What's New

As we prepare for the kidding season I have been busy developing and learning how to build a web-site.

I have created my own website: http://www.soeltlfarm.com and although it will be under construction forever it is really a learning time for the children and me. I found a host that has template pages and I just fill in the blank but will eventually learn how to change the templates and make my own very personalized web-site.

I have also had the opportunity to meet some of the patrons for "Dinners on the Farm" by being the "guest speaker" at a dinner this week. Located in beautiful downtown Chester the River Tavern, Jonathan Rapp in charge, was warm and cozy. The ambiance was settling. With mother nature tried to keep me on the farm with another snow storm but I had a load of silage in the back of "old red" and didn't have to use the four wheel drive as we passed many a wipe out on the trip there. My husband went with me and both of us met some old friends and some new.
I so appreciated them coming to the dinner to see "Me" as scary a thought they may not have realized. I brought them a gift of my own grown Canna Rhizomes packaged by the children and I, in burlap bags (we made them on another snowy day), pine and cedar shavings and several handful of our wonderful compost, tied with a hay string bow and instructions.
It was impressed that they were appreciated and I was happy that they felt that way. I don't truly get off the farm much but both my husband and I walked away with a good feeling. My husband enjoyed the many different plates of food (in presentations that I could not have dreamed)kudos the chef James Wayman, accompanied with wine from Jones vineyard that were a very nice enhancement to the varied flavors and textures of our plated canvas of delectables.
Usually wines will give me instant heartburn and I shy from them but these (there were three)enhanced the flavor of the food as well as relaxed the guest. I would recommend them to anyone - Jones Winery, Shelton Ct.

Winter harvest has been long and tiring. A few of my friends have been sick and I have cut wrapped their products as well as my own, just increasing my work load. My family is happy since now they have beef instead of our endless supply of chicken and turkey. Sure I make regular dishes I just insert poultry instead of beef and pork but they have not starved from lack of red meat. Such picky people however they usually eat what is delivered to the table without too much complaint. They just know better.

The girls are waiting and so I must leave.

Loading Day

Well despite the darned blasted cold weather we are having "Old Red" gifted us with starting this morning. Of course see was plugged in, since this past cold snap she did not like to run and was out of commission for several days.

I truly think that the sulfur recipe change of the fuel is what has her skirts twisted. I poured a little 911 fuel additive and she is doing better but will have to get the White bottle of 911 to prevent waxing. I have come to realize (after being freaked out at) that Gas Station attendants don't like it when you use a gallon of Kerosene to cut the diesel. You would have thought that I had lit a match at the pump for gosh sakes.

So today a pig and a veal calf went to market. I really don't like to load piggies. I wind up riding them, and if you have never ridden a pig they really don;t like it and buck like a horse but will bite you if they can. However "Blondie" loaded nicely. The Veal calf "Mum" was a little less cooperative. She's gone anyhow. The other pigs are enjoying the extra milk and I gave them a little more hay to make up for the open space. They are all getting so big thought I'm sure that she wont' be missed for long. The house was getting a little crowded.

When the pig was loaded the first thing the calf did was try to kick her. Pigs are quicker than you would think. I was quicker and closed the door after making sure she wasn't hit.

Both hens we put eggs under are no longer broody. Very disheartening since now I have to build an incubator. I will research and buy a turner that will fit into our creation as well as a fan and automatic heater.

I am being forced into attending a Dinner at the River Tavern that I will be the person on display. I made a gift for those who attend. I put several Canna rhizomes in a burlap bag tied with a hay string with direction for planting and storage. I figure if the people are attending they would appreciate a tropical looking plant for their fresh spring garden.

I have hit a wall about getting more farmers to join the Google group. A slow start but I'm sure it will take off for all those involved.

I am ordering my seeds soon and will plant more exotic vegetable for the Chefs to use. A very exciting time here as we are finding new clients and our future is looking very bright.

Where I've been

You may be asking yourself (or maybe not) where the heck is She?

Well I have been visiting a very dark place. Doesn't always happen this time of year but I re-injured my back and I believe the Summers adventures are catching up to me.

When I re-injure my back and it is all I can do to be civil to my family, friends and the critters. It is exhausting to just get through another day. I thank God for such a wonderful family who supports me and knows enough to stay at arms length least they meet with my wrath. It is unavoidable at times and when I feel overwhelmed I try to take a nap. Of course I don't sleep because of the pain but it is quiet time that I can reflect, find the strength that God gave me and calm myself down. Copious quantities of hugs from loved ones helps tremendously.

I was also challenged by a person of "faith" about how my relationship with God wasn't as it should be. I have found my peace again, although that took some time. This person made me feel "wrong" about my love of God and my relationship with him and all that goes with it. I have determined that "NO ONE" should be able to have that kind of power over anyone. Faith is faith, just have it and bask in the love of God and feel it to your soul. SHEESH! I also have noticed that since I have not followed that persons path that they no longer socialize with my family or myself. Their loss.

