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Jessica R. Veldman

@jrveldman.bsky.social
160 followers 84 following 422 posts

A 7a coastal gardener, book devourer, crafter of all sorts, workout fiend, who loves the seasons, and all the things that grow.

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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 12h
Day 4, nearly froze my knickers off as we awoke to a frosty start. We got up early to make sure I made it to my canoe reservation on time. My friend was also getting picked up by her husband. The promise of hot coffee put a bounce in our step. After canoeing across I got some great solo views.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Day 3 with our spirits up from a short day we carried on. We put in another 13+ miles and ended up camping next to a river after we forded it. A beautiful spot and with the warm weather we ended up taking dips to cool off. It was our last full day together before we split at the Kennebec river.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Day 2, it started off lovely but went to the ducks. We ended up taking a short day to avoid getting soaked. Rain moved in later in the day and it was nice to be cozy in the shelter on the pond while rain hammered on the tin roof. No moose were seen despite promising reviews given previously.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
I don’t know about out of the can but fresh sure. I also make a delightful cranberry tart on occasion.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Day 1, we had a bit of a snafu at the gate with the rear caliper on the car seizing up. Two hours later with new routers and calipers on, we drove up to Maine and got in late. Hiked out first thing in the morning for a 13 mile day. Foliage was peak and we were in high spirits.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I’m out hiking in the wilds of Maine. It’s cold and tough but I’m hoping to make it to Grafton Notch. Expect a saga of pics and daily accounts when I get back. A teaser for now.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I’m all packed and ready to go tomorrow. Headed off on the first ferry and then driving 5 hours to Maine. I’m excited and a bit nervous all at the same time. I haven’t put everything in the bag but then again I have to empty it tomorrow night to fill my bladder with water. Happy trails to me!
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Day 7! The storm finally started to diminish and the winds settle. Expecting more rain this evening and I should plant my tree. However, I took myself out running and I’m out of energy. I am excited to announce that roasting season has begun! First stuffed chicken of the season in the oven.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
#2 for sure.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Day five and it’s finally getting serious out there. I was pelted with sand, wind, and finally the rain started. It was a long day at work and I was over it. Thankfully, we are closed for the worst of the storm. I did get my workout in with Celine and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s rest day.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Day 4 of my salt mask and wind driven sand exfoliation. Caught this gorgeous sunset while doing 8 reps on the stairs with my pack. The clouds are moving in tomorrow evening along with the rain. Guess I get to add hydrating to my work facial routine. The waves are building TGIF!
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Day 3 of the 7 day Nor’easter. So far just a salty gale laden with a sandy after effect. I spun another super of honey, picked a cabbage about to pop, and cleaned the house. Best to keep busy on the day off. Seth made me a bit of lunch apple jam with bread and cheese. Tomorrow back to work.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Out for a gorgeous walk last night. Fields of gold, drenched in the heavy aroma of honey. It permeates the air and is carried on the breeze lingering on the edge of the apiary. I got up early to get a run through the same fields before the rain. It started to rain as we were finishing, lazy day.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I did a lot of harvesting today. I dug up all my potatoes and picked all my pumpkins. I wanted to get the beds cleaned so I can put Manure in them next week. The pumpkins did excellent this year and it looks like fall, threw up in the back of my truck. Nice fall display on the steps as always.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
In preparation of me going hiking my husband has put on the annual eaten by a bear movie. His smirk when I pointed out the pattern was cherubic. Regardless I have continued to pack in preparation. Found this funky caterpillar today when I was out weeding. Io moth caterpillar I believe.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I also did a dive into the hive today. The bees had put together almost two full supers. The goldenrod flow is going on strong and the aroma perfumes the air. I pulled 10 frames and put the spun out frames from the last super back in. You know when you see burr on the glass it’s time for another.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Such productivity! I cleaned the house and got my 70l backpack washed. I got my shuttle, hostel, and camp reservations figured out. Then went picking in the garden, absolute scads of peppers with a smattering of tomatoes. Sorted and braided the onions while Seth made burgers on the grill.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I have revived slightly. I have been plotting my hiking trip and was surprised to receive a postcard from my niece who’s on her own hiking adventure. Got the last of the old tax paperwork burnt in the fire pit, finally! My friend put me to work, stripping a shed roof. I practiced stairs with my pack
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Are you a fan as well?
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I have been a professional workout slacker since last I posted. However, lots has been crossed off the to do list. So many bell peppers these days I made fried rice in the new cast iron wok. My new spirit animal visited the gas station. Practical Magic 2 coming to our little island theater, joy!
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Took myself out for a run in the hot and sticky air. It was gross, even my ankles were sweating. The goldenrod are beginning to bloom, seaside first followed by grass leaved. Cool air returns for the weekend and I can’t wait to for this summer weather to go away!
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I’m always happy to see all the different species. I have a pair of monarchs again this year which always makes me happy. What’s your favorite, or do you love them all?
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Frustrated by the excess of weeds in the front bed I got to work today. I pulled out nuts sedge, bindweed, dead headed roses, and then weed whacked. I have common milkweed growing in my Rose bed, which I was trying to pull out before the monarchs laid eggs on them. I was too late, caterpillars.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Finally got around to spinning out the frames. About 2.5 gallons worth of late summer honey, that came out easy. The fall honey is thicker and won’t come out as easily in October. A wren chided me from the doorway and we had a bit of back and forth. September is on the way to revive my soul.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Good evening, it’s been a long day. Worked at the Station this morning and then worked out with Celine. One more week and we graduate to heavier weights. Then my friends and I went on a sunset kayak adventure. The sunset was gorgeous, but we didn’t find the dolphins. Home now ready for bed.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I love it!
