My Young Lion

Zander and Kai are both "blowing their coats." Before we had them I had no idea what this meant... and then I saw it happening. So. Much. Fur. Everywhere. I had to brush out Zander's beautiful mane.. and now he looks like a young lion.

My young lion. Baby face.

Unlike most dogs who just kinda shed all the time, Zander and Kai only shed twice a year and when they do they "blow," or lose, their stunning undercoat all at once. Some nordic-style dogs have this kind of amazing double coat which allows them to enjoy the cold and be mostly water and snow proof. But when it comes out... it all comes out a once. So much brushing.... and it looks like the dog exploded.

Of course there is opportunity for hilarity. I brushed out Kai so it looks like she had a tiny little waist. Then I only brushed out her back quarter panels so it looked like she had a tiny little bottom and skinny legs and a huge chest. It's kind of like how you can groom a poodle in funny shapes.

Tribbles. Tribbles everywhere.

The one great thing is that Zander's undercoat is light brown/grey so when it comes out he is back to being mostly black. Now he's sleek and black and shiny...and very hard to see at night. Except for his teeth. That's why we call him The Black Death.

Today I'll be working on brushing Kai out with one of these. A normal brush can't handle this task but one of these is perfect. It's kind of funny to say you have to "rake out the dog" but this really works.

I usually brush her out in one of the gardens. All that fur from a big dog will scare off the bunnies... Or we do it out by the gate to keep the stupid neighbor's dog away. The other day we thought we still had some snow on the ground - but it was just Kai fur everywhere.

We don't use the FURminatoron Kai and Zander because it doesn't do a great job with their double coats... but we use it on Dog#1 and Dog#2....and also for Nicholas. Yep. We furminate the cat. Don't worry he loves it. I wasnt convinced about the cost of the FURminator until I saw it in action. But - wow! It really does a great job on our "German Shedders." And it makes them look all sleek.

Today I'll have to stop styling Kai into funny shapes and brush out her mane. She doesn't have as much of a baby face as Bubby tho. I hope all this brushing means that spring is here!

Happy Tuesday everyone - are your raking out your dog? Any body else have dog hair tumbleweeds everywhere?


Editor's note: An extra special THANK YOU to the folks who have been using my Amazon store or that black Amazon search box at the right side of the page. Really - thank you so much. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support and every little bit helps. I can't see the customer information so I never know who uses my store. While I can't thank you personally...I"ll send hugs and thank you's out to everyone. 

Remember, anything you buy from Amazon by clicking on these links gets me a tiny percentage of the sale. If you like this blog, or if I've helped you at all in your farming efforts, just make a purchase from Amazon from one of the links, my store, or the black Amazon search box on the right side of this page. You can buy anything - hopefully something you need anyway. 

Maple Syrup Cooking Set Up

I know there are some folks who are trying out maple syrup making this year so I thought I'd give you a quick look at our set up. There are a million different ways to do this - but this is what works for us.

 How fun is this? Cookin' the M.

As a quick reminder, here is how we do our taps. We had about 15 gallons of sap as of Saturday so got our fire going while we butchered chickens - talk about a real farm day! And it was finally warm enough to be outside without being in a heavy coat and hat. In fact, I was in shorts - finally! But then I got cold. Good thing we had the fire going.

 Our campfire set up. Note the block in front keeps the fire in.

We set up this campfire in the gravel by the house. It is just 9 cinder blocks I dug out of the junk pile down in the woods. I used an oven rack from an old stove and then some racks from a old (and well used) gas grill. I have some pots just for cooking syrup - so I don't feel bad that they are blackened and for outside use only.

We made a quick fire with kindling we had for the inside wood stove and then tromped down into the woods where we had plenty of well aged pine. Pine!?! Are you purists shrieking out there? Yeah well... sure it might give a bit of a smoky taste to the syrup but we like it and we have a ton of pine that otherwise would go for making burn piles for "whatever." Plus the pine makes an extremely hot and fast fire.

Use a colander and cheesecloth to strain the sap. I'll strain it again before it is finished in the house.

