Green Acres - Part II
Good morning everyone, and again, thank you all for your support.
I've having a hard time with words, ie not using expletives, with how I'm feeling. It's F-King wonderful! I haven't had a flair up of my normal neuropathy in a week and one day, I can hardly believe it. The lack of extreme stress and a heck of a lot better diet I'm sure has a lot to do with it.
I've moved to this place called Alchemy Alcove. One of the permanent residents calls it, "The land of misfit toys".
I do feel a deep sense of gratitude to these people. One must come highly recommended, and then voted by the owner and the other permanent residents to be accepted into the community.
I've never lived on a county road before. 
Gigi had fun on the way out sight seeing. She had never been in a car longer than 20-30 minutes, and only a ride to the vet. So her memories of riding in a car, were not that favorable. lol.
I set up her kitty liter box in the back, and food and water on the floorboard behind the front passenger seat. The only place she was not allowed to go was under my feet while I was driving. I just couldn't keep her in the kitty carrier for over 2 hrs, it seemed like it would be cruel.
Plus she cries like she's being tortured when ever I have put her in it. (I'm such a wimp for cats).
I think the lady that owns this place is from Alaska. She and others have been working the land, building the community over a decade. She lived in Hawaii for 3 years in a fricking tent. She is one resilient person. But she has that kind of attitude, "the world is round, we'll get there eventually". If we don't get it finished today, we'll chip away at it tomorrow.
After cleaning out this place, I was worn out. It was about 6 inches deep with leaves.
We take the left over foods, that the dogs don't eat and place it on top and let the chickens finish it off. Anything left we take to the compost pile(s). There's a couple.
Everything get's recycled or reused.
Every place out here has a "story" behind it. The little cabin I'm living in was built for the owner's two sons when they lived out here. Its "The Boys Cabin". She spent last winter making wood signs, using one of those word burning tools to engrave the titles of each location, cabin, trailer, designated area.
That structure on the right side in the image above is called the "Cordwood Outhouse". I think there is a 3-5000 gallon septic tank, and of course the water is well water.
I'm still learning all the names and stories behind all the structures and designated locations.
The weather has been quite mild. A bit windy at times, but that just makes the wind generator generate more electricity, which keeps the batteries nice and full.
We use a combination of solar, wind and diesel generator to generate electricity for our "luxury camping" as the owner describes it, and propane for cooking and heating. Of course the diesel generator needs it's repaired gas tank re-installed. We'll have to install that next week I reckon.
It got a bit nippy the other night, down into the high 30's, low 40's, so I learned how to install the propane tank, route the hose through the side of my cabin and hook it up to a little space heater, so Gigi and I didn't freeze.
I can't believe it, my truck passed inspection out here. Heck, if I had known all I had to do was get a few hours outside Dallas, where the counties can pretty much do what ever they want, oh man, the years of always being on the look out for cops. The "weariness" of worrying about it all the time, zaps you!
The local town near by is definitely Trump country. When I was getting my truck inspected, the sign on the front door said, "No masks needed or required". Even though at the Dollar General store the sign said "Masks required for Entry", there was me, the store clerk and maybe one other person wearing a mask. What is life without a risk of COVID?
I forgot all about the holidays, Easter and such, so everyone in town and in the county are praying it up at the smorgasbord of local churches. There like 10 or more for a town of less than 3900. I was hoping to get my truck registered here in the county so I can get new inspection & registration tags tomorrow, but I'm not sure anything will be open, well at the county level.
Oh, I think SnoopDawg mentioned something about a rooster in a comment in my previous post. Well, funny story. They had a big black and red rooster out here, but it was old and cranky, and kept attacking some of the ladies that were staying out here last weekend, and one of them killed it, cut it up and cooked that fucker for dinner! I could have sworn it was chicken... It tasted good...
We have wild plum trees out here.
I don't know all the horticulture terms for things yet, but I think this is a wild plum flower?
Of course we have the neighborhood tom cat, Link. He is aggressively, affectionate. I've already tripped over him like 5 times, because he will try to walk between your legs while walking. And of course he knows Gigi is here and wants to meet her...
He is about 15-20lbs and it's pure muscle. He's is a doll. He'll get in your lap and just nuzzle the heck out of you. He wants to be scratched. Head, ears, chin, neck, he loves it.
I took Gigi out when I first got here and all she wanted to do was lay in the sun light.
We've been exploring 2-3 times a day, but we never venture very far from the cabin. Sometimes we just sit and listen.
For me, I'm enjoying the peace and quite. For her, she's learning all the new sounds of this country living (luxury camping) life style.
Comments
Sounds great RR
Similar to my scene. I think the decrease in noise from urban to rural life has a lot to do with the sense of peace in the country.
Keep us posted on you new adventure. Our wild plums are thorny and I avoid them on the tractor. They are in the rose family.
