Cedar Cove Farm

Come Swale Away

2012-02-04T08:18:00.001-06:00

It is interesting how just one word or two can change your entire perspective on something. In reality, we all have prejudices that taint how we see things and react to different problems and circumstances. Some call this being stuck in a box or a rut. There are many boxes in all of us.

We have been doing a little reading and research in the area of permaculture. The word permaculture seems to carry varied definitions, but the gist of it is farming in a way that is in harmony with nature. I prefer to say that it is a method of farming in tune with God's creation. But permaculture isn't the word I want to talk about here.

The word I want to talk about is harvest, but first, I have to explain why. In Austrailia, farmers use what are called swales to capture run-off. In essence, a swale is a trench dug in a srtategic place on the property. Now, we live in the Ozarks and it is difficult to find a completely flat place anywhere. So we have run-off, which, in times of heavy rain or snow melt, can take a bunch of land with it. This has become a concern for me and I have often tried to think of ways that I could stop the errosion. But here is the cool thing. I heard a gentleman explain that digging swales is for "harvesting" water, not stopping run-off.

Can you see how the word "harvest" can change the way you think about rain? The idea is to trap the water in a place that will hold it for a whaile and slowly distribute it down slope to "feed" the soil in an area that would normally not get fed due to the rain water just running away and collecting in a low spot.

The concept of harvesting water has gotten me thinking differently about rain water. Now I am looking carefully at the land. Now I try to see the slope and low spots and determine where the water is going to try to catch it before it gets there. I have even dug three small swales and am looking forward to digging more. The potential to grow grass for the cattle in areas that are light on vegetation is tremendous. This has got me excited. Go to Youtube and look up "swale", there are a bunch of videos on the subject to learn more from. Here is a teaser:

The Benefits Of Raw Milk-Revisited

2012-01-23T19:05:00.000-06:00

Here is an article I found in my favorites list that I had totally forgotten about. It is about the benefits of drinking raw milk, as we do from our own cow. Good stuff. Use the link and give the article a good read, it is very informative.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

2012-01-21T08:25:00.000-06:00

My wife informed me last week that it is time to start thinking about the garden. Indeed, this mild winter, thus far, has given us the "bug" to get out and plant. If you are preparedness minded, this is a subject of importance, so I wanted to share with you a great seed company called Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Click here to visit their site. They deal in old, sometimes ancient seeds, but the great thing about heirloom seeds is that they are open pollinated and you can save the seeds from your produce each year. Non GMO, non tainted, non Frankenstien food. For a survivalist, this is a must have. They are about an hour away from us, so my wife makes the trip yearly to stock up, but they also have a very nice catalog to order from. Good people, great company-check them out.

Obama: "I will decide what's constitutional."

2012-01-16T19:21:00.000-06:00

Who does this guy think he is? Is he truly the final authority? Read more...

Americans Bought Enough Arms In 2011 To Supply Chinese and Indian Armies

2012-01-11T15:37:00.000-06:00

Here is an interesting read, if it is true, good. Keep it up.

You Thought The Price Of Gas Was Bad...

2012-01-04T14:20:00.000-06:00

I was talking to a co-worker today and he was telling me that he was called over to help a neighbor lady, who is single, push a bale of hay off the back of her truck. Apparently this is the fist one she had ever bought because he had never been asked to do this for her before. This was a very large bale, weighing over 1000 pounds. While helping her, he inquired what she paid for it. He has three horses that he feeds and is concerned that he might not have enough hay to get through the winter. My interst was piqued as well as I have some cattle to feed. She told him that she paid $135 for that bale. Just three weeks ago, I paid $50 at the same place she bought this one. I am sincerely hoping that she was mistaken, as I need to get a bale again next week. All I can say is wow.

Is There A Need To Carry A Weapon?

2011-12-31T09:08:00.000-06:00

I am sharing this article with a friend of mine, who gets the credit for finding it and sharing it with his friends (Gorges Smythe). I read the article and felt that I had to share it as well. Read this article to see some very compelling arguments, put in a very convincing way, for the need to carry a firearm. Do you, or do you not carry and why?

If Iowa Goes To Ron Paul You Won't See It On The News

2011-12-23T21:02:00.000-06:00

Here is an interesting article and video that says plainly, if Paul wins Iowa, a crucial early primary, the MSM will block it out, down play it and change it. Don't take it from me, this is the admitted plan of the main stream media, which is what they always do anyway. The fact is that the "establishment" is deathly affraid of Ron Paul. The money doesn't like his ideas on the FED and that is the reason Dr. Paul is blacklisted. Click the link and read more.

New Child Labor Regulations For Farmers Under Debate

2011-12-17T13:03:00.000-06:00

Have you heard about the new child labor regulations that are being proposed? If not, and you live on a farm, you might want to check into this. Read this article and get informed. The gist of the proposals is that anyone under the age of 18 would not be allowed to do most of the traditional farm chores they have always done-throughout time. Here is my question, well not really a question, more of a statement, but this seems very hypocritical of a government that supports and promotes abortion. We continually allow the government to dictate how we raise, train, teach, lead, work with, admonish, discipline, feed and care for our children-all for the sake of their "safety". You know, to keep them alive and well. Yet, it is this same government that allows people, legally, to kill an unborn child. Hypocritical, yes, but should I really expect anything less from a corrupt system?

"We Are All Children Of God"

2011-12-12T17:18:00.000-06:00

Read this article, I can add nothing.

Do You Have Spiritual Goals For Yourself And Family?

2011-12-09T22:32:00.000-06:00

God is a God of order and He is goal oriented (John 5:17; Ephesians 1:10), therefore, as His earthly vessels, we ought to be goal oriented, it is a part of having been made in His image (Gen. 2:15). In other words, do you have a specific biblical plan that would aid your fellow believers gain the prize of displaying Christ to the world?

Ask yourself some questions to help get started:

Where am I spiritually and how am I growing in Christ?
What do I believe about my eternal purpose, and where I am in relation to that purpose?
Do I read the Scriptures daily?
Am I offering my God given talents and gifts to my church and others?
Do I have confidence that my desires and dreams are divinely inspired?

