Last night was gorgeous. I made up my list and felt weight lifted when I could see everything down on paper, and a descent time line created. My husband welded a tractor piece for our Good Neighbor, and the neighbor across the way came over to cook us some good ole Cajun campfire cuisine.
It was around 1030 pm. My youngest was asleep, and the older two deciding that it was summer that they should get to stay up. I didn't have a problem with that as long as they can get up to do morning chores. My husband was out in the garage working on a motorcycle and the neighbor from across the way was burning up one of my stainless steel stew pots on an open flame. I was checking the local news, more importantly the weather. After what seems like months of rain every night, we hadn't had a drop in four days. I had the sprinkler going in the garden, and according to the news, it was going to be another humid, dry night.
WHUMP
The house moved.
WHUMP
Things fell off the walls. Lights flickered then went out. My two boys hollering through the house. "what's going on?" and the youngest of the two, "black out!" I told the oldest to get the flashlight, and I walked around lighting candles. Our weather radio ceased to work, and I took the flashlight out to see what my husband and my neighbor from across the way was doing.
I found the in the garage, my husband working on the motorcycle by flashlight, the neighbor watching. What happened, I asked. "A transformer must have blown somewhere." My husband informed me. "Did you feel that wind? " The neighbor asked. I headed out to the car to turn on the radio. Lightening was filling the sky. No one was talking about what had just happened, and no one was talking about the storm I could clearly see was heading our way.
After a bit, my husband decided to head off to bed, the neighbor wondered home, and I stayed up watching the children draw by candle light. Soon those two went off to bed, and around 1 am the lights flickered back on. I quickly turned it to the local channel. The storm had yet to arrive. The weather man was slightly energetic, we get us to seeing them like that when really good action type storms emerged. Nothing was said about the wind that had moved my home, but this storm had taken a sharp turn and was heading right toward us. He was excited, reports of electrical lines falling across two separate and major highways. 60+mph winds, and hail was coming for us. I watched and waited for another hour. The rain began to fall and then,
WHUMP
the house moved.
WHUMP
more things fell. Then the lights flickered and were out. The house continued to move in the wind. Visions of the neighbors cars landing on my house filled my head, good thing I am insured for such things. Lightening was constant, thunder shook the ground and hurt your ears.
WHUMP
the house moved.
WHUMP
more things fell.
I finally gave up and went to sleep. Power has been back on for only 2 1/2 hours at this posting. My husband late for work. Neighbors trash that was to be picked up today covers my yard, and the cattle wait for me in the goat pen. Today is a gorgeous day. Everything is green and the air is moist and cool.
And today I take a rode trip with my mother. Fellow blogger Whirled, is opening a fiber shop 2 hours north of me. We are going up. It should be a grand day.
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Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
There's Sauce in here somewhere.
I did not sleep too well last night. My mind wouldn't stop working, thoughts about this un that kept racing through. Some where playing tag, while other's were shoving other's out of they way so that they could have the spotlight. And some of these bothersome were nothing I really had control over. I stayed up too late because of this. After I had spent a good hour not able to sleep, I tried to catch up blogs (some that are listed on my sidebar, which rotates, some that I have bookmarked, and some on a feed reader) I became annoyed when I wasn't able to leave comments on all the blogs, then another blogger disgusted me on how much of a media hog this blogger was. Once upon a time this blogger wasn't like that. I was also told that I was no longer relevant twice yesterday, by two different people.
I read over raw milk issues. Looked at pictures of peoples canned goods, and caught up on the latest bee news. Sighed and shook my head over how many people were willing to behave like sheep if they thought an idea would save the world. Then around 2 am decided to lay down again.
Thoughts about chickens, and if my cows were going to kill me, rushed through my head. Worry about how am I going to get Firefly, the real donkey home. Thoughts about all the flooding and crop damage, and how this could effect me, nagged and nagged. I was raised in a home that taught about a middle class uprising, of course this is after the middle class has been squeezed out and no longer exist. Some of those predictions that I heard around a table full of guests are coming to be. But no matter if what my strange table fellows might have said, this winter doesn't look to be promising. And it would be smart to prepare.
