Feature Article #1

You think you know gravel, but do you really know gravel?

If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Thoughts of a peaceful drive through the country often conjure up images of gravel roads.  But have you thought of the driveways?  Most driveways in the country are topped with gravel because it is a somewhat inexpensive alternative to concrete.  [...]

Suzi | May 11th, 2009 | Continued

Feature Article #2

Mickey (not mouse)

Barn cat.  Outdoor cat.  Mouser cat.  Whatever you want to call it, if you live on an acreage you likely have one or more of these cats.  They tend to come and go and often you don’t know where they’ve disappeared to.  If you’ve had a kitty population-explosion you might even be secretly relieved when [...]

Suzi | March 18th, 2009 | Continued

Feature Article #3

Water; part 2 of a 2-part series

 
In this second article I would like to discuss waste water.  Waste water should be one of the first things you consider when buying a rural property upon which you intend to build your dream home.  (If you missed the first article in the water series, click here.)
 
There are two basic types of waste water [...]

Suzi | March 13th, 2009 | Continued

Feature Article #4

Tick Control

The grass is green and the trees are in full bloom.  The sun is always out and we spend most of our time outdoors.  Mowing, planting flowers, trimming trees, doing chores, working the horses and most anything else you can think of.  Each trip outside brings a tick or two back in.  So many, the [...]

Suzi | March 7th, 2009 | Continued

About this Site

A country girl, that’s me.  With many years of acreage living under my belt, I’ve acquired considerable experience with the country lifestyle.  It wasn’t an education I was prepared for when I left the the city for a quieter (ha!) life.  I don’t claim to know it all but I do know a lot about many topics and a little [...]

Other Recent Articles

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“Just” Another Death

I’m sure there was a thud but all I hear is barking.  So I turn off the hair dryer to see what is going on.  A visitor?  A deer running by?  There is Lucy barking up a storm at this poor little bird who must have smacked his head against the patio door.  And the patio door wasn’t even [...]

16Jan2010 | Suzi | 0 comments | Continued
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The Inadequate Acreage Owner

I’m overwhelmed.  Not all the time, but this month I am.  Too much not done.  I didn’t mow the last few weeks and now that we’ve had a couple of freezes the leaves have dropped like crazy on the overgrown grass.  It’s a whopping 39 degrees outside today.  With the freeze & little bit of [...]

11Oct2009 | Suzi | 0 comments | Continued
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Ollie was Never Hymie

    If you have spent much time looking through this site, you should come to the conclusion that we like animals.  This is true.  What is also true is, when you take on the responsibility of animal ownership you will experience loss.  Of course you don’t have to be an acreage owner to experience the [...]

13Sep2009 | Guest Author | 1 comment | Continued
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Am I still working on this website?

Almost a month since I’ve last written.  Article ideas run through my head but where is the time to sit down and write?!  Not allowing myself to get up at 4:00 AM any longer due to all the ball games, horse practices, running the kids here & there, work, 4-H . . . it all [...]

15Jul2009 | Suzi | 0 comments | Continued
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Life on My Acreage …

One week of acreage life  …  Dead turkey chick … dog with dead chicken in mouth … dead chick on driveway … mom accidentally kills a 6-week old kitten. 
Something an acreage owner feels odd saying to their guest: “Please excuse the dead chick on the driveway.”
Something a mom should never have to say to their child: “I’m sorry I [...]

18Jun2009 | Suzi | 2 comments | Continued
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Pasture Management

Pastures must be managed if you want them to provide good grass year after year.  We started with 1 horse several years ago on a 3-acre pasture and he had so much grass it was causing him problems.  So we added two bucket calves and a 2nd horse (sort-of an impulse buy).  Oops, that was [...]

2Jun2009 | Suzi | 2 comments | Continued
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Creepy Crawlies in the Country

Like Suzi, I was definitely a city girl all my life.  Moving to the country in my early 40’s changed all that.  I have some memorable experiences with critters that did not belong in the house.  I am not a snake person… not at all.  If I would see one taking a snooze by the pond or [...]

26May2009 | pegranny | 2 comments | Continued
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My Chores

Every day I have to go up to do chores at around 5:00.  First I have to catch my horse, Ace, to groom him while my sister picks his stall (cleans up poop). Then, we flip-flop, so when my sister, Elli, gets Tico out and CJ out for grooming, I pick their stalls. This takes almost an [...]

22May2009 | Ivy | 3 comments | Continued
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Should You Save a Mouse if You Can Save a Mouse?

One fine spring day, while working on the chicken coop, my husband grabbed me to show me the mouse nest he’d found.  Several little naked babies, snuggled down in a nest made of bits of straw and chicken feathers.  The mama had ran out as soon as hubby discovered the nest. 
 
As you might guess, [...]

17May2009 | Suzi | 1 comment | Continued
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Time is Short

 
A few days ago, my 5-year old asked me how many days away Valentine’s Day was.  I couldn’t figure out where the question came from, but I made a best guess of 280 days.  She was bummed.  Later, I looked up and realized I still have a Valentine’s Day plaque hanging in the entryway.
 
Always [...]

12May2009 | Suzi | 0 comments | Continued
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