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.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, November 5, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
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.
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.
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