Eating Squirrels?

2011-12-03T11:45:00.000-06:00

I am giving some serious consideration to hittin' the woods and knock off a few squirrels. The woods are loaded with them, so I could stand to thin out a few. What this got me thinking about is in the area of preparedness and survival. Yes, you can eat squirrels and they are very tasty if they are done right. Simply put, squirrels are a ready, and abundant, source of protien for the freezer should the need arise. Many people say they won't eat them, or even think about eating them, but if you are hungry, you might reconsider that. Not to mention it is a fun way to spend an afternoon with the .22.

Is A Zippo Lighter Best In Harsh Conditions?

2011-11-29T19:11:00.000-06:00

I thought I'd share this as it struck me between the eyes in its simplicity from a survival point of view. If you want to be prepared, do you have a source of heat ignition that will perform in all conditions. Stocking up on the items it takes to keep a zippo going might be a worthy investment-even if you don't smoke.

Problems Finding Pecans?

2011-11-26T16:20:00.000-06:00

Major drought in the US is affecting this years pecan crop. I am a produce guy and we haven't gotten any pecans yet. We were thinking that Missouri pecans would come through, but I have a feeling they went to other places-farmers seeking a good profit. Read more...

A Winter Power Outage Is Something To Be Ready For

2011-11-22T20:39:00.000-06:00

I have been doing some thinking. OK, I have shamelessly stolen (borrowed) an idea from a new Facebook friend on survival. None the less, it is something we should all be thinking about. Now that winter is almost here, we need to think about the things we need and don't have, or need to improve upon in case of a major winter power outage. A few years back, we had a killer ice storm go through and we got the chance to test our abilities. One good thing is that you not only get a chance to see where your plans have succeded, but you also get to see your shortcomings. Ours was with water. We planned ahead, filled the bathtub and all the jars we could find with fresh water. But, should we have a sustained outage, we would be without water, so I discovered that lack there. No, I haven't rectified that yet (shame on me). We did very well with solar lighting, kerosene lanterns and wood heat. We raise a lot of our own food and keep a well stocked pantry, so we were good there. We were fortunate, we lost power for 27 hours. Many of our friends lost power for a week or more. I did buy a small generator that will run a freezer, so that took care of the frozen meat stores.

Now is the time to think on what we need to do in case it happens again. This is vital for you and your family and the manly thing to do, not to mention biblical. So, give me some suggestions. What do you do to be ready in case of a winter power outage?

Heating With Wood On The Rise

2011-11-16T11:09:00.000-06:00

I read an article the other day that has kind of got my dander up. What else is new right? Anyway, I can't post a link to it as I actually read this one in a real live, local newspaper-verses the electronic kind I usually read.

The gist of this one was that the consumption of wood for heat and the use of wood stoves and furnaces are increasing dramatically throughout the country, which stands to reason as conventional energy sources continue to get more and more expensive. The article highlighted a man in Maine that has added a wood stove to his house to supplement the heat bill, saying that wood is readily available and cheaper than the standard. Good for him, I thought. We heat with nothing but wood and enjoy it very much and doesn't cost us anything other than fuel and oil for my chainsaw. We love it.

Then I get to the part of the article that had quotes from environmentalists and EPA people. I will spare all the details, but suffice to say that the idea is being put forth that we "need more regulation" to meet the rising demand for wood heat. The translation is that they are worried about all the "toxins and pollution" that is being put into the air from all those chimneys out there. Then there is the risk to health through the "carcinogens and carbon monoxide" being spewed forth from the burning of trees. Some states have even banned or severely limited the use of wood for fuel and heat. So what's next? You know that if the ideas are being put out there, it is only a matter of time before they start trying to pass new legislation, ultimately resulting in a dictation of how you use your land and heat your home. This is concerning to me.

I remember reading an article a while back that stated new scientific reserch had indicated that the reason for droughts and lack of rain and the so called "warming up" of the earth were a result of a LACK of wood burning chimneys. Supposedly, wood puts out smoke, which carries tiny particles into the atmosphere, which gets hung up in the air, which collect moisture, which form clouds, wich drop rain. I believe it. It makes sense to me. Maybe the good people of Texas need to burn more wood. Or maybe they should burn more wood in California so Texas can get some relief. I'm just sayin'...

So what are your thoughts? Do you heat with wood like we do? Are you affraid of more possible regulation?

Israeli Prime Minister Not A Popular Guy?

2011-11-09T16:58:00.000-06:00

Sarkozy of France and Barry of the U.S. had some snide remarks about Benjamin Netanyahu. I bet the feeling is mutual. Read more...

Former Soviet Union President Gorbachev Calling For NWO

2011-11-07T18:27:00.000-06:00

"Over the next 20 to 30 years, we are going to end up with world government," he told the SF Weekly. "It's inevitable. It will happen and become just as normal to have a relationship with the rest of the world as we now have, say, if you are a Californian and you go to Vermont."-Mikhail Gorbachev

Read the article here. I will resrve too much comment and let you decide. I will say this, Gorbachev is right, the global government is innevitable.

Monsanto To Invade The Produce Aisle At Your Local Grocer.

2011-11-03T17:37:00.000-05:00

I am a produce man, it is what I do to pay the bills. Until now, genetically modified food has been limited to corn and soybeans. I have know for some time that Monsanto was getting serious about their "Roundup ready" seeds in the grass and legume arena, but now they are attacking even everyday food like melons and tomatoes. I am really disgusted, so all I can say is that I cannot stand Monsanto and their greed. Read the linked article.

Jesus Unconstitutional?

2011-10-29T08:55:00.000-05:00

First of all, I am tired of buzz words like "pluralistic" and "inclusive". These are words that have been invented and propigated by some pencil pushing geek, law school grad-therefore smart, never-held-a-real-job-in-his/her-life and spewing it forth to show how smart they are. You need to read this article to see how the Anti Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has fought to keep a town's government from invoking the name of Jesus before their meetings. Yes, the federal judges ruled that the name of Jesus was unconstitutional. I bet they wouldn't dream of ruling the name "allah" unconstitutional. Or how about "buddah"? "vishnu", "gaia"? What about "satan"? I'll bet the last name mentioned is having a blast with all this.

