An Agrarian Plowshare

(Easy) Egg Cream

2009-07-20T20:44:00.006-08:00

(Easy) New York Egg Cream Recipe

Approximately 1/2 cup cold whole milk*
1 cup bottled seltzer
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup**

* ~~Skim or 1% milk~~ won't foam as well

** Fox's U-Bet Chocolate Syrupis used in New York.

Pour 1/2 inch of cold milk into a tall soda glass. Add seltzer or club soda to within 1 inch of the top of the glass; stir vigorously with a long spoon (this will cause it to become white and bubbly with a good head of foam).

Very gently pour 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup slowly down the inside of the glass; briskly stir with a long spoon only at the bottom of the glass where the chocolate sits. The resulting drink should have a dark brown bottom and a 1-inch high pure white foam top (if you mix it too much, the foam disappears).

NOTE: Do not let Egg Cream sit for a long period of time-5 minutes or more; it will go flat.

Makes 1 servings

A Better Way of Gardening?

2009-07-14T07:58:00.004-08:00

Does anyone know the real reason people garden? Why do you want to garden and grow vegetables? Most surveys show that the majority of people who garden say they want that special homegrown flavor and the satisfaction of growing their own vegetables.

Others grow their own food to save money, and still other people garden just to have a nice hobby that provides pleasure and pride. The pleasures of gardening are many - getting outdoors, exercising, putting your hands in the soil, growing things, and the special pride of accomplishment that comes with the harvest. Many gardeners want to experience the feeling of being self-sufficient or at least partly so.

Also, they want to have some control over what they eat - particularly to have fresh wholesome food that doesn't contain additives or preservatives, that isn't contaminated by pesticide residues, and that hasn't been grown from genetically engineered seed. All of these are good reasons for gardening. It is truly one of America's most popular leisure activities. Of course, for homesteaders and other people who garden on a large scale, it's a way of life and a means of subsistence.

Square Foot Gardening: A New Way to Garden in Less Space with Less Work

Cherry Season

2009-07-12T18:17:00.003-08:00

It's nice to enjoy food in season, simple, fresh foods that make a day special in remembrance. Here's a recipe that will make a simple moment one of fond food memories for years to come.

Cleveland Heights Cherry Pie

12 ounce flour
8 ounces butter
4 ounces ice water

5 cups sour cherries, pits removed

1-1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup corn starch

Cut the butter into the flour, mix in the water just till a dough forms (don't over work it). Chill the dough. Roll out three quarters of the dough to fill a pie dish, save the rest for the lattice crust.

Combine the cherries, sugar and cornstarch and toss. Pour the mixture into your pie shell, lay your lattice over this and pinch the edges to form an appealing rim. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes then reduce the temperature to 350 and continue baking for another hour or until the filling is thick and bubbling.

This will make fans out of people who didn't even like cherry pie before tasting this simple pie.

Days Like Theses.....

2008-11-26T15:06:00.004-09:00

It all starts with an itch......, and one begins to scratch, but you can't quite reach it, for a time you remain asleep. After all sleeps good, and when you've not slept good for months, sleep means everything. Then you wake.

"Cultivate the habit of early rising. It is unwise to keep the head long on a level with the feet."

For my own purpose, I have remained asleep, as a form of hibernation. Bears do it, and well. Yet, they do wake, to explore the dawn and see the landscape forlorn and with distant wonder wake to see a day without the dawn, but twilight and a night come long.

Rome is burning, but for how long?

Passings

2007-09-06T17:21:00.000-08:00

Children should be given the chance to play instruments, to sing.

Luciano Pavarotti

Pavarotti was born in Modena, Italy. His father was a baker and his mother worked in a cigar factory. As a young man, Pavarotti sold insurance to pay for voice lessons. Listen Here.

The great singer was also known as an equestrian expert, organizing one of the international show jumping circuit's most important competitions, the Pavarotti International, in Modena. Coinciding with that event, Pavarotti also staged an annual charity concert, Pavarotti and Friends. A gifted singer who shared his voice with the world, Farewell.

Passings

2007-09-05T15:36:00.000-08:00

When Alfred Peet opened his shop in Berkeley in April, 1966 he started a coffee revolution. Nobody had ever seen top-quality coffee like this roasted in this unique style in America. The corner of Walnut and Vine quickly became a gathering place for UC Berkeley grads, undergrads, and faculty as well as local intellectuals, radicals, writers, musicians, artisans and any number of the colorful people who still make up Berkeley today. Mr. Peet was born in Alkmaar, Holland on March 10, 1920 and died in Ashland, Oregon on August 29, 2007.

Mr. Peet was the originator behind the idea of a company many may be familiar with Starbucks. In fact he sold them their first year of coffee and taught the original owners what he knew about coffee.

He scoured the West Coast from Vancouver to Palo Alto looking for a suitable location for a high-quality coffee roastery before a friend told him that she knew the right place for him, right across the Bay in Berkeley. He installed a small roaster in the shop’s back room, and the revolution began.

As Peet’s in Berkeley flourished, Mr. Peet opened additional stores in Menlo Park (1971), on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland (1978), and another in Berkeley across from the Claremont Hotel (1980). By the time he retired in 1983, Peet’s had a cult following from coast to coast, and many of his devoted fans continue to insist on Peet’s.

In his own words, when asked to recount his life’s story, Alfred Peet responded simply,

“The coffee tells my story.”

I like that quote, his passion for his product reflected in his life & culture and it worked for him. The labor of love became his life story and in so doing he affected, taught and inspired those around him.

Cow Pot

2007-09-03T14:24:00.000-08:00

No we're not suggesting anything illegal here on the Agrarian Plowshare. This product comes from Freund's Farm an idea that much like Herrick's invention of the granola bar makes me say "Why did I think of that!". Now before you ask the myriad of questions - no they don't stink, yes you can handle them - and yes they do from a strictly non scientific testing perspective seem to work quite well. Having acquired one of these over the weekend at my fathers house, I gave it the perfunctory sniff & feel, sorry if you want to know how they taste you'll have to get your own and try.

As to their effectiveness, judging from the thick high stalks of several robust tomato plants grown side by side with tomato plants not rooted in the pots the difference is visual and obvious. Now it doesn't surprise me (and should not you) that things grown in good aged manure will grow well, that's a given. Kind of like saying a bottle of water quenches your thirst. The containment of the root base to the source of nutrients may have a more positive effect in concentrating the nutrients, uneducated application to thought here but seems plausible.

I don't think I'd be planting an entire row of these things, as the input factor would be tremendous, but for the small gardener it just might supply a backyard bonanza for next summer's harvest. Something to consider. I am going to give my own independent test here at home with the one acquired from my dad and give it a grow light application next to several test plants to see how it performs. Until next time..................Regards.

Market Economics

2007-08-27T18:40:00.001-08:00

Aside from the dot-com bubble of the 1990s, I can think of no great boom in American history built more on enthusiasm, and less on profit. ~Tom Phillpott

While listening to a song over at Log Cabin Homestead I couldn't help but think of this article which looks at the economics of local farmers markets and the current state of small scale farming:

"The overall income picture for small commercial farms is dismal. Key USDA stat: Farms with annual revenues between $10,000 and $99,000 -- which describes the vast majority of farmers' market vendors -- have an average operating profit margin of negative 24.5 percent.

Simply put, small farms lose money, and their losses are financed by the off-farm incomes of the families that run them. From this angle, so-called sustainable farming looks like a precarious enterprise.

Why, then, do farmers' markets and CSAs continue to grow and multiply? Why do people still farm? The local-food revival, it seems to me, runs on passion: people's desire for connection to the seasons, to the soil that feeds them, to powerful flavors that can't be manufactured with chemicals or preserved over 1,300-mile delivery hauls. Aside from the dot-com bubble of the 1990s, I can think of no great boom in American history built more on enthusiasm, and less on profit.

Yet passion has practical limits (as investors in, say, Pets.com learned in 2000). For local farms to supply significantly more than 2 percent of the nation's produce (or meat, dairy, and eggs, for that matter), small-scale farming will have to become an economically viable activity.

Some optimists argue that market forces are already quietly working to achieve that goal. The argument goes like this: surging consumer demand for local food -- coupled with rising energy costs -- has convinced the large supermarket companies to rethink their far-flung supply chains and seek out small-scale producers near individual retail outlets. These corporate buyers will pump cash into local farm economies across the nation, reviving the fortunes of small-scale farmers.

Certainly, evidence for this scenario abounds. The phrase "local is the new organic" has become commonplace. Having turned organic food into another consumer fetish drained of much of its original meaning, the big corporate retailers are setting their sights on "local" cache. Shoppers entering Whole Foods outlets can hardly grab a basket without reading "buy local" propaganda."

I think much of what the writer states and then glosses over is summed up well in these words:

People's desire for connection to the seasons, to the soil that feeds them, to powerful flavors that can't be manufactured with chemicals or preserved over 1,300-mile delivery hauls.

Now apart from economics of mammon there is the dynamics of home economics which can be found in Wendell Berry's works, a collection of fourteen essays, which can be found here: Home Economics at Cumberland Books, a great source for literature and writing. Where the root of economics is stewardship through proper household management. This being the greater good, if you will or the driving "Why" behind what has become an agrarian push to the shove of modern societies "madness of the masses". To know what benefit it is to live with ones own, spend time in common tasks and instill value to the soul of sons and daughters so that they to may live to do likewise from generation to generation. Until next time..............

To live is not to pass time, but to spend time.

Promise Land

2007-08-26T14:37:00.001-08:00

“While waiting for a Moses to lead us into the promised land, we have forgotten how to walk”

~Wendell Johnson

Though this may not be the promise land of biblical times it is certainly a sight for sore eyes and tired, weary hearts to rest. This neglected bit of property resides a half hours drive from our new abode, and although it is a bit overgrown, untended and seated with a collapsing barn devoid of salvage, apart from some weather worn boards and a metal bed frame & posts (as well other treasures that amass in old abandon barns) is a welcome sight to our agrarian hearts.

It will take prayer and a bit of mammon to acquire, but even if this is not the parcel we purchase in the end, it is seated in the heart of a community that holds values dear to our hearts and that's farming, fields & family. Time will tell.......................until next time..............Regards.

This Old House, Part II

2007-08-25T14:38:00.001-08:00

One would think that after such a long absence I might have a nice agrarian dream photo to post here........(well I do, but that's is for another day) After several months of dislocation and a protracted attempt at brokering a deal to sell our residence in Catskill, NY we are about settled here in upstate NY (a bit farther north) in Gloversville, NY.

Brooke, I and "Digger" moved north and a tad bit westward to be closer to the area in which we hope to acquire land and make our "Final Stand" if you will for a time. Till such time as the land deal is brokered we reside in this modest abode here in Gloversville, NY having sold just before this nationwide 'pandemic' of sorts struck the housing market. One might say it felt like walking our of a burning building and tossing the keys to the fire marshal on the way out!

Without deviling into particulars we were of good fortune enough to purchase this home for less than the cost of a what many Americans would pay in today's market for a new automobile. Thus we have the ability to increase our savings to purchase some well sought after 'Genuine Cow Pastured Farmland'. Lord Willing.

Now with a new cable modem connections (sans the cable channels I.E. Boob Tube) hopefully I can get back at this journal of sorts. Though I have to admit the old melon is a tad bit rusty as of late. Most of what I've been writing has be financially related to the markets and company assets. Which after "nailing" this housing crisis catastrophe to the barn side back in 2006. I would summarize my financial investment recommendations for 2008 in two words: Buy Gold!

I look forward to "catching up" with allot of the familiar folks and the myriad of posts I have missed as well I am interested to see what new faces have joined the agrarian bandwagon in my absence.

I already got my first chuckle & grin as I read the writings of "The Maggot Guru" and his unique perspective on FREE Chicken Feed. Regards.

This Old Man

2007-02-20T21:24:00.000-09:00

This old man, he played one
He played knick-knack on my thumb
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home

Well, one of theses pups ain't like the other one, ain't like the other one, one of these pups ain't like the other one......... because one of them came home. Just in case you might be wondering what side of the earth I might have dove off.... (knew it was FLAT, didn't ya) Well I took a long walk off the Puppy Pier back August '06. The better part of which time has been spent 'puppy training' or better said, "Just plain enjoyin' my dog!"

Now I can not say for certain which of these fellows is our dog "Digger", but if I was guessin' I'd say it is the fellow to the far right. Now this photo was taken some where round the 6-8 week mark by Frank at Southside Stables, who is the breeder of some fine animals. Brooke & I both would give him a 4 star rating for top quality dogs & service. I've include a link to his web site at South Side Dogs above if you care to visit or are interested in a dog. Though we receive no renumeration, I'd appreciate it if you told 'em we recommended you, as one good turn deserves another!

Now mind you, Digger's a Vizsla Pup going on 7 months old, a wee bit bigger and few pound heavier now (about 55 lbs heavier!) So some what like kids, "boy do they grow up fast." Now our 60 lb wonder - wonders why he can be a "Lap Dog"? You'd have to have the lap of the Jolly Green Giant to accommodate him. Not the breed for someone who likes 'small dogs'.

As the nursery rhyme goes 'give your dog a bone', well this 'pup' will work through one in few short hours! As for 'this old man' today (Tuesday) was year 39 for T.S.O.E. (You figure it out)

So I'll get my weary bones to bed, and say good nite. Will post a more current photo of the dog later this week, if I can "Catch a Good Pose". Till then, Regards.

Bad Potatoes

2007-02-17T16:32:00.000-09:00

One potato, two potato, three potato, four,
five potato, six potato, seven potato more.
Icha bacha, soda cracker,
Icha bacha boo.
Icha bacha, soda cracker, out goes Y-O-U!

Suppressed report shows cancer link to GM potatoes

By Colin Brown, Deputy Political Editor

Published: 17 February 2007

Campaigners against genetically modified crops in Britain last are calling for trials of GM potatoes this spring to be halted after releasing more evidence of links with cancers in laboratory rats. [Story Follows]

GM CROPS

2006-09-16T19:42:00.000-08:00

GM CROPS

America is awash in genetically modified crops that already have been approved for use both as animal feed and for human consumption. This year, 61 percent of all corn and 89 percent of all soybeans planted in the United States were GM varieties, the USDA estimates. More than 80 percent of the US cotton crop is also GM.

In a news article entitled when genetically modified plants go wild, published in the Christian Science Monitor, even their advocates are expressing growing concerns regarding GM crops. If you have not kept pace with events, it should also be noted, Monsanto Company (MON) and Delta and Pine Land Company (DPL) announced that they have signed a definitive agreement whereby Monsanto will acquire Delta and Pine Land Company for $1.5 billion in cash. The transaction was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is subject to Delta and Pine Land shareowner approval, antitrust clearance, and customary closing conditions. As most investigative reporters will tell you, "Follow the money....."

While most of us don't bother to reflect on where the corn in the box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes or the rice in a box of Uncle Ben's Converted Rice come from, when we grab it from the supermarket shelf, they all must originate with seeds.

This is such a chilling revelation - that the farmer's ability to re-grow crops will depend on buying new seeds every season from a corporation. The corporate control on our ability to eat will become complete - at a time when cooperative farming may be the only way people will have left to survive the petrol-collapse era. This sheds new light on the importance of Norway's Archipelago Project, although an individual effort and independent local efforts are more of grater importance than a concentrated source. Let's hope that the genetically modified seeds cannot contaminate normal plant seed production or that will eventually mean certain doom.

To understand the depth of this announcement and to get a greater context of the history of the Terminator Seed Program you can read this article here, by F. William Engdahl. Being aware of these policies and their future course on world events may not stop these events from occurring, but educating yourself and then others can have a significant impact on you, your family and the future of our local communities. Never underestimate the power of one.

Regards.

McMoney

2006-08-11T00:39:00.000-08:00

According to a new survey by the banking giant, UBS.

"In the US cities of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Miami, a maximum of 13 minutes' labor is needed."

The bank calculated the "weighted net hourly wage in 14 professions" and divided it into the local price of "a globally available product", for which it chose McDonald's premier hamburger.

"Wages only become meaningful in relation to prices - that is, what can be bought with the money earned," it said.

Article Here.

I found this article interesting in lieu of the discussions going on at How Many Miles from Babylon, and recent posts: Think Horses, Unlike Coin, and Right Hand Left Hand.

When considering monetary wages, one ought to consider the base question: What is Money? The prospect of the answer is something that will frighten the less the stout of heart. Much of what we in the United States accept as money is far a field from that which our forefathers knew it to be, and of little value than what our forebears just three or four generations handled, spent and counted. Until the issue of the “Amero” [Click on Link – I dare you!] Sit back and learn a lesson or two from history, “The Money Masters” PT1, PT2, PT3 an interesting video series. I cannot say that I agree with the conclusions drawn on all accounts, but it is a sobering view for the wanton spending and gluttonous consumption or society finds it’s self in today.

Economy

2006-08-03T23:10:00.000-08:00

Economy

Inspired by Herrick’s recent post, I thought I’d share some more NY economics of note. Having just purchased our "new" car. Pictured here at the family mechanic’s house (my father) all shined and ready to roll. This 1983 classic is a Chevy Citation with 2/55 air conditioning standard. It’s engine has 78,000 original miles, and a gentle used price of $300 (tires included) we count ourselves fortunate. We originally purchased it to replace our 1995 Toyota Corolla 4 door truck/sedan (as we use it to haul just about everything) but after passing mile marker 200,000 over 38,000+ miles ago, I figure it's good till 300K or more, who knows?

Now, I don’t suppose I’ll be the envy of the Joneses or those who prefer to sport the “new” hybrids vehicles on the market today for eco-coconscious consumers. Just that when you add the difference in MPG vs. the cost of a new hybrid + full coverage insurance + deprecation + new car maintenance – less any additional repair cost for an ‘older’ vehicle, sans the worry of the “first scratch”. I’d say we’re a wee bit a head of the game, especially since this one came complete with some rust & a dent. Now the one drawback, as I mentioned is the 2/55 air conditioning (as our “steed” has the older R-12 refrigerant and production of R12 ended December 31, 1995) so I’d be hard pressed to find the stuff these days. The 2/55 air equation works like this: “Roll down 2 windows – go 55 mph”. I suppose if need be I might try a design like this

Hey, if it’s hot enough – “Necessity, who is the mother of invention” ~Plato

Under Siege

2006-07-29T19:54:00.000-08:00

Under Siege

When the first explosion struck the village, it was sometime after 10 at night. Most people were caught unaware. It seemed not days ago, the artillery sounds emanated from the ten o’clock news not next door. What had happened? There was nothing, not one warning from Washington or Albany that such events could or would unfold so quickly – with out warning.

