Thursday, March 29, 2007

March 29, 2007

March 29, 2007 in Cooks Creek. Well, by my definition in a previous post it is apparent spring has arrived in Canada. Or at least in my part of Canada. The geese are back. There are literally millions of them everywhere. They have come this far and have hunkered down waitin for the water on the lakes to open up so they can continue their journey north to their nesting grounds. With that said, it sure don’t feel like spring today. Cold wet snow and a strong wind out of the north makes ya move a little faster than usual when ya are outside. Temperature is around the freezin point but the wind makes it feel a lot colder.

As far as water goes it is not too bad. No floodin that I can see or have heard of yet. The municipal ditches are all open and flowin fast. The municipality has done a fine job of getting everything opened up this year. Normally my fields are half under water by this time but not this year. Or at least not yet. A couple weeks of rain can turn things bad in a heartbeat.

The chickens seem to be well on the mend. I believe they did have cocsiliosis (sp?). I hit them with an antibiotic and the improvement was fast. They are still on the antibiotic and will be for a couple of weeks yet. The antibiotic is Amprol and is mixed with their water. It is expensive but is the only cure. The result for not usin the antibiotic is ya loose your flock. I have to clean and lime the coop but need the weather to turn better so I can get them out of there. All together I think I lost about 15 hens. That in itself is not good but I have learned from it and know what to watch for the next time. Symptoms for this disease (which is a parasite in the chickens intestine) are; early stages = feathers are wet, blood in their manure and on the eggs, off their food, quiet (no clucking) later stages = all the above plus bad diarrhea (no solids, just water), wings start to droop, won’t eat at all, pale combs and around the eyes (go from red to a yellow), no interest in anything (just sit or perch). No fun watchin animals die. Was getting so I hated to go into the barn because I knew what I would find. The joys of farmin heh?

My next fun project around here is shovelin manure. Between the chickens and horses there is a lot of it and it all has to be cleaned up and piled. Can’t really expand on that much more.

The chicken plucker is a hair away from completion. Just need to do the pulley system yet. Have to purchase the motor and idler pulleys and it will be ready to pluck. Hope it works. Can’t see why it won’t. Everyone elses works and I built it as the plan directed.

My other project was the round bale picker. I needed to arc weld it together. The mig will not give the penetration required to weld the heavy steel the picker is made of. I don’t like to arc weld in the shop because I don’t have an exhaust fan (at least not yet). The smoke and fumes are bad after ya weld for a spell. We had some nice days earlier this week so I welded most of it up outside. I ended up makin the bale spear out of 2 old truck axles. Think it will work fine.

My oldest daughter is goin to be graduating this June. She plans on goin to university and goin into veterinary medicine. She has a big ol soft heart and we got to talkin about puttin animals down. I asked her it she thinks she could do the deed. She got real quiet and didn’t answer either way. Well, she went over to the vets in town and asked if she could volunteer her services. It is our spring school break here and she has been going to the clinic everyday this week to help out. She helped put a dog down yesterday. It went pretty well and although she did not like it (who would) she said she didn’t cry. Today they did another one and she said it gets easier. She sat in on a couple of operations today also. She is sure enjoyin the experience.

Lets liten things up here a bit, time for a red neck joke,

Two hillbillys meet on a dusty country road. Guy (goodolboy) is carrying a big bag labeled, "chickens."

"Chickens, eh?" says the other hillbilly. "Hey, if I guess how many chickens you got, will you give me one?"

"Heck, " says Guy who has the bag, "iffin you guess right, I'll give you both of 'em."

The other hillbilly scratches his head and guesses, "Um... five?"

Ya got to like that one.

Well, take er easy, Hopefully the weather will get back to bein warm here. Talk to ya all soon.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

March 18, 2007

What a lazy day. Wet snow and sometimes rain here in Cooks Creek. Temperature is in around the freezin mark. Not much goin on except sitting around readin and enjoyin each other’s company and waitin for supper. House is full of supper cookin smell. Roast chicken, one of our own broilers we raised last year. Big fella. As big as a small turkey. Then gingerbread and whipped cream for desert. Whole family will sit down for supper together. It ain’t goin to get any better than that in my book. This is what I work for, what I strive for. This is what the good life means to me. If I were offered this or a billion dollars I would take this in a heartbeat. Wouldn’t even have to think about it.

