Blind Hog and Acorn

Blind Hog and Acorn sit on the porch while Sam has his supper and discuss the past week's work.  Acorn is not sure how many goat kids are running about, and Blind Hog was reminded to check the almanac before digging- the phases of the moon specifically!

Acorn also "virtually attended" a Podcasting Masterclass Workshop and learned some really cool things, some of which will help future Blind Hog and Acorn episodes #haveaplan.  Some times you cannot see the forest for the trees, and Acorn does want to stay focused.  Don't we all?

Come out to the apiary with the Acorn and go through the four hives.  You will be safe, no bee suit required HOWEVER if the incessant buzzing of bees will give you the willies, then you might want to skip this episode!

Acorn went through all four hives and found a few interesting things.  You will learn a fun fact about what bees do when they are smoked and how the Acorn will feed them sugar.  We do have a drought going on, after all...

No pictures from this episode- could not record and take pictures at the same time!  Acorn tried, will have to work on that for next time.

Acorn thought she would be super tricksie and record an episode with Blind Hog and the Badger at lunch, only to later find that the recording was full of buzzes, snaps and feedback.  Nope!  So, Acorn sat down and did an off-the-cuff episode, best laid plans and all. Maybe next time.

Gutters are up on the dairy barn, trenches dug for the drainage lines and so it goes.  Don't know why we are putting up gutters- has not rained in 2 weeks!  But it will, one day- and we will be ready!

Acorn is looking at tenor ukuleles, and after struggling mightily, found a vendor with big heart- TheUkeBug.com is a mom and pop store in Ohio.  Acorn called them up on Saturday and had a great chat with Barb.. Wonderful selection, Barb and Greg went over the top to help poor Acorn decide between two ukes- and at this writing, she still is not quite sure which one she'll go for.  Find out next week! 

Blind Hog and Acorn finish off their talk from last week about things to think about when you start up a farm, discuss predators that might be lurking about, firewood in the stacks, and ways to use surplus veggies. 

What did Acorn put in the dehydrator this time?

Blind Hog and Acorn sit on the porch and record "en plein air" with the new shotgun/cardioid mic on the smartphone.  Surprise! It worked out quite well.  Even recorded in stereo!

Bullets from the episode on "helpful hints for starting a farm":

• start as debt free as you can
• look into apprentice and internship opportunities
• read some Joel Salatin, and even the old Scott and Helen Nearing books
• fencing will and should always be a number one priority
• investigate different animals, breeds, as well as breeders
• you do not buy breeding stock at the sale barn/auction house- that is where you take your problems
• safety equipment for animal handling is cheaper in the long run than a trip to the emergency room
• travel around the area you are thinking about farming, look at places- LOTS of places
• consider your (wholesale/retail) market opportunities
• building codes or property restrictions? Better fine out now than later!

A storm finally makes it to the farm and rain- you know, water droplets, falling from the sky.  It is a beautiful thing.

Blind Hog and Acorn drag out and sort through boxes of old books and toys- trying to avoid brown recluse spiders.  Of course the Ozarks are in the smack dab middle of brown recluse territory...

Acorn has a cheese cave full of cheeses and the dairy goats are set to dry up for the interim. No more morning milkings until kids are bon in February!

Ukulele lessons?  50% off?  Lessons?  Learning? That got Acorn's attention, say no more! Fun fact- ukulele strings are easier on the fingers than the strings of a mandolin, especially for Acorn.

Check out www.blindhogandacorn.com for pictures from this week's episode.

It has been a most busy week on the farm- bee hive check, cleaning out the chicken coop and mucking out the two goat barns.  Blind Hog and Acorn are both two tired pups.

Never one to sit with idle hands, Acorn snaps the days' haul of pole beans while she and Blind Hog talk about the week, the farm and past dining habits...

Check out the website, www.blindhogandacorn.com for pictures from this latest episode.

The heat of summer continues, as does the workings of the pressure canner.  Blind Hog and Acorn just keep truckin'.

Spices arrive, goats depart- but not without a little drama first. Of course, we must have the drama.  Acorn shares fun animal facts, probably more than what you would like to know. Cannot say we didn't warn you.  Astrophotography is harder than it looks.  Art museums are always more fun with a smart ass, or two.  Or three.

Check out the website for pictures for the episode! www.blindhogandacorn.com

Lack of big rain has not hurt the elderberries too much, what has Acorn been doing with them?

Blind Hog and Acorn hung the gutter on the porch and started a new project, which brought up memories of "The Nightmares of Livestock Transport." Trailering goats and cattle is never a dull moment.

Visit the website, www.blindhogandacorn.com for pictures regarding the episode!

Acorn has been a canning fool- it it stands still long enough, she will plunk it in a jar and slap a lid on.

Blind Hog has been getting a workout the past couple weeks between working the goats and prepping the firewood.  Acorn talks about the garden, missing IKEA, why farm vacation travel is best done in December, and a special goaty-friend.

Check out the website for pictures regarding this episode:  www.blindhogandacorn.com