That Blozzz

I am in the processing of planning my gardens for the spring. I have all my seed catalogs and other information spread out on my desk. I love to get a jump on planning so when the work begins I am prepared for it.

This year, I am planning start a for profit pumpkin patch. Last year we did some experimenting and I grew some rather nice looking Jack-o-Lanterns. This year I am expanding and dedicating a little over an acre to just pumpkins.  We have all the manure we need between our chickens and my families Alpacas, so the main cost will be seeds and manual labor. I am hoping to make a small profit the first year so we can expand in the future. This will be our first for profit farming venture and I am hoping to make it a great season.

I would love to expand into other connected adventures and I am thinking of creating a flea market on my 85 acres.

Well that is what I am up to on the old homestead. Be safe and enjoy the New Year.

As always when you are dealt a rotten apple, say “That Blozzz” and move on to fresher fruit.

Well my hens have finally finished their long moult and they have started laying again. I have 7 hens and I was getting one egg a day but I am now up to between two and three a day.

It has been cold and since i have no electricity in the barn, I do not have a light for them so I am happy with the amount I am getting.

I am hoping to add another dozen hens in the spring to up my production. I am thinking of starting to sell fresh eggs once the production is up.

It has been in the 30s for a week or so and it has made it easier to take care of the chickens. Last night it hit below zero so i had to go back to thawing the water everyday.

Well that is all the news from the hen house for now.

Take care and if you are dealt a poor hand, say “That Blozzz” and move on!

I am a little boy of 8 and my family is very poor. My mom is sick and my daddy has lost his job. Often we have some great meals of soup or beans and on lucky nights we have a hot dog.

My parents are proud and did not want to ask but our neighbor put my brother and me on the Angel Tree. When my mom found out she started to cry and was so thankful for the gift we will receive. My brother who is four and has nothing but hand me downs was excited that he might get a new toy. For me, the joy is gone because I fear what will come next. Don’t get me wrong I am grateful for the help and the pleasure my brother will feel.

The problems come when the gifts are opened and the charity is done and everyone goes back to their lives. You see while we eat a good meal at the local church on Thanksgiving and Christmas day, I always wonder what we will eat when the holidays go away.

My daddy lost his job right after my mommy got sick. He spent what we had on medicine for my mom and now we have almost nothing. He applied for some jobs but employment is scarce and he just can’t find a job. He does what he can with his odd jobs but that only barely pays the rent. I am not complaining because I know that he is doing his best. I do not mind the holes in my shoes even though the other kids laugh. I don’t mind wearing the same winter coat that the neighbor boy once had. I don’t even mind that often I am hungry because I know my daddy really tries.

My fear for me and my family as a whole is what will happen when the holidays are over and everyone forgets. Please can someone tell me what do I do?

I am in the holiday mode today and trying to get everything ready. Yesterday, Karen (my wife) finished decorating the Christmas tree and today, I am printing off the Christmas cards to end to family and friends. We use to buy cards but the last couple of years we decided to  make our own. They offer a more personal feeling and I normally include a picture of one of our pets on the front.

Christmas shopping is done (I hate stores) except for a few stocking stuffers. Nothing will kill the holiday spirit like a day in Walmart. LOL I think I did good this year. Of course, I still have the task of wrapping the gifts. I do love to give gifts but I hate to receive them. I ask every year that no one buys for me but every year, I get way too much.

I hope you are all giving where the need is this year and providing what you can for those who need it most. The true spirit of Christmas, not meaning the religious aspect, is to give to those who would otherwise not have anything. Support the local charities that give 100% of the donations back to the local community.

If you are in need for the holidays, do not feel shame, many of us have been in the same boat so make sure you take help from where you can get it. Just remember, if you take help and someday if you are in the position to give something back, do not forgot others who may be in the same position you once were.

Helping your neighbors in a time of need provides a return benefit to you and you may end up inspiring a greater out pour of giving than you every imagined.

Be well and be safe and remember, if life deals you a load of garbage just say “That Blozzz” and move on.