Category: General/Miscellaneous (Page 4 of 5)

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Gov’t Overreach!

March 27, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I am seeing more and more of these stories lately.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity’s knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. 

In this case, the gov’t encouraged farmers to spread waste sludge on their fields as a way to fertilize and also to dispose of the sludge. NOW, the same gov’t is shutting down farms if their testing determines they are contaminated (from that sludge) “to protect the people”.

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In another state (Oregon), they are shutting down small farms (like ours) on the basis of water rights. These farms have private wells but the gov’t is coming in installing meters on those wells and then make demands on the usage of that water. Of course those demands are selectively applied and are ignored for the large corporate farms producing “Big Food” (the highly processed, additive laden garbage sold in the stores to an unsuspecting public).

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Their reasoning is that small farms are wasteful and food is much more efficiently grown on larger (corporate) factory farms using chemicals to maximize yields.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/oregon-starts-shutting-down-small-farms-to-protect-the-people/ss-BB1kh78T#comments

The bottom line is that they don’t want folks raising their own HEALTHY food but should instead rely on THEM to provide our nourishment.

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Be it harmful chemical scares or climate change, they’ll use any tactic they can to shut down private farms and eliminate competition to the foods they want us to consume and are dependent on them to provide.

My favorite comment:
Why is it that people can see what is happening all around them, but refuse to get their heads out of their collective “phones” and do something about it?

In that first video above, you’ll hear that Minnesota is on the short list for implementing such controls. We saw this coming and is one of many reasons we decided to flee.

However, even down here, their tentacles are far reaching. My bible study group is primarily farmers and ranchers and they related how years back, the bureaucrats came in and tried to mandate that the farmers inventory and register every living creature present on their farm. Every cow, horse, pig, goat, sheep, chicken, goose or bunny rabbit needed to be documented, reported and tagged. Going forward, each birth/death had to be reported. With all of the news about eliminating beef (because of cow farts), you can understand their demand for more control.

Thankfully, they were told to pound sand and chased away empty handed. More than a few have advised to NOT let any of these self-proclaimed (yet unelected) saviors of agriculture onto your property for any reason.

But, I am sure they will be back – especially when they realize the financial gains that can be extracted to enrich themselves under their controls.

https://www.fb.org/the-zipline/sec-overreach-could-put-family-farms-at-risk

Another spot on comment:
Yes, their goal is to eliminate carbon – and that carbon is YOU!

STILL Playing Possum

March 14, 2024 / / 0 Comments

UPDATE 3/21 (#4)
UPDATE 3/14 (#3)
UPDATE 3/12 (#2)

I knew it would happen eventually. Actually, we’ve been pretty lucky so far with very few threats.

However, last night about 8 or so, the dogs did their job and quite vigorously announced that they had a critter cornered up against the barn and chicken coop. It ended up inside the enclosure in front of the barn, where the feral cats are free from being harassed by the dogs. The trouble is, this area is just a few steps away from accessing the barn with a flock of 12 young laying hens inside.

We brought the dogs inside and I opened the gate to the enclosure hoping to chase it off but it stayed in the corner snarling at me and wouldn’t budge. It was actually pretty big but then again, my only comparison was a smaller one that snuck into our house in Lakeville through the doggy-door while we were on vacation years ago. It took up residence in our main bathroom behind the toilet. That one I coaxed into a bin and release out back by the RR tracks. This one didn’t fare as well. With no other options, I ended up “dispatching” the varmint with a 22 rifle.

With no want or need for it, I posted on a local FB group and 2 or 3 said they were interested. It would make a neat Daniel Boone hat for somebody so it’s out at our gate awaiting pick up – 1st come, 1st served.

If it’s still there in the morning, I’ll toss it out back in the woods.

I am proud of Lyddie and Cooper for doing their jobs though! Such good guardians they are protecting their birds.

UPDATE: A couple of local trappers picked up the possum this afternoon and warned that it was wise to get rid of it. If it knew there were chickens around, it would keep at it until it killed the entire flock. That got me thinking about strange marks we’ve suddenly noticed next to the door to the “older girls” coop out in front. Granted, these are simple painted pine boards but I can see where these marks might be something trying to claw its way inside. I think we’ve eliminated the problem but still plan to rig up a motion light there just to be sure.

