Early summer report
I apologize for the long absence. These long early summer days keep rather busy it would seem. We've been getting a little hassled with the slow, dial up internet and it seems as if the blogger site is not designed for those with the slower internett access.
It's been a hot week here in the midwest and we could really use some rainfall. The garden is doing well, although I have been competing with the chickens a bit. Someone was not responsible enough to get a fence erected in time! I've scaled back a bit compared to other years because I have so much shop work to do.
The chickens are still doing well. Our batch from February are doing well and are achieving young adult status. The little roosters are starting crow and they look like they will be nice looking birds to show at the fair. The egg production is down a bit - I think the hens are thinking about molting, but I am not sure. We've had a fox in the yard several times causing a bit of mayhem, but he has not been seen for a week or so.
It seems as if the deer population is really growing. Rachel hit a deer with the van a couple months ago and it seems as if each week we are having close calls with deer. I also saw a rafter of turkeys just down the road. (who makes up these names for flocks of birds...I can understand a gaggle of geese, a parliament of owls, and a paddling of ducks, but what's with a rafter of turkeys?!)
I recent read a book by Eric Brende entitled "Better Off". He and his wife spent a year and a half shutting off the power while they learned to live off the land within an Amish (or perhaps a similar group) community. The book is an enjoyable and thought provoking read as a young couple used to the amenities that electricity provides learns to do without. After the experiment, he determines that they were better off.
We have always assumed that we would have a constant supply of cheap fuel resources and we have become very dependent upon electricity and crude oil. The recent spike in gasoline supplies have forced some of us to conserve, but as one who tends to lean toward the validity of the peak oil thoery, I don't really believe we will receive any meaningful reprieve from high prices. In fact, it is my thought that within the coming decades rising oil costs will significantly impact our lives.
I have some pictures to share, but I'll wait for a later time. Hopefully I'll be more faithful to contribute to this blog in the weeks ahead.
It's been a hot week here in the midwest and we could really use some rainfall. The garden is doing well, although I have been competing with the chickens a bit. Someone was not responsible enough to get a fence erected in time! I've scaled back a bit compared to other years because I have so much shop work to do.
The chickens are still doing well. Our batch from February are doing well and are achieving young adult status. The little roosters are starting crow and they look like they will be nice looking birds to show at the fair. The egg production is down a bit - I think the hens are thinking about molting, but I am not sure. We've had a fox in the yard several times causing a bit of mayhem, but he has not been seen for a week or so.
It seems as if the deer population is really growing. Rachel hit a deer with the van a couple months ago and it seems as if each week we are having close calls with deer. I also saw a rafter of turkeys just down the road. (who makes up these names for flocks of birds...I can understand a gaggle of geese, a parliament of owls, and a paddling of ducks, but what's with a rafter of turkeys?!)
I recent read a book by Eric Brende entitled "Better Off". He and his wife spent a year and a half shutting off the power while they learned to live off the land within an Amish (or perhaps a similar group) community. The book is an enjoyable and thought provoking read as a young couple used to the amenities that electricity provides learns to do without. After the experiment, he determines that they were better off.
We have always assumed that we would have a constant supply of cheap fuel resources and we have become very dependent upon electricity and crude oil. The recent spike in gasoline supplies have forced some of us to conserve, but as one who tends to lean toward the validity of the peak oil thoery, I don't really believe we will receive any meaningful reprieve from high prices. In fact, it is my thought that within the coming decades rising oil costs will significantly impact our lives.
I have some pictures to share, but I'll wait for a later time. Hopefully I'll be more faithful to contribute to this blog in the weeks ahead.
posted by bob | 3:12 AM
3 Comments:
May the Lord Bless you this summer!
You were definitely correct about oil prices.
May the Lord bless you and your family this summer! We are doing our best to save for future expenses and expect continued issues with
oil as well.
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