|
Post by cashless1 on Dec 22, 2023 16:19:07 GMT -6
CHAPTER 11
The corn is done, and, in the bin, my share was 700 bushels It was a good year We are getting eggs from the new hens, and as soon as it cools off, we will have a lot of chicken in the freezer. We had to buy pickles and relish this year; we forgot the cucumber plants. There was just too much going on, and we had plants started and scattered all over. Some here and some at Fred and Gabby’s house. We will do better next year. Most of Fred and Gabby’s canned things are still here, they will come and get them as needed. I went and helped Fred get their root crops dug and put away. The same as he had done for us.
George ordered the fertilizer, and it was expensive. I had a large manure pile, from cleaning the barn that I spread it on the garden, that is recycling, at its best.
I did get a fourth cutting of hay; I sold it and gave them a 50 cent per bale discount, if they came and got it. That way I did not have to unload and stack it for them. Fred and Gabby came to help us butcher the roosters, there are 20 that is a lot of feathers to pick, I had the fire going and the water heating when they got here, we had separated them from the hens last night. Don wants 6 hens and a rooster for their house. And we are keeping 2 roosters for our flock. Fred and I killed and picked 2 each then took them to the girls to process while we did 2 more each. When we got ahead of them, I went in and helped them cut up birds and get ready to vacuum seal for the freezer. We stopped for a quick lunch and went back to work. It was a long tiring day, but it was done. Gabby took 2 birds’ home for their freezer and got a gallon of milk. Don came and got his chickens and a gallon of milk also. That was 2 gallon and I still have milk. If I had the pigs, they would be getting fat on the milk alone.
When things slow down Jan wants to make butter. She says a quart of cream should make about a pound of butter, one less thing to buy. and will last about a month in a sealed container, and longer if frozen. And the butter milk makes great pancakes. and biscuits.
There are a couple of dead trees I want to cut for firewood before winter sets in. Working by myself it will take me a few days, when I get to it. Right now, I need to grind some feed for the cow and birds. I put corn. and wheat and oats in the mix mill hooked to the tractor and let it mix for a few minutes, after mixing I grind it and auger it into open top barrels and put a piece of plywood on top of them with a weight to hold it down. I am feeding over 30 chickens and giving the cow a little every time I milk, so it will last for a while. Now I have a surplus of milk and eggs. We get around 20 eggs a day, Don has his own, Randy takes 2 dozen and Fred 2, George only wants a dozen, and we eat 2 dozen, that is 7 dozen a week out of the 12 dozen we get a week. We sell some to neighbors, but still have a surplus but that is better than not having enough. I took a steer to the butcher, for George, Randy, and Don to split up, and one for another neighbor that is two I do not have to feed all winter, and it helps my bank balance.
I made a space in the back of the barn so the cattle can get in out the weather, if they want to, the cow has her own stall. So, everything is prepared for the cold. The cattle will be locked in the feed lot, so I don’t have to go looking for them. Now I can get to the trees, I have been wanting to cut. I put my saws and tools in the bucket of the tractor and hooked up 2 hay racks and headed to the woods. I unhooked the racks out of the way and dropped the trees I wanted, after cutting the limbs off I drug them up to the racks, I hooked a chain around one log at a time and raised it off the ground and started to cut it into lengths to fit the fireplace, I got one tree done and quit for the day. I still had chores to do at home, and the wood is not going anywhere.
|
|
|
Post by feralferret on Dec 22, 2023 17:59:36 GMT -6
Thank you, cashless1. Another fine chapter. Work is never done on a farm or ranch. There is always something more to do.
When I was growing up, we had a large garden It started out at about a half acre when we moved into that house and grew to almost an acre before we moved into town ten years later. Lots of planting watering, picking, and canning/freezing.
On the plus side, anytime I wanted a snack during the summer, I just picked something, washed it with the garden hose, and ate it fresh. I did NOT grab any of the super hot peppers that my father grew and loved to eat. Much hotter than a habanero, but not as hot as a Carolina Reaper.
