Stray voltage part 1...

Stray voltage is electricity that has found its way into the ground and is traveling to the nearest sub station or to the nearest set of buildings. Stray voltage is NOT something that is 'just in our heads'. Cattle and people are severely impacted by this and it can even be deadly. For cattle it takes YEARS off of their lives and the production they loose is beyond making up for. Because a cow has 4 legs it has 4 points of contact when stray voltage is present. Because cement is a carrier for electricity, a cow get shocked standing in her stall tied to a metal stanchion. Now don't get me wrong, its not usually a shock that will flatten them out but its enough to make them uncomfortable. Stray voltage is also called transient voltage, because it is traveling in the ground. Electricity travels on the top of cement not 'through' it. I am sure you have all seen the substations in the country with the big transformers etc. Well, have you ever noticed that they are on a heavy bed of gravel and not on cement? That's because if they were on cement there would be so much electricity on them that when people stepped on them they would be fried. The gravel breaks up the electrical current so that it will not 'connect' on the cement. Electricity, once its produced never dissipates unless it is used. Electricity that is not used is disposed of in the ground or lost through bad wiring at times OR will be lost on the power company's ground wires.. whether they tell you that or not. Wiring on a farm can be a big issue, however unless it is VERY OLD its the power company's fault that there is to much electricity. Our argument with the power company has been this, if they are sending to much power or power is finding its way to 'wherever' why not put a second line going back to the power company so that its not wasted or 'lost' as stray voltage. I feel, and this is strictly my opinion - that they get the power back one way or the other. If a line is put in, then the farmer/homeowner/whomever could then put a meter back on the power pole and charge the company for the power they are returning....if there is no line the unused power always finds its way back to the 'sub stations' or farmers/homeowners etc. Any questions so far? I wont go any further right now, because I want to make this part clear before we go any further..


My Aunt Annie wanted me to post a picture of me when I was pregnant with Big Son, but I dont have one handy - however I do have one of me the day before Lispy was born.. We were cleaning out part of my brother in laws shed... I look like - God knows what I looked like, other than tired out, fat, crabby, fat, hungry and fat....

I have the I am going to kill you when I can move fast enough look on my face dont I? or is it the have pitty on a fat woman face? Or perhaps the my God my hair look - yup, I think its that one.. my God my hair... and the sun is in my face you moron is my thought, that much I remember... *snicker* The Milk Man took this picture, he has a thing about seeing the fruits of his labors.... the whole 5 minute it took to get me in this shape.

A special award...

I got an award from a very interesting woman. I have never met her, yet we lived within 30 miles of each other for a few years!!! Now, she lives in Florida and we are hoping to meet in July sometime!

Anyway - Sue gave me this wonderful award...



This award comes with this message attached: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated."

What a wonderful thing to say - it truely touched me and I feel completly unworthy of it, but so grateful for it. I love to blog and share my life with you all. I still dont understand why anyone wants to read, but I am SO SO glad that you all do!! Maybe you all read so that you know how you DONT want your life to be!! LOL But, seriously - Thank you Sue and thank you to all of those who have stuck around to listen to my madness.... *thinks this is starting to sound like an Oscar speach* Love you all - goodnight...

Calling all readers....... anyone there?

Well, Milk Man says its time for me to have a 'real blog' - he's a turd. Milk Man is encouraging me to do a blog that has some 'teeth' to it. He wants me to do more with this than I do - he's great support and a driving force for our family. Have I mentioned how much I love him? or that I want to have his children, well at least more of them? Or how sexy he is when he laughs, or how he makes my stomach flip flop when I catch him looking at me and I didnt know it? what was I saying before??? oh, um - sorry....

He wants me to start a blog that has sections, like Chickens in the Road does... have you been there? SHE ROCKS!!!! Anyway - I want to have someone that reads here 'do' my blog. I want to share the love baby! but I dont have the $$ that others do, but I only want to do small parts at a time. Milk Man wants me to have a recipe part and a farm part.... Does anyone think this will fly? I dont want to become 'fake as press on nails' as my sistah says.. Mrs. Mom... I want my blog to still be somthing that is informative and fun. I would love to make a little $ on it so that I can do better give aways and have a little on the side to pay for the blog itself.

