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.

Why a Donkey?

From Kelly

Phelan, You mentioned owning a donkey. I've noticed that other homesteaders also have donkeys and I have been curious to know what their practical purpose was on the farm. What are your reasons?

We will own a donkey this spring. We have a sheep named Donkey.

Firefly is coming to us from Marina. He's a gorgeous thing. The reason we decided to get a donkey was primarily expense related reasons. A good work horse can cost in the multiple thousands, while a good work donkey will cost only in the hundreds. We wanted something that could be multi purposed, work and guard duty. And a standard sized donkey was the best we found. Llamas and the like are well used, we had thought of those, but we prefer not to deal with the spitting and the exotic animals laws that we have here in my county.

The most practical reason to have a donkey on your homestead is for guard duty. They will not put up with any predators that might wonder onto your land looking for an easy meal. Male donkey's (Jacks) can be very aggressive, killing dogs with on swift kick, and they do not back down. We will also train him to a cart, I have no shame taking him into town to go shopping, and train him to the plow. As long as you have land to graze, we feel a donkey is our best economical choice.

For the story on getting our donkey, check out this series from earlier last year, entitled, The Quest for the Demon Donkey. Scroll down to the end of comments for the links to the continuation.

NAIS and The Nation

Yesterday, The Nation, posted an article on NAIS, USDA Bets the Farm an Animal ID Program.

It is a very well written and thought out article. And finally a media source talks about the extinction of some of our heritage livestock if NAIS is implemented.

But NAIS might destroy far more than farmers' markets. In the past fifty years, industrial agriculture has promoted a handful of high-performance breeds so aggressively that the genetic diversity of livestock has been decimated in developed economies and is rapidly accelerating in developing countries, according to a recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Since 2000, at least one livestock breed has disappeared every month, and roughly 20 percent of the world's livestock breeds are at risk of extinction, according to the report. Perhaps the cruelest irony of NAIS is that by hastening the demise of genetic diversity it may ultimately expose the food supply to catastrophic and irreversible risks.

Like I said, you want to save an animal, you eat it.

Donkey, his breed is on the "watch" list.

Marina, he is now approaching me without a bribe of food. He wants to be nuzzled like I do the goats.

Of course Donkey isn't the only one, cottage cattle are on the decline as well as many of the chickens. My husband and I are trying our hardest to buy only those that are on the list. It is difficult because they can be very pricey, but these animals need our help, all of us. My new chicken order consists of only endangered birds. Some of them are ugly, but that isn't the point. I don't want the GM birds, I want the heritage birds.

Side note: Does anyone have a standard Jenny that they wish to sell me? Or know of someone that has one? Firefly needs a breeding mate. There is a limit on the amount of money I can afford, and please, untagged.

Drum Roll Please

The polls are now closed!

It was a close race, very close. A total of 48 people voted {can I just say, wow?) and the new name of the little Jack is. . .

Firefly Bán of Browncoat Acres

Thank you for helping me out.

Marina told me that she hosed him off yesterday, and he is a "put on your sunglasses white"

He should be out this spring, and I can't wait!

Edited to add: Does anyone have a How to Train a Donkey and/or a Standard Donkey Care book that they would be willing to trade? Most of my books are listed here.

One of those days

Have you ever woken up and knew immediately that it was going to be "one of those days"? Just happened to me. I woke to find the window sill of our back door has been torn out, and missing {blame lays squarely on our pitsky ~that's what we have been calling our mix breed pup, of pitt bull and husky~} It's pouring down rain, and my truck windows are down. I swore I had a pumpkin butter recipe from last year posted, but that link takes you do a different page now, instead of the forum where it was first posted. All my boys are snoring, which means they all have the beginnings of a cold.

I want to curl up in an aching ball and go back to bed. Yes, it just might turn out to be "one of those days".

Someone want to come over and start the days bread for me? I am not in the mood. ~weary grin~

Yet there has got to be something today that will lift this gloom. Maybe the boys can still go to school? My truck needed a good cleaning. That backdoor was ugly anyway, and needed to be replaced. I wanted to write up the pumpkin butter recipe again, anyway. Now I am just entertaining myself with being silly.