Paracord Campers Package.

2011-10-27T16:29:00.000-05:00

This is a set of paracord items I put together and am labeling the "Camper's Package". One belt loop keykeeper, bracelet and a cool Monkey's fist keyfob.

No Cash For Selling Stuff?

2011-10-25T16:01:00.000-05:00

The great state of Louisianna has implemented a law, recently that makes it illegal to collect cash at your yard sale. I do not live in LA. yet this hacks me off. Is this a sign of things to come? Can we all look forward to a cashless society? Is this part of biblical prophecy? I know one thing, the government, for quite some time now, has been struggling with the idea of honest folks making extra money under the table. They can't seem to find a way to tax it, so they just make it illegal. Is it time for civil disobedience? Read more here...

Is Keeping A Safe Deposit Box Safe?

2011-10-20T20:43:00.000-05:00

Here is an interesting and informative article, in case you have, or are thinking of getting a safe deposit box at your local bank. This article addresses a question that was asked in regard to a 1933 Roosevelt executive order. The perception was that that executive order allowed the government to willy-nilly go into banks and open boxes as they deemed necessary. There are also some good points about the Patriot Act in relation to this topic. Use the link to read more.

2011-10-17T20:25:00.000-05:00

A new design paracord neck lanyard. I am really pleased with this one, it's good and sturdy. it is made from 2 10' strands of paracord done in a round sennett knot with a Mathew Walker knot at the end, fastened to a metal spring hook. You like?

Healing Cavities Without Drilling And Filling?

2011-10-13T20:54:00.000-05:00

If you have never heard of Dr. Weston A. Price, do yourself a favor and look him up. He was an incredible man and doctor that learned a bit about health and natural ways of healing and vitality. Here is one great example of the things Dr. Price learned and taught. Read the article, then check out the Weston A. Price foundations website.

Subpeona Coming To Holder Soon

2011-10-12T19:00:00.000-05:00

Good. Eric Holder is coming under greater scrutiny over the Fast and Furious failure. It is apparent that Holder gave some misleading and skewed information at his last appearance to testify (Ya think?) But things are shaping up to get ugly for Mr. Holder and, perhaps, the Justice Department. There are even allegations that the plan was originally hatch by Hillary Clinton (another surprise). Is there anything legal about this government? Read more here...

Federal Judge Upholds The Constitution

2011-10-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

They say that the rights you don't use are the ones you lose. I'm glad this gentleman stood up for his. A county sherrif denied a CCW permit to a man because of his political leanings-the gentleman sued and won. Kudos to the federal judge! Use the link to read more.

The Liberal Second Amendment

2011-10-02T18:00:00.000-05:00

Factory Farming, Good Or Bad?

2011-09-29T16:15:00.000-05:00

Can anyhting good come from factory farming mehtods? Why do we continue to trust the established methods? Years ago there was a small farm on every corner, so to speak. Now we have corporate "farmers" feeding us all. Oh goodie...

Raw Milk Farmer Calls It Quits

2011-09-24T19:55:00.000-05:00

Read this story, it is a bummer for the farmer, yet there is a lot of truth as to the cost of a small farm. With regulation and subsidies rampant, it is becoming impossible for a small farmer to stay true to their principles and remain small. I am glad that they decided to opt out rather than cave in, work double the hours and comprimise their ideals. I hate to see this happen, either way. The country needs more small producers, not less.

2011-09-17T20:52:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share this neat video on using a paracord sling. Yup, I'll be making a few of these. Enjoy.

A Good Friend Is Gone

2011-09-16T16:17:00.000-05:00

It is funny how family pets grow on you. This one was more than a pet, he was our farm dog, always loyal. He was a great dog, the best I've ever had. Boomer the Border Collie, gone but not forgotten.

Rick Perry-Is He The Real Deal?

2011-09-12T21:25:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd share this about Rick Perry. Make sure to read this story all the way to the end, it's not too long. After you have read it, ask yourself why would he be different as president? Granted, people change their minds, but the only time I see a politician change his mind is when he's after votes. My prediction is this, Rick Perry will sound "tough" until he gets the nomination, after which he will moderate a bit until he wins the election, then he will moderate a bunch.

A Journey Into The Holy Of Holies

2011-09-11T17:58:00.001-05:00

I am on a new kick. A new one for me, that is. God is taking me on a journey into the Holy of Holies that I have spent little time in during the past. You do know that we can freely enter in, don't you? Think about it, when Christ died on the cross, the veil in the Tabernacle was rent in two, signifying that we can now enter into the holiest place. We can enter in because of His shed blood, His fullfilment of the law, and we can, literally, gaze into the face of God.

It was said of Charles Spurgeon that he could glide from laughter into prayer without hesitation. In other words, prayer was a part of himself, so much so that it was an extension of himself. How is my prayer life? Spurgeon, indeed, all the theological giants, lived with an attitude of prayer. That means that they talked to God as a matter of fact, not formality.

We are able to enter freely in and have fellowship with the Father. Do you know what that means to a believer? That means that God is not a far off being that is out of reach. Instead, He is right there with us. Christ said that wherever there are two or more gathered, there I am with them. When we pray, do we set an extra place for Him?

I am finding, on this journey, that I do not have to find a quiet place and prostrate myself to talk to God. It can be a natural, normal thing to talk to Him, just like He is right there with you. And He is, if you are a believer, because of the indwelling of the Spirit, living within you. Your body is the Holy of Holies because it is the dwelling place of God.

A quiet place is good, even required, when we need to spend a quantity of time with God, mostly because we need to listen. Listening is a vital part of prayer. Often we tend to talk to God and go on our way, forgetting that which we just said to Him. Instead, we need to listen for His response. How much do we miss from Him because we don't stop long enough to listen?

So, here I am, learning to gaze upon the face of the Creator. I have always prayed, but not at the level I am talking about here. This journey has given me a glimpse of the peace that transcends all understanding, because God is here. He has given me comfort in a new found closeness with Him. What a wonderful, powerful God we serve. Care to join me?

