I'm Baack...

We just got our connection to the WWW back.  Our wireless modem had bit the dust and we just replaced it.  Nice to be able to get to the google plex via the kitchen table.  Connecting from the office via cable and radio to a mountain 17 kilometers away just seems like, well, working.  From the kitchen table it's more like the before breakfast or during lunch break.

Like most projects putting up the acre of pig pasture fence took a lot longer than I originally anticipated.

The Forman was constantly in my face:

 Some of my co-workers spent a lot of time napping on company time.

 Fortunately company showed up and was immediately pressed into service.

This fellow doesn't live very far away, but right now seems more interested in gleaning the remnants of a poor Saskatoon berry crop in preparation for the Winter nap.

A lot of wire, but so far no bears have made it in or pigs out.. Some dogs and a cat or two have had a rude surprise - but only once..

 Of course, the Porkers, always interested in the project were more than willing to help.  I put a single stinger wire in their pen to train them before we released them to pasture.  Didn't take very long.  Now they won't get within three feet of the fence.

Now the pig's get to roam all over.  They are really enjoying the Lambs Quarters and the juicy dandelion leaves.  They now have a wonderful wallow.  The barn behind will be used to expand the herd, leaving the current quarters for a sow and piglets.  Hopefully.

One of my Next projects.  Stove in, Stove out .  And in the middle somewhere a tile job for it all to sit on.

 You know your front lawn might be a tad high when a five horse power 24 inch rolling weed whacker has a hard time getting it down to a well groomed height of four inches.  Maybe time to invest in a hayer.  Or at least a couple of sheep.. But I'm getting ahead of myself..  Oh we have Plans!

We have found a new source of Organic feed for our pigs and Chickens.  At 130 bucks for an 1100 pound bag of three way:  oats, barley and wheat, it's reduced our feed costs by 400%.  A welcome stretching of the budget.

We're gearing up to get in 15 cords of wood to last our fires through out the winter and spring.  There hasn't been a single month this year we haven't had to have the heat on.  It's just been a wet, cold summer.  A great year for hay, however.  The local farmers have been having a field day - if they can get it dried out before bailing.

The problem is I managed to wang my back earlier this year and have been suffering from Sciatica.  I finally broke down and went to see a Dr. and Chiropractor who bent and twisted me, gave me some exercises to do, and I seem to be back on the mend.

This year we are going to mechanize as much of the process as we can.  Using a skidsteer to hold the logs at a comfortable cutting height and a large dumping trailor to bring the cut wood down to the house.  Should be a lot easier on the back than humping 15 cords of wood into a pick up truck, back out and loading it into the wood bays. Hope springs eternal..

The trees have started to change colour.  The underbrush was yellow a week ago.   Time to get the pre snow chores complete.