After we bring the buckets of sap up from the woods we strain it thru a big colander and some cheese cloth. Then we set the pots to boil. Unfortunately we got a late start on Saturday and then I also had a late-start-cook-fire on Sunday. I checked it this morning and we probably have about 3 quarts of sap-syrup that can be finished in the house. Unless I get at least 10 gallons of sap from yesterday/this morning then I'll finish the first pot of sap outside.

Why not just cook it down in the house?  You can. We don't. We don't have great ventilation in the kitchen and you need to boil down 40 gallons of sap for 1 gallon of syrup. Based on the sticky film I had to wash off last year.... we think it's better to cook it outside. Plus how great is sitting by a cook fire watching the poultry peck around?

But I will finish the syrup inside, that is, I will do most of the boiling outside but then when it starts to look rich and brown I'll transfer it into a new pot and bring it in the house and cook it on the stove until it is syrup. To do that you mark the temperature when it starts to boil - and then cook it until its 7.1* higher than that. Isn't that amazing? A higher than boiling point freaks me out a little - it's like daylight savings time. I know it exists and I go along with it... but I just can't figure it out. Unlike the time change, real maple syrup doesn't make me mad. But I digress.

How fun in this? Yep. It's worth it.

This is such a fun project that everyone should try it. The big question I get is "is it worth it?" Is it worth what? Learning something new? Having free food right there in your own trees? Working together to do a fun project? Relaxing around a fire? Effectively using otherwise useless already downed wood that is crapping up your woods? Imagining yourself triumphantly glazing an amazing ham that you grew butchered and smoked yourself with your own maple syrup?

Ummm.. yep. It's worth it. Plus at this time of year you desparately need some kind of victory to get you thru the last part of winter. There's "nothin' doin' " anyway and everyone needs to get outside and do something. So for us it's totally worth it.

Happy Monday - who's cooking the M today?

The Lands of Ice and Snow - The Last Parting. Part Five.

Kai could not sleep the night after the bear hunt. She looked at the white bear skin across the camp and her heart still pounded as if she was still in battle. My Fighting Uruk-hai Princess BearKiller. She had earned her name. Her mind raced and her blood was still hot from the kill.

She had managed to bring the old boar bear down before it got to open water – just as Bandit had instructed her. The kapvik – the wolverine companions and Bandit's personal guard – had flushed the bear from its den. Kai and Bandit had fought the bear and then allowed it to run.

“Kai! Kai! Let it exhaust itself! Steady your pace!” Bandit had called to her but Kai knew she could bring it down. And she did. Bandit held back her kapvik and the bear was truly Kai's own kill. Her name, BearKiller, she had earned it. Proudly. Kai couldn't wait to present the bear skin to her father. It was a lavish gift and proof of her status. No one would doubt her now or call her a pampered palace princess.

Kai looked over at Bandit. The older one slept fitfully and coughed in her sleep. Kai had worried about Bandit this last few weeks. She had developed that cough and looked tired. Kai would not shame the older hunter by asking about the sickness. Pointing out a weakness was forbidden among the BearSlayers but Kai could not help but worry. On Bandit's bad days they would rest and Kai would tell her Col Ti's war stories and tales of his glorious victories. Kai knew the Bandit still thought of him.

Now they would begin their journey home to the Good Land. Kai longed to stay in the Lands of Ice and Snow. Just thinking about the oppressive heat and humidity of summer make Kai think that maybe she should stay in the wild open land of her Ancestors. But she could not. She had a duty to the Good Land – and she wanted to be with her father. How proud he would be of her!

And her mother. Kai wondered if OFG even thought about her. When they first left the Good Land Kai wondered if her mother would make a fuss over their farewell and maybe embarrass her in front of Bandit. But instead on the second day OFG simply halted the column in a large clearing, looked at her, and said, “Be well, My Fighting Uruk-Hai.... come back when you have earned your name.” Then her mother turned her mount, yelled for her officers to redress the lines, and the company moved out. Kai watched her go...OFG never even turned around.

It was not until Kai was very old that she realized that leaving her to her fate was the probably one of the hardest things her mother had ever done. At the time Kai thought maybe her mother didn't care that she was leaving but then she saw the incredible gift – the freedom to follow her own path unencumbered by guilt or obligation. Kai was free.

