This blog ends, another begins
Authored by Beth on
Monday, December 15, 2008
This blog is in an old version of MT - it is really cludgy to do anything in, and it's been around so long that it is almost impossible to import it into the new version.
As I mentioned before, I have a new blog, The Farm At Castle Argghhh! That is where I will be writing from now on.
This will remain because of the Carnival of the Recipes posts and links.
See you at my new place, and thanks for all the fish!
Beautiful San Juan, Puerto Rico
Authored by Beth on
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
On our wonderful National Review Cruise, the main stop was San Juan, Puerto Rico. I took many photos and I finally have them uploaded.
And yes, if you like any of them, you can purchase them from Exposure Manager.
Here is one of my favorites:
And another:
Monday morning farm report
Authored by Beth on
Monday, November 24, 2008
Here is my promised update on yesterday's accomplishments.
1. there is now lighting in the hen house that should encourage the birds to start laying again.
2. I made one nesting box out of an old plastic storage bin (not clear, they like their privacy, don't ya know!) and some scrap wood.
3. I discovered a hidden nest they have been laying eggs in. It is in the barn, the little sneaks, they are not supposed to hang out in there. So, I marked the eggs in the nest (I have no idea how old they might be, so they will be decoys) and now, if any of them lay there, I'll know the fresh eggs from the decoy eggs. I figure this counts as a nesting box, so I got two finished!
4. I decided to start a blog devoted to the farm and all the activities based on the farm. I will probably be writing there more than here, unless I get really riled up about something that I cannot relate to life on the farm.
So, the big reveal is now - The Farm at Castle Argghhh!!!, My new blog!
Running the farm
Authored by Beth on
Sunday, November 23, 2008
I am still learning how to do this farm thing. Some day, I would love for us to be much more self-sufficient when it comes to food and such. It is harder than you might think. It takes a lot of physical energy, and you have to constantly remember that there are a lot of living creatures completely dependent on you for food and water.
Like the chickens and Guinea Fowl. They need adequate clean water available at all times. They also have a nasty habit of getting the water all icky. Actually, I blame Mrs. Duck for that - she thinks all containers with water in them are her personal little ponds, and she plops herself in them (even in very cold weather) and gives herself a bath.
For some odd reason, Duck and Aflac do not put their entire bodies into the water - they just dunk their heads in.
Anyway, I often find that I need to change the water and clean the containers several times a day. Even the specialized waterers for chickens do not keep the water clean. They will sit on top of them and poop. Ick.
In the winter, I can't use water hoses to get the water to them, because they will freeze up, so I carry buckets of water to them.
And I need to get their lighting situation in the new hen house improved. Right now, there are two infrared heat lamps in it to keep the temperature above freezing, but because of the short winter days, and the lack of light, the hens do not lay eggs unless I install a light with a timer, to trick them into thinking it is not winter, so they will lay eggs!
If I can get them all to lay eggs, they should be able to pay for their own keep, important as the damned chicken feed has about doubled in price since last year, and this is supposed to be a money making venture at some time in the future! Or, at least a break-even venture!
And the goats, they actually prefer warm water in winter, or so I've been told. But I really don't like the idea of an electric cord in their part of the barn - the critters will munch on anything. So, I am going to put start boiling water a few times a day and pouring it into their cold water to make it a bit warmer.
The horses, believe it or not, are much easier. They are in a huge pasture with a small 1+ acre lake and a small pond and some streams. As long as they have adequate grass in the pasture and the occasional round bale of hay, they do pretty well by themselves.
Of course, the horses cost money - vet bills, shoeing, etc. can put a real big dent in my budget. And that is just for my two horses.
The other 7 horses here belong to Major and his brother, Andrew. They are supposed to be helping me out around the farm in return, but you know, I'm finding that they are too busy to help me out much. If I was charging them the average rate for pasture, I'd be making $100 a horse per month, which would sure make things easier. But they do not have that kind of money. Or if they do, they hide that fact pretty damn well!
Sometimes I know that people take advantage of us. We always try to help people out, but it in many cases, I feel like we are going broke without getting anything in return.
Except for Denizen Ry. When he shows up (sometimes with his lovely wife), he works his arse off helping me to mend fences and clean the barn, take care of the critters etc. Wow, what a great guy.
I wish he would teach Major and Andrew how to be more helpful.
Anyway, the bottom line is that I have got to figure out a way to earn some money. I lost my job a year ago, and that would have been fine if the market had not gone all to hell. I cannot go back to traveling all over the place and working 60 + hours a week only to be mocked for my age day in and out by the culture of youth that Cerner has developed.
I am scattered enough, though, that it is very hard for me to finish all the things I start. That does not make for a successful farm. I have got to prioritize projects and do them.
So, I am going to report each day what I plan to do and whether or not I get them done in an effort to encourage myself to NOT embarrass myself here on the blog.
Therefore, today, my goal is to set up lighting in the new hen house and to create a couple more nesting boxes in it - they don't like the makeshift one at all.
My other goal is to get two loads of laundry done and put away.
I'll update this evening or tomorrow morning!
I learn to spin today
Authored by Beth on
Saturday, November 22, 2008
And I mean spin as in the spinning of fiber into yarn, not riding a stationary bike really fast!
So, I'll be in Spinning Class all day long. Yarn Barn is the shop that teaches it.
Been working on photos
Authored by Beth on
Saturday, November 22, 2008
I have uploaded most of the National Review Cruise pictures with people in them.
I still have a bunch of gorgeous photos of the tropical paradises we visited that I'm working on.
Anyone know a fast way to tag photos?
Gosh darn, this is absolutely taking forever!
Back to normal
Authored by Beth on
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
We are back from the National Review Post Election Cruise and I have about 300 photos to go through and upload to ExposureManager.com
It was a wonderful trip. Meeting so many National Review writers and editors along with all the other folks who attended was just great.
And yeah, we have been home a few days, but Wendy left Kansas today to go to Colorado, so there was some hanging out to do.
Our friend and Castle Argghhh! Denizen, Ry, really helped Wendy out while we were on the cruise. He got more done in a week than I normally get done in ... oh ... umm.... a year.
Ry drove home on Monday and interviewed for a job and got it!
Oh, darn.
I have to go - later.
And the stock market continues its fall into nothingness
Authored by Beth on
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Anyone who thinks that the Market's fall is due to anything outside of Obama's election, really needs to look at reality.
And, as an aside, I'm curious as to what defines a 'rich person' for you all?
Time to regroup, rethink, restate
Authored by Beth on
Thursday, November 06, 2008
The election of Barack Obama has been an impetus for me to become more involved in politics. Even if it is just more political blogging and more notes to Congress and the President.
I think all Conservatives should consider the following:
1. Name calling does NOT make your case in the political sphere. Civility need not be lost forever just because it disappeared among the left during the past 8 years.
2. Attack the message, not the messenger. I think perhaps Fisking should come back into popular blogging when it comes to statements from the President Elect or his supporters.
3. Be factual. Be logical.
4. It's way past time to start talking to minorities about how Conservatism is better for everyone than Liberalism.
Most Latino and African American people I know are fairly religions and many are pro-life. If we can get them to help us in the fight to stop the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act".
5. Write letters to the editors of Newspapers. Write to CNN, FOX, MSNBC.
6. Guard against anything that will take away our Bill of Rights.
I'm sure there are more things. Please feel free to make suggestions