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The cool weather has been lovely the last few days. It’s amazing how quickly I perk back up. Worked on the moped today, did some lawn care, and after checking the chickens went to dinner with Seth. The moon is rising, the leaves are turning, and the bumbles are getting some late season pollen.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
It’s finally been cool enough that I cooked myself some dinner. All of the veg was from the garden. Bell peppers of different colors, onions, red shallots, and garlic sautéed with sesame oil. Sliced up a chicken breast thin, browned lightly, and tossed in the rice with soy sauce. Two supers on daff
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
It was hot and humid yesterday. Thankfully I had a short to do list outside. I weed whacked everything and did some trimming on a storm damaged tree. I also took the first full honey super off the hive. I’ll spin it out in the next few days. The trees are showing an early fall.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
It was a drizzly day yesterday, so I took advantage of the weather to repot some of my orchids. I had been given some orchids by my sister a few years ago. She didn’t take good care of them so they were in rather sad shape when I got them. I finally got them repotted hopefully they do better now.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Your days always sound so dreamy!
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Decided to go out last evening for some classical entertainment. Seth was between commitments so he dropped me off in the limo. I enjoyed the music and the views. I walked home afterwards as it was a 10 minute stroll from my house.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Why thank you!
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I forced myself out into the garden today. The to-do list was long and it wasn’t getting done by itself. I started pruning the grapes and then discovered a birds nest with occupants so I had to stop. So I did a bit of weeding instead, spotted a monarch then I just got way too hot. It is a muggy one.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Good evening the cold has carried on. I briefly felt better and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Therefore not much has been happening besides work at the Station. Friday one of our pumps broke down and that was thankfully fixed this morning. On chicken sitting detail and burning blizzard debris
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
It’s been a few days. I got the cold roaming about so I had to cancel all of my fun friend plans. I still made time to pull out my onions and lay them to cure on the straw. The pumpkins are really producing and looks like I’ll have a bumper crop of Rouge vif d’etampes and Long island cheese.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Lawd it’s a feeling! With the onset of company coming a flurry of cleaning got underway. The garage is clean, the house is clean, the shed is clean, and even the buns got tidied up. The truck got fixed as well and all the recycling loaded for tomorrow morning. The satisfaction reigns in my soul.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
I’m the middle aged gardener collecting seaweed off the beach and turning it in with manure in the fall. The island where I live/work allows for very seasonal rhythms. Maybe they were working and they’ll collect on the weekends if possible?
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Another cloudy day wog through the hollow. It’s my Friday and they’re talking rain the next few days. I will be going off tomorrow to get my permanent crown installed. Also need to grab some sheets and pillow for the guest bed. Company is coming and my husband stole the guest pillow for himself.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
What a beautiful day it was today. Just the perfect temp, light breeze, and intermittent high cloud cover. I had the station and then out gardening in the afternoon. Even Celestine was in a good mood and spread out for some pets and cuddles. Beach day tomorrow morning with some friends.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Looks like the aptly named evening primrose.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Good evening, feeling better with the antibiotics. I took myself out for a run on Tuesday despite the gloomy forecast. Unfortunately, we got completely drenched as the storm changed direction. I managed to force myself to get all the onions and garlic, cleaned up and put on the drying racks today.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
How did it go?
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Found this online-The tulip poplar can be coppiced by cutting it to the ground every two or three years. Doing so will keep the plant shrubby.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Nature was naturing today. So many bumblebees on the lavender that the picture doesn’t do it justice. Saw this pretty egret, admired it, and it was annoyed when it ate my arbor garter snake. Looks like my tea bush will be harvestable this fall, very excited! Bonus of antibiotics no tick worries.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Good evening, it’s been a hell of a day. The diesel pump finally got fixed. I found out I have Lyme again today. I think it’s my 14th or 15th time getting this wonderful infection. I am on two weeks of Ceftin for now, I have already begun to perk back up. 10 stair reps to end the day.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
I had a leisurely morning of going to Yin yoga and then harvesting my garlic and red shallots. I planted eight shallots and I want to say I have about 80 now. I wonder if the gray ones will be as prolific when I plant them this fall? At the station now for a few hours, then hanging out with friends.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Good evening, the weather was relatively decent today. Worked at the station this morning and then did some gardening at clients. Managed to get six stair reps in yesterday before I gave up. More gardening tomorrow, but for myself. The garlic should be ready to come out as well as the shallots.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Finally, some rain in the forecast. My goodness did it rain, 3 to 4 inches of gloriousness. I couldn’t even be mad about having to work in it all day because we needed it so badly. I even managed to get 12 stair reps in despite the drizzle. My Savoy cabbage is heading and Betty Corning is blooming.
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Jessica R. Veldman @jrveldman.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Good evening, I had the day off. I ended up puttering around the house for a bit. Then did some gardening at clients saw my first deer out and about in a while. Lots of snakes out right now too just harmless gardening snakes. The robins have made a nest above my Garden gate again.
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