I really love you guys and I am not talking about the love of a midnight drunk fest talking. Never been to a midnight drunk fest but I have heard of them. I mean the love of friendships that are SO great, thoughtful and honest. There are SO many great people who read my blog that dont comment, that I have found my blog linked in their side bar! WHO'D'A THUNK! SO, I guess what I am asking is, will you follow me to possibly greener pastures and not think less of me for possibly makeing a little $....

NOW - you have all asked for a picture of me...



This scanned TERRIBLY, my teeth look like I am the bride of dracula not to mention my eyes look uneven - they arent so dont be afraid... whatever, your stuck with me now... this picture is from the summer of 1990, I graduated in 1991 but have not aged a day since..... yesterday I guess. *snicker*

Someone asked me the other day how Milk Man and I met.. All I can say is, rollar skates do wonders for a girl..

My grandma reads my blog......please help me...

While I am getting the finishing touchs on my stray voltage post, I wanted to tell you all that I am afraid - very afraid...Why you ask,cuz my grandma reads my blog. *gulp* I called her this morning and was chastised for swearing to much on my blog. SO, granny babe - I promise to be a better girl and not swear so much on my blog, but in real life no promises. *snicker* Last week I got an email that had a picture of a woman being hugged in Jesus's arms and the caption said this "Be the kind of woman that when you get out of bed in the morning that the devil says 'crap she's up'." They wrote that after my grandma I swear it! In all honesty we feel like it to at times - crap she's up!!! LOL LOL LOL just kidding granny babe! Dont call me and tell me I am being bad again ok! SO, before I post about stray voltage I want to know about all of your grandma's. What is the one thing that stands out in your mind the most about them, that you will carry with you to the grave - or at least until you cant remember....what was I saying? Now, I am off to finish my laundry and feed the Milk Dud - he is still sleeping, the lazy critter.

sorry...

Sorry I have not posted, I am getting all of my crap together to make a great post about this.. and I have lots of work on my part time job too..... some one is trying to kill me I think - his name is father time... LOL SO here is somthing of Milk Dud to tide you all over...

I told you all before I was loosing it - see my new baby girl...
Isnt she lovely
He LOVES DILL PICKLES... he sucks on them any chance I give him. Thats my brother Bubbys goobery lips.... He's a lover not a fighter... *snicker*
<>Better get... work is screaming to be done.. I will try to get my post up tonight or first thing in the morning.

Stray voltage....

Before I post about this, I was hoping that you guys can tell me what you have 'heard' what causes it and how it affects people/animals... NO GOOGLING IT!! LOL I will be back with a post about it later... Oh btw, Milk Dud is almost crawling... He runs around in his walker like a mad man.

There is hope....

Good Morning everyone! First I want to thank you all for the support yesterday - what a rollar coaster day. Our neighbor came over last night to talk to the Milk Man, just to get his bearings I think. MM is a rock and our neighbor is a young man - 29 - was needing someone to let it out on. MM is one of those people who will do what he can to give someone a 'nudge'. He told this young man that its not the end of the world and that to take a year and see where he is at - then see about starting over. The light at the end of the tunnel was when the young man said that he is keeping his calves and shop tools!!!! VICTORY! For those of you who dont understand, let me explain - heifer calves grow up into COWS!!! and keeping the shop tools means he can repair future equipment that he purchases!! He is still thinking about his future and NOT GIVING UP! What a breath of fresh air!! For those who dont understand why this was so upsetting - other than for our friend - when a small farmer goes down, MANY MORE follow. We keep on for each other lots of times, to encourage each other, help each other and to make sure that the little guy is always stood up for. AIG sure didnt do that did they - If Obama and his ilk want to impress me and MANY others, give SMALL FARMERS a bailout. Now, go ahead and start in about the 'gov programs' that the farmers get, start in about the tax breaks - etc... but be prepared to prove what you say. For those who are irritated that I said Obama's name - to bad - he's not alone with screwing the farmers over. What has happened to the FAMILY FARM is why our economy sucks bull biscuts as Coffee Man says. Dont believe me? Look at the decline since the mid 70's....Thats when they started to over regulate the farms. When I was growing up on our farm, there were 17 farms in the valley we lived in. We sold our cows in 1986 and were the 3rd farm to do it in our valley... now ya know how many are left..... 0.... none.. not one. They are standing empty and the land is being plundered by a 'big farmer' for his 600+ cow dairy. They 'run' the land right into the shitter. They dont worry about 'run off', they dont worry about making the land viable for when they are no longer using it. There is so much more to farming than the average person knows - like land maintanance. I was thinking last night after CoffeeMan told me to keep being positive, that I would do that - but I am also going to post about somthing differant everyday that needs to change or somthing that we do to preserve the land and each other.

