Fences
make good neighbors
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Range Wars
The settlers and pioneers moved into the Midwest and beyond, building homes and barns and bringing their families and livestock. Soon, in order to keep safe what was theirs, they looked to fencing. It was the advent of the cheaper and available barbed wire that allowed them to fence in their fields and cattle and to define their territory. Soon they were planting orchards and gardens and fields of corn, outlined and defined by a fence.
With landowners building fences to protect crops and livestock, and those opposed fighting to keep their independence, violence occurred requiring laws to be passed making wire cutting a felony. After many deaths, and uncountable financial losses, the Fence Cutter Wars ended.
When we moved onto our homestead, LJ was called to deal with trees and brush, protect from insects and to fortify the cabin. One of the first things I had the need to do was plant garden and soon I had chives blooming, winter onions sprouted and now tomato plants set in. This inherent urge to feed the family and to provide a little beauty with a pretty flower or two has led me to this. This weekend I put a fence around the garden to keep out, as yet unknown, a creature that wanted only to dig what I had already dug and consequently destroyed my tri-color bean crop.
The fence is up -- the battle line drawn!
With landowners building fences to protect crops and livestock, and those opposed fighting to keep their independence, violence occurred requiring laws to be passed making wire cutting a felony. After many deaths, and uncountable financial losses, the Fence Cutter Wars ended.
When we moved onto our homestead, LJ was called to deal with trees and brush, protect from insects and to fortify the cabin. One of the first things I had the need to do was plant garden and soon I had chives blooming, winter onions sprouted and now tomato plants set in. This inherent urge to feed the family and to provide a little beauty with a pretty flower or two has led me to this. This weekend I put a fence around the garden to keep out, as yet unknown, a creature that wanted only to dig what I had already dug and consequently destroyed my tri-color bean crop.
The fence is up -- the battle line drawn!
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
TRAIL'S END(START)
Weekend of 13 May 2005.
I have started the walking/4wheel trail thru the timber. I have started by walking a ways, then jump on the rider and start mowing a path. If a tree gets in the way, it trimmed with care. So far the going is pretty good except the next time I work on the trail, I will take my compass, as it appears I am wondering away from my goal of a view of the river that runs along the North side of our property. The way the trail meanders, one soon looses sense of direction as the trees are so dense even the sun position is sometimes lost. Anyway, the trail is now at a dead end as we have run into solid huge trees blocking the way. My intent is to go thru the trees doing as little damage as possible, hoping not to have to cut any down.
Weekend of May 28
This is Memorial Day weekend, a time to remember all our fallen relatives and friends.
I hope none are offended that we will be working at Shagbark III and will celebrate their memory on another week-end.
This will be our first full week-end at Shag III, and a 3 day week-end at that. It will be interesting to see if we can carry enough food and water in to last the 3 days. So far we have done well on previous weekends. Our goal is to eat whatever food we take in and have some water left over.
This weekend my goals are to build a frame for the propane stove we salvaged from the Leurene Lucille. Then we will have inside cooking if we need it, an option from the Coleman stove or the campfire.
My next goal is to mow again and to cut some stumps down to ground level where I mow.
The last goal is to work on the trail again.
Whatever time I have left will be spend relaxing(ha) and I might even try fishing the pond.
I will let you know how the weekend has been when we get back.
Boi
I have started the walking/4wheel trail thru the timber. I have started by walking a ways, then jump on the rider and start mowing a path. If a tree gets in the way, it trimmed with care. So far the going is pretty good except the next time I work on the trail, I will take my compass, as it appears I am wondering away from my goal of a view of the river that runs along the North side of our property. The way the trail meanders, one soon looses sense of direction as the trees are so dense even the sun position is sometimes lost. Anyway, the trail is now at a dead end as we have run into solid huge trees blocking the way. My intent is to go thru the trees doing as little damage as possible, hoping not to have to cut any down.
