Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[fuzzybutt love]

 

[SillyChicken]

Next month will mark the 46th year since I last drew a paycheck from the "Green Machine". Six years of commitment to the US Army was culminated by my final duty assignment of 6 months at Fort Leonard Wood as a drill sergeant. It was my task to help guide about 600 trainees through their Advance Individual Training before they were assigned to a permanent duty station.

Miles traveled while counting cadence taking them from one training station to another trying to shape them into a cohesive unit. In addition to giving them the necessary skills to carry out their assigned tasks and how to survive in a combat situation, we tried to install an "esprit de corps" of confidence in their own abilities and in the benefit and necessity of working as a team.

While this was still early in the Viet Nam war years, a great number of them were sent to southeat Asia. Many times in the intervening years since I have often wondered how many of those young men made the ultimate sacrifice. Was I able to help give them the skills they so desperately needed.

It is a question that has no way of being answered but I do know that when their country asked all gave some and sadly some gave all.

Thank you for your service Sam.

 

[SillyChicken]

Indeed. Even peer-reviewed publications need to be viewed with a critical eye. I usually read the end to see who funded or sponsored the study. Then I look at the citations used. Blanket statements like a chicken needs X square feet, I take with a grain of salt. A bantam needs X; a standard needs 2X and something like a JG needs even more. Then factor if they are cooped all day, or have access to a run or free range.

I've offered to do this for MDARD and the GAAMP committees for 2 years now and they don't want to hear about it. I showed them a simple chart based on animal type, area needed, manure output that can be used for determining a suitable level of animal care and environmental protection. All based on sound science.

Sound science...... Pffft........... who needs that?

We got a letter in the mail that the tax assessor will be paying us a visit and wants to measure buildings and discuss history and any changes... etc... now I'm all paranoid. I hope they don't plan on changing my zoning or ruin our farm. We have not added or changed anything except for the goat shed we had gotten permission and had a distance inspection on already. So there is no point to them coming out. A few years ago they walked all over my yard and took pictures and snooped in windows etc. and jacked up my taxes because they assumed my 2nd floor was finished. (though you could plainly see the studs in the windows). I had since put up curtains to try to retain some heat and so my holiday led candles would look nicer. (the candles are still on and curtains are still closed). I'm worried that if I give them any kind of resistance now, they'll try to shut us down. But we are closing our curtains and gates during the day. I just don't like someone coming on to my land without me being there or inviting them.

 

[JackieandChicks]

When you have crooked toes, you get braces The "boots" didn't work, but "sandals" do

 

[Opa]

Local govenments are notorious for trying to find ways to increase revenue. When a property changes ownership the tax rate is based upon property value. Since usually the last purchase price affects the evaluation, my old friend has made David an equal partner rather than risking that the property would be reassessed if David were to inherit.

 

[SillyChicken]

They have slowly been lowering the value the last few yeas because the homes around us are selling way under value.. plus we are in the red on ours as well. So I cannot complain that they've been jacking them up... but I'm sure they'll be looking for any ol excuse. I really just don't want them there when I am not.

 

[tori8780]

Next month will mark the 46th year since I last drew a paycheck from the "Green Machine". Six years of commitment to the US Army was culminated by my final duty assignment of 6 months at Fort Leonard Wood as a drill sergeant. It was my task to help guide about 600 trainees through their Advance Individual Training before they were assigned to a permanent duty station.

Miles traveled while counting cadence taking them from one training station to another trying to shape them into a cohesive unit. In addition to giving them the necessary skills to carry out their assigned tasks and how to survive in a combat situation, we tried to install an "esprit de corps" of confidence in their own abilities and in the benefit and necessity of working as a team.

While this was still early in the Viet Nam war years, a great number of them were sent to southeat Asia. Many times in the intervening years since I have often wondered how many of those young men made the ultimate sacrifice. Was I able to help give them the skills they so desperately needed.

It is a question that has no way of being answered but I do know that when their country asked all gave some and sadly some gave all.

I went to FLW for basic training back in 2007 :-D I spent 5 years on Active Duty and 1.5 in the guard. Got out last June. Thank you for your service.

 

[Opa]

And thank you for yours as well. I hadn't been back to FLW for over 40 years and was amazed at how much has changed. When I was there it really was out in the boonies and Route 66 was the main highway to get there. The local police maintained a speed trap in Devils Elbow that I think financed their department with GI's speeding tickets. Waynesvillle was just a wide spot in the road, mostly bars and pawnshops.

 

[Maah]

I'm a glutton for punishment I think. We picked up 4 more chicks from FF&H yesterday - and put them in the brooder box with the 2 keets we picked up last week.

DD picked out a Silver Sebright bantam chick.
DH picked out a new 50 cent discounted Buff Orpington pullet (to replace the BO we got 2 months ago from the pullet bin that ended up being a cockerel).
DS picked out a 50 cent discounted Black Sex Link.
I picked out a new little blue'ish ameraucana... from the pullet bin... again. I will try this again! The last one ended up being a cockerel. I'm hoping the people at Townline got it right this time, but my luck it'll be a boy -again. This little one is so stinking cute!!





For anybody interested... the Wayland FF&H has Freedom Rangers right now. I would have picked up some of those, but we already have our Cornish Cross on order through DD's 4H group.

 

[RaZ]

We got a letter in the mail that the tax assessor will be paying us a visit and wants to measure buildings and discuss history and any changes... etc... now I'm all paranoid. I hope they don't plan on changing my zoning or ruin our farm. We have not added or changed anything except for the goat shed we had gotten permission and had a distance inspection on already. So there is no point to them coming out. A few years ago they walked all over my yard and took pictures and snooped in windows etc. and jacked up my taxes because they assumed my 2nd floor was finished. (though you could plainly see the studs in the windows). I had since put up curtains to try to retain some heat and so my holiday led candles would look nicer. (the candles are still on and curtains are still closed). I'm worried that if I give them any kind of resistance now, they'll try to shut us down. But we are closing our curtains and gates during the day. I just don't like someone coming on to my land without me being there or inviting them.

Do you have a lockable gate? If so, keep it locked.
You can also think about posting some no trespassing signs. I'm kind of partial to this on on my own homestead.