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Dec 22, 2023 19:44:24 GMT -6
Fine update about life on a farm, thanks
|
|
|
Post by cashless1 on Dec 23, 2023 12:21:34 GMT -6
when i was younger there was a knife and a saltshaker under an inverted aluminum glass. The glass made a great target for my bb gun.
|
|
|
Post by cashless1 on Dec 23, 2023 12:22:27 GMT -6
the glass was on top of the gate post
|
|
|
Post by cashless1 on Dec 24, 2023 10:43:58 GMT -6
CHAPTER 12
Jan and I had super and did the cleanup, got our showers, and cuddled up on the couch in front of the fireplace, life is good. When we got up the next morning, I took a bucket and a basket to milk and gather eggs, while Jan fixed breakfast. I was in no hurry to go cut more wood, so I helped around the house. I got the second tree cut up today. Tomorrow I will use the tractor bucket to load the wood on the racks and take them up to the pole barn, where I will roll them off, and onto the splitter. That is enough for today I am tired.
As soon as I got in the house I headed for the shower, I had saw dust in places I won’t even mention. After I got showered and dressed, I checked for any eggs that were laid after the morning gather and locked the birds in for the night. Jan had been baking bread today and had a pot of stew ready for super. Fred and Gabby are coming over for supper. Trouble was on guard in case we dropped anything, while we ate. We got caught up on the local gossip and enjoyed the company, everybody had been busy getting things ready for winter, and nobody really knew anything important, but it was a good evening, we did send a gallon of milk,2 dozen eggs and a loaf of fresh bread home with them.
The next day I called George to see if he knew anybody that would want to buy fresh eggs and milk? He said he was going to come over today any way, and we can discuss it then. Fred and Gabby stopped by to see if we needed anything from town, and to return the empty milk jars. They were still here when George arrived and we got to talking about our egg surplus, and George said you cannot legally sell fresh milk, but there is no law that says you cannot give it away. George said sell them eggs at an elevated price and give them the milk for free. Farm fresh eggs sell for 3 dollars a dozen in the store, so sell yours for 5 dollars and give them a gallon of milk for free. But they must return the egg cartons and milk jars and ask them to see if they can get any egg cartons from neighbors. I told George, you are a devious old man. And he agreed with me.
Jan has a list of things she wants to have on hand, like pink sea salt, canning salt, and on and on and on. I am going to take her notebook away, if she does not stop.
Jan and Gabby went shopping, again, they went to Sams, the only canning salt they had come in 4 LB boxes, they got 6 each, the pink salt was in 5 LB bags, and they stocked up on that too.
The next morning Fred and Gabby came flying up the drive. He ask have you seen the news? We both said no, why? He said snipers are shooting at semis on the roads. I ask where? He yelled everywhere, every state in the country, most states getting hit several times. They shoot from hiding and disappear. This could get bad quick. I told him to settle down, we live out here in the sticks, it probably will not even get to us. Fred did settle down a little, then started again. If the truck drivers are afraid to be on the road, there will not be any deliveries. The stores will be empty in just a few days, then what are we going to do? We talked about it for a while and Jan ask about talking to the neighbors Fred said we do not want to start a stampede, let us get what we think we will need, before the panic sets in. We agreed to call a couple of neighbors and warn them, I said I will call George, and have him get Randy and Don, Fred named 3 others, and let us have everyone meet here at 5pm. That gives us several hours to brainstorm this on our own. Fred started listing things he thought we needed. Fuel, feed, seed, food, household supplies staples, anything that will keep. I told Jan to call and have all the fuel tanks topped of, and don’t forget the L/P. I also wanted to go to tractor supply and get more rolls of bailing twine and mineral blocks, and a spare solar fence charger. I also needed about 2 miles of electric fence wire, and insulators. I was back by 3pm and got everything put away before people arrived, I did not want everyone to know what we have. Jan and Gabby had gone shopping also. They had cases of vinegar bags and bags of canning salt.
Fred and Gabby were here first, then George. I ask about the heirloom corn seed. All George said was, not enough, but I think I can make it work. We will talk about it later; George is not telling everything he has either. I am willing to help the others but if they know that I have it, they may not get it for themselves. Once everybody that was coming, got here, we started going over what we thought, most agreed it could get bad, a couple of families just blew us off. They will not be invited to any more meetings as far as I am concerned. After the doubters left, we all agreed it would be good to stock up and keep it to ourselves, if people run out of things, they will expect you to share yours with them.