Catskill was a small village, of little importance – socially or economically – there were no political unrests, uprisings or factions. Half way between NYC and Albany, hardly a ‘Mecca’ of any sorts for the “hot bed” of activity it would soon become, a village under siege – a village of victims, the first to be reported as causalities of war. A war we did welcome or want, this in the United States of America. Martial law was declared the next day, the elections were suspended and life as we once knew it to be – had changed – forever.

The date was Saturday July 29th 2006, not unlike any Saturday numerous weeks before, no special numbers for this one 9/11 – 7/7. The papers the next morning read

CATSKILL COUGHT UNAWARE

A headline several hundred of the townsmen would never get to read…………

Now that never happened, and sure it might make a great piece of fiction, but really, such an event when we look to the world around us...... cannot we but at least consider the ramifications of empire. These were the real events that took place in the village this evening

Amidst the thundering repeat of explosions, I couldn’t shake the thought that one day as the farmers say the “chickens will come home to roost”.

Chicken Man

2006-07-17T20:01:00.000-08:00

Chicken Man

…………………..and for my next trick, I will attempt to balance this chicken on the little boys head!

Ok, so nothing quite magical about that, but not all nephews have an uncle who will bring pet chickens to the ‘burbs’ of Albany. So, I have been dubbed “The Chicken Man” unofficially by my family and neighborhood kids – in quite whispers, they go by……..(to a friend) ‘here’s where the chicken man lives……….’ Life is good!

So what are you known for? Is it so bad to be the chicken man, the milkman, or farmer Scott? Not at all! We are known for few things in life; so many of our fellows are known for less – such as a corporate title or occupation. When asked “who are you?”, in a social setting how do most people respond – I’m an (insert title here) for (insert corporation or state agency here), perhaps it’s some other blather.

All things considered, “The Chicken Man” is not such a bad title to have, after all Mr. Bean & Mr. Coffee makes me feel like some cheap imitation. Besides coffee & compost, I raise a few birds. Guys got to have hobbies!

COMPOST

2006-07-16T14:20:00.000-08:00

COMPOST

Well enough of the cow themes for the while, though I was tempted to comment on the recent article today about Canada’s latest folly. I’m sure you’re all quite aware. I wanted to touch upon a subject that I’ve given a lot of attention to lately in my pursuits and endeavors. Some thing dear to my heart – compost. Recently while purveying a link over to Joel Salatin’s site, I was checking his reading list and came across a title that he gave high mention to, Permaculture: A Designers’ Manual by Bill Mollison. I’m sure several of you are familiar with his work & writings, for those who are not it would be time well spent researching some of his interviews and articles online.

Several months ago I acquired a few Red Wigglers from Acme Worm Farm (great folks!) with intent on the propagation of compost in hopes of learning more on soil make up and health. Having several “sick soils” when we first moved to this property, I decided to see if I could turn things around with out the dumping of chemicals or a large expenditure in top soil. Now granted when you talk soil, you talk chemistry, and it would be falsehood if I were to lead you to think there’s no science involved here or that it was some form of shamanism, gnomes or magical thinking. We just purposed that we wouldn’t dump synthetics on the soil, pesticides or weed killer to tame the lame, anemic earth. Heavy clays in which only the heartiest weeds and seeds survived, lack of nutrients and compression filled the forty, that was to be our backyard.

The first year was our garden tester, as we tilled up a third of the soil and laid in amaranth, tomatoes, and peppers hot & sweet. We planted grapes, beans and corn. Carrots were late and like the corn came to naught. Also note, the corn we planted the first year was GMO corn that was not even a “good mule”. Disappointed but not daunted, I tried again this year, to far better results – GMO FREE!

Now we have plated 80% of our soil to corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes, and grapes in the second year, cucumbers, lettuces and mangled beets. As well an assortment of flowers and fauna adorn the outer edges of our crops. We have soil enhancers operating under cover and producing 24/7 – our chickens & worms! I have three composting venues for our soils, plant matter, chicken manure and household disposal & vegetable matter which is feed direct to the “incubator” for the worms. One of the most prolific feeds or bedding starters for the red wigglers is shredded and soaked newspaper mixed with coffee grounds. I pulp the newsprint after soaking it for two to three days in a five gallon bucket of water with a stucco mixer on a portable drill. Gets it to the beginning of the break down cycle before introducing it to the worms. All this helps reduce the “trash” run we make to the dump. Most of what we produce in our household’s here in the US can follow the motto of “Reuse, Recycle, Reclaim”. It is the “Cult of Efficiency” motto or resulting actions to the proverb “Haste makes Waste”. Here in the US we are some ‘hasty folks’, aside from the ecological impact (of which we are aware but do little about as a country) the economic impact of waste is taking its toll as well. I am a conservative, not based out of any strong held political belief, but because I seek to live a life of conservation – economically as well as ecologically. It just makes sense.

Soil science, as Bill Mollison described “modern technological agriculture as a form of "witchcraft."

“Well, it is a sort of witchcraft. Today we have more soil scientists than at any other time in history. If you plot the rise of soil scientists against the loss of soil, you see that the more of them you have, the more soil you lose.”

“The important thing is not to do any agriculture whatsoever, and particularly to make the modern agricultural sciences a forbidden area - they're worse than witchcraft, really. The agriculture taught at colleges between 1930 and 1980 has caused more damage on the face of the Earth than any other factor. "Should we tamper with nature?" is no longer a question - we've tampered with nature on the whole face of the Earth."

"If you let the world roll on the way it's rolling, you're voting for death. I'm not voting for death. The extinction rate is so huge now; we're to the stage where we've got to set up recombinant ecologies. There are no longer enough species left, anywhere, to hold the system together. We have to let nature put what's left together, and see what it can come up with to save our ass.”

Well, I suppose at times – you got to be blunt. He is an interesting read, and (as the English say) Spot On when it comes to ideas that work. I found my self somewhat slack jawed & excited at the same time as I read a few of his interviews. There are a few: Here, Here & Here. I hope you take the time to give them a read. As for me I’ll wait to report more as I acquire his book on permaculture - it’s a pricey read – so I’ll seek an alternative source first. If anyone has this title and would consider a barter/loan arrangement for say, a few pounds of fresh roasted coffee, please email me separately from my contact page.

WEEDS
Interestingly I have come to two personal discoveries this year in regards to “weeds” about my property – not all things are, as they first seem. First was Lambs Quarter – or bacon weed, fat hen, or white goosefoot. This pernicious weed plagued me & my garden the first year, then I saw a photo of it and learned it’s name. As well our Rhode Island Reds love it! (Here it is by the coop)

Turns out it is great form of “greens” for juicing and several other uses. (Little did I know) Here are some blog mentions of this “Green Gold”. (Here and Here) The second “weed” was one I hesitated to pull because I “saw it” somewhere before, so better wait on this “interesting” weed. Well turns out – good things come to ‘dem who wait!

Introducing our second “Mystery Weed”:

“Little Hogweed” or Purslane. Another “discovery” by the: none so smart (but ever patient) ardent agrarian as I will now encourage (though check) it’s growth and winter-ability indoors as well. Here is a blog post with some more information on it.

So now, as I remarked to my wife, as we look for more land, what I most want to take with me from this house we call home – Is The Weeds!

"What is a weed? A weed is a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 1878

Chicken Update II

2006-07-15T20:36:00.000-08:00

Chicken Update II

Well we have completed the course on our first round of chicken operations. From hatchlings to hatchet you might say? Our ladies laid their first eggs this week, as I went out to feed them & was greeted with 10 small brown eggs – which prompted an “instant omelet”, complete with salsa, cheese & hot peppers. To say they were “fluffy & delicious” would be an understatement! Reminded me of that Slavery Card commercial:

Cost of 14 Chickens: $23:66

Feed & Lodging: $184.00

First Egg Omelet: PRICELESS

"For some people in life there’s never anything BUT store bought industrial agriculture, for the rest of us – we eat well."

This week we also processed our first poultry, as “Speedy” our rooster had an up close and personal introduction to the nifty axe I received this year on my birthday. (Thanks Mom!)

All things considered, we are having a ‘banner year’ here at the Holtzman Homestead, with many more hopes and dreams for our future – as the Lord wills!

Blog mention of Note: Jim Warmke at A3 has a nice 12-minute chicken processing video over on his blog. You might want to stop by and see it, leave a note for Jim & encourage your fellow farmer. Regards.

GOT BAIL?

2006-07-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

“…Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...”

RAW MILK?

Few things these days cry out “Idiot!” to me. Perhaps because I’ve grown so accustom to the tireless never-ending siege of autocracy, or perchance I’ve come to expect that the mass & the mob would sooner kill the Good Samaritan, as to reward him for a gracious act………..

Story Here.

My Favorite Quote:

''You can't just give milk away to someone other then yourself. It's a violation of the law,''

said LeeAnne Mizer, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

WOW! Now that's kind of hard to swallow.

Cow Power

2006-07-06T17:11:00.000-08:00

Cow Power

“In a sense, it is the ultimate renewable source of fuel. Weather anomalies can kill off corn crops, calm the winds, obscure the sun — but through rain or shine, gusts or stillness, cows and hogs and turkeys spew forth a steady stream of manure, one of nature's richest sources of methane, a principal component of natural gas.”

I came across an interesting article on the subject many have termed “Brown Energy”, and thought I’d post some relevant highlights as well as ask for feedback regarding perceived merits from everyone.

The article, written by Claudia H. Deutsch for the NYT gave me some ponders as to the application of technology to sustainable resources. Several of the ‘benefits’ seem to have merit and value; I’d be interested in your thoughts.

Excerpts:

“…now, farmers and entrepreneurs are recognizing that this immutable fact can yield a steady stream of revenue and profit, too. Slowly, but steadily, they are replacing the malodorous lagoons used to treat the waste with machines that can wrest energy from excrement.”

“…technologies, some of which have been around for decades, have finally grown more reliable. "There's been a lot of time and energy spent on making these as effective and efficient as possible, so anaerobic digestion will be a growing business," said Daniel J. Mannes, vice president of Avondale Partners, a securities research firm that recently initiated coverage of the Environmental Power Corporation, the company in Portsmouth, N.H., that owns Microgy.”

"The business model of producing energy along with food will transform the economics of rural America,"

said Michael T. Eckhart, president of the American Council on Renewable Energy, based in Washington.

(continues)

Indeed, anaerobic digestion yields not just methane, but leftover liquids that farmers can use or sell as fertilizer, waste heat that can heat their homes and barns, and fibrous solids that make excellent bedding for cows. Farmers also save the costs of controlling odors and treating waste. "Two years ago I couldn't even convince farmers that digesters work," said Melissa Dvorak, marketing manager for GHD, a company based in Chilton, Wis., that sells digesters. "Now, all they ask is what the payback will be."

Now proper research will provide information that some of this “(cow) Pie in the Sky” hype is funded in part by good ole’ government subsidies (to which this author is not a big fan of by any measure) so it will be interesting to see how this plays out – sustainable development or just old fashion BS? You decide.

Note: This author does own shares in Environmental Power Corporation (EPG) and in no way shape or form recommends or suggests investing, purchasing or even remotely considering purchase of/or investing in such company or any company for that matter. Fact of the matter is this company is likely to go “belly up” as much as going “sky high”, as well any reference to “belly up” no way is a solicitation to ‘cow tipping’ and ‘sky high’ does not infer that one should go ‘sky diving’. All these thing are inherently dangerous and could incur risk to you or the cows. Caveat emptor; drive responsibly, blah, blah, blah……………I hope that covered it! Regards.

The Way of All Flesh

2006-06-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

Blinded by Science: The Way of All Flesh

"...All flesh is grass......" Isaiah 40:6 (or not?)

More news from the forefront of “modern” agriculture? Oh, words can’t do this one justice, have a glimpse in to the “Future of Foods” (Akk!)

Growing Potatoes

2006-06-18T19:09:00.000-08:00

Solanum tuberosum

"O Creator! Thou who givest life to all things and hast made men that they may live, and multiply. Multiply also the fruits of the earth, the potatoes and other food that thou hast made, that men may not suffer from hunger and misery."

History

A high plateau in the Andean Mountains of South America is the most probable birthplace of the 'Irish' white potato that we eat today. The plateau, known today as the Titicaca Plateau, stretches across part of the countries of Peru and Bolivia. The Aymara Indians developed more than two hundred varieties of the potato at elevations greater than 10,000 feet. Potatoes formed the basis of the Aymara Indian and Incan diet.

Potatoes also were an important influence on Incan culture. Potato-shaped pottery complete with eyes is commonly found at excavated sites, sometimes having tiny heads growing out of the little eyes. Incan units of time correlated to the length of time it took for a potato to cook to various consistencies. Potatoes were even used to divine the truth and predict weather.

When the Spanish Conquistadors didn't find the gold and silver they were looking for in the late 1400s and early 1500s, they quickly cornered the local potato market. Potatoes were soon a standard supply item on their ships. The Spanish noticed that the sailors who ate papas (potatoes) did not suffer from scurvy. Scurvy is a disease associated with too little vitamin C in the diet. Potatoes have a lot of vitamin C, easily preventing scurvy.

An Irish legend says that ships of the Spanish Armada, wrecked off the Irish coast in 1588, were carrying potatoes and that some of them washed ashore.

The potato is a member of the nightshade family and its leaves are, indeed, poisonous. A potato left too long in the light will begin to turn green. The green skin contains a substance called solanine which can cause the potato to taste bitter and even cause illness in humans. Such drawbacks were understood in Europe, but the advantages, generally, were not.

Europe would wait until the 1780's before the potato gained prominence anywhere. About 1780 the people of Ireland adopted the rugged food crop. The primary reason for its acceptance in Ireland was its ability to produce abundant, nutritious food. Unlike any other major crop, potatoes contain most of the vitamins needed for sustenance. Perhaps more importantly, potatoes can provide this sustenance to nearly 10 people on an acre of land. This would be one of the prime factors causing a population explosion in the early 1800s. Of course, by the mid-1800's the Irish would become so dependent upon this crop that its failure would provoke a famine.

While in Ireland the potato gained acceptance from the bottom up, in France, the potato was imposed upon society by an intellectual.

Antoine Augustine Parmentier saw that the nutritional benefits of the crop combined with its productive capacity could be a boon to the French farmer. He was a pharmacist, chemist and employee of Louis XV. Parmentier discovered the benefits of the potato while held prisoner by the Prussians during the Seven Years War. He was so enamored by the potato that he determined that it should become a staple of the French diet. After failing by conventional means to convince Frenchmen of its advantages, he determined upon a surreptitious means of making his point.

Parmentier acquired a miserable and unproductive spot of ground on the outskirts of Paris. There, he planted 50 acres of potatoes. During the day, he set a guard over it. This drew considerable attention in the neighborhood. In the evening the guard was relaxed and the locals came to see what all the fuss was about. Believing this plant must be valuable, many peasants "acquired" some of the potatoes from the plot, and soon were growing the root in their own garden plots. Their resistance was overcome by their curiosity and desire to better their lot with the obviously valuable new produce – that and a bit of thievery!

History has more to tell on the subject, and I hope at the end of harvest season to post a few tried recipes that we have gathered this summer. Our small plot experiment consists of a bit of a patriotic theme, rather by chance than design, as we have red, white & blue potatoes planted and hope to continue with many seasons of saving & storing our ‘starter’ potatoes for future seasons.

The weather and rains have been good to us this summer and we are looking forward to a banner crop, in potatoes,

corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, cukes and now beets! (thanks again Herrick) We just transported and distributed several large bags of lettuce to our friends at church and family up north of us.

This season we grew Flame Lettuce, Green Slobolt and Red Leprechaun lettuce of which I had hoped to get a photo of but neglected to do so………..we hope to plant a second harvest this autumn so perhaps then. If I could recommend lettuce types I’d have to say these were a pleasing assortment for salads & sandwiches. Our seed stock for lettuce this year came from Seed Savers – high on our recommend list! I only wish in hindsight I let a few of the plants bolt to seed as to have my own plantings next go round, oh well.

Too bad I could not share some of this rain with Tom & John in Minnesota as I remember Tom’s saying last year “knee high by July and we currently are way past the waist and going to be saying “Head high this July!” As well we planted some cornfield pumpkins from Seed Savers and they are ‘running’ like tentacles of an octopus from 20000 Leagues Under the Sea .

The chickens are fairing well in their new home and enjoy their games of ‘tag’ and 'chase' when set free in the yard. We hope to be seeing some eggs soon as we received the baby chicks this February. The neighborhood cats have all stopped in at one point or time for a visit and to see the newest ‘attraction’. All is well here at the Holtzman Homestead.

To all who qualify in our readership – Happy Fathers Day!

Regards.

Chicken Update

2006-06-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

“I want there to be no peasant in my kingdom so poor that he cannot have a chicken in his pot every Sunday.”

~Henry IV

Well it has been some time since our last post on our chickens, and I am pleased to say that they now have a home of their own. What a learning curve it has been! My culminate wisdom to date on how to raise chickens is this

First you get yourself some chickens………

That’s it!

Now I know there’s more to it than I’m letting on, but beyond the initial desire to do something such as raise some small livestock, like advise, less is more ~ so I’ll leave it at that.

Despite ineptitude and learning curves, hectic schedules and (work) relocations, rainy inclement weather and an all thumbs carpentry skill set we finished the coop & pen.

A note of thanks to Herrick for (now) two things: 1) mentioning the tarp (what a blessing!) and 2) his recent post on a wonderful alternative & definitely agrarian feed source that you can grow at home! I’d be interested to see the results of our online community of growers this fall as we bring in the harvest for cold storage. I encourage you to check out Herrick’s post: HERE.

