A solution so far ....

These seem to be keeping the vultures (black vultures and not turkey vultures as I wrote earlier) at bay for the moment.

Oremus pro invicem!

Another rabbit or two and a philosophical question

My son Thomas, home after college graduation (Wyoming Catholic College) for a short time before heading off for a new adventure, asked the rhetorical question yesterday of me concerning my appetite of hunting rabbits who invade my garden:

"I can't figure out if you are more like Mr. MacGregor or Elmer Fudd!"

More garden

We have been picking patty pan squash for several days now. Last broccoli was picked tonight. Our first cherry tomatoes, banana pepper, and green beans were picked today. We also picked our first blueberries today. God is good!

We moved Eddie back with the sows and one unbred sow yesterday. Still a few weeks before we wean Red's pigs.

Big trouble: Turkey vultures have killed at least 3 of Red's pigs. Usually this wouldn't happen at their age. We had strung up old CD's to no avail. Today we erected a Scarecrow. We will see.

Oremus pro invicem!

Really, I am not that old ...

but, I am seeing more and more limitations. I had major surgery 18 months ago, and I have nerve damage in my left hand which will never recover. 

This limitation (besides creaking joints and lower back pain) is being made clear to me around the homestead. Gardening seems to be unaffected, but as Thomas and I and slaughtered a hog this morning, we both realized that you don't want to be around a man with a knife who can't feel half his fingers! 

A few years ago I had to kill and process a hog by myself (as opposed to with others). I know now that won't ever happen again. I will always need help now, which is how it should be anyway. Hog-killing is a community activity.

Oremus pro invicem!

More Garden

 Picking zucchini now. Been picking broccoli. Lots of tomatoes on the vine, but nothing ready yet.

Oremus pro invicem!

Garden

 Looks like the sweet corn recovered from the thunder storms. Garden is starting to look very good. Keep up the rain! We picked our first zucchini today. We finished staking the tomato plants (late) today. 

Oremus pro invicem!

Mr. MacGregor

Update: MacGregor 3; Peter Rabbit 0. I am starting to get the hang of this!

A few weeks ago my brother and nephew were down. We did some skeet shooting with our .410. My nephew didn't know how to miss. My brother was so-so. I couldn't hit a thing.

This evening there were rabbits in my garden. Same .410; different shooter. 2 in, 2 down.

I have never done much hunting, but we do process all our own meat. But still and honestly, I felt horrible. All I could think of was Peter Rabbit and Mr. MacGregor. But I would do it again. Our summer garden feeds us and others.

Oremus pro invicem!

Red gives birth!

Our oldest sow Red gave birth early this morning despite the thunderstorms. She had 11 live births.

Great job!

Oremus pro invicem!

Thunderstorms - update

More thunderstorms last night and more damage to the corn. We will try to do something today to save it.

I don't have a picture, but the overnight thunderstorms dropped a lot of my beautiful corn. I will be spending time tomorrow (had to work today) propping it up to see if I can save it. Of course the weather attacked the best of it.

Oremus pro invicem!

same again

I probably make this same post every few years ... planting seeds is an act of faith or hope? 

As I finish planting our vegetable garden this week, I am always anxious about if seeds will germinate and poke out of the ground.

I should be full of confidence as our corn (planted with year-old seeds) is going gangbusters. But still I want everything to grow. We always have a plentiful harvest, but sometime one thing or another doesn't work. Will it this year?

Oremus pro invicem!

Hail!

 We had quite the hail storm yesterday. We got golf-ball sized hail. Rock Hill got softball-sized hail!

I was afraid for the corn, but it looks unscathed. (A cherry tomato plant was stripped of leaves by the hail - but one of 60 is not bad at all!)

Oremus pro invicem!

A Catholic College in South Carolina?

 A New College Is Born ~ The Imaginative Conservative

various

This week we are putting in tomatoes and lots and lots of cherry tomatoes. We planted some squash by mistake (I thought is was eggplant) and some Swiss Chard (a little late.)

I am hoping to plant flowers today. (More on that and the LOTS of cherry tomatoes later.)

Son Connor is becoming a prolific writer over at Catholic365.com with a new article appearing practically every day for the last month or so. 

