No title today, just shooting from the hip.

With all the cold weather, Jill spends so much time at the computer, that there was no room for me to sit down or get access to the keyboard!

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but I'm working on it. Our neighbors to the North are covered in ice this morning, while most to the South are only wet. Here in Whitton it's mixed. The roads are fine, but the trees have ice, but no loss of power. What a time to be thinking about the farm. Actually, it's the perfect time to be thinking about farming. Right before this sudden change in the weather it was rather nice and had dried up enough where some field work could be done. Jill and I went to work setting out our onion plants. That took all day, but the conditions were perfect, and now with the rain, the plants are settling in nicely.

The nice weather also allowed us to put the finishing touches on a new covered growing area. Whilst it's raining outside now, the new tunnel is continuing to dry out ever nearing a meeting with the tiller. This structure will allow more higher-quality produce earlier in the season, and will free up room in our seed-starting house.

Other projects that have been finished since the last blog log-in are the selling of our goats. A neighbor needed to clear a large area of brush so we were happy to send the goats his way. This was a major load off our shoulders. Our farm was not built for goats. Oreo, our billygoat was head butting the barn and almost knocked out one of the walls. Although they are masters of vine and brush removal, their time had come to head to greener pastures. They are tough, bemusing animals that could tear down a set of goalpoasts. Now our barn is safe and under reconstruction to suit the bellies off nesting fowl. Chickens, I have come to realize, are one of the first keys to sustainability. Free-range chickens are now the rage, but i don't want to farm them large scale. It's always wise to start small and learn cheaply. Providing for oneself at first, and then working towards feeding others. These days and times everything costs money and every penny should be scrutinized. My wise-old granny, who was born into a world of timber, outhouses, and muddy trails never failed to stoop for a penn. Later, in the time of the cell phones, and even when her back wasn't as strong she always stopped, and stooped, always refraining, "every penny helps."

Therefore, I am encouraging each and all to grow something that will save them some pennies, so I can continue to watch the contagiousness of farming and the limitless imagination that it can inspire in one's life. Go to your farmers markets and purchase a few "homegrown" transplants, or you can always move to the country where life is good and you tell the hour by the position of the sun in the sky, or learn to forecast the weather due to a change in wind direction.


February will be here soon, so early potatoe crops will go in soon. It pays to be on top of these things. I will plant several rounds of potatoes as well, so time is available. You must be ready when the time comes, however.

This is all I have for now, a good book requires my attention.

Stay safe, and buy local when available. Tranquility is peace.

God is love.

kef