Here Is Some Explaination 2

As things rolled along I just had I would say a normal childhood. At the time I had three cousins that lived just below my house. All of them were boys so you can imagine that there was enough mischief to go around. Also in those days there were some neighborhood boys also to add to the mix.

One of my earliest memories was we were having a game of chicken. What you did was stand in a circle and throw a knife at each others feet and see how close you could get to anothers foot without them moving. It all went well until Cecil threw a knife and it speared Henry right straight through the top of his foot and actually nailed him to the ground. Of course we all freaked out. Cecil went over and picked Henry straight up off the ground and carried him to Aunt Annas' porch where they waited on the ambulance. The rest of us scattered to the winds. Stupid stupid games but, just a bunch of bored country boys. What can I say.

I had another Aunt that lived to the east of this place right across the road from my goatpath (driveway) and she was one mean woman. She even used to beat up Uncle Jean. I've seen him with his forehead busted open before by some kind of blunt trauma causing instrument. It ain't funny but it is now. Sorry. Can't help but chuckle. I have no idea why he stayed with her but he did. Anyway, she HATED all of us youngins and to be honest the feeling was mutual. There used to be a huge white pine on the east side of my mountain that you couldnt reach around. One of my cousins acquired a BB gun from some source because Uncle Rush refused to buy them boys one. Anyway it was decided one day that we would climb way up in that pine tree and shoot "Sissys" (the mean aunt) tin roof just to make her mad. Of course that worked. You could hear her screaming all over the hollow. It was echoing in all the little valleys. "I'm going to tell your mammys" "I'm going to whip your asses" After the shooting incident got boring the gun was hid under that big old pine and everybody went back to their respected homes. Shortly there after a sheriffs deputy showed up down at my cousins place. He of course told Uncle Rush about the incident and my uncle of course denied that his youngins even had a BB gun. Told the deputy he wouldnt allow such a thing. Well the deputy went on and questioned my cousins and when one of them denied any knowledge whatsoever of one his much younger brother replied, "What about the one under the big pine"? They all just got a real good ass chewing from the deputy and Uncle Rush got to warm up his leather belt for a good amount of time on three butts.

The Wind Died

Woke up this morning after a strange illness and the first thing I noticed was NO WIND. Not even a pine needle is stirring. It has been really rough here since our little snow event Saturday. Very cold and wind gusts in the 35-40 range. Yesterday it was about 10 degrees and the wind was still whipping. Watering was a real chore. When you have to use a homemade digging bar that was fashioned from a model T Ford axle to bust the ice its bad. I did that three times yesterday for the animals water. On one particular downward motion the bar broke through and water splashed all over the front of my jacket and of course in my face. The water froze as soon as it hit my coat. Some of the water went up the bar itself and instantly froze my jersey gloves to it so hard that some threads were pulled from the gloves as I was peeling my grip away from it. Now thats cold.

That little illness thing was stange to me. Monday night I was feeling like I may be catching a cold. No big deal.Then Tuesday morning I woke with a real bad toothache on my left side. I do have a tooth that needs yanked but then again I am procrastinating (also cant afford it right now). I am going to say about 12 noon I came inside to eat some dinner and the pain had went away a little from the tooth but it seemed like it had moved to under my jaw. I just figured that where I had been out in the cold so long that that had relieved the pain some and my jaw was just left sore. After eating went down to check on my Mom and came on back to the house and noticed I was kinda swelled on the left side of my neck. Not long after i started feeling flu like symptoms. I got weak as pond water and kinda sick to my stomach and began running a slight fever. I went ahead and finished all the evening chores and fixed supper. I thought I would never get done with the work yesterday evening I was feeling so bad. I guess I probably went to sleep about 8 or so and woke up at 1 to shake the grates and add wood in the stove. I had been sweating like a dog in my sleep. I figure the temperature I was running must have broke. When I woke this morning my hair pillows and even the sheets were soaking wet and I was cold of course from being damp but I do feel like I am going to have a good day. As I said when I did wake I felt big time relief that the wind had laid so that helped my spirit even more.