Semesters at my colleges are winding down with only a few weeks left. Can't wait to be home full time - although I can't complain, I am only away from home 2 days a week this spring.

We have a couple of young visitors at our house. It has been a while since we have taken in "visitors". I am reminded of the energy need to chase 1 and 3 year-old around - energy I am slowly running out of....

Oremus pro invicem!

Planting

We put some brocolli, romaine, brussel sprouts, and cabbage in the ground last week. I thought it a little late, but none seemed to fair well in the cold but not frost nights we have had recently. Maybe they will recover....

Today I put in our sweet corn. Corn can take a light frost, and in any event, we may not even have another frost.

Last year I did have to replant a few times (the corn) because too much frost got it. I am hoping this year is different, but we take our chances.

Oremus pro invicem!

A new litter is born!

 Patch did farrow last night. Unclear to me how many she had, but it is looking like 6 or 7. Will update later.

Oremus pro invicem!

Patch

This was taken 2 days ago. You can see her underline is getting full. This morning it was almost twice as big. I suspect we will have new piglets within the week. 

Oremus pro invicem!

Getting ready ....

I came across this picture from last summer today. We are right now in the midst of planning the spring and summer garden - itching to get some seeds and plants in the ground. This picture inspires....

Oremus pro invicem!

 Dear friend, Peter, may you rest in peace!

Obituary | Dr. Peter J. Nyikos of Lexington, South Carolina | Temples-Halloran Funeral Home (templeshalloranfuneralhome.com)

Oremus pro invicem!

Walking and Running

I admit it, many years ago I was a runner and pretty good at it too, despite bad knees. Once I got married, I put on weight; running and bad knees are not compatible - so I did nothing much. About 23 years ago, I tried to take up running again in the peace of the early morning hours in our neighborhood. It lasted 6 months or so, then never again.

I was never a competitive runner, but ran to keep in shape, alleviate stress, and to think.

It turns out walking can do the same. Charlie is often talking about the benefits of walking, and I have to concur. 

I have been walking off and on for some 20 years now (more on than off). I can't stand a treadmill (which I was subjected to three times a week during my heart rehab), but I love walking through the woods or in neighborhoods. I can think, pray the rosary, meditate, or just enjoy the sights.

Over the years I have done a lot of backpacking with my sons, but my last trip was 3 or 4 years ago. Walking is good training for backpacking (although there are no hills to train on around here.)

I never really liked running, it was just a means to exercise. Walking is that, plus enjoyable.

Oremus pro invicem!

Gardening

We thought about building a small greenhouse this year to extend the growing season (both ways.) We never got around to it, but amazingly, we picked our last broccoli in the middle of January. We have never had broccoli so late in the season.

We also had some Brussell sprouts late. Amazingly, some of the lettuce and other greens survived until the cold snap a week ago.

Cabbage was a disappointment, we never really got a single good head.

Now its time to start thinking about spring planting ... only a month or so away.

From the small holding in Bethune ....

Oremus pro invicem!

Little Red

 Here is a video of Little Red and her piglets. They are now (not in the video) 2 weeks old. She has been a great sow so far.

More pictures of Little Red and her litter. She is proving to be a very good sow.

Oremus pro invicem!

Back home!

 I was in MA for a few days to help bury my brother - may his soul rest in peace. 

Coming home I thought I would be coming to warmer temperatures - but no, it was getting just as cold here overnight as in MA. I woke up this morning, and it was 49 F in the house before I got the wood stove fired up.

Everything was still here in place. We had a new litter of pigs (see below) and no burst pipes.

Thomas has returned to his final semester of college at WCC, but I leave a picture of him just after he felled a dead cedar tree over this Christmas break. The cut is so high because of metal in the tree he wanted to avoid.

Oremus pro invicem!

Another litter!

 January 19th, just days after the feast of St. Anthony of the desert (patron of swine herders), we have another litter.

Praise be to God! Oremus pro invicem!

Pat - Rest in peace!

 My brother:

Patrick R. Curley

Patrick R. Curley of Walpole, formerly of Norwood. Passed away on January 12, 2024. He was 64 years old.

Patrick grew up in Norwood and was a 1977 graduate of Norwood Senior High School. He met the love of his life, Karen Foster, at age 16, and they went on to marry and raise a family of their own. Patrick was an avid Bruins fan. He also loved John Wayne and westerns, books about westerns and western movies. Patrick was happiest surrounded by his family, especially his children and his dog, Sugar.

