Any other farmers/homesteaders out there - Page 8

Digging4Truth · #71 12-23-2011, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

That is precious!

I was once called a city slicker... My first cow lost her calf. She was in milk at 6 gallons a day and I had not only not figured out what in the world to do with that much milk and had not the physical strength to milk it (Yes I have forearms like Popeye now)... so... I put an ad on craigslist looking for a calf to foster. A fellow answered my ad and said "That mama cow aint gonna take no other cow's calf, you silly CITY SLICKER"..... I was furious! So upset in fact that I emailed him back from my own email address.... My level headed husband pointed out that this might not be the smartest thing I'd ever done, lol! He also mentioned that I was not nearly as mad when I drunk guy in the Walmart parking lot had called me a COW.... Yep... City slicker... a world class insult around here!

My wife (who was a sure 'nuff city slicker and has now become a full fledged country girl) nursed all of our children. After we had our first we went to visit my grandmother (A sure 'nuff country girl) and my wife excused herself to nurse the baby. My grandmother realized what was going on and caught on that she was nursing our daughter and remarked "Well you're just a regular Jersey aren't you?".

My wife... only then in the beginning stages of her recover from city slicker-ness... looked at me puzzled. I told her... it's a compliment.

Not many would understand that from where she comes from but that's a compliment where we come from.

Titus2woman · #72 12-23-2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

My wife (who was a sure 'nuff city slicker and has now become a full fledged country girl) nursed all of our children. After we had our first we went to visit my grandmother (A sure 'nuff country girl) and my wife excused herself to nurse the baby. My grandmother realized what was going on and caught on that she was nursing our daughter and remarked "Well you're just a regular Jersey aren't you?".

My wife... only then in the beginning stages of her recover from city slicker-ness... looked at me puzzled. I told her... it's a compliment.

Not many would understand that from where she comes from but that's a compliment where we come from.

There just aren't any better girls than Jersey girls! You got a good 'un fer sure!

Jay · #73 12-23-2011, 09:28 PM

I would not have liked that comment aimed at a wife of mine, but once I understood it, I would tolerate it for peace. Of course, I probably would have said something that would have horrified a radical feminist, so I suppose it would be about even.

Jay · #74 12-23-2011, 09:29 PM

Hazards of growing up fairly well citified. I enjoy certain parts of the life of a farm, but I am just as happy to not have to care for all of the animals and being under constant strain for their care.

Digging4Truth · #75 12-23-2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

Hazards of growing up fairly well citified. I enjoy certain parts of the life of a farm, but I am just as happy to not have to care for all of the animals and being under constant strain for their care.

Therein lies the rub.

I look at it like this... If someone is involved as a foster parent they have two choices.

1. If you view it as a job then you'll never be happy. You work 24/7... no holidays... the money will never be sufficient.

2. If one views the foster child as one of their own then they will be getting a paycheck for living their daily life.

If one views the care of the animals as a strain... yep... they'll never be happy.

If one loves their animals and, indeed, loves to care for them then it is a joy... not a burden. So mindset is everything.

I love to talk to my chickens. If I walk outside and some of my hens run up to me I'll generally say "Hey ladies... you are looking lovely today".

There's no strain in that. My little LaMancha doe is a sweetie. She yells at me when I'm in the truck. I think she's afraid of it because she runs when she sees it. She will make a ruckus until I get out and she's fine. I'm pretty sure she's worried about me and wants me to get out of that terrible thing.

There's no burden in that.

Now... I raised pigs once. That was a strain and I don't plan on ever doing that again.

It's only a strain if one sees it that way. Otherwise it's part of the reason I smile so much.

Digging4Truth · #76 12-23-2011, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

I would not have liked that comment aimed at a wife of mine, but once I understood it, I would tolerate it for peace. Of course, I probably would have said something that would have horrified a radical feminist, so I suppose it would be about even.

It's all in the upbringing. Growing up in my family it is viewed as nothing short of a shining compliment. A Jersey is about as good as it gets. It was a moment in time that made me feel a little proud.

Titus2woman · #77 12-23-2011, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

It's all in the upbringing. Growing up in my family it is viewed as nothing short of a shining compliment. A Jersey is about as good as it gets. It was a moment in time that made me feel a little proud.

Being the proud owner of two Jerseys I can say amen to that. A cow is the backbone of a farm. She turns grass into milk and meat in the form of calves and that milk can also grow chicken and pork. Her manure has value as fertilizer and grows veggies and fruits. She is a wonder of God's creation.

Yep a compliment.

Titus2woman · #78 12-23-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

Hazards of growing up fairly well citified. I enjoy certain parts of the life of a farm, but I am just as happy to not have to care for all of the animals and being under constant strain for their care.

I was raised in the city but never learned to love it. The noise, pollution, crowds, traffic, endless hours left at the end of a day with nothing but TV...

Country life has a completely different rhythm. I rise early to milk and feed, I sit on my porch in my robe and drink coffee and watch the critters as they wake and stir around. I plant and harvest and can and cook, putting some meals on the table every week that were completely grown and raised right here. I turn milk into cheese and soap. I wash and hang clothes in the clean country air. I see life and death if not daily then at least weekly. I help things to live; baby chicks and ducklings, goatlings, calves...

When I read my bible I really, truly understand what it is to leave the flock and look for one that is lost, how the tares grow among the wheat, why a vine or tree must be grafted onto a strong root stock or it will not survive in it's natural state. I lay my tired body down at night and sleep the sleep of one is content.

I am not just a taker from the planet but am able to give back. I am able to give to others from the work of my hands. I count all that joy and not a burden at all. And it is those things and so many more that I did not find in city life.

Digging4Truth · #79 12-23-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I was raised in the city but never learned to love it. The noise, pollution, crowds, traffic, endless hours left at the end of a day with nothing but TV...

Country life has a completely different rhythm. I rise early to milk and feed, I sit on my porch in my robe and drink coffee and watch the critters as they wake and stir around. I plant and harvest and can and cook/ putting some meals on the table every week that were completely grown and raised right here. I turn milk into cheese and soap. I was and hang clothes in the clean country air. I see life and death if not daily then at least weekly. I help things to live; baby chicks and ducklings, goatlings, calves...

When I read my bible I really, truly understand what it is to leave the flock and look for one that is lost, how the tares grow among the wheat, why a vine or tree must be grafted onto a strong root stock or it will not survive in it's natural state.

I am not just a taker from the planet but am able to give back. I am able to give to others from the work of my hands. I count all that joy and not a burden at all. And it is those things and so many more that I did not find in city life.

I have nothing to add...

I have no comment...

I just needed to say... Yep.