Bandit whimpered in her sleep. Kai would be glad when they were home. She would make sure the Healers took care of Bandit. They would administer their potions and then Bandit, her sworn sister, would be well. Kai would give Bandit the best quarters and everything she needed. The older hunter would be restored to full health and soon she and Kai would be sparring on the parade grounds, patrolling the Deep Woods, and hunting together. Kai would always stay by Bandit's side.

Kai looked at the kapvik sleeping around them in their camp. She had a flash of dread – what if Bandit in her weakened state could not control them? Kai could fight off one, maybe two of them... but not the whole company. The kapvik were deadly. Even after all of this time together Kai still did not know how Bandit captained them... other than their immense respect for her hunting skills and that Bandit's name was legendary. It was no matter – Bandit was well and she still controlled them.

Kai slipped off to sleep thinking of the look in that boar bear's eye when she delivered the killing blow. She was a BearKiller.

They journeyed south to the Good Lands. Slower than when they first arrived but they made good progress. Kai could feel the change in the air. There was a warmth on the wind even though they still crossed miles of ice and snow. From time to time Kai could hear the ice cracking at great depths below them. More frequently now they changed their path to avoid the shifts in the ice.

Bandit's hearing, even at her age, was so much better than Kai's. Kai laughed and thought about her friend Cowboy and his unlikely companion, Otto. If Cowboy were here he would make a game out of hearing the ice crack – he'd hear it before Bandit and would tease her for sure. Maybe when they got home and got Bandit settled Kai would ask for permission to visit the House of Ehren to see her friends.

They were crossing a frozen lake. Kai could tell they were getting close to the tundra and leaving the ice. The birds were different now then they were in the White Bear country. She could almost catch the scent of exposed ground and trees but that was many, many miles away. For now the frozen land stretched out and Kai could hear a river. The sound of running water was strange to her ear after all this time on the ice. She happily trotted along listening to the mix of bird calls, the wind, and the water. The sun shone bright on an impossibly clear sky. Kai couldn't be happier.

Later that day they approached a kind of flat area. To the south the wide river ran wild from under the ice they were crossing. It crashed against the bank on the far side, made a hard turn, and roared downstream. Kai could smell grass now, and trees, perhaps some elk. Tomorrow they could...

Bandit muttered something just under the breath. “What Bandit?” Said Kai as she turned her head to see some of the kapvik moving quickly back the way they came. Bandit stood looking at her. Sadness was in her eyes.

Kai was about to ask Bandit what was wrong...but then a huge explosion and the ice cracked under their feet. Kai jumped back and scrambled to catch her footing. One of the kapvik pulled her further to safety. Bandit stood looking at Kai as the ice fell away between them. Kai gasped. “Bandit! Bandit! Quick!”

But Bandit was giving orders to the kapvik in a language Kai couldn’t understand. Kai didn't know what she was saying but she knew that Bandit was threatening them.

“Bandit! Bandit! Quick! You can make the jump! Quick!” Kai urged. She could feel the ice sheet she and some of the kapvic were on start to become unsteady. She looked around and could see they were being pulled toward the river.

“Bandit! Hurry! You can jump just there and meet me on this side!” Kai was starting to panic. Why was Bandit just standing there? Her heart started to pound. Maybe she should jump to Bandit's side but the ice was moving too fast...

Bandit was shaking her head. “No Little Kai. This is the end of the journey for me. From now on you go alone.”

“What? Wait! No! Bandit! What are you saying! You can make it! BANDIT! ” Kai's mind raced not understanding what was happening. The river was louder now and they were moving further away. If Bandit didn't hurry the distance would be too great and they would be separated.

“I cannot go with you, Little Kai, and you cannot come with me. I am going to the Land of the Eternal Hunt...”

“NO!” Screamed Kai, aware that she was starting to shriek. She was crying and being held back by the kapvik. What was happening?

“... You know my time has come, Little Kai... I must leave you now. I cannot come back with you.”

The ice along the river was beginning to buckle. Further north they could hear it collapse.

“No. No, Bandit. I'm staying with you. I won't leave you! I'll come around to you...”

“Kai. What have I always taught you? Look ahead see that you are headed down the river. What do you see?”

“What?” Kai wiped her eyes and looked around wildly. She could see they would float on the ice sheet for quite a distance and then land on the other side. The ice up steam was falling now and joining with the river. There was no way back once the river pulled them away. Now that the ice was breaking up there would not be a way to return to the Lands of Snow and Ice until the next cold season.