We look forward to future breakfasts with ‘garden fresh eggs’ and a Sunday dinner or two this summer – with a chicken in our pot! (sorry gang if you’re the squeamish type) We have selected our first candidate (to be named later) for our next endeavor “The Wizbang Chicken Plucker” you might say he’ll be our first aerospace test pilot. After reading Rick’s post and accompanying photos I am encouraged all the more to (pardon the pun) “Give it a Whirl!” I suppose I will take a week or two before beginning to build, as I first have to order my Wizbang Book and then acquire the necessary materials.

For now, we are enjoying our success and the chickens are quite pleased as well. Regards.

The Rotten Potato

2006-05-25T22:25:00.000-08:00

The Rotten Potato

"When I found out that our industrialized food system considers chicken manure an acceptable source of protein in cattle feed, it was clear to me that consumers and corporate agriculture have very different ideas about how we should produce food."
~DAN NAGENGAST

----------------------

When I first started researching all things agrarian, from agriculture to contemporary thought, it was clear to me I had diverged upon two paths in the woods, and having chose the road less traveled; for me it has made all the difference………………and then a quarter mile in, having just begun my journey (my wife steadfast by my side) I come across this small stature of a man who sticks a placard in my hand and in so softly of a chuckle says “Here’s your sign!” and walks off down a garden row, I look toward my wife and I shrug. Then I flip the slightly weathered barn-wood board around I notice the writing on the opposite side and it reads…………..

…..Welcome to the Revolution!

Though I know if you spoke with Herrick he’d tell you – that never happened, and he’d be right, I’ve taken a little literary license with my words and my walk. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading his book: Writings of a Deliberate Agrarian by Herrick Kimball, a fellow New Yorker who when I was first introduced to the online agrarian blogsphere, enjoyed his virtual writings, views and ideas on a regular basis and they were an encouragement to me to step out as well and make a mark, as I say taking electronic pen to ‘virtual’ paper. It only fitting to see his wonderful collection of essays go from paper to print.

The journey to the good life is often fit with unmerited joy when one finds favor in the simple things and takes time to directly contemplate what it is that makes this life we lead ~ living.

If I could encourage you, bring thought in to action and pick up a copy of the book today, you can find it at Cumberland Books on the web or you can order a copy from the authors web page here at www.thedeliberateagrarian.com You might just find the sudden need to plant something when your done……………………

----------------------

and now the news……………..

Many have heard the expression “something is rotten in the state of Denmark”; a line from the play by William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, quoted by a palace guard after the apparition of the dead king of Denmark appears walking over the palace walls. It’s more common soliloquy now used to describe destruction or a situation when something is wrong. As is the case and the state of the union commonly referred to by our founding fathers as ‘these united states of America’.

From food to fuel to funding debt through foreign banks to bolster dollar hegemony the course of our modern culture has embraced a hedonistic worldview of self-gratification that rivals Rome, and as Rome went so goes the US or as an infamous sports announcer once said “…and that’s the ball game!” Perhaps someone should give Ben Bernanke a copy of Shakespeare’s book and highlight the advice the garrulous old man Polonius gives to his son; “Neither a lender nor a barrower be” but alas me thinks he would not listen, but laugh – for there lies in Washington (that brood of vipers and thieves den) either deceivers or the deceived, I’d dare say an honest lot of them could be hitherto counted using the fingers & toes method of numerical excellence with out the necessity of a man removing his shoes!

No longer are the days of the “Good Samaritan” as we live in a ‘culture of corruption’ that despite democratic political pandering or republican rhetorical recitation it is as endemic ailment in the whole of a soulless American society that goes past the Washington beltway and extends a sluggish miserable hand deep in to the bread basket of our economy. Ours is not a red state - blue state affair. If we are to survive as a ‘nation of states’ ours must be a Red, White & Blue State of concern and correction. If He who’s is Sovereign and created all things overlooks our arrears and turns a blind eye to the debauchery we as a nation have brought upon ourselves through the leadership of despots, upon that day He will have to apologize to Sodom for surely we rival them as a nation of immoderation, lacking responsibility and filled to the bridle in the blood of innocence.

The concept of “united we stand, divided we fall” derived from a popular 1768 tune entitled the “Liberty Song” by John Dickinson adopted as the state motto by, Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky is a far cry from the dirge we now dance to as a nation of divided persons through political punditry and media manipulation owned in whole (contracted in part) by the money interests and governmental ne’er-do-well’s. Race, hatred, class envy, religious intolerance and bigotry are promenaded across the pages of what passes for ‘news’ these days of ‘Fear & Blood’, when Terror is the word of the day and honest men cower in trepidation of lawmaking abuse that might deem their own conscious a violation and subject to public scrutiny. Leading one to the dangerous thought that perhaps ‘good men should do nothing’.

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...”

These very words alone would be subject to censor and prosecution with out due process by the falsely named “Patriot Act” that would cause the penman, one Thomas Jefferson, to be imprisoned without charge to be held indefinitely by a government of his own creation!

Something’s rotten in Denmark, and it is pervasive in our form of ‘modern’ agriculture or Agri-Business, Industrialized Farming, or Factory Farms; choose you name de plume! As the above quote in the title head of this article points to - if our collective intelligence of modern society cannot figure out “it’s not good to put manure in your mouth” human or otherwise, then we are past the point of no return. The (ill) logic does not end there; consider milk replacer, pharmaceuticals in the food and genetic manipulation of the seed crops. HELLO………isn’t anyone listening other then the NSA?

Even a cursorily bit of research in to the monstrous practices of Monsanto and their ilk of genetic manipulating genies brings to mind old Wile E. Coyote cartoons of mad scientists with their ACME ray guns hell bent on world domination or destruction as their work proceeds to explosive and dynamite endings. One can’t help when reading the technical wizardry of working over the “biotechnology products” previously know as “seed” and think of the 70’s commercial that warned us ‘you shouldn’t fool with mother nature………..’ Oh well, if she complains too loudly I’m sure the legion of lawyers and “Field Agents” in black SUV’s can be rolled out in short order to explain to her that it’s no longer her seed and show her the patent rights and that her continued complaints would be construed as slander and subject to suit and legal action because her fields (and the whole earth) has been contaminated with their “biotechnology input traits” that she is not approved to grow. Alas, perhaps they could have gleaned wisdom from Hamlet’s wit as he suggested in this phrase that human knowledge is limited: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, then are dreamt of in your philosophy [Science]. “

There is more to write (and a little to rant) about, but it has been now three days and the hour is past one (AM) since I began this entry that is long becoming an essay. So in ‘news-esque’ fashion I will say “Film at Eleven” or ‘The Revolution Marches On’ or perhaps just ………………(to be continued)

Stay Tuned Next Time, for such topics as:

Luck Be a Lady

Fragility thy name is Woman!

The lady doth protest too much

And…Get thee to a Nunnery

As you might have guessed, we’re breaking out the Shakespeare lighting up the Barbie and having a bit of summer fun! Regards.

The Candlestick Maker

2006-05-10T13:53:00.000-08:00

The Candlestick Maker

Jack be nimble
Jack be quick
Jack jump over
The candlestick.

Now considered in a more decorative or atmosphere enhancing role, the humble candle over several millennia provided the main source of light for dwellings and public buildings.

Beeswax candles were used in Egypt and Crete as far back as 5,000 years ago. In Medieval Europe cheap everyday candles were made from tallow (melted-down fat). Remains of highly crafted candelabra were excavated in abundance from the scorched ruins of Pompeii. The earliest surviving specimen of a candle was found near Avignon in France and dates from the first century A.D.

The oldest candle manufacturers still in existence are Rathbornes Candles, founded in Dublin in 1488. For more than 500 years Rathborne Candles have been casting their soft glowing light on some of the most momentous events of Irish history.

The trade of the chandler is also recorded by the more picturesque name of "smeremongere",
since they oversaw the manufacture of sauces, vinegar, soap and cheese.

Founded in Dublin in 1488, the time of knights and battles, walled towns, cloistered monasteries and when the great Garret Mor Fitzgerald (The Great Earl) was the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Rathborne Candles lit the way through the dark Middle Ages of Irish and European history.

The annals of ancient Ireland record candles as thick as a man's body and the length of -a hero's spear. It was the custom at night to burn a massive torch outside the tents of campaigning kings. Those crude but effective instruments of light - were usually made by repeatedly dipping wicks of peeled rushes into melted tallow. Beeswax was reserved for the houses of the rich and the Catholic Church still prescribes this ingredient for liturgical use.

During the middle ages of Europe, the popularity of candles is shown by their use in Candlemas and on Saint Lucy festivities. Tallow, fat from cows or sheep, became the standard material used in candles in Europe. The Tallow Chandlers Company of London was formed in about 1300 in London, and in 1456 was granted a coat of arms. By 1415 tallow candles were used in street lighting.

The trade of the chandler is also recorded by the more picturesque name of "smeremongere", since they oversaw the manufacture of sauces, vinegar, soap and cheese. The unpleasant smell of tallow candles is due to the glycerin they contain. For churches and royal events, candles from beeswax were used, as the smell was usually less unpleasant.
Originally an industry carried on in monasteries or at home, candle making became an established craft by the Middle Ages and the first recorded guilds were formed in Paris in the thirteenth century. The first candle mould comes from 15th century Paris. The smell of the manufacturing process was so unpleasant that it was banned by ordnance in several cities.

From the l4OOs candle lanterns were usually used for street lighting until largely replaced by oil and gas burners in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries respectively.

Timekeeping candles have been recorded from the ninth century. These had twelve divisions marked on them and they burned for twenty-four hours. Candles based on this system were used in coalmines until about forty years ago to measure the duration of a work shift.

In the late 18th century a better material was discovered for candles. Known as spermaceti it was a substance found in the head of the sperm whale. Stearine, discovered in 1823, produced an even more stable, less smokey and brighter light.

But the greatest advance came in 1857 when paraffin wax, still the mainstay of production-today. In 1829, William Wilson of Price's Candles invested in 1,000 acres (4 km2) of coconut plantation in Sri Lanka. His aim was to make candles from coconut oil. Later he tried palm oil from palm trees. An accidental discovery swept all his ambitions aside when his brother George Wilson distilled the first petroleum oil in 1854. By 1922, the Lever Brothers had purchased Prices Candles and in 1922 a joint-owned company called "Candles Ltd" was created. The three owners are known as Shell Oil Company, BP and Burmah Oil. By 1991, the last remaining owner of "Candles Ltd" was Shell, who sold off the candle-making part of business.

Despite advances in candle making, the candle industry was devastated soon after by the distillation of kerosene (an excellent fuel for lamps). (In Britain kerosene is known as paraffin oil or paraffin despite having little to do with paraffin wax). From this point, candles became more of a decorative item.

…………..and that as they say folks, is History.

The Baker

2006-04-13T21:54:00.000-08:00

The Baker

“Take not from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.”

Thomas Jefferson

The Worshipful Company of Bakers has a long and noble heritage going back over 800 years, I particularly enjoy their motto “Praise God For All”, which is also the traditional grace used before all meals.

As well, from a tradition based on scripture, one is encouraged to give thanks for their daily bread. Today, as through out history, the term of bread has evoked the use of monetary concepts, community, political contention and sustenance for ones family. As well it has been accorded with nursery rhyme and verse, to which many an author has ascribed a quote in one form or another.

In London the first known records of the existence of the Bakers’ Guild are contained in the great ‘Pipe Rolls’ of Henry II which listed the yearly ‘farm’ paid to the Crown and in these it is shown that the Bakers of London paid a Mark of gold to the King’s Exchequer for their Guild from 1155 AD onwards. The importance of bread and baking however goes back thousands of years before that.

A Bit of History

THE COURT OF HALIMOTE
The Bakers Guild had the very onerous responsibility of enforcing the ‘Bread Assize’ within a radius of 2 miles from the City of London or a circumference of 12 miles around, excluding the City of Westminster.

The Guild was given wide legal powers by the Court of Aldermen to administer the Assize and to order such punishments as were fitting. The Master acted as Magistrate with a jury composed of Wardens and Assistants from the Court of the Company. Only two other Companies ever received such authority - the Weavers and Fishmongers.

The Court Room of the Company’s Hall was used for these judicial purposes and the curious low balustrade across the room, at which offenders and others had to appear, is retained to this day. Another important feature of this “Court of Holy-Moot”. (Halimote), was the pair of scales, now in a glass case at the top of the stairs, for short weights was probably the most common offence. Another, not unknown in the days when coarse sandstones were used for milling, was to add extra sand to the flour, and skulls on display in London Museums show clearly how teeth were worn down as a result. Less disastrous but no less fraudulent was the addition of sawdust.

Apart from minor infringements, the penalties for more serious offences were on the first occasion for the offender to be dragged on a hurdle through the dirtiest streets of the City with the faulty loaf hanging from his neck. For the second offence he was pilloried for an hour, and if he broke the law a third time, his oven was pulled down and he had to forswear baking for evermore.

The last bit of history is rather striking if you consider such application in today’s labor markets, can you imagine the dishonest mechanic slowly ‘towed’ through the streets of town for installing used parts and calling them ‘new’, or the disingenuous store clerk/cashier being taken to task for a undeserved snide remark or slothfully attending to their daily duties? Perhaps we have forgotten the worth of our daily bread and it’s importance. By chance we may be reminded yet again….

In general, bread baking, as an artisan activity is an important part of many people's lives. Whether one bakes at home or professionally is irrelevant. Many fine bakers bake at home, never open a business, and yet contribute to the artisan movement.

The Basics

Bread, in one form or another, has been one of the principal forms of food for man from earliest times.

Before the manufacture and widespread availability of commercial yeast, bread bakers depended on wild airborne yeast to spontaneously ferment flour and water. When a particularly successful strain of yeast was established, bakers preserved it by setting aside a small piece of the uncooked dough. By adding this piece of old dough, called a starter, to new dough batches, bakers better controlled the fermentation process. This technique is still used to make sourdough bread. Over time the strain of yeast develops a flavor and character that is specific to a particular environment. Sourdough breads produced in different geographical regions—for example, San Francisco, California, and Paris, France—are recognized for the distinct flavors imparted by individual yeast strains.

Bread, highly nutritious food eaten in one form or another by nearly every person on earth.

Colonial Americans made bread from cornmeal at home, baking it in the fireplace hearth. Wheat for bread became available as American settlers migrated westward to the plains—regions with climates suitable for wheat farming—and established cooperative mills for grinding grain. Railroads made grain and flour distribution efficient and cost-effective. Bread makers had to make their own yeast or rely on old dough starters for leavening until 1868, when prepared packaged yeast was made available for sale to the public.

Superstitions, Economy, Tradition, Quotes and Proverbs

Last of all I would leave you with a few ‘morsels’ if you will from various societal cultures:

Leave bread and coffee under a house to prevent ghosts from calling.

The workers who built the pyramids of Egypt were paid in bread.

The New Year tradition of First Footing involves leaving a piece of bread, coal and a silver coin at the front door, - to bring you warmth, comfort and enough money to last throughout the coming year.

‘We have learned to see in bread an instrument of community between men - the flavour of bread shared has no equal’ ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Bread in one hand, a stone in the other. (German Proverb)

Of note, this verse sums up the best (in my mind) of agrarian thought:

Psalms 104:14-15
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.

(To be continued)

The Butcher

2006-03-31T18:59:00.000-09:00

Throughout the realms where despots reign,
What tracks of glory now remain!
Their people, slaves of power and pride,
Fat Beef and Freedom are denied!
What realm, what state, can happy be,
Wanting our Beef and Liberty?

The above-mentioned verse was an ode to the Sublime Society of Beefsteaks, a song sung by the President of the Day and fitting tribute to the subject matter of the butcher.

It was with interesting appeal that I researched the trade of the butcher, through various cultures, history and times. Perhaps one of the succinct articles that struck the cord in my heart as well as the heart of the matter was this, Waste not, want not written by CJ Mouser for Agriculture Online which I suppose rang true to my own personal modified idiom (and prayer) which is Want not waste!

Now when one thinks of a butcher or the term 'to butcher' it is oft easy these days to think of a barbaric ritual of gratuitous bloodletting and a hack & slash manner of consumptive squander.

Far a field from the art and skills employed by the non-industrialized butcher of times past, for it was with care of his craft and the necessities of economy that preserved his labors. Yet the question might be put, is it but by the standards set by the cult of efficiency, more aptly known as modern progress that we have allowed it to pass? Can the ideal and practice of a local butcher be rekindled, and diligently serve a localized economy? I think, ~Yes.

Tom & I were discussing the subject of the local butcher this past week as we 'talked shop' and I mentioned missing the benefit of our community having one here in Catskill. Knowing that the common practice of one dressing their own has for all practical sense been regulated out of existence to the benefit of the industrialized agricultural companies and cronies at the UDSA. Makes one desire Beef & Liberty!

This topic though is not so much as to eulogies or romanticize the efforts or the local butcher, but to get to the heart of the matter of sufficiency. As well, to dispel some of the hunker in the bunker notions and thinking of those within & without the agrarian community. Was it better said, No man is an island?

To the concept of misquoted or misdirected thinking regarding self-sufficiency, it's a lonely row we hoe indeed if we claim that we have no need of another. For in part we are determined to "provide for ones own" and it is of benefit to "chop wood and carry water" to use a phrase for our labor that we not become an undue burden to our neighbor. To that I would add that it is not becoming of the hand to say to the eye ~ I have no need of thee!

Community requires us to admit we each need the work, the knowledge and the skill of the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker for each in a local society provide in goods and economy for the general well being of the people. I like the idea that Small, Local, Old, and Particular are almost always better than Big, Global, New, and Abstract. That sufficiency of ones own can be defined within a community (roughly framed) as this:

Accomplishing defined or required objectives, according to the required or defined conditions, conforming with the right time, place, quantity, quality and costs.

As within a family each person within a community should have value, and that value or worth, defined by distant markets is cheapened by the mile. Something to consider when you ask yourself what is my time worth? and you gaze not at the face of your clock but at its base...

MADE IN CHINA

Rubadubdub

2006-03-25T19:27:00.000-09:00

Rub-a-dub-dub

Three men in a tub, And who do you think they be? The butcher, the baker, The candlestick maker, They all jumped out of a rotten potato! Turn 'em out knaves all three.

