Experiences from country living; self-sufficiency; Christian values; amateur-ham radio; a hard working good life; and Humor is the Essence of Survival.
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Thursday, December 17, 2015
Please Enjoy the View
We've been working on radio towers, programming scanners, making sauerkraut, sourdough biscuits and bread, and enjoying our life on the homestead. In the meantime, we haven't carved out much time to write articles for the blog. Please enjoy some of our daily life.
Keep your ear to the ground and your eyes on your surroundings. The relative peace we are enjoying at this time is truly a fragile thing. Big cracks are appearing in the thin veneer of civility that is holding our society together. Turbulent times will quickly shatter that veneer, and we can only guess what may emerge from under those cracks.
Had to giggle at the photo of fertilizing the flower. My two children were in the veg garden with me the other day and asked what was the difference between the male and female pumpkin flowers. I showed them, gave them a demo and the look on their faces was priceless. Just goes to show that teenagers don't know everything - especially when it comes to the sex life of flowers....lol. At least they were asking questions and learning. Stay safe. Blessings to you both.
Calidore, glad we could provide you with a jovial moment. It's always neat to watch the lights come on in a child's mind. Those are moments that we don't get often. It's nice that you're taking the time to educate your children. I used to hatch chicken eggs in the classroom. The kids loved it. It was a great way to teach reproduction and the reproductive cycle involved. I have some fond memories there.
it just occurred to me that you might want to build a smokehouse. i know hickory grows in okla, martha stewart's bro built her one, there may be ref to it on the web. also the frugal gourmet built a simple one from a galvanized garbage can. real neat. just a thought. saw your tree pics and wondered if you had any shagbarks there.
Hi, Deborah. I'm not familiar with the shagbark species, but we have a lot of hickory in our part of Oklahoma. We have a commercially built, two stage, steel smoker. It is unused at this date, and we have never smoked anything. Time permitting, someday we will. Thank you for the advice and recommendation.
"thin veneer of civility" - 2 letters to the editor today in our local paper commented on the hostility and rudeness of local shoppers and drivers. Also, a local school's evening holiday program for students and families was cancelled due to a local man's continual threatening behavior towards the school's staff. The principal did want to put the students and staff in any situation that could be dangerous. In the world wide scope of things, these are minor but if it's happening here, it's happening elsewhere. Combined numbers seem show that we are failing as a nation and a society to be reasonable, caring, thoughtful, respectful people. It worries me.
Hi, Bellen. We normally just see what is local, but I believe you are correct. If it's happening in your area, then there is a strong probability that it is happening in all areas. There are places and stores that I do not feel comfortable going to any longer. It's like the dark side, night time people are venturing more and more into the daylight. I see it more often in our rural area. So it's here, it's in my neighborhood, your neighborhood and every neighborhood to some extent. Merry Christmas.
What a wonderful tour. When are you going to butcher your first pig? They look very good. Are you going to try to cure your own bacon when you butcher? I have attached a link that has some good information even if it is a bit fluffy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcabA3S6-Kw
We plan to butcher the first pig when my hands are healed up, hopefully sometime in January. I don't know if we will be ready to cure the bacon, but we sure would like to. The belly may need to be frozen for a while first until we can get to it, I just don't know for now. Thanks for the link.
Hi F& F, Have a question for you Frank about CB radio. What is the best Brand name to buy nowadays? I used to use Cobra's back in the day, A base station and one in each truck and car. Going to get set up amongst all my kids and Grand kids but want us all to be on the same page. I realize the limitations on distance etc, but it will cover every place on this little Island and a few miles into "civilization", and I use that word advisedly!
Hi, Everett. This is strictly my opinion. First to answer your question. The Cobra 29 is still the best selling CB radio around, and it is a solid performer. In my opinion, the best made radio is the Galaxy.
Now food for thought. Do you want or need single side band? If you want it, it's a great feature, if not, just about any regular CB radio will do the job you need. Some of dual watch, some scan, others receive weather, all kinds of features available. There are $35 radios and up. Check out the Galaxy 979.