Weekend of May 28
This is Memorial Day weekend, a time to remember all our fallen relatives and friends.
I hope none are offended that we will be working at Shagbark III and will celebrate their memory on another week-end.
This will be our first full week-end at Shag III, and a 3 day week-end at that. It will be interesting to see if we can carry enough food and water in to last the 3 days. So far we have done well on previous weekends. Our goal is to eat whatever food we take in and have some water left over.
This weekend my goals are to build a frame for the propane stove we salvaged from the Leurene Lucille. Then we will have inside cooking if we need it, an option from the Coleman stove or the campfire.
My next goal is to mow again and to cut some stumps down to ground level where I mow.
The last goal is to work on the trail again.
Whatever time I have left will be spend relaxing(ha) and I might even try fishing the pond.
I will let you know how the weekend has been when we get back.
Boi
Thursday, May 19, 2005
The Trail
Lanny has a calling. It is to cut a walking trail through our timber and he has begun! Last Saturday and Sunday he used the mower and the "loppers" and meandered over hill and through vale to start his trail. The next phase of the operation will be tougher as he will start to wend his way into the "big" timber. The trail will be spectacular when done.
When we are at III, we are childlike -- playing house and explorer,
pioneer and adventurer. It is a return for a few hours to the
pleasant, carefree days of our childhood.
I love being in the "big" timber. You can feel the air temperatures drop and there are all kinds of wondrous things to see; mosses and fungi, wild and native plants and standing and fallen trees of all sizes and shapes. I can't wait to explore the next leg of the trail.
When we are at III, we are childlike -- playing house and explorer,
pioneer and adventurer. It is a return for a few hours to the
pleasant, carefree days of our childhood.
I love being in the "big" timber. You can feel the air temperatures drop and there are all kinds of wondrous things to see; mosses and fungi, wild and native plants and standing and fallen trees of all sizes and shapes. I can't wait to explore the next leg of the trail.
Monday, May 09, 2005
THE FIRING OF THE STOVE
SATURDAY APRIL 30, 2005
WE DECIDED THAT NO MATTER HOW COLD IT GOT, WE WE'RE GOING TO STAY AT SHAG III. AND COLD IT GOT. WE FINISHED UP THE WORK AT SHAG II AND HEADED FOR III. I SPENT MOST OF THE AFTERNOON PLANTING MY NEW PINE TREES TO TAKE PLACE OF ALL THE CEDARS I WAS FORCED TO CUT DOWN. JOHANNA AND SAM CAME DOWN LATER IN THE AFTERNOON AND IMMEDIATELY NANCE, JOHANNA AND SAM HEADED FOR THE TIMBER TO EXPLORE. THEY CAME BACK ABOUT AN HOUR LATER AND WE HAD OUR SUPPER COOKED TO PERFECTION OVER THE CAMPFIRE.
AFTER SAM AND JOHANNA LEFT, I DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO FIRE UP THE WOODBURNING COOKSTOVE TO SEE IF WE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. AROUND 11:00 PM IT WAS BEDTIME, SO I PUT ONE FINAL LOG ONTO THE FIRE. IT LASTED UNTIL ABOUT 1:30 AM. I WOKE UP AND IT WAS DARN COLD. I CHECKED THE FIRE, IT HAD PRETTY WELL DIED DOWN. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 42 DEGREES. SO I FIRED UP THE STOVE AGAIN, BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE WARMING THINGS UP. THEN I RAN OUT OF WOOD, SO LIKE A TRUE PIONEER, IT WAS OUT INTO THE COLDER COLD TO GET A FRESH SUPPLY. AND WHILE I WAS OUT AND ALREADY COLD, I DECIDED TO MAKE A TRIP TO THE OUTHOUSE. IT MADE ME IMAGINE WHAT THE PIONEERS WENT THRU WHEN THERE WAS A BLIZZARD OR 25 DEGREES BELOW ZERO.
