Rural Gardening: The retired life:, 1 by terri_emory

terri_emory wrote:
Hey, guys. I took a bit of a break from Dave's due to extra work (at work). Just catching up with you all and am reading this lovely thread. I'm supposed to be semi-retired (DH keeps promising), but that is not how things seem to be working out. LOL! I don't mind being busy all day but am ready to start dictating to which projects my efforts are directed--at least for part of the day.

We moved to Texas from Illinois for the business. I really like Texas but miss the cornfields a lot!

DH and I own a family business which he loves and has wanted to do all his life. He will never retire and doesn't want to. I am the details and accounting person. Before that I worked in the research and technical services department of a library.

I get up at 5 AM. I do not need an alarm clock as Queenie, the dumped shepherd has chosen alarm clock as her duty. I feed the dogs and then head out to feed and turn out the goats. It is still dark when I turn those goats out at this time of year and that makes me very nervous as we have such a coyote load around here. But if I don't turn them out on schedule then the billy gets all upset and starts trying to let himself out of his stall. The results of his attempts often involve serious repairs. If I think I might be late I just don't shut him in as he weighs around 250lbs and is quite proud of his horns--the fences have electric runs and he can probably take care of himself. But I don't make a habit of leaving his stall door open as I still worry about those coyotes. Once everyone is where they should be for the day I turn the electric fences back on (turned off for a few minutes so I don't electrocute myself while opening and closing gates, etc.) and walk along one of the fencelines to check it on my way back to the house. Then the chickens get to take a turn at being fed and turned lose in their run. Followed by a nice shower and out the door to drive with hubby to work. We are moving our office to some land we just bought, which is closer to our house, and we are quite excited about the idea of not spending so much time driving back and forth to work.

I have always wanted to farm in some way, but my parents did not approve. So now I have chickens and goats and we are looking at starting a cow herd. Another adventure I am very excited about. Our younger son lives down the road from us and he really wants to get some cows, too, and start learning all about them. He helps out with the business and also works part time at another job. Our older son attends Univ of AK at Fayetteville. I am waiting for the day when he calls with the date for the graduation ceremony. He is a good student but he has taken to long route to graduating. Mom and Dad support his efforts but are ready for that cap and gown!☺ But I will miss driving up there for the occasional shopping weekend. It is lovely up there.

Cajun and Hay, Patrob I love you comments about cats. In fact I just showed them to DH as someone dumped a kitten outside our shop and I am wanting to keep him for a barn cat. Photo below.

Country, those cabinets are fantastic and I could look at your gardens all day. Same with your garden and chickens Green and all of you.

Kittriana, have fun rehabbing that furniture. I rehabbed most of the woodwork in our old house up north. I feel like, if nothing else, I restored that house with all the woodwork to it's former glory. In years to come someone will realize and appreciate that.

Haystack, this was a lovely idea and I appreciate getting to know a little bit more about all of you.

I really think I need to stop now and get back to my semi-retired work!

This message was edited Dec 4, 2014 3:01 PM