I need to get a wood stove

Towards the back of our property they have been clearing an area to be able to put in a new electric transmission line. This runs all along our property and along most of the neighbors. I have to say I am not particularly happy with this but because of a right of way given to NYSEG back in the 60's by my in-laws and all the other previous owners of neighboring properties there is nothing I can do about it.

The picture doesn't do a good job of actually how big of an area that was cleared. That whole empty area though was all wooded. Quite a few years ago we cleared some of our property and fenced it in for a pasture for the heifers and this transmission line will run right over it, in fact I think a pole has to go right in the middle of it. I went down one day when they were cutting down the trees and found it depressing how quickly with that monster of a machine the can cut and move those trees into piles. It looked as easy and quick as me plucking weeds from the garden.

Now that it is done we are trying to look at the positive side of it. I have always wanted a wood cookstove and now might be the time to get one. There are large piles of logs all along the sides of the clearing so we might as well put them to use. Because of the area it will take to put in a wood cookstove( the clearing needed away from the walls) I might not be able to get one in the kitchen, unless we want to give up using a table. We are definately going to get some sort of woodstove though so the logs just don't sit and rot and save on our heating bill also.

Then my husband said if we can get the rest stumped out( they stumped a side of it for a road) and after a few years for the roots to rot so it can be plowed there can be 6-7 more acres of hay or cornfields.

So I will keep thinking positive things about it even though I wish it was still a wooded area.

Making Jelly

I was able to get the night milking off last night so I made some jelly. Now with the dandelion jelly I made this spring I also have grape, cranberry cider, apple, cherry, and peach wine. I also made some blueberry( not in the picture) but it did not come out quite like I wanted, it is almoat like I could spread it out and let it dry and it would make fruit roll ups. Last year the only jelly I made was the dandelion so the family should be happy with the selection they have this year. I still have more grape to make and we are going to make some apple cider so I will use some of that for jelly also. I will be doing applesauce tomorrow and then I have to can my pumpkin and then my canning ought to slow down and be about done.

With all the rain lately the cows have had to stay in the barn cause the pasture is so muddy. I don't know if they are happy about it or not. When it is raining when we are done milking they are happy to go in the barn but I am sure they would like to get out there during the sunny spots. We had a new calf yesterday, it has ben some time since we had one, it is like feast or famine. We did have a heifer that couldn't freshen by herself and had to have the vet up. It was coming backwards and she must have tried all night cause it was already dead when the vet got here. Unfortunately I think the stress the poor girl went through she died also. She just wouldn't eat afterwards even when it was brought right to her. It is sad but sometimes I know it happens.

I am hoping the sun shines soon again I have some painting to finish up on the outside of the barn. I started about a week ago and ran out of paint so I hope I can get it finished before it gets too cold. Nothing like the last minute but I have been so busy I never made it to it. Looks like maybe Friday, I hope so!