tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post328966505116157113..comments2023-10-21T16:38:35.007-05:00Comments on Thoughts from Frank and Fern: Homestead News, Volume 17Frank and Fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-27791006968636258382015-11-27T21:08:39.517-06:002015-11-27T21:08:39.517-06:00It's okay having a visiting buck, but we reall...It's okay having a visiting buck, but we really need a new one since right now we are without except for the loaner. It's interesting we both did pear sauce and have new pullet eggs. I guess there are many things that are similar on lots of homesteads, Leigh. It's always good to hear from you.<br /><br />Fern<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-2796629734306280372015-11-27T15:59:21.944-06:002015-11-27T15:59:21.944-06:00Hi, Pete. You are right. There is only one problem...Hi, Pete. You are right. There is only one problem. About two feet behind the pole is my neighbor's property. We have to make due with what we have, so it's going to be a bigger mast or pole. Good idea, though, just not possible. Thanks.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-82929828476832647072015-11-25T06:21:41.140-06:002015-11-25T06:21:41.140-06:00Since Frank and I taught special education for yea...Since Frank and I taught special education for years, we especially like to hear about what you are doing with your students, Grammy. I know they loved these activities and you can share being prepared as they learn. Blessings.<br /><br />Fern<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-86091952970837842852015-11-25T06:20:14.629-06:002015-11-25T06:20:14.629-06:00Thank you for sharing the link, Deb, there is lots...Thank you for sharing the link, Deb, there is lots of information over there.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-33596139317048436872015-11-25T06:19:29.861-06:002015-11-25T06:19:29.861-06:00Great comment and experiences! The more we share w...Great comment and experiences! The more we share with each other, the more we learn. I agree with Cathy, we welcome hearing more from you.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-27188905732066175822015-11-23T07:57:16.022-06:002015-11-23T07:57:16.022-06:00You dont need a stouter pulling post to raise that...You dont need a stouter pulling post to raise that tower - you need a cable brace at a 45 degree angle from the top of the pulling pole to a post in the ground to support the size pole you are using. Think sailboat with standing rigging supporting a mast in a vertical position.Pete in Texashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00774725895832821139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-21219294415392907102015-11-22T05:46:31.447-06:002015-11-22T05:46:31.447-06:00Deborah, thanks for mentioning that! I wasn't ...Deborah, thanks for mentioning that! I wasn't familiar with Bison Prepper. Looks like a great blog. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-46685868072970737452015-11-22T05:45:10.213-06:002015-11-22T05:45:10.213-06:00Our pullets are laying too! A nice blessing indeed...Our pullets are laying too! A nice blessing indeed. And here's hoping you are blessed with abundant kids in the spring. It's nice you can have a visiting buck rather than having to take your girls somewhere for an extended stay. I canned pear sauce this year too but we've yet to try it. Last year's applesauce was very sweet without sugar. I hope it's the same for the pears!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-81624572721151256362015-11-22T03:51:50.584-06:002015-11-22T03:51:50.584-06:00I enjoyed reading it- and would welcome more! Tha...I enjoyed reading it- and would welcome more! Thank you!Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02595977739448227769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-15100292124512345092015-11-21T20:26:45.224-06:002015-11-21T20:26:45.224-06:00Nana, it means "The end of the world as we kn...Nana, it means "The end of the world as we know it." <br /><br />I'm glad you enjoy your time here. Thank you for the question.<br /><br />Fern<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-16738766872468075292015-11-21T19:21:03.559-06:002015-11-21T19:21:03.559-06:00I teach K-4 special education in a public school. ...I teach K-4 special education in a public school. We just finished reading another Laura Ingalls Wilder book, and made a medicinal salve. The kids loved experiencing how pioneer life was, and still talk about our disastrous cheese-making last year. Well, I got goats' milk from someone in my beekeeping club, and tried her recipe today. It worked! I'm so excited to have made my own cheese! I can't wait to make another batch on Monday with my kids. They'll love it. <br />Thanks for your blog. It is encouraging to me. May God bless us all in these difficult times. Prepared Grammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13520764687351107967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-10126741366244903772015-11-21T17:52:41.767-06:002015-11-21T17:52:41.767-06:00note to you. go to bison prepper for an excellent...note to you. go to bison prepper for an excellent guest article about water supply for the homestead.<br />deb harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05110992898072146282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-75506388561030974512015-11-21T15:47:36.948-06:002015-11-21T15:47:36.948-06:00Your preparations sound much like ours here in mid...Your preparations sound much like ours here in middle of nowhere north central Texas. My husband and I are in our early sixties and moved to where we are about ten years ago. Our home is a double wide, and perfect for our needs. I am certain it will outlast us. Zince we have been here, on our 12 plus acres, my husband has fenced off about half an acre as orchard and garden, and we have peaches, pears, apricots and plums, two 50 feet long asparagus beds that provide much more than we can eat, and a strawberry patch. We live in a frost pocket that can be as much as 20 degrees colder than the surrounding local are, but only in the cool weather. That doesn't seem to work in August, of course.<br /><br />We have 6 dairy goats, mostly Nubian/Alpine. Six chicken coops and two outdoor brooders all built by my husband. <br /><br />We have a solar panel on our well which operates a Simple pump, should the electricity fail, and when it rains we catch rainwater to filter through our Berkey. It makes the best tea imaginable. We have solar powered lamps and kerosene lamps, and a wood burning stove that heats the house in winter. We have central electric but we have almost never used it, except when we had small grandbabies crawling around during a cold weather visit. In addition, we have portable indoor approved propane heaters, one usually resides in the master bath which faces northwest and is very welcome in cold snaps!<br /><br />I would love an outdoor kitchen such as yours, but finances prohibit that at this time because of job loss 14 months ago. Been looking, but not getting many interviews, but we are doing ok for now. I have an apothecary cabinet in our bedroom filled with herbs for different health issues, as well as the more concentrated essential oils for bigger issues.<br /><br />I've always subscribed to having extra food on hand, which has certainly turned out to be a blessing. Last spring our area was hammered by softball sized hail in mid April. My husband's vegetable garden never quite got over it, especially the potatoes, he said he planted more than he harvested. We had fruit on all the fruit trees for the first time in years, normally we have late frosts here, as late as May 5th in 2014! The hail stripped the trees of fruit, leaves, bark and branches, but they survived. There was good that came from the hail storm, we had our house re-roofed as per insurance, but changed tomaterial from asphalt shingles to steel. Much better roof, and it cut down on the a/c running so much this summer.<br /><br />I see I've written a book here. Oh well, maybe someone will enjoy reading it. Love your blog, your musings, your insights. Our best preparation is in trusting God. He is in control, and only by His grace do I draw each breath. Best wishes!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-72654777131152580302015-11-21T15:10:24.925-06:002015-11-21T15:10:24.925-06:00Can you explain what TEOTWAWKI stands for or the ...Can you explain what TEOTWAWKI stands for or the meaning?<br />Love reading your newsy blog. Thanks❤️Nanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15778742969241818682noreply@blogger.com