“No.. Bandit... no... don't leave me. Please...” Kai was sobbing now and her voice was breaking. This couldn't be happening. Kai had it all planned out – they would always be together. They were sworn sisters. She had her place by Bandit's side. “Please.. don't...”

Bandit's eyes and her voice softened. “There is no way back for me, Little Kai. You cannot come. Would you deny me one last glorious hunt? Would you keep me from our ancestors? For what? To die in bed away from this Land of Snow and Ice? You cannot ask that of me.”

Kai had stopped struggling now and the kapvik had released her. The distance between them was too far and Kai could see there was no way back. In a crush of feeling Kai realized it was true. She could not get to Bandit...and she could not hold Bandit back from her path. Life was unkind and this was the way of things.

“There is one thing, Little Kai, that I would ask of you.”

Kai pulled her self to her feet. “Anything, Bandit, anything... what can I do?” The ice sheet had moved so far away that Bandit was now a small figure on the far side.

“Tell Col Ti... perhaps... if we were younger...” Bandit's voice trailed off.

“I will, Bandit! I will.” Kai was still choking back tears and cursing herself for acting like a child. But she was overwhelmed and could not control herself.

“Be well, My Fighting Uruk-Hai BearKiller, my Princess!”

And she was gone. Kai watched as the small figure of Bandit BearSlayer turned and trotted off until she disappeared from view. Kai collapsed in her tears and grief. Bandit was gone.

The next few weeks were a blur. Kai was deep in grief and before she realized it they had traveled a great distance. The kapvik were more and more surly and they refused to hunt with her... and most of the time regarded her with hate. She knew that they were honor bound to Bandit... but Kai was not sure if they would kill her or not. They resented her – that was obvious. None spoke to her and they kept their own camp. They stopped helping her carry the huge bear skin. Kai bore it alone. After a while, one by one, the kapvik disappeared. Kai assumed they went back to their homelands.

The smaller party continued roughly along the route they had come. Soon they were in a great forest where it seemed the rain never stopped. Kai was still in her grief. She was sullen and the root of despair grew within her. When she slept Kai dreamt of Bandit and with her every waking step Kai lamented their parting. Her heart was utterly broken. Bandit was gone. Her sworn sister, her hunting master, her friend... gone. There would be no more hunts, no more nights around the fire, no more instruction on the ways of the BearSlayers. Kai was alone.

One night Kai awoke with a start. She was sure she heard one long, low howl. She knew it was Bandit and that she had gone to the Eternal Hunt. “Why wouldn't you let me stay with you, Bandit?” Kai was flooded with great sadness knowing that Bandit had died.

They continued traveling.

Kai neglected her hunting. She had lost the joy she felt. Not long ago Kai had everything she ever dreamed of... “And now look at me.” She thought as she lay down that night. Here she was alone and miles from home. Bandit was gone. She pulled her tail up around her nose to keep warm, like Bandit had taught her, and tried to sleep.

When Kai awoke in the morning the kapvic were gone. Now she was really alone. She was thin from the long journey and her coat looked awful. She had also developed a limp. She was a far cry from the very picture of strength she had been on the ice. That seemed so very far away now.

Kai looked around her small camp. The huge, white bear hide was soaked and mud stained. The incessant rain would not let up on this long journey home. She looked at the hide despitefully. She would give up a thousand hides if she just could be back with Bandit. She had earned her name but at a terrible price. “This whole journey was probably just a waste of time.” Kai thought. She wondered if she should just leave the hide so she could travel more easily. She could...

Her head snapped to the side. Something was out here. She could barely hear footfalls. Her large ears pricked forward as she tried to detect any motion. Kai's nose quivered but she was on the wrong side of the wind. She readied herself as best she could for the attack. There could any number of terrors in these woods. Vandals, robbers, thieves...

Suddenly the bramble in front of her shook, split open, and a huge dark shape crashed into the clearing. She crouched to strike when...

“Hi Kai!” It was a familiar voice.

“Zander?” She was dumbstruck. How could her brother just appear out of the bramble? She was still many days, weeks more like it, from home. It really was him. Tall and handsome, Zander was grinning at her.

“What? How?” She stammered.