Patrick was the dear and devoted husband of the late Karen (Foster). Loving father of Michael P. Curley and his wife Alex of Northboro, and Kristen E. Ritzenthaler and her husband Cameron of Manchester, NH. Dear brother of Mary, James, John, Kevin, Eileen, Rita, Kathleen, Judy, Claire, Agnes and Sister Marie Paul. Son-in-law of Richard Foster and brother-in-law of David Foster. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral from the Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home 1248 Washington St. NORWOOD, Friday January 19. 2024 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Church in East Walpole at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday January 18, 2024 from 5 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

Patrick will be laid to rest at Highland Cemetery with his beloved Karen.

Little Red!

 She had her first litter last night. 10 live births. 

Oremus pro invicem!

Goings on

It has been very busy around here. Monday we dispatched our last Jersey steer. He was less bony and more solid than most Jersey steers we've had. Today we spent the morning butchering the front quarters (mostly for hamburger meat and brisket.) The rest we will age a bit more.

Yesterday we had a pretty strong storm (cancelling my first day of class at both colleges). Lots of limbs down in other places. Our neighbor lost a tree, taking his fence down. This afternoon we spent cutting up the tree (poplar, I think) and bringing it home to start next year's wood stash. 

We have weaned a bunch of pigs and trying to sell them, while waiting for 2 litters to drop any day now. 

We still have Thomas home for a couple more days, then he's back to Wyoming to finish his senior year.

Oremus pro invicem!

Happy Feast Day!

 Merry Christmas and Happy Feast of Our Lady!

Oremus pro invicem!

2nd chance day anniversary

It was one year ago today that I went in for a precautionary heart cath and didn't come out for 10 days.

It has been a strange year. It started with me being an invalid, but thankful for life and my family who rallied around me and Mrs. Curley who took special care of me.

Since coming home from the hospital after 10 days in, I progressed from recliner, to sofa, to bedroom. From needing help just to get up, to PT, to OT, to feeling jut about fine. I know I am lucky to both be alive with virtually no long-term bad effects.

I hope I learned something. I am thankful. It could have been much worse. Looking back, it is hard to believe what January through March were like. 

My oldest son sent me a message today wishing me a happy 2nd chance day. I hope I take good advantage of it!

Oremus pro invicem!

Ebenezer

Typically on Thanksgiving we and any visitors we have name a few things from the past year we are thankful for just before digging into the desserts.

This year my brother's family was down from NH to celebrate the holiday with us. As we went around the table, there were a number of mentions of being thankful for Ebenezer. This refers to the Wednesday night supper which featured the last steaks from our steer Ebenezer.

Oremus pro invicem!

We bought a couple turkeys from a local farmer a couple months ago. Both were probably in the 12 pound range at the time. 

We processed the Thanksgiving turkey on Saturday - it dress out at 35 pounds!  

My brother and family are here for the feast. My nephew, I am told, can pack away some food - he will have plenty of opportunity!

Oremus pro invicem!

Any Day was

 Saturday night! I was returning from NC when I got the call that Red was in labor. Here are the pics.

Praise be to God!

Oremus pro invicem!

Any day now

 

Big Red is even more bottled up today than in this picture from Sunday. I figure in we will have new piglets within the week.

Thirst

If one of your parents or grandparents was suffering from thirst, would you offer them some water? How about your siblings? How about your neighbor or co-worker? What if you saw a stranger suffering from thirst, would you offer them a drink?

For all these, yes!

Now, these same people are suffering in purgatory. Do you offer them a drink through your prayers and mortifications so they can get refreshment in Heaven!

O gentle Heart of Jesus,
ever present in the Blessed Sacrament,
ever consumed with burning love
for the poor captive souls in Purgatory,
have mercy on them.

Be not severe in Your judgments,
but let some drops of Your Precious Blood
fall upon the devouring flames.

And, Merciful Saviour,
send Your angels to conduct them
to a place of refreshment,
light and peace.
Amen.

Oremus pro invicem!