UPDATE 20240312: After 2 more evening encounters, I decided we might have a problem. The dogs do a really good job of patrolling the farm yard and thankfully, do not engage with the vermin. They simply corner them and bark. But, it’s happening enough that I worry there is a local possum family hanging around. I read that they breed like rabbits so I set out a trap.

This might be the only other one as this is about the same (smaller) size as the 2 most recent encounters but I’ll keep putting this out for a while just to be sure.

Now, to decide what to do with this guy. Most advise against releasing them during the day. Well, it’s 8am now…

After checking with the Amish (they didn’t want it), I asked Frankie (at the General Store), who picked up the dead one a few weeks ago. Since the gentleman stops in there frequently, Frankie told him I had another and the guy pulled into the driveway about an hour later. This time he brought a cage and said this one would be set free in the woods by his home as he wants to establish a family of them nearby (to him) since they are so scarce around here right now. He also mentioned he would take any others so I’ll reset the trap and see how many more there are lurking around here. At least now, I can save a bullet and wish it well in it’s new environment miles from here.

For control of ticks, snakes, moles, mice and other rodents, they are great to have around. Just not when we have chickens. The common line I hear is they will decimate your entire flock by eating ONLY the heads of every bird. Luckily, our birds are locked in at sundown but can’t take the chance of one sneaking inside the barn before lockdown.

UPDATE 20240314:
And here is number 3, caught in the trap overnight. This will also be turned over to the local trapper. However, it will live on as he is releasing them in HIS woods. With their scarcity, he is trying to establish a nearby colony so I’ll wish them (both) well. I’ll set up the trap again and see if there are any more.

UPDATE 20240321:
No pic as #4 is pretty much the same as 2 and 3. I was alerted that it was in the trap by the dogs as the trap is set up (out of sight) back under the lean to by our camper. As with the previous 2, I transferred it from the live trap to another cage and alerted Frankie to tell “Trapper Cliff” to stop by and pick it up (Cliff doesn’t have a phone). He usually shows up by noon but by around 2pm, there was no sign of him. Feeling bad for the little guy, I slid in a bowl of water and a tub of cat food. I also cover the cage with towels to keep it calm.

By 7pm, there was still no sign of Cliff and I wasn’t going to keep it in the cage indefinitely so loaded it into the truck to be released somewhere. I was conscious to NOT make it a problem for another farm but luckily, just north of us are thousands of acres of national forest. Our highway (K) terminates at the Current river so drove down to the end and released it there in the river bottoms. I would have preferred it joined its siblings in Cliffs woods but not interested in lodging possum long term. Plus, there’s probably more. Looking out the window now, there might be number 5 out there, the way the dogs are behaving. It’s getting harder to tell as the dogs are almost getting used to the routine by now.

Ain’t No Sunshine

March 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Repeating this from Facebook. I really need to escape that cesspool.

Anxiously awaiting the return of my lovely bride this evening so cleaning up everything from the “me and the dogs” state of the past few weeks. I have WDGY on and this song came on and found myself singing along relating to it – at least the refrain.

That prompted me to look it up since although I have Bill Withers music, this particular song wasn’t typically requested at wedding gigs years ago.

Anyway, I never realized it was such a simple song. It has exactly 1 verse. It starts with the refrain, then the single verse (which doesn’t apply to my situation), another refrain, and then a (too) long string of “I know, I know, I know”s, and a final refrain to wrap it up.

(Chorus <> Refrain??? OK, so I don’t know my music terms – blame it on the nuns).

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Cool song though and proves simple can have longevity as well – getting airplay for over 50 years.

Goodbye Marlene

March 6, 2024 / / 2 Comments

I have to admit, as far as mother-in-laws go, I got pretty lucky. I had to remind myself that we first met by me emerging from the woods to their house for some family event on a motorcycle, with my leg immobilized in a cast from a softball injury, useless and propped up on the highway peg. I can imagine the thoughts that crossed her mind wondering who Sherry had gotten herself mixed up with. Thankfully, she gave me a chance to prove myself and hoping I passed the test. I think I did.