But I will say that I am still excited about the new Jack. And I have been giggling most the afternoon. But I am unsure if those of you voting know your sci-fi and having a good laugh or not. I have been imaging the lot of you running around the back forty, dressed in black leather trench coats and sun glasses. If this is the case, then the whole sci-fi homesteader brings in a new oddity to the self-sufficient. And I thought me in my all black, combat boots and death metal was a strange pairing with homesteading. ~hahaha!~ If you haven't yet, go vote. I will keep it open until Friday to give those of you that read via feed only time to get your two cents in.

IT'S HAPPENED!

Yes, yes I am yelling. I am so completely thrilled. It's not like I am the one that gave birth. . . but looky oh looky!

I want all of you to meet Firefly.

Hurry, click on this link to read all about my new baby


Marina and I are discussing names. And we need some help. His name Firefly goes along with his sister and mother's names. But he also needs a little something to show that he belongs to our homestead.

we have discussed Firefly Neo {as in the farms name of Neophyte Homestead} Firefly Sweep {sweep is biker slang for the last rider of a group} And Firefly Bán {Irish for white}

So we will leave the final say up to you.

Pony? Pony. PONY!!

MOM! HORSE! SMALL, BLACK,WHITE, HERE! ~door slam~

What? I walked out onto the porch in time to see a herd of children running and laughing behind a terrified black and white miniature horse. Don't chase it! I yelled at the herd. My children froze, but the others, well they weren't raised by me. Soon this freaked out pony was being chased by kids on bikes through the road. There was no way I would be able to coral it now. I told my oldest to take his bike and ride over to the owner's to let them know, they weren't home. My closest neighbor decided to round her up and coral her in his pasture until the owners arrived. He was able to scare off the unruly children and bring the pony in.

My middle son has been brushing out the neighbors horses, to earn rides. He will be six next week and has decided that he wants a horse for his birthday. I don't see that happening as we are not yet ready for one. We are attempting to be ready by next spring for the donkey though.

My neighbor also asked if I was the one that was braiding her horses tail Why on earth would I be doing that? She didn't know, but someone has been avoiding the hot fencing and braiding one of her horses tails in the middle of the night. I joked with Marina that I was actually the one doing it, it's the grown up version of my little pony. Of course the joking deteriorated to the point where we had chickens with OCD out in the fields fixing the horses hair.

I have a lot to do this week, and really not looking forward to any of it. I will be without a camera for a few days, but I will tell you why later.

I also won the White Raven Award. Color me thrilled!

Hope you have a great weekend!

A little of this

I wish to clarify my selfishness, there is nothing wrong with being green. I take good care of my parcel of land. It’s the fad that I find troublesome. If you wish to lead a greener life, I applaud you. Please remember that there isn’t an easy out.

I was asked about why I needed a donkey and did she need one? I have talked in the past about getting a llama for guard duty, donkeys are protective in the same way, except they are better with children and cuter. And yes, everyone needs a donkey.

The last thing on my mind this morning is my oldest son. He came home yesterday gritching. I asked him to do one of his chores and he ran off to his room crying, yelling that he had a bad day and all he wanted to do was lay around watching tv. I followed him and sat on his bed, asking what had happened. Between deep breaths and sobs, he told me that no one wanted to play with him at school, and that he was chased off with the taunting of “you stink.” He was told he smelled like a zoo. And because he lived on a farm he couldn't play with them. Then the kids followed him around the yard, taunting him about being a farm boy.

What do I say to that?

I squeezed his leg. I remember how the country kids were treated in my school. The thought of that happening brought tears, I knew it was worse than he admitted to. Calmly I told him that he had it better than the town children. He would have the teachings of both worlds when he grew up, and have more options, and easier transitions than those children. They were jealous that you have the animals that you do. Their parents don’t even let most of them get dirty. I told him he doesn’t smell, but we will take the precaution to shower well in the mornings and run clothes through the dryer. He sniffled and nodded.

Here I had been worried about the teasing that would come from living in a mobile home. I forgot that the country kids came with a stigma.

I wish there was more I could do to help him. I am hopeful he will come out of this with only a few tears and no physical scars.

