3 things

a man should always carry.

I can't believe I haven't posted this before. I searched though and couldn't find it.

1. A pocketknife. The knife I carry is bigger than a typical pocketknife: a Buck 110. I can and do use this knife for almost every chore and task requiring a knife except butchering and sticking a steer and the largest hogs. (Buck 110 pictured)

However, a much smaller knife will due; for instance, the Shrade 330T, which has 2 blades is great for all small jobs.

2. Handkerchief. You never know when you are going to sneeze, when your child will have a runny nose, when you will happen across a weeping lady, or when you just need to wipe sweat off your brow. Personally, I prefer bandana types as they are most versatile.

3. A rosary. Need I expound on this?

Note that all three items may be useful to yourself and to others. So, in the final analysis, it is the charitable thing to do to have these items AND to use them!

Oremus pro invicem!

the move

I am reading a book now on Catholic homesteading. It is interesting that the first part of the book justifies or gives reasons for moving back to the land. It brings me back to our own move.

I remember our path to our homestead (all 1.93 acres of it) and all the research we did. At the end of the day, I was convinced that for us (our particular family), this was the best way to live, the best way to become close to God, the best way to raise our particular children. I felt if we didn't make the move when given the opportunity it would go against what I knew was right - it would going against my conscience.

Oremus pro invicem!

We're getting it ...

that is, rain! Steady sprinkle for a few hours today. It is supposed to rain for about 12 more hours tonight and tomorrow. 

We finished doing our first batch of chickens (the last 6) this morning. It was a good morning for it - cool and breezy. It almost didn't happen. When the alarm went off early this morning, it was touch and go on whether I would actually get up and get fire started to heat the water to scald the chickens. But wisdom prevailed and sloth was conquered! (at least for today.)

I have my last cardiac rehab session tomorrow. I need to start some occupational therapy. I still have nerve damage in my left hand from the surgery. I either need to see if it can be fixed, or how to live with it.

******

I don't count on teaching work in the summer. I am usually scheduled for a course or two, but they often don't make enough students to hold the class - as is the case this summer. What to do with all the time? You either have time or money, but seldom both. 

We have a lot of work to do around here. We have started a renovation on the feed house, but it finishing and painting. 

I would love to get my shop (the garage) cleaned out so I can start working with wood again. It is one of the things I like to do most. It is ironic that my favorite homestead chore is cutting and splitting firewood and that my other favorite thing is to make things of wood.

Oremus pro invicem!

We need rain!

 The garden is finally all planted, a little later than usual, but I figure I have an excuse. But we need rain. It has been a few weeks since our last sprinkle. I usually rely solely on rain, but I have put a sprinkler on a few of our critical crops the past few days.

Our brocolli crop has been great. Mrs. Curley and I blanched and put up a bunch last week. Salad, spinach, Swiss chard is going gangbusters.

We put our first meat birds of the season up last week. For the first time we used a chicken plucker (borrowed from friends) to process the birds - a game changer!

Several weeks ago we put one of the Jersey steers down. Number 2 son came down and we got it done. Friends helped us butcher the following week. I tell you, Jersey beef is the best!

Things are looking pretty good here. God is good! no, God is great!

Oremus pro invicem!