Ontario Back Woods

Ginger (because I am), Bush (because of where I live), (Bugs) Bunny (I should have made a left at Albuquerque). I have traveled far and wide in my time,...How I ended up here is something I ask myself regularly. Once young and Beautiful, I am now Crone, more than a Half Century Old. Yet, I remain an Artist (MA), a Mother (of 1), and Historical Reenactor (37 years). I moved to the country long ago, to heal from the madness,... to raise my daughter without fear. A small parcel of land, in the Back Woods of Ontario. It's back to basics; winter wood, goat milking, free range eggs, etc., subsistence farming, a lot of elbow grease, blood, sweat & tears. No dishwasher, no A/C, no TV, no Cell phone, no Tweets. I "converse", yes, actually speak to people. So if you "Follow", expect an honest t'goodness exchange, a "Conversation", I want to know your mind. My daughter is grown now, a Person first, not defined by her gender, but by her deeds. My creative spirit is a beast who, when unleashed, dominates my entire being. It has been sleeping, hidden away,...It stirs now, wakening, sniffing the air, catching a scent, ... There is something a foot.

[gingerbushbunny]

Would have really liked to.....

show you all our very first meal in the rocket oven, but all pics upload sideways and would have broken your neck trying to view.

[gingerbushbunny]

Burning out the basket weave of my newly constructed Rocket Oven

[gingerbushbunny]

Haying Season on my Homestead, 360 bales from the bottom field

.

[gingerbushbunny]

Business as Usual

Ta Da!!!

Been sitting here for the last 20 minutes trying to load a few pics of the Ol' Homestead...and not a one found its way...So, business as usual, unable to do much other than; blah, blah, blah.

Haven't been on in a long time... and absolutely nothing has changed, still can't load one damn pic!

Now that I'm in a pissy mood, and on a bit of a rant, I suppose this will load...(Luck of the Irish).

But more importantly:  HELLO MY TUMBLR FRIENDS, MISSED YOU MUCH!

I will endeavor to upload pics of my time away from you...but on another night.

[gingerbushbunny]

A sad day 

14 years ago I saved this lovely creature from starvation.  She was the runt, the last of 3 born to one Nanna, there was never enough milk left for her.  At 3 weeks old I brought her home and bottle fed her, she grew and thrived and followed me every where.  We called her "Cuddles" because that what she did, she would cuddle up to you looking for a kind word and a soft touch. 

Severely arthritic, she had great difficulty walking and it was obvious she would not make it through the cold of this coming winter.  With great trepidation, I helped the Vet put her to rest, on this mild day, before the coming of the Cold and the Snows.  

I held her head, caressing her brow, talking to her.  Finally her legs gave way, and she gently fell to the ground as I held her.  Still holding her head as she lay, I remained with her till her last breath.  

Goodbye old friend, my faithful and loving "Babe", please forgive me. But this is kinder than the dark cold bite of Winter on old bones, no longer having the strength to fight the cold, or walk the deep snows, suffering a slow and unrelenting demise.

This is the part of farming I hate, having to say goodbye.  There is no easy way around it, and I cry.  If it can be quick, its better than hanging on too long, watching a slow and painful death because we haven't the courage to release them.

[gingerbushbunny]

Very soon I will have to let my mare go on a lease, but as you can see the paddock is a real mess.  

Her time away will give the chance to clean things up, clear rotted posts and wire.

[gingerbushbunny]

"Pumpkin" at 6 weeks

[gingerbushbunny]

"Pumpkin" just hours old

[gingerbushbunny]

New additions;  Coco and Chanel.  Just 6 months old, they will be old enough to breed in November 2014.

[gingerbushbunny]

30 minute page loads

Well, I've been here trying to load pics for 30 minutes, and it's a NO GO!! Damn frustrating.  

Will have to wait till traffic slows somewhat, which means I'll get rallied to the bottom of the pile at 2 am.

This technology is supposed to be so easy...HA!

I have to badger for weeks to get the camera back with my pics...

Then days before I can load any of them

Makes it difficult to keep the train of thought

Solution!  Have a glass (s) of homemade wine, and see the comical side of having my "train of thought" derail.  This could be interesting.....

[gingerbushbunny]

"Freddy" prefers to stay on top of the situation, with a clear line of sight

[gingerbushbunny]

"Dandy" is King of the roost

[gingerbushbunny]

I HAVE PICS!!!

Home Sweet Home, we built this house.

(It's been months since I've successfully loaded more than one pic at a time, so... you guessed it, there will be several posts.

[gingerbushbunny]

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z

After my last post (the only one in a month) I realize just how damn tired I am by this time of night!  

Would love to chat, Z Z...visit, Z Z Z...ask questions, Z Z Z , but, Z Z Z,  just so... Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z 

[gingerbushbunny]

A pic is worth a thousand words...

But I have NO pics...want to hear the thousand words??

Been busy, crazy busy!

Daughter to friend;  "Mom is re-designing the garden... AGAIN!

Friend;  "O.C.D much Mom?"

Other stuff;

Dead Head seed collection;  Done

Winter wood;  IN

Key hole garden mound;  Done

Winter drinker hookups;  Done

Soil amendments;  Done

Garden mulching;  Done

Fire wood ramp;  Done

Water harvesting ground trough system;  Done

Rain water collection system;  Functioning, but needs finished if it survives winter Snows.

Miniature horses (2) have found a new home and loving it!  I miss them so!

Two new doelings;  Coco and Chanel, are adjusting well.

Mare and pony tolerating each other well...so far.

New chicks in the barn

New kittens in the barn

And so much more...

Daughter holding pics for ransom!!!!

I so hope to have something to show you... but when??

[gingerbushbunny]

For Tennessee bound

Hey, you may only be an 18 hour drive away.  Come check out Ontario!

For the life of me, I just cannot figure out how to reply or send you a message on your page.  Oh!  There... now I have a headache (LOL)

[gingerbushbunny]

Still Breathing

Just a note to All, that I'm still breathing, and getting much done.  The time for pics will be once all is taken care of.  Ah, such is life on the farm.