Any ideas about how to soften the teasing?

Also, if anyone is interested in purchasing a small homestead in Kansas, let me know.

The Quest for the Demon Donkey comes to an end

Home

The last chapter

Meet Donkey. Isn't he cute?


Sombrea, the demon Donkey was hurt. She needed medical attention. As we walked away from her, we were suddenly offered a sheep. Marina and her husband felt bad about us driving up there for nothing. Now we have a sheep.

Sometime between January and March, Marina and her family will be visiting us, bringing along with them the jack or Jenny that will be born in a few months. We will have a donkey then.

Donkey was soon loaded up, after a struggle and we said good bye to everyone. My husband and I really wanted to stay longer, but work awaited us at home. We took a different way out.We decided to take a different highway, hoping that it would cut a little time off our travels and we could avoid the major cities. How wrong we were! We lost 3 hours because of the "small" towns and all their stop lights. We ended up cutting across Texas and headed to Temple.

We left Fort Worth with a souvenir.


Yes that is a WARNING ticket. Did I mention that the trailer didn't have tags on it?

We laughed about being pulled over. Here we made it through 3 states, cops behind us several times, no tags, no lights. We get lights and we get pulled over. I wanted to get a picture of the cop handing over the ticket, but I was a coward about asking. {the above picture has been altered to protect my husband}

Outside of OK City I got to drive.

"Driving that train, high on cocaine Casey Jones you better. . . Highway ends? HIGHWAY ENDS!" no, this highway isn't suppose to end. Yet, there was a sign stating that it does. Husband woke startled and promptly informed me that only twice in his life has he allowed a woman to drive on a trip, and twice he has woken to find himself somewhere where he wasn't suppose to be. ~sigh, jerk~

I turned around in downtown Edmond OK. Found the signs and lost an hour. I swear I followed the highway, never did I exit and never did I see any signs pointing a different direction to Wichita, Ks.

It was 3 am by the time we made it home. I hit the dirt rode, startling my husband who yelled, "Woman, get back on the road."

"Go back to sleep."

3am, we discovered our fields were flooded and there wasn't a way that we could drive up to the pen. It took us 30 minutes to drag that sheep named Donkey into the pen. The goats flipped out. It was 4am before we got to bed, our alarm went off at 530 am. ~yawn~

Donkey is doing great with our goats. They are still a little too jumpy for him, and he isn't sure about us. We thought with a little time he will be less skittish. My boys were a little disappointed, but excited about the seep and the fact that we will have the baby next year.

The Quest for the Demon Donkey

My monitor went out. Thank you for the emails and the phone calls.

Now where were we?

We just left from meeting Texaswren and her husband, and headed south to Austin. Unfortunately I was so stressed from the traffic, that I only got a few highway shots, and that was after my husband reminded me. He did try to cheer me up by gawking at a man wearing a very large cowboy hat and driving a very small convertible.


Soon we were heading west, straight into the setting sun.

"hello"
"I'm blind and lost!"
of course I didn't take a moment to identify myself, but with the question of where are you I assumed Marina knew who it was. My husband and I saw a street with a similar name to the one we were to turn down once we arrived in Dripping Springs. Alas! It didn't look like a road, but a driveway. We ended in a parking lot with a sign declaring that it wasn't a turn around area. Luckily Marina knows here town and was able to tell us were we should go now. Once we were headed east again, it was easier to see the road.

my oh my! The back country that Marina lives in is so very pretty. It was getting dark so I didn't get too many pictures.or ones that aren't blurry.

And of course we were true to ourselves and missed Marina's driveway. We had to drive for a time before finding a place that we could turn around with the trailer. On the way back, Marina's husband waved us in, we had arrived.

As soon as we hopped out of the car, it wasn't hi, I'm....no it was, the bathroom is there. Then we were able to introduce ourselves {though Marina and I have been talking online for 4 years now, we seemed to already know each other and there was no need for introductions} Next we were placed back into a pick-up and driven into town for dinner. We were several hours late and the restaurant was closing shortly. We dinned at a Cajun style restaurant. I hear that the owners relocated there after Hurricane Katrina. Dinner was very good.

