Hello all! Hope you haven't felt abandoned. Some of you may know that I had to go back to driving truck for a living - dang bills just wouldn't stop coming in, you know. Pesky things like feeding and clothing my wife and kids had a little to do with it, too. Don't know why … sheesh, I bought 'em new stuff just last year and I know they all ate a couple days ago!!! Who could ask for more, right??? ROFL (Rolling On Floor Laughing)

Anywhoo, I've gone back to work doing what I know to do that makes the most money and is the easiest on these old bones. Only problem is … other things had to be placed on the back burner for a while … the forum here and the web site being a couple of them. I think Cheryl is doing the daily herb listings again and posting some, but I just don't have the time to devote to you all like I would like to. Sorry about that … be assured that I will post as often as I can.

What I'm really glad to see is that there are still people dropping in, posting, asking questions, making comments and (hopefully) enjoying themselves. It has never been my intention in the past, nor is it now, to compete with any other forum. I started this "way back when" so the folks who loved visiting and sharing with each other every day on CS Forum wouldn't "fall through the cracks" and get lost in the event that CS went "boom" and disappeared in the night. For some people, I think that's what they felt - an enormous loss - what a shame!

Anyway, glad to see you all here … hope more show up! And I'll do my best to post when I'm home, if nothing more than to say hello and give a snapshot of what's happening. You can bug Cheryl for the details ! Is anyone interested in making sure the Over The Fence Chat gets started every week? I was doing it, but wasn't able to keep up with that either. Just wondering :-)! Guess on that note I will get this posted and get ready for the sack. Got a lot done today (had to build fence and get my sows separated from the feeder pigs and gilts). More fence building to do tomorrow before I leave for Lake City, AR tomorrow night. Everyone have sweet dreams and a peaceful night's sleep. We'll talk again!

-- Phil in KS (cshomestead@planetkc.com), August 24, 2002

Answers

I'm still here, Phil...more or less :-)!! What I want to know is just when are you heading north to Maine for a lobster dinner ??!! Don't forget to bring Cheryl!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), August 24, 2002.

Hey Marcia ... as soon as I can, I tell you that!!! :-) I've been tempted to just get in the car (when we get one) with the wife and kids and come to Maine for no other reason than to get that dinner :-)! As I recall, though, I would have to stop along the way and pick up several other folks. I seem to remember there was a lot of interest in your offer of lobster and crab ! The good Lord willin' we'll see each other some day! I look forward to it!!! :-)

-- Phil in KS (mac0328@planetkc.com), August 24, 2002.

HI!

Well, now that summer is over I will ALSO be going back to work to make a living! Next week I will check into the cost of after- school care, then start job hunting! Wish me luck for a good one!

The wet, cool spring and the bugs pretty much did in the veggies I was wanting to sell, though the hot weather veggies are coming on now. Since all that is needed for them is the picking I hope to be able to handle those after work. I have okra, limas, and some currant tomatos that keep cracking every time it rains. And it has been raining a couple of times a week, here. They sure taste good, though!!!

At least the blackberries did well! I started out with my buyer changing her mind about taking them, but then when I passed out free samples, EVERYONE wanted them!!!!! My one big success!!!

Hey, with luck perhaps I can get on with that big nursery with all of those greenhouses, so I can learn how to make my home- made greenhouse work better!!!

Wish me luck, so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life working for someone else!!!!

-- Terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), August 25, 2002.

Yup, I'm here poking at the edges. Haven't looked around in a while. The New Job is a killer. later, later. g

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), August 28, 2002.

Hi, I'm new here, just found you! I've been in homesteading for quite a while now. My hubby and I just recently moved to a cabin home, deep in the Chippawa National Forest. Prior to moving, we had 40 acres in Northwestern MN. We moved due to my health, I have RA and severe osteophrosis. Makes it difficult sometimes, but I find if I do what I can when I can, I'm as good as ever. Just finished staking a cord of wood on our back deck. We mainly heat with wood and have a back up wall furnace (propane). I'm looking forward to making new friends here. I'll be here often.

Susie in MN

-- Susan J. De Lano (sasjdelano@means.net), February 19, 2003.