Feel Good Story Of The Week

2011-09-08T17:41:00.002-05:00

College student defends himself and ends up in the hospital. Read more here...

If You Have Precious Metals, You Might Hang On To Them A Bit Longer

2011-09-03T19:35:00.000-05:00

If this fella is right, that is. A financial guy, (I can't pronounce his name) is predicting a bull market on gold and silver that will end all bull markets. Read more...

Our Solar Power Is Fixed

2011-08-30T20:22:00.000-05:00

You probably didn't know that our solar system was down for a while, because I don't think that I shared that. Anyway, we have had a problem for a while, I will spare you the boring stuff. We tried everything that we could think of, nothing worked to get it going again. Today, I spent one of the most glorious days of my life, communing with God. God has the hairs of our heads numbered, He cares that much. He cares about little things, like the number of our hair. So, I latched onto that promise and spent the day talking to Him about a little thing like our solar array, yes, the whole day while at work, I talked to My Father in heaven. There is another "minor" issue that I talked to Him about as well, but I shall not mention that here. What I want to do here is tell you that God cares about those little things and uses them to build our faith for when the big things come. Right now I am praising Him for caring so much that He revealed the problem to me after trying everything I knew. I will not embarrass myself and tell you what the solution was. It was one of those obvious things I usually overlook. But, Praise God, it is fixed. We serve an excellent, wonderful God, don't we?

Good Ol' George

2011-08-25T18:27:00.000-05:00

"(T)he foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality; ...the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained..." George Washington, First Inaugural, April 30 1789

Drought and Flooding Causing Farm Income To Drop

2011-08-19T15:38:00.000-05:00

This year's weather patterns may have put, yet another, nail in the coffin of the economy. No matter how the White House and the MSM spin things, it is rather bleak out here in middle America. But, I think that's how they want it. They don't like us country folk much. Read more here...

The USDuh Proposes Another Animal I.D. Tracking System

2011-08-15T20:25:00.000-05:00

Here we go again, another "traceability" proposal from the USDuh. Look, all I want is smaller government, I really don't care that other countries buy meat from the USA. It is just another means of taxation. Read more here...

Rain In The Ozarks-Finally.

2011-08-09T20:07:00.001-05:00

OK, we got some rain, about an inch and a half. That is good and there is more on the way. Praise God! However, I am looking at the burn up grass in the pasture and it shows no sign of recovery-zero. So, I have mixed feelings. In fact, I noticed today that there are signs of erosion where the grass once was.

We have been doing some research on Permaculture and are very interested in swales. Simply put, they are trenches dug about a foot wide and a foot deep in strategic locations to "capture" rain water and distribute it into the surrounding land. If the ground ever gets soft enough to dig in again, i will be doing some of this. I need to do something, the price of feed is killing us. Any thoughts or experiences?

How Are Your Preps?

2011-08-06T15:53:00.000-05:00

This morning, early, we loaded up the van and the truck and headed into town to participate in the city wide yard sale. It turned out very well and was quite busy for much of the day, until around 1 pm, when the heat started getting the best of everyone. It is still 100 plus degress and has been so for about a month. The little rain we have received is now non-existent. In other words, the 3/4 inch we got just a couple of days ago has no trace left, it is still as bone dry as it ever was. We have had a total of about 3 inches of rain since April, all in tiny spurts.

Any way, the yard sale did well for us (shhh, don't tell Uncle Sam) and I met a couple of fine folks while there. In fact, the more you talk to people, the more you hear how disgruntled, disinfranchised, disgusted and in a state of dis belief most folks are over the OVER extending arm of government.

Anyway, people are getting prepared. There will be a melt down soon. We have fresh milk again and are looking forward to future beef. But, I need to be a LOT more serious about our preps than I have been. How about you?

Some New Knot Work And A Special Design Neck Lanyard

2011-08-03T15:18:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures of some of my latest knot work. The bracelet is not unusual, but the neck lanyard I made from a friend is my own design. I consists of three different knots and a plait for the neck part. I had fun making it. My friend discovered a flaw not long after I presented it yo her, so I had to take it home and fix it, but I think I got the kinks worked out.

New Life Warms The Heart

2011-08-01T21:41:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pics of our new bull calf, born a week ago.

He's brand new and very dirty in these pics. He looks much better now :)

Is Gov. Perry's "The Response" A Biblical Response?

2011-07-28T15:48:00.000-05:00

Brannon Howse of "Worldview Weekend" has written a ver good article on why the "Response", a "restore America Campaign" championed by Gov. Rick Perry of Texas. While I am all for restoring America, I must say that I agree with Mr. Howse and false teachers who teach a false Christ through occultic methods is not the way to do it. In fact, it will do more harm than good. Click the link above and read for yourself, you decide. I think the author is right and Christians should have no part in it.

Homestead Thoughts

2011-07-26T15:42:00.000-05:00

I shouldn't have to be feeding hay in July. I also don't think that I should be paying $3.57 per gallon of gas, either. It will be neat to see how God works to get us through the winter, which is months away.

Here We Go Again With Animal Tracking

2011-07-23T12:28:00.000-05:00

The USDA, or the USDuh, as I like to put it, is at it again. They are pushing animal tagging in the form of ear tags for traceability. Remember the big fight that took place with the NAIS (Nation Animal Identification System)? This is the same thing with a few twists. Read this article and be on the lookout. The USDuh does not give up. The bottom line is that there is a lot of money out there and the big guys are upset that they might lose their share (Monsanto, Cargill, Tyson, etc...). The problem for them is that the average farmer/rancher wants nothing to do with all the big government bureaucracy that comes with it. I feel the same way. Big government has proven, time and again, that they can do nothing well. Why do we continue to trust them?

What Is Prayer?

2011-07-19T16:18:00.000-05:00

Prayer is the disinfectant and preventative that destroys the contagion of evil.

15% Off Sale-Boysofsummer/menofetsy

2011-07-19T16:16:00.001-05:00

This is a neat little key chain/fob that I made, a monkey's fist with a hangman's noose around the keyring. Check it out at my Etsy shop. Use the coupon code, boysofsummer to receive 15% off your purchase.

