Well, folks, it’s easy to tell that spring has sprung in Tennessee…
Every morning my truck is covered with a layer of green pollen and my sinuses are killing me. The drainage in my throat, the stuffy head, and the ear pressure. Oh, how wonderful.
I love Tennessee for a number of reasons however the spring pollen count isn’t one of them. If you suffer from seasonal allergies then you might want to consider building your homestead somewhere else, somewhere where there isn’t a constant barrage of attacks on the sinuses.
I spend a large part of this week getting my new FREE course ready for you all.
As you know I make my full-time living blogging and online and it’s great. No job, no boss, and I can earn as much as I willing to put in the time to earn all right from my homestead. Being self-employed is one the if the most important part of being a successful homesteader.
And because that’s so important I put together a FREE course to show you how to do what I do. It’s a seven-part course on blogging and you can sign up for it here – Learn How To Launch A Successful Blog!
Just click on the link and then add your first name (or a nickname or whatever) and your email address and you’ll get an email asking you to confirm that you want to receive the free course, click on the confirm button and you’re all set.
Okay, now what else do I need to tell you… oh, yeah…
Instead of sending out an email to subscribers of this site every time that a new post is published I’ve decided to send out a weekly digest of posts instead. I decided to do it that way because I didn’t want to be flooding your email inbox with blog updates.
I know that time is precious and I want to save you all of the time that I can and the weekly digest does that by sending you all of the posts since the last digest and you can quickly scroll the email and then choose what you want to read and skip the rest.
The weekly digest will be sent to your email inbox every Wednesday at approximately 10:00 AM eastern time. However, you can always just come directly to the site to read the most recent updates and comments. Don’t forget to bookmark it or just do a search for M.D. Creekmore.
I noticed this morning that someone has my book 31 Days To Survival listed on Amazon for $34.83! It’s a great book, that’s for sure, however, even I don’t think that it’s worth that price, the great news is that you can get it from me for only $21.24.
Also, if you want to set up a dirt cheap homestead then I wrote a book about how to do that too, this book will show you exactly how I did it. I set it up, lived there, blogged, saved the money that I earned from blogging and bought a small two bedroom mobile home, and then saved some more and bought this house – all from blogging income and you can do it to – take my free course to find out how.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a whole lot new done on the homestead this week. The first part of the week I mowed my grass and then the sinuses started, so I’ve stayed indoors for the most part of the last couple of days working on the free blogging course and trying to get these allergies under control.
I did order a copy of “The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner: What to Do & When to Do It in the Garden, Orchard, Barn, Pasture & Equipment Shed” I think this will be a great book to review here on the blog.
Okay, folks, that’s it for me what about you… what did you do on the homestead this week?
Nice weather this week.. Cleaned some garden beds and canned carrots.
This Week:
The 5th through 8th grade classes at my school have been learning archery. It’s amazing how well they did, and they really enjoyed it.
-Added to the stockpile: 30 lbs. flour, 14 lbs. brown sugar, 12 lbs. powdered sugar, 80 lbs. sugar, tea, granola bars, a few cake mixes (on sale), 4 lbs. butter, large container of chili powder, large container of dehydrated onion,
-Goats: Our dairy goat gave birth to triplets, and they’re all bucklings. I’m still not sure if the other doe is bred. If not, we’re going to take her back to the buck and try again.
-Chickens: I’m continuing to give fertilized eggs to local teachers to hatch chicks in their classrooms. I received my order of chicks that I ordered early last fall.
-Homestead: Leveled and seeded the ground around the pond we repaired (hopefully).
-Garden: Planted more lettuce. Earlier planting has sprouted. Seedlings are doing well.
-Information: Reading Nella Last’s War.
-Health: Ordered and received a chest seal. Got antibiotic eye drops, moisturizing eye drops, iron supplements,
Be prepared. Stay safe. He’s in charge.
PG: I got my first two hives set up Monday! Wooo-hooooo!!! Italians. Thanks to u & Ohio Prepper for “holding my hand”! All the reading & youtubes do not necessarily prepare one to actually “do”!
That’s great! Keep me posted and let me know if I can be of any help.
MD , look at last note I sent you about needs for prepping…. see near end , my next buy,recommended product, and will stop the issue you are having…
PG,You do know that colloidial silver can be used as antibiotic eye drops safely,?… unless ALLergic to silver.,
I have some. Thanks for the reminder.
