Melanie Blocker Stokes and other things to think on

I have been getting a lot of emails regarding the Melanie Blocker Stokes Bill or the Mother's Bill or S. 324.

So I went and read it.

The bill itself, in it's wording, doesn't mandate that new mother's take a test so that their child can be released to them. But I do have issues with this bill. Any Government ran program that dictates a private sector and rewards them for doing exactly what they want, usually find us in a mandatory volunteer situation. Those of us that have been fighting NAIS know this from all of our struggles. The USDA had "bribed" or giving money to organization such as FFA and 4-H to promote and mandate the use of the chips.

Now you have a bill that on the surface reads quite helpful. We need to help mom's that are struggling with PPD. However some people think that women with PPD will kill their children. We just need one institute to feel this way before it becomes a mud slide. This agency or private hospital will receive more grant money to determine this, and another hospital will see this happening, and they will increase the pressure on their patients to comply with this study, thus receiving more grant money. Paranoid much?

In 1883 a Man by the name of Sir Francis Galton coined the phrase Eugenics, with the definition of “study of agencies under social control that may improve or impair the racial qualities of future generations, either physically or mentally.” Sir Francis was encouraged to follow in his uncle's footsteps and become a Doctor. He severally disliked the medical field, but studied it anyway, until he had a nervous break down. Once his father died he stopped attempting to become a doctor and became a mathematician. His study of eugenics was purely statistical.

Sir Francis believed that a wide range of human characteristics were inherited, including mental, physical, and moral traits. At the time Darwin had proven (or theorized) how man, despite his relative complexity as compared to plants and most animals, was still evolving. Because of this, Sir Francis reasoned that humans could be controlled and manipulated so that the next generation would be of higher stock. He concurred that “all creatures would agree that it was better to be healthy than sick, vigorous than weak, well-fitted than ill-fitted for their part in life; in short, that it was better to be good rather than bad specimens of their kind, whatever that kind might be. So with men.”


He gathered these "traits" in a questionnaire called the Record of Family Faculties. This questionnaire was sold to the general public at cost. If the public filled out the survey and returned it they were eligible to win 500 pounds prize money. The survey consisted of a variety of questions about themselves and their family over the three previous generations.

He also established an Anthropometric Laboratory at the International Health Exhibition in 1884. Nine thousand individuals volunteered.

In the 1908 publishing of Memories he writes that the objective of eugenics “is to check the birth rate of the unfit, instead of allowing them to come into being, though doomed in large numbers to perish prematurely. The second object is the improvement of the race by furthering the productivity of the fit by early marriages and healthful rearing of their children."

During the turn of the century Eugenics was at full speed. In 1914, some 30 states in the US had either created or restructured marriage laws. “Three-quarters of the statutes declared voidable the marriages of idiots and of the insane, and the rest restricted marriage among the unfit of various types, including the feeble minded and persons afflicted with venereal disease.”

by 1917 sixteen States had adopted sterilization laws. These laws were made possible by federal statues that gave states the power to sterilize a wide variety of people. These included criminals, epileptics, the insane, and the mentally ill in state institutions. Iowa went so far as to mandate the sterilization of twice-convicted sexual offenders, thrice-convicted other felons, and of anyone convicted just once of involvement in white slavery.

In the 1930's Howard Hale, a Candy store owner recalled how state sterilization authorities would literally round up whole “misfit” families. What was wrong with these families? They were on welfare.

In 1933 the Nazis's took eugenics and ran with it, thankfully altering the public thoughts on Eugenics.

What started out as a study, eventually turned into so much more.

Now I am not saying that this bill will become greater than what it is. There is a fear among women however that it will become the new eugenics. This bill is something that should be watched, and carefully scrutinized over.

Repost: How to Shear a Goat

I was asked about my masthead, so I thought now would be a good time to post about shearing. This post first appeared on my blog on 5/13/08.

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Meet Delilah

She is an Angora goat, and our host for today. You will need a goat for today's experiment. You will also need to wonder through your local farm store purchasing items such as bleed stop, sprayable iodine and bandages. Try not to look frighten as you give these items to the cashier, she/he might think you are up to something. And a nervous giggle is something you should avoid as well boys and girls. Cashier's are able to give you the evil eye without lifting their heads, it's spooky.

Now that you have your wound care, and your goat, you need a pair of shears. For educational purposes only, we have gone the route of manual shears.

Purchasing a goat wrangler comes in handy as well. Look around, it is worth it to find one to your specific likings.