My oldest son Jesse got home from college last night for Christmas vacation so I dont know what he will do today. There is always wood to carry ;). I do know I have to do some repairs from wind damage. Get everything back in order for the next spell. It is supposed to get warmer as the week and weekend progresses and then turn out cold again next week. We will just have to see. :)

"Unofficial" Winter

The date may not reflect it but the weather sure does. December has come in with a growl. I do hope that this will not be a repeat of last year.

It began snowing this past Saturday right at high noon. The weather folks got that right. They did fairly well with the amounts also. Anywhere from 1 to 3 inches they said but here in places it was 5 inches.

Due to a bad decision on my part I was out looking for some hay on Saturday when it started. The fellow that I usually get the round bales from was out seeing his father so I called around to find some square to tie me over till he gets back. All of this SHOULD have been taken care of already.

When I got home it had already gotten the ground a little white and I needed to get the hay hauled up before the tractor couldnt get back up the hill. Hauled the groceries and hay up so at least we all could be eating when the snow set in.

I moved the goats back down to the lot closet to the house for my convenience. I also have one that is very pregnant and I am a bit concerned for her. Got to really keep an eye on her.

As playful and funny as goats are they are NO big fan of any precipitation that I am aware of. They will stand in the shed and just watch and chew their cud. Alot of the goats I have are seeing snow for the first time and it is still amusing to just try to imagine what is going through their minds. The same with the hogs I have. This is their first snow and they were a bit more active. They were running around and playing tag with each other for a little while. That was fun to see. There is alot to be said about the critters. The longer you have them the more you learn. Their likes dislikes and mannerisms. They have personalities also. No doubt in my mind about that. When I am blessed by a moment of them just being themselves its really neat. Kind of a kin to spying on something you dont fully understand. I can get as wide eyed as any youngin about some new things I learn.

Sunday, I got up and the temperature had dropped sharply. The wind was gusting to 30 plus mph. Not fun at all. First thing I did was check my animals to see how they were fairing and I could tell they were wondering what the heck happened also. You could tell by the way they were looking at me.

Anyway, I needed to get some more water hauled so I set out clearing a path from the house to the bottom of the goat path (driveway HA ) It was a very fluffy snow so it was no big thing to sweep it. I was going to use my blower but the priming bulb on it has dry rotted and busted. I dont know why they had to replace a mechanical choke with a piece of plastic bulb. Somebody must have had to pull the string more than four times. LOL Dont get me wrong...... I HATE when something is stubborn to start. It usually dont last long around me if it gives me a fit to fire up. But anyway my driveway is fairly long and VERY rough but it wasnt too bad to sweep. I stopped and just took in things around me every now and then. I was about 30 feet from the end and the cheap aluminum broom handle broke. LOL It broke about half into and I knew I didnt have another one anywhere so I pulled my Leatherman out and bent and squeezed one end until it would just fit into the other half. I was close to a big rock so I just started pounded the two pieces back together until it was somewhat sturdy again. Worked like a charm. I didnt have to walk all the way back to the house to repair it so thats always a plus. If I had got to the house it would have been twice as hard to get back to the task at hand. So I named my rock. LOL "BroomHandle Rock" Just one more mile marker in the world. If I need someone to meet me in that area now they can pretty much tell where I am. (The ones I share the location with anyway)

Well got all that mess done and then tried to see if the tractor would make it back and forth and luckily it did. Went to my Moms and swept her porch and steps off then came on back home to finish up the day.


MONDAY

WOke up to even colder temps. In the teens this morning and the wind still whipping. They say it aint likely to stop for about two more days. In the mean time just brutal cold conditions.

Fixed the hog pen so that "Crazy" the goat cant jump in and steal their feed. Got tired real quick of having to stand guard against that big old girl. SHe is slick though. Always keeps a corner of her eye on you pretending she isnt looking at you. You walk away and after a triple take she sneaks up the back side of the pen against the shed and then just stands at the bottom of the fence and jumps flat hoofed right over into the hog pen and starts eating like crazy. The hogs "squeal" on her LITERALLY. You walk back up to the hog pen and say Crazy GET OUT OF THERE. And poof.. Over she goes. Then starts her spy act all over again. That is one goat that can jump like you have never seen. I Half over raised the height so maybe now I can feed with out having to do guard duty. Its that time by the way so better get out of here and get my golf club for busting ice and get these critters took care of for another terribly cold night.

Cherokee Thanksgiving Prayer

The People

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People.