I had an interesting thing to pass on about cattle. With the part time job that I do, I talk to farmers about their operations. I went to a 'big dairy' the other day and asked them how old their cows are before they are 'done' with them. Now for most of you this may not be shocking as you may not know how long a cow can live and be productive - but the guy told me his oldest cow is 3..... We dont consider them a cow until they have had their 3rd calf. Big differance huh? Cows can live to be in their 20's but the average life of them now is 10-12 on a 'family farm' and more if they are on Amish farms being milked by hand. The biggest reason the cows 'burn up' on the big farms is because they are 'pushed'. They are given drugs so they grow faster, so they can begiven drugs so they can be bred sooner, so they can be given drugs so they can freshen faster, so that they can begiven drugs so they can milk faster and more. They are breeding heifer calves at 11-13 months so that they can have calves BEFORE THEY ARE 2!!! We breed our heifers at 2 so that they are not stunted for being bred to early. When these 11 month old heifers are 'ready',meaning the growth shot they were given gets them to 800 to a 1000lbs, they give them a shot to bring them into heat so that they can be bred early. If the heifer 'stays', she is then put in a barn till she is close to freshening/calving. Then when she hits her due date, she is given a shot to make her calve weather she is ready or not. When she calves she is ready to be milked. At this time they are given shots to produce more milk. What happens is that this shot makes them pull the calcium from their own bones to produce more milk than a cow is ment to produce. This is how they burn up.. overuse and missuse as far as I am concerned. After this cow has been milking for about 12 days, she is given a shot to bring her back into heat so that she can have a calf every 10 months apart. A cows gestation period is 9 months or 40 weeks, just like a person. We let our cows come into heat on their own - at times we do let younger cattle get bred, but only if they have grown big enough on their own. We dont push them. When a cow calves, we allow her to 'come in' on her own, meaning that we allow her to come into heat on her own after calving because her body knows when it is ready for another calf. This usually happens with in 3 months. If for some reason she doesnt come in on her own - we check her for infection or maybe that she has a tear in her uturus etc. If we find her to be ok, then we will, at times, give her a shot to bring her into heat. We do this mostly for her health. If a cow doesnt come into heat, she starts to get other physical troubles. We also do it so that she will calve and we can continue to milk her.

Well, I think thats enough lessons for today. I have to work today and finish taxes too..ish. SO, I will try to post some pictures of the farm later. The boys are cleaning seed oats to sell and that is a neat process.

The end of a family farm.....

I must warn you all before you read any further, that this is going to be an emotional post for me as the people that it invloves are dear to me and so is the subject. Our neighbor called me this morning to tell me that they are going to have to sell out and quit farming. Do you have any idea how hard it is to try to comfort someone who has just decided that they cant fullfill their dream. To find the words among the tears of a person who is just coming into being a great man. Who just had a son born in October that he WILL NOT be able to carry a legacy on with? There is NO justice in the inability to continue to do, what runs in your blood. SO many people say, well thats life - get on with it. Oh isnt that to bad, what happened? Did they have poor financing? DId they mismanage their money? And all the other stupid things that people say in these situations. This farmer is a good farmer, good cow man (for all of those who know what that means) and AWSOME neighbor! He is a young man that deserves a chance to do what 3 generations have done before him!!! How is it that someone who has WORKED can NOT get any 'assistance', yet if you have not worked, because you dont want to, you get a stimulus check!! OR our wonderful president wants your land to be 'community property'.... you know what I say about all that dont you???? You dont? Well let me enlighten you...