Welcome to rural life!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
@Lookout Thank you, I appreciate
Thank you, I appreciate it. I'm really enjoying it. But, we also have mesquite trees, most have been cut down but they keep growing back. As you can see, I have another project for next week, killing these...
I'm supposed to cut the new growth off and then drill holes into the stumps, fill with rock salt and then cover the holes with wax, so rain or other elements doesn't erode the rock salt.
I'm learning all kinds of new thing to rural living, and I'm actually loving it. (Except the bees and wasps lol...)
C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote
Homesteading is a lifetime learning project...
...at least in my experience. Enjoy the journey!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
@Lookout Right now, while the
Right now, while the weather is mild, I'm loving it. We'll see how much I love it when it gets hot.
I truly am enjoying learning all the new ways to do things, as well as all the "little" things that need to be done daily if not every other day. The hens lay eggs almost daily.
C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote
In hot summer we do early and late
in winter it is inside stuff then and outside at midday. Everyday is something different and that keeps it interesting.
I bet your cat Gigi will adapt better and faster than you might think. We have plenty of coyote and our cat fared fine. Bobcats are really more problematic because they can climb trees too. But cats are smart they hang close when need be.
Wish you both the best!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Welcome to country life
I love the name Land of the misfit toy! When we had our place in Smith Point Texas, that was what we called it mainly because of the cast of characters that lived down there. The place I have is considered country living but am afraid that Austin is spreading out so it will not be long before there are stop lights and civilization here as well. Enjoy while you are learning how things can be done in the country.
Love the shot of Gigi and her harness. What a cat!
Life is what you make it, so make it something worthwhile.
This ain't no dress rehearsal!
@jakkalbessie My friend Denise took
My friend Denise took this picture and I think captures Gigi's true essence. Brush me, feed me, laydown so I can lay on you.
It's going to be a while before she acclimates to this country living. There are things that will actually eat her out here. Coyotes are my main concern. There's a pack or two around here somewhere. We hear them from time to time at night, especially with the full moon.
(I swear I don't know why that image went sideways???)
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sideways photos
the way around that was to slightly crop all images you post. I don't know why that fixed the problem when I did, but it did. Found it out when one I cropped posted upright. Wow. Easy peasy, Ms. Beasly.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
@snoopydawg Thanks, I'll try it.
Thanks, I'll try it.
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Wondrful cat!
excellent owner, images, and info too
Do you have a backup generaator --
in case the local utilities decide to cut off service for whatever Texas reasons they may have? I was Facebooking with people who were in the polar vortex thing...
“One of the things I love about the American people is that we can hold many thoughts at once” - Kamala Harris
@Cassiodorus The only city/county
The only city/county "services" is mail and trash pickup.
But yes, we do have a diesel generator if there's no sun or wind and the Solar batteries get drained. Oh, another thing I gotta do, re-fill distilled water in the solar batteries.
And finish installing the gas tank on on the generator, which is next to our main water pump station that goes to about 320 feet.
Good thing I've been waking up at 5-6am, I'll have plenty of things to before the sun rises, around 7:30 ish everyday. I'm certainly learning just how out of physical shape I really am.
But on the bright side, I've got the time and plenty to do to get back in shape. 
C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote
Hola rr
Thx for the update. So happy for you.
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Say no more....
the rooster is on its way. I thought of all of you this morning when the damn thing woke me up at 5:30. Again. I have enough problems staying asleep and mornings are usually when I dream and that damn cackling, croaking lil man across the alley...Oh if I could....
Did y'all always say 'reckon' or it that new from arriving there?
Best news evah!
I bet your mood is soaring! For those who have never experienced neuropathy it is the most insidious pain imaginable. Ever had the dentist touch a nerve whilst drilling? It is like that on a larger scale and it doesn't stop when he does. I have had it for 5 year now and in the afternoon I am plum worn out from it.
Kudos for your new life. Great to see the photos from the place and so happy that Gigi is content to be where you be.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
@snoopydawg I reckon I use "reckon"
I reckon I use "reckon" infrequently, but it's not new. But in my more "political" essays I've tried to use it less and less. But out here in "country land", I certainly am using more I find.
Helps me fit in with the local yocals. I left my pointy toed cowboy boots in the storage unit in Dallas, which at some point I'm going to have to deal with. Those boots would not work out here. Goodness, they would be terrible for me.
I did get some "jungle" combat boots at the Army/Navy store before I left Dallas. I was hoping to find some good, used combat boots with the full leather all the way up, instead of the jungle canvas material on these but, no luck finding a good used pair and the new ones were like 150 bucks. These were brand new and only 29.95.
I'll take those, thank you!
C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote
Oh my heck your boots
I betcha they are....just showing some of Utah slang. But it’s cute when someone slams a hammer on their thumb and gosh darn it to heck and back. That hurt! Yeah I betcha it did. I can always tell someone is from here by their slang words. Maybe we can figure a way to get the mesquite limbs transferred here. I love them in plants or just stand alone decoration.