Not to turn you toward childish prose (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but as an object lesson toward economic modality, I wanted to touch upon the subject of trades, home economies, and ways of living outside of the ‘norm’ or standards set from industrial age to the service sector economy as it pertains to sufficiency, labor and hearth.

I enjoyed pick up a copy of “Henry and the Great Society” over at Cumberland Books several weeks back after reading Chad’s Post on the material and related comments elsewhere. Always grateful when I can read something that challenges my thinking and makes me consider my ways.

Some other titles that I’ve had the pleasure to read relating to this topic were R.C Sproul Jr.’s “When You Rise Up” and “Family man, family Leader” by Phillip Lancaster as they began the thought I was having of what it means to provide for ones family and raise up children in a manner best suited to ones desire to honor God in our life and our relationships. It is with that pretext that I attempt to approach this topic as it relates to our family.

So to have others contributed greatly to our thinking such as KS Milkmaid, who helped inspire the beginning of our writing (my wife has begun her own work here) and as recently as Herrick’s contribution to our thinking of what home is as well as many others – if I were to name them all it would become the forward of a book, rather than the beginning of a blog post. So I’ll abstain in lengthier mentions and due credits.

As the saying goes, those who can’t do – teach, those who can’t teach –administrate and those who can’t administrate –legislate: to which I’d add, to those who can’t legislate –arbitrate. Knaves, the lot of them! Now I use this stereotypical axiom to make a point and not to disparage individual personages, obviously this consideration wrongfully applied to individual actions does more to apply heat rather than light if addressed improperly. The focus for my use can be found at it’s beginning, or if you will, what we do as a means to our own sufficiency.

The very thought of which begs the question of do we understand the term –sufficiency. I personally like the definition of the term, as I see it best applied to this consideration:

Sufficiency - Adequate means to live in modest comfort.

Taking a day or two to think about what that means and applied to ones own life, you might find that in comparison our goal or ideal is far a field from our practices. Surely it is a definition lost to or unfamiliar in our modern culture. Who cannot when reading that over, and over again give proper pause to consider and reflect on what is enough. Most posed the question, can we ever have “enough” would respond with a resounding NO! That by reference is the essence of the consumeristic mindset of our generation, and the habits and practices we daily engage ourselves in as a nation of consumers. There are untold volumes of information written on this subject or idea alone. A book read twice by me and now due again for a thrice, “Your Money or Your Life” addresses the concept of enough in well thought out terms. Good enough for this agrarian.

The final part of the equation is home – what it is, out of necessity what is required and what is accomplished by it. My thinking on this subject is far from complete or clear and somewhat linear and Americanized to a degree. Pardon it as a work in progress and be gentle in its critique. Somewhat like Google’s model for applications – its in beta testing – out there, but not always functional. So on with the show.

I’ll break this topic out in to three separate posts, this being it’s introduction, the following will be The Butcher, The Baker and (you guessed it…..) The Candlestick Maker. Then I’ll conclude (maybe) with some final thoughts which I’ll entitle The Rotten Potato. Stay Tuned…….

Ode to Allelon

2006-03-22T18:55:00.000-09:00

Ode to Allelon

The photo posted above is my (uber-obsessive) ideal of organized gardening gear. No folks, please, no self help web links – this photo is a display at the Chicago Botanical garden and not my garage. (Though come to think of it, I do have a blank brick wall……) Ok, so it’s that time again, as all would-be, old world and neo-agrarian (sorry I always wanted to try that neo-something - or – another) farmers and gardeners rejoice for the days & rays of sunshine and warmer earth return. Where spring is sprung and all things green return, why should we reserve it to just one day for the Irish? Our garden gnome is ready to return from hibernation with the rather large pond frog he’s been vacationing on the shelf with this winter and building plans for our new coop-de-ville (no not an auto or a chicken tractor) but the new resident home of our fowl friends residing in their cardboard commune located in an empty back bedroom of our home for the past three weeks. The Rhode Island Reds are feathering out, healthy and attentive, a bit on the hungry side as they are learning to flock toward the feeding hand rather than away from it as days pass. I not quite sure how much or little I should be feeding them to think of it, perhaps a bit of sagely advice from you veteran chicken farmers out there would be in order. We have 14 birds all total, and I would say it’s just the right amount, any more and we’d be overwhelmed, any less and we’d miss the ‘madness’ of daily feedings and cleanings of the circle pen. We’ve learned a lot over the past few weeks and I am quite proud of my wife and her diligence and care for the animals. Faithful in the little things is important first steps toward accomplishing any thing you set to doing, and she’s done well.

If you’ve wondered where I have been as of late – no I’ve not been beamed up – or assimilated by the borg. (Gratuitous Star-trek mentions)…. to keep my good friend Jim interested enough in reading through these posts. I have not taken Lenten as our good farmer Tom (we miss you Tom!) I have been doing due diligence for getting things inline for a successful spring season for our family, farm endeavors and fiduciary duties for our Company and personal assets.

A note of thanks to Herrick for his links on page to the Daily Reckoning and mentions of the Money Changer (we’ve put some of that knowledge to work) as well his mention of the Book entitled “Crunchy Cons”. It was a wonderful read and worth picking up if you have the notion, it’s helped us in forming a more apolitical definition of our terms and what we stand for as Constitutionally and Culturally Conservative Christians in a post-industrial age of amoral attitudes, actions & ideals in a time of irresponsible and overreaching governmental authoritarianism that borders on global fascism and not the freedom and democracy (as if we ever were one) that the founders of this fine republic once shed their blood and treasure for in principle and honor.

Ok, so a bit of a rant, but I wanted to make the point clear, as not to be misunderstood.

I personally enjoyed the commentary on the greening of the conservative mindset as an idea whose time has come. After all the root wording to conservative is to conserve - which is to preserve, safeguard and protect that which is of inherent value, to the agrarian our fields – to the people our posterity, in Russell Kirk’s conviction that “the institution most essential to conserve is the family.”

Another book (finishing soon) is “Empire of Debt” which is enlightening as it is frightening as the author takes you through a historical look at the history of empires and their demise, a timely tome and insightful work, whether you agree with his premise or otherwise.

Well, a tad bit more to write, but that will have to wait for another day as I have some catching up to do with some responses and inquires, as well to read some of the generous writings of other fine folk in the agrarian blogsphere………….good nite, and good luck………..

MEDIA NEWS

2006-03-08T17:44:00.000-09:00

MEDIA NEWS

Sometimes (just for fun) I like to take a look around at things ‘making news’ in the world these days. It’s a feeling similar to driving down a country road on a moonless night at 85 miles an hour with the headlights off and the seatbelt unbuckled. Not that I’ve done that, but that is the best word picture I can ascribe to that heart racing experiences of the infamous quote ~ “To Hell in a Hand Basket” feeling as I look around.

Word of Caution: Buckle Up! It’s a bumpy ride…….

Spread Fears

Related Bird Flu issues, now they may ‘korrect’ this at some future point, but the initial paragraph line was “Spread fears”, I believe it was suppose to say, “Fears Spread”. Freudian slips do come out, intended or unintended in media new coverage.

Why Iran is NEXT

What really ‘fuels’ the rhetoric of pundit pushes amongst nuclear threats & warnings, is NOT oil per say, but that which the oil is purchased. As someone once put it, “It’s the economy stupid!”

In this case, its’ economics, and no, I won’t be calling anyone stupid. After all Forrest Gump (Fictional Character) said, “Stupid is as stupid does”, let’s hope the US Powers that be, watched that one and are smarter than a matchstick set to strike.

Money 101

An interesting blog article on the oil and economic issues of the American Dollar; Here.

Overt Media Manipulation Anyone?

Click Here, for “The most powerful weapon in the world” As stated on their homepage; search around this site ~ it gets real scary.

Well as one Media Anchor put it in times past, “That’s the News”.

Editor’s Note: The above articles were not posted to scare the daylights out of you or to instill fear in the general populace. If you take anything away from these listings, let it be that knowledge is something not easily taken away, but ignorance is distributed freely. Avoid ignorance; you pay for what you get, caveat emptor. Regards.

The Birthday Present

2006-02-26T19:54:00.000-09:00

The Birthday Present

Sometimes they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it is with that spirit that I chose to duplicate Herrick’s web post title line today. [Please Click Here for Herrick’s Blog] Honestly it was my title line for today, created two days ago, but I did not find time to get a photo shot of the Axe.

This was a gift to me from my dear wife & my folks for passing mile marker thirty-eight, 20 years Chaz’s senior, but by all means folks if you’ve got boys and you’re so inclined, get them an axe! Don’t wait till they’re nigh to old to swing it either, as in my case, the earlier the better especially if you own a woodstove. (::wink::)

This particular axe was a definite desire of mine, a Gränsfors Bruks forged by Rune Andersson in Sweden. If you have the time it is a site worth viewing, aside from making a great product, I like their business model and philosophy. We hope to emulate their business model in many ways with the Coffee Company and our future farm endeavors. Like said earlier, Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The fast buck company is still out there, the 9 to 5 till your 65 will soon be replaced by the 6 to 8 till your 88, or some facsimile of the same for the willing or weak. As for the meek, we shall inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5) for what does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul? (Mark 8:36) I’m not so sure about Jesus as CEO, but I do know Him as King and Sovereign Lord and with that knowledge shall my family and I be content.

I mentioned to KS Milkmaid about the perplexing 10-year question I kept asking myself over and over again. To which I found my answer, and in it my course has been forever altered. My good friend Jim has a good measure for things when stretched or anxious, give it the 10,000-year test.

I.E. Ask yourself, “Will this matter in Ten Thousand Years?” and then act upon your principles and oft is said let you conscious be your guide, hopefully you’ve packed a pound of proverbs for your progress. A good reason for memorization of scripture. Now please don’t apply this measure to small tasks and petty pondering, and quip back with the “you said to” repartee, I tell you then that you have a fool for a guide, and I'd direct you to the nearest gas station to buy a map and a bus ticket one way. Save it for the heavy lifting of the souls work and unselfish service to others, for such as this it should be life’s liberal grease. Enough of my banter of the subject; thus endeth the lesson.

As I indicated above, the axe was a definite desire, see want, far from being a “need” as I did not “need” a G.B. crafted Axe. Truth be told, I do not need an axe at ‘tall! Since the wood we currently use warms our hearth and not our home. Knowing this let me make the conscious choice determining a want vs. a need. It is a lesson my wife and I are learning to live; the Conservers Lifestyle in eliminating many of our wants and pairing down our needs we get to focus in on what matters most to us. It’s a FUN feeling! Small, slow steps are beginning to feel like freedom for our souls as we wake to the reality that 99.9% of many of the proclaimed “necessities” of life are down right burdensome and apart from the singsong parroting voice of society and the keeping up with the “Jones” we need not carry the lot of them.

I hope you have as much fun with it as we are, tis good to sing a new song today (::with a bluegrass background of course!::) Regards.

Chicken Little

2006-02-22T13:42:00.000-09:00

Chicken Little

Once upon a time there was a tiny, tiny chicken named Chicken Little. One day Chicken Little was scratching in the garden when something fell on his head. "Oh," cried Chicken Little the sky is falling, I must go tell the king." So Chicken Little ran and ran, and she met Henny Penny. "Where do you travel so fast, Chicken Little?" asked Henny Penny. "Ah, Henny Penny", said Chicken Little, " the sky is falling and I must go tell the king." "How do you know the sky is falling, Chicken Little?" asked Henny Penny. "I saw it with my eyes, I heard it with my ears, and a bit of it fell on my head," said Chicken Little. "I will go with you to the king", said Henny Penny.......................

Well we’ve been (er) busy the past few weeks. As some of you know we were in the process of incubating 18 hatching eggs of Rhode Island Reds. Some 21 days later our beginnings came to a not so glorious end. 0 Hatched. Daunted and somewhat disappointed we candled them (something we should have done about day 8) only to find out that they were mushy fellows and had no chance of hatching. Could have been the cold in shipping, viral infection in the eggs, not fertilized, and human error? Truth is we do not know. I emailed our supplier and she assured me she would ship out a fresh batch sometime soon. A generous offer on her part as we we’re not bitter or blaming the supplier in any way. As I told my wife, in life (as in death), these things happen. We’ll let you know when/if the new shipment arrives and our success or failure in that second endeavor. As I said in a previous post, not all things that end – end well, but they do end. To quote a Frenchie Say-La-Vee, “La Vee”. As you might note I’m somewhat of a backwater linguist. (::grin::)

Ok, so you might ask, “Where did all the chickens come from?” To that end my answer would be McMurray Hatchery. We received 25 baby Rhode Island Red chicks and one “mystery” chick, which they throw in free of charge with your order. (if you choose to receive it) He is the ‘odd one out’ of the bunch, so we’ll see who or what he is in a few weeks. So the house is alive with the sound of chirping, or should I say the back bedroom, now turned hatchery operations control. They are indeed ‘fun to watch’, better than television and commercial free! So soon I will begin the building of our coop for the backyard along the concrete and stone fence line. We’ll not be keeping the lot of them as we partnered with a farm friend to share in half the cost of ordering and shipping the chicks.

We’ll have enough layers, Lord willing, to produce between 18-28 eggs a week when grown. A friend of ours already enquired about how much we’d charge for a dozen? I hadn’t really given much thought to that, though, I know round these parts the local “stupor-market” charges between $3.29-3.89 a dozen of noncommercial raised eggs. I’ll have to do the math for acquisition, feed, shelter and general maintenance – sans labor to produce a price to cost ratio that will give us a break even target & poultry profit for an annualized (ROI) return of investment capital. I guess this is where our Farm Operations begin, today.

After all, as I remarked to Farmer John, this ‘isn’t no Hobby Farm’ a word I loathe to some degree, as it is 180 opposite of our operations, aspirations and goals. As I said to one fellow “we’re serious & we mean business”. And by the by, we mean to have some serious FUN with the thing! Some of our greatest joy over the past several months has been in the discussion and future preparations for our family farm. We are a few years out from large (micro-scale) endeavors that we hope to implement with the acquisition of more land, but we work with what we’ve got and the Lord has provided. It’s the faith in small things that builds greater trust and responsibilities for the larger endeavors. As a bean counter, counting the cost is second nature, and first priority before proceeding in any endeavor of capital or resources ~ time or fiat currency notes. Something I aim to spend more time in discussing over the next several months of web-logging. I think that in principal and practice a solid understanding of economy is of great benefit and oft neglected as ‘taboo’ in today’s modern society. Dispelling myths and opening eyes is a forthright endeavor to bettering our society, community and nation. Stay tuned.

Chickens aside for the moment, we are bedding out the back of the house in preparation for a larger planting this year. Several new crops will be planted from heirloom OP seed stock. Our worm farm population is growing and the ‘herd’ has about doubled. You might say I have some caffeine-nated critters, as the majority of feed for the red wigglers has been coffee grounds from our Company’s castings. From coffee ‘castings’ to worm castings, nothing goes to waste. I’d dare say we recycle more than most surbanites do in separating tin cans, glass jars and the lot of various bins to “save the earth” and assuage their ailing conscious. Not to poke fun at our “environmentally friendly friends” but the only tree I’d feel comfortable hugging is the one I’d cut down for firewood to fuel my family’s hearth or a fruit tree to fuel my family’s dearth. Trees are a renewable resource if forested and properly managed. It’s the consumptive lot of the mass of men leading quite lives of desperation that lead to our dwindling resources not the logger & axe of a local woodsman or cabinet maker.

Regarding peak oil, we, Lord willing, will have our first ‘alternative’ fueled vehicle on the road by this fall. A delay in scheduling put this project to the back burner for 2005, but we are going to make another ‘go around’ at it this year. I have an old 1980 Mercedes 300TD diesel wagon that I purchased to be converted to bio-diesel & WVO operation. Just for the record WVO and bio-diesel are two different processes altogether, and oft confused by the mainstream media & press when discussing “alternative” fuels. Originally Rudolph Diesel designed his engine to run on peanut oil and was interested in providing a means to reduce cost for farmers in their agricultural operations. There is a company close to us called greasecar that sell a conversion kit for straight WVO operation and I am working toward more involvement with a local group who produce and process bio-diesel using an appleseed processor . I’m anxious to hear about Tom’s endeavors with corn-esters for farm operations there in MN.

Like it, love it or loathe it, big oil is going down deep into the pocketbooks of everyday Americans like never before in the history of this great nation, the ripple effect of their actions will be nigh miss the economies of the US from Food, Fuel, Jobs, Housing, lives and what ever you like to the list, as we have enjoyed a season of long suffered cheap fuel and the “piper is calling” and the season is changing. Lest you think this is some ‘doomsday sonnet’ it is not, far from it. With great challenges there is great reward, whether the glass is half empty or half full is a matter of perspective, our greatest challenge may be to keep our consumeristic neighbor from drinking the other half of the glass! I hold firm in my belief that this great nation founded upon the bedrock of principled men and watered by the blood of patriots is not easily ripped asunder or plundered beyond repair or rebirth given that we who may act upon principle, steadfast and like flint look to the betterment of society by first bettering our homes. Lest we sacrifice another generation to the soul sick tendencies that have diverted our path and our purpose, let our standard and practice be something greater than ourselves, and so claim a noble birth right for our children. It can be done, it shall be done, so let it won by the victor of time immortal Him alone.

(to be continued…)

Money Matters

2006-02-11T12:52:00.000-09:00

Money Matters

(but not all that much)

Economy is one of a subject that tends to drive the human psyche of ‘economic man’ into, at times, fits of derision or contemplative joy. It’s components of time and labor, not to mention material sustenance and its excesses of consumption (see consumerism) is a varying vice or virtue depending on the context of the conversation or topic at hand.

It is a subject that one such aware, can devote the better hours of given days attending to its attributes or function for want, worry or in pursuit of gain.

Haggai 1:5-7

This is a doorpost verse for us as we enter in and exit again our dwelling. It is one of contemplative care, which in tending to daily matters, economic or otherwise, we know the importance and the function it provides us in what we do and for whom we do it for each day.

It’s facets are poorly taught by either standard education, family governance, or church doctrine, as an informal “taboo” that might give cause to offend the mass of men living equal lives of desperation. It would be a remarkable understatement to say that I doubt it is something that can be justly treated in one brief post. I hope that in touching upon some various facets of this bedazzling jewel we give light to areas of our lives we have not gazed…………………

Food Economics 101: Bringing it Home

In hopes to produce a more local and sustainable food system for my family we have endeavored to look into and study out that which we consume in the food chain to sustain us. The concept is somewhat simple, buy and eat locally produce products, the process is somewhat daunting, at first.