The wife and I are readin a book called Better Off. It is about a young couple who went to live in an Amish Community. At least I think they were Amish. They call them Minimites (to protect their identity). If they are not Amish their life style parallels the old Amish ways. We spent the afternoon readin and takin it easy. Actually the wife did the readin and I listened. Very enjoyable way to spend a dreary wet almost spring day. Officially spring comes next week. Looks like we will still have a good snow pack when it does arrive. We would have to get some real warm weather for this amount of snow to disappear before the end of the week. If it did go that fast we would have some major floodin. No, lets hope it goes slow and easy. People don’t need the hassle but then again it ain’t for me to determine.

Back to work tomorrow. I was on vacation for the last week lookin after my youngest daughter. She is doin great and almost back to her old self after the operation. She will be back to school tomorrow too. Suppose she will have some major catchin up to do.

I will end this deal with a ya might be a red neck joke. Because I am such a hick people tell me these jokes all the time so here goes.

If your wife has to get ya to remove the transmission parts from the tub so she can take a bath, ya might be a red neck.

Actually that one hit pretty close to home.

Talk to ya all real soon.

Friday, March 16, 2007

March 16, 2007

I told ya. Winter is not done with us yet. Cooks Creek has been cold for the last few days. Snow ain’t meltin and in fact it is snowin as I type this. Not hard. Just flutterin down, light like. Don’t think we will get any amount to speak of.

Youngest daughter is mending from her tonsil operation and every day it gets a little better. She was even eatin some yesterday. Still home from school and asleep right now. She sounds real funny. Like a little squeaky mouse. But at least she is on the mend and expect she will be back to normal by next week.

Somethin has been a botherin me. Of course it is that time of year when we have to do our taxes and give a portion of our hard earned money to the government to squander away on some stupid social program. That is bad enough but that is not what has me riled up (it does but that ain’t what I am goin to go on about). The other night I was doin our taxes. There are three of us in this house that are required to file a tax return. My gorgeous wife (can’t hurt to butter her up a bit eh?), my oldest daughter, and yours truly. My wife and I are married (as we should be) and because of this we are penalized by not bein able to take advantage of certain tax credits and rebates. Because my wife and I committed to each other and got married (and have stayed married for 25 loooong years) our incomes are combined while doing certain calculations in the tax return process. If we were living common law, separated or divorced we would be allowed to separate our incomes and thus be eligible for certain credits and rebates (pay less taxes). My daughter is 18 years old. In Canada she is considered an adult. She works part time and earns an income. By law she is required to pay income tax. No problem. But because she is single and going to school and living at home she is not eligible for the Manitoba Tax Credit or a GST rebate. Get this. To qualify for these credits and rebates she would have to either be pregnant and single, a single mom, living common law with a partner (I noticed they did not specify gender) or married. What kind of message does this send the young uns of this country? Instead of stayin in school and studyin, my daughter should of hit the streets, shacked up with some guy and got pregnant. Our government would of rewarded her with hundreds of dollars in credits and rebates. Our Prime Minister is always talkin about family values and morals. I’m hearin it but I’m not seein it. Put your money where your mouth is. Give a kid a tax credit if they were workin and successfully completed their grade. Or a legally married couple a credit for bein married for 10 consecutive years (to the same person). Heck, A thing like that won’t cost them too much. Only about 2% of the population qualify. If/when I see those kind of things then I will believe Mr. Harper (Prime Minister) truly is serious about the moral fiber of this country. Allowin gays and lesbians married status when it is profitable and separate status when it is not has me questionin my country's direction as far as family values go.

Chickens are doin better but still not exactly right. They seem listless and off their food. Egg production is way off. Not sure what else to do. Watchin them real close and tryin to get clues on what is happenin. Life would sure be easier without critters but not as interestin or as much fun.

Toyin with the idea of getting another German Shepherd dog (just what we need more animals). A female. I have always wanted to breed Shepherds and just might start it this year. Problem is our money can’t keep up with our ideas. If I had a nickel for every crazy idea I came up with I would be a rich fella. Sometime the energy don’t keep up with the ideas either.

Hey, it has stopped snowin and the sun is tryin to come out. Maybe it will warm up some.

NEWS FLASH, I finally finished a book. Yesterday I completed At Natures Pace by Gene Logsdon. Pretty good book. Mr. Logsdon is also the author of the Contrary Farmer (which I am also readin). There are pieces in the two books that are duplicated (nothing too bad though). The info is dated (80s) but his concept and thought process is relevant today. My favorite part was the chapters on the Amish. These people fascinate me and I always find enjoyment when learnin about their culture.