HORSEHIT - HORSESHIT - HORSESHIT - HORSESHIT

For all the Christians out there that are condeming me for my language I truely apologize, I dont like to swear but this is all I can come up with to convey my emotions about this right now. SO much has happened to the FAMILY FARMER that no one knows about. Did you know that if you wanted to buy milk from my farm you couldnt...its against the law. The dairy cooperatives made sure of that. Did you know that if you want to buy meat from me and have me butcher it for you is against the law - you can buy it from me, but it has to be state inspected by a liscened butcher. I understand 'some' of these rules, but this is where SO much of our freedoms started to be put to an end. Go ahead and agrue with me, I can take it. But know this, for all of the arguing you do - prove me wrong. When the government started to 'regulate' the dairy/farm industry - you started to loose your freedoms. The freedom to not drink milk/eat beef or eggs that you didnt know where it came from. If you know the farmer down the road has a shit hole for a farm with sick animals guess what - YA DONT BUY FROM THEM RIGHT? At least if you are able to buy from a farmer, you know where the $$ is going and I know that everyone appreciates knowing where there $$ is going. Another thorn in my side is the friging Milk Marketing board - what a lame ass joke they are. Lets pay people, who are already millionaires, to put a white stripe across their faces!! IDIOTS!!! People DONT CARE who drinks milk, they care WHO PRODUCES IT! Come take pictures of the people who make the milk - the familys that are suppored by your purchase!! But the Milk Marketing board is payed weather they make $$ or not... A$$ hats... Like I said - sorry for the language - I truley am. However, I know in all of this anger, pain, hurt, frustration and disalusion one thing holds true. Gods plan for our lives - does this mean I like his plan - not always, but what child does like what is best for them? Above all else, God is soveriegn and my prayer is always that His will be done.

Sorry about the rabid post, the swearing, anger and hurt - I will be back later with more detailed things about farming. I started this blog for that reason and have strayed away from it. However, this is now going to be a DAILY dose of real life on a REAL FARM!!!!! later...

Anchors away! or is it Ahoy.....

Update on the update - Day is going better, Milk Man came in for a nooner - I MEAN LUNCH - um, lunch yah thats what it is..sure..lunch...

update - Lispy is trying to wash the windows for me with Fabric softner in a spray bottle.... I may drink the cough syrup...


This morning as I went to wake up Dale and Palmer, I flipped light on to find water in my basement... 2 inches of water to be exact and rising. I felt like Gilligan when the S.S. Minnow was sinking - pissed!!! ok maybe he wasn't pissed but I WAS! frigin snow, was my first thought. However when Palmer went out to get the hose, to put on the end of the dehumidifier to drain to the - drain, he said that Big Son had left the hose on outside ALL NIGHT!!! My head just blew off... Needless to say he is in the basement with a mop cleaning it up. He is a complete airhead at times and this was one of those times. I know its his age, but he has GOT to learn that his absent mindedness is NOT something that can continue. He needs to learn to focus etc. Now for all who say maybe he has ADD or ADHD - PA-SHAW! He's got IDONTWANNATHINKABOUTIT....IDONTWANNATHINKABOUTIT is curable with hard work and less play station - I think his mind is just over loaded with crap that has NO use what so ever. Like VIDEO GAMES... but no more. I may have a ceremonial burning of the Nintendo later today - the play station tomorrow just to prove a point. I don't know if we will be having more children for the simple fact that Milk Man blew a nut this morning - the sheet rock in Dales room is wet half way to the ceiling..... SO - anyone got a little extra time to come to Tundra country as Mrs. Mom says and help this frazzled farm wife out? I will beg, I am not above it and I am not above admitting it either. Milk Man is making him stay home to clean up what he can of the mess, he is to mop up all the water - he is going to be busy for most of the day. I am sure some of you think that is to much punishment, but just grounding him - wont work. He must clean up the mess he created, or at least what he is physically able to clean up. I dont have pictures, cuz the batteries in my camera are dead. Who wants to remember this anyway? SO - I am off to get my house cleaned. I have stuff to bake, washing today is about 8 loads - no I am not kidding, and supper wont make itself. Talk to you all a bit later today... anyone got some flippers....