Welcome to the overwhelming part of homesteading.
mommymommyland had a post for me, called weekly trials, in response to my funk filled posted a bit back. This is not one of those post. I appreciated her post outlining everything she had gone through, and of course it helped in it's way. But this one, today's post is about one part of homesteading that very few people are able to avoid.
When does this homesteading life become too much?
Of course each personal answer will be different. Some will only be able to care for a few chickens and have a kitchen garden. While other's are able to make a complete living off of everything they do on the land. But once and awhile more than just doubts will fill our pretty little heads. Silly things will creep in and bother us, as the examples I have given above. I try to shake them off and start a new day. But with one look out my window at my garden, the first cock-a-doodle-do, and the first demanding noises that I have yet to feed goats and cows, feels a little like dread. Too much, too much
Horseradish sauce
a small amount of fresh horseradish should be washed and peeled, then ground up. Add just enough vinegar to moisten, and a pinch of salt. Add 1 cup sour cream to every 1/3 cup ground horseradish. Add salt, pepper and sugar to taste and 1/2 tsp caraway seed. Peel and finely shred 1 medium apple to one cup of sauce.
Or is it too much? When things become burdensome and overwhelming, it is time to sit down and reevaluate your situation. Lets' take a look, shall we?
The Neophyte Homestead is behind on their work, because of 1. Husband has taken a second job on Saturdays, and B. wife is the only one trying to keep up with all the chores. One person doing the majority of the work is difficult to say the least. My list of chores are long and boring, so we won't bother you with them. But even during the chores, projects that must be done now pop up. That's why when you are taking a leisurely drive in the country you'll see a woman laying out in a field in the fetal position weeping hysterically. Or another throwing feed buckets at the cows and screaming vulgarities at them.
So today that I might sleep tonight, I will sit down and go over a written, detailed ridden, list of all that must be done. Then break it down to a simpler way of doing these things, so that it doesn't overwhelm me and I don't end up calling cows dirty names.
I read over raw milk issues. Looked at pictures of peoples canned goods, and caught up on the latest bee news. Sighed and shook my head over how many people were willing to behave like sheep if they thought an idea would save the world. Then around 2 am decided to lay down again.
Thoughts about chickens, and if my cows were going to kill me, rushed through my head. Worry about how am I going to get Firefly, the real donkey home. Thoughts about all the flooding and crop damage, and how this could effect me, nagged and nagged. I was raised in a home that taught about a middle class uprising, of course this is after the middle class has been squeezed out and no longer exist. Some of those predictions that I heard around a table full of guests are coming to be. But no matter if what my strange table fellows might have said, this winter doesn't look to be promising. And it would be smart to prepare.
Welcome to the overwhelming part of homesteading.
mommymommyland had a post for me, called weekly trials, in response to my funk filled posted a bit back. This is not one of those post. I appreciated her post outlining everything she had gone through, and of course it helped in it's way. But this one, today's post is about one part of homesteading that very few people are able to avoid.
When does this homesteading life become too much?
Of course each personal answer will be different. Some will only be able to care for a few chickens and have a kitchen garden. While other's are able to make a complete living off of everything they do on the land. But once and awhile more than just doubts will fill our pretty little heads. Silly things will creep in and bother us, as the examples I have given above. I try to shake them off and start a new day. But with one look out my window at my garden, the first cock-a-doodle-do, and the first demanding noises that I have yet to feed goats and cows, feels a little like dread. Too much, too much
Horseradish sauce
a small amount of fresh horseradish should be washed and peeled, then ground up. Add just enough vinegar to moisten, and a pinch of salt. Add 1 cup sour cream to every 1/3 cup ground horseradish. Add salt, pepper and sugar to taste and 1/2 tsp caraway seed. Peel and finely shred 1 medium apple to one cup of sauce.
