tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.comments2015-11-04T05:07:07.033-05:00Better Living DailyFreyadorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238317498812754806noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-69636562836678787442011-12-03T15:24:49.676-05:002011-12-03T15:24:49.676-05:00Hi Purdy, it's 14'x14'. However, if yo...Hi Purdy, it's 14'x14'. However, if you want to see more of it, I've pretty much moved most of my postings to a newer blog. www.HomesteadingMom.com. A few days ago, I posted some photos of the inside. We're also planning a few small additions once the 2nd floor is finished.Freyadorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238317498812754806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-77897664274008074112011-12-03T15:08:20.008-05:002011-12-03T15:08:20.008-05:00Hi,
Nice Cabin!
I was wondering what the dimensi...Hi, <br />Nice Cabin!<br /><br />I was wondering what the dimensions of this cabin were?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />MattPurdyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01734651397625405554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-11976341710104832132011-02-11T17:19:47.513-05:002011-02-11T17:19:47.513-05:00You make some good points about Russian queens - i...You make some good points about Russian queens - it seemed that they were better than gold but a decade after being imported, it doesn't seem like they have really been worth the while and research money. There was a recent review that came out about them, using citations from the ARS lab in Baton Rouge - <br /><br />"in spite of nearly a decade's worth of selective breeding and availability, Russian honeybees have not found wide-spread acceptance in commercial apiculture. Their importation and study represent a substantial investment in taxpayer money, but to date no Russian stocks have been shown to resist other detrimental factors including Colony collapse disorder and infection with Nosema ceranae. As such, the relevance of Russian bees to commercial apiculture is limited.<br /><br />Russian bee enthusiasts claim that they are gentle (not prone to sting), use less propolis than typical Italian honey bees, show winter hardiness (they hibernate in small winter clusters), produce a high nectar haul per bee, are more apt to building queen cells throughout the brood season, and may have a higher tendency to swarm. However, few of these claims are supported by peer-reviewed studies that have been published in scientific journals.<br /><br />Despite innate resistance to mite infestation, treatment with miticides is still required (and practiced) with Russian or Russian-hybrid stocks [7], [8]. [9]. A different USDA-ARS strain produced by the Baton Rouge Honey Bee Laboratory, "VSH" (Varroa Sensitive Hygiene), was shown to need far less chemical treatments for mites than Russians (1% of VSH colonies vs. 24% of Russian colonies) [10]. Therefore, 'VSH' strains may actually be superior to Russian bees.<br /><br />The claim of superior Russian bee winter hardiness (at least in US apiaries) is touted as a beneficial trait [11]. However, Danka and Beaman (2009) of the Baton Rouge laboratory found that un-fed Russian colonies actually lost bees (-16%) whereas un-fed Italian stocks gained them (4%) during winter months [12]. DeGuzman et al. 2005 [13] found no significant difference between winter mortality between Russian and Italian stocks. It is possible that the Russian bee's tendency to hoard food during winter months leads to smaller size [14] but also reduced health, resulting in mortality.<br /><br />Pollination ability by Russians or russian hybrids has not exceeded any other commercial bee strain [15], [16]. This is not surprising, however, as studies have revealed that non-genetic factors determined foraging ability during a comparison of Russian-hybrids and Italians [17].<br /><br />It should be noted that "genetic certification" of Russian Queens for commercial bee breeders is performed as a service by the Baton Rouge Laboratory at the expense of taxpayers [18], [19], [20], [21]. "<br /><br />I hope that either Russians improve or that better strains emerge.Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-26662423226118597912011-01-20T00:23:51.752-05:002011-01-20T00:23:51.752-05:00Ply that yarn and watch as it turns into beautiful...Ply that yarn and watch as it turns into beautiful, chunky "novelty yarn". People pay BIG money for that kind of yarn. I just spun 2 lbs of wool into "novelty yarn"....when I make that kind it sells faster than the super-smooth, perfect stuff I spin. And stop beating yourself up. Practice makes perfect...its all in your fingers, and once they "see" how the fiber is supposed to flow, everything will fall into place :).Rowan Spiritwalkerhttp://www.facebook.com/rowanspiritwalkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-15302702085221404182011-01-19T23:39:07.267-05:002011-01-19T23:39:07.267-05:00It is SO beautiful! It is my favorite castle wheel...It is SO beautiful! It is my favorite castle wheel!! Trade you my Majacraft!?Michelehttp://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/Heathen.Womannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-75814879963212605042011-01-18T22:58:36.914-05:002011-01-18T22:58:36.914-05:00I look forward to watching your journey with your ...I look forward to watching your journey with your new wheel!Michelehttp://www.facebook.com/Heathen.Womannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-66341081883952522872010-07-22T11:04:41.967-04:002010-07-22T11:04:41.967-04:00Cabin looks great Cat!Cabin looks great Cat!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13728261751926679649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-66330418394684963682010-07-21T13:12:15.469-04:002010-07-21T13:12:15.469-04:00It was good to see you too! Originally, we were t...It was good to see you too! Originally, we were thinking of heading up again in Sept, but once we got on the road, we missed the place so much that we're going to try to make it up there again in August. Now that progress started up again, it's all we can do to just pack the truck up again and head up there.Freyadorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238317498812754806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-17840990942380218212010-07-21T13:06:13.222-04:002010-07-21T13:06:13.222-04:00I stopped by yesterday to see what you got done - ...I stopped by yesterday to see what you got done - Looking good! I am glad that I got a chance to see you guys, albeit briefly, while you were up.Leif Weavernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-337481852948982742010-06-10T11:29:12.841-04:002010-06-10T11:29:12.841-04:00Thanks for the kind words. Did you catch my goof-...Thanks for the kind words. Did you catch my goof-up calling yesterday "Thursday"? That's what two little kids will do to a person. :) At least, I knew it was June 9th.<br /><br />Do you need recipes for borscht or pickled beets?Freyadorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238317498812754806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-56289935861797100242010-06-10T10:08:26.180-04:002010-06-10T10:08:26.180-04:00I have a pressure canner that I use for both. I...I have a pressure canner that I use for both. I'm willing to experiment with recipes, too.<br /><br />BTW- very much enjoying your podcast, especially the 9 June one. Thanks for re-starting it!Lorrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15051017990294691081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-83172138211336583292010-06-09T18:34:00.500-04:002010-06-09T18:34:00.500-04:00I was going to try making borscht with the beets l...I was going to try making borscht with the beets left over from making sugar. I will make pickled beets with the beets not used in making sugar. Both will be canned. Do you have a pressure canner, or are you doing a water bath? If you don't have a pressure canner, then you can't do the borscht, as that has meat.Freyadorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238317498812754806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-62051790641126661172010-06-09T14:50:04.765-04:002010-06-09T14:50:04.765-04:00How do you can the beets? Pickled, or what have yo...How do you can the beets? Pickled, or what have you? I want to put some up as well but am not sure what recipes to try, and am looking for some suggestions.<br />Thanks - LorriLorrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15051017990294691081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-77726619669192417122010-05-26T15:21:58.352-04:002010-05-26T15:21:58.352-04:00Thanks, you've given me a few things to think ...Thanks, you've given me a few things to think about.Freyadorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238317498812754806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-40643040006544387862010-05-26T14:43:23.812-04:002010-05-26T14:43:23.812-04:00Yeah, I'm not sure what the deal is with the D...Yeah, I'm not sure what the deal is with the DHS Explorer post thing, as it doesn't sound like it really fits in with the Exploring Program.<br /><br />As for the Authority Figure thing, I think I may not have been clear. Explorer Scouts are not in any way put into any unreasonable risk situations (or any Scouts for that matter). What they will do is be taught what it's like to be in the given career, and they will do safe drills with a real unit of that service.<br /><br />I agree with you about the types of drills you said were being done in that DHS Post.