Mamoth Spring And Grand Gulf State Parks

My family and I decided to take a day off from everything and go for a ride to a couple of nearby state parks.  Both are enjoyable and beautiful.  One is in Arkansas and the other is a few miles away in Missouri.  A nice day trip for us that took a couple of hours to get there.

Mammoth Spring state park is in Arkansas just across the state line from Thayer, Missouri.  This picture is of a little outlet located next to the spring.  Mammoth Spring boasts the 10th largest natural spring in the world.

 This is another view of an outlet from the spring.  There are two such outlets.  The spring is indicated by the "pond" from which the water flows.  Over 9 million gallons of water is produced from the spring every hour.

 The town of Mammoth spring was a hub of freight and passenger trains in the late 1800's.  This picture is of the depot from 1888 which is now a museum.  The train tracks are just on the other side of the building which carry several trains a day even now, although they no longer stop at the depot!

Grand Gulf state park is near Thayer, Missouri and is often called the "little grand canyon of Missouri".  It was formed by the collapse of an underground water way, forming a rather large crater.  This is a view from one of the platforms along the rim.

The picture above is while we were down in the hole.  There are 119 steps that take you down there.

There are several hiking trails that take you around the gulf with plenty of God's natural beauty around.  A very enjoyable day together and it was all free.

Common Core On Shaky Ground

Good.  Common Core is nothing but the indoctrination of children.  More governors need to step up to the plate.

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Shots On The Farm

The girls went out with their cameras' and took a few shots around the homestead.  I thought I'd share them with y'all.  The ducks are a recent addition and quite fun to have around.

Seattle OK's Minimum Wage Hike To $15

Some people have no idea what they are doing.  They never stop to think about consequences nor do they seem to care.  Friends, this is NOT a good idea.  It will destroy small business, raise the cost of living even higher and force larger companies to stop hiring-period.  Let's think this through people!

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A Great, Productive Day On The Homestead

I was fortunate to get several tasks completed on the homestead today.  I was able to get half the day off from work as part of my holiday (us little people that work in retail had to work on the holiday), so I came home early and went (you guessed it) right to work.

My gorgeous wife had a couple of things for me to do right away, so I set in on those first.  I needed to repair one side of our chicken coop from when our bull got out one night and used it as his scratching post.  He tore off almost one whole side of it.  That didn't take too terribly long as I had the material I needed on hand.  I didn't even have to cut anything-BONUS!

The other thing she wanted me to do is to air up the tires on her garden cart.  That didn't take but a couple of minutes.  I then got Polly out of the barn (Polly is our DR Power wagon) and air up her tires.  I loaded her up with firewood I had cut from a tree that fell during a storm (the same tree the destroyed the fence mentioned in another post and let the bull out to wreck the chicken coop-see how this all ties together?)  With Polly loaded I set in to splitting the wood and wound up splitting a half a cord before I ran out of gas for the splitter.

All said and done, I had a pretty productive day on the homestead.  It sure is a nice feeling having some things out of the way and knowing that the firewood situation for this season is all but taken care of.  So, what's going on at your place?

Memorial Day

A Country Life

I love being outside on a sunny day.   I love the look of split firewood nicely stacked.  I love seeing my wife out working the garden.  I love cooking on the grill.  I love sitting outside with my knife and a piece of wood in my hands.  I love watching the chickens scratch in the yard.  I love seeing the cows lying in the field chewing their cud.  I love the smell of fresh cut grass.  I love fresh strawberries from our garden.  I love not being able to see my neighbor's house.  I love living down a long dirt road.  I love a long walk to the mailbox.  I love working hard all day and sitting back in the evening to view the completed work.  I love the feel of the shower after that long hard day.

I'm just reflecting here.  You can't have all of this in a city, not to mention being under the watchful eye of big brother.  What does living in the country do for you?

The Uninvited Guests!

Yesterday as I was trimming the grass my wife called me over to the small chicken tractor that we have a momma hen and her chicks in.  She told me there was a snake in the chicken tractor, so I lifted the lid and saw the tail.  It was coiled up under the nest box.  I removed the nest box to get at the snake and discovered not one but two snakes.  Both black snakes, coiled up with each other.  Maybe they were going to mate there, but I doubt it.  Thankfully they didn't get any of the chicks, so we were able to save the day.The largest one measured 5.5 feet and the smaller one measured 4.5 feet.  They could have eaten a few chicks!

Babies!

We have a new batch of young'uns at the homestead.  Our two daughter's business venture-rabbits.  These bunnies will be available for sale in a few weeks.  Aren't they adorable?

Ice, Snow, And A Blown Motor

As I have said, I have ignored this blog for quite some time, so it has been hard to get back into things.  But we have had quite an eventful couple of weeks. 