Prepared Grammy ,
I introduced my DD to shooting (.22 rifle) at age 5 and from then on we attended the National Hunting and Fishing day which is normally the 4th Saturday in September. When she was in about the 4th or 5th grade we attended one where she got to try various firearms and fishing gear; but, insisted on going back to the archery exhibit between each event. As it turned out, the archery group was also having their family day that same afternoon and invited us to their facility that was only about 6 miles away, so we attended and ended up purchasing her a lightweight compound bow. She had a blast with it and in later years at summer camp did well with all of their bows. One thing we had to do with my DD that should always be checked for long gun or bow is dominant eye. My DD is cross dominant (Right Handed & Left Eye) so we taught her to shoot left handed and to this day she can still pick up a rifle, shotgun, or bow with her left hand and use it rather well, so getting those kids started early is a great idea.
OP, I took ur advice on moving new bees from package to hive late in day. In fact, just b4 sunset. Worked perfectly! And no stings! Well, I was fully “suited up”. In fact, I suited up b4 getting in my car, then driving to pick up packages! Big Scaredy Cat here had visions of bees flying & stinging while driving! Did not happen , of course. U shld have seen some of the double-takes! I guess folks don’t normally drive while wearing a beekeepers suit, hat, veil, gloves..the whole thing!
Thank you!
That’s definitely the time of day to move them. Good job.
Livinthedream ,
That’s what I was taught and it’s worked OK for me using only sugar syrup in a spray bottle.
We’ve all been there. I started working with bees an uncle was keeping around age 14 or 15 and at first he suited me up while he worked with only a veil and hat. Even fully suited up, the first time there are bees flying all over the place and landing on the veil just inches from your face, it can be a bit unnerving; but, you then realize that these critters are not evil or vengeful, and with care are simple to manage. If you keep bees however, you will on occasion be stung since that’s just a small part of the hobby.
One thing that still freaks me out a bit with packaged bees is when I found out that those packages are sometimes delivered as packages via USPS. I’ve wondered how the mail carriers feel about such things, LOL.
Ya’ think? Would have made a good YouTube video perhaps, since I suspect most people seeing you drive by would have been thinking it was a Hazmat situation and not a beekeeper.
We’ve all been very sick with the heavy chest cold going around. Just when you think it’s clearing up, it comes back again just as intense as before. Did find a few things I’m short of in preps for dealing with such sickness. Picked up 2 large jars of special congestion ointment that also works as a muscle relief.
One prep I signed up for is the food revolution summit (dot org) coming at month end. Picked up 2 doz used pint jars for vac sealing food. Now I can release more pint mason jars for actual canning. Picked up a thrift store pot on clearance so I can use the handle on a good frying pan that shattered its handle after almost 50 years.
Have a number of bee food seeds that include buckwheat on order along with replacement raspberry plants.
It’s our 49th anniversary this past week and we have to postpone celebrations until we all feel better.
Hope you feel better and congratulations on your anniversary.
Gloria,
Wondering if you tried elderberry syrup. Hope you get to feeling better soon. Congratulations on 49 years together.
Elderberry syrup works very well for me. Point of info: it neefs tk be SAMBUCAS NIGRA (Black Elderberry,). There is also red elderberry which grows in Canada. It does not work as welk as Black (Nigra).
My chest colds… i use, oil of oregano, garlic vinegar 8cc q 4 hours, peppermint.. can also use oils 3 drops each in tablespoon of olive or coconut oil for chest rub and foot rub, wear socks when in bed…
Had to smile at the mention of elderberry syrup. I felt I was coming down with something a couple weeks ago, and my 15 yo grandson asked me if I’d tried it. He’s a smart one!
Gloria,
Hmmm. We have some of that also. Ours is called Vicks VapoRub. The company describes it as a mentholated topical ointment that is indicated for use on the chest, back and throat for cough suppression due to the common cold or on muscles and joints for minor aches and pains. My parents used this on me as a child and it is one of those tried and true old time OTC remedies that just works and is rather inexpensive. For colds and congestion my folks would smear it on my chest and put on a clean T-shirt before bed time, and breathing in those fumes (aromas?) generally had my sinuses running clear by morning.
I just signed up myself. Thanks for the tip.
We’ll hit 36 this Tuesday, which is also Tax day in the U.S. so I suspect there is something that could be said here, LOL. In any case, congrats on 49 years together. I am personally pleased when I see couples hit 15 or 20, since now a days it seems that “in sickness and in health” and “till death do us part” are just something people mumble without thought.
I don’t bother with Vicks. We use Unkers, which we find more effective.
Gloria,
Vicks has always worked well for us and I’ve never heard of Unkers; but, it might be worth a look. Thanks for the mention.
Unkers is the best, but I still have some generic jars of the other.
Try putting the Vicks on your feet as well. Your feet will absorb the medicine quicker than any other part of your body.
Yes! On the feet then wear socks to bed.
Bam Bam & Prepared Grammy,
I hadn’t heard of this; but, it’s worth making note. I think the main reason for placing it on the chest was to let you breath in the vapors to clear out your sinuses and lungs.