Growing local or going local may be the single most effective thing we can do to effect a change or a shift in the economy of our households, neighbors and friends. Given the widespread havoc reaped through globalization of our food systems here in the US and abroad. The evils of such mega corporations such as Monsanto, Wal-Mart and their ilk are apparent as the noonday sun if one is inclined to remove their government issued ‘rose’ colored glasses if only for a moment. It is only through sloth and self-imposed ignorance that we can today claim or remain unaware.

One does not need the postulations of a doomsday prophet, consult the oracle of Omaha or a Wall Street wizard to know that centralization and specialization brings destruction to local economies. We only need ask ourselves whether it is realistic to continue pulling the entire global population into a single economy?

What is Localization?

Localization is essentially a process of de-centralization - shifting economic activity into the hands of thousands of small- and medium-sized commerce markets instead of concentrating it in fewer and fewer mega-corporations. Localization doesn't mean that every community would be entirely self-reliant; it simply means striking a balance between trade and local production by diversifying economic activity and shortening the distance between producers and consumers wherever possible. In a growing concern for our (not so) recent ‘addiction to oil’ here in the US, this proposal appears to be the sane and logical alternative to the growing anxiety for economic stability in our country today. Again there are other factors at play in this, but this is one.

It is not unrealistic to suggest that the first step towards localization should take place in our food consumption. Since food is something everyone, everywhere, needs every day, a shift from global food to local food would have the greatest impact of all.

Most people are unaware (or simply do not care) that the ‘lions share’ of what they spend on food does not reach or go to the producer, but to the middlemen or corporations that process and package the end product. For example here in the United States distributors, marketers and input suppliers take 91 cents out of every food dollar, while farmers keep only 9 cents. (*) With the marching aggression of global operations of companies such as Wal-Mart who price dictate their costs to the middlemen it would not be unrealistic to see this margin decline in the future. Regarding retail food sales, Kroger is currently the number one retailer in the United States, after acquiring Fred Meyer in 1999. It is estimated that 10 cents of every supermarket dollar in this country is spent at a Kroger store. Kroger’s sales of beef and pork products tie it to the Monsanto/Cargill food chain cluster. (*)

Local food systems have enormous rewards; local food is usually far fresher, more nutritious needing fewer preservatives or additives, and organic processes can eliminate harmful and costly fertilizer and pesticide residues for diseases and production not native to it’s local sources. Using non-GMO seed stock local farmers can grow varieties that are best suited to local climate and soils; animal husbandry can be integrated with crop production, providing healthier, more humane conditions for animals. Even food security would increase if people depended more on local foods, eliminating the need for such economically burdensome and intrusive programs such as NAIS and the various ponzi schemes created by the USDA and Big-AG.

From local production at home to CSAs’, farmers' markets and food co-ops, we can begin the hands-on work needed to build and fortify our local food systems and our local economy. Shortening the links between farmers and consumers may be one of the most strategic and enjoyable ways to bring about fundamental change for the better. How satisfying it is to know that by taking steps that are good for our families, neighbors and friends we are also making a very real contribution to preserving diversity, providing jobs and rural livelihoods that benefit us here in the US and all over around the globe. Now that’s a global vision.

How it Began Here

What began as a garden experiment with our new (old) home, blossomed into something that is larger that the task begun. Wife says to husband: “Let’s plant a garden this summer and grow some tomatoes.” Husband obliges stirring in him the God given desire to till and to toil. Once begun, Pandora’s Box was opened and we came to know the challenges that lay before us. Now the expanse of our plot and the introduction of new varieties of seed is one way of how we measure progress and change. The work is of benefit not only in terms of monetary economics, but also in health of mind, body and soul. After all, what is the price of a man’s soul these days?

That is my idea of Food Freedom, you might wish to stop by Liberty Farm and say hi to Joe. He’s new to the blogsphere, but a guy who likes Dexter Cattle is good in my book.

Bread Circuses

2006-02-08T08:35:00.000-09:00

Bread
And
Circuses

Offerings, such as benefits or entertainments, intended to placate discontent or distract attention from a policy or situation.

Bread and circuses became the method that the ruling class of ancient Rome used to maintain their power and control of the people. This method kept their sheep fat and happy, even as they fleeced them and sent them off to plunder, I mean protect, the free world.

The circuses have changed from the gladiator contests live in the coliseum, to the good vs. evil games on our modern televisions. No longer do we need to leave our homes to watch the games in person, as they are delivered to our homes in full color and surround sound, if one is so fortunate a plasma screen, 56 inches of faith.

Every four years the power brokers of politics put on an audience interactive game, where (in theory) the sheep have a chance to direct the path of government and decide who will be their master for the next four years. This guise is referred to as a Democratic Election, when in truth it is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, a former shadow of its original self.

It is all a big prearranged chess game, and the moves are carefully planned. As with the citizens of Roman, the sheep have become more interested in the game itself than their own freedom. In these modern times, a football game draws more attention than a protest against an illegal war, where our children are being slaughtered for dubious objectives and false pretense. Give a 19 single mother a WIC Card and you’ve won her for life – “Don’t worry kid, the first one's free…” Big daddy government enslaves another economic labor unit in the post-industrial service economy and its progeny without the use of force.

Ancient Rome has fallen and been replaced by the power brokers in Washington who control the nation state in fascist fashion, but the game is the same: keep the sheep fat, happy, and stupid as you send them off to die for the enrichment of the State. Our next scheduled conflict coming to a theater of operation near you, the title of our made for the movies blockbuster “I Ran”. There seems to be no greater honor than sacrifice for the State, as long as it is someone else’s son or daughter.

Nothing has changed in 2,000 years, and nothing will change in the future. The sheep are stupid and will never see the boot on their face, as they are too busy watching the games. As long as the State never attempts to take away their football or beer, the mind-controlled sheep will continue to be content.

It is time for those who can see and feel the boot to choose a path that will end their slavery. It is time to leave. Although some will undoubtedly be labeled traitors and un-American for leaving the “protection” of the police state and the confinement camps of the cities, it is the only possible option. Pay off your debt is a Godly endeavor. Release ones mouth from the suckling teat of the new Ano-Roman rule is another.

As one put it “Get Small” as another said, “Simplify everything a person can.” “Pack light and learn to carry your own water”, that translated means be prepared and learn to do for yourself rather than depend on others to provide for your family. Carry the gracious gift of God and the hope of eternity in your hearts, that neither man nor government can take away. As well, pray and with fervor, for the government that oppresses you, for wisdom and discernment, for the safety amidst the storms and trials that follow.

Know contentment and be satisfied with that which is earned as Godly gain, give generously to those who lack or are in need. A helping hand is a hand up not a hand out. For who could refuse someone who walking by the way sees his neighbor in a ditch saying “lend me your hand, help me out of this hole!”, and walk by to the other side and ignore his plea? Yet refrain from seeking to save that one who has found his “rut in life” and furnished, for when you say “neighbor let me help you from that hole your in” will he not strike your hand and curse you? Saying, “ I am well satisfied and my soul is fat and fulfilled. Why do you bother me?” This is the crux of wisdom and the root of the verse in Matthew.

These are wondrous days, upon the earth we walk on, so much to do, learn about and laugh. Never loose sight of objectives, and never grow weary in doing well. May the Lord greet you and keep you.

Soap Box

2006-02-01T14:26:00.000-09:00

Soap Box

After letting loose the ‘media hounds’ on the USDA, I thought I might take repose and focus some commentary on that which brings me joy, a topic of a Simple Life, quite memories shared over warm bread and hot coffee on a cold night by fire light. That which recounted time and time again, never bores or wears my mind.

So I’ll leave of with this reminder for those ever-vigilant constant gardeners of society progress:

The roots of our culture like the taproot of a dandelion, goes deep in to the soil of our souls.

Take care of the altar offerings presented to you in our technologically advanced post-industrial modern era. Lest like the false Shepherds of societies sacred cows lead you stray………

Channel 23
The TV is my shepherd; I shall not want anything else. It maketh me to lie down on the sofa. It leadeth me away from the Scripture. It destroys my soul. It leadeth me in the paths of sex and violence for the sponsor’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will enjoy the evil, for blood and sex they excite me. It’s cable and remote they comfort me. It prepares a commercial before me in the presence of my children. It anoints my head with humanism, my coveting runneth over.

Surely laziness and ignorance shall follow my family all the days of our lives, and we shall dwell in the house watching TV forever.

Thanks to Dave Black for posting this parody from his sons congregational challenge.

CAN the USDA

2006-01-31T09:13:00.000-09:00

USDA BACKS CANADIAN BEEF

No Change in U.S.-Canada Trade Foreseen

Agriculture Online News

Canada's Agriculture Minister this week announced the detection of a fourth case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) within the country's borders. The finding likely won't affect trade in beef or cattle between the U.S. and Canada.

"I appreciated the opportunity to speak with Canadian Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell today, who apprised me of the new BSE detection in Canada," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said in a release today. "I assured him that based on the information he supplied, I anticipate no change in the status of beef or live cattle imports to the U.S. from Canada under our established agreement."

"Our beef trade decisions follow internationally accepted guidelines that are based in science."

(Editor's Note: Perhaps he ment to say science-fiction?)

Johanns said USDA will continue to evaluate the situation as the investigation continues. He has directed USDA to work with Canada and its investigative team. Minister Mitchell has reportedly pledged his full cooperation.

"We will continue to adhere to international guidelines in our relationships with all trading partners, and my hope continues to be that we achieve a system of science-based global beef trade," Johanns said.

Meanwhile, the National Farmers Union President, Dave Frederickson, says he is "deeply concerned" by the situation.

"U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns should suspend all imports of Canadian cattle immediately, until we can be assured that Canada has its problem under control, and it can meet U.S. meat inspection standards," he said.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says the confirmed case of BSE affects an approximately six-year-old crossbred dairy brood cow born and raised in Alberta.

They say no part of the animal entered the human food or animal feed systems.

The source of infectivity, they say, is probably contaminated feed.

"Although the first evidence of BSE in the Canadian herd was in May 2003 and this recent animal would have become infected with the disease prior to that time, this case does support the need for Canada to continue to move towards enhancing the current feed ban," CFIA said.

The CFIA, working with the producer and the Province of Alberta, has launched a comprehensive investigation into the feeding regime and storage practices employed on the farm, as well as the production and source of feeds delivered to the farm.

Consistent with international standards, the CFIA says it will identify cattle born on the farm within 12 months before and after the affected animal, as well as offspring of the affected animal born during the last two years. Any live animals found from these groups will be segregated and tested.

CFIA says this case is "consistent with a low level of disease and does not indicate an increased risk of BSE in Canada."

They also noted in a release to the press today that the finding is not unexpected and was identified through Canada's national surveillance program, which targets cattle at highest risk of being infected with BSE. The program has tested more than 87,000 animals since Canada's first BSE case in 2003.

"If the current feed ban was not doing its job and the disease was amplifying, the number of cases detected through our aggressive surveillance program would be much higher. This program is directed at the highest risk animals and is based on guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health," the CFIA said in a statement on its web site.

Editors Comments
Well I'm not sure what concerns me most these days with all the news 'you can swallow' coming from the USDA and their "Global Partners". Mabye we'll see some turkeys from, well Turkey, just in time for Thanksgiving this year if MJ has his say in matters.

When the NFUP President and a senior (D) Senator on the Senate Agriculture Committee express sometimes being 'deeply concerned' regarding the handling of Beef and Poultry for our nations food supplies, how should I view this in the 'wake' of a coming tsunami named NAIS on the small farm food supply?

When they say (and I quote) "The source of infectivity, they say, is probably contaminated feed." What THEY are really saying is '....hell boys we don't know!' Now that should scare you. Not to worry, some burro-rat will introduce legislation to propose tracking the national seed stock, because after all we need Security. After all, don't be alarmed because (and I quote) "They say no part of the animal entered the human food or animal feed systems." Don't know about you, but I'll sure sleep better tonight knowing that! (::cough::) Now just incase you thought that Ole Mikey's "flying by the seat of his pants" rest assured (and I quote) "Our beef trade decisions follow internationally accepted guidelines based in science." I wonder if MJ is a Star Trek fan or that this is the US Food Supply not the UN Food distribution guidelines for the global food supply.

Mabye Mike ought to look at his own quotes and ask what information didn't the AM of Canada supply him? Just a thought.

NAIS, USDA, Beef, Cattle, Cow, Farm, Farming

USDA NEWS

2006-01-30T22:41:00.000-09:00

USDA BACKS PROCESSED CHINESE POULTRY

By Libby Quaid
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The Agriculture Department is seeking to allow shipments of poultry processed in China, where thousands of birds and several people have died from bird flu.
Critics are urging the department to drop the proposal, and the U.S. industry is raising concerns about how it would affect consumers' perception of chicken safety. The United States does not accept poultry imports from countries where the virulent bird flu strain is present.
Under the department's proposal, the United States still would not accept Chinese chickens. China would have to process poultry slaughtered in the United States or other countries from which this country accepts poultry.
Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa said yesterday that the United States could not afford to take chances. He acknowledged there were safeguards in the plan but said the department had a poor record on inspections.
"We know that USDA's foreign food inspections have had problems in the past, and with so many unanswered questions, it is not wise to allow processed poultry imports from China at this time," said Harkin, the senior Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
"I am concerned the administration is neglecting the substantial public-health and economic risks to the United States, which USDA itself acknowledges but fails to address," he said.
The industry did not ask for the proposal, National Chicken Council spokesman Richard Lobb said. Chicken companies recently launched tests of every flock in the nation to reassure people that chicken was safe to eat.
"The timing is a mystery to us," Lobb said. "We did not seek this rule. We're not objecting to it, but we didn't support it, either."

Mabye someone in China got the idea that the bad press worldwide was hurting thier AG economy, so they would 'extort' (er....apply) a little pressure in the US Economy or quit buying our debt? Just a thought.

NAIS, USDA, Chickens, Farm, Poultry, Farming

Goals

2006-01-27T18:19:00.000-09:00

Future Goal

As I’ve written about in the past an appropriate mental picture (See: Dream) is necessary for achieving ones goals. The closer you can get to visualizing that which you seek to attain is of great benefit. I came across this picture in an Australian Gourmet Food Publication. We were spending the evening with some friends who will be opening an Italian Café in Rhinebeck, NY and they are working out the menu details. I came along with my wife as the “unofficial” taste tester and general nuisance in the test kitchen.

If a picture is worth a thousand words (as some have said) this is worth several thousand to me. If I were to have a better visual goal to frame in my office I think this is it. A reminder to me as to what I am striving toward. Obviously not in layout: but in concept.

I have been doing some more research on NAIS and came across an article, which I think, gives a proper overview of it. Mary Zanoni, Ph.D., the author seems generally PRO-Farm and spearheading some positive press in getting people aware. I hope to be obtaining additional information from her soon. You can listen in on some of discussion here:

Mark on the Beast (Part I)

Mark on the Beast (Part II) *See NOTE at bottom of post

These are MP3 radio discussions, which may be of interest to some. The site MetroFarm host the radio show “Food Chain”. I’ve not review the site other than to listen in on the discussions. The NAIS guy John seems like a real shill!

Take a look, take a listen and let me know your thoughts. I’d be interested.

Note: The second half (Part II) on the web site had a link to Part I (Duplicated) I emailed the site author to see if they can correct the technical glitch. For the time being click here for the "Gospel of Grass",an enjoyable dicussion from Alan Nation, Publisher, The Stockman Grass Farmer.

Test Tag: Farm, Farming, NAIS, Homesteading

Got Milk?

2006-01-26T21:37:00.000-09:00

I ’ L L T A K E M Y S T A N D
T H E H I N D T I T

Excerpt:

The trouble is that already science has rubbed the bottle too many times. Forgetting in its hasty greed to put the stopper in, it has let the genius out. But the resumption by the farmer of his place of power in the present order is considered remote. Just what political pressure he will be able to bring upon the Republicans to better his lot is, at the moment, unknown. Accepting the most pessimistic view, the continued supremacy of this imperialism and his continued dependency upon it, his natural enemy, the wealth-warrior who stands upon the bridge of high tariff and demands tribute, he is left to decide upon immediate private tactics. How is the man who is still living on the land, and who lives there because he prefers its life to any other, going to defend himself against this industrial imperialism and its destructive technology.

If I had not know, I would have thought this was written 7 days ago, not 70 plus years. This was an all to interesting essay written by Andrew Nelson Lytle. In reading this over the past couple of days it has rendered me silent in contemplation.

The articles regarding GM Soy, NAIS-ty, and their ilk are the fruit of the seeds sown when this author took pen to paper and wrote these words. In it lays the answer to “What’s a person suppose to do?” if carefully studied and scrutinized.

Food for thought in up coming difficult times………………………..

Food For Thought

2006-01-21T12:43:00.000-09:00

Food For Thought

Found these items over the past couple of days that might be of interest to others.

Free-range Eggs are Better for your Health

Researchers Seek Tastier Pork

The last one seems humorous in the “Pork Barrel Spending Category” until I remember,

This is where a Government going bankrupt is spending our tax dollars? Sham(e)!

Compass Points

2006-01-16T03:09:00.000-09:00

Compass Points

The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change and the REALIST adjusts his sails.

I’ve often considered myself an optimist with realistic expectations. This outlook has always worked well for me and weathered many of the ‘storms of life’. This post is a mater of “just checking in” to review some of the thoughts here at the Holtzman Household.

I’ve been studying out some of the issues regarding homesteading as of late, updating, purging and adding to my files. A healthy review of needs vs. wants, a written timetable and proper goal setting is necessary for one wishing to peruse their aspirations. It’s been often said by many others that a proper goal is dream with an attached date to it. Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. A lack of flexibility is what leads to failure and undue bitter disappointment in ones self and others when less consideration is given to the process then the prospect of the goal. How many an adult has heard (with annoying inflection of tone) “Are we there yet?”

