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One Bad Day

I thought I would take a minute to help explain a part of the homesteading life that seems to throw people off. Let me first say that we hate killing our animals. But ultimately, there comes a day when we prep and plan to do just that. The animals we have on our property have a purpose. The dogs help alert if there are predators after our critters. The chickens produce eggs and meat for the freezer. We also raise rabbits. We have a few that we keep for breeding purposes but their offspring will eventually be harvested. On “killing day” our anxiety is usually high, hoping that everything dies as humanely as possible. Again, we don’t enjoy killing these animals that we have raised since birth. At the same time, we’re not just raising pets. We are raising animals that will help sustain us. All of this was new to me until a couple of years ago. I didn’t know how I would handle the slaughtering of our livestock. But I knew that if I wanted to live a life of self-reliance, I would have...
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2020

Can you believe it?  We made it to the year, 2020.  As a child, I would watch favorite cartoon shows that my parents watched when they were small children.  One of my favorites was "The Jetsons."  I just knew that by 2020 we would be flying around in cars, going from here to there by the speed of light.  While we as a nation have progressed quickly, we are still a ways off (THANK GOODNESS) from that super "techy" world.  Let's be honest; the world we live in is already too fast paced.  Slow down, people.  Stop and smell those beautiful flowers that will be blooming before you know it. 2019 seemed to be a repeat of a couple years prior.  I've been in a terrible slump over the past three years.  And to be honest, I'm sick of it.  It's easy to just set back and let the world pummel you into a pathetic sad hole.  I am so ready to make some major changes in my life.  But change requires work.    So, for the ...
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Characteristics of a Cedar Tree

Growing up, we always had an artificial tree. While they’re beautiful, and I have fond memories of dragging it out of the attic every year and fluffing it’s pointy branches, I have come to appreciate and adore our new tradition as a family. Together, we choose a tree, chop it down, and plant it in our living room to admire through the Christmas holiday. Few may choose the prickly cedar tree. However, it has become the one we gravitate towards. Probably because they’re unwanted nuisances in the yard. Mostly because they’re aromatic, easy to spruce up, and quick to adorn with our favorite ornaments. The cedar tree symbolizes strength, eternity, and endurance. Poets from around the world have written about this simple conifer for centuries. In the late 19th century, author John Worcester compared the structure of the cedar tree to the process of attaining successively higher natural and spiritual knowledge, writing, “The spiritual tree also must extend its branches, put forth leaves, ...
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The Lahzee Blahs

I have a friend who mentioned her mom having the "lahzee blahs."  I had never before heard this saying and immediately related to it.  I would be lying if I told you the last three years have been easy.  They have been anything but.  But...(there is always a but) I still remain OK.  Am I as strong as I want to be?  No.  Am I as strong as I need to be?  No.  Lately, I have found myself in the same state as I was back in 2016.  I'm merely existing.  I think its OK to float around and just let life do what its going to do.  Ultimately, we don't have much say in its course.  But what we can do is simply remain.  During my moments of weakness, I have found that I can still be the shoulder that others need.  I can still be the ear that others need to vent to.  I can still be a help, even when it feels that no one is helping me.  Focus on the light!  I don't do this near enough.  But when I do, life ...
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Old Paths

Ok.  So picture the Judd's singing, "Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days."  Let that tune stick in your mind as you read the following paragraphs.  I love the old ways of life that have mysteriously found me.  I was raised in the city limits of Scottsville, Kentucky.  I loved looking at the "moo cows" that just so happened to be in our backyard, separated by a fence, thanks to a neighbor who owned just enough land to accommodate them.  They were friendly for the most part, but I always longed for one of them to let me feed it from my bare hands.  I got close a few times, but their skiddish demeanor left them just out of reach.  My small city life as a child was good, safe, and reliable.  My parents worked their tails off, ensuring that bills were paid and we had food on the table.  We bought new tennis shoes, once a year at the beginning of school.  We were never allowed to wear them out of the house until that first day of...
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Growth in Critters, in Plants, and in Us.

As most of my farming friends can agree, now is the time to begin prepping for all the Spring things.  I feel that we may be a few weeks behind, but I'm trying not to let that hinder my nerves.  The rain has made prepping the garden beds impossible.  Today, we had a break in the rain, allowing us to make the critters beds and coops dry and comfortable.  I hate doing strenuous work on Sundays.  What is supposed to be our day of rest, has ended up being when we have time to actually get things done.  After church today, I went straight to the hay round and began the scratchy task of taking out old hay and replacing it with new.  Animals have a way of telling you that they aren't exactly pleased with their current living quarters.  Our egg production has been low and the rabbits haven't exactly been hopping for joy. Today, that changed.  Sunshine has a way of making things better.  My outlook changed from having the lazee blahs to the oos...
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Hurry Up & Slow Down

I think I am right there with most of the population wanting so much, yet knowing that it can't just be picked out of thin air.  I have to constantly remind myself that there is no need in trying to hurry a process that I have no control of anyway.  I saw a quote the other day that said, "Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you."  I pray that the Lord would give me the ability to just be patient, and wait on Him to move the mountains that seem so big. In other news, we are getting soaked over here.  So much rain has fallen this winter, completely obliterating any hope of a substantial winter.  I believe I saw earlier in the month that this has been the wettest season on record, and I absolutely believe that.  Mucks and my Totes rain jacket have been my best friends, keeping me as dry as they can.  I have nearly lost my boots, more than once because the mud wants to suck me into its nasty murky jowls.  This week, w...
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