The Men Of Etsy Sale

2011-07-16T15:30:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the first day of the 15% off sale with the Men Of Etsy Team. There are a slew of shops that are participating, including mine, so go check it out. Use the coupon code bouysofsummer, and do a search at Etsy for menofetsyteam to see the couple thousand items.

Here is a cool treasury collection I put together called The Wild, Wild West.

Is Financial Collapse A Foregone Conclusion?

2011-07-15T15:51:00.000-05:00

I hope that it is not too late, but I think that we all need to be prepared for something big to happen, economically. There are several nations in Europe that are on the brink of default, which this article explains and just might set off the dominos. As a believer, I need to think of my wife and children, not just their safety and sustenance, but their spiritual well-being. My children are saved, but are they prepared for what might lay ahead in the near future? Am I, for that matter? The time for keeping our heads in the sand is at an end. Use the link and read the article. This is not to scare anyone, God has been and always will be in control, just be aware and keep a level head.

Men Of Etsy Team Sales Event

2011-07-14T21:10:00.000-05:00

The Men Of Etsy, of which I am a part, is having a huge 15% off sale starting this Sunday the 17th through the 24th. There are a couple of thousand hand made items to choose from, so give them a look. Go to Etsy.com and do a search for boysofsummer, you will get a large selection of quality items, you won't be sorry. Check it out.

Here is a set of Thump Mat Coasters that I am offering for sale, made with nylon cord.

The Government Owns The Rain Water That Falls On Your Property

2011-07-10T18:04:00.000-05:00

You have got to read this. Is there no limit on government? I do not believe there is.

Update

2011-07-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

Brother, it's hot! 'Tis summer, I guess. The ground is parched and so are we.

I am working on a chicken coop made with cattle panels hooped up on a frame. i will try to remember to post pictures of the completed project. I have some friends and relatives that use these and I am impressed with the durability of them. Some have hung rabbit hutches in them, others have put egg boxes in them. They all use hanging waterers and feeders. I didn't like them at first, I thought they would act like a parachute in the wind and we get some stiff winds here. Typically, they are covered with tarps, so I thought the wind would get under them and carry it away. Our one friend leaves enough of the panels open that the wind passes through and she has not had a problem-yet. But, I am warming up to this style of coop and may use this design for other things-who knows?

Other than temps that could bake a potato, that's all I have going on right now. I still have my laundry list of tasks, but I am sure I always will. I am going to await a little cooler weather.

Cool Purple Martin Birdhouse Gourd

2011-07-06T16:28:00.000-05:00

My kids and I made this.

Cord Thump Mat Coasters

2011-07-05T20:16:00.000-05:00

Independance Day 2011-Let Us Remember

2011-07-03T14:31:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is Independance day, so have a happy one. No, i did not say "happy fourth" as so many do. It is Independance Day, a day to recall what those brave, noble, christian men did 235 years ago. They, quite literally, signed their own death warrants when putting pen to the Decalration of Independance from Great Britain. They were not scared, nor did they falter, but laid it all on the line for their posterity. This is what I and my family choose to remember on this serious day. Of all the wars fought by the USA, none really compare in importance to the one of the Revolution. The original one that gained the liberty that has made the USA the envy of the world. What a shame that this is slipping from our fingers as we speak. What a shame that there are enemies in government that do not think the priciples of the founding of this country are wprth holding to. Let us remember that there are enemies to your liberty, both foreign and domestic. Don't leave out the "domestic" part, there are those that would destroy from within. So, with that, I share a quote from Mr. Thomas Jefferson:
"The way to have safe government is not to trust it all to the one, but to divide it among the many, distributing to everyone exactly the functions in which he is competent....To let the National Government be entrusted with the defense of the nation, and its foreign and federal relations..... The State Governments with the Civil Rights, Laws, Police and administration of what concerns the State generally. The Counties with the local concerns, and each ward direct the interests within itself. It is by dividing and subdividing these Republics from the great national one down through all its subordinations until it ends in the administration of everyman's farm by himself, by placing under everyone what his own eye may superintend, that all will be done for the best." Thomas Jefferson

The founders were not stupid, they understood history very well and that democracies, historically, have failed. We are a Republic, let us remember.

Countries Around The World Want To Rein In Commodity Traders

2011-06-30T20:18:00.000-05:00

Anything with the words "central database" scares me. This time it is in relation to nations around the world calling for more food regulation. They say they want to improve self sustainability, which is a good thing, again, you get those dreaded words... Read more...

Paracord cross knot key fob

2011-06-26T20:28:00.000-05:00

My latest creation. A paracord cross key fob made with several cross knots.

Small Town With BIG Dreams

2011-06-20T17:40:00.000-05:00

Just a few miles to the north of us we are taking care of the homestead of a friend of ours that has gone out of town fo a week. To get to their place, we have to drive through a little blurb of a town, it's one of those towns that if you blink you'll miss it. I will spare the name of this town to protect the innocent, but my wife and I have discovered something about this little town that may be a shock to some, something that would not be expected.

You have to understand that this place has as many buildings as I have fingers on one hand. I would estimate that 99% of them are residential, farms and one HUGE junk yard-right next to the road. It is not a ghost town, but it is awfully close. It once was home to a post office, many years ago-like say the 1400's or something. But other than a few homes, there is nothing there.

But here is the part that we discovered; the highway (if you can call it that, it is paved after all), has been adopted.

That's not so strange or unusual, you say? True, it is not. Adopt a highway programs have become quite popular in recent years and are a very good thing. These programs and the volunteers go to great lengths to help keep the road ways free of trash and debris, for that they are to be commended. No, that is not the interesting discovery. What is interesting is the organization that adopted this particular stretch of highway. It was adopted by the teeny, tiny, miniscule, little town's CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. If you do not find this in the least bit humorous, I refer you to the brief description of the teeny, tiny, little town above. They have a Chamber of Commerce!

We chuckled at the sign that stated, "This road has been adopted by the (blank) Chamber of Commerce" and asked just what "commerce" actually takes place in this teeny, tiny, little town with NO businesses? Obviously, the few people (say no more than 20) that live there are VERY optomistic. God bless them, I hope they reach their goal. Surely they are trying to attract businesses to the area, or something. However, there is nothing around for many miles. I am not even sure that the Chamber has a chamber, if you know what I mean.

