Oh I grew up on the property out in the country. I love it there. My husband grew up everywhere from small town Kansas (in town); to Orange Co., CA; to Norfolk, VA; and back again. Lol. Living on one acre in a tiny town is pretty close to country living as far as he's concerned. He knows how to drive a tractor, loves to hunt, can work on vehicles, and is learning about farming but he likes living on a paved road and not having to deal with the dump. I understand so our compromise is living here on a large lot trying to figure out how to buy some of our surrounding neighbors lots to have some more space.
I understand the teenagers. My oldest dd (who is now over 18) grew up over half her life in the farm way of life, she's a big fan and supporter of FFA and 4H. However she only wants to do certain things and anything outside of her parameters she is lazy and messes up purposely.
My husband likes to sit on his butt too and can't figure out why I'm always doing something. I think staying active is good for everyone. My grandpa was a work-a-holic and when he retired he didn't know what to do, so he slept, and within a year he died. That is so sad to me, I wish he had kept some of his hobbies. The mayor at the time though had bullied him into giving up his chickens. I think they could have kept him going a while longer.
I know what you mean by fixing up a place and not knowing if you should brag. We bought this place when my grandma moved to an apartment. The back yard was overgrown with small "sucker" trees. You couldn't even see the back half of the property to realize all the work that needed done. It was like one day grandpa gave up, walked away, and left everything there to rot or get swallowed up by plants. My mom tells me I should have taken pictures all along the way.
I know that if we ever get to the country it will start all over again. We already do improvement out there as we have time or money so maybe that will make it easier.
The hard part will be the big predators I'll have to protect my birds from. THAT I don't look forward to.
Marla
Oh, I get that. We lived in the suburbs and prior to that, my dh was born and raised in
When we moved here, we knew we were sacrificing lots of the conveniences we’d grown accustomed to. Our kids only knew those conveniences, so for them to pitch in a help with the local landfill run once a week took some demands. They have gotten used to farm chores, although as teens, they don’t like it. Our son is away at college, but his last year here at home was the worst. Every job he did, he did badly. He was the cause of many chickens dying, a turkey being taken by a fox, etc. All because he didn’t lock them up as told. Now, when he comes home, I purposely give him jobs that can’t result in one of my animals being a sacrificial lamb.
My husband was a fire fighter and retired two years ago. He is proud of the farm and loves to show it off, but isn’t fond of the never ending task list……rain or shine, seven days a week. I asked him once, so what would you be doing if you didn’t have this farm to take care of ? He said he would spend more time seeing historical sites he would like to visit and read more. So basically, sit on his ass more. Same with me. This farm makes us be physically active…….like it or not. I admit, there are sometimes I do not want to go out in the cold or rain and snow is a major pain……….but I do love this farm and I love our animals. I just wish we could be self supporting with it………..and so far, it’s not happening.
Don’t wait too long to move out to the country, Marla. It takes some getting used to and involved more work if you want it the way you want it. We built our farm from the bare ground, up. Actually, tree covered ground that we had to have cleared, I should say. Five years ago the 15th of this month, we settled on our property and home. I was going to list all the buildings we have added since then, but it sounds too much like a brag list. I don’t mean to come across as bragging……..I am just very proud of our farm and to think we never even considered such a moved until six years ago! Looking for a place for my Dad to live when we moved him up here from
Laura
Laura Roberts
R Half Pint Farm
From:
Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2011 2:58 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Coopers hawk OT hunters
Laura, I would lose my mind. I am way too territorial to be able to stand all of that. As it is I regularly get in arguments with family this time of year. My cousins have trouble remembering that our grandfathers land was divided up 20 years ago to our parents and they need to stay on their dads land not my dads. One of my cousins shot my male pyr 4 years ago during deer season while on my dads property. Most of the family went off on him about that. Sometimes I wish I lived out on the property so I could protect my chickens easier (although it means more predators to have to worry about). That's for some day in the future though. I will have 40 beautiful acres that include 4 ponds, woods, and 2 fields. That is if I ever get to live out there. The dh likes living in town so he can have street side trash pick up. (Eye roll)
Marla
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CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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