Things lost; things saved

Last weekend I was in NC roasting a large 1/2 hog on a grill. We put it on at 10 PM and I was sleeping on the ground outside, waking up every hour to put coals on. There were some teenage boys also sleeping outside. One in particular asked me every time I put coals on "When is the pig going to start to cook?"

I kept explaining the hot coals I was putting under the grill was cooking the hog. 

At 3:00 AM this boy woke me and said, "Mr. Curley, the pig is really cooking now!" I looked up to see the grill engulfed in flames and billowing black smoke. Apparently enough fat from the pig has fell on the hot coals to make some flames leap, and thus set the pig aflame.

We did get the fire out, and after an inspection determined that only the outside was burnt. The inside still needed cooking. We cooked it and feasted Saturday night. A thing saved.

During the battle (with the blaze) somehow my wedding ring slipped off my finger and has not been found. This is the first time I have lost it. I dug through dirt and ashes, but no ring. I was reminded of the play The Jeweler's Shop when one spouse tries to sell her ring back to the jeweler - who won't accept it as her spouse is still alive. A thing lost.

Oremus pro invicem!

Not a car guy

I have been struggling all week with a bad wheel bearing assembly on the truck. I got a new one, but could not get the old one out. Finally, I went down the hardware store and bought a 2-foot pipe wrench; combine that with the back end of a splitting maul, and after 20 swings or so, it came out. After getting it out, I was in the garage putting a tool away and noticed my own old 2-foot pipe wrench hanging on the wall. 

I don't even know what tools I already own!

Later I removed with much less, (but a little) trouble a second wheel bearing assembly. Am I to be hailed? Ur, no. I had to remove the new assembly I put in because I realized have spending an hour unsuccessfully trying to put the calipers back on the rotor, that I put the dust shield on backwards - so it all had to come off.

Am I finished? No. I damaged the outer tie rod boot during the whole process, so have to replace the outer tie rod. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get the old one off after about an hour of heat, cheater bars, pry bars, etc. 

Done for the day!

But I leave you with this more pleasant picture - a late pumpkin. I am hoping it will turn before the first frost.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fall

 Well, it is not here yet, but we got much of the fall garden in today. Broccoli, lettuces, Brussell sprouts, cauliflower, etc. We still have some planting to do, but a good start.

We moved our 2 gilts in in with Eddy the boar this week. Red is already bred. One of the gilts was in heat the day before we moved her. I don't know if she got into the pen in time, but not a problem, we aren't in a hurry.

From the small holding in Bethune...

Oremus pro invicem!

Where are we at?

 As said before, we are back from Wisconsin. The homestead was in great shape thanks to our caretakers. Now there is much work to do.

We have some gilts saved for breeding which we need to move to the boar. The other large hogs need a new pen after a week of downpours. (Only rain from Idalia.)

We need to prepare the garden for the fall crops, romaine, spinach, broccoli, turnips, etc. We are still picking a few cucumbers and peppers. Our late crop of green (bush) beans has been disappointing. We have one pumpkin left to pick.  There could be more, but it depends on the weather.

There are also some volunteer cantaloupes from an old pig pen.

Back to school! Am teaching again this fall. My fall schedule is usually heavy, spring light, and summer non-existent. It is actually a good schedule for the homestead, following the business of the garden and work that needs to be done.

We got a load of meat bird (day-old chicks) last week - so they will be ready to process in October.

So a lot going on, not to mention that I really should put up some more wood for the winter, even though it is getting late.

Finally, I finished a book (writing) this summer about our first 19 years on the land. If it gets a publisher, I will be sure to let you all know.

From the small holding in Bethune....

Oremus pro invicem!

To Wisconsin and back

Much has happened since the birth of my granddaughter. Son Matthew was married in Wisconsin last weekend near Soldiers Grove in an Extraordinary Form Mass. It was a beautiful wedding in a beautiful country. 

I haven't written for publication in several years, but this changed this week. I had an article published in the August edition of Oremus Press Newspaper . 

More to come - maybe some wedding pictures!

Oremus pro invicem!