“Oh come on, I couldn't leave my favorite sister to wander around in these woods.” He said. “Oh hey, is that the bear hide? That's fantastic.” He pushed past her giving her a playful nip on the neck. “So I guess you really are a BearKiller now? I can't wait to hear the story.”

“But..” She was still utterly confused. This did not seem real.

Zander swung the huge hide over his shoulder with ease. “Come on, let's go home. My camp is not far it's...” He stopped chattering. “Kai, you look terrible!”

“Yes, I know I...” Kai's head was spinning. Her brother... her beloved brother had found her here in the deep woods. She blinked hard to make sure she wasn't seeing thing. But he was still there when she opened her eyes. He was smiling and looked dashing, as always. “Zander... I...”

He looked at her softly. “Tell me all of this later when you are rested. Guess what I have at my camp, Sister?” Zander said as he readjusted the bear hide bundle and started back the way he came. “Roast pork!”

“That's my favorite!” Said Kai following him. Her heart was lifting.

“I know. You should be able to smell it soon...” And the pair moved through the woods completely unaware they were being watched.

Well away from the clearing and hidden, the big man exhaled loudly. He closed his eyes and thanked the heavens that Zander had found Kai, his Princess daughter. He rose from where he had lain that night and turned toward to the north making his way through the underbrush.

“Finally!” Thought Gato Diablo also rising from his hiding place as he glared after Kai and Zander. Finally they could go home. That girl... that accursed Princess. They had been tracking her and her infernal party of wolverines for months. They had traveled to the accursed Lands of Snow and Ice.. and across the accursed tundra...and all over the accursed North. The cold made Gato Diablo's demons shriek louder and he was half wild by the time that other accursed BearSlayer sent the equally accursed Princess on her way down the river and back towards home. Gato Diablo hated all of them. Every single one of them.

They had been away hunting when the Princess left the Good Lands. When they returned the big man had angry words with that... that woman... his mate. Gato did not care that the woman allowed the Princess go to on some fool errand but still here he found himself... trekking across the snow and ice following Kai's every move. The big man was always watching the Princess from afar, protecting her, guarding her.

They had spent months concealed in the ice and snow always watching, always following her. She was a foolish, foolish girl. While the big man rejoiced at her hunting prowess Gato only wanted to go home and away from the snow demons screaming in his head.

Gato turned to follow the big man to where they had left the enormous, unnamed horse tied to a tree. He was glad to have the horse back. At least Gato could rest his weary feet. When they were first tracking the Princess they left the magnificent animal with a family in a small ruin of a town at the edge of the tundra. They promised a horrible death to everyone in the village if the horse died or was sold. The big man made his point quite clear. When they returned the horse was thin but well. The people barely concealed their anger beneath their fear. They were even more thin than the horse as they had given much of their meager rations to keep it alive.

The big man rewarded them well. He gave them directions to a cairn three days walking to the north. In it were riches beyond their wildest dreams. Meat, pelts, precious metals.... the meat alone, properly stored, would last them at least a year. The pelts from seals, otters, caribou....and the slain kapvic were worth their weight in gold.

Few could kill the wolverines... but the big man and his bow, Harbinger, had no problem with that task. Especially when the kapvic started to murmur among themselves about killing the Princess. Kai, lost in her exhaustion and grief, had never known the big man stood watch over her every night – from a distance, of course. When they made their move the kapvic never knew what hit them. The big man picked them off one by one and made sure it was done silently. He made sure his Princess was safe – just as he had always done. Silently watching, guarding, protecting her as he concealed himself in the shadows.

But now... now they were finally on their way home, thought Gato Diablo. Finally he could get some relief from the cold. He would visit Moose the White who would give him a mug of rich broth and administer tonics to silence the screaming demons inside his head. Yes, that was it. Moose the White would say the healing words and set him to rights. Gato Diablo caught up with the big man and in a smooth motion leapt up onto the enormous horse. Gato settled himself inside the big man's cloak. Yes... he thought.. Moose... Moose would set things to right. And he was asleep.

Editor's Note: As always our Adventure Tails are not entirely fiction. Bandit was well loved by my very dear friend. Bandit was an amazing dog and had ice-sky-blue eyes. She passed away last summer and went to the Eternal Hunt. While we praise God for all of Bandit's years of friendship...we are even more grateful for my friend "SavingDogs" who takes in our canine friends and finds them homes. And sometimes she keeps them for her own pack. 