Refinement and at times a retooling (to use an industrial analogy) are sometimes necessary along the way to get from ‘concept’ to creation. Shedding of the ‘un-necessaries’ along the way, once thought essential, is a rewarding experience toward a simpler way of being and living “the good life” fulfilling, content and joyous beyond what one could conceive and/or imagine. These necessaries mind you need not be materialistic in nature, the relief of a burdensome predisposition to a preconceived way of thinking, once thought to be correct, then found wanting and in need of change or discard is of equal weight to that which we might carry along the way. (Matthew 11:29-30)

Our current home is for lack of a better analogy is a 'working lab' of sorts. It is where we are giving trial runs to real world applications for our future homesteading goals. Our recent projects include Bio-Diesel (which may be soon abandoned or modified in application and use), photovoltaic production as a source of energy (limited use applications), seed saving and crop planting & rotation for small scale sustainable agriculture, and two new projects that begin this week raising poultry and vermiculture (worm farming). We are studying out some various building material concepts & applications, but these are just in the “hopper” or thought stages currently along with some cattle considerations and other small farm husbandry.

Now before the jokes start flying and you send in email about “our herd” or the “Great Worm Round Ups!” (laughing at myself) one of the considerations for this lab-test experiment is for soil study and feed applications. Most of what we do here currently is “small scale” and helps in the process of elimination or adaptation to our future model of use and application.

Chickens will be our first livestock. In fact we’ve never raised chickens! So, with fear & trepidation we move forward, one step at a time. We ordered 18 hatching eggs (Rhode Island Reds) that should arrive Tuesday, barrowed an incubator from a ‘farm friend’ of ours and will hope for the best! We are hoping for three to five layers out of the batch, the roosters and rest to go to our lender of equipment which helps reduce the inputs and shares in the fun. One of the things we are grateful for in this online agrarian community is how many of you have influenced our thought process with farming concepts. Much of how I now think in terms of economic viability is terms of “inputs” and “outputs” – real simple. I like that type of math and accounting. It helps clarify decisions ‘right quick’ on whether something is going to work for us or burden & hinder us with unnecessary costs or expenditure in labors outside or ancillary to our goals of operation.

As Tom put it in his plain talk conversation, don’t think we’re all about money – we’re not. It is the intangibles we’re after as much as economic factors. For example, originally, I was going to build an incubator out of the ‘junk pile’ here at the house, which I refer to as our “Refuse Relocation Project”. (My wife she calls it “the basement”, narrow thinking – Grin!) Then the thought came to include a bit of community outreach and ask for some help (or a loan of sorts), which turned out as a benefit to us as it reduced our “inputs” and allowed another to share in our venture. Win – Win!

Not to “count our chickens before their hatch” but total investment costs to date is$24.63. ($10.63 for 1/2 the order, (9) hatching eggs & shipping and $14.00 for one Chicken Video) Though the video does not include a section on hatching and is elementary in nature, it does cover some useful basics; to include culling and dressing the birds. I will need to source out some additional information on raising poultry and associated feed issues. Some of our associated feed cost will be covered by “Our Herd” of worms for sure. We’ll let you know how it goes…..

Books

2006-01-11T04:31:00.000-09:00

Books

"The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation."

~Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749 - 1832)

Here’s an excerpt:

Home Government ---- It’s Importance.
B.F. Booth

The Importance of sacredly guarding the family relation can not be well overestimated. It is the foundation-stone of all that is good and pure both in civilization and religion. Take this away, and the whole fabric must topple and fall. The first government on earth was patriarchal, and in it was contained the inception of all civil authority; and, indeed, all rightful civil government to the present day is only an enlarged form of family government in a representative form, taking into consideration the wants and necessities of each individual family within its jurisdiction. The unity and perpetuity of the family tie in purity and peace is the only safeguard to national perpetuity, peace, and honor. Demoralize the family and you thereby destroy both domestic and national happiness, and undermine completely the temple of virtue and hope, and prepare the way of moral and civil desolation. The first impulse of patriotism and morality is germinated, nurtured, and largely if not entirely developed in the family circle.

It is here that the first fruits of everything, which is good and pure, are brought forth. Hence the nations that disregard the sacredness of this relation have no permanent forms of government, and anything like common morality is nowhere to be found among them. And it is also worthy of careful note that just so far as any people depart from the true form of the family tie, just in that same ratio do they give evidence of it in their civility and morality. It is therefore within the family circle that the star of hope, of religion and civil rights is to be seen, and let it go down and all would be turned into the dismal darkness of midnight without moon or star to guide the weary pilgrim on his way. This spot is to be guarded as the tree of life, with the flaming sword turning either way perpetually guarantying thus the most sacred bond of union and strength and the only remaining institution of man’s primeval state. There may be, and doubtless are, numerous abuses of the marriage state; but that does not argue against its importance, neither does it detract from its absolute value and necessity.

The family circle may be - ought to be – the most charming and delightful place on earth, the center of the purest affections and most desirable associations as well as the most attractive and exalted beauties to be found this side of paradise. Nothing can exceed in beauty and sublimity the quietude, peace, harmony, affection, and happiness of a well-ordered family, where virtue is nurtured and every good principle fostered and sustained. From the well-ordered homes in this great and good statesman to come, and eminently pious and intelligent divines; but what is equally important, form these homes must come the more common populace of the land, upon whose intelligence, patriotism, and purity depends the continuance of the rich blessings which are now common to all. If freedom is kept and sanctified by the people; if the true spirit of Christianity is to be continued, in all its sacred purity, on to our children’s children, even to the latest generation of men, they must be kept inviolate in our families and impressed in our homes. They are both dependant upon the family circle and the training and order administered therein. Then they who would dissolve the marriage rite, with all its hallowed and binding influences, would overthrow everything that is worth living for, and turn society into a bedlam of confusion and moral degradation; for it is the chain that binds the entire network of human society together, in all of its highest prospects, both for time and eternity. There is no civilization equal to it; in fact, there is none without it to the Christian, and there is no Christian civilization without the marriage ceremony, in all of it’s binding and uniting force. In fact, domestic happiness is wholly dependant upon the sanctity of the marriage relation; is an exclusive trait of Christianity; and Christianity is the only system in the world calculated to advance the interests of common humanity, and insure to all equal rights, earthly bliss, and a sweet home forever beyond the narrow limits of the quiet tomb.

What was said of Abraham may be said of every true Christian father: “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him; and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Happy is that nation whose children are brought up in families like this. There purity, virtue, and true manhood in every principle of justice and mercy will be permanently secured. What an important place, therefore, does the family occupy in the social, moral, and political worlds! Take this away, and the bonds of sacred union is forever dissolved, and the most distressing and deplorable results must follow. Break asunder these centers of holy affections of truth, honor, and purity, and you will fill the land with every enormity, and desolation, the most far-reaching and dreadful, will fill its entire breadth. It is highly important and necessary not only to continue the validity of the marriage rite, upon which the true idea of the family is based, but great care should be exercised to make these homes all that they can and should be made, - the most delightful and enticing places on earth, where everything that is good is encouraged, and everything evil pointed out and discountenanced; for as children leave the parental home they are, to a large extent, molded for life. Orders and correct morals should here receive the proper stamp upon the opening mind. Yes, everything we wish our children to be, in time and eternity, should here be taught and enforced. Then “all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great be the peace of thy children.”

The Red Pill

2006-01-08T15:05:00.000-09:00

The Red Pill

Being one who always enjoys a little ‘satirical’ humor, I thought I’d post this link for all to enjoy.

As well you might enjoy Chad’s Post on making your own Family Flu Shot. Bone appetite! (Ok, so I never was much good as a French Linguist ~ Sack-Ray-Bloom!)

Travels

2006-01-05T20:13:00.000-09:00

Travels

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”

~Marcel Proust

Well today’s post is somewhat of a bit of “cat chin’ up” if you will. Wanted to wish each one of you who read this Blog a Happy New Year and may it be filled will all the joy & challenges that make life worth living. We have had our share in 2005 and look forward to greater things in 2006 and years beyond, as many as the Lord allows us. With that said I thought it might be a good time to share some of our story, in reflection, and amongst the tidbits let you see some of our hopes and practices along the way. As well, I’ll ramble along the way, about some of the community events we’ve noticed transpiring in the few recent months we’ve been at this “thing” for lack of a better term “The Agrarian Blogsphere”.

We have resided here in Catskill, NY for a little over a year and a half now. My wife, Brooke, and I moved “up” to Greene County and choose Catskill, NY primarily due to economic constraints in pursuing our version of “the good life” and raising a family. We will be married this spring 2006 for a total of 3 wonderful years. [And I do mean wonderful!] Brooke is a loving helpmeet and wife, intelligent & encouraging, not only to me but also to those who know her. She is a model of what young women should aspire to being when they pursue and win a husband. I look forward to the day that she trains up our girls, and helps do her part in restoring the foundations of biblical womanhood to our Christian community. That femininity is one of purpose and honor in the family home and carries a responsibility to be proud of when properly understood and implemented. (ok, there’s some of that ramblin’ I was speaking of) Back to topic.

I cannot say that we were pursuing any form of an agrarian dream or goals when we made our move to Catskill. Our limited focus was primarily economic, in that we saw what little advantage we would have in our desire to pursue a time when Brooke could reside at home raising & training up our children and instill our mindset and Christian culture in them from the start. This type of talk (crazy talk as some say) did not set well with our extended family and some (friends) acquaintances we have grown apart from in the past couple of years. [This tends to happen at times, we’ve come to accept it as part of the process] The offer was made to Brooke early on in our courtship that she had a choice. I said you can have the nice house, the right neighborhood, the new cars and all the “Trappings” that modern life will afford an individual, including the 2.3 children immersed in the culture of the public schools. She choose Door #2 or to barrow an analogy from a popular movie line she choose “The Red Pill” and to this day we’ve yet to see how deep the rabbit hole goes……

Door #2 was a door of frugality, at times struggle, and a lot of ‘not so new’ and challenging of our old ways of thinking. It has proven thus far to be everything we had hoped for in crossing though the ‘narrow gate’. After acquiring a transfer with my employer, we moved from the City of Poughkeepsie, up north to Catskill, NY. (Some how I think we have a bit further to go, but that’s another story for another time) We acquired a 6-month short-term lease for an apartment that was half the cost of what we were paying in the City so that we could “spy out the land” and find what now is “Our First Home”. Also this allowed for Brooke to finish her schooling and graduate with her degree in mathematics. [A promise that I had made to her father and meant to keep] What we acquired is a lovely old 1920 arts & craft style home in somewhat of a state of disrepair and much required TLC, but roomy, inviting and cost affordable. Next month we will be here one year and Brooke graduated May of 2005. Mission accomplished, Phase One.

To Be Continued…..

Engineering Consent

2005-12-30T19:53:00.000-09:00

Engineering Consent

….and now back to our regularly scheduled programming………..

Well it sure has been a week, or soon to say “Quite a Year”! (But I’ll save those thoughts and salutations till Saturday’s Post) With so much provocative thoughts and crafted writing on subjects that affect the “modern” worldview, from technology to television to governmental reeducation camps I’ve decided to postpone my post on Progress until giving it a thorough rework, admen and gutting.

Going from Herrick’s “Enlightening” Post to Chad’s Book Review and follow up comments by The Missouri Rev, on to today. I found an article while researching, and though I retained a few ‘clips’, which I’ll post, I lost the original authorship to the words. The article it’s self was a bit ‘unnerving’ in a sense as it was a “bit out there”, but the substance was logical and progressive. After that, I was reading KSmilkmaid’s writings from today and went to the manufacturer’s manual for some technical advice and spent some time conversing with His utmost. For those who like acronyms, I am a firm believer in the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Fortunate for me it was a warm day here in NY for December and I headed out back to the soil and did a little dressing up of the previous seasons stalks still remaining in the earth, mended the fence that had “taken some wind” and stacked some firewood by the back door.

There is not a thought of this earth that I would not trade for the time spent ‘not thinking’ while doing my labors of joy. It is meditation and rest for my mind, quiets my soul and fills my heart with gladness untold. You can not rent that at Blockbuster or find it on Channel 3, they won’t give you these moments in the practical before a test in the ‘Publik’ School and no technology outside of my simple and worn Husky assistant cutting stalk & twine could better make my day complete.

We owe it to our posterity to pass a long not just in writing but in deed our love for simplicity and the life worth living. (Philippians 4:8)

Here’s the Clips:

“Why do countless American people go along with the War on Iraq? Why do so many people call for a police state control grid? A major component to a full understanding of why this kind of governmental and corporate corruption is to discover the modern science of mind control and social engineering. It's baffling to merely glance at the stacks of documentation that this world government isn't being constructed for the greater good of humanity. Although there are a growing number of people waking up the reality of our growing transparent soft cage, there seems to be just enough citizens who are choosing to remain asleep. Worse yet, there are even those who were at least partially awake at one time but found it necessary to return to the slumber of dreamland. This is no accident; this is a carefully crafted design. The drive to dumb down the populations of planet earth is a classic art that existed before the United States did. One component to understanding and deciphering the systems of control is to become a student of the magicians of influence and propaganda. In order to defeat our enemies (or dictators), its imperative that we understand how they think and what they believe in.”

“Our founding fathers faced enormous challenges in the formation of this country and its bill of rights. One challenge was laying down the groundwork or a free society without knowing what kind of technological advances would be made. Who would have guessed in those times that we needed an article in the bill of rights that specifically prohibits the government and it's associates from engaged in mind control or thought control. The closest item that promises our protection from the government is the 4th Article in The Bill of Rights which states, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." Like many are now beginning to note, the US Constitution and its Bill of Rights are merely given lip service by our supposedly elected officials.

One of the most common examples of mind control in our so-called free and civilized society is the advent and usage of the television set. This isn't to say that all things on TV are geared towards brainwashing you. They're not. But most of the programming on television today is run and programming by the largest media corporations that have interests in defense contracts, such as Westinghouse (CBS), and General Electric (NBC). This makes perfect sense when you see how slanted and warped the news is today. Examining the conflicts of interest is merely glancing at the issue, although to understand the multiple ways that lies become truth, we need to examine the techniques of brain washing that the networks are employing.”

”Experiments conducted by researcher Herbert Krugman reveal that when a person watches television, brain activity switches from the left to the right hemisphere. The left hemisphere is the seat of logical thought. Here, information is broken down into its component parts and critically analyzed. The right brain, however, treats incoming data uncritically, processing information in wholes, leading to emotional, rather than logical responses. The shift from left to right brain activity also causes the release of endorphins, the body's own natural opiates--thus, it is possible to become physically addicted to watching television, a hypothesis borne out by numerous studies which have shown that very few people are able to kick the television habit. It's no longer an overstatement to note that the youth today that are raised and taught through network television are intellectually dead by their early teens. The dumbing down of humanity is represented by another shift, which occurs in the brain when we watch television. Activity in the higher brain regions (such as the neo-cortex) is diminished, while activity in the lower brain regions (such as the limbic system) increases.”

Information

2005-12-26T15:00:00.000-09:00

Information

“A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention…”
~Herbert Simon

Having read several good posts on technology it’s application and use over the past several days, caused me to ponder. We are certainly rich beyond our means in a wealth of information with all our resources. A culture with ‘push button’ technology; be it a cell phone, telephone, keyboard, microwave or the multitude of various other “Domestic Servants” at our beckoned call, or virtual ‘snap of the fingers’. To put it one way, “we are blessed to the bridle”!

With all this abundance and given the nature of the season it causes me to think upon the subject of responsibility. In its application and use, the idea of opposite and the “Do Nothing Culture” giving armchair admiration as the sea of humanity parades by becoming less and less humane toward our fellow man. It is the age-old dichotomy selflessness vs. selfishness. How one can have the same tools as another and choose to see them rust, rather than put ‘em to good use or lend them to a neighbor, who in turn could put them to good use ~ rather than rust idle.

The same can be applied to information. The best instruction book in the world, never opened & applied, is as functional and life saving as it is a doorstop. Knowing is not knowledge until it is applied. Guess I’ve got some work to do, that nail left unhammer’d in the household is beckoning me………..(to be continued)

Great News

2005-12-17T22:15:00.000-09:00

Great News

“I just saved us a ton of money on car insurance!”
~My Wife

Well as with any subject I like to form my thinking with great quotes I find on a particular subject. Sorry Geico – this one goes to my wife. (and we didn’t use Geico) As I have stated in a previous post, it’s nice to have a Proverbs 31 wife. She is becoming quite adept at practicing frugality in our family economy (still a future topic) and demonstrating her skillfulness in obtaining a good bargain. This week to the tune of, saving over fourteen hundred dollars in car insurance, with a few phone calls. Nice. To understand why this impressed me so much, despite the obvious economic benefit to our family, was that she does not take pleasure in having to contact and speak with people she does not know concerning business matters. Not shy or fearful, just reserved in conversation, that’s all. I of course persevere in encouraging her to be more forthright in dealing with business or economy matters. She is loving and accommodating in my persistence of the matter. It is good to see her success.

As well she has ventured out in what we hope to be a gainful endeavor of starting her own tutoring business this year as well. Touchstone Academic Service ~ “A Foundation for Learning” To say I am quite proud would be understating my admiration for her. She recently completed a four year degree in mathematics this past spring and for a guy who never progressed passed 10th grade math, quote: “Geez she is smart!”

As well, I get wonderful cards like this:

A true “Hallmark” of God’s helpmeet! How fortunate in riches immeasurable is the provision in life of a loving and honorable wife!

Purpose

2005-12-14T17:23:00.000-09:00

Purpose

"Going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than going to the garage makes you a car."
~ Dr. Laurence J. Peter

In reviewing scripture, my comments, and past notes I have made for myself let me introduce this topic by submitting this brief but conclusive reminder to the reader: “The author of this writing is not inspired, and is subject to error, ignorance, and prejudice. You must go to the bible for answers – all I can do is challenge your thinking.” That being said, a relevant quote to much of what is said in the realm of purported Christian thought (or theology) is this, “It is amazing the amount of light the bible can shed on many of our commentaries.” Many a supposed ‘high-church’ individual could befuddle one with amazing terminology such as hermeneutics, soteriology, and eschatological arguments that would lead one to their “Wits End” if not the end of the age. I will do my best to avoid such theological acrimonious transduction as possible in its presentation. It is not due to lack of understanding the terms, they’re just not very useful in explaining things in a straightforward and concise fashion. The best word picture that comes to mind is throwing “big rocks” into a small pond. (Lots of fun if you’re a kid by the way.) Ok, to the point, almost….

