Their house has arrived! What an exciting day for them and us. Watching the kids see their hard work begin to pay off as they get moved out here. It's a new beginning for them as a family and a "return to the dirt" for Maureena. My husbands hope is all the kids will fall back in love with the farm life but we know for all this may never be true. And that is ok, they have to choose to go where God calls them. But I am not surprised Maureena did. I have a feeling a few more may, but for now, this is Maureena and her families journey and my prayer is they will raise the next generation to love it enough to return as adults.
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Actually, with a lot of help! Its so exciting to see our front pasture once again fenced in! The old fence was so old, it broke easy and held nothing in or out. So, more than a few years ago, the kids and I began the task of tearing it down. Then life and illness happened and it did not get finished, let alone put back up! But with my daughter and her family moving out here, we needed a place to pen the cows and donkeys up for the house work can begin. So they spent several days preparing the area, putting new post and finally pulling the new wire on AND boy it looks great! Today they got the animals moved, water set up and brushed themselves off for a much deserved break. I had the privilege of training my granddaughter about life with goats! HA The pad for their house is beginning this week and by early next week their house will be here and set up begins! Life on the farm can be hard! There is a lot of hard work, blisters, back aches and sunburn, but when family can be together, to help, support and encourage, its all very much worth it!
We had been talking about getting meat rabbits again. They are easy to raise and supply healthy delicious meat in ample suppy! We raised them before in a community style pen. Papa bunny lived in his own man cave with in the community so he was part of the group but only bred when we released him. My plans were to rebuild that style. BUT my sons coworker offered us a breeding pair of California meat rabbits. And well, free breeders are hard to resist! So we brought them home and housed them each in their own small wire dog kennel. This sat on my metal Goat station and I knew that was not a good spot. But until we can set something up..that was the best safe place out of weather for them to acclimate to the sounds and business of our farm. We enough already! They are so messy animals and I really don't want my table ruined, so today I sat out to create their own landing place until we can get that community pen built. We had a small metal framed table I pulled the wood top off of, zip tied some wilders cloth wite to the bottom, which thankfully had metal grids to support the cages and wire! I cleaned the rabbits dog kennel and my son helped me transfer the bunnies and cages to the table. I use a tart to prive a little hid away spot and to cover the back and sides at night for security and to help the rabbits feel more secure . I think they will be happy here until we can build their permanent pen.
Used to be, I see a snake, I yell for my husband or son..But what to do when I don't have that option? I have killed several snakes the years past by shooting them lol. I didn't have to get close. Monday my geese were getting pretty loud. And then Sadie began to bark, wanting in with the geese. I looked out to see all but one goose was out of the shed where the nests were and one large male left in was spreading his wings and squawking and hissing. I made my way out there to find a large, at least 6 foot snake with its mouth trying to fit around a goose egg. I didn't bring anything with me.. (I know..not smart) So I grabbed that snake by the tail and yanked him out of the shed and tossed him. I looked around for something to dispatch him with while he quickly tried to make himself scarce. I found an iron rod in a pile near the goose pen and went on the hunt. I found the snake under our push mower in the mower shed. I quickly made that snake regret trying to eat one of my goose eggs. The geese were once again settled and Sadie was relaxed.
