Our plum and cherry trees are safe, at least for now as we didn’t get the 28 degrees with snow last night that was predicted. Whew! I woke up and the low was 39 degrees F, instead.
Yesterday, we had our first calf born. Finally. The cow was huge and when she calved, we found out why. She had twins. Unfortunately, one was abnormal in most every way; no joints, no eyes, yet fully developed. We were sad, but glad it was stillborn, so we didn’t have to put it down. The twin bull calf is very nice. He’s large, for a twin, too. Mom and baby are doing great this morning.
Yesterday, Will and Drew got the header on the combine that Brendan brought home on Monday. It was quite a job, but it finally locked in place. That thing is huge! I’m sure intimidated by it and there are much larger combines out there. We’re hoping to raise some nice oats for the cows and some wheat for the chickens and us next year.
Drew was on the way home from work and he saw a momma fox and two pups playing next to the biggest slash pile way out at the front, by the clearcut. He got one photo on his phone before everybody ducked back into the den, under the pile. We’ve seen an adult fox run across the driveway a few times out there but haven’t seen the babies. Now I look every time I go out!
Today I tilled the Sand and Central Gardens for the second time as the weeds were popping up along with some grass. Later on, I want to do the Main Garden for the second time, as well. Planting out there is still a couple weeks away. But we want as few weeds as possible on all the gardens. Happy spring all! — Jackie
I have been experiencing complications since gall bladder removal a few months ago and just found out last week I need a liver transplant now. So, lots of changes, including no more gardening due to potential bacteria in dirt and less canning for this new phase of my life, since no big garden. I appreciate all you, Backwoods, and Self-Reliance, share so your writings and the magazines will be that much more special to me as I enjoy the things I love doing through you all and some of the lifestyle of my family from childhood on the farm. I think I have been following you and Backwoods for close to potentially twenty-five or thirty years now. Time has flown by quickly.
Boy, hasn’t it though??? I’ll pray for your liver transplant surgery being a big success. I hope you’ll recover quickly so you can enjoy being outside.
I hope this comment is allowed. Julie, I would strongly advise getting second or even third opinions about your condition, including consulting a naturopath. There may be natural ways for you to heal. And, if the gallbladder surgery was botched, you should consult a malpractice attorney.
Thanks for telling me about the meat. At least it was a small package I got and not the 10 lbs:)
Tomorrow is our only day without rain. Going to plant green beans tomorrow and try to mow again – wet. Supposedly it’s supposed to rain all next week. Almost everybody is wearing jackets down here! Low 60’s today and north wind 🌬️ felt like winter! No fire in stove! But! Oh! It would of been so nice 🙂
Take care
It’s raining right now but is supposed to clear up by 10 AM. I may plant some beans to get a little head start. We’re supposed to have a very warm spell headed our way so they should germinate quickly. I have bales of wood shavings if I have to cover them, due to a frost in the future, if necessary.
Jackie, On the subject of weeds; thanks for your advice about my use of 30% ag vinegar to kill weeds in my garden. And the other day, I grabbed the wrong sprayer and sprayed round up in my garden paths! Not what I wanted to do. So sad, and drift may have ruined one tomato plant, as it’s leaves are looking strange. I’m glad I asked you about the vinegar, and I will not use it ever again in my vegetable garden; nor round-up. I have rows strictly designated for seeds/plants that do not get sprayed.
I hope your tomato plant makes it!
That’s a beautiful calf! I’m sure glad you avoided frost and glad the mom is doing fine too. It’s been in the low 90’s here all week so garden tasks get done in the morning and after 6:30pm. Yesterday the last of the peas were picked and the vines taken down. For us that marks the end of the spring garden. On to summer! Now if only those tomatoes, cukes and squash would get ready!
I think your Britta’s Footlong beans are the fastest climbing pole beans I’ve ever seen! This year we’re copying your method of letting them grow up a trellis, over the top and back down the other side. It makes sense for being able to reach all of the beans. Can’t wait to see those long beans!
Now we just need a photo of you up in that combine cab when harvest time comes. :)
Ha ha! That probably won’t happen as I can’t climb up that high ladder! You’ll love Britta’s beans.
Thanks for letting us know what a butchers friend told you. Did you hear anything about their chicken?
What a nice size twin bull calf. Huge machinery almost dwarfed the guy Sad wheat harvest predicted Whew in escaping freeze! We shot up to 85! Today hopefully I can get rest if transplants in tomorrow with the cool40 nights. Busy time for all blessed be our veterans
Yes, it is very busy this time of the year. And I’ve got to can up a big batch of asparagus this afternoon too. We missed another frost last night and were very glad.
Dear Jackie, we finally got some much-needed rain. I’m sorry for the holiday folks that want to go to the lake but if we don’t get rain, there would not be much of a lake for boating! Your farm equipment is getting bigger and bigger. We live in a big farming area and the equipment coming on the highway has to have escorts. They look like they need their own zip code! My granddaughter’s small car can actually drive under one. LOL I love the picture of the new calf. He sure looks like a big one. Take care and you guys have a great holiday weekend. I’m processing blueberries and strawberries.
