set up camp and explore. In both accounts, she describes team comradery, the excitement of discovery, and love for the land. Finally, in the 1970s  after Olaus' death, Margaret makes many trips to Alaska to campaign for wilderness protection, especially as the Alaska oil fields were opening up. 

Murie has a wonderful and approachable writing style, that conveys her enthusiasm for life and her work, even when situations are difficult. Having grown up in Alaska, I share that love for the land, the excitement over nature and discovery, and the appreciation for the hearty and unique souls that populate the land. I have fond memories of camping with my family up the Dempster Highway close to the Arctic Circle, marveling at the miniature plants of the tundra and at the Northern Lights pulsating above our camp. I also remember listening to the radio as oil companies bid for rights to the Alaskan oil fields. I'm grateful for all the work that the Muries and many others did to ensure that vast sections of the Alaskan wilderness are preserved against complete exploitation. I recommend this book for anyone interested in Alaska, pioneering, and life on the last frontier.

Learn More:

Some interesting items from the book:

• Margaret Murie - synopsis of Margaret Thomas "Mardy" Murie (August 18, 1902 - October 19, 2003), a naturalist, author, adventurer, and conservationist. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Murie

• Logan Bread - quick bread that is named after Mount Logan in the Yukon. The recipe is packed with nutrition, easy to make, and an efficient food source while on the trail. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/48407/logan-bread/

• Jersey Creams - source of quick energy while mushing through the Alaskan wilderness. This cookie is still made (or a version of it)! https://us.amazon.com/Bolands-Jersey-Creams-Flavored-Biscuits/dp/B07Y45JPNK

• Yukon Stove (1950s) - this stove could be used inside the tent for heating and cooking. Lighter versions were made out of old kerosene cans, and variations on the design are still made today. https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/new-us-military-yukon-m1950-stove-black?a=411751

Dye Project: Coreopsis & Marigold (Solar + Alum)

Time for more solar dyeing, this time using coreopsis and marigold flowers and alum. We have some solar dyeing experience of our own by now (see Solar Dyeing with Calendula and Solar Dyeing with Avocado), but have been influenced by artist Caitlin Ffrench.  Solar dyeing fits in nicely with our theme of "homesteading in the city", where we try to be resourceful, use what we have, and repurpose items as we can. 

Recall that we grew coreopsis (Coreopsis x hybrida) and marigold (Tagetes signata) from seeds last year, and enjoyed the flowers all summer and into fall. I harvested the flowers as they hit their prime, dried them on our recycled trays, and then stored the dried petals in paper bags until ready to dye.

Coreopsis (Coreopsis x hybrida)

Marigold (Tagetes signata)

The Weight of Fabric (WOF) for each batch was .9 ounces (or 26 grams) for two cotton handkerchiefs. I reused fabric that was dyed last year with cherry and French Broom, so this is an exercise in overdyeing, as well as solar dyeing. The fabric was originally scoured and mordanted, using a gallnut mordant, and treated in a bath of 15% WOF alum and 2% soda ash as a brightener. 

Prepared fabric (scoured, mordanted in gallnut, and soaked in alum and soda ash)

The flower crop yield was small - .4 ounces (11 grams) of dried coreopsis flowers (WOF% is 42%) and .5 ounces (13 grams) of dried marigold flowers (WOF% is 50%). Most dyers recommend using equal weight flowers or leaves to fabric, so we are about half that. We may not get much color. Still, we are overdyeing, so we may be surprised with the results. That is part of the adventure of dyeing with plants!

Dried marigold flowers

Tooling up for solar dyeing

Supplies for dyeing include:

• Large jars (with room for some movement)
• A quart of water (+ more as needed)
• Prepared cotton fabric (scoured, gallnut mordant, and alum brightener)
• Alum (2-3 teaspoons per 100 grams of fabric)

NOTE: For safety, use a face mask and rubber gloves.

Solar Dyeing

First, presoak the prepared fabric for at least 30 minutes or overnight. This helps ensure the fabric absorbs as much dye as possible, and as evenly as possible. Squeeze out excess water. Pour warm water into each jar, until about a third full. Stir in the alum. I’m using 1 teaspoon alum for each jar, for 26 grams of fabric in each). Stir until dissolved. Let the water cool and the alum dissolve thoroughly.

Soak fabric to prepare for dyeing, and then squeeze out water

Layer the fabric and flowers in each jar. First, sprinkle in a few flower petals. Then add the first piece of fabric. Add more plant material. Add the second piece of fabric. Top with the rest of the plant material. With the stir stick, evenly distribute petals around the sides of the jar. Add water to cover. Let it settle, and then top it off with water. Close the lid, and label each jar.