Farming And The Art Of Whinning

2011-06-18T16:37:00.000-05:00

It would seem that a farmer is never satisfied. No, let me rephrase that, a farmer is never satisfied. All you have to do is spend some time sitting at the "liars table" at the local greasy spoon to learn this phenomonon. Don't talk, just listen to what they have to say.

Case in point: just a month ago you heard us crying that there was too much rain. In fact there was too much rain, we had close to 40 inches in the span of a month and a half. It was enough to make my feet grow webs and make me walk like a duck. I think I may have heard our youngest daughter quack once. The lakes and streams and rivers are all still overflowing. That was a month ago.

Since then we have had zero rain. There is an old saying in the Ozarks that we are never more than two weeks from a drought. Brother, ain't that the truth! Things around here have gotten so dry that the rocks are thirsty. The morning dew has become the morning don't. The sun has baked everything but the pie in the oven.

Now I'm not one to whine-OK, yes I am. But you have to understand that without rain the grass doesn't grow. Without grass the cows will starve-have you ever noticed that the weeds seem to find a way to grow in dry weather? They are always there and green t'boot. I'm thinking the grass could learn a thing or two from their neighbors and show a little more gumption.

I don't even want to get into the garden, I mean we could starve. Life won't be much fun if we have to go hungry, now would it? OK, maybe things aren't quite that bad, but you get my point. The main thing is that we need rain. We went from way too much to way too little in too short of a time. So, no, we homesteading types are never satisfied. There is always too much of this and too little of that, or the market is low, or the economy stinks etc...

The thing to do is to quit whinning and get on with life, right? But whinning brings a temporary relief for many, yes, me too. God says to trust in Him, HE makes it rain. So I need to look to Him for daily sustenance, which goes beyond food and grass and into the spiritual. With the Spiritual self in line, whinning becaomes a non-issue. "If a man lacks anything, let him ask in wisdom..." You knew there had to be a spiritual lesson in this, right? So, I'm going to shower the sweat from my body and gaze into the face of God and know that He is, then I will TRY not to whine tomorrow, or in ten minutes for that matter. Ugh.

What Can You Do With D.E.?

2011-06-14T21:18:00.000-05:00

There are several great uses for Diatomaceous Earth but many folks don't really know the "how" part.

One thing you can do is mix 1/4 cup od DE in a gallon of vinegar and pour it on insects and pests, or you can use it as a drench and pour it right down the hole of an ant colony. A great pest barrier is to put petroleum jelly around the trunks of trees and then lightly dust the jelly with DE. Some use DE to control bed bugs and is safe and effective.

A good tip is that less is more with DE, most times all you need is a bit in the palm of your hand and blowing it onto whatever. Use DE on your wood pile, under rocks and any other hiding place you can think of. For a barrier around the house, mix DE with water and spray it around the foundation. When the water evaporates the remaining DE will be effective for a very long time.

In the garden, dust your plants with it, but make sure to mist the plants with water first so the DE will stick and not blow away or get washed off in the first rain. Keep in mind that DE will also kill beneficial insects.

You can find DE in health food stores or at farm feed stores. This has become a must have on our homestead.

What is Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.)?

2011-06-09T15:48:00.000-05:00

Interestingly, Diatomaceaous Earth, or DE is used all over by health conscious and all natural minded people for various reasons. The biggest reasons are for pest control in the garden and on and around livestock. You might ask, what is it, exactly?

DE is a mined substance from fossilized silica shell remains from single-cellular algae, most commonly called diatoms. These diatoms turned the silica they ingested into thei shells and are related to crustaceans.

If you use DE, make sure to find the food grade, or GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) for use around the homestead or business. The DE used in swimming pool applications is not regarded as a good insecticide, and because of its make up, can cause some serious problems if inhaled. So, make sure to use the food grade DE.

Another problem is that DE is abrasive to the eyes, as well as the lungs, so use eye protection when working with it. Come back soon to learn about some great uses for the food grade DE.

What Does The U.N. Have To Do With Our Guns? Plenty-Apparently

2011-06-08T15:55:00.000-05:00

The U.N. has decided that they don't like the idea of private gun ownership-especially in the U.S. Here is a shocker, I don't really care what anyone else in the world thinks about my rights, you shouldn't either. Be on the alert for this.

Joplin Tornado Survivors Get Grass Fed Beef

2011-06-06T15:33:00.002-05:00

American Grass Fed Beef served thousands of free grassfed meals to survivors of the Joplin, Missouri, tornado over the Memorial Day weekend. AGA is located in nearby Doniphan, Missouri. The meals consisted of grassfed beef burgers and pulled pastured pork plus sides, fruit and bottled water. Over 5000 meals were served over the three day holiday.

Hey! We're On Squidoo!

2011-06-03T20:12:00.000-05:00

Check us out and tell your friends! Above all, check back for more, new "lenses"!

Birdhouse Gourd By Elisabeth

2011-06-01T20:39:00.000-05:00

Elisabeth (age 8) made this.

Asparagus On The Grill

2011-05-31T21:43:00.000-05:00

Ever had Asparagus on the grill? Try it, it is delicious. I did it yesterday for the first time on the grill. We all love asparagus but never done this way-crazy, huh? Just wrap the asparagus (from our garden) in tin foil along with a clove of garlic (chopped up) and butter. Put it on the grill and let it steam until tender. Very tasty.

I am not too good at veggies on the grill, so give me some ideas.

Joplin Tornado Slideshow

2011-05-28T11:04:00.000-05:00

Joplin is about 2.5 hours north west of us. We caught the same storm they had, diminished greatly but still nasty. View this slideshow, I can add no more.

Rain

2011-05-28T08:43:00.000-05:00

I really desire for the rain to quit. The flooding here is enormous, our friends that have river and lake resorts are getting very nervous. Oh boy...