Now our minds are one.


The Earth Mother

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy as she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Waters

We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms-waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of water.

Now our minds are one.

The Fish

We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Plants

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.

Now our minds are one.

The Food Plants

With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Medicine Herbs

Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.

Now our minds are one.

The Animals

We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forest. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.

Now our minds are one.

The Trees

We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.

Now our minds are one.

The Birds

We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds - from the smallest to the largest - we send our joyful greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Four Winds

We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four direction they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.

Now our minds are one.

The Thunderers

Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, The Thunderers.

Now our minds are one.

The Sun

We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, The Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, The Sun.

Now our minds are one.

Grandmother Moon

We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.

Now our minds are one.

The Stars

We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.

Now our minds are one.

The Enlightened Teachers

We gather our minds to greet and thank the Enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.

Now our minds are one.

The Creator

Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choices words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.

Now our minds are one.

Closing Words

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.

Now our minds are one.

Here Is Some Explaination

I have been asked a few times about what I have and how I do things. I think I will try to explain just the bare bone facts about our place.

At present what I am working with is a 7 acre parcel of history (to me) because this land has been in the name of my family since the 1700s. At one time the family name owned all of the area that I can see from the top of this mountain.

Where I am the whole hillside was worked by horse and manpower and I still to this day find broken singletrees and hand tools that were once held by either ancestors or workers of this place.

I can say that when I do find these "treasures" it takes me back to those days only in my mind. It had to be hard. It had to be sustainable. So I figured why cant I do that now.

Thus, Here I am. Been here for 41 years and hope to be here until I croak. Virginia law is lax on burial stuff so I elect to have my worthless carcass thrown in a hole here and maybe something can grow on top. The important part, soul, is gone the split second you die so hey, Why not? My perfect idea.

I was raised here. Somewhere there were pictures of me crawling through the wall studs in this house. Somewhere there is a picture of me holding a yellow cat at the base of a International Tractor. Somewhere there is a picture of my Dad pulling stumps off this place with that tractor. Somewhere there is a picture of my Mom when I had to be a toddler smiling off the front porch (which is gone since she fell down the stairs when I was maybe 8 and the scar is huge where she busted her elbow up going under the house to get some potatoes for supper.

Wonder why this place means so much to me?? I remember raising pigs as a child. I didnt my Dad did. I remember the old horse Nelly that was a worker and a rider. I remember laying down in between her front and rear legs and we lay together. Just taking in what a horse and a kid think about. I remember Daisy the milk cow. I remember Dads broken hand when he thought a punch to the face would solve her attitude. The dip in the wood is still visible where she swung her head and hit the house after Dad punched her. Attitude didnt get solved but Dads anger did. hehehe I remember the hogs we raised here. Dont remember no names but remember the first piglet litter. Cute as a button but we knew what they were for. I remember being scared to death because I was playing above the hog pen when I was a child and the steel barrell I was rolling made a bad turn down hill and squashed a piglet dead. That hurt me. Mom didnt know what to say but Dad was understanding and instructive. Never happened again. I remember selling the pigs that was raised that year. An older feller I have no idea who it was came up with a two tone chevy truck with cattle racks on and bought them. I remember loading them. I remember also Dad getting a call from the feller later and Dad repeated the conversation. "Them is the clamingist (climbing) hogs I ever saw" The pigs he bought climbed over the cattle racks somewhere.

What do you think is this worth reading? Let me know on your comment. Thanks for the followers that I have.

Yesterdays Results

It was an odd weather day for sure. It stayed damp old and windy most of the morning and then it began to sprinkle. A little later the sprinkle turned to sleet. The sun came out and then it snowed and a cool surprise was lightning. Had about everything yesterday. On the way back up with the hay for evening feeding I guess it was "kind of" neat in the snow. Soon my nostalgic feeling turned to remembrance of last winter. (not good)

I was able to get all the bedding squared away. Everybody should have felt a bit warmer this morning. I know the hogs are doing much better because I built a platform from a pallet and plywood over that for a much better sleeping arrangement. I threw what waste hay the goats had left and several bags of leaves in there and once they ate what they wanted to I topped it off with hay again. Went out early this morning and they were both curled up in there sleeping like warm pigs. In the course of the night they had taken what was left of the hay and leaves and made a perfect nest to curl up in. I am going to put some more in there as hogs love to burrow down in hay or whatever they have to conserve their heat. The warmer you can keep them the more feed goes to bringing on weight than being burnt up for staying warm.

