Homesteaders

[rancher hicks]

My husband has Parkinson's Disease. He would give anything to be able to walk steady and do all the things you talked of doing. About all he can do is sit on the couch and watch TV. His mind is getting confused and he sees people who are not here. He said yesterday he needed to get a job. It is sad because there is no job he could do. He was in construction from the age 16 to 75. He was supt on jobs costing millions to build. And now he can't remember how to turn on a table saw. I have to help him take a bath and get dressed. He wears diapers all the time. He uses a walker and can't remember what to call it or where he left it. He has fallen several times but never hurt himself except for bruises. I am saying all this so that we will all be thankful that we have work to do and are able to do it. I get angry sometimes that I have to do everything now but then I stop and think that it could be me with PD instead of him. I am afraid for what the future holds for us. I have two chickens that are a lot of pleasure to me and a little cat that loves me very much. I have started making my own butter from cream I buy at the store. You see, I have had to give up a lot of things because of my husbands sickness. We used to go hiking in the woods, fishing, sailing, flying to see our kids in Vermont and San Franscisco. Now we just stay at home. We do go out to eat sometimes but I have to push him in a transport chair because he can not walk very far at all. We bought our house with seven acres 10 years ago and had big plans to have a garden and a beef cow or two. We enjoyed walking our land and sitting by the spring and crossing the railroad tracks to see the creek.But now he goes no further than the back yard. I pray that I can get rid of resentment because of the way might life has been kind of put on hold along with his. I know this is off subject but we need to rejoice at all the things we can do and that we have lots of things that we are interested in. My husband has lost interest in almost everything. I am talking to myself.

Well now I am sorry for your husbands condition. I have to admit, though reluctantly that at times it's hard. I have belonged to a church since I was 24. The wife got B. Cancer and while they say she's cancer free the residual effects of the treatment has changed things. She had to retire and is tired much of the time. She continues to do what she can. Sewing dresses for the granddaughters, cleaning and cooking and other things. AND I've lost a few friends and there are others waiting on God.

Too recently we lost two young men, aged 19 and 26. We just never know. I also was up praying for my 1 year old granddaughter who was hospitalized after having a seizure. She is fine, thank the Lord.

But I'm going to go out on a limb here and hope no one gets offended. Sometimes I get down because I know the end will come. Not so much the end I believe but a change in direction when the Good Lord takes me and mine home. I know heaven is waiting. I think at times of how do I plan my out. What to do with things we don't need and giving up chickens and gardening and such. I believe the bible straight up. No mysterious meanings and all that. To me that's just confusion. I believe God wouldn't inspire men to write it and then make it hard to understand. I always tell folks to start in the book of Matthew, not the Old Testament/Covenant. Ex. Loving your neighbor as yourself is just that to me. Not "IF" they love me or "If I feel like it. and so it goes.

Now with that said. IF I become severely sick I will have a DNR. I don't want doctors messing around trying to keep me here. I'm not afraid. Here are two Old Testament versus and two NEW Testament versus. I envision green hillsides with Jacob sheep, my favorite and chickens, but I know it will be good. No pollution or crazy people inventing things to destroy it and then more things to try to fix what they've invented, etc. etc. I respect everyone's right to believe as they choose. Please respect mine.

I'll be praying for your husband and you. I have little post it's and put folks names on my monitor to remind me to pray for them. You and your husband are now there.

Isa 65:17

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.




Isa 66:22

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

2Pe 3:13

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Rev 21:1

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

 

[Beekissed]

My husband has Parkinson's Disease. He would give anything to be able to walk steady and do all the things you talked of doing. About all he can do is sit on the couch and watch TV. His mind is getting confused and he sees people who are not here. He said yesterday he needed to get a job. It is sad because there is no job he could do. He was in construction from the age 16 to 75. He was supt on jobs costing millions to build. And now he can't remember how to turn on a table saw. I have to help him take a bath and get dressed. He wears diapers all the time. He uses a walker and can't remember what to call it or where he left it. He has fallen several times but never hurt himself except for bruises. I am saying all this so that we will all be thankful that we have work to do and are able to do it. I get angry sometimes that I have to do everything now but then I stop and think that it could be me with PD instead of him. I am afraid for what the future holds for us. I have two chickens that are a lot of pleasure to me and a little cat that loves me very much. I have started making my own butter from cream I buy at the store. You see, I have had to give up a lot of things because of my husbands sickness. We used to go hiking in the woods, fishing, sailing, flying to see our kids in Vermont and San Franscisco. Now we just stay at home. We do go out to eat sometimes but I have to push him in a transport chair because he can not walk very far at all. We bought our house with seven acres 10 years ago and had big plans to have a garden and a beef cow or two. We enjoyed walking our land and sitting by the spring and crossing the railroad tracks to see the creek.But now he goes no further than the back yard. I pray that I can get rid of resentment because of the way might life has been kind of put on hold along with his. I know this is off subject but we need to rejoice at all the things we can do and that we have lots of things that we are interested in. My husband has lost interest in almost everything. I am talking to myself.