Soon after Sherry and I married and we settled into our first home in “downtown” Lakeville, we decided to wallpaper our living room. Wouldn’t you know Marlene had some experience and offered to assist. Since Sherry was working evenings then, it was just me and Marlene so I was a bit apprehensive. Thankfully, my fears were unfounded and I was able to spend a few quality hours with her talking about everything under the sun, where we really had the opportunity to get to know each other well. I’ve only appreciated her more and more as we all progressed through the years – much of them with Sherry and Marlene operating the tailoring/monogramming shop in town.

They are all good memories so I’ll certainly miss her but will be forever grateful that she didn’t initially judge me from that first meeting and instead welcomed me into their family and laid the groundwork for a lasting bond that has survived over 40 years now!

Marlene passed early this morning. Thankfully, Sherry was able to return to MN over a week ago to be with her through the transition. I hate being away from all of the hugs but it’s the same as when my mom passed a few months ago. Someone needs to stay behind and care for the critters and now is my turn. But I anxiously await Sherry’s return home.

Now the grid can crash

February 28, 2024 / / 1 Comment

I believe we took delivery of the new generator in October and just now getting around to hooking it up properly. Since Sherry is up in MN visiting family and friends this week, I figured this was a good time to get it hooked up to the house.

I do relish these projects when she is gone. Once, when she went to CA to see her brother, I took down a wall between our kitchen and living room. That was quite the mess to come home to but it was all worth it in the end.

This storm shelter sits about 40′ out behind the house. With the basement dug out in the house, the shelter was no longer needed and sits unused.

I was also surprised to learn that generators are NOT weatherproof and need to be protected from the elements so I put 2 and 2 together.

I mounted an access box to the exterior stairwell enclosure. The generator will plug “in to the house” here.

This will handle 120v/240v and 50 amps. From this box, I ran 6/3 NM-B, Non-Metallic, Sheathed Cable back to the main fuse box in the basement.

Here, I’ve got the new cable entering the box, all the 4 leads cut to length and stripped and the new 50 amp breaker wired up and hanging loose in front. I had to do this all VERY CAREFULLY with the power still on. However, at this point there was no going any further so turned off the main breaker and ran a long extension cord from the barn to light up what I was doing next.

I shouldn’t be surprised that the only 2 available spots to mount the ground and common wires were in slots with stripped screws so had to combine a few of the smaller gauge wires to free up room for the big fat 6 ga wires. But, I got them all securely installed.

Then of course, because of the lock out device, I had to install the new breaker on the left side just below the main breaker, which meant everything else on the left side had to slide down 2 slots to make room. Luckily, they all had enough wire “play” available to easily move them down a few inches to make room.

This “lockout” device protects power company linemen from getting zapped while working the lines during outages. It assures that power you are generating is NOT sent out to the grid and is isolated to your house only.

This is a temporary solution as the goal is to energize the entire farm (4 buildings). For that, I’ll need a similar hook up box for the power pole where our meter is located. That will be coming in April from our electric cooperative.

Now, I’ve got to figure out that secure door to the shelter.

Not to worry. Everything is just swine!

February 9, 2024 / / 2 Comments

Glancing out the front door last night, I saw a “shape” out in the driveway in front of the garage. Knowing the dogs were inside, I thought it was a stray so was ready to chase it off when I saw it turn a bit and take a few steps. There was no doubt what it was – a PIG! Before I could grab a light and have a closer look, it meandered down the hill behind the garage and disappeared into the pasture.

This morning, I went out to take a closer look and saw many prints around the firepit but the ground wasn’t disturbed so it’s doubtful an entire sounder of ferals was wandering through and was more likely a domestic that got loose. I believe the Amish neighbor across the road has a few pigs so will ask him about it.

