It may be because it has been a dark and rainy December. It may be because this time last year my nephew Troy died suddenly at 38, or...

Before anyone gets all kind and well-meaning I need to say that I am OK. My affliction is being worked through here on the homestead...

This week has seen some huge steps forward and at least one step forward I have to take back.

Wow! It is September already! Where did the time go? There are so many things happening on the homestead that I totally forgot to blog about it all! (Great Blogger here!)

Last week my brother, several of his friends and I went to the great state of West Virginia for a vacation and Epic Adventure.

I had a great start to the week. Saturday I tagged along with Matt for the day as he went to Oneida. Then Sunday I went to church, Had a great time fellowshipping with my church family at the monthly meal.

This last week really stunk. It started out great on Sunday with my Grandson's First Birthday Party! It's amazing how fast these small humans grow! It seems like He was in Wendy's arms at the counter in Kelly's beautiful kitchen just the other day.

In Proverbs 24:27 we are told by the wisest man who has or will ever live, to "Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house."

"You don't need all those gadgets." My friend told me yesterday as we rode along, And he was absolutely correct. I mean you really don't...

There are many ways we can learn the skills we need to be more self-sufficient. Personally, I am Partial to the Youtube Channel Thand141homestead . However, when the proverbial manure hits the Rotating Oscillator we may not have internet service, and even those of us that are off-grid may be negatively affected by an EMP hitting our solar panels.

After my cheapskate homemade greenhouse disaster, (video here: https://youtu.be/krNxOyuxEFw )I ordered a new greenhouse from Amazon (click picture) and set it up all quick like in about 6-7 hours. (Video here: https://youtu.be/syI-K2jc3Rk ).

Please don't try Jesus! This may sound weird coming from me, an evangelical Christian who has dedicated his life to the service of God and spreading the good news that you can have eternal life Through a relationship with Jesus.

My Friend Bill showed me around his sugar shack the other day and it was an awesome experience! They have a really nice setup and can...

Wow, Where do I begin! I have had both great strides and setbacks.

I was watching a podcast of An American Homestead Creator Zach, and he said something that sat with me and I pondered it for a while.

Yesterday was a great day! It was warm out so I went shooting on The Homestead Range. The Guy F. Farr Memorial Shooting Range. And I did ok.

My first 10-gallon day of sap! yep, It really happened. I went out this evening just to check the buckets not expecting more than a gallon in any of the buckets because of the low yield this afternoon.

My high for yesterday was 61°F! finally! The forecast is showing teens and 20°s at night and mid 30s to 40s during the day. Perfect from what I understand for Maple sap to be running.

26 years, one month, 5 days. That's how long Wendy and I were together. That is a long time! We were always together. Even while I was working, once cell phones were available we would call each other just to check in.

It's not that I am complaining, It's not all bad.