Yesterday was the second time I’ve taken paid-time-off (i.e. ‘vacation time’) to go “help out” on another farm. So far it has been the best way for me to learn new skills and meet new friends. I’ve also taken a few weekend days to work on other farms in the area. I’ve learned some new organic gardening techniques and how to properly use a scythe over at Abundant Dawn; how to identify and all of the great uses for locust trees over at Wild Hill Farms; how to install floor joists and locust-pole-stilts on a cabin at our friends’ Tommy and Amber’s place; and finally how to quickly process your own chickens over at The Walden Effect farm a few hours away.
Living a Simple Life
About getting back to the basics of living a happy, simple life.
Archive for ‘Animals’
The Story of Big Mamma and Little Peepers (Video)
Mrs. Simpleton wants to write childrens’ books some day and base them on things that happen around the farm. I think she’d be good at it – especially the illustrations. Perhaps we have our first story here. I’m thinking it would be a good childrens’ story to help interracially adopted children come to terms with why they are different from their parents, and how that doesn’t make them any less loved, and doesn’t mean that they “belong” any less. I’m sure it’s been done before, but probably not with a Turkey and a Chicken…
Growing Accustomed to Life On a Farm
So, I’ve noticed lately that I’m becoming a little more accustomed to life here on the farm. For instance, I’ve given up on the idea that it is possible to stay clean and dry when I have 3 dogs and a creek. I’m on my second round of poison ivy. I’m not sure how I got it this time – probably from one of the dogs jumping on me or from picking up Smokey (our cat) who takes up residence under the pine trees where it grows like mad. But I’ve managed to stop having anxiety attacks when I see her trotting through there or when Clyde runs through patches of it here and there.
Volunteering On Other Farms to Learn What to Do on Yours
Humming Birds Outside My Office Window (Video)
This is what I look at while working. It’s fun to watch them chase each other around like fighter pilots, but it’s even better when they get along – like these two…
Pictures From Last Week Around the Farm
Here are a few pictures that have been sitting on the camera since last week.
Our Surrogate Turkey Mamma and Her Little Peepers
Our turkey hen went broody, but 30 days later I had to remove her eggs since they obviously weren’t going to hatch. But she wouldn’t get off of her nest so I took some chicken eggs and put them under her. It is been another 21 days and her marathon of broodiness has paid off with a little chick who probably thinks of itself as a turkey. There are still three more eggs under her, which we’ll give two more days before removing. Hopefully we will get another couple of chicks before then.
The Caption Challenge: Butterflies on Donkey Dookie
There are no prizes, but it’ll be fun anyway. I’m thinking there is some kind of metaphor to be had here. Help us come up with a caption for this picture from our pasture:
I’m not lepidopterologist, but are these butterflies pupating?
Farm Update – May 20-24th
OK, so here is what has been going on around here lately. I know you probably subscribe to this blog for more than just bullet-point updates, and we have REALLY been slacking on the how-to videos, but what can I say: It’s that time of year. I do promise some how-to stuff sometime soon though. In the meantime, here’s a fun list and some pictures…
Chicken Nesting Box Give-Away at Life on a Southern Farm: Ends 5-19-2010
The Life on a Southern Farm blog is giving away a free chicken nesting box. All you need to do to be entered is to click here and comment on their blog. It looks like a pretty nice design actually. I’ve never seen a nesting box made from sheet metal, but it seems like that would be much easier to clean than wood.
Tractor Saves The Day & Plans for Garden Flood Control
What would have taken me three days was over within 15 minutes thanks to a friendly neighbor with a tractor…
Thank you Elwood!
About Us
We're not technophobes or Luddites. We simply believe that people have lost some important things in the march toward progress. That is not to say progress and simplicity are mutually exclusive. We believe we can have both, and this site catalogs our journey as we try to do exactly that.