<br /><br />As for the "How many teens get in trouble due to peer pressure?", please allow me to counter with "How many of those were involved with scouting at the time? and among that number, how many held a leadership position of some sort?" I think you will find the first number of my question quite low. And the second number much smaller.<br /><br />Yes, teens are impressionable, but the scouting program makes uses of that to impress a good set of values, for example, the Boy Scout Law(at least in BSA): "A Scout Is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent." And that was from memory, after 10 years. And as someone pointed out to me many years ago, the three most important words in the Law are the first three: "A Scout Is".Kenzalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05801208286634991251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-40684890807432255202010-05-26T14:25:08.469-04:002010-05-26T14:25:08.469-04:00Thanks for the reply Kenzal,
Sorry to hear about ...Thanks for the reply Kenzal,<br /><br />Sorry to hear about losing your original comment. I would have liked to have read it. <br /><br />I agree about the SCA. When I've attended our local SCA gatherings, it can be very educational. It can also be very social as well, which is a good thing if that's what you're looking for. <br /><br />I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree about the age requirement being enough. Teenagers are notoriously impressionable. How many teens get in trouble due to peer pressure? There is also the whole power differential thing to consider as well... authority figure (parent, teacher, coach, doctor, etc.) vs teenager. <br /><br />I also have a serious distrust of long rage goals of Homeland Security. Their involvement in the Explorer program leaves a bad taste in my mouth. <br /><br />I do not see why Homeland Security needs to have a hand in developing drills, especially ones that depict American veterans as unstable. Anyone age 14-20 isn't going to be able to sort through what is propaganda and what is a legitimate threat. In fact, lumping such drills in with those to fight legitimate threats lends an air of credibility to such stereotypes.<br /><br />However, I am glad you cleared up the differences between the programs. The Venture program sounds interesting.Freyadorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238317498812754806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-50118769901312917882010-05-26T12:02:46.825-04:002010-05-26T12:02:46.825-04:00Well, I had a fantastic reply typed out, but the s...Well, I had a fantastic reply typed out, but the system returned an error and it got lost in the tubes. I suppose I'll sum it up because there's little chance that I'll be able to recall it all in as nice of words:<br /><br />- I was involved in Scouts from when I joined Cub Scouts at age 6 until I went to college at age 18<br />- I was in 3 different troops, the third being a new troop I helped get on it's feet<br />- I disagree with you on there not being much difference between the age groups for the primary reason that the youth ages in the Boy Scouts (12-17), and Explorer and Venture programs (14-20), combined with the youth-led designs of the program cause the scouts (youth) to crave the responsibility, and to carry out their jobs well, to prove that they can handle it. The scouters (adults), in a well run Troop/Post/Crew are there as advisors, and for assistance as needed.<br /><br />- My first "real job" (with taxes and W2s, not just mowing lawns around the neighborhood) was at our council's major camp.<br /><br />- Scouting is a great opportunity, and has something for everyone.<br /><br />- Exploring provides career based fun and learning, similar to JROTC (ROTC in High Schools), but with a non-military theme.<br /><br />- Can't wait until my son (currently 2) is old enough to join the local pack, as he will be the 3rd generation (my eldest uncle was a charter member)<br /><br />- In the mean time, he gets "socialized" by the occasional play-dates my wife arranges, as well as by our participation in the local SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) group, which can be as fun and as educational as you want it to be.<br /><br />Feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions about scouts or anything else for that matter, and I'll answer to the best of my ability.Kenzalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05801208286634991251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-6018072494910059622010-05-25T22:52:44.126-04:002010-05-25T22:52:44.126-04:00Thanks Heathen Sherri. It good to know people wer...Thanks Heathen Sherri. It good to know people were listening.Freyadorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238317498812754806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-85698591600404897072010-05-25T22:44:04.229-04:002010-05-25T22:44:04.229-04:00I certainly understand the reasons for the hiatus ...I certainly