Bull Shoals Dam-5th Largest Dam In The US

2011-05-26T16:05:00.000-05:00

All Flood gates are open. Things are getting hairy around here with all the water, and not a drop to drink. Rain and tornadoes are rampant in our neck of the woods, but here is a great photo of the dam, snapped by a frind of mine. I was told that it is letting loose 280,000 gallons per second. Incredible.

My Latest-Paracord Rattlesnake Knot Key Fob

2011-05-23T16:59:00.000-05:00

Waddaya think?

Survival Gear

2011-05-22T19:53:00.000-05:00

I am really having fun learning new knots and making things that can help save a life in a crunch. Take a look at my Etsy store and my latest creation a rattlesnake knot key fob. The fob is also made of 550 paracord in Woodland Camo. Let me know what you think.

PLAN-Personal Localized Alert Network

2011-05-19T17:37:00.000-05:00

At least they are allowing people to opt out of this service. Call me a tin foil hat wearer, but I am not crazy about special chips being mandatory-in fact, I get very nervous anytime the government makes anything mandatory. So next year, all cell phones must be equipped with these chips. Like I said, at least they are letting people opt out, but isn't this just another step in the door for the intrusive government? You tell me.

Feathers For Oil?

2011-05-18T21:58:00.000-05:00

Scientists have discovered a way for chicken feathers to be substituted for petroleum in the making of plastics. This could greatly reduce the US dependency on foreign oil, that could be a good thing. Maybe all us chicken farmers should start saving and selling the feathers at butcher time? Read more...

Hot, Cold, Hot, Cold....

2011-05-17T18:57:00.001-05:00

Not long ago, (about three weeks), I made a comment to my lovely wife that this spring was like an old Ford I once owned.

How so? she asked.

I said, Well, that old Ford was incredibly hard to start and took forever to warm up.

That is how I feel about this spring. Not that I mind it not being 95 degrees already, but I did not expect to wake up this morning to 40 degree temps. It has been a complete rollercoaster as far as weather goes. We have had some 90 degree days, with a bunch of cold days all mixed with a TON of rain. This week has been on the cool side but very pleasant. We are now looking at four complete days of rain coming up this weekend. Bummer.

The bright side is that we are harvesting strawberries and the garden is managing to grow, however slowly. And we haven't put in the air conditioner yet. Bonus. So, what'e new in your area?

My Latest Creation

2011-05-15T19:44:00.000-05:00

Waddaya think?

This is a paracord lanyard with 10.5 feet of continuous cord for emergencies.

Goldman Sachs-Criminal?

2011-05-15T19:41:00.000-05:00

You decide. Read more... Personally, I think they are all criminals, nuff said.

GM crop cultivation a symbol of death to natives whose loved ones killed by pesticides

2011-05-09T18:59:00.000-05:00

Gotta love that GMO food. We keep messing with God's creation and acting as Him. We are creating these monocultures that are making opeople sick, the land sick, everything.

The Price For Lambs Is Increasing

2011-05-08T21:26:00.000-05:00

Have you ever thought of raising lamb on your homestead? Now might be the time to get in on it, the price of lamb has skyrocketed and the demand is increasing. This might be a good money maker for grassfarmers and natural farmers and homesteaders. Check out the linked article for more details.

New study: Nations requiring the most vaccines tend to have the worst infant mortality rates

2011-05-07T14:34:00.000-05:00

Make your own conclusions after reading this article and be informed. If you send your kids to public school, it has become mandatory, another good reason to home school. Vaccines have been linked to all kinds of things, including Autism, I'm not telling you what to do, but be wise.

Orthorexia-If You Like Healthy, Organic Real Food, You Need To See A Shrink

2011-05-03T20:22:00.001-05:00

Apparently, there are psych "experts" out there that say that if you like real, whole, non-GMO, non-pesticide laced, no chemicals, no hormones, no antibiotic food then you must be sick. And eating processed foods that contain all those things aforementioned is normal. What next? Read more here...

The Important Parts Of Rain Water

2011-05-02T15:56:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share a tid-bit of information with y'all. I am reading an old book written in the mid-1800's about drainage and run-off on the farm. I learned a bit about rain water. "Rain water always contains in solution, air, carbonic acid and ammonia. The first two ingredients are among the most powerful disintegrators of a soil. The oxygen of the air and the carbonic acid being both in a highly condensed form, by being dissolved, possess very powerful affinities for the ingredients of the soil. The oxygen attacks and oxydizes the iron; the carbonic acid siezing the lime and potash and other alkaline ingredients of the soil, produces a further disintegration and renders available the locked up ingredients of this magazine of nutrients. Before these can be used by plants, they must be rendered soluble; and this is only affected by the free and renewed access of rain and air. The ready passage of both of these, therefore, enables the soil to yield up its concealed nutriment."

Interesting, indeed. This would explain why the garden grows so much faster and more lush after a rain verses watering from the garden hose. Surely there is a modern farm application to this knowledge?

Homestead Humor

2011-04-30T15:39:00.000-05:00

New Organic Method For Solar Cells

2011-04-29T19:16:00.000-05:00

Scientists have found a way to use gold, very thin layers of gold, for use in solar cells. Gold is an excellent conductor and, they have found that it is not as expensive as you might think. Read more...

Over 15 Inches Of Rain In 4 Days

2011-04-26T12:47:00.000-05:00

This has been a wild week. Over the last 4 days, we have gotten over 15 inches of rain. To add perspective, I left a 5 gallon bucket out in the field where we have the broiler chickens. I use the bucket to fill the waterer on the chicken tractor. The day the rains started, I emptied the bucket and left it there for the next time, empty. Over the last 4 days the bucket was filled to the brim. The bucket is 15 inches tall-full. Our septic tank filled up and wouldn't allow us to flush the toilet, so we had to make periodic runs to the in-laws just over the hill. The driveway got washed out in several places and there is standing water everywhere. I am thankful we live on a ridge with no low water bridges or creeks to cross. There are many around here that aren't as fortunate. The creeks, rivers and lakes are all past flood stage. Most folks I talked to said that they have not seen anything like this, although, the local weather guy said the last time the rain fell like this was 40 years ago, in 1961. The bottom line is that people need to be prepared for anything. This type of thing always gets me thinking about how we are prepared for natural disasters-let alone the stupid government and what might happen because of them. A word to the wise-use these times to learn and plan ahead.