When it was down to George and Fred and Gabby with us, George said I did get some heirloom seed but not enough, I only got about a half bushel, that will plant about 1 1/2 acres, if you guys agree I will plant it at the edge of my field of soybeans, so it doesn’t cross with regular corn. Maby we will get enough seed to get a small crop in next year at my farm. We can still use regular seed until we get enough heirloom seed for 2 years crops., I ask what about the 2 families that left? Fred said he would let it slip, at the restaurant tomorrow, that they had finally talked some sense into us. That is the best we can do.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM CENTRAL ILLINOIS
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Dec 24, 2023 11:34:31 GMT -6
Thanks for the update and Merry foggy Christmas from northern Illinois
|
|
|
Post by cavsgt on Dec 24, 2023 11:49:17 GMT -6
Thanks for the update and Merry foggy Christmas from northern Illinois Back to central Illinois and beautiful Sun Shine and warm. Thanks for the story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by rep1270 on Dec 24, 2023 11:52:02 GMT -6
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all. Ralph
|
|
|
Post by CountryGuy on Dec 24, 2023 12:22:06 GMT -6
Thanks Cashless!
Merry Christmas to all from overcast central PA! Doesn't look like we get a white Christmas this year
|
|
|
Post by feralferret on Dec 24, 2023 19:59:40 GMT -6
Cashless1, thank you.
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Dec 24, 2023 20:02:10 GMT -6
At 51 no snow here either
|
|
|
Post by cashless1 on Dec 24, 2023 21:13:42 GMT -6
55 IN MY AREA. HIT 60 TODAY.
|
|
ahsga
New Member
Posts: 32
|
Post by ahsga on Dec 24, 2023 21:45:10 GMT -6
47 here and fog. Much better than the 36 and fog yesterday. Merry Christmas
|
|
|
Post by sniper69 on Dec 25, 2023 1:01:10 GMT -6
thanks for the new chapter and Merry Christmas!
|
|
|
Post by feralferret on Dec 25, 2023 3:16:14 GMT -6
2.06" of rain since 8 AM. Mid-fifties all day until the cold front came through around 10 PM. Now down to 37 degrees.
Everyone have a safe and wonderful holiday.
|
|
|
Post by cashless1 on Dec 26, 2023 10:39:17 GMT -6
PTER 13
I will call the vet about getting the other cow bred. If we do it right, we can have a constant supply of milk, with 2 cows and 24 hens we will have those bases covered. We also have 4 steers and 8 Heffers to work with. I happened to be home when the man came to fill the in ground 1000gal LP tank and I ask if he had another one, I could get? He did not, but he did have a 1000 gal above ground tank he would sell me. I told him to bring it and fill it, I showed him where to put it, I would pipe it in myself. It had a wet leg for filling smaller bottles, he had to explain the wet leg to me. I was going to pipe it to the gas stove in the garage for caning, gramps used 100 lb. L P tanks, and he had 3 full ones. The house was all electric and you are not supposed to can on the glass top stove. And gas appliances in a cave house is not smart. So, he put a stove it in the garage for canning.
George wanted to have another meeting the next evening, so we stayed home and tried to organize the storage areas. And rest up, it has been a busy couple of days. George was there when Fred and Gabby arrived, he wanted to talk in private. He wanted to know what we had got done and what else we had to do. He had got his fuel and a lot of groceries, when I told him about the restaurant supply store we had shopped at, he wrote it down. He ask how much fuel I had, I told him 500gal of diesel and 500 of gas and 100 of kerosene, all treated with PRI products. I told him I would like to get a young bull to service the 8 Heffers I was keeping. He said he would look around.
