Newsletter #321 2025 Aug 20 Wednesday
What a week. The Sheep Pasture and firewood of course, a going away party for Timothy, and returning Timothy to Hillsdale. I'll make time to reflect on the last three months, but not today.
Primal Woods
Ran into some truck trouble while returning Timothy to Hillsdale; drove home and started the disassembly and repair work, only to have some needed parts arrive in town. It was a choice between a bicycle and the tractor; I chose the bicycle for the 10.4 miles roundtrip.
Sawmill Services
A couple of jobs in the queue, and I will delivery Shane’s lumber this Friday.
If you or someone you know are interested in our Sawmill Services, check out our Primal Woods page on the subject.
Pure Maple Syrup
The Blueberry Pure Maple Syrup has been selling well since I put it back on the shelf. I’ll will be having to make some more Tart Cherry soon, and I think I’m particularly low on the Vanilla. Need to get back in the Sugar House!
Homestead Rebel
Meat Birds
So far we have lost the “runt of the litter,” that was on Day 1 in the Chicken Tractor, then we lost another bird, we think we ran it over while moving the Tractor. By my count we still have 28, and they are eating, protein-making machines.
Layers
The layers are laying, and apparently we are not losing any to the dogs, or any other predators. The new birds, 8 of 12 I think have survived, are not yet laying.
Pigs
The pigs too are growing fast; I may need to expand their area one more time, especially with the recent rain we have had.
Oxen
The Oxen are still in the Sheep Pasture; I plan to move them back to the Oxen Pasture soon, maybe Friday, no later than Saturday. Meanwhile I moved them to the south end of the Sheep Pasture.
The Oxen before moving south in the Sheep Pasture …
The Oxen after moving to the south end of the Sheep Pasture …
Sheep
The biggest of the projects that Timothy and I took on was the Sheep Pasture fencing; the fencing we got done. I am working on the gates. Meanwhile… following up the Oxen mowing with brush hog mowing of what the Oxen don’t eat in the Sheep Pasture. With the recent rain the pastures are improving, but we could still use more rain and faster growth.
I have one gate left to install, that in the Southeast corner of the pasture; I did get done the north 8 ft gate, the south 8 ft gate, and the southwest 12 foot gate.
Firewood
Another of the major projects I had planned for accomplishment with Timothy; we set a goal of 10 cords, ending up at 8 cords split and stacked, and a 9th cord we estimate, waiting to be stacked or split and stacked in the firewood area.
Farmhouse Airbnb
Geri informed me today that she took three more reservations for the Farmhouse in recent days. God willing, we will be able to make a “go” of the Airbnb; we are heading into fall, and hunting seasons, soon. Every season has something to offer, but of course summer seems to be vacation time for Americans in general.
Thank you to those who answered the poll questions; the results are …
I will leave it there for now …
All the best to you and yours, and may God bless you all.
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All the best, and may God bless you and yours,
John & Geri
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