Of course the most important new arrival is grandson, Henderson. He actually arrived (in this world) back in October but what I'm speaking of now is his arrival at the barn. Yes, Henderson recently took his first trip to the barn! !
He was all eyes and ears! ! During his visit all the animals greeted him in their own unique way. The chickens clucked loudly, the rooster crowed, the pig oinked, the cow mooed, the cat meowed and the dog barked! ! Each new sound brought a distinct turn of the head and wide eyes from Henderson. Welcome to the wonderful world of the barnyard Henderson. Looking forward to many more happy times together there! !
AN UNUSUAL ARRIVAL
A few weeks ago I received a Facebook "message" from a friend from a previous church. She had been reading the Lil Bitty Farm blog and told her son-in-law about the blog. Son-in-law (I'll call him Joe), Joe has a relatively new but intense interest in farming and wanted to meet me, see Lil Bitty Farm and talk farming for a couple of hours. Saturday afternoon and evening, Marla and I hosted Joe, his wife, their two young boys and our friend from the previous church. Winter is not the best time for farm tours as not much is happening but Joe and the boys were looking forward to a day in the country.
Joe is a young man (in his late twenties/early thirties I think) with a young wife and family. And he is one of the primary reasons why "conventional, industrialized agriculture" is crumbling at its foundations. Not that Joe is bringing down "agribusiness" on his own but Joe represents thousands (perhaps millions) of young Americans who have become "fed up" (pun intended) with the nonsense that industrial ag has foisted upon this country and the world. The nonsense of production at any cost, the nonsense of GMO's, the nonsense of seeking to control the world's food supply under the guise of the noble sounding mantra of "feeding the world", the nonsense of "cheap food" (food that may be cheap dollar wise but food that is also devoid of real health and honest nutrition). And I could go on and on with the shortcomings of industrial ag but I will spare you.
In the past five years Joe has had a few "Ah-hah" moments. He use to be a typical suburbanite that, although he was a serious Christian, was devoid of a life's calling and mostly concerned about getting a new four-wheeler and the latest video games. But things began to change. He still desires to be a serious Christian, devoted husband and good father but the four-wheelers and video games now have little appeal. He now thinks about things like feeding his family (not from the grocery store but from his backyard), growing healthy food for his neighbors and those without the ability to produce for themselves, teaching his young sons the importance and joy of growing food, helping his wife preserve the harvest he grows, and even (gasp!!!) quitting his "cubicle career" as he puts it, so he can become a full-time farmer so he can be home with his family instead of commuting to the city everyday.
While this is all music to my soul it is a death durge to industrial agriculture. Industrial ag does not want young men and women (or anyone of any age) thinking and working toward food self-sufficiency. Yes, Joe, and thousands like him are bringing industrial ag to its knees. It won't happen overnight (or will it?) but the seeds of agricultural change have been planted and now they are sprouting and growing profusely. I salute you Joe! ! And all the best to you and your family in your exciting journey from cubicle to farm! ! God bless you! !
DEPARTURES
The afore mentioned "Pork Chop" will soon be at the butcher. Once Pork Chop's buddies were gone and he was "on his own" he put on weight nicely. But for now no more pigs at Lil Bitty farm - until May rolls around when I buy three more piggies and start the process all over again.
Pork Chop had a mind of his own and made things interesting for awhile. At one point he got off course into a part of the barn that Sir Loin was inhabiting much to Sir Loin's dismay. This caused much mayhem and in the confusion now Sir Loin was loose as well. Ryan and I curtailed our efforts with Pork Chop and now focused our efforts on corralling Sir Loin. Even after Sir Loin was now enclosed he was so worked up he almost jumped over his new enclosure in two places. Finally things settled down and Ryan and I were able to go back to focusing our attention on loading Pork Chop. After much conjoling, and even some short prayers (did you ever pray for a pig?) he finally loaded and the adventure came to an abrupt end. Thankfully! ! Bon voyage Pork Chop! !
Thanks again for tuning in to my humble happenings here at Lil Bitty Farm.
Blessings to you and your family. Stay warm my friends.
Todd