The floor of your barn should be clean, no mud of straw to get into the wool. But for this experiment, we will forgo the sterile room.

Many people and books tell you the once they are on their backs, they are passive. This is not true. Goats will spit and buck while on their backs. Just a gentle holding down of the horns to keep their heads from moving seems to be much better then some of the other techniques I have read and seen.

Starting on the front right shoulder, you cut as close as is comfortable for you. The book I have said to flip the animals back and forth, going from right to left and back again. This however, boys and girls, doesn't seem to work for these goats, for as soon as you attempt to roll them, they attempt to get up on their feet and run away.

Just curious. But, does this goat make my butt look big?

Sometimes your Angora wrangler is done for the day, even if the job isn't. It then falls on you to do the rest of the shearing. Not to worry boys and girls. The goat isn't being sat on, merely straddled into compliance. (I wonder what kind of google hits I will get from that statement)

When your goat is down, now is the time to trim hooves and look for any problems. This goat shows signs of neglect from previous owners. We are in the process of fixing that.
This goat is also pregnant, that or she has an alien about ready to burst from her stomach.

I know, I know, this was horrible. We did a bad job with the shearing, but it is our first time. We will hopefully get better as time goes on.

NO goats were hurt in the making of this post. just our pride.

Random bits of what's left of my sanity

Sorry about my little rant yesterday. Sometimes you just have to get something off your chest. I was already a little moody, as I was talking about my father and his hospice roommate with another blogger yesterday. I was sadden by the memories, and all those lonely vets in the VA Hospice. And then I heard some very vile things spewing out of so called journalists mouths. One of them I thought, she might not understand what she is actually saying, not realizing that she is referring to the protesters in a sexually derogatory term. But I realized very quickly that this was her own protest. I became personally insulted at that point. Other people kids.

I went outside and spent a little time with Courage. I realize that all the calves I have been around are super curious, but Courage is something else. She is brave as well. She is willing to walk up to me, even with Murrial's protests. Courage follows me around, and this makes Murrial anxious. She isn't as welcoming as a long time handled cow, Murrial still has issues with me, but as long as I bring her a treat, she will allow me to be near her and her daughter. She did tag me the other day. I was scratching Murrial's head, and I guess she decided that was enough as she was out of treats and attempted to butt me. She slid in the mud, so the impact wasn't as painful as it could have been. It was also into the palm of my hand, it hurt my shoulder. My yell of disbelief, startled her, and she didn't know what to do after that.

Courage taking her first steps

I have been looking into inexpensive ways to build out building on the farmstead. I think I would like to build my ice house out of used tires. I am trying to convince my husband to allow me to experiment a bit, and build a new goat house out of the used tire technique. This will at least give me a structural idea as well as climate control. Of course one side will be open, no door. But if the interrior still stays cooler than normal shade, I might have something. Has anyone ever done anything with used tires? I guess I should say, built a structure with used tires.

I dreamed about foxes again last night. I am so paranoid about putting the little chickens outside because of that fox. We can't seem to get rid of it, and I don't want to lose more birds to it. The good neighbor has lost so many, he is just a tad angry about it.

I was offered a Miniature donkey yesterday. It hasn't even been born yet, but I don't think they are wanting to train it, and that's why I got the offer. I will not be taking on more animals until I am out at the farmstead. I am out of room here.

Spring cleaning begins today. Not just the packing up this and that, but full blown cleaning. I made a deal with my husband last night. Let's just day that I never have to be dragged to another one of his family outings again. I love my husband, and not sure how he turned out the way he has in the family he was dealt. But after 13 years of trying to be part of that family and still being viewed as the whore he knocked up and the relationship is only temporary, I kind of give up. Believe me, I am thrilled about this deal. It makes life seem so much more pleasant. That sounded mean, didn't it?

The bees are out in full force. Swarming the dandelions. My tulips haven't bloomed yet, so they are making do. I love it! I get very excited to see them zoom passed my head. I have to remind the boys that they have to wear shoes, we don't want them stepping on the bees again this year. Unfortunately one of my hive seems dead. I will leave it be for now, as my mother's bees seemed to leave in the winter and then return. Good neighbor's hive seems to be dead as well. We will give them time to return.

Spring is good.

Want to see me angry?

Stick a CNN reporter in my face asking asinine questions and interrupting me when I have a point to make.