understand the reasons for the hiatus but I'm glad you'll be picking up the podcast again.CeltiaSkyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17326555033151147941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-91703742262381484352010-05-25T21:34:09.002-04:002010-05-25T21:34:09.002-04:00Thanks Lorri! It's funny because I'm rath...Thanks Lorri! It's funny because I'm rather critical of my speaking voice. But, a lot of people feel that way about their own voice. <br /><br />On the other hand, my singing voice I enjoy hearing. Go figure!Freyadorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238317498812754806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-48846247678501297322010-05-25T19:31:59.530-04:002010-05-25T19:31:59.530-04:00I enjoy listening to your podcast - you have a ver...I enjoy listening to your podcast - you have a very nice voice. I'm glad to hear you'll be re-starting it.Lorrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15051017990294691081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-49695779104362044012010-05-25T14:22:37.559-04:002010-05-25T14:22:37.559-04:00Thank you for clarifying the difference between th...Thank you for clarifying the difference between the programs. When I went looking, the sites I saw didn't do a very good job, and it seemed like they were just different names of the same program over time.<br /><br />I don't think that because the kids involved in the police-greared program are between 14-20 makes it any better than if they were say, 7-12. Teens are very impressionable. Coming from a military family full of veterans, and married to a disabled vet, it certainly got a raised eyebrow from me.<br /><br />What can you tell me (and other readers) about the other programs? I'm assuming that you had a good experience in scouting. Please feel free to share that.Freyadorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238317498812754806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-77949023355890291302010-05-25T12:02:44.349-04:002010-05-25T12:02:44.349-04:00Hi, as a reader of your blog, and a former Scout, ...Hi, as a reader of your blog, and a former Scout, I would like to make a few points. The first of which being that Exploring (as it was known when I was active in the Scouting programs), is a program that, while co-ed, is designed for the "Older Kids" (ages 14-20) and is focused on a career of some type (Police and Fire being the two most active kinds in my area). In the late 90s, the Exploring program split into two groups, one ( the kind mentioned above ), and the Venturing program, which is an outdoor-based co-ed program for the same age group.<br /><br />Venturing is kids climbing, repelling, backpacking, camping, SCUBA diving, rafting, etc. Not kids directing traffic at large events (what a number of the police Explorer posts end up having the kids do). I've got a few friends that are Adult Advisors for a local Venture Crew, and the do some fun stuff.<br /><br />So please, don't discount the entire BSA because you disagree one type of one section of the program as a whole.<br /><br />One more thing about Exploring (or Learning for Life, as I believe it is now known), it exists mostly for the kids that want to go into that particular field (i.e. kids who want to be cops join a Police Post). This is a fantastic opportunity for those kids that gets them experience in the field they want to go into, and puts them a head above other applicants should they decide to actually go into it.Kenzalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05801208286634991251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-73429087650235549712010-05-17T08:56:27.449-04:002010-05-17T08:56:27.449-04:00Here in Virginia it's illegal to sell raw milk...Here in Virginia it's illegal to sell raw milk, at all. You have to own the cow to have raw milk. One dairy an hour or two away has a cow-share program set up and as I understand it's doing well.Lorrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15051017990294691081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3506033460868729944.post-79141754555258670462010-05-16T19:29:15.292-04:002010-05-16T19:29:15.292-04:00@Penny- Great article. I know that there are buyi...@Penny- Great article. I know that there are buying clubs, but there's also another process raw dairies can go through is they want to do all the paperwork and submit to all the government red tape and inspections, and that is to obtain a license to sell raw dairy directly to the public. There is a licensed raw dairy in Dartmouth, MA, Paskamansket Farms. They have the milk and sometimes eggs in a refrigerator on their property. People come by on the honor system and leave their money in a container and take their milk and/or eggs.Freyadorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238317498812754806noreply@blogger.com