The others started to arrive, so the conversation turned to the news and what each other knew, the shootings have increased, the cops only got two of the terrorists so far, but they were already dead, so there was not any information from them. If there was any, they were not letting it out to the public. Pete said he worked at the Pepsi bottling plant and if they did not start getting deliveries soon, he would be laid off. I ask what they did with the syrup barrels when they were empty? He said they usually sold them, but had not sold any lately, why? I told him I would like some to store feed in, he said he will check and let me know. Several other people wanted some too. So, I probably will not get as many as I wanted. Everybody exchanged phone numbers before they left. It was a good meeting a lot of info was traded, and we all got a few new ideas. With 6 families involved it was a long meeting. George recommended a cookout for the weekend, I thought he was nuts. He said not like a meeting, just get to know each other better, you can share info with each other, and not the whole group, like the barrels, if Pete could only get 6, and the others all wanted 1 you just screwed yourself. Face to face, you could get what you need and if there are any extra you could share, and still have what you need. He said take care of yourself first, before you worry about someone else. He looked at me and said if you run short on hay and I have extra, I will help you out, but if I do not have extra, you are screwed, Your problem not mine. He also explained to me that if I need extra hay every year I either need fewer animals or a bigger hay field. He said I will not lean on anyone, but no one is going to lean on me either, this shit could get a lot worse than we thought. As a small group we can make it, if we all pull our own weight, and a little bit more. We cannot carry any body; that could destroy the whole group.
Pete called and gave me his bosses number, but not his name, and told me to call him after 4pm, about the barrels. When I called him, he seemed agitated or scared. I ask how many he had, he thought 50 or 60. I ask for a price, and he said if I got them tonight, $15 each. Otherwise, no sale. I countered with$7.50, I know a shady deal when hear one. He came back with $10.00 and take them all, and he wanted cash. I called Geoge for help hauling them home. HE agreed, if I promised not to get him arrested. With two trucks and trailers we should be able to get them all. It turned out to be 45. With the stock trailers we got them all with room to spare. As soon as we were loaded George took off while I settled with the boss. By the time we were unloaded I had a barn full of barrels. But this was a good deal the barrels were even cleaned inside and out.
At the second meeting, stupid me, I had offered to loan money to anyone who was caught short. Phill said things were a little tight for them right now. I loaned him $1000.00 to stock up with. George just shook his head. I thought if we were going to work as a group, it was only fair to help where I could. At the cookout everybody seemed to relax and like usual the women went one way and the men the other. We talked about the shootings and what people were going to do, some of us talked about our stocking up, not being specific about what we bought, just the crowds, and traffic. George mentioned some of the shelves were not as full as usual. Phil agreed, but said he got quite a bit of what he wanted. I had 10 barrels set out in front of the barn, to see how many they wanted. George was the first to speak up, He said he wanted 3 if I would let them go for $20.00 Apiece, I just looked at him, and nodded, and he paid me. Later I ask why he did it? His simple answer was if you offered them for free, they would have cleaned you out, keep them, and if they really need them, you can trade for something or get a couple hours of labor. I gave him his money back. I am beginning to realize George is a lot smarter than I give him credit for. I did sell Don and Randy 3 barrels each for $10. Each after the group broke up.
After everybody was gone, Jan and I were talking about the cookout, and she brought up Phil and Kay. I said Phil used the money he got from us to stock up.
|
|
|
Post by rep1270 on Dec 26, 2023 12:01:50 GMT -6
cashless1 Thank you for the story. Ralph
|
|
|
Post by CountryGuy on Dec 26, 2023 12:16:26 GMT -6
Hmmm.... why do I feel like we are about to find out Phil might have said he used the dinero to stock up when he actually went and blew it on something stupid and wasteful?? Wonder what his repayment terms were...
Thanks for another entertaining piece!
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Dec 26, 2023 14:45:29 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
|
|
|
Post by feralferret on Dec 27, 2023 0:40:00 GMT -6
Cashless1, thanks!
|
|
|
Post by ydderf on Dec 28, 2023 0:36:30 GMT -6
Thanks
|
|
|
Post by cashless1 on Dec 28, 2023 13:24:13 GMT -6
CHAPTER 14
Jan looked at me and said, Kay told us he really did stock up, he bought so much meat their freezer would not hold it all, so they had to eat T bone steaks 2 nights in a row, I don’t think he is very smart.