You can find the entire story of Kai and Bandit and their bearkilling ways here. Kai says she will be so happy to meet Bandit in heaven - the hunting will be.... glorious. 

Sap is running.....

No time to talk! The sap is running... and I gotta go catch it!

I don't have a good pic of the sap today. So here are Kai and Zander, The Shining Light of the Realm and The Black Death.  We'll finish up our story of the Lands of Ice and Snow tomorrow - stay tuned!

What a thrill! For the next week (at least) it's going to be freezing and night and in the 40*'s and 50* during the day. I can't wait to bring up the sap buckets and start cooking it down. We had one issue yesterday - one of the bags we set up fell off the tree! Drat. We lost some sap but thankfully (??!!) most of it was still frozen solid. I'll be keeping an eye on that today. We couldn't tell why it fell off the tree - we might not have set up the handle correctly.

The best part... I get to finally be outside. The Winter That Won't End looks to be winding down. I'm ready for a big rain and for spring to start!

Happy Thursday everyone - do you have your trees tapped? Do you have enormous dogs in your living room?

Needs and wants and.. why are we doing this?

Someone posted this article in Grit Magazine the other day. Every once in a while we have a "why are we doing this again?" moment. Sometimes it's hard to put into words why this makes sense....and cents... to regular people. Mostly folks just look at you like you are out of your mind and wonder why we are doing this farming thing.

Barnyard brawl in ... three.. two... one...

But then we go to the grocery store and see the sky high food prices or hear of someone else who worked their entire life, retired at the appointed time....and promptly became disabled - or worse, flopped over dead before they could "enjoy" their life. Sometimes I feel like we are cheating the system because we are (mostly) happy now. Is everything perfect? Nope. But we kinda feel like we are doing what we want and not what someone is telling us to do.

Every time I think that maybe I should just get a "real" job I think of that 100 mile round trip commute I'd have to make everyday and it just seems ridiculous. The article's author does the math here and it's pretty much what I keep coming up with also. Plus I keep thinking about what he says here, " You can live free with less, or you can sell your soul to your “conveniences.” "

Sometimes I get weird comments from people. I think maybe they have an idealistic view of what our life is like... even tho you know I'll only tell you the truth about farming.  Frankly I wish I had that idealistic life that people imagine. I wish I could leisurely get up in the morning, go out to singing birds and sunshine everyday, see adorable goats and cute chicks all happily enjoying life in the Peaceable Kingdom... But that's not what it's really like.

I've been up since 4:30 in the AM. It's currently 6* and when I head out for chores it will be like trying to control a kindergarten full of flying monkeys. That tom turkey took a swing at me yesterday, the geese tried to kill me, Zander tried to kill the geese, and the goats got out. The truth is, all of them goats will be lucky to make it thru what's left of this never ending winter because I'm mighty hungry for a burger and all them ridiculous goats are on my last good nerve.

We live toward the lean side so I'll be spending today making sure all of my time and resources are spent wisely, so not one second of my time and not one ounce of flour or feed or food is wasted.

Maybe I'll dream about getting up late - you know like at 6 or 6:30am, putting on a clean shirt, having someone else fix me a plate of food, sitting inside in a cushy office all day, and planning my next trip to Maui. Sometimes that sounds pretty good too.

 My Chief of Staff, Little Mo. Decidedly cuter than any other assistant out there.

Whatever your definition of comfort or convenience is.... I can tell you one thing. The staff meetings around here are far more interesting. Failing your performance review... or "meeting expectations" of looking tender and delicious ... pretty much means you'll be the star of a special dinner in your honor.... if you know what I mean.

Here is a link to the book mentioned in the article, Creating the Low-Budget Homestead

Happy Tuesday everyone! Are you wondering what makes sense and what makes cents? Have you done the math?


Editors note: See that is an affiliate link. No, I have not read that book but it's now on my list. Check out that guy's magnificent beard!