Please do not confuse the purpose of the “meeting” of the church with the “purpose” of the church which I would place it’s primary emphasis of seeking and saving the lost. (Mathew 28:19-20) If there is any debate as to this emphasis let it be with the author of the verse and not myself, I didn’t write that He did. On to the point, again, almost…..in writing this I gave a lot of thought as to various ‘functions’ of the church with in the members of its body. Please do not mistake my writing as to avoid or dismiss the various functions which would include, but not limited to, items and thoughts found in Ephesians 4:12-13 and James 1:27. There are many others and through "meeting" many of these things take place and are fostered.

As to my first use of scripture John 4:23 was to reference the scriptural application of worship as given by the author Himself where He referred to a time when the true worshipers would worship the Father is spirit and in truth. Which leads me to pose the question: When is the Christian not to be in the spirit and in truth? As stated in Romans 8:9 by the apostle Paul in writing to the church in Rome, the very evidence that one is His, is the indwelling spirit of Christ. (Paraphrased) One of the greater sources of error is when we use non-biblical terms to define biblical concepts. The “church” in scripture is the very body of Christ, and its members are that which make up His body. To conclude that we go to “Church” is to infer that in some way a subtle or unconscious deviation of biblical thought transpires, that “worship” takes place in a “building” or structure outside of these ‘tents of flesh’ we inhabit here on earth. Now I know many would say, “that’s not me” or “I don’t think that way” and to this I would say “bully for you!” good that you don’t. It is a risk that we run though for our weaker minded brethren in the context of conscious that what we “win them from” is as important as what we “win them to” and can lead to, though not always, a sense of double mindedness. This though is not a doctrinal thesis of worship, just a reference to my use of the scripture in John 4:23. I would say that our worship need be as one put it 24-7-365. An individual’s ability to attain to that standard does not negate the standard. Just as Paul referred to the brethren in Rome, as “saints” does not infer that all acted so “saintly”. Please understand the differentiation in usage and context of my explanation. Since I try to avoid addressing Jesus as CEO, in turn I will avoid the use of a non-biblical term “Corporate Worship”, I’m sure the use and practice is infused into the various doctrines of men and denominational creeds, though I imagine it has led to many misunderstandings and fisticuffs in the history of its use and misapplication.

As to the meat of the matter, I would reference Acts 2:42 which carries the greatest portion of “scriptural thrust” (if you will) regarding the “meeting” of the church. When they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. The observation of the Lord's supper and the proclamation of His death till He comes as evidenced in I Corinthians 11:23-26. The public reading of scripture as instructed to Timothy by the apostle Paul (I Timothy 4:13) would be of benefit to those gathered and speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as stated in Ephesians 5:19 in the letter to the saints in Ephesus could do no harm either. These seem to be consistent with what the bible provides as to the purpose of the meeting of the church. To the contrary the bible gives us some warnings to heed as in Hebrews 10:25, I Timothy 6:3-5 and II Peter 2:1-3. So as to keeps alert and not quick to have our ears tickled.

Through these things we are edified. Though these things we find fellowship. Through these things we learn love (for one another) and through these things, in prayer & petition and thanksgiving to God will He (Christ) guard our hearts and mind. Preserving spirit, soul & body until that day of His sure return. (Paraphrased) I Thessalonians 5:23.

In summary, having feared saying to much already, I would say that the “obedience of the faith” referred to in scripture is much more than the keeping of a ‘spiritual scorecard’ and to checking off 1) Assemble 2) Read Bible 3) Pray 4) etc. that mindset, if you will, is flesh and does not please God. Again though as previously stated in my other post, I roast and count beans and am not a through source for biblical exegesis, for that stuff you have to go to the professionals. Best I could do, hope it helps and does not hinder your understanding.

Compass

2005-12-11T02:29:00.000-09:00

Catskill Compass

The thing is plain. All that men really understand, is confined to a very small compass; to their daily affairs and experience; to what they have an opportunity to know, and motives to study or practice. The rest is affectation and imposture.

~William Hazlitt

Having a respite from posting these past three weeks to attend to matters of the homestead, consideration of future events and consolation & prayer for the grieved, as my wife’s grandfather passed this month December 4th 2005. Death is an inevitable part of life; it is in fact most certain, we appreciate your thoughts and concern.

Given some time away from weblogging afforded me the opportunity to do some much needed research on things, finish a book or two (and start two new ones), as well as select a new bean to profile for the Coffee Company this coming year.

It is my hope to complete a selection of 7 signature roasts that we will be offering to our wholesale and eventually retail customers. Last year’s selection of a Brazilian bean from the South Minas region of Brazil was such a popular coffee it was difficult for me to ‘mentally’ move on and select a new bean to profile. This year’s selection: Colombian Popayan Supremo or as I term it “The Columbian Connection”. Now, we do roast several other coffees organic, decaf (Swiss Water Process) and fair trade selections, I have not yet acquired a reliable & cost efficient source for the beans. This has proven to be the hardest aspect of stability for our operation. Even roaster malfunction & repair is less evasive and consistent then finding a stable source of suppliers. Needless to say the holiday orders are coming in, so it will be a busy season toward the end of 2005.

Time has meet the expense on the latitude to expand my horizons a bit in getting to be familiar with the writings of Rick Saenz through various mentions and links in like minded agrarian weblogs. Small world it is, that I come to find out his catalog from his former nomenclature as Drought Horse Press is sitting beside me at my desk. Looks as if I’ll get the benefit of ordering some great reading for 2006.

I have taken some time to drafting some thoughts on two topics of interest that I came across and commented on: Purpose of the meeting of the church by ctroutma and Progress by KSMilkmaid, as I promised to revisit the subjects, and for those who know me, will tell you I promise very little and not often.

It has been evidenced in American Culture that we, as a nation, are a lot of sizzle but no substance! For our societal-schizophrenia thinks that just saying something is evidence we care and are sincere, while we willy-nilly forget our promises, grab our Prozac and wonder whatever is the matter with the world around us. If we could commit to doing half of what we said, we’d get twice as much accomplished. This is evidenced and supported by two sections of scripture Matthew 21:28-31 and James 4:13-15. This does not invalidate planning (proper & prayerful) or negate the avoidance of ‘fools folly’ if we should find ourselves on the short stick of wisdom in a particular matter. The whole council of God and His grace is sufficient in these (and all) matters. So to my vegetable enhanced cultural comrades, there’s the beef! (so to speak)

I found this article, which related to what Walter wrote about in his Pig Pile Post. Something I’ve documented to the long-term storage file of agrarian ideas, thank you Walter to introducing me to the concept. This is a reference and application to our proper & prayerful planning for future events in our pursuit of our family’s agrarian aspirations. We got to witness this in John’s announcement December 6th 2005, The Return. With applauds and high hopes for his success! You are an encouragement to us here in Catskill, NY. Also I hope to study out and give application to Herrick’s Chicken Plucker & Scalder for this summer, as we hope to have chickens this spring 2006. (as the Lord wills) I’ll wait for to see if the posting comes available at Cumberland Books.

We are about 3 months away from our new pup which should arrive sometime this coming March. We have a deposit on a Vizsla at Southside Dogs. I hope to get up and visit with Frank again before the litter comes; they are some terrific dogs. (The pup is our gift to each other this holiday) Note: Thank you Herrick for your post on a Good Country Dog. One must know the beginning and end of each story, it is important. Thank you.

So apart from that and some consummate searching of properties in the NY area for ag-land to meet our future goals, we keep the home fires burning and the roaster turning and that’s the Good Life here in Upstate New York………….(to be continued)

Just Paper

2005-12-10T06:29:00.000-09:00

Let every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the revolution never to violate, in the least particular, the laws of the country and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of '76 did to the support of the declaration of independence, so to the support of the constitution and laws, let every American pledge his life, his prosperity and his sacred honor. Let every man remember that to violate the laws is to trample on the blood of his fathers and to tear the charter of his own and his children's liberty. Let reverence for the laws be breathed by every American mother to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap. Let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges. Let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in the legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. In short, let it become the political religion of the nation.

~Abraham Lincoln

Put aside, for a moment, political affiliation or personal beliefs. It doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent. It doesn’t matter if you support the invasion or Iraq or not. Despite our differences, the Constitution has stood for two centuries as the defining document of our government, the final source to determine – in the end – if something is legal or right.

Is it “just” a piece of paper? [Text]

The U.S. Constitution

The United States Constitution - established in 1789 - is the oldest written national constitution currently in effect. It adapts to our changing society through the addition of amendments. The First Amendment protects many of the freedoms that we exercise on a daily basis, such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to freely practice religion, and the right to peacefully assemble. The first ten amendments together - otherwise known as the Bill of Rights - outline the various basic freedoms that make this country such a wonderful place to live.

Here’s another historical figure that thought the ‘ends justify the means’.

Ends Justify the Means
Numbers 22:18

God continuously warns Balaam, "Do not go beyond what I tell you to do," and every time, Balaam tries to anyway. He fights God at every turn because He wants his own way. He wants the gold, the honor, and the reputation he would have by cursing Israel (who had defeated mighty Egypt and most of the nations they came in contact with). The true God was the "game in town," and if Balaam beat Him, he would be on the top of the pile. This is Balaam's plan; he was "working his magic," trying to move himself into first position among diviners.

This brings out his major flaw, one that many in the world also have. He believed that the end justifies the means. He was willing to set aside principle (if he had any) to achieve his goals. He functioned by self-interest rather than by belief or standards. His standard was "anything that is good for Balaam," which is self-righteousness and self-interest. These were the principles by which he felt he could live a successful life. He did not base them on anything godly or even ethical but strictly on human reason.

He was willing to do anything to get his way. By putting together different parts of the Bible on him, Balaam comes out smelling like manure, not roses.

History seems to indicate, we are in for some serious times…….(to be continued)

Social Satire

2005-11-30T14:01:00.000-09:00

Social Satire

Ok so admittedly not one of my topical posts, given relatively little time for blogging these past couple of days due to constraints. I came upon this article and could not help but post a little irreverent humor for the holidays. Though one might find it a bit ‘inconsiderate’, considering societies disregard for the rugged individualism of the people who did not revolt against their fellow human beings during a time of duress, I would say it’s a fitting tribute. Something to be said for the common man, in uncommon circumstances.

Good Thoughts in Bad Times

2005-11-16T00:13:00.000-09:00

Good Thoughts in

Bad Times

“He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven.” ~Thomas Fuller

I’ve been taking some time out these past couple of days to do some more study on biblical terms of forgiveness and acceptance of those in Christ. As well in relation to those in the world, children of wrath, whose father is the devil the liar of old. It is a difficult thing to deal with people in the world who live by differing weights and standards, whose appetite is for carnal fulfillment of the flesh alone and who serve false gods and give heed to idols. It far more troublesome to one’s soul to take in to personal account the measure and price of being ‘offended’ or ‘wronged’ by a brother or sister who is in Christ and coming to terms with that offense and forgiving them.

Now, by way of consideration, let me dismiss or do away with what could be considered ‘petty’ or ‘minor’ offences or wrongs done in the course of daily living. These are best left for the thin-skinned Pharisees of the easily offended, often known as the “unreachable righteous”. So heavenly minded, the're no earthly good and quick to point out the no good acts or deeds they see in you or others. (See Ocular Lumber) I would instead point to the transgressions that one might suffer, that would by even worldly standards be called wrong, dishonest and wide of the mark or sin.

[Now I will for sake of brevity not go down the theological line of consideration for a biblical definition of sin in this writing, to do so would take volumes of writing and divert us from the subjects primary and cursorily look at forgiveness.]

It has been my reward to have-had an assortment of circumstances in which my faith has been tested in dealing with such scenarios to varying degree. Such is the joy set before us in the perfecting of our faith that we may win the crown of life. (eternal) Now forgiveness is for all intensive purposes “an inside job” for until that work is completed in the heart and mind of man, there will be no external fruit (or application) in response to the one who has transgressed against you. (See Matt. 6:14-15)

I particularly enjoyed a comment made by John Piper in his writing, As We Forgive Our Debtors where he proposes:

Our greatest risk

The greatest risk we face as a church in these days is not that we may lose an organ, or that we may lose money, or that we may lose members, or that we may lose staff, or that we may lose reputation. The greatest risk is that we may lose heaven. Because one way to lose heaven is to hold fast to an unforgiving spirit and so prove that we have never been indwelt by the Spirit of Christ.

It is interesting to note that in Luke 17:3-4 it speaks about some one who after being rebuked, repents and receives forgiveness. How quickly we shortchange that process in ‘modern’ thought and theology by skipping from step 1 to 3, or even ignoring steps 1 & 2 and going straight to 3. After all we are programmed to be a “tolerant” lot in our politically correct society, and to do otherwise would be “intolerant” would it not?

The modern day church, awash in a humanistic culture has lost it moorings in a sea of easy believe-ism. With seeker friendly services guaranteeing no one will be offended (or convicted). We target market apostate souls assuaging their ailing conscious, never once subjecting to censure their wicked ways. Today, cash is king not Christ, compromise and egalitarianism is the standard that we cling to and embrace as we hide our face from Him. What has happened to repentance before forgiveness? Not to mention shunning. Let me not be so narrow-minded in my thinking as to embrace such hard concepts. (Yet I Jest.)

Forgiveness is at best a two way street, at times a one-way highway. Forgiveness is where we trust Christ. If we trust Him we can emulate His way of life. Thomas Watson asked, “When do we forgive others?” and answered the question, “When we strive against all thoughts of revenge; when we will not do our enemies mischief, but wish well to them, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve them.” Now I would submit to you that this description best fits a repentant individual. So there is a sense in which full forgiveness is only possible in response to repentance. But even when a person does not repent (Matt. 18:15-17) we are commanded to love our enemy and pray for those who persecute us and do good to those who hate us (Luke 6:27-28). I like how GK Chesterton puts it:

A stiff apology is a second insult... The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt.

The difference is that when a person who has wronged us does not repent with contrition and confession and conversion (turning from sin to righteousness), they cut off the full work of forgiveness. We can still lay down our ill will; we can hand over our anger to God; we can seek to do him good; but we cannot carry through reconciliation or intimacy.

A good biblical example to us would be this; David forgave Absalom, and was later nagged into permitting him back into the palace. Absalom returned the favor by immediately beginning to plot against David. (2 Samuel 15) He was never truly repentant. David did well to forgive him, but it was a huge mistake to let him back in.

Thomas Watson said, “We are not bound to trust an enemy; but we are bound to forgive him.” (Body of Divinity, p. 581) You can actually look someone in the face and say: I forgive you, but I don’t trust you. Trust and acceptance is something different from forgiveness. One might be forgiven and not accepted. If a person wrought me some serious injury, by the grace of heaven I might forgive that person; yet I might warn them that they must keep their distance and never cross the threshold of my home. Acceptance is reconstituted fellowship. It is liberty of access to continued fellowship. It is an authoritative welcoming to the home and heart. Though always this implies forgiveness, the two are not identical. This is wisdom in certain cases, but how crucial is the heart here. What would make that an unforgiving thing to say is if you were thinking, What’s more, I don’t care about ever trusting you again; and I won’t accept any of your efforts to try to establish trust again; in fact, I hope nobody ever trusts you again, and I don’t care if your life is totally ruined. That is not a forgiving spirit, and our souls would be in danger.

So it is even more difficult with the world. How we deal with those who hold unjust balances, who are more self-centered than others centered and could care one iota for God and His divine standard. I can say this; you do well if you preserver in doing well………as someone greater than I wrote “so let your light shine” (Matt. 5:16).
(to be continued)

Footprints

2005-11-10T12:48:00.000-09:00

Footprints

‘One step forward, two steps back….’

So it is sometimes in life. We’ve had our challenges here at the Holtzman Homestead the past couple of weeks. With our coffee roaster production cut in half, due to a malfunctioned roaster which shipped out today after several on site servicing solutions failed to produce results. I cannot say that I feel inept by any standard as most of my pre-call troubleshooting appeared to be more extensive than most people who call and say “it’s broke, fix it!” Chris at Delaware City Coffee Co. has shown himself to be considerate and ‘on the level’ in dealing with our dilemma. We expect to be back up to full operations by the end of next week, stand by Sam, good things come to those who wait!

Without going in to a tirade or laundry list of ‘woes’ we experienced another mechanical malfunction here at home as well. A check valve on our heating system gave way sometime earlier this past week, unbeknownst to us, as we keep the household at a ‘cozy’ 55 degrees throughout the week. This $20 valve keeps the pressure in the radiator heating system after it’s intake from the main water line. Long story short, it opened at the overflow valve, which kept a continuous flow of cold water in – heating – hot water out down through an overflow drain in the basement floor. End result: 500 gallons of fuel oil vaporized! [Insert Comment Here] Yes, I said the same thing, or something similar, but I’m not a vulgar man any longer so it was only a comment of frustration. Needless to say, the expectation was for those 500 gallons of fuel to see us through to March, hence the low household temperature.

Now I could view this in two fashions, one commiserate with my wife on our sure misfortune and bake a “Crumb” cake for our pity party. Two, I could consider the good health of my wife and I, our ability to work and produce an income. Reflect on the good fortune of prudent finances in our home economy and know that as bad as it all may seems, this to shall pass, and we can give thanks for the time were given to steward this land and our lives together. We resolved to do just that! If you’ll permit me let me just say one thing about my wife, she is an awesome helpmeet! It is with sincerity that I can say, I give thanks to our King and Sovereign each day from that day which he joined us as one flesh. Gentleman, so love your wives, as it says in Ephesians, no man hates his own flesh. For this is wisdom and a great mystery as Paul wrote concerning Christ and the church, for we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bone – so ought men love their wives as their own bodies. (Paraphrased) This is something the social fabric of today’s ‘modern’ society can not hold to in any “marriage contract” for such exist without a covenant and is easily broken or rent asunder. Ok, my boasting is done, for now …………one last scripture ‘for the road’ so to speak……….. Isaiah 26:5-7. (to be continued)

Bread Alone

2005-11-05T21:58:00.000-09:00

Bread Alone

‘Bread and water - these are the things nature requires. For such things no man is too poor, and whosoever can limit his desire to them alone can rival Jupiter for happiness’ ~Seneca

Well Sam I have to hand it to you, that is a mighty fine recipe for bread! I made an managerial resolution for the household today, call it a “patriarchal pondering” and could not shake the thought of Sam’s Bread Recipe or the idea of some fresh baked bread in the home. For those of you who may not know of what I am speaking about see this post from Ksmilkmaid at her previous blogger site, you can read more of her writings at her new site here.

