100 degrees, feels like 110.
went home over lunch and sprayed down a portion of the pig pen where they have rooted in the cool dirt.
pigs need access to shade due to their light skin color, else they burn.
they also need ample space to wallow to keep cool as pigs don't sweat like people do.
fresh cool water is a must.
keep water in the shade.
oy, i think its time for a piglet baby pool.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
a windy summer day
clothes on the line flap like flags in the wind.
my hair whisps in every direction.
i'm looking forward to the following...
3. give hens fresh cold water.
4. PIGLETS PIGLETS PIGLETS!!!!
the humidity is gone, the breeze is alive and well.
today is a beautiful day!
i'm looking forward to the following...
1. quick run to tractor supply to grab a bale of straw (to be stuffed in the trunk of the corolla) and a bag of pig feed (which will sit like a passed out sack of potatoes in the front seat of the car).
2. let dogs out...check up on chickens. 3. give hens fresh cold water.
4. PIGLETS PIGLETS PIGLETS!!!!
i'll let the piglets out in the field to run, play and root...what a site this will be.
its been awhile since i've had younger pigs and i'm excited to have these two at home.
hello evenings outside with the pigs, oh how i've missed you.
i'm gilty
i brought home 2 gilts yesterday evening.
impulsive
on the fly
...and thrilled!
a farmer friend purchased 15...for his first experience with hogs. he has the time and space and a friend who begged to purchase a pair. i picked these two and without hesitation picked their squealing screaming bodies by their back legs and put them in their hay filled crate to be driven home.
the girls seemed pleased with their new home and i'm excited to completely strip the straw bedding from the previous pigs (its a bit dusty in there) and fill it with new straw for these two.
so thrilled to be back in the pig game!
impulsive
on the fly
...and thrilled!
a farmer friend purchased 15...for his first experience with hogs. he has the time and space and a friend who begged to purchase a pair. i picked these two and without hesitation picked their squealing screaming bodies by their back legs and put them in their hay filled crate to be driven home.
the girls seemed pleased with their new home and i'm excited to completely strip the straw bedding from the previous pigs (its a bit dusty in there) and fill it with new straw for these two.
so thrilled to be back in the pig game!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Please Donate!!!
No no no, not to fund my out of control lifestyle, but to help stop the dog food trade in Asia.
The Soi Dog Foundation helps rescue, rehab, and adopt dogs who would otherwise be sold for me.
The condition of these animals is horrid. Learn more here:
http://www.soidog.org/en/you-can-help-stop-the-dog-meat-trade/
The Soi Dog Foundation helps rescue, rehab, and adopt dogs who would otherwise be sold for me.
The condition of these animals is horrid. Learn more here:
http://www.soidog.org/en/you-can-help-stop-the-dog-meat-trade/
the dogs
Cali - 7.5 year old pit bull mix
Sadie - 9+? year old terrier/hound mix
Brice - senior rat terrier and Littles adult chihuahua...the boys.
TEMPLE GRANDIN
Every farmer should be familiar with the name, research, and practices of this amazing woman. Temple Grandin is an amazing scientist who uses her experiences with autism to reduce the stress, anxiety, pain, and fear in livestock transport and slaughter.My pigs benefited greatly from what I learned from Ms Grandin.
The butcher I had my pigs processed at takes their staff on trips to her seminars and practice her methods. There's nothing like shaking the hand of the gentlemen who killed and processed your meat.
the depressed farmer
Farming isn't easy when you have atypical depression.
For those unfamiliar with this type of depression I have linked and copied some information provided by the Mayo Clinic.
Atypical Depression
By Mayo Clinic staffDefinition
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atypical-depression/DS01181
As with any type of depression, atypical depression can make you feel blue and keep you from enjoying life. When you have atypical depression, a particular pattern of signs and symptoms tends to occur. You may feel hungry and gain weight. You may sleep a lot, and your arms and legs may feel heavy. Many people who have atypical depression have a hard time maintaining relationships and are especially afraid of rejection by others.
Atypical depression often starts in the teenage years and is more common in women than in men. Despite the name, atypical depression isn't uncommon or unusual. As with other forms of depression, treatment for atypical depression includes medications, psychological counseling (psychotherapy) and lifestyle changes.
Symptoms
Depression of any kind can cause:
Feelings of sadness, emptiness or feeling tearful
Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
In addition to standard symptoms of depression, atypical depression symptoms also include:
Increased appetite
Unintentional weight gain
Increased desire to sleep
Heavy, leaden feeling in the arms and legs (leaden paralysis)
Sensitivity to rejection or criticism that interferes with your social life or job
Relationship conflicts
Trouble maintaining long-lasting relationships
Fear of rejection that leads to avoiding relationships
Having depression that temporarily lifts with good news or positive events but returns later
It's not known exactly what causes atypical depression. As with other types of depression, a combination of factors may be involved. These include:
Brain chemistry.
Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that are thought to play a direct role in depression. When these chemicals are out of balance, it may lead to depression symptoms.
Inherited traits. Depression is more common in people whose biological family members also have the condition.
Life events. Events such as the death or loss of a loved one, financial problems and high stress can trigger depression in some people.
Early childhood trauma. Traumatic events during childhood, such as abuse or loss of a parent, may cause permanent changes in the brain that make you more susceptible to depression
Diagnostic criteria for atypical depression
To be diagnosed with atypical depression, you must meet the symptom criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by mental health providers to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.
For a diagnosis of atypical depression, you must first meet the general DSM criteria for major depression — which includes feeling down and losing interest in things you once enjoyed. You'll also need to meet other, specific criteria for atypical depression.
For a diagnosis of atypical depression you must have this symptom:
Being cheered up by positive events
In addition, you must have at least two of these symptoms for diagnosis:
Gaining weight gain or having a noticeable increase in appetite
Sleeping excessively
Being sensitive to rejection by others
Having a heavy feeling in the arms and legs
Treatments and drugs
Treatment for atypical depression is generally the same as treatment for other types of depression. Medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy) are effective for most people.
In some cases, a primary care doctor can prescribe medications to relieve depression symptoms. However, many people need to see a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions (psychiatrist). Most people with atypical depression also benefit from seeing a psychologist or other mental health counselor. Usually the most effective treatment for depression is a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
Atypical depression most often occurs along with mild, long-lasting depression. However, it can cause more severe symptoms in some people, such as feeling suicidal or not being able to do basic day-to-day activities. If you have severe depression, a doctor, loved one or guardian may need to guide your care until you're well enough to participate in decision making. You may need a hospital stay, or you may need to participate in an outpatient treatment program until your symptoms improve.
For those unfamiliar with this type of depression I have linked and copied some information provided by the Mayo Clinic.
Atypical Depression
By Mayo Clinic staffDefinition
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atypical-depression/DS01181
As with any type of depression, atypical depression can make you feel blue and keep you from enjoying life. When you have atypical depression, a particular pattern of signs and symptoms tends to occur. You may feel hungry and gain weight. You may sleep a lot, and your arms and legs may feel heavy. Many people who have atypical depression have a hard time maintaining relationships and are especially afraid of rejection by others.
Atypical depression often starts in the teenage years and is more common in women than in men. Despite the name, atypical depression isn't uncommon or unusual. As with other forms of depression, treatment for atypical depression includes medications, psychological counseling (psychotherapy) and lifestyle changes.
Symptoms
Depression of any kind can cause:
Feelings of sadness, emptiness or feeling tearful
Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
In addition to standard symptoms of depression, atypical depression symptoms also include:
Increased appetite
Unintentional weight gain
Increased desire to sleep
Heavy, leaden feeling in the arms and legs (leaden paralysis)
Sensitivity to rejection or criticism that interferes with your social life or job
Relationship conflicts
Trouble maintaining long-lasting relationships
Fear of rejection that leads to avoiding relationships
Having depression that temporarily lifts with good news or positive events but returns later
It's not known exactly what causes atypical depression. As with other types of depression, a combination of factors may be involved. These include:
Brain chemistry.
Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that are thought to play a direct role in depression. When these chemicals are out of balance, it may lead to depression symptoms.
Inherited traits. Depression is more common in people whose biological family members also have the condition.
Life events. Events such as the death or loss of a loved one, financial problems and high stress can trigger depression in some people.
Early childhood trauma. Traumatic events during childhood, such as abuse or loss of a parent, may cause permanent changes in the brain that make you more susceptible to depression
Diagnostic criteria for atypical depression
To be diagnosed with atypical depression, you must meet the symptom criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by mental health providers to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.
For a diagnosis of atypical depression, you must first meet the general DSM criteria for major depression — which includes feeling down and losing interest in things you once enjoyed. You'll also need to meet other, specific criteria for atypical depression.
For a diagnosis of atypical depression you must have this symptom:
Being cheered up by positive events
In addition, you must have at least two of these symptoms for diagnosis:
Gaining weight gain or having a noticeable increase in appetite
Sleeping excessively
Being sensitive to rejection by others
Having a heavy feeling in the arms and legs
Treatments and drugs
Treatment for atypical depression is generally the same as treatment for other types of depression. Medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy) are effective for most people.
