Equine Vaccinations

I am not a person who is big on vaccines.  I know that they have done much good, but I think they may be getting a little out of hand.  They have vaccines for chicken pox, now required to be able to go to school, and I read about a vaccine for diarhea for children.  I know these may be good in some instances, but I chose not to immunize any more than the minimum required. 

When it comes to animals, I'm not sure which is the best policy.  As a child, we never immunized our dogs, cats, cows, anything.  Now, in order to bring your critters out in public, you have to have proof of immunizations.  We immunize every spring.  The horses get the four-way and the West Nile Virus.  Talking to a horse trainer and she said she won't give her horses the West Nile shot.  I don't know much about this, but I figured there must be a natural alternative, or at least another side to the equine immunization thing.  Vets encourage you to immunize against everything.  I guess I'm looking for some information along the lines of why not to immunize.  Is there something else you can do to help your animals stay healthy?  We bring in critters from other farms during the year and when you do that, you don't always know what you might be bringing in.  And what about worming?  We worm four times a year, but my mom says it makes her cringe, and that she thinks it's not a good policy to always worm your animals.

I suppose  I could buy a book.  I know that there are books about natural animal care.  I'd like to hear from someone who actually does it.

Thanks,

From Glory Farm

Cruel Joke

Is it a Minnesota thing, or do people in other parts of the country let the weather become an obsession?  My tulips are up, and dreams of working the warm soil with my hands seemed close to becoming a reality.  When what to my wondering eyes should appear?....No, not St. Nick, but he'd have no trouble getting through today.  Winter storm warning out with 9" of snow possible.  We need the moisture.  I'd prefer rain.  I had planned an exciting day of going to the land fill and to the Chrysler garage to get the truck fixed.  I guess all that fun will have to wait and I'll just have to make a cup of hot chocolate, send the kids out to feed the chickens and cows, and hunker down.  What a shame. 

Have a warm and cozy day.

From Glory Farm

Ketchup

As in catch up. 

It's been raking the yard, starting the seeds,  cleaning the barn, washing the blankets and rugs, getting ready for the farmer's market, planning my parents 50th anniversary party, and taking care of a couple of new born calves.

We're still remodeling the house.  I STILL have to finish mudding the livingroom and then pick a color scheme.  Anyone want to help?  My kithchen is done in light blue and yellow.  I don't know if I want a warm color scheme, an accent wall, something to match the kitchen?  Then I'm going to varnish the hardwood floors.  Paint my bedroom in mint and peach?

How about ideas for the anniversary party?  We have polka music and just some sandwiches, fruit and vegies and dip.  It's an open house at a nearby school.  Any frugal???  ideas.  I made up the invites on the computer.  Planning on doing up vegie trays myself.  Have you seen what they want for them, even at Wal-Mart?

It's a gorgeous day, again.  Cool and sunny.  After lunch it's back to cleaning the barn and the yard.

That's it from Glory Farm.

May you bring Glory to the Father this day.

Rhonda

Homestead Business Opportunities

Here at Glory Farm we are always looking for ways to make our farm more self supporting.  I came across an article in Small Farm magazine and thought maybe we'd give this a try.  Picking wild botanicals for resale.  There are a number of wild herbs that grow here, some bring better prices than others.  Things like dandelion roots and leaves, rasberry leaves, strawberry leaves, red clover blossoms, burdock, yellow dock are in demand.  The recommeded book, "Directory of Flower and Herb Buyers 2007", is available at Prairie Oak Publishing for $12.  I haven't ordered it yet, but I might.  Their website is www.herb-buyers.com.  Has anyone else given this a try?  I realize it takes quite a bit of some herbs to make a pound.  I don't think that this is a get rich quick program, but it might work for spending money for the children. 

Have a blessed Sunday.

From Glory Farm

A Day of Hope and Promise

This is so cool.  45 degrees and it's supposed to stay warm for at least the next five days.  Spring!  Melting snow revealing all of the dogs' doings for a whole winter.  Spring!  The chickadees have changed their song.  The back porch is full of water instead of ice.  We can wear mud boots instead of snow boots.  Though we still have a couple feet of snow out there.  I don't think it'll last long with these temps.

 

My honey has some time off and it's so good to have him home for awhile.  I sure appreciate him.  He cares so much and asks for so little.  He took the youngest two ice fishing yesterday.  They caught a lot of ice. (bad joke)  They also caught one little crappie.  Dd3's first fish.  Not enough to eat, but they all had fun. 

 

I took the oldest two to an awards banquet at the Elks Club.  We met a family that was just great.  Kept us laughing all night.

 

Well, I started some broccoli, tomatoes and peppers two weeks ago.  I know it's early, but I just have to do something.  My peppers haven't come up.  I don't know why.  New seed, kept moist, maybe it wasn't warm enough?  I'm still waiting.

 

I've been trying to spin with a drop spindle and I think I'm ready for a wheel.  Not that I've gotten that good, I just can't spin with a spindle.  The yarn is all different thicknesses.  I think I want to learn to do this, though.  I don't need another pastime, but I think it could be a lot of fun.

 

I need to get off of here and do something constructive.  I have some sewing to finish and taxes to finish.  Also, I need to get our farmer's market plans organized and figure what else I still need to get.  These are, for the most part, enjoyable things.  I am blessed to be able to persue the things that God has given me an interest in.  (The goats are coming.)

Thanks for stopping to read.  Have a glorious day.

From Glory Farm