I’m confused. Is that the outhouse or your cabin?
Utah broke every record with the heat. Above 80 at the airport was last seen in the 60's. Others from a few years ago. Cooling down 20 plus degrees tonight and tomorrow, but i was able to move my bonsai trees outside since it’s not getting below freezing anymore. One group in a pot spent the winter just inside the back door where it stayed cooler. They are blooming already. I just wish they were the tree I wanted. It’s shaped like the Keebler elf tree. So cool and old. I can’t tell what kind they are.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
@snoopydawg This is my tiny cabin
This is my tiny cabin...
C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote
@snoopydawg Maybe a high powered
Maybe a high powered pellet gun would do the trick on that Rooster.
(snark)
C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote
DON'T tempt me
It’s really annoying. And obnoxious. Do people even think of others when their yard makes noise? Same with dawgs barking all night and I’m a few houses down. Imagine what it’s like just outside their window. Yes I do wear earplugs. They don’t make them like they used to. Open to suggestions.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
RR, save the mesquite limbs you cut down.
Mesquite is excellent for grilling, and can be sold to make the place some $.
You are gonna have to do something to keep cool during the heat of summer.
I am happy about your improved health, and that you can still get back in shape.
You should be able to make a fire pit, put some wire, such as the wire shelf from an old fridge, and grill over that.
Take care, pal!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
@on the cusp We have multiple fire
We have multiple fire pits. Heck many of the members spin fire and are apart of the Council of Magical Arts.
I was busy cutting out the bag worms on our wild plum trees and putting them in the fire pits.
Windows or photoshop is giving me a hard time this morning...
I swear I re-oriented this image like 3 times and each time it uploaded incorrectly.)
C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote
Fixed...
the pics for 'ya.
@JtC Thanks!
Thanks!
C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote
Congratulations RR. It looks like a great place to be.
A few questions and suggestions:
Is the male cat sterilized? I had a neutered small female one, who began to show up cut to ribbons. We found out just a few doors away, the people had a very human friendly male cat. But not sterilized. He would take on anything that moved.
Our cat was attacked so many times, she was called zipper cat from all the stitches. The vet said the males are killing machines unless operated. And that our cat would not survive another attack.
I was married to a pirate at the time. So he took things into his own hands. I had to get the mister out of the county and went some distance to do it. But the cat, who did not die, wouldn't come out anymore.
The vet said they were trying to pass a law because of the lethal behavior of male cats. Just check to be sure.
Is your gas heater vented? We've had some experiences with unventilated gas, and it can be a serious set back to health if you are breathing any exhaust.
How to you shower? Hope it's warm and that you have plenty of water.
Your block garden is about the best there can be. We had six four by eight in the US just like the one you have there. Easy to create a greenhouse and make great dirt.
It's so good you have a place and a group of people to be with, and a society you can contribute to.
A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.
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@Dawn's Meta I'm not sure if Link is
I'm not sure if Link is "fixed", but will certainly check on that. I'll also have to check on his brother Loki. Loki doesn't run around much. Heck, I haven't even taken a picture of him.
Yes the gas heater is ventilated and I crack the window just a bit to allow fresh air into the cabin. I only run it to get the cabin really warm, and then turn it down to where only the pilot light is on. And then turn that off before I crash for the night. Then I turn it on in the morning to get the cabin warm for Gigi.
That's funny, I was a pirate married to a wench! (My 40th birthday!)
We have a shower in the back of the owner's house with an instantaneous water heater.
C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote
One cautionary note, though,
with respect to the "Misfit Toy" moniker. We wanted to call our place something involving the words Misfit and Toy back when we had a little money and some property and were raising critters to sell, and I made the mistake of registering an internet domain name for us with those two words in it. Huge error. Within the week, I was the proud possessor of a growing stack of cease-and-desist and show-cause orders from attorneys for the estate of Burl Ives, demanding compensation for violation of their trademark. Trust me when I say that they do not fool around, and that you want no part of them.
It appears to be fine to use the name informally. But attempting to engage in trade of any kind with it, encapsulating it in publicly-visible, tangible form like a domain name, will bring down a rain of lawyers and blue-jacketed court papers second only to pissing off Disney.
We had to give up the domain and the name, and agree to not attempt to use it again, to avoid some pretty dire court proceedings. It seems like no matter where you go, there are humorless people with a lot of money just waiting to dance on you.
I'm glad to hear that things are going well, and don't mean to be a downer. Just keep that in your back pocket in case any cottage industries arise within the group: it might help avoid some pitfalls in picking a name for them.
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
@usefewersyllables Oh, I don't think they
Oh, I don't think they would use that phrase, but good to know, and thank you for the heads up.
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