When I told George about it the next day, he said he will not last long, I think he is playing us for fools. And I will not be anybody’s fool. I told Fred, Randy and Don about it and they wanted to go get the steaks back, and take a chunk out of Phils ass. I told them to let it go, he will get his, when the time comes. I just wanted you guys to know about it. Just be careful around him.
A week later Fred and Gabby came to our house, some body tried to break in to their house last night, Fred put a couple rounds of buckshot through the door, and they ran off, he did shoot at the car but was not sure if he hit it or not. They tried to call the police but the phone was dead. I tried our phone and it was dead too. I went to the secret room and got 2 shot guns and 2 pistols out of the safe and a couple boxes of ammo and two holsters, and went back to the table. I loaded them all and told Jan we would always be armed from now on. I invited Fred and Gabby to move in here with us, there is safety in numbers, and we have the room. They did not really have a choice. It took a while but I got Randy on the C B radio and he said he would stop and get Don to help and meet us there. We all lived within 3-miles of each other so we felt safe, of course we were all armed, that helped. Fred and Gabby went in and started gathering things not packing but just pilling things, getting everything ready to go. We got all their food and supplies, while they got clothes and personal affects. I ask if they wanted their bed room furniture? Fred said maybe later. We got the trucks loaded, and Fred ask if anybody had boxes, Gabby wanted her extra canning things, and stuff from the basement, we are going to go unload while the rest go to get boxes, and we will meet in one hour to load up again. When we got home the four of us unloaded the trucks and just pilled things where we will not trip over them. By the time we got back the guys had been busy one truck was full of boxes of jars and other canning equipment. Gabby was walking through and pointing at what she wanted to go. Fred was loading tools and equipment as fast as he could. All his guns were in a foot locker, and it was heavy. We had the trucks full again and decided to come back tomorrow and get anything we had missed. When we were unloaded Don ask where is Phill? Randy said you will not see Phil, if there is work to do. I have helped him a couple of times but he is always busy, if I need a hand. George said I feel sorry for his wife, he makes her do everything and all he does is bitch. I ask why does she stay with him. George said she probably has nowhere else to go. I exploded, Jan and I will go over and talk to her when we are done here.
We drove to their house but Phil wasn’t home, I ask where he was? She just shrugged her shoulders but did not say anything for a minute. Then said he siphoned the gas out of my car, and put it in his truck and said he was going to talk to some of his family to see if they would take us in. I know they won’t. He has used them too many times in the past.
I did not even say anything to Jan. I just said, if you want out of a bad situation, go pack your things and come live with us, we have a spare bedroom, if you want it. Kay was afraid to go, because Phil could get violent, if things do not go the way he thought they should. I told her not to worry about that. I will handle it if he does. She ask Jan if it was, ok? And Jan said yes, let us go get your things. It did not take long; she didn’t have very much. Phil had taken the food with him, Kay said he was probably not coming back anyway. And she was crying. I got a 2 gallon can of gas from the truck and poured it in her car so she could follow us home.
Jill showed her around the house and helped her arrange her room and get settled in. Don had been busy, he brought enough CB radios for every house and vehicle, he said they were not secure, but we could at least get in touch with each other when needed, and they did come in handy, until the power went out. We had a little solar power and so did George, and Don, but not Pete or Randy. We will work on that. As we were standing in the drive talking. Phill pulled in, and he was mad. He screamed at Kay get her shit, and get her ass in the truck. She refused; He told her I will not tell you again now get in the truck. She said we are through, now go away and do not come back. That was all it took, he ask her, do you Rember the last whipping, I had to give you? Well, this one is going to be a whole lot worse. He stepped toward her with his fist raised, and I shot him. I am not a violent person, but I never did like a man that would hit a woman. She walked over and spit in his dead face, then broke down. Jan and Gabby got her into the house. We all decided he did not come here, and we have not seen him. Don said his hogs needed some protein in their diet so that is taken care of. Always calm, George said siphon the gas out of his truck and put about a gallon back in, some body follow me, and I will leave his truck at his house, and you can bring back.
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Dec 28, 2023 14:25:10 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
|
|
|
Post by CountryGuy on Dec 28, 2023 14:32:49 GMT -6
Seems like a lot of pigs are eating well... LOL
|
|