I have been watching the coverage of the TEA parties, and I must say that yes, there are some anti- Obama people out there, but CNN seems to be "every one is stupid but us." I am sorry but I can not trust a news agency that has to bash another news agency on every other story. I am tired of their opinions. Not just CNN but others as well. I want the news, factual news when I turn on a news network. I don't want every single reporter to go running off at the mouth.

I Am an independent. I have almost always voted democratic. (except this last round, which I voted 3rd party) Do not lump all of us that are angry and tired of being shoved around by a government that is suppose to be working for us, as anti American, as ignorant, as terrorists.

I use to watch CNN. But the more they find a way to blame everyone except the person that is truly at fault, the less I watch, and today, today I find myself over them. They need to be actual reporters and stop pushing their beliefs. I don't push, I don't shove.

Apparently if you disagree with the government, homeland security calls you a potential terrorist. If you disagree with the government then the media calls you anti-government, paranoid, backwoods hick. Why can't I just be tired of being bullied? Why can't I be considered an American?

There ya go. I have called myself out. I disagree with a lot of the things that the government is doing! I wanted Ron Paul for President. I am not a vet, but was raised by one. I will write to you all from my jail cell.

Yes, this is me angry. At the time I write this, I still have the right to free speech, and have not physically threatened any one.

Rant over.

An Email from the OCA

President Obama announced on March 14th the creation of a White House Food Safety Working Group to improve and coordinate the governments approach to the nationwide food safety crisis. Included in President Obama's short-list of working groups members is Michael Taylor, a former Monsanto executive who has a long history of lobbying for Monsanto and fast tracking Monsanto's controversial rBGH while at the Food and Drug Administration. Taylor is a case study of the "revolving door," having worked within the USDA and FDA, as well as Monsanto.

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If you wish to send a letter, the Organic Consumers Association has made it easier for you, click here.

This is all we need now. . .

And the Story Goes

Yesterday I was waiting for a load of laundry to finish washing, and promptly fell asleep on the couch. I got an hour in, before Large came home from school and woke me with just the mere presents in the living room. I sat up and looked at the time, I had 20 minutes before I had to go out and wait on Small. I sat there a moment, attempting to find my equilibrium, before standing and stretching. I looked out the window and there seemed to be a dog laying on the ground under Murrial's feet. Wait, no. . . calf. Large, Murrial had her calf! Really? He isn't as thrilled as I am. So I asked if he would go out a watch for Small while I went out to the field. He did.

I walked out and found the little one still gasping for air. Bubbles were spilling out of her nose. She was only a few minutes old, and laying in a puddle of mud and water. I wiped her nose with my hand, clearing a little of the remaining mucus while Murrial (who isn't suffering from PPD, ha!) chewed on some of the milking treats I brought her. I brought those out to her so she wouldn't push me to the ground. I then took a few pictures and thought about what to do. The wee one should be trying to stand soon, and that will get her out of the mud, but she was cold. I walked back into the house and called my husband.

"Congrats!, you have a daughter!" He was excited and cursed in his pleased biker manner. I asked him if I should go ahead and try to pick her up. He said to try and coax her out. I then called my good neighbor to see if he was around to help me if need be. He was out buying some goats.

I took the towel out and as I approached, she was taking her first steps. Then Sammy decided to celebrate by screaming and running then kicking up her heels very close to Murrial and Courage. Scaring Murrial and calf. Murrial took off, with Courage trying to keep her knobby knees from collapsing, following behind. At least she was now out of the mud. oops, I spoke too soon.

Murrial decided to lead Courage to the corrals. They have been flooded all week, and Courage immediately was stuck in the mud. She hadn't the strength yet to get out on her own. Now it was time to put my Popeye arms to work. I scooped her up, and carried her into the pen. She has to weigh 40-45 lbs easily. I made it to the pen, but don't think I could have made it any further than that.

Murrial was confused, she was on the wrong side, then she was ticked because Mama was all over the new one. I went to coax Murrial to the other side with a little clapping (which is something I do to call the cows in) She followed, but Mama saw the gate open and took off. Just lost that day's milk. ~sigh~ I got Murrial over, and she checked on Courage. Seeing that all was well she grazed a bit. I was covered in mud and cow slime, but took the opportunity to dry Courage off. Once I had finished with that, Courage decided to follow me around. I got her back over to where Murrial was eating, and stepped back, hoping that some nursing action would happen.