Amen, Spurrer! Rejoicing is the key!

Spurrer, your life as a caretaker is a hard one and my prayers go out to you, as I know how discouraging it can be. In the last part of my nursing career I was a hospice nurse and was blessed to be able to meet many good people doing that same job. God has chosen you for a job that many people could not do, nor would do. It may help your feelings of resentment to think of this as God's plan for your life right now and, if it be His plan, it's always a good one and will work towards the good if you love Him. It may not look like it when you look out over the land and so want to get out there and DO something but are unable to do so, but I've found that God's plans are infinitely, eternally and incredibly better than my own have ever been.

It would be so nice if you could find a young couple who want to work the land but do not have any of their own and allow them to work yours, under your direction of course, so that you can see someone else have their dream and also benefit from the food grown there until this current task of yours has been completed. Could be they could help you with your husband also.

Have prayed for you and for your husband today and I hope you will visit us here on this thread often to let us know how your days go along. You are doing a loving and noble work and I'm proud of you!

My dad is in a facility but before he got that bad, he too had lost interest in working the land and had forgotten how to run his own equipment, which left Mom doing the work here on 18 acres. She's still working on the land now at 81 and I'm so very grateful for her physical health, though her mind is starting to decline and she too forgets how to use some equipment at times. I'm here to help her, so the land does get used and I'm blessed to be able to do both things, help my parents and work the land. It's not the plan I had for my life, but it worked out to be better than what I had planned, and for that I am so completely grateful to the Lord!

 

[lazy gardener]

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.

Beans: Favorite pole is Fortex. grows 10" long stringless, tender. Awesome bean. Self pollinating so you can save mature seed for next year.
Garlic: If you don't get it picked when it's optimum, just leave it. The heads will grow bigger next season. I've left clumps for several years, and when I do finally pull them, they are 8" around. You can also let the mature bulbils from the scapes fall to the ground, or plant them where you want for a future crop of garlic. Great around the base of fruit trees to discourage mice and insects.
Squash: Heavy feeder. Give it lots of composted manure, and poke the water to it if the weather is dry. I have massive hubbards this year.
Fall planting: You can make a very easy cold frame that will produce till mid November and then start producing again in Feb. Lay out some hay bales in a rectangle with the south wall left open. Then, use plastic over a 2 x 4 frame reinforced with wire or cattle panels. I use 2 x 4' w/cattle panels, and patio door sized storm panels.
Squirrels: good target practice. Or small animal traps. Or rat traps under cover so other animals can't get in them. Be sure to tie down your traps so the squirrel or rat don't haul them off. Bunny: small animal trap. He'll easily destroy a full row of beans in a single meal.

Oh and we have a 100×10 section planted with berries of various types. 6 new grape vines. Plus we have to build (very soon) a new garage and barn.

That's it, I quit, I'm moving back in to an apartment!! Lol. Not ever I love our farm.

We also found and easy a name, Critter Craze farm.?

After reading your posts, I need a nap.

My husband has Parkinson's Disease. He would give anything to be able to walk steady and do all the things you talked of doing. About all he can do is sit on the couch and watch TV. His mind is getting confused and he sees people who are not here. He said yesterday he needed to get a job. It is sad because there is no job he could do. He was in construction from the age 16 to 75. He was supt on jobs costing millions to build. And now he can't remember how to turn on a table saw. I have to help him take a bath and get dressed. He wears diapers all the time. He uses a walker and can't remember what to call it or where he left it. He has fallen several times but never hurt himself except for bruises. I am saying all this so that we will all be thankful that we have work to do and are able to do it. I get angry sometimes that I have to do everything now but then I stop and think that it could be me with PD instead of him. I am afraid for what the future holds for us. I have two chickens that are a lot of pleasure to me and a little cat that loves me very much. I have started making my own butter from cream I buy at the store. You see, I have had to give up a lot of things because of my husbands sickness. We used to go hiking in the woods, fishing, sailing, flying to see our kids in Vermont and San Franscisco. Now we just stay at home. We do go out to eat sometimes but I have to push him in a transport chair because he can not walk very far at all. We bought our house with seven acres 10 years ago and had big plans to have a garden and a beef cow or two. We enjoyed walking our land and sitting by the spring and crossing the railroad tracks to see the creek.But now he goes no further than the back yard. I pray that I can get rid of resentment because of the way might life has been kind of put on hold along with his. I know this is off subject but we need to rejoice at all the things we can do and that we have lots of things that we are interested in. My husband has lost interest in almost everything. I am talking to myself.

