Filed under: November 2019 | Tags: draft horses, family, Thanks, Thanksgiving
November 27, 2019
Thanksgiving, a day, set aside, for giving thanks. What an awesome time to pause and reflect on the past year. My list is long and filled with memories, people and things. In the photo above, our youngest son drives our horses giving his children a ride. It is things like this that makes my heart soar.
We have family close and far. It is a wonderful thing to think about each of them doing what they love to do. We have a few family members that have gone to the eternal table above. We remember them fondly too.
November comes to a close with family and friends gathering to eat, meet and talk. It is my hope that all of them will give thanks and share a memory of what they are thankful for. I am most thankful for my family. We have quirks, ripples and rifts along with faults and shortcomings, but I love and am thankful for each and every one of them.
Let’s all find the good in every day. Celebrate a little all year long for the little things…like a beautiful sunset 🙂
Filed under: November 2019 | Tags: Mother Nature, Small Farming, snow storm
November 13, 2019
I snapped this photo about noon yesterday. The snow fell at a rate of over two inches and hour. The storm total for us was 15 inches. That is a pretty good smack of snow, especially this early in the season!
I am actually fairly pleased with myself. Most of the stuff that needed to be done to prepare for winter had been completed. I knew we would get snow soon, I just didn’t expect this much! I had to rush to get feed to the grazing cattle and sheep, because the grass is buried deep under the now melting snow.
The weather is supposed to be cool but very nice for the next ten days. I hope to continue getting our autumn work completed. The corn harvest is still not complete. That job will take much of my focus in the coming days.
After the storm passed, just before sunset, the sun came out and reflected off the snow covered tree branches and the landscape as well. It was a beautiful sight. Winter is bearing down on us. We are almost ready, but in the meantime I will enjoy the beauty that comes with the snow. It is much better to work with Mother Nature and not get upset with her…you can’t change anything anyway.
Filed under: November 2019 | Tags: Cultivating Memories, RFD TV, riceland meadows, Rural Heritage, Rural Heritage magazine, Small Farming
November 12, 2019
It is my hope that the things I write, the stories I share and the tales I tell, will help someone.
I hope that someone looking for release from a busy world and busy life, will find a pause and a peace as they read about me and mine. I hope that I can brighten someone’s day, if only for a few minutes. I hope folks looking for information will also find value in this small farming BLOG.
My book, pictured in the photo above, has been well received by many. In the book are many stories from my life growing up in the country and surrounded by farm animals. The stories will make you laugh, as well as, tug at your heart strings. It is written for all audiences and will warm hearts and stir memories in the reader’s mind.
We make movies here for RFD-TV. Several episodes can be found on YouTube. Just type Riceland Meadows into the search bar. I believe there are now 7 shows there. “Rural Heritage” films, edits and promotes my farm in these videos. Again, it is my hope that I can help someone in their quest for information on small farming, draft horses and a host of other topics.
I write for Rural Heritage magazine. I have been writing for them since 2002. I write some “feel good” stuff, but also many ” how-to” articles. I try my best to detail the subject with enough information, based upon my experience, to encourage someone to try it for themselves.
I trust that folks who follow my BLOG have found information, entertainment, and a feeling of well being as they read my words. I thank all of you for following along. The holidays are coming up. If you would like to gift a copy of my book to someone, I will waive the shipping cost for anyone in the continental United States until December 24, 2019. The cost of the book is 15.00 dollars (US) Email me at RicelandMeadows@roadrunner.Com
For copies of my book, my videos and others like it, you can also contact MischkaPress.com  Joe, Susan and Kelly are great people whom have helped me beyond words.
Thank you for following!
Filed under: November 2019 | Tags: autumn, Small Farming, sunrises, sunsets
November 9, 2019
Winter is pushing hard on us. Next week, they are forecasting overnight lows in the single digits and teens (F). The leaves are mostly off the trees and our growing season is over. I have a couple pastures of stockpiled grass for the sheep, but the cows and horses only have a few days of grazing left. I will be feeding hay very soon.
Our weather has been changeable, to say the least. One highlight is that our sunrises and sunsets have been beautiful. I have a breakdown with my corn picker. Thankfully, the parts are in route, so I may get to pick with it yet. So far, I am picking by hand. I like the job, but would have gotten an earlier start if I had realized that this was my option.
They are also predicting lake effect snow for us in the snowbelt for the coming week. It’s not a big deal, but it seems very early. When I was a boy, this weather was more the norm, but in the last few decades, our fall weather has been more warm and wet. I like winter, but I should have made better use of October!
Alas, it will all work out. The weather will be what it will be. The corn will get picked and the animals will come to the barn. Chores will increase as outside work slows down. In the meantime, I will take a little more time to enjoy the beautiful show each morning and evening, as Autumn bows out.
Filed under: November 2019 | Tags: benefit auction, hayride, horse drawn wagon, Pioneer 6 ton wagon, refurbish
November 2, 2019
I recently bought this wagon. I realized that after having sold my old hay wagon with our small baler, I didn’t have a way to give my grandchildren and others a hay ride. A friend bought this wagon at a benefit auction. He didn’t need the wagon himself, but wanted to help the cause of the benefit auction. He offered the wagon to me.
It is a good wagon, built by Pioneer Equipment in Kidron, Ohio. I could see a diamond in the rough.
I traded the steel wheels, along with a little money, in exchange for these rims and tires. We shortened and narrowed the bed of the wagon. This makes for a nice handy size for all sorts of jobs around the farm. It now measures eleven feet long by six and one half feet wide. It has spring bolsters over the axles for a smooth ride.
A new steel tongue replaced the wooden one. A little fresh paint increased her eye appeal. The side boards come in handy when picking corn or hauling split firewood. The wagon bed was built from treated lumber, the paint will enhance the lifetime of the wood. We replaced a couple bearings, greased the wheels and auto steering and went over the whole thing to ensure that it is sound and safe.
This “new to me” farm wagon will be fun to use, especially when giving hayrides. It will do many other jobs too. I am glad to have it in our equipment line up. I appreciate my friend for selling it to me at his cost. The wagon, like him, are diamonds in the rough.
RicelandMeadows 