My apologies

My apologies to those of you that comment under anonymous. I have had to block them.

The spam is getting out of control. I have things set so that you could post freely on my most recent posts. Blogger is doing a horrible job filtering lately. I find myself trying to wade through about 100 comments every morning. Trying to find the real ones.

If I filter so that every comment must be approved by me first, well that will take up way too much time, and no comments would ever show up.

All the time in the world, all the time

I just love that twilight zone episode. And I know many of my bibliophilic friends do as well.  You are all alone in the world, with everything you have ever wanted, and then one thing happens, like your glasses break, and now you have nothing. You are surrounded by your passion yet you can not do anything with it.

There are days I feel like that. 

I am surrounded by livestock, soil, trees, and yet there is very little I can actually do about it. So I have been following links around the Interweb. Reading blogs that you like, and I have never given time to. Some of them are odd, and now I understand why you like me. But one of the most common posts I have been seeing is that so many people know what the meaning of life is, or what should make everyone on the planet happy. I feel a bit harsh when I think, well aren't we full of ourselves.

It's like the twilight zone episode. Books made this man happy. It's all he ever wanted. He yearned to be left alone, to be able to devour the books he held in such esteem. Yet how many people would actually want this? To only have books for companionship? Only a few of us hard core junkies. The man was a hermit, reluctantly doing expected mundane chores to appease society and a wife he loathed. 

Most of us do that, mundane chores, that's just part of being a civilized society. It's how we can function en masse. It's how we stay healthy with sanitary issues, and just makes things smoother. I know, it sucks. Yet we all have that one silly little hobby that thrills us, that keeps us sane. And no blogger, or writer will ever be able to nail it down for you. They can guess that because you are reading their words, that your dreams are shared with theirs. This is far from correct. I know for a fact that many of you don't read this blog because you yearn to be self sufficient. Some read because I write to you alone, some read because you have the same twisted sense of humor and rebellion as what I ply over these pages, some read because they like chickens or other livestock, some read because it's like watching a car wreck happen ever so slowly, some are my close friends, some we are just getting to know, some are family, and one reads to get dirt on me and hopes with all her heart that my life is more cumbersome than her's. Now how am I going to tell you how your life should be? What it all means? When there is never one truth? 

What I can tell you is that my life is most fulfilling when I take risks. Not just adrenalin junkie things, like any one that has been to Gulf Breeze, Florida, yep I jumped off the levels under the bridge. Stepping out into the abyss and allowing it to swallow you. Of course it can hurt at first, but the risks are, in the end, usually worth it. I have fond memories of a childhood visit to Pensacola and Gulf Breeze, I remember the risks, and smacking into Henry Rollins, much more than the normal times. Husband is more grounded than I am. He calculates risks before jumping. Yet we don't butt heads. 

Our meaning to life is broadly different. We do have the same wants and needs, we have similar thrills. We have been in teenage like love for 17 years, yet we are different. You are different, and I adore that about people. 

And that in its entirety is what I feel would make my life fulfilled, taking risks and filling my life with adorable people. So thank you. Thank you for reminding me that I am never alone. That the reason I am here, is so that I can know you and share our joys and sorrows together. (Oh and the meaning to life is simple syrup, just so you all know.) 

We should be visiting Kentucky very very soon.

Growing up in Tornado Alley

I grew up in the Peach Capital of the World. Turns out that it is in Kansas, not Georgia. But the Peaches are all gone now. The orchards were wiped out when I was a preteen. A mile wide f-5 (way before they started adding the E) took out all those wonderful trees. It tracked through our town, missing my home by only a few houses, hitting our Air Force base and flattening another small town. 

We watched it form, we watched it descend over our Rodeo grounds. We all ran home. No one I knew was killed that year, but so many of their homes were destroyed. We rode our bikes, gathering friends from their homes, checking in with each other. 

I remember the sound from that storm much more than the plethora of other, smaller tornadoes that I have been through. A freight train was coming through our living room. 

Every year the Peach Capital of the World would hold its collective breath and watch the tornadoes form and drop just outside of our small, somewhat suburban, town. We all grew up knowing what signs to look for, when to take cover, where to take cover depending on where we were at the time, where to meet family after the storm if we were separated. Every spring, and even today, tornado prep, survival and aftermath was a practiced ritual. We knew they were coming. And yet we lived our lives without the constant anxiety that people living outside of tornado alley come to believe we live with. 

Our children can tell the difference between a slc and a supercell. SLC stands for scary looking cloud and are very similar to the looks of a wall cloud. 

Rarely does a tornado catch a community unaware. Unlike other natural disasters. 

But when something like my F-5 or Moore's EF-4 comes through the center of your town, there isn't much you can do but pray. The saying "there are no atheists in a fox hole" is said about towns that live in tornado alley. Ritual makes it easier to deal with. 

Moore, Ok is devastating. Just looking at the pictures reminds me of my risks. I believe I read once that Kansas has on average 211 tornadoes every year. Most taking place between March through June. And the majority creates little property damage and no injuries. 