Hym of Saint Kassiani

 

"O Lord, the woman who had fallen into many sins, perceiving Thy Divinity, fulfilled the part of a myrrh-bearer; and with lamentations she brought sweet-smelling oil of myrrh to Thee before Thy burial. 'Woe is me,' she said, 'for night surrounds me, dark and moonless, and stings my lustful passion with the love of sin. Accept the fountain of my tears, O Thou Who drawest down from the clouds the waters of the sea. Incline to the groanings of my heart, O Thou Who in Thine ineffable self-emptying hast bowed down the heavens. I shall kiss Thy Most Pure feet and wipe them with the hairs of my head, those feet whose sound Eve heard at dusk in Paradise and hid herself for fear. Who can search out the multitude of my sins and the abyss of Thy judgments, O Savior of my soul? Despise me not, Thine handmaiden, for Thou hast mercy without measure."

Boy oh Boy!!

3rd grandchild born early this morning!!!!!! Everyone doing well. Praise be to God!

********************

Precious Cantaloupe

I have told the story before about our cantaloupe seeds.  We planted some this year, but few seeds germinated. We got one fantastic plant, but so far only one fruit, which I didn't spy until today, as you can see why. It is wedged in and won't budge. Should I break the cinder block?

My fault for not paying closer attention. UPDATE: I freed it from its bonds!

From the small holding in Bethune we praise God this morning!

Oremus pro invicem!

Well, the bounty from the garden continues. Usually, I get some projects done while Mrs. Curley is away, but there is soooo much produce to put up I haven't had much time to start anything. Some things are starting to slow down. We have picked most of the spaghetti squash. The green beans are slowing down as are the tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. But not the cucumbers. We are picking an average of 30 a day plus the ones I missed from the day before which are only good for the pigs.

We did cut some wood today and Monday and split and stacked it. It is a little late in the season for doing it, but I want to make double sure we have enough for the coming winter.

While Mrs. Curley has been away, in the evenings I have been trying my hand to finish a book about our life here I started a few years ago. I have 24,000 words and think I am just about 'done', whether it is finished or not. I have some organizing to do and must figure out a decent way to close it out. Other than that, I don't think I have much more to say. 

We have a litter of pigs for sale. About half are gone. Usually it takes only 24-36 hours after advertising to sell them all. But the days have been so scorching hot, that I figure folks don't want to spend the time making a pen in this heat. 

From the small holding in Bethune ....

Oremus pro invicem!

We need to keep saying it.

It does bear repeating over and over: Phil Lawler says it again with respect to Cardinal Dolan's recent examination of conscience:

So the People of God were denied the sacraments. Sinners were not shriven, lovers were not married, babies were not baptized, the dying were not anointed. How many souls were lost because of that lack of pastoral care? How many strayed from the Church— and have not returned— because they were encouraged to accept the government edicts that religious worship is not an “essential” activity?

***********************

Yesterday I made more cherry tomato pasta sauce, blanched and froze more green beans, shredded and froze more squash. 

Over the weekend I pureed and put up several bags of tomatoes.

Today is ketchup day. Ironic as I don't eat ketchup either. But what to do with all these tomatoes?

The corn is done. The squash keeps looking like is done, but then one plant revives and puts out another patti pan.

I am starting to pick spaghetti squash and eggplant now. 

And the cucumbers just keep coming!

From the small holding in Bethune ...

Oremus pro invicem!

Bounty

Daughter Bernadette made 31 jars of pickles this weekend! As she was in process I brought in another couple dozen cucumbers from the garden. She looked daggers at me. "Look" I said, "I don't even like pickles. You are to one who made me promise to grow tons of cucumbers!"

I spent my share of time in the kitchen also this weekend, making another batch of cherry tomato pasta sauce, pureeing several gallon bags of tomatoes and freezing, and freezing trays of cherry tomatoes.

I think I have enough green beans to blanch and freeze another bunch. Plus I am still behind on the tomatoes, having four baskets full to put up, not to mention the patti pan squash. So I know what I am doing today!

We have been getting short rains and it looks like more today.

We also sold some ducks and one pig. 

From the small holding in Bethune ...

Oremus pro invicem!

Putting it up

Mrs. Curley is out of town for a couple of weeks trying to help our 3rd grandchild be born, at least helping out.

Of course this means I have lost my produce-putting-up partner. Beans I handled no problem. Freezing whole cherry tomatoes, no problem.