Or is it too much? When things become burdensome and overwhelming, it is time to sit down and reevaluate your situation. Lets' take a look, shall we?
The Neophyte Homestead is behind on their work, because of 1. Husband has taken a second job on Saturdays, and B. wife is the only one trying to keep up with all the chores. One person doing the majority of the work is difficult to say the least. My list of chores are long and boring, so we won't bother you with them. But even during the chores, projects that must be done now pop up. That's why when you are taking a leisurely drive in the country you'll see a woman laying out in a field in the fetal position weeping hysterically. Or another throwing feed buckets at the cows and screaming vulgarities at them.
So today that I might sleep tonight, I will sit down and go over a written, detailed ridden, list of all that must be done. Then break it down to a simpler way of doing these things, so that it doesn't overwhelm me and I don't end up calling cows dirty names.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
One way or another, I'm goinna find you...
Don't like O.N. John? How about some Blondie?
I have been waiting and waiting for my order of Wyndottes. Because of the flooding it will be another week before they get here.
We have a new critter on the homestead. Her name is Buckets and she is a Bull Mastiff. We are only suppose to be babysitting her until my brother can move out from Colorado. Long story...and he's flaky. So Buckets will find a long term home with us.
She is very gentle, but doesn't like men with hats (We can dance if we want to, leave our fears behind). We are thinking about placing a sign on our gate that asks visitors to remove their hats before entering. My 4 year old and her are already best friends. This is scary because, my 4 year old has no fear, a high pain tolerance and a hard head. He is the one I worry most about, the two of them will be trouble. Although I think she will keep him out of danger, she is a scary dog to see. Last night my 4 year old and Buckets were curled up on the floor, she larger then him, and he used her as a pillow.
We were concerned about how our pack would react to her. We allowed our 9 year old dog, link, to meet her first. He bit her butt as she ran to catch her stick. She paid him no attention. Our 2 year old Staffordshire however was ready for a fight through the back door, that was until she realized he Buckets was twice her size. Now the Staffy, ya-ya, is acting like a puppy trying to get the approval of the grown-up dog. She is no longer the alpha female of the house. (I will get you guys a photo of her tonight) Buckets is spooked by the cows, but not aggressive. They are the first things she has seen bigger then herself. Toads however freak her out. She jumps just as high as they do when the hop. And she is obsessed with playing fetch. I had to force my 4 year old to stop throwing her the stick, she was getting tired and too hot, but wouldn't stop on her own.
Since you seemed to like my strawberry syrup so much, tomorrow I will bring you another one.
I have been waiting and waiting for my order of Wyndottes. Because of the flooding it will be another week before they get here.
We have a new critter on the homestead. Her name is Buckets and she is a Bull Mastiff. We are only suppose to be babysitting her until my brother can move out from Colorado. Long story...and he's flaky. So Buckets will find a long term home with us.
She is very gentle, but doesn't like men with hats (We can dance if we want to, leave our fears behind). We are thinking about placing a sign on our gate that asks visitors to remove their hats before entering. My 4 year old and her are already best friends. This is scary because, my 4 year old has no fear, a high pain tolerance and a hard head. He is the one I worry most about, the two of them will be trouble. Although I think she will keep him out of danger, she is a scary dog to see. Last night my 4 year old and Buckets were curled up on the floor, she larger then him, and he used her as a pillow.
We were concerned about how our pack would react to her. We allowed our 9 year old dog, link, to meet her first. He bit her butt as she ran to catch her stick. She paid him no attention. Our 2 year old Staffordshire however was ready for a fight through the back door, that was until she realized he Buckets was twice her size. Now the Staffy, ya-ya, is acting like a puppy trying to get the approval of the grown-up dog. She is no longer the alpha female of the house. (I will get you guys a photo of her tonight) Buckets is spooked by the cows, but not aggressive. They are the first things she has seen bigger then herself. Toads however freak her out. She jumps just as high as they do when the hop. And she is obsessed with playing fetch. I had to force my 4 year old to stop throwing her the stick, she was getting tired and too hot, but wouldn't stop on her own.