With social media, these pictures suddenly take on a more personal tone. Even if you don't live in a tornado prone area. It's easier to check in with family and friends. And watching feeds, seems to create even more anxiety among those outside of the fly over States. Please remember the power is out, and loved ones will check in when they are able. Optimism is they only way we can persevere during these times. 

At the top of my page is a link to The Downed Bikers. I belong to their FB newsfeed. Yesterday and this morning it has been heart wrenching watching the members post to the page. Names of children that have been found, but parents are missing, pleas from parents for their children, members calling out other members names hoping they will check in. Not all have yet. The group in based out of OKC, many of the members have been affected.  

My F-5 happened before I met Husband. He was caught in the storm. He hugged the tank of his motorcycle as he watched the tornado hit the Air Force base's hospital. Ripping it apart.  Year after year we watch the devastation of these awesome storms. Grateful for our survival and hopeful for that town. 

Our thoughts today here at the Neophyte homestead are of understanding, love, and heart ache. Those of us that grew up in the heart of tornado alley will all feel the same way. We know. We will banned together and help were possible. We morn with you, we celebrate with you. Our stomachs in knots as we watch the death tolls, and our hearts yearn for news of those missing. 

As much as I love the storms of Kansas, it's different when they actually destroy a town.  Or a home. Storm chasing is an amazing thrill. Watching them form never grows old. Tornado in a field is awe inspiring, but devastating in a populated area.  As you all know. 

Normally I don't comment on these things. But I have been seeing articles coming out of the coasts, belittling those of us that stay in tornado alley. And I want the Midwest to know, that even though I am leaving, my heart stays in tornado alley. It is home.

All my love to you.

I leave you with some photos from my childhood.

I'm Fine

Turkey dinner turned out wonderfully!  We ate him Saturday night with some amazing friends. I cooked him three different ways.

First was half a breast, soaked overnight in apple juice; I brine all my turkey in apple juice. lightly salted, slices of peaches, that had been soaking in white wine. Wrapped tightly in tin foil and cooked in a rotisserie basket over a camp fire for two hours.  

Second half breast was also wrapped on tin foil, in a rotisserie, over an open camp fire for two hours. But was seasoned with several types of dried peppers, sweet, mild, warm, hot and peppercorns. With some butter, lemon slices and green beans.

Third was the dark meat. I thought long and hard about how to make dark meat spring-like in flavor. This isn't easy, dark meat compliments fall and winter favors. So I used my Dutch oven, buried in the coals of the camp fire to cook it. I cut the meat into bite sized pieces, layered with Italian sausage. On top of that I placed white rice and mushrooms. I poured some red onion soup over the entire mess, and threw several hands full of spinach on the top. I cooked it for an hour in the coals, removed it, and allowed it to finish off fire, I forgot the sprinkling of a hefty serving of white cheese, asiago, over the top to melt before eatin' time. 

We had a great time hanging out and talking. Had Large's girlfriend's mother over as well.

Sunday as Husband and I lounged about, storms popped up. We had an EF-1 (so a small one) hit a few miles south of us. We merely enjoyed the thunder that shook the house and the rain that plummeted down. We are informed that tonight should be worse. I don't mind too much, as long as no one gets hurt. I will enjoy my last Kansas storm season with zest! 

Green Breast Disease

I am sure the title invokes one of Captain Kirk's girlfriends when heard. Ok, maybe that's just me.  

Last night we butchered our Tom. In one side of his breast, there was what appeared to be a bullet wound, coming from the inside out. Of course anything out of the ordinary sends me running to do a bunch of research. And I am never satisfied with the first answer I find. Because. . . Because people can be a bit silly. So many chicken littles have access to websites, and the title expert. So dig dig dig. 

What I found was, that green breast disease isn't bacterial or viral. The meat that is tinged green can be removed, and as there are no infectious agents, the remaining meat can be consumed. That's what they agreed upon. Ok, cool. It isn't a lot on the bird, so no problems. 

What I also found was the claim that this only happens in turkey hens and broiler chickens. Wait? This is a Tom.  Next I see that it only happens in a certain blood line of domestic turkeys. Well, it is a domestic turkey. That Jives. And that it is caused by penning the animal up, causing it to flap it's wings to excess. Wait, he was free ranged. 

So what is green breast disease exactly? It is atrophied deep pectoral muscles. The muscles used primarily for flight. The muscle is unable to receive enough blood and oxygen. The amount of birds with this is uncertain, as much of the production of these large birds are sold as whole carcasses. However several sites suggest that it is on the rise. I say possibly because of the new interest in raising poultry. 

As we were cleaning the meat off the turkey, I heard "dear God," that ain't right." Poor farmhand looked nauseous.  Husband immediately thought it had something to do with my gold wedding band that went missing; not the silver one I lost in the wreck. Farmhand (who is still trying to figure out how to use blogger, and who I will not allow to post while drinking) thought it looked like a bullet wound; however it was going the wrong way. A collective sigh of darn it, was heard. We were planning on a feast! 

Good thing I like doing research.

