Homesteading is something husband and I have talked about in length over some time now. At least seriously over the last 4 years. First we weren't sure if he was saying in the Army, but once it looked like we were going back to the US, we started talking about it more seriously.
I always have loved plants, and I've always been shit at keeping them alive. Ha. Well, the inside ones anyway. But, while we were in Germany I had the random urge to buy a cherry tomato plant, that came with tomatoes already on the vine! Whatever, I don't call it cheating, I call it "using my resources"!
I really think that was the first step in the direction of wanting to try and do what we can to provide for ourselves. I was in contact, of course, with friends back in the states and I had a friend who got chickens. That made me want chickens SO badly! So, I started doing research.
When I do research it's like a giant rabbit hole down into Wonderland. I come across some page that makes me open 7 new tabs and each of those tabs has several links that I must open to save for later reading. So that brought me around really to figuring out something like homesteading was what I was really interested in.
Now to the point.
Homesteading is important to me because...
It gives me something to do every day. You see, I struggle with depression among other ailments and some days I just don't want to get out of bed. But with my homesteading, I have animals. I have 22 chickens, 3 quail, 3 geese, 4 ducks, 2 rabbits, and 2 dogs - I have to get my ass out of bed and care for these creatures. I have to. There's no way around it. They rely on me to care for them to the best of my ability, and I really go above and beyond for them.
Animals are what makes my world go 'round.
Animals are what I care about, they're my passion. I can seem to feel what they're feeling and figure out if they're happy and healthy. Having all of these creatures around me brings me so much joy I can't even begin to explain to you the way it really makes me feel deep down inside. Animals are what I am meant to do. I am just meant to be around them and care for them.
Out here, I have the opportunity to get almost any (legal) animal I want. I am around nature all of the time, and I investigate it. I learn about it at length and try to benefit the nature around me and make it fit into my homestead, rather than trying to exclude it.
Homesteading is more than just providing for yourself.
It is also about being a good land steward. Being a good land steward means taking care of your land in a responsible way and taking into consideration the wildlife around you. This is a big thing for me on my homestead. I want to provide a sort of safe haven for beneficial creatures (obviously I'd like to deter predators... and ground squirrels... lol). I want and need the nature around me.
There's just nothing else out there for me.
I could really go on and on, and maybe I will add to this some day and make another post. But this is what has come out of me for now.
Thank you for this great prompt that got my fingers typing furiously, @kiaraantonoviche - Go read the challenge and tell us why homesteading is important to you!
Photos by me using my iPhone 6s, unless stated otherwise!
Check out my most recent Steemit Posts.
- It Was a Double Yolker!
- Suicidal Chicken...
- Four New Little Lives. I almost lost one... TWICE!
- First Quail Egg! EGGCITING!
Blog Series
- Nature on the Farmstead - These posts will be educational and informative about the nature that happens on my farmstead. Look forward to posts about wild animals, birds, wildflowers and plants, insects, and more!
Badges by @daddykirbs and @allforthegood!
Hey there friend. I too have suffered with depression since my 20s and you are so right about animals giving us routine and IMHO unconditional acceptance (love). Often times that is something we don't get from people. Glad you shared that part of yourself and this very fine post. 👍🏻🐓
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Awe thanks friend!! I appreciate you taking the time to read and even stop to leave a comment! <3 Thank you!
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Thank you for sharing why you do what you do. :)
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Thanks for taking a moment to read and comment!
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If you would like some inspiration, try this link to my sister's farm. It is truly a beautiful place.
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My wife also struggles with depression and anxiety issues at times. It's hard for someone that doesn't have the issue to understand what it feels like. It's very draining on someone. Hats off to you for being able to take the focus off the condition and place it on doing something like taking care of animals. Keeping the mind focused on daily duties does help some. It's a daily struggle and it sounds like you are mastering it! :)
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Believe me, my husband doesn't understand and that's a whole battle in itself. It's hard to even explain to someone. It takes a toll on the marriage as well. But we are both in it together and I truly believe we both do our best to help each other. Marriage is HARD. Haha.
I do have to remind myself tho, it is okay to take a day off and have the other half do some work too. ;)
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Really nice post and a great insight into your story. I agree with pretty much everything and see you guys are just going to get more cozy as time goes on and systems evolve (no doubt with the help of the blazing inferno of awesome that is Steemit to help melt and illuminate issues as they come up) And regarding the Blues, and how I can twirl it back into homesteading..... There are some amazing plants that work wonders on mood and mental health. I'll mention 3. Rhodiola, a beautiful flower you could actually grow yourself works as a mood booster and energizer, but with no crash.... you just feel clear, up, and good. For no reason, then it tapers off, but it;s nothing fancy. The root is what is used and you can make a tasty tea out of it (homestead goals years from now) People say Rhodiola is like St John's Wort but better. That one is also great for focus, you can read and write for a hell of a lot longer before spacing out... actually spacing out becomes optional in a way. The other two, which are life long buddies and the mood boost is a tiny side effect compared to the anti-aging, immune boosting properties..... Reishi and He Shou Wu. Super safe, tonic herbs... But you have to take them regularly, but after 2-3 months you start to feel less normal human being and more 'i can't imagine getting sick or bummed out like normal mortals, HA HA HA" yeah it's like that. Plus you can grow them yourself. Just a thought/blither
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Oh this is much more than the blues or being bummed out.