It is 28 degrees this morning and of course a very heavy frost. Joey got up at 6:30 so he could get ready to go do some deer hunting. At least the wind aint blowing. I hope he does get one. He sure has been practicing with that bow. I for one could never get into bow hunting. It takes lots and lots of time to get all of that figured out.

A Few Pictures

Wilma and Wilbur




Lucifer





Lucy




Buddy





Bucky





Ethel and Blessing




Dumpling





Hope





Ethel....... THE BOSS

Can You Believe Its November?

Sitting here this morning having some coffee I realized........ DANG... Its November!!! DUH? You Think? I was sitting here coming up with a plan about putting deeper bedding in for the goats and the hogs and checking my windscreens at the chickens so they dont get blown off the mountain. The news came on and then I heard High 40s today and Low 30s with a chance of............SNOW........... in the west side of the mountains on the Blue Ridge part of the Appalachians. I dont think it will get here but hey it was a wake up call.

So the plan is to get out the blower and rake to gather as much leaves and pine needles as possible for bedding. I have already done this once but hey its free natural bedding. You cant beat it. Everytime I put in in for the critters they have a great time going through and eating little morsels that agree with their taste for the day. Its a total win win situation. I also chop up some leaves etc and pile them in with the compost for the spring. Its great stuff provided to us so we might as well make great use for it. Dont you think??


After I am done with that today, I need to do something with my buckets of fencing tools and other things from around my stove so I can build the first fire of the season. What you dont have buckets with bucket buddies on them stuffed with various tools around your woodstove?? Well us hillbillies do. I know where my particular tools are at that way. Well not really. My kids like to "borrow" one or two and somehow they never make it back.

I started a big pot of beans this morning also. I figure they will be good after spending time in the coolness today. I plan on making some cornbread also this evening to finish it off. The older beans get the better they are in my opinion.

April and May

These two months are incredibly busy. As you can tell I haven't even looked at this blog since March. I am bad at this for sure.

Things are going well overall. I have added four more goats and have been working on my gardens and fields so far. I am still trying to get everything planted and it isn't working out so well. Everytime I turn around something is breaking down but what can you expect? Thats life in the real world. :)

I have my onions lettuce peas tomatoes peppers and some beans out. Its slow but coming along nicely. I have a ton more seed to plant though. I was hoping to get finished this weekend but mechanical problems and rain have another idea.

Things are definatly moving along at the CSA. Lots and Lots of planting going on in May of course. The hog had 5 little ones and the cows are now out in the new pasture I got fenced off. So things are really getting there.

I am going to do my best to get pictures on here as soon as possible. I still need the technical help of the kids to do things like that.

March- ing On

I am very glad to see February gone. It has been a rough winter so far but I still look at it as a learning experience. We have had 42 inches of snow this winter. It was only beaten by a snowstorm in 1960 which was 60+ inches.

"In like a lamb, out like a lion" or vice versa. That is the old saying that supposedly tells the outcome of March weather. We will see. March came in like a lamb. It was 40 deg. and sunny. The wind was stil blowing and that made it chilly at times but wasn't a big deal. This morning after taking the goats out for the day it began some flurries. No big deal again according to the weatherman. The system is supposed to stay farther south this time and we are to get a dusting. Problem is.... its still dusting. The temperature has dropped since this morning and is right at freezing. The roads are still kinda warm so it is melting fast there but still may get slick tonight. Of course I got to see the two patches of bare ground again yesterday but now they are once again white. Lovely just lovely. hehe

I was able to finish getting the medicines for the goats yesterday. I also got alot more of the stuff for fencing too. I am hoping to get started on that before too long. I went on and got all the emergency type meds that a goat can need. The truth is as tough as some folks think a goat is when they get sick they go down fast. I do mean in no time at some times. If you don't have on hand what is needed you are not going to have a fighting chance with the sick one sometimes. I am really enjoying the two I have and can't wait to add more but I am going to wait for the weather to at least get somewhat steady.

