Homesteaders

[Beekissed]

I'm using Petsafe....I think LG is using the same.

 

[rancher hicks]

I just don't have enough time in the day to follow so many threads.

BUT I have a question. Do you have any Fall chocolate colored shrubs in your yard? Why do I ask. Well I planted something like this in a corner but lost the tag. I never paid much attention to it and the weeds took over some. Today I cleared it out and it's spread a bit but not compact like I would expect a shrub to be. It's about 3-4 feet tall. I'll post pics later.

 

[rancher hicks]

x

 

[rancher hicks]

I can understand that.

But being retired is not all it is cracked up to be. First it means the finish line is getting closer.

2nd and I never understood this before, a person is so busy when retired they do not have time to do everything, or you are sick.

I have been cleaning house all day, preparing tomatoes for canning. I have the 2 baby PC's and their mother out free ranging and the Teenage Turkeys out free ranging, so I have to check on them all the time. I have a meeting tonight, and I have to get to the hospital and see my wife.

I have breeding pens to build, fences and ones to complete, remodeling of the layers coop, eggplants and cabbage I need to figure out what to do with. Squash, beans, cukes and peppers in the garden that need tending. A couple roosters sitting in a pen waiting to ride in the new merry go round like plucker. In addition to feeding and watering the birds an collecting and cleaning eggs.


I need two of me, but the world is not that blessed.

Allow me to jump in? I understand what you are saying but keep in mind that there are project you would not plan to do IF you were working OUTSIDE the home.

When I got my job at the PO. I had Cavies/guinea pigs. I was so tired when I got done I just knew I could not take care of them all so I sold or gave them away. My garden then was a few tomato plants and some lettuce.

Fast forward to when I retired and I got 25 chicks. My garden has grown. The yard we have now is so many times bigger than the old house. I want to landscape and am working on the that. I've built five coops and they need tending of course. I just gave away about 15 broody hatched chicks and kept 6. Which replaces 2 more than the 4 old hens I gave away, so I'm up 2 not down 4. Plus two broody hens driving me crazy will most likely get eggs to hatch.

Plus, I have knitting and crocheting I do AND I have berries in the freezer to make jelly/jam and that's an all day job when you consider I have to pull out the canner and tools and jars and lids etc. etc.

As for that FINISH line? We don't know where that is. In the past four months we've have two young men pass. 18 and 26. both of heart attacks. In the past six months I lost a friend to Brain cancer. His sister has bone cancer. DW has to wear a machine an hour a day and have her armed wrapped 24/7. I can't talk of the "finish line" in front of her.

So my point is this, just keep, keeping on. Make sure you have a will. Major important. For me the way I see it, "It's not the end of the road, just changing directions". It's only by the grace of God I get up in the morning and get to church.

I'm sure I've read more into what you said than you intended. I'm a deep thinker, so please don't take offense.

 

[duluthralphie]

Allow me to jump in? I understand what you are saying but keep in mind that there are project you would not plan to do IF you were working OUTSIDE the home.

When I got my job at the PO. I had Cavies/guinea pigs. I was so tired when I got done I just knew I could not take care of them all so I sold or gave them away. My garden then was a few tomato plants and some lettuce.

Fast forward to when I retired and I got 25 chicks. My garden has grown. The yard we have now is so many times bigger than the old house. I want to landscape and am working on the that. I've built five coops and they need tending of course. I just gave away about 15 broody hatched chicks and kept 6. Which replaces 2 more than the 4 old hens I gave away, so I'm up 2 not down 4. Plus two broody hens driving me crazy will most likely get eggs to hatch.

Plus, I have knitting and crocheting I do AND I have berries in the freezer to make jelly/jam and that's an all day job when you consider I have to pull out the canner and tools and jars and lids etc. etc.

As for that FINISH line? We don't know where that is. In the past four months we've have two young men pass. 18 and 26. both of heart attacks. In the past six months I lost a friend to Brain cancer. His sister has bone cancer. DW has to wear a machine an hour a day and have her armed wrapped 24/7. I can't talk of the "finish line" in front of her.

So my point is this, just keep, keeping on. Make sure you have a will. Major important. For me the way I see it, "It's not the end of the road, just changing directions". It's only by the grace of God I get up in the morning and get to church.

I'm sure I've read more into what you said than you intended. I'm a deep thinker, so please don't take offense.

I am not offended at all. I have never had a garden that is more than a few plants before I retired and they were over run with weeds. Up until 3 weeks ago my garden was basically weed free. I have never raised so much produce.

I have had animals a few times during my working career, but you are right, I never felt I could do them justice and keep them properly, so I was forced to sell them. I have the largest yard and lawn mower of my life.

And we do not know when and where the finish line is, that was reinforced in me yesterday an old friend, that got me involved in horses and I farmed with while working outside the home 30-40 years ago died yesterday. He was in pretty good shape for his age, he rolled his tractor on a hillside. When God says its time to go home, we go home.

