Whenever I think of the word "vacation", I think of that really stupid song by the Go-Go's from the eighties. But, that is what we are going to do, take a vacation. We're heading to Tulsa, Oklahoma-where the wind comes rushing down the plain-another silly song from the musical by that name that I can't get out of my head.
We are heading out for a week, we'll see some sights, swim in the lake at the camp ground, visit some friends that live in OKC, and a whole lotta loafin'. Consequently, I will not be near my computer to post for a week. I know, I know, stop crying, I will return, Lord willing.
Thank you to all of you who frequent this humble blog. Those of you that are really interested in our boring, little world, I tip my hat to you in gratitude. Please be patient as we are away and I will post some good pictures of our trip after our return on the 25, I promise.
The girls, Abigail and Elisabeth, are the most excited I think I have seen them, so this will truly be a memorable experience for them and all of us. Pray for us, if you would, for a safe journey and decent weather. Pray for health and a fun time for all of us.
Again, thank you for reading my ramblings, I hope this blog makes a difference. I will see (or, write) you upon our return. Until then, God bless you all.
(Now, if I could only get those songs out of my head!)
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Getting Ready For A Vacation!
Time flies when your busier than a beaver on a giant redwood! My family and I are busy planning, preparing and packing for our vacation next week. We are going camping in Oklahoma, in the Tulsa area, for one whole week. We are very eager to go as we have not been on a vacation of significance as a family since, well, ever. Talk about a great homeschooling getaway! We will visit several museums and indian points of interest and spend some time loafing. Ahhh, loafing. That is a concept which few homesteaders get to experience. It is also one that I am looking forward to. So, pray for us and our safety and for good weather. Some have said that we are nuts, maybe we are, but we are going to get away for a week!
Anyway, because of our preparations, I haven't posted much. Here is a small article from Alan Nation of the Stockman GrassFarmer . Mr Nation gets full credit as the author of this article.
May I add, GO JOEL!
Joel Salatin Featured On Bloomberg TV
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms in Virginia is the featured entrepreneur on the show Venture on Bloomberg Television today (Saturday). This show runs throughout the day so try to check it out. Joel does an excellent job showcasing our industry.
Anyway, because of our preparations, I haven't posted much. Here is a small article from Alan Nation of the Stockman GrassFarmer . Mr Nation gets full credit as the author of this article.
May I add, GO JOEL!
Joel Salatin Featured On Bloomberg TV
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms in Virginia is the featured entrepreneur on the show Venture on Bloomberg Television today (Saturday). This show runs throughout the day so try to check it out. Joel does an excellent job showcasing our industry.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Every-Once-In-A-While Fertrell Highlight
Here are some very helpful hints from the fine folks at Fertrell . Use the link to visit their website to learn much more, or, you can drop us a line at sppowers@iglide.net and we will be glad to assist you in any way we can. Or, if you're already sold on Fertrell's outstanding products, find a dealer near you .
Grass clippings can be a great source of nitrogen for your compost, but they can smell awful. Blend your clippings with dried leaves, sawdust, straw or hay. The carbon in these materials will help aerate the clippings and reduce the smell.
Bugged by mosquitos?
One bat can eat over 3,000 mosquitos in a single evening. Attract more of these creatures by installing a bat house. You can build one yourself for about $20, or purchase a house for about $50. That’s still less than the cost of most bug zappers.
Go organic without going broke. Get your food from a local farmers’ market or a roadside stand. If you can’t find one nearby, grow your own organic produce. Even a few potted radishes can save you money in the long run.
Need garden ties? Use panty hose. The flexible fabric holds soft-stemmed plants like tomatoes and peppers without damage or breakage.
Grass clippings can be a great source of nitrogen for your compost, but they can smell awful. Blend your clippings with dried leaves, sawdust, straw or hay. The carbon in these materials will help aerate the clippings and reduce the smell.
Bugged by mosquitos?
One bat can eat over 3,000 mosquitos in a single evening. Attract more of these creatures by installing a bat house. You can build one yourself for about $20, or purchase a house for about $50. That’s still less than the cost of most bug zappers.
Go organic without going broke. Get your food from a local farmers’ market or a roadside stand. If you can’t find one nearby, grow your own organic produce. Even a few potted radishes can save you money in the long run.
Need garden ties? Use panty hose. The flexible fabric holds soft-stemmed plants like tomatoes and peppers without damage or breakage.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Praise God! It's Raining!
It started about 6:00 a.m. and woke me from a nice sleep with a down pour, around 7:30. I know, I can't believe that I slept that late, either.
This is a significant thing because it has not rained more than 3/4 of an inch in over a month and a half. Yes, that wonderful grass I had boasted about in the pastures is all but fried. So this rain comes at a very crucial time.
Outside of the down pour this morning, it has been falling at a gentle, beautiful, wonderful, soaking pace. (Can you tell I was stressing over the lack of rain?)
I do see two downsides to this rain, however. One is that I left the ply wood for the kids bunk beds outside, not expecting any rain. This fact has put a crimp on the one major task I had planned for today-finishing the beds. The other downside is that I will, more than likely, have to cut the lawn again, something that I have not had to do in three weeks.
