Newsletter #323 2025 Sep 03 Wednesday
A good week all around I'd say, with respect to both Primal Woods and Homestead Rebel Farm.
Primal Woods & Homestead Rebel Farm
You can see the fall colors, especially on the other side of the lake; some shorter, fall-colored trees, with taller summer-colored trees in the background, that is because the fall-colored trees are basically standing in water. Some years those trees nearest the lake have remained fall-colored from spring right on through the summer.
Mark the time; it is 12:06 pm as I type; the weather-guessers are forecasting 0.38 inches of rain starting at about 3 pm. Let’s see how they do. I am really hopeful for some additional rain, and maybe we can keep the Oxen fed on pasture through September. Regardless, it won’t be long and we’ll be bringing in hay.
Sawmill Services
As planned I milled with Tim and Tonia this week; 8 logs, 531 board feet of lumber in 3.25 hours wire to wire.
And we received news that Rob and Robin’s flooring was ready for pickup at Sauger Lake Wood Products. I delivered ~1,300 bd ft of kiln dried lumber, and that yielded 973 square feet of tongue and groove 3/4 inch thick flooring. Rob wants a bit more, so I when I pick up the first load for delivery to Rob and Robin, I will be delivering another 175 board feet or so for more flooring; the additional lumber is in Kiln #2.
If you or someone you know are interested in our Sawmill Services, check out our Primal Woods page on the subject.
Pure Maple Syrup
For those of you unfamiliar with “how” we make our Pure Maple Sryup, I’ll start with the “why” of doing things the way we do. If you like our “why,” please give the product a look-see, try and taste for yourself!
Homestead Rebel
Chickens
Thought I had one meat bird ailing, but we’ll see, it looked better this afternoon. I pushed out the butchering by a week.
Pigs
The pigs are getting big enough to push over the feeder, we will see a similar behavior of the Oxen just below. But, Geri advised me of the deed, and within minutes I had the situation righted.
Oxen
The Oxen are in Paddock #5 and looking good. Praying for rain!
Water, water … hold on a minute?! Same story as last week, with Boris acting as the antagonist!
I had thought to do some necessary work on the F250 this morning, but with rain in the forecast I decided to set a burn pile ablaze in the meantime, which also allowed me to keep an eye on Boris and Elmer.
And the burn pile after …
Sheep
The news is that we now have a supplier for the Ewes, and it had already been decided that Brian H would supply the ram. Now it is just a matter of organizing the timing, and funding.
And I have some research to do on other types of sheep fencing; I’m wondering if I can modify the perimeter fencing of the Oxen Pasture to contain Sheep and their lambs. If so, we might be able to run the Oxen and Sheep together.
Farmhouse Airbnb
A crew of six expected at the Farmhouse this weekend; should be fun for all involved, and a Farm tour might be on the agenda I’m told. I’ve a couple things on the to-do list, including the mowing, weather permitting, and assuming it’s necessary; the grass is growing more slowly in both pastures and yards.
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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