Filed under: March 2017 | Tags: chores, choretime, forged, forks, life, peace, problems, solutions, work
March 19, 2017
As I did my chores last night, I strugged with a problem. I worked in the barn and worked out my thoughts. I realized that many times I have worked my problems out while forking manure. My old manure fork handle, the one on the right, has been worn smooth by work and my rough hands. I started using this fork 37 years ago after purchasing it from an old neighbor.
I chose the fork because it has six tines. Horse manure doesn’t fall through it. This is the original handle that came with the fork. I don’t pry with it. I fork with it. I have lifted some heavy loads, but never compromised the wood. The fork was forged from good steel. The handle looks to be made from white oak. It is smaller than the “clunky” handeled, drop forged, junk available today at most farm and hardware stores.
As I cleaned the day’s poop from behind the horses, I was in deep thought. I talked to the horses as if they would answer me at any minute. They didn’t do that of course, but it felt good to tell my troubles to my equine pals. The fork too, was like gripping the hand of an old friend. I toiled easily in the comfort of the warm barn surrounded by my “friends”.
I have to say, by the time the chores were finished, my troubled mind was at peace. I worked my troubles into resolution. I realized that some problems have no solution or perhaps multiple solutions. I came to terms with myself, that in this case, I could not solve the problem. I would have to just move forward, perhaps one day, returning to contemplate this mental struggle again…but for now… I have it handled.
Filed under: July 2016 | Tags: children, chores, Combine, contentment, draft horses, farm kids, harvest, Small Farming, Spelt, speltz
July 19, 2016
Today, I completed harvesting our speltz crop for this year. I got enough to feed our four horses for another year. Its like growing your own tractor fuel! The crop was a little light, but we still have enough and that is a very good thing. There is a large amount of straw to be baled. It has been mowed ans is drying in the sun.
Today was a great day. Everything went well. My youngest grandson got to get a view from the driver’s seat.
He likes “Pa-pa’s” big tractors, but also likes the horses and other farm animals. Someday he will be a helper for me too. I love this life and passing it on, thrills me to no end.
The end to a perfect day. Equipment stored, harvest put away and chores almost done. Tonight, I drink from the saucer… because my cup runneth over!
Filed under: April 2015 | Tags: chores, farm work, firewood, hired hand, Honey do list
Nice to see the green again
April 19, 2015
We spent the weekend working on projects from a big list my wife and I made. It included such things as washing the house, picking up “stuff” from the yard our dog Max finds and carries there. We built some raised beds in preparation for the gardening season. We got the flower beds ready for mulch and restored order to several trivial, yet annoying things.
Chores are an every day, two times a day affair. The maple syrup season puts everything else on hold, until it is done. I played catch up these last two days, but having a list kept me on track. My wife is pleased with what we got done. We did not mow the lawn for the first time this year. I hope I don’t regret that….especially as the rain is now falling…in very large drops 😮
One good thing, having paused with farm work to do the little things keeps smiles on faces as the spring planting season bears down on us. A large pile of firewood is waiting to be cut and split. I want that job done and over before it’s time to cut hay. Farm work keeps a guy busy, but he must set enough time aside for the things that are important to his wife. It pays to remember those little things!
The horses had the weekend off. They will be back at it soon. We have a little plowing and some firewood logs to skid. I will work on these projects as the weather lets me. When I can’t plow because its too wet… I can always work on wood. I am breaking in a couple of new hired hands. So far they are standing the work well. I have not held back and they keep coming back, so I think it’s going very well 😮
Filed under: December 2014 | Tags: chores, choretime, farm animals, hurry, peace, piglets
Soup is on!
December 6, 2014
Chore time for me is a great time of day. Morning chores signify the beginning of a new day. I am greeted by my animal charges as if I am an old friend. They are very happy to see me. The dogs act as if it has been weeks since we last met. The rest of the animals make a ruckus too. I used to think it was because they were happy to see me, but then I realized they were just impatient waiting for breakfast.
In the evening, the last job of the day is usually chores too. The animals all get fed again. Stalls are cleaned and general order comes to the barn. Then, after everyone has been fed and watered, a quiet peace settles over the barnyard. The cattle start looking for a place to bed down for the night. The piglets push straw into a pile with their noses and settle in under it. The hens are sitting on their roost waiting for sleep to overtake them.
In the horse barn, the horses stand quietly munching on their hay. I like to sit on a hay bale, pet the dogs and reflect on the day’s work. The dog’s eyes are almost closed as I pet their heads. They enjoy this quiet time too. The soft music that is the horses chewing, fills the air signaling that all is well. The day is done.
How many of us rush about? Jump out of bed hurrying because we got up late. Speed off to work. Spend the day jammed with work and other people’s problems. We skip lunch so we can leave on time to fly home to work on a project or attend a meeting. Finally, an hour later than we wanted. We flop down in front of a television and watch other folks having fun. We sleep fitfully fearing that we won’t hear the alarm clock…and sure enough we don’t…or we hit the snooze too many times! So tell me… why do they say that “animals are dumb”?
Filed under: November 2014 | Tags: chores, Compost, horses, Small Farming, soil, winter
Hoss and Knight ready for bed
November 9, 2014
It’s that time of year. The horse pasture is finally depleted. The horses will now eat and sleep indoors. Their paddock will be just a place to enjoy the sunshine and romp playfully. My chores double at this time, but my horses make it worth it. I enjoy that time in the evening when they are in clean stalls, happily munching their hay. It is very peaceful to me. It calms my very soul.
I get a wheelbarrow a day of straw enriched manure from each horse. This is the foundation for our farms fertility. The straw and manure get mixed with soiled bedding from the other animals and stored to heat and rot. The compost feeds the soil. The soil, eventually feeds us. The cycle of life can be seen in the simple job of keeping pens and stable clean and bedded.
Our borrowed boar went home yesterday. He jumped into the trailer as if he knew more ladies were waiting for him at home. My gilts are gestating comfortably, as we wait for the coming piglets. This morning, another new calf was born. I am glad he came before the coming weeks looming storm. It sounds like winter will blow in by the end of the week.
We have been swamped by rain over the last week, but we are going to try to pick corn Monday and Tuesday. The ends and edges have been picked for a couple of weeks. The horses and corn picker should be able to travel and turn without knocking down any corn. Now, if we can just navigate the mud!
RicelandMeadows 