The Weaning Begins

Ok, it had to happen when you have baby horses. One day they need to be separated from Mom, it is called weaning. It is done starting at age 4 months. Our 2 foals are 4 and 6 months of age. The oldest foal's dam needs to go on a vet trip and baby can't go. This means confinement for both foals for the next 4 days without mom contact. Moms are around but they can't nurse. And foals can throw a major fit trying to escape from the stalls. Our stalls and buckets are taking a beating. But our moms are doing fine away from their foals. The next step is to take both mares away out of earshot for at least a month. So we will have 2 babies at home and 2 mares at a neighbors pasture. Going to be a busy month for us. At least my horse, Luna, will begin training soon and I will be learning how to ride a gaited horse.

Big Leaf

My husband found this huge sycamore leaf by our garage. I have not located the tree from where it came from. We have mostly oaks, cedar and hickory trees around us. And the only sycamore we have is a sapling. Perhaps this leaf traveled a very long way from here.

Fall Thanks

I am thankful for finally leaving the city behind and living my dream, rural farm life. Having horses, chickens and all the wildlife that crosses my land. I am thankful for my health and growing strength living out in the fresh air and clean spring water. I am thankful for my husband and all our farm/small town friends. I give thanks for my trees and garden; all providing us with food and heat. For these and more, I give thanks everyday.

Wonder Wheel

This is the poly hay holder we just bought to hold round bales. It is made for cattle but if you use it upside down, it feeds horses. My husband is busy strapping it down for the short jog home. It is strong and light and one person can move it. It is strong enough to take a beating from four horses as well. Much safer than the metal bale holders. We know this one has been in the hot summer sun for a year with no break down, no rust. Just a normal shopping farm run in the Ozarks.

Coyote Stupid - American Flying

I have had enough of hearing about TSA and airport intrusive security measures. Our nation needs to wake up and demand this stupidity of scanning and padding down (feeling up) to stop. America is the only country that does this to her flying passengers. Even Israel and Pakistan do not have these kinds of "security" measures. Because the rest of the world won't put up with it.

And TSA is fear mongering along with our government behind the masks of "protecting us" from bombers. Several people demanding scanners be in all in airports, bus and train stations have a keen interest in promoting body scanners; they have stock in the company that makes these expensive machines.

And here is where is hits home for me. I would not want my elderly parents nor loved ones to be felt up, padded down and scanned in public by security strangers just to visit me for the holidays. I would never want a human being I love to go through the humiliation of this unnecessary step in flying. Oh and those scanners are not regulated, you are getting an unknown amount of radiation every time you get scanned. Is TSA going to pay for my cancer treatments? How about for my unborn child? How about men and their sperm count?

I can hardly wait to see my family doctor in the coming years.

It is because of TSA and corporate greed that we as Americans are going through the security scanners and pat downs. We need to stand up and just say no!

America you need to wake up and stand against Coyote Stupid, TSA can suck it.

America you need to stop flying in fear.

Chopping Wood

We have been helping a neighbor clear some downed trees on his land. We share the cut wood and here is our first load. These are very heavy dry logs that will burn for a long time.Good for keeping warm this winter.

Fat Snake

Today, I heard my dog growling and not barking for a change, so I had to investigate. He was staring at a large brown snake under our firewood pile. I could not ID what kind it was but called my hubby to deal with it. Using fireplace tongs he was able to pick it up and put it into the ash can with a tight lid. It was quite heavy, no rattle, white belly, raised diamond scales, small head and dark brown top side with faint side marking. Sorry, no photo as I was too busy capturing this interloper and getting it away from my house. We walked it into the woods where we hope it will stay. Then we put bird netting under the firewood pile to prevent future hibernating snakes from moving in. Bird netting is great for stopping snakes we had learned this summer. Then I had to re-stack the firewood pile all over again. I guess the warm front today is waking up the reptiles from their slumber.

Christmas Crafting

When I have free time I like to sit and make beaded needlepoint from Mill Hill. I have collected these kits but have not had time to make them yet. Just not enough hours on the farm. But a fellow blogger did make them and they are so neat! Here is her link:http://linda-hubbard.blogspot.com/2010/11/time-for-giveaway.html#comment-form

And she is giving away some of her Santas, too! This photo is from her blog of her work too.

Gets you in the holiday spirit of crafting.

First Round Bales

We purchased two high quality round bales for our four horses. We are learning how to hay our horses for our first winter. Moving the round bales into place was the first step. It turned out well.

First Frost

We got our first full frost last week. The frost coated everything outside with ice. The sun soon came out and melted the crisp cold frost. But I still had to scrape my car windows before leaving to feed horses.

The Kirby Sanitronic

I needed another vacuum for the downstairs part of our house. Dragging our Hoover vacuum around up and down stairs was getting too dangerous. So at a church yard sale I got this old Kirby with the attachments and original lint for $5.00. I had to empty about 10lbs of lint from the bag and after that it worked great. It is simple and loud but it does the job.

Nightfall

The days ends so soon and night comes so fast. The moon never goes away even during the day. The farm chores take longer as the days grow shorter and the leaves rush into the barn. The chickens roost early as they are sleepy and chilled by the cold coming nightfall.

Drying Zucchini

I bought some zucchini and decided to dehydrate them. I added seasonings and salt and let the dehydrator do its job. The result was crisp zucchini crackers. They are tasty and a healthy snack. And they can be added to recipes or eaten straight.