Newsletter #264 2024 June 28 Friday
Another big week, with a lot going on, or at least it seemed so to me; the meat birds are in the brooder, another milling job is in the books, a small improvement to the ox watering chore, and more.
Primal Woods
I cannot remember the last time I saw a “Standard” sign; this was on the way to a milling job yesterday, near Reading, Michigan. I had to stop and take a picture. That’s the kind of “service station” where you drove under and a fella came out, lifted the hood, checked your oil, filled your tank, and so on. Of course it’s all self-serve today. And we’re more “efficient,” for whatever that’s worth.
Sawmill Services
That would be Scott moving logs to the mill on Thursday; we started with 21, so we were nearing the end of the line.
Scott is rebuilding/renovating an old barn, really old, as in the beams were shaped using an adze. “Rough hewn” in other words.
Very, very cool. So we were milling 8x8’s, 10x10’s and 12x12’s; the timbers will replace original timbers, especially on the “walk-out basement” side of the barn, where the livestock would have been kept.
The future use of the barn will be as a venue for weddings, receptions, and other large gatherings; it’s going to be beautiful I’m sure, and an elegant space.
Homestead Rebel Farm
Broilers
It seemed like it took a long time to get the meat bird chicks this year, but they arrived at the post office yesterday, Thursday, after being shipped from Minnesota on Monday.
Thirty arrived yesterday, and I got them in the brooder by 7:30 p.m. with water and food; 1 seemed to be near death; 8 have died as of this writing. The chicks are basically hatched and shipped; they can go two maybe three days without food and water, but this was too long. The supplier will be refunding the cost, but that’s small consolation.
Pigs & Oxen
The pigs are doing very well; I’ll be picking up another 200 lbs of feed tomorrow, which takes us to 600 lbs so far, for the 5 pigs.
I made a small but important improvement to the watering of the oxen; I added a float valve to the water trough.
That saves me some time when I’m feeding & watering, because I do not have to manage filling the trough, and manage to not forget to turn the water off!
Men’s Retreat
Our next Men’s Retreat is on the calendar for 12-15 September. And we have now added 2025 dates; 20-23 Feb, 5-8 Jun, and 4-7 Sep. If you or someone you know might be interested, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Farmhouse
More guest are arriving Monday, which will be very nice. If you might be interested, I put processing of the broiler chickens on my calendar for Saturday, August 24th; 8 weeks from their arrival. Right now we’re looking a 22 birds, hopefully that number will hold. Might be a good time to bring the kids out so they can see first-hand where their food comes from. And go home with a chicken for the freezer!
News
Of course the debate was all the news today. For me, mid-week was rough:
Then I put up my take on the political situation; things are about to get very interesting.
The Supremes have been busy issuing rulings, but I’ll leave that for another day.
Books
Another book started and finished this week on Audible:
I’ll just say this, if you can’t get comfortable with being intellectually uncomfortable, don’t buy this book. This history revolves around Teddy Roosevelt in the late 19th and very early 20th century. It’s not pretty. The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War. I have to wonder…if what Teddy and his contemporaries believed, persists in the minds of our rulers. If current events are any indication, I’m inclined to think that it does.
All the best, and may God bless you and yours,
John & Geri
Earn rewards, free access to pay-walled content, by referring a friend!