Now, other food for thought. I know you are aware of marine band VHF radios. In Alaska we used the marine band VHF radio extensively. Yes, there are the Coast Guard frequencies, but in some of the bigger towns, you can order a pizza to go, call a taxi, and just talk to your neighbors in general. In the small villages, the small planes would call the schools on the marine VHF and let them know when they were returning students from a trip. Of course, you could also reach the Coast Guard in an emergency. I still have my marine mobile radio and handhelds. Surprisingly, here in southeastern Oklahoma, we monitor the Untied States Coast Guard on the navigable Arkansas River. I am sure you are familiar with Coast Guard transmissions. Just food for thought.
In our area here, I encourage everyone to have a CB radio. Actually, this afternoon, I helped a younger man tune his CB antenna for optimal efficiency. When he left here, we talked through hill country until he crossed the mountain going south, approximately 15 miles. Check out the 102 inch antenna, it is a great antenna for both base and mobile use. If you want a true base antenna, look into the A-99. There are also some 3 and 4 foot metal antennas that work quite well for mobile use. If you need more information, let me know. Look at the Galaxy line, good radios. Best of luck on your plan.
I have a handheld CB coming in a couple of days. I'll let you know how it performs. A radio is only as good as it's antenna. Take care.
Hi Frank, Thanks for the comeback. I spent the next three hours checking out a lot of gear and because of my location decided to go with the UNIDEN UM415K full feature VHF Marine rig as a base and for a starter a UNIDEN MHS126 Handheld "floatable". If this works out for me out here, I'll buy enough of the !26's for all the kids and grandchildren with strict orders on how they are to be used!! They will probably put them in a drawer somewhere and forget all about them. That would be okay just as long as they remember where they are when the SHTF which appears to be coming closer every day. OBTW loved the latest post and can't believe how many GOOD comments you got! Seems like there is always a troll or two out there in the ether. Have a Happy New Year celebration, and good luck in the coming year. Hope nothing happens but it gives me another year to get ready! Best, Everett
I handed my iPad to the hubby so he could see the pictures of your place. So pretty. I have family in OK. We're in the Pacific NW. Scrolling down through the pictures, what did he notice ... "Nice lookin' tractor." Once a farm boy, always a farm boy. Ha! Thanks for sharing. Always enjoy your posts.
Rhonda, We live in the Pacific NW also. Just bought our 25.5 farm about 2 hours south of Eugene. Hope all is well for you folks and you're not experiencing any flooding. Bobbie
Had to giggle at the photo of fertilizing the flower. My two children were in the veg garden with me the other day and asked what was the difference between the male and female pumpkin flowers. I showed them, gave them a demo and the look on their faces was priceless. Just goes to show that teenagers don't know everything - especially when it comes to the sex life of flowers....lol. At least they were asking questions and learning. Stay safe. Blessings to you both.
ReplyDeleteCalidore, glad we could provide you with a jovial moment. It's always neat to watch the lights come on in a child's mind. Those are moments that we don't get often. It's nice that you're taking the time to educate your children. I used to hatch chicken eggs in the classroom. The kids loved it. It was a great way to teach reproduction and the reproductive cycle involved. I have some fond memories there.
DeleteFrank
it just occurred to me that you might want to build a smokehouse. i know hickory grows in okla, martha stewart's bro built her one, there may be ref to it on the web.
ReplyDeletealso the frugal gourmet built a simple one from a galvanized garbage can. real neat.
just a thought.
saw your tree pics and wondered if you had any shagbarks there.
Hi, Deborah. I'm not familiar with the shagbark species, but we have a lot of hickory in our part of Oklahoma. We have a commercially built, two stage, steel smoker. It is unused at this date, and we have never smoked anything. Time permitting, someday we will. Thank you for the advice and recommendation.
DeleteFrank
"thin veneer of civility" - 2 letters to the editor today in our local paper commented on the hostility and rudeness of local shoppers and drivers. Also, a local school's evening holiday program for students and families was cancelled due to a local man's continual threatening behavior towards the school's staff. The principal did want to put the students and staff in any situation that could be dangerous. In the world wide scope of things, these are minor but if it's happening here, it's happening elsewhere. Combined numbers seem show that we are failing as a nation and a society to be reasonable, caring, thoughtful, respectful people. It worries me.