Last week we had a major snow, ice and sleet storm roll through.  I say "major" knowing that for some of you out there 8 inches of snow is not a big deal, but where we live it is.  I work in a grocery store and it was almost painful watching all the people storm the store with the look of a bewildered daze, a cross between a deer in the headlights and a zombie.  That aside, we made it through, only to get another round this past Friday-only less severe.  However, the masses went from the deer/zombie look to a sheer chicken little demeanor-"The sky is falling, the sky is falling...".

This last round only left about an inch of snow, then moved on to bless other communities.  So, yesterday, I get my oldest daughter and head out to cut a bit of firewood, which we accomplished quite well.  We hauled to the wood shed where the log splitter is located and the fun began.  My daughter watched her daddy turn beat red, sweating like it was June trying to start the @#$@##$ thing.  I had never had that much trouble starting it-ever.

I fought and fought, determined to get it running, which I finally did.  By that time my daughter had that look on her face.  You know the one, squinty eyes, a half smirk with a questioning gaze, "really?".  We split most of what we had cut when I figured out why I had such a time starting it-no oil.  Yup, threw the piston strait out the side of the block.  Our day ended there, with my daughter happy that the work was over and she could go build a snowman and her father hiding his face in shame for not checking the oil level because he was in too big a hurry (hey, the wind was blowing and it was COLD). 

Lesson learned.  And the lesson will kepp on teaching for a while as I am back to splitting wood with a maul.  Life on the homestead.

Another Hand Carved Bass Wood Plaque

What do you think?

A Gift For Mom. Wood Carving/Chip Carved Plate

I just finished this carving a couple of days ago.  Tell me what you think.

Let's Talk About The Weather

We have enjoyed some very nice weather the last few days.  Yesterday the temperature reached 80 and today it is currently 74.  Nice indeed.  Yesterday I didn't get the chance to enjoy it much as I was at work all day.  Those are the days a person regrets having an indoor job.  Today, I broke a sweat cutting some firewood.  Yes, I am still working on that both for next season and the remainder of this one.  I don't think we will need much more this season, but we are in for some cold weather yet.  The weather man is calling for some rain tonight and tomorrow, hopefully it is a sign of things to come this year.  We had 2 years of drought and I'm not sure I can stand another.  The great thing is that I can feel spring in the air!  I am ready, are you?

Big Cedar Lodge Getaway

We had a great time at Big Cedar Lodge near Branson these past few days.  There is a lot to do at the resort itself during the summer months.  Given that we were there during the off season, there wasn't quite as much to do because it is all set outside.  Although we still found plenty to do.  We went for a hike on their hiking trails (which about killed us!), played mini golf, took out a paddle boat on Table Rock lake, went swimming in the indoor pool, sat in the outdoor hot tub, and played bingo-all in one day.  This 43 year old body was worn out-and I was an athlete for a good part of my life!

I found out later that my wife, the one with the camera, didn't get many pictures taken, so I will post one or two when she uploads them.

The other days we spent in Branson at the the great thrift stores they have there-and there are plenty.  We shopped a little at the Landing, if you can call it that with no money to blow.  I did pick up a box of ammo from Bass Pro there.  We found a cool, tiny stamp shop for our daughter who collects stamps.  She bought a few and was tickled to add to her collection.  And we went to the Titanic Museum which is fascinating.  I don't know why it fascinates us so much all these years after the fact, but it does.

All in all it was a good "mini" vacation.  Where have you gone for a few days and had a blast?  Tell me about it.

Why Do We Need High Capacity Magazines?

I had an interesting conversation today with a young coworker of mine.  I am blessed that way.  I have the freedom to converse in my line of work and sometimes these discussions can be quite lengthy and, even heated.  Today was no different.

Let me open with the question that he posed to me.  I do this to illustrate a point and the point is that the media have formed the minds of young people in large proportions.  None seem to have the ability of critical thinking nor free thought-it's whatever they're told to think.  So, the question was, why do people need semi automatic weapons and high capacity magazines?

His thought was that homes can be defended with a revolver, or a baseball bat.  I cannot deny that, homes can be defended in that way.  Many people keep a revolver nearby, just in case.  You see, he says that he is not against guns, just doesn't understand the need of semi auto weapons and high cap magazines-two MAJOR buzz words flying across your TV screens nightly.

My response was that I not only want to defend my home and family from knuckleheads trying to steal from us, but I want to defend my home and family from knuckle-headed government.  Tyranny is to be opposed, thankfully it was-once, beginning in 1776.

His thought was that a six shooter could do the same thing.  Not if they come with semi auto weapons themselves, I told him.  A little pistol will do nothing against 5 armed men 40 yards away.  All  I ask for is a fighting chance.  He never did get it.  We went round and round for quite a while, resulting in him getting quite perturbed at me, so I left it.

But here is the thing that strikes me the most.  He thinks just exactly the way "they" want him to think.  Yes he attends a government funded college, and watches all the mainstream garbage on TV.  He said nothing that I haven't heard for the past few weeks in the news, notably Joe Bidden who suggests women just buy a shotgun and just pointing it at an intruder will scare them off.  The message is that "we won't take away you right to own a gun" by making suggestions like that to soften the blow.