1 of my passions......

The last few weeks have been busy with my work, cleaning, cooking, child rearing and thinking. Thinking about things that are near to my heart and things that concern me about the way our country is being run..... yes, I am going to talk about politics.... Before I say one more word, I am going to tell EVERYONE - if you leave a comment today DO NOT slam on ANYONE else. This is a respectful post and I value others opinions even when I don't agree with them, for the simple fact that I EXPECT the same respect I offer and show.... period.... That being said here ya go everyone.

What has happened to us - not our country but to us as people? Why do we not protect every life no matter what the stage of it, the 'value' of it, the cost of it, the 'out come' of it or the simple fact that its God given? I look at all of the things that go on around me and it truly saddens me that we are a society of people who want 'convenience' to rule their lives. The morals, values and yes traditions that MOST of the United States citizens hold dear are NOT reflected in our politics and our governing body's. I know that I am far removed from the 'city' and the 'city' way of life, I am not cutting on anyone who lives in the city - I am only stating what I know about 'country folks' - yes we are a simple bunch for all whom feel the need to educate me... When I refer to 'city folk' I am making a judgement only because I don't know what else to call people who differ from me in lifestyle, not actual location of residence ,,,, clear as mud? :) Back to the point of my post. Why do city folk feel the need to have the life of another be less than, if its not what they would want? Why do they feel that an unborn child, an embryo (stem cell), an elderly person who may or may not have their 'right mind', for a child born that was unwanted, or a child that was the outcome of a botched abortion is now considered and I quote 'a product of intercourse', for a person that is not 'productive' or is retarded, a person that has brain damage and is 'not there' - is less than what God intended them to be? My mind and soul can not fathom the reasoning behind the actions of city folk - the selfishness, the self absorbed actions, the need to have all of their wants fulfilled IMMEDIATELY if not sooner and the thought that they are entitled to it all. I have a very difficult time writing about this without getting angry and accusatory, but I have a conviction today to write about this because it is so dear to me. This is my opinion and I am completely entitled to it as you all are to yours... I can not understand how people who say they value life will consider taking a life in the hope of saving another.... willfully. If a person or child dies and are gracious enough to allow their body's to be used for others - GREAT. To take from what God has given or has allowed to be made, shame on us. Why do city folk feel that they are entitled to one more day than God has graced them with - that they MUST live a productive, enjoyment filled life???? Is that an inherent right from God. NO, we are to be as he desires us to be. Examples to others and that includes the sick, lame or disadvantaged. I know what you are all thinking, I am a cold hearted person and that I don't feel for the children that suffer disease that 'stem cell's could fix.... I have never lost a child, I have never had a sick child that I have watched fade away and die... your half right. I feel that all life is precious and that is for a purpose - especially the sick and less than. They serve as reminders that we are fortunate, blessed and most of all required to be loving and generous. To help those that can be helped and to comfort those who can not. To take notice of their life and cherish the times that you have with them. I could not in good conscience live with the fact that a treatment/cure was found for me at the expense of an unborn child or undeveloped child's life. No, I don't want to see people especially children suffer, yet I believe that God allows these things to teach us the value of life - not that everyone should live 100 years. He gives us a certain amount of days - I believe that is true for everyone including children. I sound cold hearted and undeserving of my children you say? Well, let me tell you that I have not had sick children that I have watched suffer and pass away - I would not wish that on anyone. But I have lost, 6 children to be exact. But I know that God has allowed these loss's to teach me to love even more the ones I have and to cherish His blessings. To make sure that I do right by them and love them as He does. I would have loved to been able for my children's short lives to have mattered to someone other than me, for their tiny body's to have brought about good for others... but they did not. I will never be able to understand a woman that willfully lets her child be taken from her body - I am not judging her I am stating I will never understand it. To me, this is where the 'city folk' come in to play - self absorbed, don't want to be stuck with a mistake.... A very important person once said - I will teach my daughters morals, but if they make mistakes I don't want them to be punished with a baby..... wow, sad statement huh. A child is punishment for wrong doing? The child isn't the punishment, the responsibility of a child is because some one wasn't being responsible in the first place. If a child is punishment than prison is a cake walk.... tv, cable, no cleaning, no cooking, no working etc. We are teaching our children that shirking the responsible thing to do is ok... shame on us. Our fellow people are going to be paying a very high price at our children's expense. All children are an inconvenience, yes they are - don't judge me for saying that because its true, let me finish before you hang me.... but its an inconvenience that we choose and desire. I guess more than anything I want to understand, not agree with, why someone chooses to end life. I believe that the Bible is the inherent word of God, not just stories passed down. In the Bible God says 'Above all else choose life'. How is that misunderstood by a 'man of faith'...... It does NOT say choose life at the willful expense/death of another. Above all else choose life - over money, over material things, over pleasure, over 'good feelings' over everything - ABOVE ALL ELSE.... For those who have retarded children, autistic children or children with disabilities - do you believe your child has worth? Because I am seriously afraid that others don't. The same ones who implore for the destruction of embryos for the sake of a cure, are the same ones that consider your children to be less than perfectly created for Gods work. These city folk are also the ones who would allow your daughter to get birth control at 13 without you knowing it. Think it doesn't happen, I assure you it does and is done with your tax dollars. As I have said before this is my opinion and I have my right to it just as you have to yours. I don't want to be judged for it, but measured by it......