Project Goals: Hoop House Green House

I'm beginning to get concerned whether spring is ever going to show up with this infernal Winter That Won't End.  Sure last year we had snow about this time but we also had some warm days...and the year before that we already had some real spring days. But it isn't looking like we will have warmer weather for a while. It's making me anxious to get the growing season going. So I believe this is going to be the year of the hoop house. You'll remember that my pal, Bourbon Red has a couple of them. I figure I can put one together, cover it with heavy duty plastic and call it a green house.

Look how big and roomy it is. Perfect for a greenhouse.

Unfortunately the original instructions link for "how to" is now dead so I need to look around for another set of instructions. The best I could find were these easy steps here. Altho I will build the wooden frame first and affix the panels on top of the rails as indicated below. And this guy did a terrific job with a really fancy version.  Here is what I learned from helping Bourbon Red with one of his hoop houses:
------------------------------------------------------------------
(From original post here)

This project was 10x12', used 3 16' panels for the hoop part, a couple of horse fence sections for the end, a tarp for the cover, and a door made of materials on hand. The cost of goods was about $200 and was really pretty easy. You'll need a miter saw to make a couple of 45* cuts and I'd suggest using deck screws to put the whole thing together (I never nail because I usually rip everything apart at some point). Get a sack of zip ties, some of those heavy duty fence staples, a helper, and you are in business.

If you're short like me the hoop houses are big and roomy enough to walk around in without bonking your head. And you can really fance them up with perches...

and nest boxes.

Five gallon buckets make great nest boxes.

You can use this method to make a hoop house of any size. These big ones can be pulled with a tractor as long as you go slow so you don't run over your birds.

A couple of things I learned about the construction are:

* Use zip ties to secure the hoop panels side by side for additional support.
* Using standard size lumber, the hoop roof will be slightly longer than the base...which is great - you have a slight overhang -- thats the end for your door.
* To make the hoop, secure one end of the panel loosely on the top of one of the rails with those big fence staples, then gently walk toward the base with the other end of the panel (the panel will arch up to make the hoop roof), and have someone hold it in place on that second side rail while you whack in the staples.  Then go back and secure the staples on the first side.

Closed end. Turkeys happily popping all around.

Door end, see the over hang?

For smaller birds you probably want to run chicken wire on the inside of the hoop to keep them in... or to keep predators out. We are pretty cautious so we'd probably lock our birds inside a permanent structure (coop in a house) at night. But I know folks who don't. If you are concerned you could run hot wires/electric mesh around the yard as extra protection.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Instead of perches and nest boxes for the green house I'll set up some easy to move tables for my seed starting materials. Also if you check out that guy's video you can see that he built some really great work surfaces with more cattle panels.

Hopefully I'll be able to get this project underway - as soon as the snow clears out. Even if I can't get some seeds going I'll just be glad to have somewhere to go outside. Maybe I'll just sit out there with the barn cat and a couple of chickens and soak up the sun.

Happy Monday everyone! Anyone else looking to build a green house this year?

Lands of Ice and Snow - Kai Learns the Ways of the BearSlayers. Part Three

Kai's long legs stretched as she ran, she felt the strong North wind on her face, and saw miles and miles of glorious open country before her. The clean fresh air, tinged with the scent of snow, the call of the ocean birds in the far distance, and the luminescent blue sky of the North felt like home.

They had been traveling for weeks now. After leaving her mother and the company that rode with them Kai, Bandit and her kapvik skirted the shores of a great lake. They passed thru miles of dark forest and high places. They journeyed across vast grasslands.

Kai had grown strong in their travels. Her shoulders broadened, her legs strengthened, and her coat grew in thick and warm. She felt her pulse quicken and her senses sharpen as the air grew colder and the plains widened.

The hunting was..... glorious. They freely pursued large herds of unknown herd animals, they caught enormous seabirds, and perhaps the most surprising of all - the sleek, limbless creatures that swam like fish but were rich with blubber and meat. Kai was dazzled by the array of game and the ease at which she and Bandit hunted together. Every hunt was a success and the next was even more magnificent then before.

Kai was eager to learn Bandit's hunting techniques and she hung on the older hunter's every word. They devised spectacular tactics and diversions to ensnare even the wiliest prey. Then later around a warm fire they toasted their victories and discussed their stratagems until deep into the night.

