Quarantine 2.0 and a Grandson!

Here we are in the end of May.  Quarantine restrictions are being lifted in many places.  We initially stayed home for 2 weeks totally isolated.  After that I had to go back to work, and the kids stayed home.  

We managed to accomplish a large amount of work on the farm:

1) secured fencing around area by barn for a garden
2) removed 20 dead trees (cut and stacked wood for fire and burned brush)
3) bartered several piglets for tree work and a large water tote (300 gallons)
4) new larger pens for chicken and quail **Business prospect
5) cleaned and organized barn for addition to swine herd
6) Planted LARGE garden
7) Planted fruit trees

We have received about 15 inches of rain the past month.  Our pond is overflowing! It is always a joy to enter into the summer months with a full pond.  We have been letting the cattle and horses in the back pasture.  This will hopefully lower our water bill ( our well went dry, so we had to get on the local water system).  We have been watering a large amount of livestock, the garden, cleaning and doing a lot of laundry lately since we are home more.  

PH has been working out of town since January. Usually 4-6 weeks out then 2 weeks home.  It has been a little stressful due to store and restaurant closures.  He had a horrible experience at a military base out in El Paso.  They have been setting up FEMA camps in substandard conditions.  He has not been happy.  He has been home currently for 3 weeks, which while it impacts income, has been great for farm life.  I and PD#2 have hurt ourselves trying to do things we just are not strong enough to complete.  Even though we are in our 50s now, PH is still stronger than I am. Ha! Ha!  

We have had many new neighbors move into the area...this has caused us to allow the brush on our property to reclaim the land.  We are wanting more privacy, and the Huisache and Mesquite provide this in abundance.  So, the perimeter of the property along the fence is growing up wild again, and we are trying to keep the center tamed as much as we can. We have a large garden and have planted numerous fruit trees, and I am rooting grape vines to plant Wild Mustang Grape vines.  

It is funny about cleaning and organizing, you make a bigger mess!  We are trying to prepare for continued government regulations and additional quarantine measures for the fall, and continued food shortages.  

Planned home project schedules for the year:

January: Car repairs
February: Declutter
March: Garden expansion, planting, fencing
April: Land cleanup (removed dead branches and dead brush, clear some areas for grass growth/pasture)
May: stack wood, plant trees and bushes, chicken/quail pen, expand pig production, send animals to butcher, clean up laundry house area
June: Clean up barn area, burn trash, clean up land and repair fencing, clean front porch, fix screen, work on fuel storage, canning and food preservation, work on landscaping (
July: Succession planting of corn, etc.,, Add additional water collection on barn and back of house, split and stack wood for winter
August: Clean and organize kitchen cabinets and pantry
September: Clean, organize and repair container (level, roof, shower, storage) , Plant fall crops
October: Plant winter rye and oats for livestock, prepare location for Christmas tree seedlings, canning and food preservation
November: Clean wood stove chimney
December: Christmas preparations 

**News to share.  In late December our daughter and her husband celebrated the birth of their son.  He is definitely a cutie!  

Quarantine

Well, thought I'd write about this quarantine. Out here on the prairie it is quiet this morning. The fog is thick, making it difficult to see out into the fields. The sounds of the big rigs out on the highway is a distant hum of tires on asphalt.

Walked to the gate in the fog and mist, the sound of a mini rain storm falling to the ground from the branches of the Huisache and Mesquite trees. Unlocked the gate so that my father in law can get into the property. He is coming over this morning to plow a garden area for me...just in case this thing goes longer, I'd like food to be growing.

On the agenda today is working at the library for a bit to get last minute details of canceling the fundraiser completed, and take in some returned books.

Then back home to finish laundry, and hook up the HAM/CB radioes.

Also on the list this week is to find all the pieces to the meat grinder, get the loft ready for company, fill water containers, install water collection system, move the fridge to cover the front window, clean and organize kitchen/bedroom, plant garden, and care for livestock.

While, I am not worried about illness, I am worried about the government response, and the potential for economic collapse. Thankfully, we are pretty well situated and can be home probably until the end of the year.  So thankful we are self sufficient enough and incoming funds can be kept at a minimum due to having limited bills. 

Our county has no cases of the virus yet.  San Antonio went on "mandatory" lock down at midnight last night.  I do not know how mandatory it is with all the exceptions for work.  I am of two minds.  People should willing stay home to avoid any spread, and two it isn't the government's responsibility to violate liberties.

The talk on the news and online is all of new cases, and few deaths.  No mention ever of the 100,000 that have recovered. They thrive on the doom and gloom it seems.

No N95 masks available, though I find it hard to believe. Neighbors are sewing cloth masks for healthcare workers to wear over the few available. These at least can be changed, washed and sterilized.

Since we homeschool, we aren't affected by the school closures like the majority of others.  Maybe this will open the eyes of people and they will realize that public school is not necessary.