I'm working on getting a base line and am in the process of getting off prescribed medications.
I do take ginger and turmeric supps and I do believe they help a lot. I'll have to look into those other plants. I'd sure like to feel immortal. ;)
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I recommend just listening to people's experiences with Rhodiola on Youtube. It's pretty cheap to try. The wikipedia page is ummm, surprisingly sparse with info, but I think it is because it would endanger big Pharma's monopoly. People shouldn't know about it, right? The others are more of a long haul, but worth the journey. The He shou Wu affects your neurotransmitters. Stops em from getting burnt up so they stay in your brain, partying.... you just end up feeling good all the time, for no particular reason. Maybe I just write an article about Mood, Brain boosting plants and stop blithering here.... Been thinkin about it for a while. Oh and I just joined the Slack group! a whole new world
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You should, with details and pictures!!
I saw you there!! Better chat with me there! It's muh place!! haha.
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Sweet! I can finally take my bra off! And I Will definitely do an article due to the slightest prompting. Just did a quiet health related one so something Big flashy and click baity I think is in order, ya know, for balance. See you at da club!
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Also, Ironic that you got no love from Jerry but this very post was just mentioned! https://steemit.com/curation/@jerrybanfield/upvotable-6-the-first-steemit-posts-i-read Full circle. Well done!
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Woooo bewbs. Haha. Yes, I will be very interested in reading it. I don't know why, but I haven't taken the time to even look up these plants you speak of. So, I wont, and will wait for your post!
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That's what I'm here for, I am also a very visual learner so it'll be with vids n all. Alright I bang out the one I'm on now and get started on that. Cheers.
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Alright, just make sure there's pictures and text, cause I am not a huge video watcher! Haha. I'm weird. Gnnneehhh Haha.
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Hello @farmstead happy seeing you had made a great choice you & your husband.
Can you see the picture you have taken . I can see a stretch of land with nothing blocking sun rise & sun set you need to hold on that ....a great picture by the way.
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We are having a problem, haha with this gorgeous view. We need more trees but... we cannot block the sunset/view AT ALL. I refuse! haha.
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Use large trees around the house , close to each other , if you have a garden grow them around the garden behind the fence ...what it does is give depth ..IE makes your garden look bigger as your eyes don't see the end of the garden.
Contrary to vast space keep them far apart scattered at the edge ,so when you see them v .far & small you are humbled & you will appreciate the space you have.....with out blocking anything.
@farmstead will you consider helping me & give me an advise about my last two post's
... i didn't think much about them i just wrote what's on my mind . Using some pics i had.
Thank you.
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Behind the fence is where the chickens live! No garden there! Hehe. The garden will stay within my "backyard" space. But we've only just moved here in Dec. 2016, and everything is expensive! Eeek. So I am hoping that Steemit can sort of help in the long run.
Sure I will go take a look and see! :)
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Great post! Having to go outside when you don't want to can really change a mood, too. :) i can relate to researching and going down the rabbit holes! I get sucked in every. Single. Time. Lol But everything is so interesting!
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That is true, especially when there's blue skies and not a cloud in sight! Haha.
Those tab rabbit holes are brutal. Once I notice my computer starting to think too hard, I have to do some culling. Hahahah
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What an AWESOME entry! I'm so glad to hear that homesteading is reducing/helping to manage your depression :) You have a BEAUTIFUL place there, WOW, what a piece of Heaven!! Cool too that you are really in sync with animals. Cute ducks too!!! D'awwwwwwww......
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It definitely helps in more ways than one! The routine is important also! Routine also just keeps me sane in general.
Yeah they're cute, but MAN. They are not fun to brood! Disgusting smelly things. Hahaha.
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Looks like you've figured out how to keep those smelly guys from f***ing up their water!! I guess the rest of their messes can't be helped though eh? Not enough straw in the world..
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Hahah Well, they do have a tote that I drilled holes in the side as their drinking water. They will fuck it up no matter. Because they like to dunk their foods in it. Haha. But at least they have a source of water that they don't shit in. They also have a kiddie pool that they swim in. Funny enough, it took them two-three weeks to stop being skeptical of the kiddie pool and swim in it! Dummies. Haha
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Ooh that's interesting, I didn't know ducks dunk their food before they eat it!
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I think they just like to do it for fun. ;) Haha But they do need water to clean out their little beaks and noses and stuff. :D
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Ahhh well thank you for all the information. Do you keep ducks for eggs? Or food? Or just for fun?