Since you seemed to like my strawberry syrup so much, tomorrow I will bring you another one.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
We need to talk
It's not me, it's you. I mean, it's not you it's that other person. no,no. I have never broken up with anyone before, good thing I still don't have to.
What do I mean by we need to talk? I have mentioned this many times, but talking to other's about homesteading in a non lectury way can get you a good score. Yes, some people will look at you oddly, but I find that if you don't actually say homesteading and talk about an up coming project in that just making small talk sort of way, someone might just have something they want to give you.
Example;
Sunday I was at the local grocer and on the bulletin board was a flyer for canning jars. a dozen for $2, it read. in my head I am thinking SCORE! I brought the number home and called my mother and told her. She said make an appointment with them and we would go the next day. I decided to wait until the next day to call.
Monday morning my mother calls. She said she was talking to a woman and said that she wouldn't be there until later because of this jar buying adventure. The woman said don't buy jars! Turns out she has and attic full, and a bunch in the garage and a pressure canner she will give (I said give) to us.
SCORE!
Now for that sweatband, I was thinking neon pink with skulls and cross bones.
What do I mean by we need to talk? I have mentioned this many times, but talking to other's about homesteading in a non lectury way can get you a good score. Yes, some people will look at you oddly, but I find that if you don't actually say homesteading and talk about an up coming project in that just making small talk sort of way, someone might just have something they want to give you.
Example;
Sunday I was at the local grocer and on the bulletin board was a flyer for canning jars. a dozen for $2, it read. in my head I am thinking SCORE! I brought the number home and called my mother and told her. She said make an appointment with them and we would go the next day. I decided to wait until the next day to call.
Monday morning my mother calls. She said she was talking to a woman and said that she wouldn't be there until later because of this jar buying adventure. The woman said don't buy jars! Turns out she has and attic full, and a bunch in the garage and a pressure canner she will give (I said give) to us.
SCORE!
Now for that sweatband, I was thinking neon pink with skulls and cross bones.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Let's get physical, physical. I waaaannnnaaa get...
I have made a crucial decision in my homesteading life. I know that some of you might find this hard to swallow. And you will leave me comment or emails like "NNNNOOOOO! You can't!" But this is something that I have thought over and decided it would be best.
I am bringing back the sweatband.
I know, total 80's. But as I was in the garden yesterday, sweat was dripping into my eyes. It must be done, I can no longer do this without one. I really don't want to upset anyone.
The garden is doing rather well for all the flooding that has happened here. My tomato leaves have a little yellow on them, but we are entering summer in Kansas. July will be ok, but August. Listen if you ever want to come visit the yellow brick road, don't come here in August. And if this is your first year here is Kansas, might I suggest a summer vacation during that month. No one should suffer August in Kansas. Well, that was a tad off subject. I need to tie the leaves up over the cauliflower that is coming in, we want to keep it from getting a sunburn. Everything else seems to be doing just fine, except for my melons. They were constantly flooded for almost a full month, only 5 out of 300 made it. Not good odds.
Now, to go find me a sweatband.
I am bringing back the sweatband.
I know, total 80's. But as I was in the garden yesterday, sweat was dripping into my eyes. It must be done, I can no longer do this without one. I really don't want to upset anyone.
The garden is doing rather well for all the flooding that has happened here. My tomato leaves have a little yellow on them, but we are entering summer in Kansas. July will be ok, but August. Listen if you ever want to come visit the yellow brick road, don't come here in August. And if this is your first year here is Kansas, might I suggest a summer vacation during that month. No one should suffer August in Kansas. Well, that was a tad off subject. I need to tie the leaves up over the cauliflower that is coming in, we want to keep it from getting a sunburn. Everything else seems to be doing just fine, except for my melons. They were constantly flooded for almost a full month, only 5 out of 300 made it. Not good odds.
Now, to go find me a sweatband.
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