So the next time you see this

On your fresh butcher or store bought bird (stock photo I was bloody and it was too dark to get a decent pic) no worries. Just cut it out. It won't hurt you.  It just grew too fast for it's britches, or it liked to flap it's wings a bit too much.

Natural Fly trap

Reposting because the flies have emerged! 

After the months and months of over 105F and no rain. We got 2", and flies. Flies are freakin everywhere! Thick swarms, so I had to do something.

I tried various recipes for traps and repellents. The Lavender worked a bit, but still my home was invaded. This one trap worked the best out of all that I tried.

1 quart jar, with lid

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

Water

Puncture some medium holes in the lid. Add the sugar and vinegar, then top with water. Screw on lid and place jar where the flies are a nuisance.

Motorcycles and knee

(Anyone else singing "head shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes"?)

I think the feeling on the right side of my knee has started to return. It is one of the more unpleasant skin sensations I have ever had. And I have done some pretty messed up stuff to my flesh.  My flexibility is returning slowly, but it is muscle strength I seem to be struggling with a bit. The stationary bike helps. Doing lots of stretches, and being bored out of my mind. So much so I have been doing some odd for me things. Oh don't worry, posts are coming soon. More homemaking items.

I did fall twice this weekend. The flooding caused some ruts in our driveway to become deeper, and in the dark, they're not easy to see. However the pain was over with quickly, and the next day there wasn't any pain in my knee. First time in a while. Husband says I will have to "tear" and "break" over somethings to get my knee useful again. Some days I wish I had only broken my knee rather than suffer all this soft tissue damage as well. I would be closer to normal by now. At least I wouldn't still have to use a cane to get around. Sorry, woe is me. I still have my leg, so should be happy. Just it's so incredibly frustrating some days. 

I did take a ride on Husband's new to us motorcycle. I had to squat on the fender, as there isn't a seat on it, and our saddle doesn't fit it.  It was on Mother's Day. The bike was running, Husband was making some adjustments, and I strolled out to the garage and announced he was going to take me for a ride. I had resolved to just get it over with. Everyone including a mother kept telling me that I had to get on at least one more time. And this is part of our life, a constant part of our life. I can't be scared of what brings in the majority of our income. Husband however seemed a bit hesitant to take me out. Are you sure? He kept asking. I had to stay firm on it, at least in my mind. 

My knee tinged with a bit of pain as I first mounted the fender. There are some leg positions, even with a straight knee, that can cause discomfort. Straddling a motorcycle turns out to be one of them. But the pain was tolerable, not so much a bad pain, but a useful one. I have been getting better at deciphering the two. I digress, onto the bike I sat. My arms bear hugging Husband. Not the stance I am use to when riding, but no seat, no sissy bar, it's what I had to do. We slowly rolled out of the driveway. He said he would just take me around the block. The first turn made me cringe. I tried so hard not to tense up, but I did. However I didn't suffer a single anxiety attack! Just some overanalyzing   that causedme to tense and some ruts on the dirt roads that hurt my knee. I am thrilled to report that I didn't cry. I also didn't enjoy it as much as I use to. I think it was because I was thinking too much about it. The next time will be easier.

I also want to state for the record that I have the best readers! A huge shutout to the wonderful Moonwaves! She's a long time reader and friend. She braved the hairy bikers to get me some pictures in Essen, Germany this weekend. She is awesome! 

As of this moment all I know is that the guys didn't win first, but the rankings have yet to come out, so I don't know the placement. Husband says he isn't worried about the rankings. This was a debut, and there are orders for more. And that's what matters.  The majority of winning bikes were board racers (cafe racers), just like last year. This bike is no where near being that uncomfortable. 

They should be proud of themselves. They did a beautiful job! I won't go into details about all this, as it will bore most of you.

Be back soon with regular programming.

It's a boy!

Mama birthed a bull calf on Saturday. So far he seems to be a healthy, knobby little boy. Thanks to Medium, who went out and brave the wrath of the protective, and bullyish Mama, for these pictures.

Happy Mother's Day

From my homestead to yours.

Very Flattered

On the right side of this blog, there is a column that says "link love". It's there to share links that come into this blog easier. Most I know about, Bacon and Eggs, American Preppers, Hermit Jim, Mother Earth News. . . But once in a while a new one will come in. Those are fun, because you can see what nasty, I mean, what people are saying and why they are linking to you. It shows me what you are interested in. Most of you seem to like butchering. Hmmmm. . .

A new one came through the other day, so I thought I would click over and see what is was about. To my surprise, it wasn't Pinterest, it was a band's website. And an even bigger surprised was this blog was listed under their inspirations. I am unbelievably flattered. To be honest the only thing I ever thought capable of inspiring was that clumsy people could homestead without actually dying or losing a finger. Truthfully I just talk.

Yet this was pretty cool. I looked around their site, read up on them and listened to some of their music. I always love finding new music. But this one found me.


They are called Faun Fables, and seem to be Travelers Folk music. I hope they don't mind me snagging their about page photo. I am digging their music, and since they gave me a shout out, I thought I would return the favor. Enjoy.