Last night driving home from the hospital and visiting my wife I was feeling sorry for myself, Until I realized I have no reason to feel sorry for myself. I was about a 1/4 mile from a stop sign and it dawned on me, how unknown the future is. I realized and I mean really realized God could take me before I reached the stop sign, there are no guarantees.

I wish you and your spouse well and prayers are coming your way..

So again, NO offense taken or even seen.

 

[lazy gardener]

LG, my transmitter is kept on cement blocks under a bucket...in all weathers...outdoors. Before that it was just bungeed to a tree with a trash bag over it. Not sure about the whole "can't be kept in igloo conditions" bit or where you heard that but I've kept mine in just such conditions for the past 13 yrs without any problems.

That info from the manufacturer. I know you've had good luck with yours outside. I would have to get creative b/c some winters we get 4 - 5' of snow that stays with us till spring.

which brands are you both using?

I'm using Pet Safe. I highly recommend spending the extra to get the rechargeable collar. Did so at Bee's recommendation. So, I'm guessing that's what she's using.

 

[rancher hicks]

I am not offended at all. I have never had a garden that is more than a few plants before I retired and they were over run with weeds. Up until 3 weeks ago my garden was basically weed free. I have never raised so much produce.

I have had animals a few times during my working career, but you are right, I never felt I could do them justice and keep them properly, so I was forced to sell them. I have the largest yard and lawn mower of my life.

And we do not know when and where the finish line is, that was reinforced in me yesterday an old friend, that got me involved in horses and I farmed with while working outside the home 30-40 years ago died yesterday. He was in pretty good shape for his age, he rolled his tractor on a hillside. When God says its time to go home, we go home.

Last night driving home from the hospital and visiting my wife I was feeling sorry for myself, Until I realized I have no reason to feel sorry for myself. I was about a 1/4 mile from a stop sign and it dawned on me, how unknown the future is. I realized and I mean really realized God could take me before I reached the stop sign, there are no guarantees.

I wish you and your spouse well and prayers are coming your way..

So again, NO offense taken or even seen.

Well lets hope you have a good long time before the good lord calls you home.

You're a benefit to us here.

 

[duluthralphie]

Well lets hope you have a good long time before the good lord calls you home.

You're a benefit to us here.

Thanks, you made me blush even!

 

[rancher hicks]

It's cool here these mornings. There is a fog that rolled in like we were on the sea.

You know it's fall because the squirrels are being seen with nuts to bury. Where they are getting them I have no idea since I don't know of any nut trees nearby. I've had the traps set for some time now. They get in the coop, eat the food, scare the chickens and steal eggs.

DW is loading up on fabric to sew dresses for the grand daughter and shirts for the grandsons. They are at opposite ends of the states. Some in Texas and some in Alaska.

I told her not to complain about how much yard I have because she's catching up with fabric.

Forgot the humor of the day. My grandson took his mothers green bra out of the laundry and put it on, Backwards, when she told him to play with it, he said he was a Ninja Turtle.

TTFN, have a good day,

Rancher, to much to do, Hicks

 

[rancher hicks]

Folks must be busy with the harvest I hope. Threads have died due to lack of interest I suppose.

anyhow I've been reading, like I do and recently on Broody vs. Incubator. I've sold my incubator this year. Having always more than a few broody hen. Total 22 chicks of which I kept six and gave the others away.

Anyhow I wanted to comment on the author stating they'd no experience with breeds noted for being brooders. Silkies and Cochins. I don't have either but wanted to share my thoughts that it is good to keep a few hens of a breed that is a good brooder.

Mine were hatched by Delaware, EE's and Marans hens. Some did better than others but I blame myself since eggs were not fertile and I took chicks as they hatched. Eggs weren't given all at once.

Right now even though fall is coming on I have a hen on four eggs. Frenchy an original Frizzle from my first order of chicks, is over 8 years old and she has gone broody again. She's an easy girl and I do have to check her as another hen gets in an lays an egg nearly every day. I'm glad it's only one. I didn't want her to brood due to her age but she's determined.

I've been picking a few raspberries. Something ate most of the grapes. Even though it's wasn't a big crop I was upset.

I've gotten more tomatoes than I expected but do which the heat would last a few more weeks.

The scarlet runners are doing better than they have all year with the cooler weather. Is there something I need to know about growing beans.

The potatoes were a bust so I may not grow them again. Garlic didn't get picked in time but still usable I guess. Next year I'll do better.

Some Squash but I think the rodents got one and I've seen some small acorns.

Would lettuce and greens germinate still? I've planted some old seed but not much coming on. I'm thinking of getting some Swiss Chard to start.

I've been catching squirrels and dispatching them, but there are still to many rodents about. Hard to catch and I've considered getting a cat, but I couldn't let it out for fear it would get snatched by a coyote or fox. Anyone have an idea of what I can do. Would putting traps under a cover help?

I seen a small bunny twice lately. Not sure where it came from but I figure it's a good sign.

Hope there are some folks still following this thread.