Got a joke for ya all>

A six-year-old boy told his father he wanted to marry the little girl across the street. The father, being modern and well-schooled in handling children, hid his smile behind his hand.

'That's a serious step,' he said. 'Have you thought it out completely?'

'Yes,' his young son answered. 'We can spend one week in my room and the next in hers. It's right across the street, so I can run home if I get scared of the dark.'

'How about transportation?' the father asked.

'I have my wagon, and we both have our tricycles,' the little boy answered.

The boy had an answer to every question the father raised.

Finally, in exasperation, his dad asked, 'What about babies? When you're married, you're liable to have babies, you know.'

'We've thought about that, too,' the little boy replied. 'We're not going to have babies. Every time she lays an egg, I'm going to step on it!'

Want another one?

HOW TO CALL THE POLICE WHEN YOU'RE OLD AND DON'T MOVE FAST ANYMORE

George Phillips of Meridian, Mississippi was going up to bed when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window.

George opened the back door to go turn off the light but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things. He phoned the police who asked, 'Is someone in your house?' and he said 'No'. Then they said that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock his door and an officer would be along when available. George said, 'Okay,' hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police again.

'Hello, I just called you a few second s ago because there were people in my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I've just shot them all.' Then he hung up.

Within five minutes three police cars, an Armed Response unit, and an ambulance showed up at the Phillips' residence and caught the burglars red-handed.

One of the Policemen said to George: 'I thought you said that you'd shot them!' George said, 'I thought you said there was nobody available!'

(True Story) I LOVE IT

Well, Take er easy. Till next time. Maybe it will warmer the next time we talk.

Monday, March 12, 2007

March 12, 2007

Overcast and cool in Cooks Creek this mornin. Was suppose to be warm today, about 8 C or 46 F but by the feel of it out there I don’t think it is goin to make it. Funny how a couple of days of warm weather changes your outlook on what is warm and cold. Three weeks ago I would of thought this was a warm day. That is when we were in our 40 below deal. A couple of days of nice weather and the term warm takes on a new meanin.

Last Friday was an interestin day for the Sinclair family. My youngest daughter got her tonsils out. The day started at 4:30 am. We got up, had breakfast and got ready to head to Winnipeg. We had to leave at 5:30 to be at the hospital for 6:30. We made it to the hospital in time, got her admitted and she was in the operating room by 7:30. At 9:45 I got a call to come to the recovery room and she had already come around and was awake and alert. She laid in bed until she had something to drink and went to the washroom. Once those two things were accomplished she was discharged. We left the hospital at 11:30 and got home about 1:00 (after stoppin and getting a supply of jello, ice cream and puddin). From the time she was finished the operation until the time she left the hospital was about 3 hours. The nurse said she thought that it was a record. She did real well Friday evenin but really started sufferin on Saturday. She is downstairs layin on the couch and is in a lot of pain. Poor kid. She is one tough young un though. Doesn’t complain or whine. Just hunkers down and takes it. I brought her kitten in and gave it to her. Those things are better than any Tylanol or Asperin. She took that kitten and her face brightened up big time. Ever watch a kitten? They should rent kittens out instead of the trash they call movies now. I don’t know what it is about them but I find myself watchin them and loosin all track of time. They sure are cute and funny to watch. Simple pleasures are sometimes the best.

I said it in my last blog and I will say it again. I have got Spring fever bad. Can’t wait for the warm weather to come and the birds to come back. I have already been watchin the sky to get a glimpse of my first goose. We need a good South wind to blow them in. We should be seein the odd flock in the next week or so. Once I spot my first goose. It is official. Spring is here. To make it official I have to actually see them. News reports of sightings don’t count.

I am feelin down right lazy. Haven’t shoveled any snow for almost a week. Could it be we can put the shovels away? Don’t count on it. We will have some winter weather yet. Maybe even one of those spring storms. Hope it is not like the one in 97. That was the worst one I have ever seen. April 7th. I’ll never forget that one. My wife was pregnant with our son and she was due that weekend. Nothin was moving. Crawlers, plows and loaders were stuck on the highways. We were, I’ll just call it, concerned. We were makin plans on how we were goin to deliver a baby at home. Just the two of us. I was goin to be in charge because I had seen it done once on a Little House on the Prairie TV show. Didn’t look too hard. All a fella had to do is stand down at the appropriate end and yell push. Who couldn’t do that. Turns out he was a week late and everything worked out fine but I’ll tell that was one long weekend. That was the only time I ever missed work because of the weather. I didn’t make it into work until Tuesday at noon. Took 2 weeks to clean up that mess then the flooding started. Yes, 97 is a year I won’t soon forget.