BTW, I think it’s the tongue that can absorb the medicine quicker than any other part of your body; but, I think trying the feet might be a better starting place, LOL.
I know from experience that sublingual Nitroglycerine spray hits the system very quickly.
I have heard about putting on the feet and I have heard that under the tongue is one of the fastest ways to get something into your bloodstream. Suppositories are as fast, if not faster – I just don’t think I want Vick’s in my mouth or through a suppository. However, if you’re a diabetic and taking insulin, it’s really good to know that candy under the tongue gets into your bloodstream quickly in case of an insulin overdose.
GA Red ,
Here’s some information on Sublingual administration of chemicals from Wikipedia
Note that the same conditions exist in the intestine (mucosal tissues with lots of blood flow from capillaries); and while these capillaries are normally used to absorb nutrients from food, they are basic two way systems. I’ve heard of rehydration being performed via a saline & glucose solution as an enema, which Is especially good or someone who cannot drink a rehydration solution and where intravenous fluids are not available.
I’ve known some diabetics who carry glucose tablets that can be eaten or placed under the tongue.
Congrats! 49 years…almost “golden”!
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary anything after 40 all are golden, Enjoy every day.
Happy anniversary! We celebrated 16 years a couple of weeks ago. April is a good month to get married, it seems.
GA Red ,
Congrats on the 16 years.
This April is just a busy month, since it’s my birth month, my anniversary month, Tax month, and in my case the month where I stop taking all of those nasty anticoagulants.
Got the rest of my green beans picked and canned….well except for the 500 or so I’ve picked in the last 2 days! Trimmed back the basil and cilantro again and have them dehydrated and ready to be jarred up for future use. Received my Foxfire books!! Been enjoying the first one, laughing out loud at times. Love the country accents they try to convey. Planted pigeon peas for the critters, bought 3 more cases of pint jars and extra lids. That’s about it for me…
Goatlover, My first doe gave birth to three bucklings last Sunday, and they’re all doing GREAT! This is the first time I’ve bred the other doe, Amy. Her previous owner (I’ve been told she’s honest and reputable.) said that she’s never had any trouble being bred and had twins last year. Amy isn’t near as big as the other one was. I believe Amy was bred later (I saw the buck on her. She would be due to kid on Monday.), but I’m not sure if she’s actually bred. She’s not that big. Her bag is a little bigger, and we did check and she has a little milk. I know this is difficult for you to answer since you’re not here. But is it still possible that she’s bred and just having one kid? This is only my second year with goats, and I’m still learning. I REALLY appreciate the help I’ve already received from you and others on our host’s sites. Thanks.
She could be pregnant with a single kid. Her udder getting a bit bigger is a good sign. I had one doe who snuck a single kid all the way through pregnancy without me noticing….keep an eye on her for other signs of labor. Yawning, pawing the ground, stretching, talking to herself. Good luck!!!!
Thanks. DIL and I were just in the barn, and doe is showing possible signs of early labor. I’m back on delivery watch.
I had 1, 3, and 9 of the Foxfire books. I bought #4 yesterday. Slowly adding to the collection and trying to buy them locally at a place we regularly stop when roaming through NE Ga – Mark of the Potter.
GA Red. Smart! Love the foxfire books
Jesse,
Have you ever used the recipe for from scratch black powder? It involves hog or other urine, sulfur, and powdered willow charcoal. It BTW works rather well.
Another week with not much in the way of supplies getting bought.
Free Stuff: bread,
More work on the storage room. Used all my small and medium boxes, so we went out and bought more. Found “Jar Boxes” on clearance. Bought file boxes for tax paperwork. Grabbed 2 ammo cans on sale.
With the new 9mm carbine, I’m getting the Colt 9mm ready for the next show. Traded for a couple of 10/22’s that are getting scoped with red-dots for the show too.
Got almost all of the details put together for the delivery trip south. It will be good to add some more cash to the stash.
We are loving the Monopoly game, we have gotten 2 tomato sauces, 2 french bread 1 Tuna, 3 gravey packets, and 2 bagels, 1 sour cream , all for free yipee…
mom of 3:
Last year was even better as we were stocking up on pasta and beans. They were on sale plus tickets. We got 204 on one trip alone!
JP,
Which carbine did you get?
I wanted the Keltec Sub2000; bit, those have been impossible to find, so I ended up with a CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1
Of course now Ruger has their new carbine in 9mm also.
Soe many guns; but, so little time and cash, LOL.
TOP:
I got the Ruger PC Carbine.
Guys guys guys !!
Why not the aero survival rifle very reasonable cost and many features such as take down ….and switchable caliber