Well today is the Inauguration of the forty fourth American President. I will have my children watch and co-ordinate the occasion with Martin Luther Kings' theories and principle of "Civil Rights". I will also teach my children to listen to what they say as well as realize that all people who speak to you are giving you their opinions and beliefs. Not all people practice what they preach and a person should be well informed from many different sources. Our country was built on Slavery not only of black people but of white people who were sold into servitude when our nation was very young and were looking for a better life. Many of our first settlers were people who served masters that treated them with cruelty and never made it out of this servitude. In America third to Illegal Drugs Sales, Weapon Sales, Human trafficing which is also illegal is the third most popular form of business. How can this happen? I don't know but it still exists and something should be done to change our way of dealing with it. How about making it more public for a start?

One thing for sure is the next American President can not fix our current economic or social situations in the mere four years that he will be in office. I can only hope that he serves his constituents with honesty (which would be a first) and loyalty. Let's face it although he won by electoral votes he only won by three percentage points of the popular vote (I haven't quite figured this out yet, I guess when you win a state you must get all the electoral votes as they don't share?). However has anyone noticed that the winner is embraced and supported because it was a fair election (no matter how mind numbing the length!).

The farm is well and we are trudging through about a foot or more of the Winters fruit. It has been exciting weather and we are enjoying it with sledding, four wheel drive and lots of tea and hot chocolate. We are nearly out of wood but I am unable to do anything about it. When the last fire dies the cold will settle to my bones. I hope they will be able to pry me from the water bed.

Soon kidding season will start. I must order new supplies immediately. Then the Chick, Poult and hog orders. Eye Glass appointments for the family. Well I will start with the cookie trays and wait for my client who is picking up 250 eggs. This will help the income slump and help pay for the load of grain tomorrow.

Stay warm and I will try to post more often. My back permitting. Can't sit too long these days......like I ever do?

What is new?

Well life is slowing to a mere mad scramble now. Take care of the animals and make sure the water stays open for drinking. Birds harvested and pens and coops cleaned for next season.

With Christmas around the corner I have decided to stay home and send out our Christmas cards. The cards were designed and made by us. It was a fun project and everyone participated.

My one Guernsey has decided she does not like being milked by machine so she needs to be hobbled every day twice a day or she will kick. Sure I milk her by hand still but sometimes there is a need to other things that can be done while she is being milked. I don't understand but I am trying and am being patient with her. I don't blame her as I remember how when I would express for the children when breast feeding it wasn't always the most pleasant of sensations. For some cows the let down process can be painful and if brought on quickly I can only imagine what the poor girl is thinking (what beast is attacking me now........kill it with a kick!)

We are about half way through our winter supply of hay and will request some more soon as I would like to save some of the second cutting for the Does when the Kidd.

The chickens are laying up a storm and I have a regular client who picks up 200 eggs about every week or so. Nice. We have been without eggs for so long I will be sure never to let the layers run out again. Supplemental income during the winter is a valuable asset since not much of anything else is available.

4-H is quiet and I have realized that the leader is slowing down on her exuberance. They are not planning as many events since the turn out was mostly us and their children and the burden to help the club thrive should come from all the members.

So I am off to clean the Kitchen and get ready to start baking cookies. The children are busy doing their school work and later we can bring the trees in for decoration. What fun.

Are we winding down yet?

Well just when I thought things were going to get easier well lets just say it was a fleeting thought at best.

All three calves have been born and now we have enough milk for everyone. Yes one cow was late one on time and one early. I hope to make some hard cheeses this winter while I await the frenzy of Kidding season.

A couple of holidays in between but no parties again this Christmas. Even my children have mentioned that they miss the parties that we have, First the Pignic in July, Pumpkin carving in October and the Christmas Eve open house. This year I have decided not to have a Christmas Eve open house but will instead have a "cabin fever" party sometime in January. Maybe the third week. I often still have my tree up until the early teens so I feel this is a safe time. I tend to take the tree down when there is a definite chance of spontaneous combustion with the heat from the wood stoves. I am such a safety minded person aren't I?

No rushing to make the cookies, just sit back and relax and wait until things get boring and whalla lets have a get-together.

I will have the cookie trays ready and by then Christmas would have worn off and some rich treats will be just the thing to go with Cocoa after a sledding afternoon or just a day out doing animal care or wood gathering or what ever it is that one does during the coldest part of the year. Yes napping sounds awfully sweet at this time of the day.

I hope the cookies will be appreciated at least. I make so many and if people would rather I not I would understand. Wait, I think I will make the cookies for Christmas and just go around visiting everyone and see their tree and decoration. I so believe that Christmas is about children and the one who walks with us all daily. I like to see how others celebrate.

