Boy, oh boy – it’s hot! That means tomatoes, apples, peppers and beans are coming in as fast as I can pick in the scorching heat of late July, taxing my tolerance for dripping sweat at the counter prepping tomatoes and apples for the solar dryer, keeping the oven on low – propped slightly open …
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How ‘Food Security’ Killed the Farm Bill
The grand rivalry of political philosophies and established systems of government known as the good ol’ Cold War offered for many years the stark differences between Communist-style 5-year plans for food production, and Capitalist-style Big Agribiz dominated mega-farming. Sure, Big Agribiz has long been subsidized directly by public money (taxes paid by average citizens) just …
Killed a Rattlesnake This Morning…
Just a bit of Father’s Day excitement here on the ‘stead, where this morning Sirius the Cat was seen stalking a slithery something in the jasmine growing along the garden fence next to the gateway. Here in the highlands of the Blue Ridge – we are about 4 miles as the eagle flies from the …
Old Crafts as New Careers
I recently met a wise 70 year old man from my hometowm who raises Oxen. He also builds log cabins… using no modern technology. To say that I was impressed is an understatement. On a cold day recently we sat next to a fire in one of the log cabins on his property. The fireplace …
The Mountains Cry: A Vibrant Voice Passes On
This blog has covered many environmental issues, perhaps the one dearest to the heart has been the astounding destruction wrought by King Coal on the beautiful, peaceful, ancient mountains of southern Appalachia in the name of profit: Mountaintop Removal. The [West Virginia] State Journal reports that long-time environmental activist and tireless mountainkeeper Larry Gibson died …
Incoming Fruit!
Pear-Grape Jam & Pear Butter Despite the April freeze, which managed to hit after a March so warm that all the fruit had already blossomed, a goodly amount of concord and muscadine grapes managed to overcome the stress, and the cinnamon pears are falling at easily twice their usual size. And while harvest is a …
Financial Mistakes that Newlyweds Make
Many couples differ in their methods of spending and when you agree to wed, it may come as a shock to discover that your future spouse doesn’t exactly have the greatest finances. Marriages often revolve around the idea of compromise and honesty. Even so, around 50 percent of all marriages will end in divorce, many …
Finishing Up Last Year’s Food
Waiting for ‘Spring Enough’ to spend real time outdoors to clear and dig beds for this year’s spring crops can be maddening. I’ve folded up dozens and dozens of newspaper seedling pots, have some of them filled halfway in preparation for planting – which can be done as soon as the local garden supply outlets …
A Merry Christmas Re-Post
This was originally posted to this blog on Christmas Day of 2007. It still applies, even though it’s not a white Christmas here at the ‘stead this year. Best of holiday wishes to one and all… During this 2007 holiday season, it seems the children are all nestled asleep in their beds, with visions of …
Farm Bill Up for Vote (and Veto)
Here we are nearly halfway through 2008, and the 2007 farm bill is slowly but surely making its way through House and Senate disagreements on its way to the chamber floors for vote this week or next. The final compromise, USDA chair Ed Schafer bluntly informs us, will be vetoed by President Bush. If farm …