My Latest Projects-Paracord Bracelets

2011-04-24T18:40:00.002-05:00

Big Time Treasure Found In A Garden

2011-04-23T09:02:00.000-05:00

Here is a little diversion of an Austrian man who found a large treasure trove 650 years old. The article calls it ancient bling. My family and I like to go metal detecting from time to time and we all love history, so I thought this was an interesting find to share with you. Although there has not been a monetary value assigned to the find, as of yet, after reading the linked article, I'm sure you will agree that it is worth a bunch.

Sweeping Gun Law In Arizona

2011-04-16T18:47:00.000-05:00

Here is one for the second amendment. Arizona has passed sweeping gun law changes throught the senate. An amended bill now goes to the house. It looks good on the surface, but there are a lot of exceptions. It is, however a step in the right direction.

What Do You See Wrong With This Picture?

2011-04-15T16:15:00.000-05:00

Do You Know About Climate Mitigation?

2011-04-03T21:21:00.000-05:00

I don't know how y'all feel about chem-trails, real or not, but I had a friend say that if he could "opt out" from ingesting the poisons the government puts into the air, he would. Trouble is, like him, we have to breathe. There is a group out there dedicated to stopping the government from further damaging agriculture as we know it through "climate mitigation" chemicles that are being experimented with. You can read this article to find out more.

A Busy Day On The Homestead

2011-04-02T18:49:00.001-05:00

I think it is safe to say that we had a very productive day on our little homestead, today. My lovely wife started her day (after her bible time) doing some work in the garden and the new green house (which I need to post pics of). Actually, she didn't just start in the garden, she stayed out there all day, and why not? The sky is clear and the temp is around 75-beautiful. The girls went into the woods and shoveled dirt into the garden cart for momma, that nice, dark, rich, manure laden, decomposed leaf filled, mineral filled soil. They brought it to her in the garden and she used it in the new raised strawberry bed I built for her this morning. We have had strawberries for a few years, but my wife wanted to add a second tier to it, so I built her a box to put in the middle of the bed, giving her two tiers of strawberries.

After I built that box, I then built five more raised bed potato boxes to add to the ones I built last year. This should increase our potato crop. When I finished those, I headed out to the pasture I started fencing in last year to work on that. I am having to clear away years of growth along the old fence line so I can salvage some of it. I was SO glad when I looked up from my work out in the boonies, to see my two girls walking out to me with a much needed bottle of water, what a blessing. That took the rest of the day for me. I did my chores and took a shower. Now I am going to study my lesson for Sunday school tomorrow. Big day, and I got to use my new truck. New to me, anyway.

That's our day! Tell me about a typical day in your life..

Farmers Fighting Back Against Monsanto

2011-04-01T16:47:00.000-05:00

I reall, really, REALLY hope this happens! Monsanto has gotten very pushy and aggressive and needs to go. Next stop, Cargill and Tyson.

Your Reps Are Getting Paid More Than Once

2011-03-30T16:41:00.000-05:00

Double dipping is hardly the word I would use to describe this, but it is what our congress is doing in regard to farm subsidies. It is not new that members of congress are farmers, however taking a paycheck from the American people, then taking their tax dollars through farm subsidies is outrageous. I would argue that NONE of these politicians get their hands dirty. IF they set foot on their "farm", it is in the form of a vacation and little work is done by them, the "farmer". Read more...

Obamacare Can Deny Gun Ownership

2011-03-29T18:36:00.000-05:00

The national health care bill that Mr. Obama signed into law last year, may be used to deny you the right to purchase a firearm. If you find that rediculous, read this article...

Another 60 Million Down The Drain?

2011-03-26T13:53:00.000-05:00

Our government continues to push and indoctrinate climate change-formerly know as global warming. They had to change the name when GOOD science began to disprove all the BAD science out there. In this case the government is poised to spend $60 million to research the effects of "climate change" on food crops and timber. Supposedly they will discover ways to improve farming by adapting to the changing climate. All I see is a buch of bad results from already faulty science, generating a bunch of VERY bad legislation for you and me-the small producer/homesteader. Don't believe me? Look at the NAIS fiasco. Around here, they have been pushing for "National Heritage Areas", making it almost illegal to own land and farm it-all in the name of saving the environment. I am all for being good stewards of what God has given us, we need to be responsible. But, to legislate our lives based on bad science is an over-reach of enormous proportions. The true cure is sound, biblical teaching on stewardship and instilling good morals in our children. No government can do that. Climate change, global warming is a huge hoax that has swallowed the American people and the world into an abis that we may not be able to rectify. Just quit spending our money foolishly.

Putin Not A Happy Camper

2011-03-22T16:09:00.000-05:00

Russian authorities are not too happy with the latest American act of aggression. Lybia is the latest in a string of American nation building and we are starting to hack off a lot of others. I'm telling ya, we need to stay home folks. Use the link to read Russia's response.

Citrus Greening Desease In Florida

2011-03-15T09:38:00.000-05:00

As a produce manager, I wonder how this story could affect the price of citrus across the board. It seems the former housing boom that busted in Florida is creating a chemicle disease that is spreading rapidly and affecting the citrus crops in Florida. This could be a big deal as other citrus growing states would not be able to meet the demand and prices will rise. Read more using the link.

Obama Calls For Gun Control

2011-03-14T16:01:00.000-05:00

I really get tired of this stuff. Gun control never was the answer. Read more...

A Post About Nothing

2011-03-13T22:04:00.000-05:00

Did you ever have one of those days with nothing to say? Well, I've had a couple of weeks like that. We have been very busy here, we just finished putting up our greenhouse, that took almost three weeks alone. And I am so disgusted with government and politics that I have not even been keeping tabs lately. There are so many lies in our government that I don't know who to believe, or if there is even cause for hope. Thus, we have focused on the greenhouse and other things that will aid us in tough times. I think times are going to get real tough, and soon. Our prayer is that Christ is coming soon-given the frequency of earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters. Until He does come, please accept my apology for not posting much lately. I'll get over this soon, keep checking. Thanks for stopping by.