Ohiofarmgirl'sAdventuresinTheGoodLand-where ya been? whatcha been doin

[ohiofarmgirl]

hey Steve!

yep i'm guessing its all a big conspiracy!

yeah our power goes out if a squirrel even LOOKS like it might walk on the lines... and since we are right on the edge of the county we are the last folks to be re-hooked up!

we're working on a generator but until then The Big Man just fires up the big ol' truck and switches on the power inverter. whoot! this actually worked really well. we were able to keep all our freezers frozen even when we were out for 4+ days.

say did you ring the dinner bell for duck???? i saw those splendid breasts in your pix... i've been eying our medium sized ducks and lickin my chops... i'm guessing there is about 10 lbs of legs there and a goodly number of breasts on those drakes....

Lori - my featherfeet need booties too!!! i finally just shoved all the poultry in (early) but its just silly out there. we're still mud but wow the temp is dropping faster than you can say quick!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

hey everybody!

well dang its snowing about i'm about to hit the road - wish me luck!

i'm heading 'off farm' for a couple of days. of course its right in the middle of our coldest weather. sigh.

but The Big Man has 4 pages of written instruction on what to feed to whom, who needs the most snuggles (baby ducks!), and who still needs to stand under the heat lamp (poor Runner!).

but just in case - if someone logs on with my ID and is CLEARLY not me... please help him!

see ya early next week! whoot!

 

[FarmerChick]

What?
Leaving the farm---how dare you! You can't--you aren't allowed---have a great trip and hope you are leaving for great reasons and have fun!

see ya soon! post when you get back!

 

[big brown horse]

I already feel the OFG withdrawals coming on. Tell me you are going to visit your Pacific North West friends and I will feel better.

 

[Dace]

Have a safe trip and I hope all goes well on the farm in your absence!

 

[lorihadams]

I'm leavin too, must be contagious! Hope the Big Man holds down the fort and you aren't missing a bald turkey when you get back

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

Hey everyone!!!

Oh thank heaven Im back from Babylon also known, loosely, as civilization. Whoot! Back home to the mud, the cold, the livestock, and the jacket with poop in my pocket. Ah what a relief!

So I went to see some pals and their new baby and got another whiff of my former Big Life. I can tell you with 100% certainty that civilization was ridiculous. While I had a great time with the young family, I couldnt have cared less about civilization. For the first time since I left Moab, I really didnt have any desire to go back. Babylon was just as bad.

First, I completely embarrassed my gracious hosts by being too friendly and talking to random people. Back here a hello, friend garners you a warm smile and a short chat. Out there I got the same kind of look Id get if I were a knife-wielding crazing person. So I turned it down a notch and basically treated folks with a casual disregard, instead of Babylons norm bitter indifference.

The incident that got me was when I went into a noted magazines pick for superfabulous new microbakery smack dab in the urbany-chic, up and coming neighborhood. I opened the door and quickly scooted in as it was crowded inside and it was just plain cold outside. An angry voice behind me demanded, not said, demanded, It starts here.

It?

Starts what?

Where??

So I turned and found the angry face that matched the angry voice and I looked at her like she had lobsters growing out of her ears. She was obviously talking to me but I wasnt entirely sure why. So I gave her a questioning but friendly look.

The line.

Pardon me? Jetlagged as I was I still couldnt figure out why she was scolding me and I was genuinely perplexed.

The line starts here she said acidly. She said it loudly as if the other patrons would appreciate her scolding me. Ahh. Then it all came together. She was afraid Id sneak in front of her and take the last artisanally crafted goat cheese and arugula flat bread.

I was tired. I admit it. But I couldnt stop my own mouth and found myself saying, equally loudly, I thought Id just come in and look. If thats all right with you. Big Midwest smile here. A few snickers from her line mates. And a blank look from her.

Oh.

I was still smiling. Have a good day. I wished her and I moved on.

I thought about how the folks down at our little feed store fight over, not whos first, but who can go first out of sheer politeness. Oh yes. I was back in the thick of it. The me-ism, the DWSA (Driving While Self Absorbed), the Imsogreatandyourenot-ness.. I have to say this time I found it kind of amusing.

While I hated leaving my young family and the visit was far too brief I was glad when I stood outside baggage claim and The Big Man rolled up in the big work truck. We high-tailed it back for our little Amish town where you cant get Thai food but the people are nice and are genuinely happy to see you.

The Big Man did a great job with all the critters. Runner, our bald turkey hen, is recovering nicely and she is starting to feather out. Our knocked-up goaties are fat and sassy, and the dogs were very very happy to tell me everything that he did wrong (Momma doesnt do it that way..).

The only sad news was the somewhat crushing loss of our two spring hatched, lovely and graceful Muscovy hens. They were grabbed of the iced over pond by coyotes. The Big Man and the dogs tromped all over our acreage looking for them and found their sad remains. He buried what he could. I cried.

My dear Ava and Skye would not have been afraid of a dog like creature as ours never bothered them. They were the wildest of our ducks and we never could wrangle them in at night. Their hatch-mate, DJ, the enormous drake was fine and has joined our momma, Miss Duck, and her midseason hatchlings. Although, he seems a little lost without his ladies and sometimes he stands alone just looking... Miss Dash and her four babies are fine.

So Im home. Back into the thick of this. At this writing I have two kettles of lard going, two stockpots simmering, and Ive made another batch of the bourbon-cider-butter based country style ribs for supper. Ahhh.. home. I made some bread, dug some zucchini chocolate chip bread out of the freezer, and am going to get some taters for roasting as soon I post this. The kittens are playing at my feet, the dogs are on their places, and all the critters are tucked in. Ahhhh home. Wouldnt trade it for all the artisinally crafted, shade grown, fair trade, certified organic, small batched roasted coffee that Babylon has to offer.

Whats the news, folks?

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Welcome BACK! Wondered where you got off to.

Sorry about your 'scovies! I would have cried, too. I have 1 pair of 'scovies, and I'm praying for lotsa spring babies from my pair!

 

[pioneergirl]

What an adventure!!! But we are glad you're home! Whats the news here? HA! Its been, interesting. But seriously glad you're back. Sorry to hear about the ducks

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

thanks everyone! yep very sad... i know that WifeZ has some special loves for me about the duckies....

the great news is that Miss Dash and her babies....are not babies anymore! they are almost entirely feathered out - and just lovely.

I'M SO GLAD TO BE HOME!!!!

i wish i could 'smell-o-vision" all of you into my kitchen.. hummm..... yummy!