With her belly full, Courage laid down, and I went back into the house to get dinner started. That's when the good neighbor showed up, bringing gifts of apples and eggs. I walked out with him, and showed him our new calf. I think he is in love with Murrial, "she is some good lookin' cow" he says every time.

Shortly there after, husband arrived home. And we once again walked out to see Courage. He gave her a good rub down, while I checked again to make sure that she was really a she.

I have yet to be out this morning, as it is only now becoming light out. The other calves haven't met Courage yet, I will give her a few days to get her strength up before that happens.

On the name game. Murrial is the name of the woman on the cartoon, Courage the Cowardly Dog. And they live in Nowhere Kansas. We thought it was perfect. If Courage had been a bull, he would have been named Eustace.

I have. . . I can't. . . oh my

It's a girl!

Everyone welcome the newest player in my little drama,

Courage.

I will tell you more tomorrow.
(no worries I got her dried off and out of the mud)

I'd say she was a home schooled cow

First I want to say thank you to Be A Survivor. He was some very loyal readers. Yesterday he made a short post which included my blog, and it seems like all his readers paid me a visit. Welcome Readers!

Now is a good time as any, since it is slow here and all that. I need my readers help. Some of you just got your wish.

I will be homeschooling next year.

I can hear the gasp, the applause, and you, stop shaking your head. I am still uneasy about it. But I did have to take my kids into consideration. It is a 2 hour bus ride one way to school every day. A 45 minute ride by car. That is a huge chunk of time to be riding around, and being off property. The boys would have to be up by 4 am, down the 1/2 mile driveway and waiting for the bus by 5 am. There is another family down the road, maybe a little less than 2 miles if you add in the drive way, that home schooled. (Mom asked me how I know that, It was a Monday afternoon and there where 5 kids of all different ages running around the yard) Plus most of our neighbors home school as well, the Mennonites out there do. I think it is only the ranchers that send their kids off, if I remember correctly.

So here is your chance to fill me full of info about homeschooling. Just please, no super derogatory remarks about the public school system or people that place their kids in public schools. Every one has a different experiences with them. I really like the school system here, and the boys school out there is one of the best in the country. Thank you.

We are now officially on Calf watch '09. Murrial's due date is the 17th. Even my husband's boss (who hasn't seen Murrial) is excited. She says she feels like an aunt or something. It is always cause for great celebration around here when a wee one comes into the world. Hope you guys are prepared for all the baby photos that will be flying around here. And all the gratuitous udder shots as Murrial gets her first ever human milking!

Guess some background is quickly need for the new readers. Murrial is our newest milking cow. She is an American Milking short horn. At 4 years old, she was a breeder, and never handled by people. Click the tag cattle and dairy and you will get all the sorted stories about her and my Long Legged Kerries (aka Dexters)

Are you holding out on me?

We got almost 3 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Why yes, things are slightly flooded out there.

My horse neighbor is back from Iraq. I am happy to see him return safely. It is always a finger nail biting time when he is deployed. Luckily he is usually back within 2 weeks. But he is sent over so often.

Easter was pleasant. We took a long lazy raining afternoon and ran with it. Saturday I was forced to attend my husband's family's Easter Party. I rather shovel cow manure all day in 100F+ weather. Easter Sunday, my boys got up, happy to see that a bunny had brought them each a book, hunted down some plastic eggs, got sugar rushes, all while I made breakfast. Fresh sausage from Mrs. Meat, homemade biscuits and hashbrowns with homemade butter and milk. For dinner we did the usual pork loin in apples and cream, Au gratin potatoes, green beans and rolls with butter. And a wonderful Boston Cream pie (my oldest son and I were out voted). Hope everyone else had a pleasant Sunday.

I have noticed, when some one mentions the word prepper, people seem to automatically think Survivalist, and then think of the Uni-bomber. Well, I have officially donned that scarlet letter, and am now writing for Kansas Preppers Network. It really isn't different from Homesteading. Homesteaders prepare for winter. That's what we do. But preppers prepare for just about anything. If you are curious, go take a look at the Kansas Preppers Network, and then, from there, you can find a network for your own State. We might not all agree on the politics, but there is a lot of things to learn and to incorporate into your daily homesteading lives. Excuse me while I go sew my letter onto all my garments.

I also received an award! This had me giggling.

"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all..."

Thank you Melonie!

The 5 I would like to pass this on to shall be:

Hermit Jim
Scarecrow's Garden
My Freezer is Full
MommyMommyland
Adventures in 100 acre Wood