At feeding time I headed out telling Sadie, " Let's go to work" and she follows me around. I heard the desperate chirp of a chick in trouble. I followed the sound to a water bucket with a little chick bobbing up and down. I grabbed her out and tried to dry her off best I could with my shirt tail. I sent her on her way with mom, who was close by squawking for her, but baby was too wobbly and still too wet. I scooped her up and she was shivering. So I cupped her in my hand and blew hot air on her until she chirp of doom went to a purr of sorts. Then I stuffed her in my shirt pockets and finished night feeding. By the time I was done, the chick was dry and mom was still calling her..so I put her down and mom quickly gathered her under her. Next morning, there they were in the barn all dry and cozy. We usually steal all but one chick from moms who hatch a brood, to help survival rates. We don't purposely miss nests, but it happens and letting the moms raise their own usually ends badly for most if not all the chicks. So we set up a brooder trough, with clean bedding, chick food, water and heat light. But this year we didn't prepare. And we have lost two flocks of chicks. Currently a mom of 9 now has 3. I just didn't want more work, but i found two more nest that have been sat on for a while, so I will go clean that brooder trough, add clean bedding, a clean food dish and water dish and working light. I will be prepared to save as many as we can. I don't need more chickens, but I cant handle knowing we will send these little ones off to their doom either. I believe we also have turkeys laying, and know we will need to rescue any hthat hatch. AND to top things up, a rooster was dumped out here, which we need to catch and dr his leg...Never a dull moment on the farm! It's that time of year where grasses and weeds are over taking the yard. Now, first a bit of a confession. I have never used a riding mower! I always pushed mowed or the kids mowed. We have a rider. as a matter of fact, we have had several over the years. I just always preferred to push mow. Of course my push mower had that auto drive , so I didn't actually have to push, I just followed LOL. We also have one of those push weeders, which are nice. I love it, but boy its hard to push through thick weeds and grasses. My son Kenneth mowed the back while I used the push weed eater. The string got caught on fences and snagged on this or that and I had to replace the string 4 or 5 times..and to top that off I caught a piece of old fencing and got it wrapped up on the turning thing. Thankfully Kenneth was able to get it off..So he mowed and I finally finished with the weed eater. Im hot, slimy and seeing spots lol. It should not have taken me so long to get that done. After a bit of rest and some water, we set out to conquer the front. This time I told Kenneth, Ill drive lol. So he showed me the "how to's" and I stretched my leg to Push the break peddle thing and Im TOO short! Kenneth of course is cracking up! ( hes 6'1") So we looked at the seat and was thrilled to see a way we can push it forward. OK, Now we are getting somewhere lol. I barely able to reach, but I reach! And I had to be careful not to lean froward as I was barely able to keep it running. If I went forward even a tiny bit, the mower would shut off. So off I went, got the front all cut, but was not brave enough to hit the ditch or the hill next to the drive way. Kenneth weed eatered in short order, making it looks so easy! Im hot, exhausted, slimy and now have dirt and grass all over me...but I feel great! After being told I may not be strong enough to start the weed eater, or keep the. rider going...I DID IT. I know there will be plenty of things that will be hard for me to do. But with each battle won, i feel empowered to conquer the next. Now for a long hot bath!!
Today was hard. I sold two more goats. The last I will be willing to let go. Buttercup and Charlotte are now at their new home. Thankfully with a friend who I know will care for them well! But having less on my plate is necessary right now. Sold one Gander and the rest of the geese are on a pending status. The sad reality right now is, I cant do it all. I need to free myself up to take care of Elmer. That includes cutting feed bill, out side work load and letting things be for now. Thats not easy when dream has not changed. But for now it's on hold. I will take each day as its given and do what I can. For now this is all I can do. Maintain, with the help of my kids.
March 20 I have had so much on my mind. While Elmer is my primary focus, I can still plan. I may not do a garden this year, but I can plan next seasons by building the health of the soil up. I may not get the chicken coop done this year, but I can begin downsizing the rooster population and possibly encourage the hens to lay in the coop by keeping water and feed in there. While many things will have to be put aside, planning and doing small things toward those plans is still moving forward. That is encouraging . THe farm is getting green. Weather warmer. Geese are laying, chicken and ducks are busy. I love this time of year when things come to life. But todays blog isn't about the farm so much as being about current situation with my husband.