Layer plant material and fiber in jars, and fill with alum water

Leave the jars in a sunny spot, inside or out. You start to see the color appear after several hours. Check the fabric color daily, and agitate the jar slightly to distribute the dye. I enjoyed my morning inspection of the jars, with a cup of coffee. I let the fabric soak for three weeks, but you can try less time or more. Remove the fabric from the jar and squeeze out excess liquid.

After three weeks of solar dyeing

Rinse the fabric in cool water until the water runs clear. Some petals and seeds clung to the fabric, which is rather charming. Run the fabric through the washing machines' rinse and spin cycles, using cold water. Let the fabric air dry. Two weeks later, wash the fabric in a pH neutral soap, like Synthrapol or Professional Textile Detergent, and hang to dry.

Squeeze out dye from fabric (some petals and seeds remain)

Rinse out marigold dye

Rinse out coreopsis dye

For the coreopsis, the resulting color is a vibrant shade of orange. For the marigold, the color is a bright shade of yellow. It's surprising how much color was produced with so few flowers! I really enjoy the slow process of solar dyeing. After the initial set up, there is not much to do but observe.

Hang to dry

Yellow marigold (left) and orange coreopsis (right)

I plan to reuse the dye baths in a second exhaust, using Ferrous sulfate instead of alum. There may not be enough dye pigment left for much color, but if anything comes of the experiment, I’ll let you know!

Learn More

• Kissed by the Sun: The Art of Solar Dyeing, by Caitlin Ffrench. November 28, 2017. (Kissed by the Sun: The Art of Solar Dyeing | Spin Off (spinoffmagazine.com) https://spinoffmagazine.com/kissed-sun-art-solar-dyeing/ 
• Solar Dyeing - Super Slow Fashion, by Ria Burns.
• Tutorial: Lockdown Craft Activity - Try Solar Dyeing with Onion Skins, by Ria Burns.

Should I Take Down My Bird Feeder?

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus is threatening the poultry industry and showing up in eagles and other bird species. Does this mean I should take down the hummingbird feeder and put away the water dishes that I set out for local and migrating birds? Watching birds in the garden is a wonderful pastime, so I'd hate to give them up, but I don't want to endanger the small birds that visit us either. 

Hummingbird feeder cleaned and ready for visitors

I turned to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology article, Avian Influenza Outbreak - Should You Take Down Your Bird Feeders, for information and guidance. According to Julie Lenoch, DVD, Director of National Wildlife Disease Program (NWDP), there is low risk of an outbreak of avian flu among wild songbirds. Most of the concern is that a rare individual might transmit an infection to backyard poultry or the poultry industry. This makes it important to keep songbirds and poultry away from each other. 

The article recommends several methods for cleaning feeders, based on research reported in the article Safe Feeding Environment: Feeder Care. Methods include:

• (Most effective) Scrub debris off feeders, soak them for 10 minutes in a diluted bleach solution, and then wash them with soap and boiling water.
• Or, soak them for 10 minutes in a diluted bleach solution or one hour in a weak vinegar solution and then scrub with a clean bottle brush. Rinse thoroughly.
• Or, wash them in a dishwasher on a hot setting. Allow to dry completely before refilling.

Birds visiting the communal water dish

I'm relieved to know that with diligent cleaning practices, I should be able to continue offering fresh water and sugar water to our avian visitors. At least for now!

Learn More

• USDA Avian Influenza and Wild Birds
• USDA Avian Health

Month-by-Month: Spring

Today is a beautiful sunny day here in the Oakland Hills. It's 59 degrees this morning, with the promise of hitting a high of 67 degrees this afternoon. It's a perfect morning to research an upcoming trip and finish a few chores inside, before moving outside for the afternoon. I've noticed some weeds that need pulling and general yard cleanup that needs to be done. 

Wispy windowsill parsley started last fall (my husband calls it "Sparsely")!

This morning I'm checking in with the University of California Master Gardeners of Alameda County website, specifically the Your Alameda County Garden, Month-by-Month page. Time to see what garden activities should be happening in April, May, and June here in the Bay Area. Nighttime temperature lows are above 45 degrees, so there is little danger of frost.

The main activities for these warmer months of spring include planting root crops and cool-season crops in April, and then summer vegetables, flowers and bulbs in May. Throughout the season is lots of weeding, thinning, watering, fertilizing, and monitoring for pests. These months are very busy for the home gardener (and I'm already behind)!