Sunday, December 4, 2016

Sunday Reading - First Snow, Last Post?





I think the time has come. We got our first measurable snow of the new Winter this morning which has actually made the day a little less hectic than I had planned it to be. Doesn't mean I don't still have plenty to do around here, just means I don't want to do it in the snow. Especially as it is falling.

When I started this blog, some 8 or 9 years ago I think, it was just my son, a stray cat named Sasha and I moving onto an old property that had been badly neglected for probably 20 years or more. Barely a fence line was serviceable. The barn and out buildings had no paint even clinging to their wooden sides anymore. Brush grew rampantly everywhere and the house was barely livable and only if you had very low standards to begin with.




No heat, barely had running water and a very sub par septic system. Junk piles scattered through out the place made up of broken tractor parts like baler or rake teeth, belts, one door that had once been on the barn, a hay wagon frame that had trees growing through it.




You get the idea....

We brought with us an old 8N tractor with it's only implement a simple grading blade, some hand tools and a couple of sheep. Along with a determination to make this place our own and actually know we could produce for ourselves when the need arose.

The Adventure is by no means complete although we have made so much progress most people would not know the place if they were just revisiting it for the first time in 10 years.




The flock of sheep has grown from 6 ewes and a ram to 30 ewes and 2 rams. In Spring and Summer we end up having 60+ running around with all the lambs born. The old 8N and blade have been joined by and 861 Diesel, baler, rake, tiller, scoops, wagons, post Hole digger, boom lift etc. etc. etc.




We also added a wife in the process too. The Small - Hold started off as a complete bachelor pad project. I kinda think that's why the stray cat was so attracted to the place as we were pretty much estrogen free at the time and that cat prefers men over women hands down. She won't hardly let a Woman pet her either but grudgingly accepted the new Mrs. PP.



Our one stray cat who wouldn't take no for an answer and demanded to be allowed to move in has now become 6 or 8 depending on who decides to stay over. Thanks to heartless idiots who like to drop off unwanted cats into the country we seem to have a never ending supply of them and have raised at least three unwanted litters.


We have managed to find homes for all of them too I think. I must say though there is nothing more amusing than a litter of happy kittens that know they are safe and have a mom that is well fed and able to spend plenty of time with them and who are also comfortable around humans. They just seem to develop much more outgoing personalities and are a constant source of entertainment.

Along with the stray cats came a dog or two. Once one figured out we weren't going to shoot him on site he begged to join the pack. A year later he brought home a friend. I can't complain about them though they are good watch dogs and earn their keep sort of. Only one of the two will come in during bad weather though as the other would rather sleep in the barn.

We added Bees and had many good harvest of not only honey but fruits and vegetables we planted as well....


















We added chickens to the growing project and that brought on a whole new level of fun. Chicken drama is a world in and of itself as many of you know first hand. They don't cost much to feed and keep but when circumstances take a turn for the worst they can become very time consuming.




They also like to dig holes. I just spent the last four nights hunting an unwanted visitor to the barn and coop. A possum who took up residence in the hay bales and began eating the eggs and finally moved up to a midnight chicken snack. A couple of the birds refuse to go into the coop/stall at night and try and roost in the barn rafters and he got one. Finally I managed to catch the possum in the act just as he was moving in on one of the roosting hens and dispatched him quickly but it took a lot of time being there for the right opportunity. 

So as I said the journey is nowhere near complete but the circumstances have changed. Slowly, like a frog in a pot of heating water this Homestead has went from 90% labor on projects with about 10% maintenance and chores to the other way around. I now spend most of my time completing mundane tasks that while enjoyable in their own way and necessary also add nothing to the world of blogging or any interesting tidbits to the genre of homesteading and prepping either to be honest.

We may not be done yet. In fact we will never be done but we have come far enough down the road that I believe we can call this experiment a success. We have gotten completely out of debt. The land is now entirely our own as long as we pay the yearly government rent anyway.  We will be starting on our new house come Spring and nearly all my time is now devoted to maintaining what we have built.

I am not planning on taking the blog down. I may in fact make a post here and there from time to time yet but as for daily posts and such I think it is time to officially stop.