GOT THE STOVE FIRED BACK UP AGAIN. IT WAS NOW ABOUT 4:00 AM. AND IT WAS STILL ONLY 52 DEGREES. SO I DECIDED TO SEE WHAT THE LITTLE STOVE WOULD DO, AND REALLY PILED ON THE WOOD. PRETTY SOON I HAD A ROARING FIRE AND SOON WARMED THE CABIN UP TO 67 DEGREES. OF COURSE IT WAS NOW 5:00 AM AND NO WAY COULD I GO BACK TO SLEEP NOW. BESIDES I NOW HAVE ANOTHER MOUSE MAKING THE MISTAKE OF PROVOKING ME FOR NO REASON. HE MOVES ALONG THE WALL TO THE DOOR AND JUST SITS THERE, PROBABLY WAITING FOR ME TO OPEN THE DOOR SO HE CAN GET OUT. NO WAY. I HERD HIM BACK TOWARDS ANOTHER WALL WHERE I KNOW THERE IS A MOUSE TRAP. SNAP!!! HE'S GONE.
NANCE FINALLY GETS UP AND HAS COFFEE, THEN WE HEAD OUT TO FINISH CLEARING UP THE GIGANTIC BRUSH PILE LEFT BY THE FORMER OWNERS. WE STOP FOR BREAKFAST, THEN FINISH UP THE PILE. IT LOOKS PRETTY GOOD COMPARED TO WHEN WE STARTED.
I TOOK A WALK AND FOUND A NATURAL PATH FOR OUR NATURE WALK. IT ONLY GOES ABOUT 50FT BUT ITS A START. I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR THIS CHALLANGE, BUT ALSO NEED TO GET A STORAGE BUILDING STARTED. AM GETTING TIRED OF STORING THINGS ON THE PORCH.
NANCE DOESN'T KNOW IT YET BUT I AM CLAIMING THE REMAINDER OF THE FIREPLACE BLOCKS TO USE FOR A FOUNDATION FOR THE STORAGE BUILDING. I'M PRETTY SURE MY CLAIM WILL BE OVERTURNED, BUT WORTH A TRY.
LATER, BOI
WE DECIDED THAT NO MATTER HOW COLD IT GOT, WE WE'RE GOING TO STAY AT SHAG III. AND COLD IT GOT. WE FINISHED UP THE WORK AT SHAG II AND HEADED FOR III. I SPENT MOST OF THE AFTERNOON PLANTING MY NEW PINE TREES TO TAKE PLACE OF ALL THE CEDARS I WAS FORCED TO CUT DOWN. JOHANNA AND SAM CAME DOWN LATER IN THE AFTERNOON AND IMMEDIATELY NANCE, JOHANNA AND SAM HEADED FOR THE TIMBER TO EXPLORE. THEY CAME BACK ABOUT AN HOUR LATER AND WE HAD OUR SUPPER COOKED TO PERFECTION OVER THE CAMPFIRE.
AFTER SAM AND JOHANNA LEFT, I DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO FIRE UP THE WOODBURNING COOKSTOVE TO SEE IF WE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. AROUND 11:00 PM IT WAS BEDTIME, SO I PUT ONE FINAL LOG ONTO THE FIRE. IT LASTED UNTIL ABOUT 1:30 AM. I WOKE UP AND IT WAS DARN COLD. I CHECKED THE FIRE, IT HAD PRETTY WELL DIED DOWN. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 42 DEGREES. SO I FIRED UP THE STOVE AGAIN, BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE WARMING THINGS UP. THEN I RAN OUT OF WOOD, SO LIKE A TRUE PIONEER, IT WAS OUT INTO THE COLDER COLD TO GET A FRESH SUPPLY. AND WHILE I WAS OUT AND ALREADY COLD, I DECIDED TO MAKE A TRIP TO THE OUTHOUSE. IT MADE ME IMAGINE WHAT THE PIONEERS WENT THRU WHEN THERE WAS A BLIZZARD OR 25 DEGREES BELOW ZERO.