Traveling with Bandit was everything Kai could have ever hoped for – she shadowed Bandit and quickly learned the ways of the BearSlayers. The Princess thought she had learned all she needed to know from the older hunter. Until one day they happened upon the largest hoofed animal Kai had ever seen.

Unlike the deer and elk that Kai hunted in the Good Land, with their pointed antlers, this large beast had a kind of a scooped set of horns. They spread wide and were solid. They were like a large fan on each side of the enormous animal's head. Kai and Bandit looked down from the ridge where they were watching the animal.

“Wait here, Little Kai, and watch.” Said Bandit and then she was gone with several of her kapvik. Vait heere, Leettle Kai, and vatch... Kai loved Bandit's exotic voice and could listen to her all day...even if the older one still called her “Little Kai.”

Kai watched as the hunting party fanned out. After a time Bandit approached the great beast. Kai noticed that Bandit had waited until the wind was at her back...but why would she make such a mistake? Kai watched intently.

At first Bandit just circled the animal, then she leapt in snarling and snapping. The beast swung round his mighty head as if to bat away a fly. Bandit danced easily out of its way. But then she sprung again this time grabbing the beast by the hind leg. Enraged it howled and thrashed its huge, scooped antlers. To Kai's horror Bandit was sent sprawling backward yelping.

“Bandit” Cried Kai and jumping up from where she lay in hiding.

One of the kapvik grabbed her roughly by the shoulder and jerked her down again. He motioned with his eyes. Kai followed his gaze.

But all Kai saw was Bandit limping and whimpering as if to get away from the huge beast. Emboldened, the moose swung its massive antlers again. Bandit darted out of the way but she screamed again and this time was holding her leg at an awkward angle.

Kai had to get down there and save Bandit. This was too much – she would not lie still while her sworn sister was savaged by that giant beast. She was about to make a run for Bandit when she saw faint movement just behind the great prey. There! She saw it again and could barely make out three of the kapvik slowly making their way toward the beast.

Focused on the wounded Bandit the great moose was completely unaware of the death bringers just behind it. As one the kapvik hurled themselves onto the moose. Bandit too, suddenly healed of her “injuries” grabbed the wailing animal by the throat. And then it was over.

The kapvik beside Kai suddenly ran down the embankment and the Princess followed. By the time they got to the battle site the beast was utterly slain and the kapvik were feasting.

Kai found herself laughing as she ran. “Bandit! Bandit” She said, “I thought you were hurt. Truly. I was sure you were going to be killed!”

“Ah... my Little Kai. What am I always telling you? You must always look ahead. These moose are huge but they are not without weakness.” Bandit's jaws were red from the blood of the fresh kill.

“You give them a little victory and that is all they can see. That is your advantage, Little Kai. You don't always have to attack every enemy head on. Learn to look ahead. Use your opponent's weakness as your strength.”

The heady scent of blood and meat was making Kai's mouth water. She nodded her understanding but was looking past Bandit at the carcass.

Bandit stopped Kai before she started toward the feast. “Kai, you did not participate in this hunt. You may not join the victors. You must wait – you know that.”

Kai winced, feeling chided but then nodded again. “Of course. Please, Bandit, go ahead and eat. I'll wait here for you.” Kai sat down feeling foolish.

Bandit trotted back to the fresh kill, took a large piece of flesh from the neck and brought it to Kai. “Here Little Kai, you did well today. I was wondering if you would be able to hold your position.  Good thing I left one of the kapvik with you.” Bandit raised an eyebrow and her blue eyes sparkled.

Kai flushed – the older hunter had seen! Bandit could see that Kai was ashamed.

“You are learning the old ways, Little Kai, but you must also learn to control yourself. You lack discipline and that is your lesson today. Listen to my teaching and trust the old ways. Now eat – a small snack for now? We'll make camp and I will tell you how I first learned this hunting strategy. You'd be surprised at how many prey will fall for a false retreat.”

Bandit smiled widely and the fresh snow-scented air blew thru her coat. Suddenly Bandit threw back her head and howled into the wind. Kai did the same, their voices singing the old song of glory. Behind them the kapvik continued their feast until the sun had nearly set. 

Editor's Note: We started this Adventure Tail here ....but the story really began here....New readers may find the back story here. It's now easier than ever to find our hero's adventures in one place - the Not Entirely Fiction link on the top of this page.