Regardless, reading up on it, feral pigs/hogs are quite a problem in Missouri and many other states. A farmer friend a few miles up the road had quite a problem with them and had the conservation department come to run them off. Even though they are considered pests and invasive nuisances, they recommend NOT shooting them as that action is detrimental to the goal of eliminating the whole group.

https://mdc.mo.gov/wildlife/invasive-animals/feral-hogs-missouri

It’s an interesting read and likely something we’ll have to deal with sometime in the future so it never hurts to be ready. I thought it would be interesting to set up a few trail cameras anyway – just to see what wonders by.

Back when we graduated High School, I helped a friend (Martin) “process” a pig that he raised for a pig roast at his grad party. I wish I would have paid better attention back then. My only “processing” so far has been a single rooster and is something I’ll need to work on. But, I’m sure those chances to improve those skills will come soon enough.

Which number PLAGUE is this?

January 23, 2024 / / 4 Comments

It’s looking to be an interesting spring. At least the chickens will be happy. We even may get a head start on the WEF’s plans for us all. YUMMY!!!

“Get ready for the rarest of rare cicada events. Thomas Jefferson was President the last time this happened and Michigan wasn’t even a state. And no one alive today will be around the next time this happens. Not one, but two different cicada broods will emerge this year, reports NPR.

We’re talking billions and billions of the insects. They will be all over the place from late April through June. One of the broods of cicadas lives on a 13-year cycle. The other lives on a 17-year one. Both will emerge at the same time this year, something which hasn’t happened since 1803″.

https://www.mlive.com/news/2024/01/get-ready-for-cicadas-in-2024-like-the-midwest-hasnt-seen-in-221-years.html

Personal Echo Chamber

January 1, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I know what you are thinking…

Me and Ted Kazinski have a few similarities, besides wearing hoodies. But, rather than compile everything into one massive written out “manifesto”, I prefer to let my rants out a little bit at a time, as it applies to what is happening around us today. With so few participants here (at least at launch time), I DO fully realize I am ranting to myself. But, here’s why I proceed anyway.

  • As stated by many, writing, by just getting the words out and put down somewhere, clears my mind and helps me sleep at night.
  • Like (too many) others, I notice some memory decay as I limp towards those senior years. Nothing big yet, just forgetting where I put something or how I did something the last time so getting much of these notes down also documents what I’ve done and how I did it so I don’t need to reinvent the wheel each and every time.
  • As you’ll notice, my posts tend to be “brain dumps” of that moment in time (like THIS one!). Once, I start on a topic, I tend to dump everything I know into it and always end up with TMI. That’s why I’ll typically start these with a headline and some major points, save it as a draft and return later to fill it in. After completion, I’ll leave it as a draft while I re-read and edit it down again and again to something digestible.

I fully know that some of these topics may be entirely NOT interesting to most but there’s always a few other geeks who may have a comment or 2, based on their experience. I’m not an expert at any of this but am always willing to try anything new, and realize most of what is learned is either by trial and error or by helpful advice. I prefer the latter. At least I’ll try to keep the headlines descriptive enough to know if it is worth your time.

I am also realizing that my vision here started off foolishly as a showcase of everything we have and where you’ll find it. Rather than tax our dogs and security systems, I had to revisit everything and separate the general overall tour pics for all visitors, with some of the more revealing stuff moved behind some barriers so we can somewhat control who sees what.

Maybe, just maybe, this organically grows into something that promotes conversation – rather than stifling it. Or, assists in healing, rather than more division.

At the very least, you can find out how many eggs we are getting each day (now at a dozen+). If nothing else, we’ll have plenty of ammunition (eggs) to fend off the politicians this year 😉

Daily Chores

December 9, 2023 / / 0 Comments

We’ve “organically” settled into our roles here on the farm. Nothing was pre-decided or dictated either way but after 40 years, we (luckily) know our strengths and “our chuthers” strengths as well.

SHE naturally pursued healthy, organic ways to grow our produce and raise our critters, so has taken the lead in those areas. I jump in enough to stay abreast of things but she’ll often do all the chores herself.

HE (I) contribute in other ways. Usually more (physical) effort jobs or infrastructure related to the whole operation. Building, electrical, plumbing, fencing, gates etc. There is always another project I need to complete.