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No problem! If you have any more questions just ask! :)
The ducks and geese... hmmm mostly for eggs I guess. Haha All the birds I have are potential food but it will take me a while to get to that point!
The quail's, as soon as we can get to hatching and stuff and is sustainable, intended purpose is my first meat bird. Eeek
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Ps! I've really enjoyed chatting with you!!
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Wonderful article! You have been entered into the challenge - thank you!
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Glad it passed for entry. ;) hehe
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Homesteading is important to me too! I love your reasons for wanting this lifestyle. Keep it up!
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Thanks! I will! Until I can't anymore, I suppose. ;)
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HAHA i just responded all excited about having this great idea that all of us homesteaders should do our own version of this post and then i scrolled back up and saw that it's a challenge by @kiaraantonoviche haha. Well, you inspired me to join the challenge ( :
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Hahah I actually saw that and tried replying to it! Lol
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Right on! I finished mine a few hours ago. Looking forward to reading yours. :-)
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Your post reminds me of my farmer buddy. He is well into his 70's and keeps buying more land and more tractors lol. I truly believe he would rather be on his farm in his boots than any other spot on Earth! If it gives you a reason to smile or get out of bed, go for it :)
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He sounds like someone I want in my life! Hopefully he's got back up plans. But really, I hope he lives for another 30 years and is able bodied enough to do his farm chores and enjoy it. <3
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It must be great to wake up surrounded by nature and all those animals. You could maybe create an avenue of trees either side of the sunrise or sunset. That might work?
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That's something we're trying to work on. We've got some trees planted, sad... little trees... Haha, we REALLY need wind break out here. So we're trying. I've been thinking about hybrid willow, but always the question is if I can get water to them effectively.
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You could always sink a borehole. There should be water around there. It looks quite lush.
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I live in the desert! Hahah
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Beautiful post! Would you believe I just filmed a video today about how crazy it is we grow grass instead of plants we can eat? Love that you are focusing on making lif beautiful around you because many American lives are depressing at least mine was at many times! My mom was in the Army and we lived in Germany near Ramstein from 1997 to 2000.
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Wow that's great! We lived in Southern Germany, Ansbach/Katterbach - Loved it. Do you remember your time there?
Thank you for putting me on your list and commenting. I really appreciate it. If you're in for a laugh, you should really read this post. My really terrible experience at trying to get these quail in a different cage... Oh man.
I will have to look for that video whenever you get it up. Myself, I am a fan of lawn. But, also plants! My dog really prefers to poop on grass... so there's that to think about. Hahah. I kind of feel like a little bit of a traitor for liking lawns so much. I guess if I had to pick between a lawn and a garden, I suppose I'd have to pick garden! But really, one can definitely have both! :D
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Great post! It must be so wonderful to have so many animals around. It's great to have such a purpose in life.
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I guess it is a purpose, huh? I never really felt like I had one. Ha. You make a valid point, it does sound very purpose-y. Haha. :D
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I couldn't agree more!
One of my fave posts of the day!
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Really!? That means a great deal to me! Thank you !
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It's beautiful 🐣
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Thanks for sharing. We too are or were an Army family. Thank your husband for his service to our country.
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Thanks to your's as well!
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Good for you, your homestead is your therapy and salvation to a world without your depression. Natural healing. Thanks for sharing.
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Wish it would get cured from it. Maybe one day!! Once all systems are in place! Thanks for stopping by!
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I'm happy to have found and follow you now.
I'm loading up on following homesteaders, as I'm just getting started in Panama. All tips track and recipes are gold for me.
Read you soon :-)
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Having a good reason to get up every morning, even when you don't want to, is a rather good thing.
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There's also just something about the animals. They always make me smile. And you can't care for them and be grumpy! They feel it!
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TWO Thumbs Up for Your comment here...Thank You 4 sharing.
Cheers !!
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Awe thanks!! <3
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True! They know when you're grumpy.
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Sorry to have missed the payout period on your post! At least I can upvote an active comment!
This homesteading challenge is great for getting to know each other. Keeping animals on a homestead requires such commitment and dedication! You have a diverse group that you are taking great care of! I can see how they would keep you going. I appreciate your emphasis on being a land steward, too. That's a key thing for me, too.
It's nice getting to know someone on the other side of the Cascades. You are my Steemit neighbor! ; ) Enjoy every day on your place there in the high desert!
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I was trying to see if there were any other Oregonians by using the search but most talk about just traveling to Oregon! Haha are we behind the times as a whole? Lol
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Hey @farmstead, I'm getting around to congratulating all of us lucky winners of the Homesteading Challenge. (We won, all of us won....! Never mind the price. At least that's how I feel.) But in the end it's all about making connections, especially with those participants whose posts I haven't read and haven't connected with. Still, I didn't want to exclude you. Nice article, by the way. Looking forward to your next ones!
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It was a great thing that she did to bring us all a little closer together!! Thank you!
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