GOT THE STOVE FIRED BACK UP AGAIN. IT WAS NOW ABOUT 4:00 AM. AND IT WAS STILL ONLY 52 DEGREES. SO I DECIDED TO SEE WHAT THE LITTLE STOVE WOULD DO, AND REALLY PILED ON THE WOOD. PRETTY SOON I HAD A ROARING FIRE AND SOON WARMED THE CABIN UP TO 67 DEGREES. OF COURSE IT WAS NOW 5:00 AM AND NO WAY COULD I GO BACK TO SLEEP NOW. BESIDES I NOW HAVE ANOTHER MOUSE MAKING THE MISTAKE OF PROVOKING ME FOR NO REASON. HE MOVES ALONG THE WALL TO THE DOOR AND JUST SITS THERE, PROBABLY WAITING FOR ME TO OPEN THE DOOR SO HE CAN GET OUT. NO WAY. I HERD HIM BACK TOWARDS ANOTHER WALL WHERE I KNOW THERE IS A MOUSE TRAP. SNAP!!! HE'S GONE.
NANCE FINALLY GETS UP AND HAS COFFEE, THEN WE HEAD OUT TO FINISH CLEARING UP THE GIGANTIC BRUSH PILE LEFT BY THE FORMER OWNERS. WE STOP FOR BREAKFAST, THEN FINISH UP THE PILE. IT LOOKS PRETTY GOOD COMPARED TO WHEN WE STARTED.
I TOOK A WALK AND FOUND A NATURAL PATH FOR OUR NATURE WALK. IT ONLY GOES ABOUT 50FT BUT ITS A START. I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR THIS CHALLANGE, BUT ALSO NEED TO GET A STORAGE BUILDING STARTED. AM GETTING TIRED OF STORING THINGS ON THE PORCH.
NANCE DOESN'T KNOW IT YET BUT I AM CLAIMING THE REMAINDER OF THE FIREPLACE BLOCKS TO USE FOR A FOUNDATION FOR THE STORAGE BUILDING. I'M PRETTY SURE MY CLAIM WILL BE OVERTURNED, BUT WORTH A TRY.
LATER, BOI
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Another night at Shag III
We spent Saturday night at the cabin and the temperature dropped to close to freezing. LJ fired up the wood stove and we snuggled down in the sleeping bags. It wasn't long, tho, before LJ felt the cold creeping in and was up to stoke the fire. Then he was up and down the rest of the night. Meanwhile, I had pulled my head in and was sleeping good! When I woke up about 6:00, the sun was up and the coffee made. Ah, no better way to start the day!
Because it was predicted that the wind would blow gale force later, we plunged in about 7:00 and started burning brush piles. Left by previous owners, these potential fire pyres were huge. One brush pile trespassing on my future garden spot was the size of a one-car garage. I had been working on it, with LJ's help, and this morning, we got the last of it carted off and burned. A major accomplishment!
LJ has started to plan and execute his nature trails. We envision about 5 miles of trails later on. When the grandbairns are staying with us and are getting underfoot, we'll tell them to run around the trail. Can't you picture that? I think the nature trails will be wonderful.
That's all from me. I want himself to tell the stories. I'll add the pictures.
Because it was predicted that the wind would blow gale force later, we plunged in about 7:00 and started burning brush piles. Left by previous owners, these potential fire pyres were huge. One brush pile trespassing on my future garden spot was the size of a one-car garage. I had been working on it, with LJ's help, and this morning, we got the last of it carted off and burned. A major accomplishment!
LJ has started to plan and execute his nature trails. We envision about 5 miles of trails later on. When the grandbairns are staying with us and are getting underfoot, we'll tell them to run around the trail. Can't you picture that? I think the nature trails will be wonderful.
That's all from me. I want himself to tell the stories. I'll add the pictures.
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