NEITHER of us are into ornamental stuff (flowers, shrubbery etc.). I am more likely to pull healthy stuff out if it’s in the way, and my input on such matters is simply limited to how I would mow around it.

Now, since Sherry headed north to see family and friends, I decided it was a good opportunity to document the daily todos that need to be done. Even though these are laid out by time, it is more related to sunrise, sunset etc.

  • 0500-0600: Wakey time. Let Jack and Cooper out. After starting the coffee, step out the front door and feed our 2 domestic cats their kibble, who are by now peering at you in the window awaiting breakfast.
  • 0700: Wake up the puppy (Lyddie) and let her out of her kennel in our bedroom. She immediately runs to where my socks are laying, grabs one and proudly parades around the house with it.
  • 0701: Retrieve sock and let Lyddie out to pee.
  • 0702: Feed the 3 dogs their kibble.
  • 0705: Open all 3 of the chicken coops. The birds all rush outside. While doing so, take inventory (count to be sure all present and accounted for) and collect any eggs.
  • 0800: Prepare breakfast by cracking 3 or 4 eggs (w/shells) in a pan w/butter and lightly scramble. When nearly ready, mix in 1/4 stick of creme cheese and mix thoroughly.
  • 0815: Take pan to the coop “narthex” in the barn to mix up with their feed. Using an oil drain pan, scoop 2 coffee cans full of feed into the pan. Sprinkle in a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and then dump in the pan of eggs/creme cheese. Again, mix thoroughly breaking up the cheese and eggs as much as possible.
  • 0820: Measuring 1 cup per bird, scoop out the mixture into 2 trays for the established coop (6 scoops) and set down in their run.
  • 0822: 1 tray for the bachelor roosters (2 scoops).
  • 0824: The remaining (should be 10 scoops) goes into 2 trays+ 1 frisbee. The 2 trays go down first and the frisbee is for the picked on bird in her safe space. Remain for a few minutes to protect the picked on bird from the mean girls. Once she slows down and has had her fill, you can leave.
  • 0830: Check all water dispensers. 1 in the main coop, 1 with the boys, another with the new girls and another for the ferral cats in their kennel.
  • 0835: Feed the ferral cats their kibble.
  • 1400: or middle of the afternoon: Give all 3 groups of birds their treat for the day. Sometimes mealworm grubs, sometimes scratch grains, sometimes something special and is often something too spoiled for us to eat.
  • 1600 (while still light out): Collect all eggs you can find.
  • 1700: Feed the dogs. For evening meals, they all get a smaller portion of kibble plus we add coconut oil (guard against worms) and some hot water (melts the oil and hydrates them). Then, all 3 share a single can of wet food mixed into everything. Jack (the old man) also gets a capsule of Deep Blue mixed in to alleviate his aching joints.
  • 1715: Feed the domestic cats. They also share a single can of wet food in the evening. Once in a while we also give the ferals a treat but don’t want them to get lazy and need them to feast on mice as much as possible.
  • 1720: Typically by this time, the sun is down, the yard lights have come on and the chix have all gone inside so we walk through one last time and close the coop/barn doors and shut/latch the windows. After a quick rendition of “Goodnight Sweetheart“, we turn out the lights.

Update 12/28/2023: With the new hens now moved in with their guardian roosters, mealtime is slightly easier with only 2 flocks to feed instead of 3. The new flock still gets 3 dishes in the morning, since the roosters were used to sharing a single tray and the hens always had (at least) 2 available. We no longer need to watch out for the picked on hen. With her special treatment, she healed up quickly and grew into one of the prettiest of the bunch, who no longer seems to be intimidated by the mean girls as she is right in there with the rest getting her fill at mealtime. Unfortunately, she seems to have lost her “broodiness” so we’ll continue our search for an egg-sitter.

Domain FOR SALE

December 4, 2023 / / 0 Comments

squeakgod.com

This was going to be my foray into repair/reconditioning of PC related equipment but life doesn’t always follow the path you originally set out so I have no further use for it.

You’ll notice there is a somewhat similarity to a certain big box retailer, who operates a similar service – that likely would have come after me had I ever tried to get that venture off the ground. But, I never attempted anything and it’s just sitting unused.

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