ReplyDeleteHi, Bellen. We normally just see what is local, but I believe you are correct. If it's happening in your area, then there is a strong probability that it is happening in all areas. There are places and stores that I do not feel comfortable going to any longer. It's like the dark side, night time people are venturing more and more into the daylight. I see it more often in our rural area. So it's here, it's in my neighborhood, your neighborhood and every neighborhood to some extent. Merry Christmas.
DeleteFrank
The picture of the triangle with the shed in the back is beautiful! You have a great looking homestead, hope ours gets to that level someday!
ReplyDeleteHi, Savannah. Thank you for the nice words.
DeleteFrank
What a wonderful tour. When are you going to butcher your first pig? They look very good. Are you going to try to cure your own bacon when you butcher? I have attached a link that has some good information even if it is a bit fluffy.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcabA3S6-Kw
We plan to butcher the first pig when my hands are healed up, hopefully sometime in January. I don't know if we will be ready to cure the bacon, but we sure would like to. The belly may need to be frozen for a while first until we can get to it, I just don't know for now. Thanks for the link.
DeleteFern
Hi F& F, Have a question for you Frank about CB radio. What is the best Brand name to buy nowadays? I used to use Cobra's back in the day, A base station and one in each truck and car. Going to get set up amongst all my kids and Grand kids but want us all to be on the same page. I realize the limitations on distance etc, but it will cover every place on this little Island and a few miles into "civilization", and I use that word advisedly!
ReplyDeleteHi, Everett. This is strictly my opinion. First to answer your question. The Cobra 29 is still the best selling CB radio around, and it is a solid performer. In my opinion, the best made radio is the Galaxy.
DeleteNow food for thought. Do you want or need single side band? If you want it, it's a great feature, if not, just about any regular CB radio will do the job you need. Some of dual watch, some scan, others receive weather, all kinds of features available. There are $35 radios and up. Check out the Galaxy 979.
Now, other food for thought. I know you are aware of marine band VHF radios. In Alaska we used the marine band VHF radio extensively. Yes, there are the Coast Guard frequencies, but in some of the bigger towns, you can order a pizza to go, call a taxi, and just talk to your neighbors in general. In the small villages, the small planes would call the schools on the marine VHF and let them know when they were returning students from a trip. Of course, you could also reach the Coast Guard in an emergency. I still have my marine mobile radio and handhelds. Surprisingly, here in southeastern Oklahoma, we monitor the Untied States Coast Guard on the navigable Arkansas River. I am sure you are familiar with Coast Guard transmissions. Just food for thought.
In our area here, I encourage everyone to have a CB radio. Actually, this afternoon, I helped a younger man tune his CB antenna for optimal efficiency. When he left here, we talked through hill country until he crossed the mountain going south, approximately 15 miles. Check out the 102 inch antenna, it is a great antenna for both base and mobile use. If you want a true base antenna, look into the A-99. There are also some 3 and 4 foot metal antennas that work quite well for mobile use. If you need more information, let me know. Look at the Galaxy line, good radios. Best of luck on your plan.
I have a handheld CB coming in a couple of days. I'll let you know how it performs. A radio is only as good as it's antenna. Take care.
Frank
Hi Frank, Thanks for the comeback. I spent the next three hours checking out a lot of gear and because of my location decided to go with the UNIDEN UM415K full feature VHF Marine rig as a base and for a starter a UNIDEN MHS126 Handheld "floatable". If this works out for me out here, I'll buy enough of the !26's for all the kids and grandchildren with strict orders on how they are to be used!! They will probably put them in a drawer somewhere and forget all about them. That would be okay just as long as they remember where they are when the SHTF which appears to be coming closer every day. OBTW loved the latest post and can't believe how many GOOD comments you got! Seems like there is always a troll or two out there in the ether. Have a Happy New Year celebration, and good luck in the coming year. Hope nothing happens but it gives me another year to get ready! Best, Everett
DeleteI handed my iPad to the hubby so he could see the pictures of your place. So pretty. I have family in OK. We're in the Pacific NW. Scrolling down through the pictures, what did he notice ... "Nice lookin' tractor." Once a farm boy, always a farm boy. Ha! Thanks for sharing. Always enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chuckle, Rhonda. Frank liked it. We're glad you enjoy your time here.
DeleteFern
Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteWe live in the Pacific NW also. Just bought our 25.5 farm about 2 hours south of Eugene. Hope all is well for you folks and you're not experiencing any flooding.
Bobbie