Oh well. I guess that is all I have to say for now. February was so bad there was nothing to write about except snow, wind, snow and more wind. I get sick of hearing my ownself in my head complaining. I am very ready to see some green grass and I am wondering if any of the flower bulbs have pushed up under the snow? We still and this is no exaggeration, have a foot of snow still in several places around. Me and Joey walked up on top of the mountain to check for his next trail camera spot and I couldn't believe some of the drifts still there. It was packed hard too. I really hope we will be able to do more this month. Then maybe I will have something good to say for a change. I hope you all stay well. God Bless. :)

I erased a whole post.

I can't (yes I can) believe I just erased a whole post. One of these days I will learn to be better at this computer stuff. :P I will repost it later. I have to get back to work. lol ~ Terry

For The Love Of February

All I can say at this point is "Wow, what a ride it has been this month". Snow and more snow that has no chance of leaving while waiting on yet another storm. We just got over a really bad wind event and I tell you I am not afraid to admit that it was quite spooky the other night.

When you live where we do and the wind reaches 60 mph on a mountain ridge in a old house that needs lots of love you get to thinking about the things you NEED to do when the spring rolls back around. I can say one thing about the snow pack we have; it most likely saved my roof from the wind storms by holding it down. I had went through the day getting things as prepared as possible. I covered the windows with sheets and blankets to help with the insulating factor. It was due to have -10 wind chills and I just didn't want to chance a mishap with a limb etc coming through the window.

The older I get the more paranoid I get. It used to be things like weather didn't bother me but it demands respect. Just before this storm came along I had had a problem with my blood pressure and a medicine that I was put on did not agree with me at all. I was in real bad shape and IF something had happened I would have been useless. The only thing I knew to do was get the animals fed and bedded as well as I could and IF the SHTF I was going to just get the family out and try to find a motel until either I recovered or the weather calmed to a dull roar. Anyway, I did what I could do and boy did I have several very close heart to heart talks with God. All through the day and night of the worst part of the wind I was listening for any cracks or crashes that needed close attention. It wasn't a pleasant affair by no means. By yesterday morning my nerves had more than a workout. Thanks to God, it all turned out ok. I spent some time yesterday morning giving thanks where thanks were due. I finally felt well enough to go and cut some more firewood. Mind you I wasn't tearing out the bone on that job but I took my time and got quite a bit more cut up. I also spent some time working on the goat pen that the new billy has investigated fully and found every weak spot that there is. All in all this month is turning into a list making month on things I HAVE to do this upcoming spring and summer. Just saying those two words help quite a lot.

Any Improvement Is A Plus

Slowly the snow and ice are still melting. Hard to believe just how long this stuff has hung around even in temperatures above 40 degrees. Now the problem is the mud which is almost as impassable as the snow is on this mountain. I need either a track loader or even better Bigfoot would be much more fun with ten foot tires.

I am really glad the days are getting longer even if it is a minute a day. A minute is a minute. I am looking forward to this spring and summer as to get some vegetables going and hope to put some more goats on the place. I know we have some unsettled time ahead of us but it has been years since we have had a winter like this. I guess you could say we were due one. The truth is, it was a harsh reminder of where I have been slacking and a true eye opener. If anything I certainly gained in that respect.

I hope things are going well for everyone out there and wish you all the best from the Ridge.

An Elusive Critter

Ahh. The work was all done for the day, supper fixed and settling down with the computer to read a book a friend has started.

A wonderful start to what I feel may come to publish in the future. I am lost back in the 1800 era traveling from Chapmanville, Virginia on my way to Denver, Colorado. My stagecoach is coming to rest in Missouri and then is when it happened!!

Something landed to the right side of the computer just visible by my peripheral vision. Of course my head snapped to that general area. Something was there. Followed shortly by Joey and a cat. All things just came to a halt except Joey getting some gloves on to catch this visitor.

When he brought it to me I have to admit that I was stunned at first. Then stunned gave way to shock I think. We were debating about what this thing was. It is funny because I am usually pretty good about all critters. I think the best way to describe how I was feeling would be to see a U.F.O. and then look at the one you are with and ask if you really just seen what you saw.

What we had IN our house to me was the equivalent of a U.F.O. I had heard of them but NEVER in 40 years seen one. I have spent alot of my life outdoors and this was like finding a relic from the past that my mind could not concieve.