Back to Marina's and to bed.

The next morning, Marina and I were up before the men. We had coffee and looked at her land from the back porch. So many trees! We talked and giggled and waited for the men to wake. Once they did, Marina's husband made breakfast while my husband attempted to get some trailer lights.
With daylight and warm weather he was able to get the lights working.



After a wonderful breakfast, they took us on a tour of their land. So many trees. It's very pretty but after a while I realized that I could never live in there. I need the open prairie.


We spied some sheep


And soon the demon donkey was there.


She doesn't seem like that much of a demon.

She showed up with a hurt foot. They four of discussed what we should do. Was she fit for travel? Would it be right to send us home with a hurt animal? Would it be right to send us away with nothing?

We all came to decision. And after much bribing, tugging, wrestling, and fighting, it was time to take Donkey home.

The Quest for the Demon Donkey

Continued from Day One

Day Two
Part 1

We were tired as we set forth the next morning. Yet thrilled with the adventure and just escaping our family, if only for a weekend.

Oklahoma is very red, red and green.

Say hello to Ok City

They do have hills, I will give them that. The first place we decided to stop was a scenic overlook. My husband thought we should stop and take a picture for whiteraven, even though she probably already has it with her Markeroni.





The overlook was very scenic and pretty,



But what got my attention was the fact that out of six other cars parked there, I was the only female. As my husband started prattling of explanation for this, I merely giggled and said, they are peeing in the woods. I was then called a spoil sport and we went on our way.

Ok, was rather easy going, it was overcast the entire way through. And we made good time, crossing the state in a few hours. Has anyone had Fried Pies? We didn't stop for them, we did however get some Jerky from Robertsons. Many of bright red sign influenced our decision, ugh, it was like eating slightly peppered, chewy paper. Never again!

We don't have "big" in Kansas. Our small towns are just that, small. Now Texas I don't think they really know the meaning of small. The Texas Motor Speedway was enormous!




And the scary part was that it was a race weekend. We hoped that we wouldn't get stuck in that traffic either direction. The way into Fort Worth was clear.The highways are high off the ground. We could never have something so high because of all the ice we get. It was fascinating to see. It's been a long time since I had been in this part of Texas.

My husband and I joked and tried to enjoy the sights, while I did my best not to have an anxiety attack caused by the traffic. One thing that lighten my mood was the man in the mini van that pulled onto the highway.

"Does he know his hatch is open?"
"He would have to be deaf not to know."

We laughed pretty hard about the man doing 70 mph with the mini van hatch open, nothing in its way, it could have been shut.

Hillsboro Texas was are first Texas stop. Here we had a late lunch with Texaswren and her husband. My husband and I had a great time, and were sadden we had to leave so quickly.

Dripping Springs and a demon donkey awaited us.

The Quest for the Demon Donkey

Day One

Slush fell from the sky as we pulled out of the homestead. I had been watching the weather reports throughout most of the day, and was confident that we would miss the severe storms down south and the winter storms that were just beginning in my area, that is if we kept to our schedule.

We dropped our three boys off at my mother's house, then headed off to the local auto supply store in search of a trailer light harness. The slush was slowly changing into snow as we entered the store. Quickly we bought the gear needed, and jump back into our black truck, heading south on our way to my brother-in-law's.

We pulled in their driveway around 730 pm. The truck was swung around and backed up to the trailer. Soon the two were connected and we were on our way. Wait, why aren't we moving? The trailer was stuck in the mud! My sister-in-law and I spent some time shoving fencing and plywood under the tires, until the truck became stuck as well. We weren't going, I knew it.

Ten thirty pm, my brother-in-law arrived home after work to find part of his cattle field torn up and our truck slowly sinking into the dark mud. His Bronco was able to tow out our truck and then the trailer, via a chain and drier ground. Eleven pm, we have the wrong part for the trailer harness. This caused my husband and my brother-in-law to drive the thirty minutes to the nearest town, and 24 hour Walmart. They didn't return until one am, without a part.