You are not talking to yourself. You are talking to people who care. I'm so sorry you and your hubby are facing this season of your life. Do you have a church family who can provide support for you? Be sure you take even a little bit of time for yourself. Give yourself time to plan some little goal for yourself every week, even if it's something as simple as going out to enjoy the cool afternoon breezes, Enjoy your birds, and your cat. Parkinson's disease is a thief. It steals mobility and personality. Can you get some home health care, perhaps some therapy for him? And you are speaking words of wisdom and warning to those of us who have not yet faced family issues that tend to rob. Enjoy the day. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the relationships that God has blessed you with. Because it could all be gone like a vapor. Today's health could be gone tomorrow.

Well now I am sorry for your husbands condition. I have to admit, though reluctantly that at times it's hard. I have belonged to a church since I was 24. The wife got B. Cancer and while they say she's cancer free the residual effects of the treatment has changed things. She had to retire and is tired much of the time. She continues to do what she can. Sewing dresses for the granddaughters, cleaning and cooking and other things. AND I've lost a few friends and there are others waiting on God.

Too recently we lost two young men, aged 19 and 26. We just never know. I also was up praying for my 1 year old granddaughter who was hospitalized after having a seizure. She is fine, thank the Lord.

But I'm going to go out on a limb here and hope no one gets offended. Sometimes I get down because I know the end will come. Not so much the end I believe but a change in direction when the Good Lord takes me and mine home. I know heaven is waiting. I think at times of how do I plan my out. What to do with things we don't need and giving up chickens and gardening and such. I believe the bible straight up. No mysterious meanings and all that. To me that's just confusion. I believe God wouldn't inspire men to write it and then make it hard to understand. I always tell folks to start in the book of Matthew, not the Old Testament/Covenant. Ex. Loving your neighbor as yourself is just that to me. Not "IF" they love me or "If I feel like it. and so it goes.

Now with that said. IF I become severely sick I will have a DNR. I don't want doctors messing around trying to keep me here. I'm not afraid. Here are two Old Testament versus and two NEW Testament versus. I envision green hillsides with Jacob sheep, my favorite and chickens, but I know it will be good. No pollution or crazy people inventing things to destroy it and then more things to try to fix what they've invented, etc. etc. I respect everyone's right to believe as they choose. Please respect mine.

I'll be praying for your husband and you. I have little post it's and put folks names on my monitor to remind me to pray for them. You and your husband are now there.

Isa 65:17

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.




Isa 66:22

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

2Pe 3:13

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Rev 21:1

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Thank you for sharing those timely and timeless verses.

 

[rancher hicks]

Beans: Favorite pole is Fortex. grows 10" long stringless, tender. Awesome bean. Self pollinating so you can save mature seed for next year.
Garlic: If you don't get it picked when it's optimum, just leave it. The heads will grow bigger next season. I've left clumps for several years, and when I do finally pull them, they are 8" around. You can also let the mature bulbils from the scapes fall to the ground, or plant them where you want for a future crop of garlic. Great around the base of fruit trees to discourage mice and insects.
Squash: Heavy feeder. Give it lots of composted manure, and poke the water to it if the weather is dry. I have massive hubbards this year.
Fall planting: You can make a very easy cold frame that will produce till mid November and then start producing again in Feb. Lay out some hay bales in a rectangle with the south wall left open. Then, use plastic over a 2 x 4 frame reinforced with wire or cattle panels. I use 2 x 4' w/cattle panels, and patio door sized storm panels.
Squirrels: good target practice. Or small animal traps. Or rat traps under cover so other animals can't get in them. Be sure to tie down your traps so the squirrel or rat don't haul them off. Bunny: small animal trap. He'll easily destroy a full row of beans in a single meal.

After reading your posts, I need a nap.

You are not talking to yourself. You are talking to people who care. I'm so sorry you and your hubby are facing this season of your life. Do you have a church family who can provide support for you? Be sure you take even a little bit of time for yourself. Give yourself time to plan some little goal for yourself every week, even if it's something as simple as going out to enjoy the cool afternoon breezes, Enjoy your birds, and your cat. Parkinson's disease is a thief. It steals mobility and personality. Can you get some home health care, perhaps some therapy for him? And you are speaking words of wisdom and warning to those of us who have not yet faced family issues that tend to rob. Enjoy the day. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the relationships that God has blessed you with. Because it could all be gone like a vapor. Today's health could be gone tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing those timely and timeless verses.

You should know I'm writing your advice down. I did not know about squash being heavy feeders so will plan for next year. I'm setting up another larger compost pile so that will make three.

