Master Beef update

This week we had a class taught by Dr. Simpson about livestock handling. We learned about handling equipment and design and the importance of reducing stress for cattle, it is good management practice and affects the bottom line. For instance cattle don't see well, so shadows bother them. On Thursday we had a class about cattle marketing taught by Dr. Rawls, it provided a good overview on cattle pricing, futures, etc. One thing I learned from Dr. Rawls, "the market is always right".

Beef Quality Assurance certified

I'm taking a series of 12 classes as part of a University of Tennessee agriculture extension program. So far we've covered Managing for Success, Environmental Concerns, and the Tennessee Beef Quality Assurance certification. I am joining the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association. We will graduate on March 12 (with a nice steak dinner!) and I will then be a certified Tennessee Master Beef Producer.

This education and the certifications will be valuable to us as we evaluate our farm business plans and also makes us eligible for state agricultural enhancement funds.

Power problem

At about 11 am on Saturday we had a power event at our house. The power went out or dipped really low and then came back with a surge. After the event none of the 220V power was working in the house; stove, furnace, clothes dryer ...

We called the power company and they sent a crew out. The crew said that their equipment was fine but that a 4 ganged 200 amp main breaker located under the meter base had gone bad. I tried in vain to buy a replacement part on a Saturday afternoon. I called a local electrician and he came over and he was able to restore power so we would have heat in the house, he returned the next day and installed a new breaker.

This power event killed one of our DirecTV receivers and maimed the other one. We were not able to watch the Super Bowl at our house. DirecTV mailed out a new receiver and we had to re-format the other unit.

Also, the power event killed our clothes washing machine, we had a repair man come out and he said that the three port water valve circuit board was bad and that it was not worth repairing. He recommended we buy a GE or Frigidaire washing machine, the simpler the better.

We went to Lowes and bought a simple GE king size standard top load washer, it was delivered today.

Spirit update

On Friday Spirit was fixed (gelded). Chris and Renee (Spirit's owners) came and spent a good portion of the day Friday and a vet from Lenoir City came out to perform the procedure. The vet said that Spirit was in fabulous condition, his body metabolized the anesthetic very rapidly. Spirit is doing great, very playful and curious, loves to play with his red rubber ball.

Transportation

My car made some funny noises and it jerked several times today when I shifted the transmission from Park to Reverse and then into Drive. It has never done this before, I think it may be about to break and it's not worth fixing. It's a 1995 Ford Taurus that I bought new which now has 222k miles. It's been a good car.

So, what should I get to replace it? I need something reliable and safe. Something that gets reasonable fuel economy. We have a lot of curvy country roads around here, I want something that handles fairly well. We could use a truck for the farm, but I don't know if I want to drive one all the time. However, we can deduct farm use costs on taxes so that would help a little. I may end up with another midsize four door sedan. What do you think?

Injury update - Chip

On Christmas afternoon 2008 I spent a few hours in the emergency room after taking a pretty good fall off a horse. One month and two days later I am feeling much better. I still have pain in the ribs on my left side, I think it will take a few months for them to completely heal. So, a little more time to recuperate and then ... hmmm, spring skiing, stallion battles, .... who knows? :)

Flotera

I just tried to watch some network TV but gave up after about an hour. The commercials are completely ridiculous, I'm referring to all of the pharmaceutical drug advertisements. I just watched one and said to myself you can't make this stuff up. Well, maybe you can, here goes.

"Do you feel tired at the end of the day? Is your energy level not quite what it used to be? You might be suffering from CER (chronological energy reduction). Piller pharmaceuticals is pleased to announce the immediate availability of Flotera (floximitran dicyclogran), a breakthrough treatment for CER. Ask your doctor if Flotera is right for you. Flotera has been shown to have certain side effects and is not suitable for all patients. Notify your doctor if you begin to have hallucinations or notice the onset of lavender colored urine. Flotera has been shown to cause increased risk of heart attack, blindness, liver dysfunction, loss of hearing, and a reduction in mental cognitive function. Stop taking Flotera and contact your physician if you begin to have seizures, a rare side effect observed in about 25% of all patients taking Flotera. "

Snow!

It snowed here today. We get plenty of cold but not much snow. It's really beautiful outside. Kid's picture shows Mary, John, and John's friend Caleb.

We Rock!

Yesterday I used the tractor and box blade to work on the driveway, today we had rock delivered. Seventy tons of 3/4" gravel total, three full tandem dump truck loads. We probably will get more rock delivered in the summer.

Karate kid!

Snapped a picture of John the other day before his karate class. He's squinting because he's looking into the sun.

Cold

It's been a while since the last blog update, but you have to admit that "Coon P" is a hard act to follow. We had a few really cold days here, it was in the single digits a couple of times. When it's that cold and when the temperature is below freezing all day it makes extra work for us to keep liquid water available for the outside critters. We set the house thermostat down to 60 degrees, it was about 56 degrees in the bedrooms! Brrr.

"Coon P"

Last year while Nanny was visiting we happened to see a TV infomercial from the Smoky Mountain Knife Works. One item they were selling was called "Coon P", it's a very special liquid for use with knives. It was hilarious, and we laughed quite hard. So this year for Christmas we stopped by the SMKW and picked up a bottle of "Coon P" for Nanny.

The week before Christmas I was headed to Wartburg about 15 miles from home and noticed a sign for the local Coon Hunting Association.

Pigeon Care

The pigeons are all doing well. I'm not flying any birds until spring, we have way too many hawks around here now. I've changed my pigeon care regimen slightly, each day the birds get fresh fortified red grit from Purgrain, fresh plain water, and pigeon feed.

The pigeon feed is mostly European Supreme mix from Purgrain, I sometimes add a little of the Purgrain pigeon candy mix, and I add corn if it's cold outside. Once a week I add a cup of rabbit food pellets which I grind up slightly in the blender.

I'm still not moving around too well so John and Mary have been a big help with the pigeon chores, helping to carry feeders, grit bowls, and drinkers.

Get the Spirit!

We got a red rubber ball toy with a handle a while back at the co-op, it's for horses. Spirit loves to play with it, he runs with it, tosses it, he pushes it around like a soccer ball, lot's of fun to watch.

Gingerbread Houses

The kids made gingerbread houses last week from a kit. John ate most of his, Mary snacked on the candy decorations on hers (left in the picture).

Fondue!

On New Year's Day we celebrated 2009 with a Swiss Fondue. This one was as good or better than the last one we prepared both in flavor and texture. We used a Riesling wine, roux (2 TBSP each butter and flour), four cloves garlic, 2 parts Emmenthaler, 1 part Gruyere, about 1/3 to 1/2 part Havarti, and a little fresh cracked black pepper. The roux was slowly added after the cheeses melted.

The night before we had the Deakins family over at our place. The kids had a wonderful time, the adults talked and played cards (Canasta).