My original plan was to wait for an order of white wheat from Montana and mill it up before Thanksgiving for my wife to bake and bring to my brother’s house. All day I kept thinking of Sam’s first letter mentioned using hard red wheat, being “somewhat heavier and darker in colour along with slightly more flavour”. Well Sam you were right ~ tasty! I picked up a sack of stone ground hard red wheat, gave the wife the night off, and went to work. Now we don’t own a bread machine (don’t want one either) and our economy doesn’t provide for a mixer with a dough hook so I employed my ‘meat hooks’ and a 'wee bit' of Irish elbow grease which I assure you worked out just fine. Ten minutes to mix, an hour to rest (the dough too ~ grin!) and down to the oven I went. Our oven is in the basement, we have a cook top upstairs, but that’s another story……

Well, 45 minutes later the upstairs is filled with the aroma of baking bread! Now a cautionary note, hot fresh bread with a generous serving of butter in moderation is a wonderful thing. I heeded Christina’s admonishment of potential ‘agony’ and stopped at one generous slice. This is not you store bought bread for “lightweights” this is rewarding substance that will get the heavy lifting done in the late afternoons!

My first batch produced four loaves so there will be some happy people at assembly Sunday, and the largest of loaves will go to my good neighbor here in Catskill who helps me with my Homework. It’s rewarding to have a neighbor and a few friends who you can share life with; it makes for what we call “living the good life”….. Matthew 4:4 (to be continued)

Note:
A recommendation for ‘modern’ folk who employ all sorts of “air fresheners” an their like, nothing makes a home smell like home then fresh baked bread. You can then “freecycle” contraptions such as this, and your family will be the better for it.

Holes

2005-11-04T18:49:00.000-09:00

Holes

The first rule of holes:

If you are in one, stop digging.
~Author Unknown

Simple wisdom is often the clearest, yet often unheeded, for surely there is a better more multifaceted elucidation that modern man can come up with given time.

Having the opportunity to read Mike’s post at Three Fold Cord with honest examination of circumstances and Northern Farmer's commentary on Easy Debt I thought I’d grab the bell and ring in on the subject.

Haggai 1:5-7 is worthy of reading and consideration, applicable to this topic and the chapter deals with an ordering of priorities for then and now.

One of the things I made mention of in my message to the assembly this last Sunday was, by way of introduction, a historical framework for the topic of my message the Home Rules the Nation: The Biblical Family and Return to Patriarchal Leadership.

[Excerpt]

“……If you remember nothing else from today’s message, I want to give you a few key dates in History:

October 24th 1929 the stock market crash and the beginning of what is now know in American History as “The Great Depression”. It would later prove to be the birth of the welfare state.

In 1933 Roosevelt’s adoption of the “New Deal”, Keynesian economics, the creation of alphabet soup agencies, led to the wholesale slaughter of an agrarian culture upon the humanistic altar of industrialization.

My grandmother was 17 years of age. She’s 93 now…………”

Now the topics I covered were not based on economics, but much of what I studied on the subject and its relationship to the family overlap. People, even Christian folk, fail to understand the path of historical significance. Its role and the effects that underlying economics, consumerism and modern industry has brought us to in our current debt-based economy and society today.

Adam Smith the Wealth of Nations was not a topic covered in the governmental reeducation camps my wife and I attended growing up. The concept of ‘avoiding debt’ was as foreign to us as the idea of reading the bible. Two things we have thankfully rethought, as we began to deprogram ourselves from most of societies “modern thought”.

Needless to say we still bear the scars of Visa, MasterCard and American Express and retain a death pledge (see mortgage) to pay off our home, but we’re learning and healing our finances as well as our hearts. The battle is not yet over, as Captain John Paul Jones put it once “I have not yet begun to fight.” ………..(to be continued)

BEANS

2005-11-02T10:35:00.000-09:00

BEANS!

As soon as coffee is in your stomach, there is a general commotion. Ideas begin to move...similes arise, the paper is covered. Coffee is your ally and writing ceases to be a struggle.

~Honore de Balzac

Perhaps here is where I should take my reworked quote from Twain posted in comments on Chad’s post I’m Not Dead, and say for myself ~The accounting of my demise has been to a great extent embellished.

Having to finish a work of the second part of my message to the assembly in Hyde Park that in length ran for 22 minutes this time. (As I must be getting long winded.) That work is for now complete. My friend Jim Brady has encouraged me to put the two messages together and put it to print – We’ll see.

I am not the preacher, Jim is, I count beans. My acronym for being the treasurer for the local church, a job I would trade for being ‘muck rake’, to a stall of dairy cows any day of the week, for at least the cows would appreciate the effort. In a society bereft of covetous consumption and dishonest corporate governance, it is a hard task to keep people honest and happy. I’ve endeavored to do the first; the second has had but limited success. My “You can only spend it once” philosophy and admonishment to the local assembly has faced a tempest of personalities in my four-year tenure, and survived a move of the local assembly to a new building. I would not say my character has provided me with a strong constitution for such matters, as I’ve asked (begged) my friend Jim to free me of this encumbrance. To date I still serve. Much to the chagrin of those who would despoil the church coffers for personal desires or fill them with lucre from sorted gain. Such is my lot on that front.

As to beans, which is the topic for today, or soup de jour for my “frenchie” personage whom I’ve borrowed a quote, and which explains the other half of my absence. Apart from my sideline in counting beans, I as well roast them. A year ago this past October I founded an idea, which now has become a company. Catskill Coffee Company ~ We Engineer the finest flavors! Needless to say the challenge has been fraught with disappointments and great joy. (More joy than the latter.) Such it is with an effort to create a home based economy.

This past Saturday evening as I was completing my message, the turn motor to the roasting drum gave out. I was now faced with a decision to finish my work for the assembly or get to finding the necessary tool and have a look at the roaster. I choose the message, which was delivered the roasting order was not. Fortunately my customer awaiting her coffee was understanding and enjoyed the message, she is a sister in Christ and so was forgiving. Interesting as things get Sunday morning on the way to the car a local shop owner who I previous gave a half a pound to, for he and his wife to enjoy asked if I could roast some coffee for his eatery. Can do! (Thinking not sure how, with a busted roaster) So went the weekend on in to today.

Today I went to work on the roaster, after careful disassembly of the electrical housing and a rough sketch diagramming of the wiring configuration I set to trouble shoot. Note: I am not a licensed electrician nor am I an electrical engineer. I did spend sometime working for my Uncle Sam and receive some training and instruction in basic electrical wiring and circuitry, but this was neither a torpedo tube nor a sonar console and that was along time ago. Not all things that end, end well. I would like to report that though sheer brilliance or some Einstein approach to Tesla theory it was alas fixed. It’s not. One thing I do know, if one has met their match, match it with wisdom and stop! After swapping switches and checking wiring connections I stopped, as I did not want to void the warranty it is under. Well the roaster in still non-functioning and I am waiting on the distributor to return a call to me. I am somewhat sanguine to the fact that I have a smaller test batch roaster and can keep my promises and patrons satisfied until repair takes place. The sad fact is that it will take seven fold the effort and time to produce orders waiting delivery. Life is good! (to be continued)

Sour Grapes

2005-10-26T03:27:00.000-08:00

Sour Grapes

In those days people will no longer say, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.'

Jeremiah 31:29

Having retired early to bed last night, something I rarely do – as my wife can attest to, I woke early, my sleep being pleasant to me. Having the day off (as if there might be such a thing) I thought I might get a peek at some of the writings from the House of Degenhart, as I saw several links from other agrarian minded folk. I also enjoyed reading some of the comment/discussions and remarks from others on the published work.

Something of note, whether in be the 109 Comments or provocative title, brought me to read this post, as it seems Chad has taken a “sabbatical”. Though I thought twice about kicking out this commentary, I thought ‘hay why not, after all I am not a “man with no pants”! (a phrase I learned from a Brazilian friend of mine who speaks Portuguese or as I say pork-a-gees, never can say that right – sorry Dan)

I could not help after following the links in his writing to bring to mind a conversation my friend Jim and I were having regarding the proverb found in Ezekiel and the Lords admonishment to not use it any longer. Yet theological it is applied over and over again throughout the ‘hallowed halls’ of modern teaching. I myself enjoyed its usage in Jeremiah 31, perhaps because of the allegories and agrarian references used throughout. Jim’s much more modern than I and prefers the straight-line approach to the subject. I think the word picture painted in Jeremiah gives a greater overview to the whole of the subject.

Anyway this is some of the musing and ruminations that James “Strawman” Brady and I have had over thought, conversation and coffee. (Three things I enjoy when talkin’ to Jim.) Without tipping the board in to the theological deep end I thought I’d put out a few hard verses to ignore - though easily missed when one is biologically predisposed as progeny of another’s tenet without understanding the history of the organizations origins.

Little thought is original, in fact in today’s society most of ones original thought is heretical, and apart from ‘the greater’ group-think can find themselves a cozy place in Holtzman's Hearth if they say too much, too often…….(to be continued)

The Threshing Floor

2005-10-23T17:24:00.000-08:00

Threshing Floor

O my people, crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD Almighty, from the God of Israel.
Isaiah 21:10

Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers. Some were saying, "We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain." Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine."
Nehemiah 5:1-3

In time of adversity and economic upheaval, as God deals with a nation or its people there is much to be said for agrarian wisdom, principles and practices. The chapter in Isaiah deals with an allegory in comparison of the people of Israel as grain crushed and tread upon as harsh treatment and times befall them. Again in Nehemiah we can see a people economically vexed and taxed by an oppressive governmental and politically corrupt system of usury.

The wisdom that could be gleaned from these two passages alone would fill a week worth of writings. Wisdom to those well able to discern the times and the land they live in today.

There are positive attributes that one can derive as well from each of these passages too. A call to be watchmen, keep your shields well oiled, act justly and give attention to those in times of need. Speak against the evil of the day, and in doing so you might warn others to be vigilant and prepare.

As for my wife and I the above photo is from our family’s threshing floor in our basement as we harvested and dried amaranth from this year’s agrarian experimentation with a grain crop. Humble beginnings and high hopes, but with purposed intention and a view toward the future ~ eyes wide open! (to be continued)

Homework

2005-10-22T19:46:00.000-08:00

Homework

As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon his bed.
Proverbs 26:14

Having spent the better part of available time this week working on a 17-minute message for a presentation to the congregation I find myself at a loss for words.

Though the superior elements of my message consisted of borrowed sources and references; there is the requirement of sourcing, studying, consideration and aligning of text and verse to avoid saying “much to do about nothing”. As the writer of Ecclesiastes put it best in the opening chapter:

All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.

So as to add polish to its presentation of well-worn verses and authored ideas I presented my message to the cat and the clock. (As they were the only two things up at the time besides myself and I only half awake) I retired to bed sometime after 4 AM to receive a well-earned nap as 8AM did come early. Output does not necessarily (on the surface) reflect the required time/energy input in producing a presentable work.

Apart from that my wife and I have labored diligently in re-establishing a well-worn house that we now hold and call home. I stripping wood moldings and removing fixtures and my wife stripping away hours and years of old wallpaper to prepare surfaces for painting. I must say in hindsight that pulling up old rusty carpet tacks from hardwood floors is a far easier task than changing the hearts of men, but the later work reaps those things that neither moth not rust can destroy…(to be continued)

HUSBANDRY

2005-10-17T19:07:00.000-08:00

THE WORD "HUSBANDRY" is the name of a connection. In its original sense, it is the name of the work of a domestic man, a man who has accepted a bondage to the household. To husband is to use with care, to keep, to save, to make last, to conserve. Old usage tells us that there is a husbandry also of the land, of the soil, of the domestic plants and animals -- obviously because of the importance of these things to the household. And there have been times, one of which is now, when some people have tried to practice a proper human husbandry of the nondomestic creatures, in recognition of the dependence of our households and domestic life upon the wild world. Husbandry is the name of all the practices that sustain life by connecting us conservingly to our places and our world; it is the art of keeping tied all the strands in the living network that sustains us.

An intention to replace husbandry with science was made explicit in the renaming of disciplines in the colleges of agriculture. "Soil husbandry" became "soil science," and "animal husbandry" became "animal science." This change is worth lingering over because of what it tells us about our susceptibility to poppycock. Purporting to increase the sophistication of the humble art of farming, this change in fact brutally oversimplifies it.

"Soil science," as practiced by soil scientists, and even more as it has been handed down to farmers, has tended to treat the soil as a lifeless matrix in which "soil chemistry" takes place and "nutrients" are "made available." And this, in turn, has made farming increasingly shallow -- literally so -- in its understanding of the soil. The modern farm is understood as a surface on which various mechanical operations are performed, and to which various chemicals are applied. The undersurface reality of organisms and roots is mostly ignored.

This change is worth lingering over because of what it tells us about our susceptibility to poppycock.

"Soil husbandry" is a different kind of study, involving a different kind of mind. Soil husbandry leads, in the words of Sir Albert Howard, to understanding "health in soil, plant, animal, and man as one great subject." We apply the word "health" only to living creatures, and to soil husbandry a healthy soil is a wilderness, mostly unstudied and unknown, but teemingly alive. The soil is at once a living community of creatures and their habitat. The farm's husband, its family, its crops and animals, all are members of the soil community; all belong to the character and identity of the place. To rate the farm family merely as "labor" and its domestic plants and animals merely as "production" is thus an oversimplification, both radical and destructive.

~ an excerpt form the work of Wendell Berry

If you didn’t happen to get the opportunity read and enjoy the article Renewing Husbandry at Orin publication recommended by Herrick Kimball, I’d offer a hearty second recommendation for a thorough and thoughtful read. It lent it’s self well to my thoughts on husbandry and biblical agrarian applications. So much so that at the risk of being the copycat and posting from the same source as it will allow me reference for future articulations of concepts in the renaming of disciplines, roles and usage of words. Thank you again Herrick for the source reference.

If you’re an apt swimmer for deeper thought I’d encourage you to check out The Rural Missourian’s latest diatribe on Biblical Agrarianism. I will reserve commenting on it, as it requires more than a cursorily single going over, something to look forward to as I add another log to the hearth in coming winter days.

For the one who asked, yes the fireplace is from our home, it was the ‘first conflagration’ of what we hope to be many (as the Lord sees fit) to enjoy. I will end here without much further to say as it is late and work comes early…( to be continued)

Counting Sheep

2005-10-16T20:45:00.000-08:00

Counting on Men

"As for you, My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, you are men, and I am your God," declares the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 34:31

My wife and I had the occasion to visit the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck NY today. I remembered to bring along my Olympus C-2040 digital, which has served me well for the better part of six years, and snapped this photo to share with those that traverse this electronic landscape.

It was a fine, cold, cloudy, windy day and after a serving of sausage & bean soup on the midway we set about to gazing as the sheep were grazing and penned, shown & shorn. A wonderful time spent with my wife as we discussed our future hopes of agrarian expansion in our lives. As a bonus, upon embarking toward the noted P.T. Barnum Egress, we found a tent selling spun wool at a fraction of the offerings throughout the grounds. The intended purchase of our visit as we seek to live simple and practice frugality in our Family Economy.
[A Topic I Will Later Revisit]

Secure in her purchase of 10 skeins of wool which she will fashion in to a couple of gifts to be given this holiday season, she’s a wise gal (Proverbs 31:13), we set our hearts toward home and headed north.

More toward the topic at hand; the title for this entry and to better address the men. I found this verse in a passage of Ezekiel that gives a glorious agrarian reference to God as Shepard over his people, filled with awareness toward the human condition it serves as both warning and wisdom for those who would ponder it’s pages. As the chapter ends it gives a declarative statement to those who would be called by His name and no other ‘You Are Men’ and inferences with that is responsibility. It is a verse that both reminds me and encourages me of my responsibility of providing spiritual leadership in my home for my family and for my children’s children when they may come, Lord willing.

In the book published in 1882 “Golden Thoughts on Mother, Home and Heaven” Theodore Cuyler writes with this spurring insight:

For one, I care little for the government, which presides at Washington, in comparison with the government, which rules the millions of American homes. No administration can seriously harm us if our home life is pure, frugal, and godly. No statesmanship or legislation can save us, if once our homes become the abode of profligacy.

The home rules the nation. If the home is demoralized, it will ruin it. The real seed corn whence our Republic sprang was the Christian households represented in the Mayflower, or the family altar of the Hollander and the Huguenot.

All the best characters, best legislation, best institutions, and best church life were cradled in those early homes. They were the taproot of the Republic, and of the American Churches.

I have read several writings in the past regarding the ideas of biblical patriarchy in contrast to our nations currrent cultural offerings of feminism, feminine men and matriarchal households. This ought not be. A greater author than I penned the definitions for Family Government long before I ever saw the light of day…
…(to be continued)

A Coming Winters Discontent

2005-10-15T12:41:00.000-08:00

Season For Fire
"Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master"~ George Washington

[Editors Note: This is a republished Original from 10/15/05 Due to Scripting Errors]

Given enough time and reason and having read so many excellent posts, articles and sound wisdom from the shared experiences of several Agrarian bloggers, it is with trepidation that I enter this medium.Defining terms is an excellent start at understanding and to be understood, so a bit of history for the plowshare.The plowshare is often used to symbolize creative tools that benefit mankind, as opposed to destructive tools of war, symbolized by the sword, a similar sharp metal tool with an arguably opposite use. The common expression "beat swords in to plowshares" has been used by disparate social and political groups. Biblical references for this dichotomy can be found in Joel 3:10, Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3.It is with hope in another well known verse "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens the wits of another" Proverbs 27:17, will be some shared experience through written word of an electronic pen.That last quote is for KSmilkmaid if she should one day grace these pages. Reason enough for me...For he who plows ought to plow in hope......(to be continued)