Currently we are looking at a time when we may be able to pull ourselves back from the abyss we were staring at. I think things will still get much rougher than anyone can imagine but as a whole we now stand a better chance than we did under the Femocrat/Liberal Progressive rule with a much higher likelihood of keeping many necessary rights along the way. Perhaps on a wide scale things will change and I may come back to blogging but politically I feel my message has gotten out as successfully as the homestead project has as well. There is still a need to prep but we now have some breathing room.

Keep Prepping Everyone!!!!!


36 comments:

  1. WOW! You have certainly accomplished a lot in your time on the homestead. Sorry to see you go. I have enjoyed coming here from time to time. I wish you well.
    sunny

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  2. So this makes me happy and sad Preppy. Happy because you have achieved what you set out to do. Sad because I do enjoy your posts. You were the first blogsite I regularly started visiting.

    But I get it. I myself am finding that sometimes you have said what you meant to say. Writing is a season, just like any other.

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  3. This kinda feels like my next door neighbor just said he was moving across country. I understand if you feel like you've said all there is to say but I hope you'll check in from time to time. Take care!

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  4. I will miss hearing about your adventures but I have also stopped with the daily blogging as I can't tell one day from another anymore. I think we are in for some tough times as a country can't be this mismanaged and overwhelmed by unimaginable debt and go on like nothing has happened, it will have to be dealt with. It is about time for the MSM to start reporting facts again now that a republican is in office, watch out for the war protestors to hit the streets again as well.
    I often wish that we lived closer especially since you have all of those hot tractor girls working for you. Stay prepared!

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  5. Good luck in all future endeavors.

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  6. Well, that figures,
    I only just found you.

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  7. I'm kind of ashamed- Happy for all the goals you folks met- and disappointed you all won't be 'round as often. Best wishes for all those future roads & goals!

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  8. Well, dang! I'll miss reading your daily adventures, but I understand what you mean. Sometimes I feel like everything I would like to say has already been said!
    XaLynn

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  9. well.
    veryone is soaccepting.
    not i.
    please don't leave us.
    justa monthly note to us, your readers, nd a series on building your ne house would be nice.
    please keep this web log up.

    many thanks for much pleasure and for the links i would never have found for myself.
    deb h.

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  10. I want to thank you for sharing your life with us. I looked forward to your adventures, You brightened many a cloudy day for me. I wish you and your family good luck..and I will be checking back to see if you have won the big Lotto..lol..Before you go did you ever find your mothers donkey? Thank you again..Vicki

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  11. I always find it rewarding to look at pictures when you get a project, and can see the progress that's been done. I will miss your daily posts.

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  12. Well,I know I have nothing to complain about, seeing as how infrequently I leave comment, but I"m gonna anyway lol.

    I have learned quite a bit reading these posts, on a variety of subjects. I know you don't owe it to anybody, but if you do care about how things will go down, I would encourage you to keep posting as time allows. Your writings do convey lot to some who actually do care to learn.

    That, plus I'm selfish lol.

    Other things do take priority though, and I most certainly understand. Praying for you regardless of how often, if, you do post from here out.

    Kurt

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  13. Good luck with your projects, PP. Sad to see you go. Keep prepping though. I feel the abyss is still there. The election probably only wiggled the trajectory as our country augers into it; too little, too lat, as it were.

    God bless!

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  14. Frank and Fern in January, Pioneer Prepper in December. Tough year! But thankful for all of your insight. God bless you as you make your way!

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  15. well done with all the work you have put in I do hope you continue to blog

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  16. Good luck PP...enjoyed the show while it lasted. indyjonesouthere

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  17. Time flies when you're up to your ears in work PP. You remind me of my dad - he and I built a farm much as you and your son built yours. I enjoy your writing but I know how hard it is to keep a good farm running right. Good luck PP!

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  18. It's time for you to take a break P.P. and enjoy what you have built so far. You're always an interesting read, so whenever you feel like saying something we'll be reading it.

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  19. Are you sure this doesn't have to do with your new-found fame as a pokemon go master? haha I know how you feel - we purchased this place and it had been neglected for 30 years. Lots of work and sometimes overwhelming. And we've only been at it for a few years.