Does anyone out in blog land have a recipe for hominy grits? I have the recipe out of the Foxfire books but it is kind of sketchy. I would think there is more to it than what they describe. They talk about part of the process bein poison and ya have to make sure you wash the corn properly. Kind of has me concerned. Don’t want to poison myself or my family.

Havin some chicken problems at the moment. Have lost about 7 or 8 birds in the last week. Research has me thinkin it is coccidiosis. Quite a common dissease and easily treatable with medication (or so they say). In tryin to diagnose the problem I got off in the wrong direction because about the same time I started havin problems I changed my feed supplier. I went from commercial feed to purchasing feed from a local farmer. The first step in troubleshooting a problem is askin yourself what has changed since I started havin problems. The answer was feed. So I was puttin all my thinkin in that direction. Bad feed and stuff like that. I have ruled that out. I talked to the new supplier and no one else he is selling feed to is havin problems. I trust him (he is good people). So it has got to be something else. The symptoms point to coccidiosis. We will treat for that and monitor.

Well that is all there is from here, Take er easy, Till next time.

Thursday, March 1, 2007

March 1, 2007

Still overcast and dull around here in Cooks Creek. Wind out of the East (which is unusual in itself) and tryin real hard to snow. Not sure if March came in like a lion or a lamb. Don’t know what the criteria is to measure by. March is goin to go how it does and it really don’t make no never mind how it came in. Youngest daughter is still not feelin well and has been home from school for three days. She got sick on the school bus Tuesday mornin on the way to school and it has been goin down hill from there. So with the weather and sick young uns it is not a bright cheery day in Cooks Creek. Things will get better. They’re talkin about sun on Saturday. It has been so long since I have seen the sun I am not sure I will recognize it.

Still ploughing through the Contrary Farmer. Pretty good book so far. Gene Logsdon (the author) gets side tracked every once in a while and goes off on a tangent for a couple of pages and as you read you find yourself wonderin what does this have to do with farmin. Those deals are few and are easy to get over. The other possibility is it does relate to farmin and I am not bright enough to see the connection. Not sure which way it is but all in all I am enjoyin the book.

One of the things the two books have got me thinkin about is the “need to have something”. Lets see what do I need? I need a bigger tractor, more land, plasma cutter, metal lathe, new chainsaw, milkin cow, rottotiller, more storage space in the shop, and the list goes on and on. Truth is I don’t need any of that stuff. I want it but I sure don’t need it. The only things in this world I need is food (good food and water), shelter, my health and love. I find myself fallin into the “need” trap. Sometimes I use it as an excuse (can’t do that because I need this). If I want to farm I need (attach list here). I need to work hard and get away from that thought process. It’s ok to want stuff. Wantin stuff makes life fun. Gives ya a goal to work for. Ya try and get ahead, build up a deal you maybe can pass onto a young un. Both books, The Contrary Farmer and Family Friendly Farming talk about workin with what you have. Don’t focus on what ya don’t have. Doin so becomes a copout, an excuse on why something can’t be done. There is so much potential to create a sustainable farm with the basics and some imagination. If I have heard it once I have heard it a hundred times. “Ya need a million dollars to start farmin today”. I have had friends actually laugh when I explain what we are tryin to do here. Common statement after we explain what it is we are trying to do is; “No one in their right mind would try and start a farm in this day and age”.
“Tractor alone is 150 grand”.
“Where ya goin to get someone to lend ya that kind of money”.

When Mr. Logsdon was a young un, he was sittin with his grandpa, his dad and a bunch of other relatives. Farmin was the topic of conversation and tractors was the subject. Mr. Logsdon stated that when he grew up he wanted to farm with horses. Everyone laughed and made a joke of his idea. Told him it wouldn’t work in this day and age and pretty much sluffed him off. His grandpa came over to him in a spell and leaned over and told him in a hushed voice that with a good team of horses and 100 acres he could put more money in the bank and not have to work one hour more than any man in that room. AND his life and work would be far more enjoyable and stress free. You know grandpa may have been right. Takes along time to pay off 150 thousand dollars and owing that much money has to bring on a few gray hairs.

Well I “need” some lunch. So until the next blog. Take care and keep healthy.