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A matter of worth….

Friday, January 8th, 2010

I crested a month of doing chores in the cold and snow. That in and of itself is not really of significance. This isn’t the first year of winter chores and it most likely will not be the last. But each year about this time we begin the conversation of worth. Is it worth it to put all of this energy into the animal projects we maintain. Is it worth the money that is spent on extra feed that gains you nothing because it is lost to the need to produce heat.

This year given that the winter thus far has been somewhat extreme this conversation is more serious that normal. The chickens aren’t producing as many eggs as normal. The ducks stopped laying completely. And both the ducks and the geese are eating twice as much as normal if not a little more than that because we are completely snow covered. And unlike deer – ducks and geese – can’t dig through the snow pack to reach the grass.

Now this doesn’t mean that we are to toss all of our animals out come spring. But it does lead us down the uncomfortable path of most hobby farms. How do you justify the cost when the return is so little?Answers aren’t quite clear and there is a lot of gray areas.

For instance is is not easy to quantify into dollars the value in the worth of knowing what goes into your food and the pleasure of raising things yourself.

Lots to think about and consider.

Feels like a Thursday but it isn’t

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

These three day weekends mess with me a bit. Today felt like our typical Thursday except my husband was home. I am looking forward to returning to our routine on Monday. The boys have had a solid two weeks off. I think we are all looking forward to returning to school.

A random five things from today because I’m just a bit tired tonight.

1. Help my small son build another lego structure from the massive box of legos that once belonged to my brother.

2. Sat down for part one of the ” the annual beginning of the year projects” ie filing, sorting and other fun tax/finance stuff. Yay for being married to an accountant.

3. Set up my borrowed sewing machine today. Yay for being able to finish up my Christmas presents that are now Merry New Year gifts. Hopefully it really is the thought that counts!

4. My dear husband sorted a closet today. I’m still not sure if I’m irritated or happy. The outcome may be determined when I finally go upstairs to clear off the bed.

5. I asked nicely to not have to do chores today.  It’s bitter cold and I am not really looking forward to having to haul water all this week. I am lucky to have a husband who will take care of weekends since I take care of weekdays.

Winking, Blinking and Nod…..

Monday, October 19th, 2009

It’s a tree branch.

A tree branch that is waving in the wind. And it is the wind that is waving my antenna. That is making things internetly wink in and out. Mostly out.

But we’re not actually complaining. Mostly we’re observing and letting people know that we’re not quite as connected as normal. Why no complaints?

Well it is frustrating but the alternative to what we have for internet is….wait for it…..

Dial Up.

You all just snickered didn’t you? I heard you. Really wonky, winking out internet is still faster than dial up. Dial up was bad….BAD…five years ago I can’t imagine what it would be like now!

Anyway we’re working on our antenna and tree branch issue. It would be a much easier thing to fix if the branch in question wasn’t some 30 feet off the ground. So until we either get our new antenna pole up or grow massively long arms…we’ll be winking in and out.