    I'm not so optimistic about the scheme of things as you are but if I'm wrong I will be pleasantly surprised. It may just be a short breather, if that.

    Don't be a stranger... well, not any 'stranger' then normal :-) Best to you, Mrs. PP and your son, and good luck on your new projects. And I hope you continue to post occasionally!
    ~hobo

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  20. Many thanks for what you've shared here. What you've accomplished is impressive.

    Keep on preppin' & never forget --- There's no such thing as too much ammo.

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  21. Good luck my man, I'll be sorry to see you go but I understand the feeling. After we got the house finished here on the homestead and I find myself working at my job and not having time for much actual homesteading activity, I really don't have much to blog about that I haven't already written. I will keep my blog going with a weekly post and hopefully I will have time in the future for more activities that readers may find interesting. I know your job has changed and you don't do much traveling but if you find yourself coming through my area, let me know and we can meet for a cup of coffee. Will you still be checking that email address listed on your blog? If so, I'll send you my private contact information. Maybe I'll find myself in your area someday. Until then, may you find what you are looking for in life and good luck, good health, and prosperity to you and yours.

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  22. This is awesome! Congrats on your success and perseverance. I appreciate all I've read despite never having commented. Thanks for your insights and sharing your experiences. :)

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  23. It's been amazing to see what you've accomplished.

    I have a feeling we've won the day, but not the war. And I will really, REALLY miss hearing from you.

    Thank you, so much, for all the information and inspiration you've given us.

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  24. PP,

    Dear friend you and your family have worked hard now it's time to follow your dreams. Congrats on being debt free, it feels good doesn't it? Enjoy your hard work, and get prepared for building your new home.

    Keep on keeping on!!!
    Hugs to you and your family,
    Sandy

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  25. Good luck with all your projects and thanks for all the posts you have written!!!

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  26. Hey PP. I'm truly impressed with what you accomplished in that amount of time. I'll keep you in my sidebar. Please do post once in awhile. Maybe a monthly update?

    Take care,
    John

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  27. PP, It's taken me awhile to post a comment due to being so busy. I really hate the idea that you are nearing the end of blogging, since I've enjoyed the reads over the years. I can understand the reasoning though. Post any major events or goals please! Remember that the beast was only wounded during the last election, and now is not the time to be complacent.

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  28. Your astute and realistic observations and approaches are a great thing. Do post now and then..God Bless You and be safe

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  29. Your blog has always been an interesting thing to read. I am a city guy...raised in one in PA...did nearly 24 years in the Army and now stuck in a city in OK and tied to a desk job. I have wanted a simpler life for a long time.....a small house with a bit of land and maybe a few cows. You have shown that it is possible to do it. thank you for your hard work and for including the blogging world in this adventure.

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  30. Wow. I was just working on my new year's goals' post (as opposed to goal post :) and thinking along these same lines. We're starting our 8th year of homesteading and moving from projects to a more seasonal routine sort of lifestyle. That's what we set out to do and I like it.

    I've pondered stopping blogging/writing as well.

    Whatever you do, don't take your blog down! Not only because it's a resource, but because the people who pick eventually pickup the abandoned blogspot web addresses usually promote things none of us truly wants to be associated with.

    You've been a great help to me in seeing how you've done things. I've appreciated your sense of humor and point of view. You've especially been helpful to me with my bees. So do drop in now and then! The blogosphere becomes a community of sorts, and we all seem to want the best for one another.

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  31. Its very interesting to know about these things.I have learned so much reading these posts, on a variety of subjects. I love these kind of post, hope you will publish some more and share with us.Thank you, so much, for all the information and inspiration you've given to me.

    Regards
    Mirza Zahid
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  32. Awww, those kittens are so cute! It looks like you really have your work cut out for you. I am currently saving up for a farm and can't wait to get started! I will not have a bunch of animals, but maybe a few dogs. I would love to grow all my own fruit and vegetables. I want to can them and make jams and salsa.

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  33. That's what we set out to do and I like it.

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  34. Thank you, so much, for all the information and inspiration you've given to me.


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  35. You remind me of my dad - he and I built a farm much as you and your son built yours. I enjoy your writing but I know how hard it is to keep a good farm running right.

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