I'm off the rest of the week on bereavement. We're headed back up to Kansas for Melissa's aunt's funeral. She passed on mother's day.
Chickens
When I got off work Wednesday morning, I got on the phone with one of my friends that I haven't talked to in a long while. I was done feeding the critters and had started foraging some excellent strawberries and he asked what the next big thing is for the homestead and I realized something as I spoke the words. "I'm happy. I haven't been happy before, but I'm happy." He corrected me "You mean content?" And that's when I realized that's exactly the word I meant.
Other than one project I'm writing another post on, I'm content with my homestead right now. I've always had a big vision project to work on, but right now I'm happy to just continue my ritual of feeding and beginning a light harvest of spring berries. It's a really neat feeling.
Berry
So as of right this instant, the only plans I have are to streamline current projects. Things like increasing efficiency of feeding all these animals, or planting more fodder crops, or learning to preserve my harvests so I don't waste anything. Little stuff like that that actually can turn this into a more sustainable situation where we can now break from industrial feeds and stores.
Systematically, everything here has been to help us break from an industrial network, but it's been on my heart (and wallet) how much we still depend on the feed companies and how much feed costs are rising. Crisis after crisis, shortage after shortage, wave after wave of whatever's going on in the world, it all trickles down to feed costs and to food costs. With everything going on, it's hard to believe that this isn't somehow manipulated. Someone is capitalizing on all of this to extract more money from my family and friends. I can't help but take it personally, which means I can't help but add rabbits, add chickens, and plant more seeds. It's not my job to save the world, I get that, but if I can easily help out a neighbor from my own abundance, I reckon that's as close to being my responsibility as you can get without actually being so.
Buddy
Scooter
I'm gonna call that one for now. Another post in the works about my smallest remaining big project, but we're busy with family right now, so it may be a minute getting out. Just wanted to publish a little update, thanks for reading.
Love from Texas
Nate 💚
So happy to hear you are content - you've worked hard to achieve that for sure. Those pigs are just divine - what your heart must feel when you're out amongst the fruits of your labours. And for sure, yes, you can only do you, and help your little corner of the world whilst the rest seems to go to shit around us.
Let it go to shit. I have plenty of seeds to share.
Who's being fed to the pigs while you're away?
Wait, let me try that one again... who's on pig duty? :)
Our awesome family friends are caring for the animals in the morning while we're away. I lined out the things so that it won't take them but ten or so minutes to feed all the critters.
So sorry for your loss Nate. I am glad I got to read this update.
Loved this and it is so true. That’s kind of how I feel about starting our first little garden. I am already thinking about who to share our food with if we are able to grow enough.
It’s great that you are happy with your homestead. I enjoyed the photos of the chickens and pigs...oh and that yummy berry too ;)
Thanks for stopping by @crosheille! I hope your garden goes well so you can share, that's an exciting thing knocking on a neighbor's door with a basket of food.
The berries are exciting right now. I can't wait to get home, I think there'll be ripe blackberries waiting on us.
Sure @nateonsteemit it was a pleasure visiting ;)
Yummy! I know they will be amazing :D
Scooter is the perfect name for a pig! Happy looking scratch hens there @nateonsteemit. Nice catching up but sorry for the loss. We buried a friend last week. He died suddenly of a heart attack so great shock to friends and family. Sad times here too
I'm always reminded when I hear such things to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. The rejoicing has always been easier of course, but today it's not hard to weep with you. Much love, I hope y'all are able to find peace with that absence in your lives. 💚💚💚
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Glad to hear you are content with your homestead. It takes some doing, but it looks like you've gotten there.
Until I find a dairy cow with no feed requirements that'll do well on a quarter-ish acre with no fences...
🤣
LOL, good luck with that one......