8/2/10 - 2nd Day - Morning. Preparation of the Sabbath. Greetings y'all. Man it is hot here! It's been strange, because it didn't get summer hot until August 1, but our nights are still staying remarkably cool. I was actually cold when I woke up this morning. The cool mornings have allowed for a lot of green bean picking, which means for a lot of canning during the day which means the cooking porch is doubly hot.
Little Sarah turned 7 today, and though we do not celebrate birthdays, I did take her into town with me today and we got some ice cream. I asked her what she should be allowed to do now that she is seven, and she had lots of ideas: Drive to town alone, drive the riding mower, drive the horse and buggy when we get them. I said, "Hmmm... I don't think so". She said, "Well, I could probably do dishes and help milk the cow" and I said, "Now you're thinking".
I have received a lot of questions along the lines of "when are you going to do another podcast?". Well, I will probably do a few podcasts between now and Ranchfest (Sept. 24 through Oct. 1), but hopefully I will start them up full time after Ranchfest. Things are a bit "in flux" around here now and we are trying to accomplish a lot this summer, including selling off some cattle, getting our food supply and preparedness situation built back up, and getting things arranged for a good and productive Ranchfest. Fall Super Ranchfest is in only a bit over 50 days from now so there is a lot of planning to do. By the way, if you are planning to be here for Ranchfest, please let me know as soon as you know.
Today we are canning pickled green beans and jalapeno/mesquite jam. That is two products, not one. The pickled green beans are one thing, the jalapeno/mesquite jam is another. I don't think they would taste good together. Both of these are new for us, so I am looking forward to tasting them.
I'm getting beat up for my top-secret, best salsa ever recipe. Well, the problem is that I don't usually work with recipes. I just make something that I would like, and it is usually pretty good. Especially in the salsa category. And no, right now you cannot buy any salsa either. I do have a plan though. I am going to do a completely different "Get a Load of Central Texas, Part 2" in a few days, and I'll include the salsa AND a recipe for the salsa in that GALOCT2 special. Just a few shipments of GALOCT! got delayed, but they should all be finished real soon.
I think I have sold my Jersey Bull "Captain", and should be delivering him either tomorrow or on the 4th day. I still have a few more cattle to sell, so we'll see how it goes with that.
I'm also working on a possible deal (if the Lord wills) to get an Amish horse and buggy. The lady who is selling them is willing to train us and everything, so I'll just see how fast the Lord makes that happen.
I gotta go!
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
Michael Bunker
4 comments:
Yall are busy! I think Sarah really was on to something with those last ideas. Hope the mornings remain cool for everyone in your community for the remainder of the summer, what a blessing!
I'm curious as to how it is the preparation of the Sabbath today. Time Warp?
This doesn't have anything to do with hot peppers or salsa.
The Ingalls family in LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE didn't do any non-essential work on the Sabbath, either. They ate cold meals (cooking was work), walked to church (hitching the horses was work), and spent the whole day in prayer, scripture reading/studies, and silence (play was rowdy, and considered work/exertion). They didn't seem to be Pharisaical about it, or refuse to rescue a sheep who fell in the well on the Sabbath, but it did seem a way to get people to actually relax and rest.
So anyway, it might be a silly question, but I wondered if your community has guidelines like that to, in a sense, really get people to truly rest from work.
GEORGE: Why don't they have salsa on the table?
JERRY: What do you need salsa for?
GEORGE: Salsa is now the number one condiment in America.
JERRY: You know why? Because people like to say "salsa." "Excuse me, do
you have salsa?" "We need more salsa." "Where is the salsa? No salsa?"
GEORGE: You know it must be impossible for a Spanish person to order
seltzer and not get salsa. (Angry) "I wanted seltzer, not salsa."
JERRY: "Don't you know the difference between seltzer and salsa?? You
have the seltzer after the salsa!"
GEORGE: See, this should be a show. This is the show.
Michael,
Will share some age stats. about myself on our farm, to encourage you, Dad; and support involvement of your children as you've talked about. As you know, experience is the best teacher, with agrarian duties and opportunities.
By age 6, I was putting milkers together independantly and had by that age hand milked cows and pail/nipple fed calves. We had horses from the time I was very young, and got Smokey before Twinkle. I have pictures of myself riding Twinkle bareback with a bridle (so by myself with supervision), when I was probably only about 6-8, given my size. I showed my own horse and raced my cousins' shetland/welsh cross pony when I was about 10-12. I showed a beef steer once also, having to lead it at the show (and of course practice all this at home with Dad's supervision first).
(Sidenote: Got my drivers license a few days after turning 16, so I know I also had driven tractor for raking hay, etc. for 5 years or more before that, plus drive my dad's pickup across the field occasionally to bring him fencing supplies. All good practice/experiences.)
It's important for a horse to know all family members/owners and understand that the humans, no matter what age, are the masters/authority; not itself. So proper training as to how to move around it, pet it, halter and bridle lead it etc. are all important even for the youngest in the family. A good horse can become very friendly with the human feeling comfortable around it and moving confidently around the animal. Having trained a few of your cattle to pull, I'm sure you know all this about them. (Though I think horses are more likely to show affection, approach a human, etc. to get attention.)
Why are the Amish selling that horse and buggy? How old is the horse? Just curious. Most Amish buggy horses sure have an impressive trot whenever I see them. God bless you with the acquisition of the horse/buggy according to His Will and in His timing. And your harvesting, gardening and canning for now.
Have a blessed day.
Beth
P.S. Where are things at with the office project/workshop, bunkhouse, solar panel batteries etc.? What are the most likely project focuses for Fall Ranchfest? Thanks for again sharing the dates. Did you ever confirm what type of garlic you have with the seller?
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