Elmer was hospitalized for a few days last week to get hydrated as well as getting a stomach feeding tube put in. His oncologist said there is nothing more they can do for him as he's too weak for more invasive or aggressive treatments. We were sent home Saturday and hospice stepped in that same day. They are making him comfortable, meeting all his care needs. So this is where we are. He is in a good head and heart space. Not depressed or angry or any of that. Our children are spending a lot of time with him. We all know he will soon leave us. So farm wise, other than feeding and watering, I'm keeping my outside time to just whats needed. I wont worry about the things that can wait. My time is spent caring for Elmers needs. He is enjoying the visits with the kids and grandkids. He has good moments and not so good moments. He wont be able to finish the chicken coop. This is not a road we hoped to ever have to take. But its a road we must. A beautiful 77 degrees and you can bet your shirt I'm out in it! You can also bet your shirt I feel my age and some!! So much hard work in need of doing. I head out to clean the barn first because frankly its a huge mess with chickens pooping everywhere! Got that done..took a break. A friend dropped by for a quick visit, ate a snack of and headed back out. My goal? Get the pigs pen raked and cleaned! Last time I got it raked it rained and I didn't get the piles picked up...so you can understand how bad it must be now! Well after raking and shoveling pig mess in a wheel barrel, wheeling to a spot chosen just for it..and back for more, my back hurts, it burns and aches! My arms feel like weighted lead! But I got'er done and I feel good! Accomplished even. Pigs pen is done and the girls are happy. Ok the girls were happy before. They actually don't seem to care either way LOL. but between me working and giving scratches, they felt the love! As they slurped down the fresh water in their freshly cleaned water dishes, laid in the cool shade..princesses. Spoil little princesses in their clean pen. LOL
Weather is warming up! It's so beautiful. Grass is coming up, so much so Kenneth mowed yesterday. Trees are still bear but wont be long before they grow their new leaves. The bird are laying!! Yahoo..Im on my last bucket of water glassed preserved eggs! We now have fresh chicken and duck eggs for our family and soon will have enough laying to sale a few. Our geese, Eleanor and her daughter from last hatching are laying eggs as well. I counted over 20 eggs last count! I was hoping they be in their new home before they started laying!
We got the planter boxes moved and I will begin preparing them. They should have already been prepared but things around here have been difficult. Elmer is not doing well. He pretty much stays a sleep most the day. Pain meds have been increased and its a struggle to get him to eat much. It's such a beautiful time of year and I pray he gets to enjoy it. We have a wheel chair ordered and I hope I can encourage him to sit in the warm sun a little each day. Preparing for spring while caring for a terminally ill spouse is very difficult. Im just trying to hold on, trying to cope, trying not to fall apart. My life long partner is leaving me behind, and that alone is hard to face. My sister came to stay with me a few weeks and Rachelle and family are in Texas. Making the final move here, Praise God! They will stay a week here before settling in their new home down south. Having all my kids fairly close is a blessing. Maureena and family are in the home stretch getting their house out here. Im excited for them to start their homestead life out here. So strange how life goes on when one slowly heads out. After being gone a whole week, i was so happy to be home. Its my happy place. A place of calm. Some may not understand this, but even as I sit on the patio drinking my coffee, Loving on my dogs and looking at all the work that needs to be done, I feel at peace. Yes sometimes its frustrating to see the work, and not be able to tackle it all straight away, but its also a pull for tomorrow. Get done today what today calls me to do, and then tomorrow will have its own list.
My son in law, Eric will be here tomorrow to work on their house area. I will have the kids, so my farm work will wait, but as I get to embrace my grandkids for the day, We get to see more progress toward my daughter and her family living this dream right along side of us. Now that is a good day spent. |
AuthorMy husband and I would go on a country drive any chance we got. Driving the back roads, looking at the farms and dream. My favorite places to see were the old abandoned farm houses. I would take pictures and wonder who built it, who grew up there and what was life like. Owning land, let alone land with a house on it, seemed unreachable. Moving to Texas we could finally realize our dream. We came with 6 kids, adopted 2 more and now we have none. So Our solo farm adventure begins...Cathy Archives
March 2024
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