All and more turkey were harvested for the Thanksgiving holiday and I still have about 30 birds left. One set of roasting chickens to go and that is it until next February. Wait.........I guess I don't have much down time really......what am I thinking.

I will go and advertise on some cyber sites but am doing little in the way of paying for advertising since I have learned in the past that I don't get any return on Newspaper adverts. Marketing is very difficult.

I am going to buy some 4-H Curriculum for the children (of course with me in mind). Entrepreneur, small engine repair, computer lab, and several others that are pertinent to our lifestyle. I hope this will give them a better understanding as to why we do what we do. Life experience, since we will put what we learn into practice.

Perhaps I will even get to the Blog a little bit more........I am not promising anything......

I thought you were late

I felt that the first time heifer "Lovely" was over-due her calf date. I was very correct because "Just" had her calf last night! That would make "Lovely" over due by about two weeks!

Just in case you were wondering it was another Bull calf who has yet to be named. OK, I just named him "Ditto" since they are colored exactly the same (well about as close as you can get) except the second one has a bit of curl to his hair and probably horns too. Close enough and the message to the children is the same.

Well tomorrow is Election Day. Yes, I am deep in thought still. I will vote and I hope you will also. Don't come and complain to me unless you do vote. It only takes a few minutes and then we can talk about politics. Not that I like talking politics but if you participate I would be willing. I was surprised at how many people don't vote. There were 200,000,000 (that's two hundred million)voters in 1997. There must be more by now. In the average election only around 50% of registered voters will participate. Disgusting numbers and disappointing to say the least. Nuff Said.

Well I must go. I have to take some animals to auction, and the Ducks that were harvested (18 total) to where they are wanted and go to a "Mega" store and purchase just enough food to see us through next week. I miss the garden already. It was very convenient to just go out an pick dinner. So many different combinations.

My son and daughter have dug up all the "Canna Rhizomes" (don't you just love fancy words) and my son wants to try and sell them at a dollar a pound. A real bargain since they go for 25.00 per plant at any local nursery. The Canna roots that he dug up will set at least five per rhizome.

Well off to my busy day, have a great one.

Miracles and the Constitution

We were blessed with another birth on our farm last night. Our first time heifer Lovely had a beautiful bull calf that I have named "Clive". This name because it refers to a fictional character that we know of who is dead. This helps the children realize that the calf is being raised as red veal. The birth was uncomplicated but the heifer (OK, cow now) was difficult to milk out. With my very bad back, I, on a constant basis say "THAT'S IT, I AM DONE WITH COWS!". She kicked as I tried to gently wash her udder, kicked while I not so gently clipped her udder, and kicked while she was trying to be milked (can you imagine she let the veal calves all nurse on her and one had a weaner ring!). I have given up trying to milk first time fresheners by hand. In the past I have been injured which took many months to recuperate. Then I think of all that golden milk and flavorful cheese and yogurt and well I just keep the cows........Guernseys are a wonderful home milker.

There are things in my life I can count on. A frisky first time freshener, the Sun rising in the East, the weather in New England to change quickly. One thing I also understand and hold to be true is the Constitution of the United States.

In Connecticut every twenty years the question is posed to the voters if they would like to hold a Constitutional Convention. This would allow the delegates to try and change our Constitution. Am I missing something? I believe there is nothing wrong with Our Constitution. What is wrong is that Lawyers and Politicians (who are mostly blood sucking lawyers, shall I really tell you how I feel?) want to change the Constitution to fit their greedy agenda.

It is the same greed that caused the recent Stock Market burp. Greed that brought down the Federal Mortgage Company's of Fannie Mae and Fannie Mac all of which not a single person has been accountable. I know there were "very important people (at least in their minds)" who were in charge that were paid obviously more than they were worth. None will take responsibility for what happened, saying they never saw it coming. The highly worshiped Alan Greenspan is shocked that all these events have happened and doesn't understand how. We let these people govern our lives?

I don't understand how one person can enter Harvard Law School with a 3.3 GPA no honors after two years at Columbia and finish 4.0 GPA Magna Cum Laude. Another miracle must have taken place (information from the Wall Street Journal). Are you sure it wasn't Hogwarts he was attending? Another enters the prestigious Naval Academy to wind up fifth from the bottom. Honesty. It is all I am looking for. Life experience does count. A stable up bringing may now be a thing of the past.

Well it isn't a thing of the past around my house. Be reasonable. Don't try to fix what isn't broken. If it has worked for he past 2oo plus years without too many amendments perhaps you should just leave it alone and grow some common sense and learn how to take responsibility for your actions. This country still has streets made of gold but you may (should) only be able to get there with hard work, honesty and loyalty. Greed shouldn't play a factor. Use your good old fashioned know how, present ideas that will work in new and different ways that can pay for themselves. There are no "Free rides". Like everyone else, follow the rules (don't try to change them) and you too can walk the golden highway.