Don't fall for it people.  The fact is "they" think we are all like the youth I was talking to, simple minded, line toers who will "fall in" once things happen.  They count on us being like my friend.  They hate free thinkers-those of us that don't watch TV .  Don't fall for it.

Family Night With Pizza And A Movie

Tonight is one of my favorite nights of the week-and no, it's not because it's Friday.  Well, maybe partly, it is pizza night and family movie night!  The pizza is homemade and awesome!  The movies aren't always awesome but they are fun and it's nice to relax with the fam.  This is how frugal people spend time together.  Frankly, I think it is a much more wholesome time together with much more interaction.

We have been doing this for at least 12 years.  I can't imagine what life would be like without movie/pizza night.  What do you do in your home to spend time together?

Chick-Chick-chicken Time!

It is the time of year that we should be ordering our broiler chickens.  I have to be honest here-my heart does not seem to be into raising these chickens.  Oh we're going to do it, but I, kinda, don't want to.  I think I'm getting lazy in my old age.

Joking aside, what really has me bumfuzled is the cost of feed.  We sell many of the birds, keeping enough for ourselves, but it is getting harder to turn a profit.  We buy a ton of feed at a time, supplemented with grass in chicken tractors.  Last year, when I went to buy feed it cost $400 for a ton.  It's still cheaper using our custom mix than buying Purina junk, so it worked out, but I haven't checked on the price of things yet-so I'm dreading it.

In the end, I need to quit lollygagging and get the order in for the birds.  No matter what, they are still the best tasting, best for you chickens around.

I've Been Thinking

I need to start by saying that we had a picture perfect day here in the Ozarks.  The temp was a mild 73 degrees, cloudless skies and very light breeze.  Not bad, eh? 

We, as a family, spent the bulk of the day out of doors, performing menial tasks around the homestead.  The first thing we did was to move the cattle "back home" from across the road.  Our small paddocks have recovered nicely from the forced over grazing that occured last year due to the drought.  That went well, although the cows had to take a little trip around the house before going into the paddock.

Otherwise it was a very typical Saturday around here.  My lovely wife spent the day in the garden, preparing and planting to keep her family fed.  The kids and I put our new log splitter to good use and got a bunch of wood split and stacked for next winter.  My wife and I planted a couple of Goji bushes in a corner of one of the paddocks in keeping with our sustainable, permaculture course of action.  I have decided to let all the corners of the paddocks "go" with growth of various plants and herbs for food value to us, the animals and the wild thins like rabbits, birds and bugs.  It is that way in God's creation and so it should be on the farm.

Now to the title of this post.  My wife was working diligently in the garden when I walked by.  She stood up and said, I've been thinking...

Those few words usually mean more work for me.  They are usually followed by their cousin words like, what if we did this over there...?  or, why don't we do that in the area over there...? 

Sure enough, it was as I suspected.  Truly, I don't mind so much, after all, it is about keeping us all fed.  Really, these thypes of ideas she comes up with are all about survival.  In order to survive natural disasters or government meltdown you need to have a plan.  My wife's are ususally pretty darn good, so I go along.  I'm the labor behind the brains, you see.

SO, what's going on in your neck of the woods?

Preaching To The Broken

This isn't very homestead related, or politically related, but I wanted to share my expirience of this morning with you.  There is a church near the one we attend that has had a bit of difficulty and their pastor resigned.  I was asked to fill in for the balance of the month-today being the first Sunday.

I went to bless, to preach (although I don't consider myself much of a preacher) and to teach.  I came away blessed myself.  The study time that I put into my sermon taught me more than I, probably taught them, which is the way it often goes.  I have preached before, filling in when needed at our church, but that was nothing compared to being looked to for answers and leadership.  This could be over my head.

I have two more Sundays with them and it is my prayer that I can give them some hope for the future.  The circumstances under which the pastor resigned are heavy, indeed.  The few that remain are down trodden and without direction.  Pray for them, if you will, that they will find their footing again.  Pray that I might be a tool in the hands of God for this purpose.  I don't know what my future is with them, other than the next two weeks, but God does.

The people that remain are broken hearted, sad, angry, frustrated and dismayed.  They once, not long ago, had a thriving ministry.  I taught them about faith, giving them a deeper understanding of God's faith in man and that God's faith is not dependant on man's faith in Him.  That faith in Him will heal all wounds and guide all our steps.  The troubles we see in this life will leave scars, but those scars, like the scars left on Christ's hands will remind us of His power.

Lift these people up to Him, if you would.

The Log Splitter Is Home

I went this morning to pick up our new log splitter, it is in great shape.  As you know, it was a gift from a gentleman that frequents the store I work at.  So, it is used, but it is all there and runs good.  I tested it out on a few logs, here at the homestead,  on a few logs that I could not split by hand-full of knots.  It went through them like butter.  All I can say is praise God from whom all blessing flow!  This is a blessing, indeed.  It will save my back some pain to be sure.