And I’m doing asparagus. We would have liked a smaller combine but around here, all the old farm equipment has been sold for scrap when prices were higher. Glad to hear you got some rain! We MAY get a little tomorrow night, but I’m not holding my breath.
Nice combine, IH is a good machine. And handsome little bull, will he become a steer? Tornadoes and severe storms in NE were 50-60 miles from us last weekend. Lot of damage but no injuries. We were blessed with 2.30 rain. Today went to cemeteries to get ready for Memorial Day. Beans are just starting to poke out of the ground, and a couple early tomatoes are blooming. Fresh lettuce sure is good! Glad I planted broccoli, it’s $5 a bunch at the store!
Thanks to all Veterans, and have a peaceful Memorial Day!
We’re hoping it will work well for us. Yep, our bull calf is already a steer. Will bands them at day 2, while he can still catch them. Sorry to hear about the tornadoes and bad storms, but happy nobody was hurt. Wonderful that you got so much rain!! Yep, everything is getting crazy expensive at the stores!! I don’t see it getting any better for a long time. I feel so bad for folks on a fixed income and families, trying to keep their children fed.
Yes, thanks to all our Veterans!!
I’ve heard that in Appalachia whole families celebrate with picnic lunch in the cemetery after honoring family graves with flowers. It’s actually a tradition.
Wow, that’s nice. Instead of just going and putting flowers on the graves and driving off.
Overnight temp here 43. Still cool today, Planting for me slow compared to last year. We haven’t had much in the way of warm weather. We’ve been busy caring for 4 yr old and 14 month old. Child care is hard to find and afford. We’re glad we’re close enough to help out. It is exhausting and the reason young adults have children and not us old folks. I had the 4 yr old help me plant a little, gather eggs and feed the chickens. He and I checked cows-6 more to have their babies. The 14 month old is learning to walk- I’ll need to get track shoes.
Yes, you will need those track shoes. Those little guys can sure run around (and get into things they shouldn’t if you’re not on top of it). Wow, 6 more calves. That’s great. We’re expecting five more pretty soon now.
It’s been cool here too. But it is supposed to warm up a lot in the next few days. I sure hope we get some decent rain though.
We have 8 yr old and 4 yr old grandchildren living on our property with us. I had to tell that I’m not their playmate, as I was when the 8 yr old was 4. I told her, things have changed, I can’t do what I used to. I had to set strict rules because they thought my house was theirs. Nope. Going to keep my privacy, and raising them is not my business, but their mom’s business, here in far north California.
Wow! That’s a big combine! Nice though. I ran a huge one for my father in law in 1976-79. A looong time ago.
It is a big combine! I’m kind of awed by it. I’ve farmed all my life, but never driven a combine. Luckily, that’s for Will to learn as I couldn’t even get up in it!!
I too feed the squirrels corn/sunflower/bird seed and we have nut trees. Trouble is I have backyard squirrels and front yard squirrels. The front yard squirrels are the most likely culprits when we’ve had “issues”. I’ve even put feed in the front yard for them.
I cannot believe the size of farm equipment these days. And despite their size, we don’t lack for those who think they can safely pass them.
I think crazy weather is the new norm.
Too bad you weren’t able to plant wheat – going to be the worst wheat harvest in almost 55 years between drought and government inflicted costs. But you are wise to be ready for next year.
On the feline front what we kept telling the established cat is coming true. The kittens are getting bigger and there are two of them. While the kittens are still rightly cautious, established cat is making one last stand to show she’s the alpha cat. But not getting the same response as before. One of the kittens is a tortie – her “tortitude” has been on display more than once.
How cool to see the fox pups. In my area seeing an adult fox is rare, I’ve never seen fox pups.
We sure enjoy having them around but are continuously watching for spots they could get in the chicken yard/orchard or coop. We want to keep them honest! Drew saw five of them out there yesterday and Will and I saw one when we came home from town last evening.
I’ve got a lot of wheat stored up, as well as flour. The wheat is both for planting and grinding. I know with the price of fertilizer, the terrible weather and other concerns, the wheat harvest is going to be sad this year.
The thing I said was ” a baby” ! He is so cute and big! It’s been so since I have seen any cows/cattle. Looks like he going to stay good and warm.
Went to Walmart to get hamburger for meatloaf and chili and burritos, ten pound was Fifty dollars!! I got a smaller package on sale and make do.
That combine looks really nice! Is it an International Harvester?
I’m glad the plums and cherry trees made it. We’ve had rain and now for the day time high it’s fifty! Yesterday eighty degrees!
Crazy weather!
Take care
I won’t buy beef from Walmart, as a butcher friend showed me a meat cutter’s magazine years ago, showing Walmart irradiates their meat to make it last longer. No dice for me.
Yes, the combine is an International Harvester.
Our weather’s warming up, but not as high as 80; more in the 60’s. But we’re happy about that.
Thanks for the heads-up about Walmart meat. I generally do not shop at that store, so I’m safe, but maybe other supermarkets? Gee, they are so sneaky!