Newsletter #289 2024 Dec 30 Monday
Illness didn't completely take me down, but it definitely reduced my effectiveness. But, life goes on, whether or not I feel well enough to do what needs doing.
Another lovely piece of furniture by George K.; from Black Walnut we milled and dried this year.
Primal Woods
Pure Maple Syrup
The Madagascar vanilla bean infused Pure Maple Syrup is getting great reviews, and departing the shelves quickly! The holidays through Pure Maple Syrup season have been our “high time” for sales, and this year is no exception. Try yours today, at this direct link.
Next up, upon request, will be a “tart cherry” infused Pure Maple Syrup. I love tart cherries, and “Michigan produces 70% of the United States’ supply of tart cherries, ranking first in production, and is the leading producer in the world for Montmorency tart cherries. The state produced 179.56 million pounds of tart cherries in 2024, with the majority coming from the Grand Traverse Bay region.” This should be a fun experiment!
Sawmill Services
We’re done for the year; maybe a January job or two will surface, but that would be exceptional. Chances are we will start-up again in May of ‘25. It was a good year for the Sawmill Services business.
Homestead Rebel Farm
We received a lot of rain yesterday, which put the newly installed tubes to the test; these tubes were installed to ensure that we have access to the High Tunnel in wet weather. I took these videos with my flip phone, so my apologies in advance for the quality of the videos.
All is well with the pigs and oxen; we’ve had some milder temps recently, but in the 10-day forecast we are looking at a prolonged period of sharply lower temperatures. Pray for snow! Then I don’t have to haul water to the oxen.
This week I’ve got one job with the oxen to get done; attaching the tongue from the forecart I bought earlier this year, to the Sap Wagon. Then I need about 16 ft of 3/16ths chain and I’ll be ready to start training the oxen for Pure Maple Syrup season.
The pigs should be ready by the end of January, so if you are interested in pork let me know; I will be scheduling the butchery soon.
That gadget above, a 6-port fuel tank selector valve, is I think the problem with my inability to use the front fuel tank on the F-250. It’s going to be a pain to replace, but I have a new valve on order. The assembly also is responsible for transmitting the fuel level information to the dash, depending on which tank is selected; one gage, two tanks. The fuel level indication for the front fuel tank is also not working, so I’m hoping I can kill two birds with one stone and solve both problems. Two ports are to/from the engine, two are to/from the front fuel tank, and two are to/from the rear fuel tank. I’m not really looking forward to the work, but I am looking forward to problem resolution.
Geri and I both came home from our trip to Chicagoland last week carrying a bug of some sort. Geri came down with it first, I a day later, but she recovered faster than I have. I’m still not 100%, but getting there. I reduced my chores to only the absolutely necessary, which is animal care and feeding the Outdoor Wood Boiler. Yesterday and today I was able to do more, but the Newsletter is a bit light due to the schedule disruption.
Farmhouse
Pure Maple Syrup season is just 6 weeks away, so if you are interested in being introduced to the making of Pure Maple Syrup, or introducing your kids or grandkids to it, anytime between mid-February and mid-March would be the best timing. I can’t guarantee that sap will be flowing during a visit, but I can guarantee that buckets will be on the trees and I will be in the Sugar House most days.
News
I devoted no time to the consumption of news again this week; the illness took a lot of wind out of my sails and I was basically in bed for 3 days.
Books & Such
I did finish Boone. Suffice it to say he led a full life; even if he did not achieve any sort of financial success. Boone’s story influenced many writers, including Whitman and Thoreau; his impact on what Americans came to believe of themselves, and what Europeans came to think of Americans, is profound.
Like Jefferson, Boone died essentially penniless. I’ve been pondering that fact. Fortunately for Boone he was surrounded by his large family and great friends to the end. The book is well worth the time.
We wish you all a very happy 2025, and please take some time to reflect on the blessings of 2024.
All the best, and may God bless you and yours,
John & Geri
Don’t go! You can help us to keep the wheels on this effort, by visiting the website, and buying some of our Pure Maple Syrup!
OR! I can understand not wanting to sign up for a subscription…I get it, but if you would still like to support our efforts…
OR! If you find value in our work, please do consider supporting Homestead Rebel for $5/month subscription.
All the best, and may God bless you and yours,
John & Geri
Earn rewards, free access to pay-walled content, by referring a friend!