|
Post by leatherneckpa on Aug 9, 2011 7:02:15 GMT -4
That sounds cool! The little cabin will give me a place to stay when I come visit!!! LOL ~Martin That would be cool. The little cabin was always intended to become guest quarters. Funny, because we never have any.
|
|
|
Post by leatherneckpa on Aug 9, 2011 7:24:02 GMT -4
There is another "potential" use for little cabin. We told the kids of our plans for the homestead and how they would be welcome to come live there, as long as they pulled their weight on farm chores and such. The idea was basically dismissed because they have this pipe dream of a horse ranch in MT. They obviously have no idea how cold it gets up there, nor how much land costs up there.
So, anyway, I figure by the time that Cindy and I move to TN I'll be at least 58 and she'll be at least 55. Not exactly spring chickens. And neither of us has any experience at all with draft animals, which we hope to make central to our plans. So we're considering an ad in Countryside (and maybe similar magazines) for resumes from younger couples (preferably with kids) who want to live the lifestyle but who can't afford the land. Draft experience a requirement. No rent involved. They would share in the income from the animals raised. They could live in the little cabin while we build a small home for their family.
This would allow Cindy and I to travel whenever we wanted without worrying about the farm or animals. There would be two men around to handle larger tasks, instead of just me. Naturally somebody living that close will have to be carefully vetted and very compatible.
What they won't know, at least not until they've been there a good while, is that we aren't going to leave the homestead to our kids unless they are the ones living there and helping. If it's somebody else, those people will inherit the farm if Cindy and I die outside of a nursing home. Our kids have been told that they will not inherit unless they are the ones doing the work with us.
|
|
|
Post by nhlivefreeordie on Aug 9, 2011 8:04:35 GMT -4
Well thought out plan Mike, just don't be too disappointed if your plan doesn't produce exactly the results you want, the plan itself is awesome!
|
|
|
Post by ☼ ЯÏĊk ☺ on Aug 9, 2011 8:07:29 GMT -4
Mike, root cellars in New England are VERY common. If I encounter a large rock, I have a friend with a backhoe. Hydraulics kick arse. As far as freezing goes.... 4' down is a fairly constant 55 degrees. You just need some good insulation. I will be using extruded polystyrene. No problem. Keep in mind that snow is a great insulator. You ever see an eskimo shiver? Me, either. Been getting all kinds of stuff done in the gardens and outside kitchen area i use for canning. Gonna pick more peas and beans today, i froze over 20 pounds of broccoli yesterday. Go me. Gonna make a few quarts of pickles up today as well, probably mustard. Yummy.
|
|
|
Post by nhlivefreeordie on Aug 9, 2011 8:19:48 GMT -4
Glad you are getting a lot done Rick, I am catching up some too. Business expo this weekend, so that is going to throw a monkey wrench into the situation, as I really need to be down in Chambersburg getting peaches. We just got confirmation that the girl who is to watch Murphy is a go for September 1st. She is going to stay here for a week and take care of Murphy, that is AWESOME because he won't have to go anywhere, and can pretty much keep to his regular routine. That creates another problem though, now we WON'T be able to go to Elk Creek Cafe to see Chicken Tractor on Sept. 3rd as we will be in NH. We will catch them next time. So as not to lose any time, we are going to leave as soon as I get finished delivering papers on the 1st, usually about 2:00PM. We should be on the road by 3 and in NH by midnight.
|
|
|
Post by leatherneckpa on Aug 9, 2011 10:32:38 GMT -4
Keep in mind that snow is a great insulator. You ever see an eskimo shiver? Me, either. LOL, I've never even seen an Eskimo, as far as I know. Now, back in Jan-Mar of 1981 I was stationed outside of Tromsø, Norway. That was the COLDEST three months of my life. Don't think I've ever recovered completely. I HATE the cold still. Used to love snow, sledding, cross-country skiing, camping. Not anymore. I HATE winter now.
|
|
|
Post by leatherneckpa on Aug 9, 2011 10:34:25 GMT -4
now we WON'T be able to go to Elk Creek Cafe to see Chicken Tractor on Sept. 3rd as we will be in NH. Oh well, see you at the foray.
|
|
|
Post by nhlivefreeordie on Aug 9, 2011 10:39:37 GMT -4
now we WON'T be able to go to Elk Creek Cafe to see Chicken Tractor on Sept. 3rd as we will be in NH. Oh well, see you at the foray. We will for sure Mike, take notice that the date has been changed to Oct. 8th same time. That is prime Grifola time for this area. Sorry for the mix up, but after looking at our records Bob and I figured this date would ensure the greatest chance for success for those attending. We put up a change of date notice at the sign-up site, but it wasn't there when you signed up, as you had a sneak peak at the ad before everyone else.
|
|
|
Post by azlonerider on Aug 9, 2011 12:22:42 GMT -4
7 more horned tomato worms picked and fed to the chickens. I don't know where they're all coming from but my chickens love the extra protein. I however hate these things.
|
|
|
Post by leatherneckpa on Aug 9, 2011 17:31:01 GMT -4
Got the lawn mowed just now. Not too bad outside, 82º with a heat index of 84º.
The foot hurts some, but I got it done. Even emptied the clippings back over the fence for the hens.
It was not all smooth sailing though. My foot gave out on the back of the side lawn, behind the sailboat, and I fell. Bounced off the fence, didn't break it though, and only fell as far as my knees. No injuries to report, just pain. Happened on only the second pass. I almost said phooey and quit, but then I manned up and got it finished.
I find the older I get the more I become like my father. (Which I consider to be a very good thing!) I came inside and popped the top on a cold one. Hard cider this time, maybe a beer later. Who knows?
Hope Cindy remembers to pick up the acetaminophen on the way home.
Hmm, does my foot feel like standing up to cook supper?
|
|
|
Post by lauriel on Aug 9, 2011 18:40:49 GMT -4
Mike I just saw a billboard today " PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY" Courtsey of the US Marine Corp. Hang in there it will get better.
|
|
|
Post by leatherneckpa on Aug 9, 2011 21:26:42 GMT -4
;D laurie, I remember chanting that at Parris Island back in 1980. There was another one that I always liked also: "Pain is good. Intense pain is intensely good!"[/i][/b][/color]
|
|
|
Post by azlonerider on Aug 9, 2011 23:55:14 GMT -4
Mike, Don't over do it with the foot... I'd hate to see you extend out your recovery because you reinjured it.
|
|
|
Post by azlonerider on Aug 10, 2011 0:00:03 GMT -4
Tonight I had a house full of kids and their parents. My wife put on a spread and we celebrated Jake's birthday. I spent the time outside, luckily the only father who came is a guy that I get along with real well. He attends our church that I am helping build so we spent some time talking church stuff but then we talked about homesteading stuff as well.
|
|
|
Post by ☼ ЯÏĊk ☺ on Aug 10, 2011 4:15:56 GMT -4
Rain day today. I'm gonna steam an arseload of swiss chard and can it. Carrots, too. Ahhhh, the coffee is ready....
|
|