Making cherry tomato pasta/pizza sauce, big problem. I can follow a recipe, but since I can't stand any type of tomato sauce, I have no way of knowing if what I made is any good. But I made a quart plus of it yesterday anyway. Gregory says it's great, but anything edible is great to him.

The cherry tomatoes are plentiful. I am picking 4 or more pints a day. What to do with them all? It was fine when they were dribbling in, but now? I am thinking of putting up a sign out front to sell them. 

Last night I also started putting up the patti pan squash. I have much more to do, but I think the plants are starting to wind down.

But today we put up more corn. We probably won't have more to put up after today, but will have a few more meals. 

From the small holding in Bethune -

Oremus pro invicem!

2 photos today

Yesterday, we finished our novena and installed my grandmother's Infant of Prague statue in the shrine with song and prayer. It was a long time coming.

We have been picking produce in increasing quantities over the last couple weeks. Today we had the most green beans and cherry tomatoes and cucumbers of any single day yet. 

I blanched the green beans for freezing after supper tonight. 

Mrs. Curley is away helping with preparation for our 3rd grandchild, so I am doing the kitchen stuff. She left me instructions on how to deal with the tomatoes. Will be doing that tomorrow. 

As to the cucumbers .... and we have tons even after Mrs. Curley pickled as many as she could before she left ... my youngest daughter needs to take care of these. I can't even stand the smell of pickles.

From the very blessed smallholding in Bethune,

Oremus pro invicem!

Promises

Some few years ago I made a promise to erect a shrine to the Infant of Prague on our property. Every year it was a "priority" which never happened. I think this is going to change tomorrow.

The site is ready for the statue to be enshrined tomorrow. Son Gregory has been helping me all week to prepare the shrine.

Despite my procrastination on keeping my promise, our Lord has blessed us tremendously anyway.

From the small holding in Bethune ... Oremus pro invicem!

St. Thomas More - pray for us!

One of my next books for Requiem Press before we went under was a short life of St. Thomas More. It was part of a larger collection on the 40 martyrs of England and Wales published many years before his canonization. The two volume work was edited by Dom Bede Camm OSB, but I believe the particular account of St. Thomas More was by a nun. 

In any event, Requiem Press did not survive. Sometimes I think we should resurrect RP in a digital format. Hmmm.

I have a pretty extensive collection of works on the 40 martyrs. Some I can't even read. One is in Latin, another in French. Now I took both languages in high school and a little in college, but it doesn't seem to help me now.

I don't really don't know what to do with the collection. I have read all of them that I can actually read. 

Today, in honor of the feast day, I reread the account of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher contained in the first RP book: Witnesses to the Holy Mass.

Oremus pro invicem!

More Travel

 Mrs. Curley and I drove to Akron, OH and back this weekend. Number 2 son and wife live just outside Akron. 

It is about a 9 hour drive without stopping, but of course we stopped. The Ford E-350 had just turned 300K miles last week, but it performed like a champion, even increasing its mpg during the trip..

We had a lot of fun. Wished our kids lived closer. We got to confession, heard Mass at a beautiful church on Sunday, found a couple great breakfast spots, went for a couple walks, and overall had a great time.

On the way back, we contemplated taking a long route through Columbus, Dayton, Cincinatti, and (I think) Knoxville, but ended up opting for the shortest route. This allowed us to visit the Tamarack marketplace in West Virginia which we have never stopped at before. 

We saw some interesting crafts. It looks like wooden cutting boards must be the rage because we saw many, many of them.

It is really good to be home. It is raining, today which should help the corn finish out. We are picking tomatoes and peppers and squash and brussell sprouts, and beans, and .... The harvest is plenty.

No more travel for me for a good time now.

Oremus pro invicem!

Travelling and back

I was out of town for a few days for a family funeral. I am back and am welcomed to a new litter of pigs, our first patty pan squash (many, many of them), our first green peppers and our first banana pepper ... AND plenty of catch up to do. Much weeding and time to put trellis' up for the pole beans and stake the tomatoes. It certainly looks like we will have a bumper crop of tomatoes.

I was grateful to spend a good amount of time with my 90-year-old mother and other family members I have spent much time with in the past few years. 

I am also grateful, that while I drove up, Mrs. Curley flew up at the last minute and we were able to drive back together at a somewhat leisurely pace.

Oremus pro invicem!