What's got you so hot and bothered?

As many of us are aware, it's summer and it's in full swing. Despite the rise in temperatures and in our location, the humidity, there remains much to do. To try and alleviate some of the discomfort of the season, some strategies have to change. With afternoon temps reaching mid to upper 90's the preference is to do work and chores as early as possible. We adapt quickly to our environments by staying focused on the tasks at hand and how we can perform as efficiently as possible.

When we look at efficiency, the temptation is to compromise. Can we cut some corners? I could probably trim off some of the labor, but what exceeds that desire is the vision I have. One that is motivated to steward the land we have, the resources we have access to, and the relationships that come with it.

Studying on our local climate (29349) I was surprised to find data saying that July is averaged to have the most rainfall days. https://www.worldweatheronline.com/v2/weather-averages.aspx?q=29349 Culturally, I've been taught to use water from the common sources, the spigot that is fed from the city or a well, where everyone pulls from. But what if I could better steward my resources by catching the rainfall? In my research I've come across some staggering information both from Joel Salatin and Josh Thomas of School of Traditional Skills. One square foot of roof (meaning a ruler x ruler area) X 1inch of rainfall yields 2/3 gallon of water! So an average ranch home, say 22' x 48' can produce somewhere around 703 gallons of water per inch of rainfall!! That's over 12 55 gallon drums!! That's an amazing amount of our most valuable resource that if not captured, runs down our downspout in a concentrated area creating "something else for us to take care of" and can cause a lot of erosion. Depending on the size of your home, you can play with some calculations yourself. https://measuringstuff.com/average-house-length-and-width-feet-and-meters/#ranch-homes

What if I captured it??? I could be stewarding a resource provided by God and reduce my dependency on the spigot that feeds the many from the commons. Reducing the stress on the commons. That's just one of my visions for our property, we're not there yet, but Lord willing, we'll get there. I will ad a buyer beware, there are a lot of systems out there for sale, make sure to think it through, if this is something you consider. The most important thing is that the system works, is maintainable and works for you.

It is with this example that I attempt to paint the picture of just how easy it is for me and all of us in our culture to compromise. We have a lot at our fingertips and I am well convinced, that it is the life ambition of our culture, to have everything available through a smartphone platform.

There was something that came to me a few years ago. I'm not sure what my circumstances were. Maybe I felt overwhelmed, or frustrated, or maybe it was just something I came to as an encouragement. That thing is a phrase I often remind myself of. "There are lessons in the labor" What I mean by that is there is so much I learn when putting my hand to the plow, to involve myself in whatever is going on. I learn about how things work, how people work, how processes fit together or don't, and how nature has it's own way and it's better to work with it and not against it. So be encouraged, in whatever circumstance or task is at hand, to embrace it and gain all you can from it by participating. I don't know if anything that I share is encouraging or not, but I do hope so.

FARM NEWS

We have cutlets, whole chickens, and eggs available presently. We have provided shade for all the critters under our care. It's blistering out there. Stay safe and keep your critters safe.

Your local farmer,

Gordon