I am willing to joyfully over-look these minor set backs in lieu of the rain. Thank you Lord for the life giving rain! Praise be to God who reigns forever in glory above! Thank you God!
Let me know what the weather has been like around your area. Leave a comment and share what different weather conditions affect your homestead and how. Thanks for stopping by.
This is a significant thing because it has not rained more than 3/4 of an inch in over a month and a half. Yes, that wonderful grass I had boasted about in the pastures is all but fried. So this rain comes at a very crucial time.
Outside of the down pour this morning, it has been falling at a gentle, beautiful, wonderful, soaking pace. (Can you tell I was stressing over the lack of rain?)
I do see two downsides to this rain, however. One is that I left the ply wood for the kids bunk beds outside, not expecting any rain. This fact has put a crimp on the one major task I had planned for today-finishing the beds. The other downside is that I will, more than likely, have to cut the lawn again, something that I have not had to do in three weeks.
I am willing to joyfully over-look these minor set backs in lieu of the rain. Thank you Lord for the life giving rain! Praise be to God who reigns forever in glory above! Thank you God!
Let me know what the weather has been like around your area. Leave a comment and share what different weather conditions affect your homestead and how. Thanks for stopping by.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Eating Fresh Is Where It's At
I have discovered a really neat blog that I think those that frequent this blog, will enjoy. It is called Surviving the middle class crash.
Start by reading the article entitled "Fresh: How We're Supposed To Eat". A very nice piece written by Rady Ananda. (I have no idea who that is, but, it is a very good article.)
It is a short article but it does express some common thoughts we have as far as local farming and eating local food. I would like for us to get to a point that none of our food comes on a truck. You know, that means that we may have to revert (OH MY!) back to seasonal foods. Eating seasonal, I believe is heathier for us anyway, IMO.
So, use the link and check out this great blog. Enjoy.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Trouble In The Organic Industry?
I am not a fan of "all things organic". Don't get me wrong, I do believe that we need to eat whole foods, even organic grown at home. My dislike has to do with the lax regulations on the organic industry, which even allows 10% GMO food.
I work as a produce manager and I watch shoppers buy expensive produce because it is "organic". As this article about Horizon relates, I am skeptical of the label. I greatly promote buying local, getting to know the farmer and building a trust with him, so that when he says that it is organic you can bank on it.
If I don't know the farm my lettuce came from, how can I trust that it is, in fact, organic. We have seen in the past that labels can be deceiving so I can't go by just that.
In other words, I have little reassurance that the "organic food" is any safer than non-organic, other than the label that says "organic". Then they charge a higher price, to boot. Anyway, read the linked article and judge for yourself. Thanks for stopping by.
I work as a produce manager and I watch shoppers buy expensive produce because it is "organic". As this article about Horizon relates, I am skeptical of the label. I greatly promote buying local, getting to know the farmer and building a trust with him, so that when he says that it is organic you can bank on it.
If I don't know the farm my lettuce came from, how can I trust that it is, in fact, organic. We have seen in the past that labels can be deceiving so I can't go by just that.
In other words, I have little reassurance that the "organic food" is any safer than non-organic, other than the label that says "organic". Then they charge a higher price, to boot. Anyway, read the linked article and judge for yourself. Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Mouse Trap
Mouse Story ...
A mouse looked through the
crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.
"What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered -
he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard,
the mouse proclaimed the
warning.
"There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap
in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and
said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you but it is of no consequence to me.
I cannot be bothered by it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a
mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The pig sympathized, but said,
"I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray.
Be assured you are in my prayers."
The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a
mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse.
I'm sorry for you,
but it's no skin off my nose."
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected,
to face the farmer's mousetrap-- alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house --
like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the
darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake
whose tail the trap had caught.
The snake bit the farmer's wife.
The farmer rushed her
to the hospital and she returned home with a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's
main ingredient.
But his wife's sickness continued,
so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock.
To feed them, the farmer
butchered the pig.
The farmer's wife did not get well; she died.
So many people came
for her funeral, the farmer
had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.
The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you,
remember --
when one of us is threatened,
we are all at risk.
A mouse looked through the
crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.
"What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered -
he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard,
the mouse proclaimed the
warning.
"There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap
in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and
said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you but it is of no consequence to me.
I cannot be bothered by it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a
mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The pig sympathized, but said,
"I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray.
Be assured you are in my prayers."
The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a
mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse.
I'm sorry for you,
but it's no skin off my nose."
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected,
to face the farmer's mousetrap-- alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house --
like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the
darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake
whose tail the trap had caught.
The snake bit the farmer's wife.
The farmer rushed her
to the hospital and she returned home with a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's
main ingredient.
But his wife's sickness continued,
so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock.
To feed them, the farmer
butchered the pig.
The farmer's wife did not get well; she died.
So many people came
for her funeral, the farmer
had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.
The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you,
remember --
when one of us is threatened,
we are all at risk.
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