Category: Homestead

Transition

Every year at this season, we try to see how long we can endure before we turn on the furnace. The longer we can endure, the less propane we will use, which means that we will save money on fuel. Usually I get tempted… Continue Reading “Transition”

Ups and Downs

September has felt very autumnish with cooler temperatures during both the day and the night. Even on days that reach 80 degrees, the mornings start out cool so a jacket feels comfortable. I dress in layers so I can shed jackets or sweatshirts over… Continue Reading “Ups and Downs”

Broody?

Things seem to be calming down a bit as EJ and I adjust to life after his mini-stroke. He still gets easily tired, but I assume it will take time to get more or less back to normal. He has worked a couple full… Continue Reading “Broody?”

Returning

I think that almost the most difficult part of a difficult time is trying to return to everyday life. During the crisis, a person (or family) is in survival mode. He runs on high alert and finds the energy to do what needs to… Continue Reading “Returning”

Days of Labor

Yesterday was Labor Day, which is a federal holiday in the USA to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the work and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. Many people celebrate with cookouts–a last hurrah before… Continue Reading “Days of Labor”

Some Good In This World

As I wrote in my last post, Millie went missing and Theo seems lonely so we posted at the Michigan Barn/Working Cat Program that we are looking for two barn cats to adopt. Multiple people responded and for a short time, we thought we… Continue Reading “Some Good In This World”

A Friend For Theo

Our weather is feeling very autumn-ish. Although the daytime temperatures are mostly in the low 70s to mid-80s, there is an underlying coolness that signals that summer is nearing its end. Last night the temperature dipped down to 45 degrees for the first time.… Continue Reading “A Friend For Theo”

Dam It!

EJ and I are always tweaking things. We do something, observe it, and then either continue it, stop it, or make adjustments. Last year at about this time, EJ made a couple new birdhouses to add to the three we already had. We then… Continue Reading “Dam It!”

Monsieur Mouse

Three or four times lately, I’ve heard an odd sort of thumping in the house. I didn’t know what it was, until finally…Wait. First, let me tell you that our house has an unheated hallway connecting the house and the garage. At one end… Continue Reading “Monsieur Mouse”

Wren, Hen, and Coons

The hen I’ve nicknamed “White Feather” because she has white feathers among the red, is lingering on–but just barely. I didn’t really expect her to last so long. She’s been looking like a grizzled old dog. I’ve read that chickens only last 7-8 years… Continue Reading “Wren, Hen, and Coons”

Mean Girl and White Feather

It’s been a very dry summer–at least for us. On radar, we often watch large areas of rain go right past us without hitting us. Because of the lack of rain, I have to go out ever day to water EJ’s vegetable garden and… Continue Reading “Mean Girl and White Feather”

Only Us

Ej had 5 days off last week. Three were his normal days off, one was for the July 4th holiday, and one he took off as a vacation day. We spent the five days working around our place, getting several tasks and projects done.… Continue Reading “Only Us”

Chicken Run

It’s been very dry here this summer. Except for areas where the sprinkler hit when I watered the gardens, the grass was turning yellow like straw. When I mowed the lawn last Friday, the mower blew up clouds of sand. I made my own… Continue Reading “Chicken Run”

Mostly Summer Now

It is mostly Summer now. I say “mostly” because we have more warm days than not, but most mornings and some days and nights are cool enough that I still wear a jacket. Actually, Summer seems to stay firmly fixed in place around the… Continue Reading “Mostly Summer Now”

Cough, Wheeze, and Sneeze

EJ has finished his first week of working first shift and is now beginning his second week. He is enjoying this shift because he is naturally a morning person and feels less tired and more productive. He enjoys the beautiful early morning drive to… Continue Reading “Cough, Wheeze, and Sneeze”