I will look for Fortex beans. I do save the Scarlet runners but plant them mainly for the flowers, though they have more now than during the heat of the summer.

I have a coop that will be empty this winter the front is covered with plastic. The mint along the sides did nice inside till I put some birds in there. I'll give that a try for a greenhouse. I haven't yet read up on green housing. There is electricity so I could hang a heat light in there.

Here's an old pic noting the high weeds. We were away for six weeks and the SIL ddin't mow it. He did help keep the chickens alive so I was glad for that.

 

[rancher hicks]

How do you take the seeds out of your tomatoes for canning?

I did some "sauce" and I mushed it through a strainer but it's more like "Soup" than sauce. Too, I'm pretty sure there isn't 5 pints like the recipe says there should be.

One thing I did do, was use my hand blender thing rather than a potato masher. I don't have potato masher.

 

[rancher hicks]

I've never added lemon juice when canning tomatoes. Do I have too and won't it change the taste?

 

[rancher hicks]

So what to do?

If you've been seeding your tomatoes before using them in your cooking, we have news for you: maybe you should stop. Or so says America's Test Kitchen host Chris Kimball in his new book on the science of cooking. So what's wrong with seeding tomatoes? Find out below:
According to Kimball as recently told to NPR's The Salt:

It turns out the seed in [the tomato] jelly ... has three times more flavor compounds called glutamates than the flesh, so when you seed the tomato... you're actually throwing out most of the flavor.​

So while you might get a smoother soup (that much is true), it won't be as tasty! Glutamate proteins, if you remember, are what give tomatoes their umami taste and feel. As the Umami Information Center writes regarding tomatoes:

Of the many plant foods that provide umami in western tradition, the tomato is foremost. Its attractive, full, rounded 'meaty' flavour comes from its heavy load of glutamates, and this flavour is reinforced by its unique crimson colour, the colour of blood which is the very essence of animal life.​

Interesting! Have you noticed a difference in flavor in seeded vs. unseeded tomatoes?
For more on the science of cooking (and other myths debunked) check out The Salt's article below, and The Science of Good Cooking ($24.40).

 

[rancher hicks]

Do you have a family recipe that is written on a piece of paper stashed inside a cook book. How about sending it to me via PM. I've found some in old cook books that I've bought and have tried them. Can I try your family recipe?

Thanks in advance. You can scan them to your computer and just cut and paste them to here.

Rancher

What I learned today. One I've never added lemon juice to my tomatoes before. Even when I've added yellows which aren't as acidic as red. Too, I haven't been water bath canning them as long as one recipe says I should. But I do can tomatoes when they're hot, not cold.

So this batch of sauce that I did today will have the two table spoons of lemon juice and be canned for the 40 minutes recommended. Perhaps a bit longer since it says to let the jars sit in the water as it cools down. Though I don't think I'll wait a long time. Perhaps til I come back in from checking on the chickens. I like to take a walk about for my break in between jobs.

One think that concerns me is I have some that is basically soup. If I add the table spoon of lemon, (this will be pints) how much will it effect the taste? I don't expect there to be to much soup, but I want to give some to a friend who is being treated for cancer. They'll eat it right away I think. My thought is to can it, but tell them to keep it refrigerated til they use it. I'm not even sure they like tomato soup. I should call them first huh?

 

[Beekissed]

Most cook down the tomatoes until most of the extra fluid is off and the tomatoes thicken into sauce viscosity. Some do that and also add tomato paste or tomato powder to thicken it so they don't have to cook it so long.

 

[Molpet]

So what to do?

If you've been seeding your tomatoes before using them in your cooking, we have news for you: maybe you should stop. Or so says America's Test Kitchen host Chris Kimball in his new book on the science of cooking. So what's wrong with seeding tomatoes? Find out below:
According to Kimball as recently told to NPR's The Salt:

It turns out the seed in [the tomato] jelly ... has three times more flavor compounds called glutamates than the flesh, so when you seed the tomato... you're actually throwing out most of the flavor.​

So while you might get a smoother soup (that much is true), it won't be as tasty! Glutamate proteins, if you remember, are what give tomatoes their umami taste and feel. As the Umami Information Center writes regarding tomatoes:

Of the many plant foods that provide umami in western tradition, the tomato is foremost. Its attractive, full, rounded 'meaty' flavour comes from its heavy load of glutamates, and this flavour is reinforced by its unique crimson colour, the colour of blood which is the very essence of animal life.​

Interesting! Have you noticed a difference in flavor in seeded vs. unseeded tomatoes?
For more on the science of cooking (and other myths debunked) check out The Salt's article below, and The Science of Good Cooking ($24.40).

I leave the skins and the seeds... just cook slow and low for a couple of days , with sweet onion and carrots to add sweetness, and use a stick blender