Have I mentioned.......

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE my bloggy friends? I have gotten more love, affection, understanding, companionship and GIFTS!!! GIFTS!!! GIFTS!!!! than I do from my family... sad thought huh? *shakes head* BUT if you remember I live in a house FULL of testosterone you will understand my dilemma...its ok that I don't get gifts from my family *sob* maybe someday..... *glances into the distance with hope* What am I saying... THAT wont happen *snort* Anyway, enough of my wallowing in self pity - I have something wonderful to share!! I GOT MORE GIFTS!!!

Green Mare sent me the most enjoyable package you could want.....

LOOK AT THE GOODIES!!!!! I got bags, handmade, cookies and Milk Dud got a new burp rag!! LOVE THEM!!!!

However, Milk Man could not lay his eyes on this one....

He has a phobia of red tractors - we run straight JOHN DEERE BABY!!! BUT, I love it Mare and have made a point to use it ALL THE TIME just to watch him squirm...*snicker* SO worth it!

This one is my new purse...

The potato one is going to be one of my grocery bags, so is the red tractor one. I have boughten 5 from Aldi's, so when I go that about covers 3/4 of what I buy so these 2 will come in SO handy... I make sure I put all of the Milk Mans french vanilla creamer in the red tractor one so he has to touch it... *snort* not nice of me huh - TO BAD! He gobbled these little buggers up in like 5 minutes.... hog..

The burp cloth has been christened with banana's.... and the other cookies are - hidden...

JUST KIDDING.. kind of - I hid the best ones.... the coconut chocolate pieces of heaven.

I cant believe the love and caring from all the people who stop here and visit me in this loony part of the cyber world. How much fun it has been for me to go to the mailbox and be surprised by something... not that I don't get surprises cuz I do.... remember the toad in my washer, he lived ya know. What about the kitten fwimming in my canner....she lived too but has a fear of pots and pans like no other.

So Green Mare - http://greenmare-maresnest.blogspot.com/ I LOVEY YOU-E from the bottom of my wretched little heart! You are a God send along with the others who have given me such wonderful things! I love to hear from each of you in my comments, because I get to know you all a little better. I hope you all know that I visit each of you that leaves a comment at least 2 times per week - I don't always leave a comment, shame on me I know, But if you can believe it or not - I am shy...... why are you all laughing.....