My husband lay in the slush and snow, the water and mud trying to find a way to connect the lights to the trailer. By two thirty in the morning I had had enough, "We are running." We hit the toll road around three am, no running lights, no brake lights, no turn signals, we were outlaws. Alas, no police officers were around to see our crime.

The snow thickened as we entered Oklahoma. I knew we were in Oklahoma because the road abruptly changed, becoming pitted and uncared for. I was curios why the State felt the need to cover their signs with gray tape. How was anyone to know where they were, or how fast they should go?

The snow flakes grow larger and thicker. Soon you could no longer see the lines in the road. Luckily people aren't as determined as we are, and we were alone on this stretch of highway. The signs still covered in that gray tape, no not tape, snow, so we had no idea were to turn to find shelter, or when an exit was coming up until we were already on top of it. We were in blizzard like conditions.

Finally in the distance a blue sign high in the heavens. That must be a hotel, it must be! We pulled into Perry Oklahoma, and slept for 3 hours. Not a single snowflake littered the ground when we awoke.

So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, good bye

As those of you who out clicked on my jenny/jack news yesterday, knows that tonight I am leaving.

The adventure begins as thus, we made a mistake. We trusted someone that we knew better than to trust. We were informed by our brother-in-law that he had a neighbor with a stock rack and that he would find out if we could borrow it. A week goes by and there is no news. My husband called him and asked about this stock rack, the brother-in-law had never asked the neighbor and informed my husband he would head over there right that moment and ask. He never called back.

I know that some of you do not know what a stock rack is. I attempted to find a link with a good definition. There is no such thing. I tried to find a picture of a stock rack to share. How very sad that the only good one I could find was a toy truck! The cage on the back of the truck is a stock rack. I called around and was informed that it is difficult to find them anymore, most people want trailers. ~sigh~

I found myself calling and looking up used trailers for sale or trailer rentals. You can not rent a horse trailer in the state of Kansas. Now what? We leave soon. My brother-in-law, a different one, has a trailer. It has no lights and needs new tires. Guess who gets to go and buy a harness and get new tires for it today. You guessed correctly, me!

And of course my sister-in-law is treating me badly, questioning why I had to go to Texas to get a donkey. What she doesn't understand is that it's not just about the donkey. It's about a friendship, and about my husband and I being without children for a weekend. The only vacation we have ever had.

Hopefully, tonight we are leaving for Texas to go and pick up the demon donkey. There will be no posts from me this weekend. But if you wish to follow the drama, you can keep and eye on me over on Tales of a Texas Farmwife. Marina's blog will be my Saturday blogroll call.

Sundays make it from scratch will be Cinnamon Raisin Bread

I will be back Monday to tell you all about it.

I am going to complain,

My shoulders are screaming. You do not under any circumstances mix wet, cold weather, bad shoulders and scythe work.

I went and tried using my Christmas present for the first time yesterday. The mighty pampas won. I had to stop only half way through the plant. I think sharpening the blade will help a bit.

This was what I was afraid of . . .


My peach tree. The blossoms have been killed.

One of my grapes, all of them look like this. I am hopeful everything will bounce back. But I am cautiously so.

All my broccoli and cabbage plants are dead. My potatoes are snug under a thick layer of straw. But one never knows what will happen.

Today I will be heading into town to buy donkey supplies. I have my list, now let's see if anyone has them.

What did I do?

I was talking with Marina {author of Tales From a Texas Farm Wife} by the end of the conversation I had bought a donkey.

Image courtesy of Marina

She is a standard burro by the name of Sombrea. She's 15 years old and has a temper. Perfect! Now I have to figure out when I can get down there to pick her up. And in the mean time I need to find some donkey care manuals.

We have looked at buying a donkey before, we just couldn't afford to spend as much as most people wanted for them. I got Sombrea for an adoption fee of $200. And she might be pregnant.

And what is really cool about all this is now I have an excuse to meet my friend of 4 years for the first time.

You can read about my new donkey here, or read about all the troubles Marina had on Craigslist when she tried to get Sombrea adopted here.

Also could any one in the southern states use a couple of men to work for room and board. They are located outside Denver and want to move. They are loggers, but willing to work land. Let me know, and I will tell you more about these two men. Thank you.