Was it a rat? A bigger than usual mouse? A squirril? Ahh-Ha!!! It WAS a squirrel. A Southern Flying Squirril!!! I had NEVER had the pleasure of seeing one of these other than pictures. If I knew how to put pictures on this thing I would put a neat one from the internet on here. (I need computer 101) If you Google Flying Squirril there are some cute pictures of this VERY interesting creature.

Elusive Critter Part II

For instance, did you know these little things can glide the length of a football field from a starting point of only 100' high!! That is amazing to me. They ARE nocturnal therefore the big eyes. (that are cute too) Some scientists think that they can use some of their voice compared but NOT equal to a bats echolocation. They don't hear the same as bats though. They steer their glide with their tail. They do go dormant in the winter for several days at a time during bad weather. And another interesting thing is that they are mainly vegetarian but the will eat bird eggs, bugs, and even baby birds if they get hungry enough.

They are very common but isn't it interesting that hardly anyone EVER sees one? All in all I am glad to have met this little wonder of God. Now when I go out in the dark I can feel BIG beady eyes watching me and they probably entertain themselves watching us stumble around visually compromised.

Reminiscence - "Cross Cut Saw

While out (in 18 Degree windy weather) looking for the next tree for firewood, I remembered the little story about a two man crosscut saw that is in a utility trailer here. This saw was an object of much conflict in my grandparents lives. You see the boys use to get in huge arguements and even fights over that saw. A crosscut saw is NEVER to be leaned on to try to get it to cut faster. This was called "riding the saw." When you would lean on the saw it would make whoever was on the other handle work triple hard to get the teeth across the log. The leaner was of the mindset that the victim would never know. Just don't try that trick with someone experienced in this type work. The victim would usually say, "Lighten' up on your end; you're riding the saw." To which the "leaner" would reply, "You're crazy as hell." "There ain't nobody riding the saw." This exchange would continue until one of two if not both things would take place. The victim would walk away cussing with all the might left in their tired body or the victim would proceed to cuss, jump on the "leaner" to whip their sorry ass, or cuss, throw saw, whip ass and then walk away. (Ok, thats more than two things) These choices had many combinations but the result was the same. Someone was mad, someone else is hurt, and the wood ISN't cut!! Now when the wood isn't cut that brings in at least two more characters. The parents or the bosses you are cutting for. A bad day is being had by all involved.

Somewhere at my moms house is a picture of all the boys on my dads side of the family holding that evil saw. And there in the middle, just as if it were decades ago on some fall day, my grandfather is in the middle of his boys posing with that saw. The expressions on all their faces is unmistakeable. They all know too well just how much drama was attached to that steel blade with two well worn wooden handles.

All I can say is I am glad we have chainsaws now. I know if my two sons were using that crosscut saw I would hear, "Lighten up on your end; you're ridin' the saw."

Happy New Year!!!

I really hope this year will be wonderful to you, your family, and friends. I personally hope 2010 will be much better. I suppose the worst part of 2009 was adjusting to the loss of my father in 2008 right around Christmas. I had never felt such loss and even fear as I have this past year. I do know that he is in a much better place and has no more pain and the fact that such an independant person no longer has to depend on others or the very air that he had to have in a tank at the end. So to You DAD. You are missed but never will be forgotten. Thanks for all you did to take care of your family.

Well of course 2010 hasn't started out good as far as the weather goes. We had a snow storm of the likes we haven't seen around here since about 1985. The temperatures have only been out of the high 20s ONE time since 2009 and that was yesterday. It got to a blistering 37 degrees with a little snow kicked in last night. TODAY...... it is back to 15 degrees and appears to be staying that way until next week. We can't winn for losing it seems. Thank goodness for the woodstove. It is alot of work but, the heat just can't be beat. I skipped cutting wood yesterday because they were calling for up to 5-6 inches and digging wood out of the snow is no fun. (Yes, I do need a woodshed) I didn't make any resolutions because I am awful with that kind of stuff. I know what has to be done, I just have to work at it to get it accomplished.

I do plan on having a garden this year if all goes well. I really feel that people need to become more self reliant in their lifestyles. I can't predict the future, but things don't look so great. Any and all ways to save money and learn to take care of thierselves is highly suggested. We will just have to see how it goes.