Homestead Humor

New Organic Method For Solar Cells

Scientists have found a way to use gold, very thin layers of gold, for use in solar cells.  Gold is an excellent conductor and, they have found that it is not as expensive as you might think.   Read more...

Over 15 Inches Of Rain In 4 Days

This has been a wild week.  Over the last 4 days, we have gotten over 15 inches of rain.  To add perspective, I left a 5 gallon bucket out in the field where we have the broiler chickens.  I use the bucket to fill the waterer on the chicken tractor.  The day the rains started, I emptied the bucket and left it there for the next time, empty.  Over the last 4 days the bucket was filled to the brim. The bucket is 15 inches tall-full.  Our septic tank filled up and wouldn't allow us to flush the toilet, so we had to make periodic runs to the in-laws just over the hill.  The driveway got washed out in several places and there is standing water everywhere.  I am thankful we live on a ridge with no low water bridges or creeks to cross.  There are many around here that aren't as fortunate.  The creeks, rivers and lakes are all past flood stage.  Most folks I talked to said that they have not seen anything like this, although, the local weather guy said the last time the rain fell like this was 40 years ago, in 1961.  The bottom line is that people need to be prepared for anything.  This type of thing always gets me thinking about how we are prepared for natural disasters-let alone the stupid government and what might happen because of them.  A word to the wise-use these times to learn and plan ahead.

My Latest Projects-Paracord Bracelets

Big Time Treasure Found In A Garden

Here is a little diversion of an Austrian man who found a large treasure trove 650 years old.  The article calls it ancient bling.  My family and I like to go metal detecting from time to time and we all love history, so I thought this was an interesting find to share with you.  Although there has not been a monetary value assigned to the find, as of yet, after reading the linked article, I'm sure you will agree that it is worth a bunch.

Sweeping Gun Law In Arizona

Here is one for the second amendment.  Arizona has passed sweeping gun law changes throught the senate.  An amended bill now goes to the house.  It looks good on the surface, but there are a lot of exceptions.  It is, however a step in the right direction.

What Do You See Wrong With This Picture?

Do You Know About Climate Mitigation?

I don't know how y'all feel about chem-trails, real or not, but I had a friend say that if he could "opt out" from ingesting the poisons the government puts into the air, he would.  Trouble is, like him, we have to breathe.  There is a group out there dedicated to stopping the government from further damaging agriculture as we know it through "climate mitigation" chemicles that are being experimented with.  You can read this article to find out more. 

A Busy Day On The Homestead

I think it is safe to say that we had a very productive day on our little homestead, today.  My lovely wife started her day (after her bible time) doing some work in the garden and the new green house (which I need to post pics of).  Actually, she didn't just start in the garden, she stayed out there all day, and why not?  The sky is clear and the temp is around 75-beautiful.  The girls went into the woods and shoveled dirt into the garden cart for momma, that nice, dark, rich, manure laden, decomposed leaf filled, mineral filled soil.  They brought it to her in the garden and she used it in the new raised strawberry bed I built for her this morning.  We have had strawberries for a few years, but my wife wanted to add a second tier to it, so I built her a box to put in the middle of the bed, giving her two tiers of strawberries. 

After I built that box, I then built five more raised bed potato boxes to add to the ones I built last year.  This should increase our potato crop.  When I finished those, I headed out to the pasture I started fencing in last year to work on that.  I am having to clear away years of growth along the old fence line so I can salvage some of it.  I was SO glad when I looked up from my work out in the boonies, to see my two girls walking out to me with a much needed bottle of water, what a blessing.  That took the rest of the day for me.  I did my chores and took a shower.  Now I am going to study my lesson for Sunday school tomorrow.  Big day, and I got to use my new truck.  New to me, anyway.

That's our day!  Tell me about a typical day in your life..

Farmers Fighting Back Against Monsanto

I reall, really, REALLY hope this happens!  Monsanto has gotten very pushy and aggressive and needs to go.  Next stop, Cargill and Tyson.