In some cases, a primary care doctor can prescribe medications to relieve depression symptoms. However, many people need to see a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions (psychiatrist). Most people with atypical depression also benefit from seeing a psychologist or other mental health counselor. Usually the most effective treatment for depression is a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
Atypical depression most often occurs along with mild, long-lasting depression. However, it can cause more severe symptoms in some people, such as feeling suicidal or not being able to do basic day-to-day activities. If you have severe depression, a doctor, loved one or guardian may need to guide your care until you're well enough to participate in decision making. You may need a hospital stay, or you may need to participate in an outpatient treatment program until your symptoms improve.
Monday, June 18, 2012
carrying capacity
I view the term carrying capacity in two parts. Financial. Ecological.
1. Financial
How many animals and plants can I afford to care for?
2. Ecological
How many plants and animals can my farm support while maintaining integrity of the land?
It amazes me how some farmers stuff animals in every nook and cranny of their farm with no regard for how they are impacting the local water quality (agricultural runoff), soil quality (erosion), or happiness of said animal.
Happy and healthy pigs aren't found in a stall. Happy and healthy goats are not found in a small pen. Animals NEED the opportunity to forage, graze, or root. Their natural instincts must take priority.
1. Financial
How many animals and plants can I afford to care for?
2. Ecological
How many plants and animals can my farm support while maintaining integrity of the land?
It amazes me how some farmers stuff animals in every nook and cranny of their farm with no regard for how they are impacting the local water quality (agricultural runoff), soil quality (erosion), or happiness of said animal.
Happy and healthy pigs aren't found in a stall. Happy and healthy goats are not found in a small pen. Animals NEED the opportunity to forage, graze, or root. Their natural instincts must take priority.
Garden notTour
My garden has grown so much in the past few days the previous pictures I have feel too dated to share. Today I will take more pictures and provide a new tour de garden.
While I LOVE maintaining my garden, the one aspect I fail at on a yearly basis is labeling my rows. Each spring I vow to label and date my rows with what i've planted and each spring I fail to do so.
How do you keep your gardens organized? How do you label your plants? Do you note the dates you plant?
While I LOVE maintaining my garden, the one aspect I fail at on a yearly basis is labeling my rows. Each spring I vow to label and date my rows with what i've planted and each spring I fail to do so.
How do you keep your gardens organized? How do you label your plants? Do you note the dates you plant?
Book Giveaway #2!
Take advantage of the chance to win Jon Katz's Izzy & Lenore!
A book I haven't read nor will read.
Tell me how your dog (or cat!) helps around the farm and i'll pick a random winner.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Garden Tour
Garden 2012
Mid June
My first garden 3 summers ago didn't have a fence, the following summer I used t-posts and galvanized fencing...spring forward to 2012 and I went all out. Landscape timbers, galvanized fencing...and drum roll please...LIGHTS! A friends garden was lit last year and i was might envious so this year I asked him if I could borrow a strand of shop lights. The lights are 100ft long with bulbs/cages every 10 ft. This amount of light allows for night time weeding and general garden work.
A friend, Bryant, and my bf helped dig the fence posts. After my bf returned to NC I was able to get Bryant back to help put the posts in. I manned the concrete and he made sure the posts were straight and plum. Levels are your friend! After all the posts were in we wrapped the fencing around and used a staple gun to secure the wire to the posts. My friend Dennis graciously brought these lights over and staple gunned them to the top of the landscape timber. I am 16ft shy of fencing and have temporary fencing around this area.
The fence for me is not to keep deer, rabbits, or the all mighty bear cub sized groundhog out, but to keep little Sadie out of my garden. My dogs ruin a garden quicker than any critter will.
All the beds were created from old fence posts when my parents replaced their fencing. It has worked perfectly!
Back to the tour...
Bed 1 - Beets
This area doesn't get much sun so I haven't filled the spaces with other veggies. This is the sacrifice bed.
Bed 2 - Carrots
I have been VERY pleased with how well my carrots are coming up.
The fence boards allow me to work, weed, plant, and harvest veggies without stepping on the soil.
It is very important to prevent the soil from compacting.
All beds are heavily mulched to prevent weeds and encourage water retention.
Bed 3 - Lettuce
My mother has been coming over daily to pick lettuce, she claims its like eating candy.
Bed 4 - Green, yellow, and purple beans
in the empty space i recently planted more carrots.
.......to be continued
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Obedience Seminar
Ditched RuBiTube for a seminar held by TriCity Schutzhund with Cindy Peterson.
Phones about to die, more later!
Friday, June 1, 2012
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