Trade-offs

Sometimes in life, there comes a time for a trade-off. In this instance I am willing to give up one aspect for a different one. The birds will be leaving as soon as I can locate buyers for them. All the birds and probably a dozen (or so) rabbits. This will make things much easier on me as far as funding is concerned. I will also be eliminating my hamster colonies, though admittedly they don't require much. And we will maintain only the dog and cat as pets. It will probably be the lowest number of animals I have had since before I left my family for college. However, I know that this is the right thing to do for my family.

I suppose as one ages, priorities change. I will still have rabbits, I find I can't completely give them up. We will still have a couple pets, but my focus seems to be changing from external interests to familial ones. I'm still very much a homesteader at heart. I just can't see a reason to keep hens that don't lay or a goose who turns out to be more trouble than she's worth or a trio of ducks I simply can't seem to find spine enough to butcher as I'd intended. Though don't get me wrong, if they don't sell within a reasonable time frame, I *will* put them in the freezer. I simply need to try and sell them first.

Making a decision about rabbits

With the current status quo, something will have to give. Sadly, it appears that it is going to have to be any extracurricular activities on my part that require an ongoing financial investment. What's interesting is how I've managed to keep them for almost 15 years and now it appears that may change. I don't want to go out entirely, I'm fairly sure I'd regret that sincerely since I'm happiest when I have something to breed/work with on a regular basis. Rabbits are one of the smaller, yet easily handled aspects. That leaves removing some breeds and sizing down to a more easily handled herd. The girls rabbits will stay, that's a pair of Jersey Woolies (I actually really like these, in spite of the wool they seem to be fairly easy-keepers) and a quartet of Fuzzy Lops. The Spots are reasonably good producers and pet folk like spotted rabbits. Havanas are also fairly easy-keepers and actually breed, plus we have nice ones. There's no question about keeping my Hare baby. The Hollands will be pared down to bare bones, the Mini-lops are going (they eat too much and grow too slowly), and the Mini-rex I have not made a final decision as of yet. They are the longest breed in residence, yet somehow they are not what I would have envisioned.

It may be a little while yet before some of these are implemented.

The Poor get Poorer

Yesterday I visited the local grocery for a couple of basic staples: milk and sugar (for jam). Outside the store was a small table set up with a few flyers, a poster, and a woman requesting donations for veterans. I'm really not sure why or which ones precisely, or even why she thought that would be a good place to setup on an idle Saturday. However, it brought to home for me the idiosyncrasies of our society. You won't see these small vendor type tables outside major or elite sales places, just as you would rarely spot a wealthy person in such an ordinary place as a grocery. I've often wondered on the second, where do the wealthy purchase their staples? Though it occurs to me they can probably afford to have them delivered directly to their abodes from elitist grocers. However, at this particular time and place it brought to mind the old adage, as way to explain why donations always seem to be requested from those least likely to be able to afford it. And the basic reason is this: those without are more likely to share what little they have, knowing that a simple kindness from a stranger could mean a world of difference to someone else. And it is this basic premise that then begets the saying, "the rich get richer, the poor get poorer" not because of the donations themselves, or even those soliciting them, but rather because of a true underlying aspect of human nature. Those that are inherently greedy will not be likely to give except perhaps under the guise of some alternative agenda. Whereas those that are genuinely altruistic in nature will share, even if it is mere coins in their pockets. Because of this tendency, they are less likely to rise beyond their humble beginnings. Whether they desire to do so or are content to remain as they are.

Productive

Today I started with grapes, they are just about ready to be made into jam. I haven't ever tried grape jam before, but have a recipe to follow.

The tomatoes have slowed down a bit, now if only I could muster up the courage to get busy picking and pickling beets, peppers are starting to pick up too, still getting some cucumbers and have seen a few more squash. The Kholrabi survived the groundhog and are recovering slowly. Broccoli will be re-planted soon as well as some squash, collards, carrots, and swiss chard.

Frustration

Sometimes I wonder why I belong to certain forums. Most of the 'mom' boards I am on are affiliated in some small way with my business. Ergo, I cannot go airing out dirty laundry on them, no matter how great the frustration or the temptation. For similar reasons, Facebook also cannot be the ground on which I release enmity. I wouldn't on a rabbit board, as it's rarely relevant to the lives and interests of those therein. That leaves merely this blog, of which I'm fairly sure I have the merest few actually perusing it. Some might say, "hang the forums and Facebook! Say what you mean and mean what you say!"

The truth though is that I may very well need some kind of professional reputation and sincerely cannot afford to have that jeopardized in any way, least of all through childish and immature tantrums, thrown only in the name of releasing the mild burden resting upon my shoulders.

Once more, I am no longer under the employment umbrella. I had been so relieved to be working again, though deep down I felt I knew it couldn't or wouldn't last. I'm honestly not even sure why. Some might say that I may even have brought it down upon myself as a result of my expectations, though I might argue that case. I am waiting now to see what will happen with regards to unemployment, though I am not holding out much hope for it to be granted. Therefore I have been searching feverishly for some alternative. Up to and including what some may consider to be 'alternate' employment. I genuinely don't care what one would call it, if it can pay my bills each month, put food in my childrens' and rabbits mouths, then I will be well satisfied.

It's funny how my expectations have dropped over the years. I once held a very profitable position with a long-standing corporation. It was lost through no fault of my own, just simple bureaucracy. I hold a masters of science and a few upper-level management positions with extensive training, and yet I cannot find gainful employment. Ah well, tomorrow is another day. Here's hoping I can keep everything afloat as long as possible.

Mama's Tacos

I've made my own tacos for many years. I do things a little differently than some though. Tonight I'll share my method. You'll need the following:

half a head of fresh lettuce
2 medium tomatoes
shredded cheese (I like cheddars or combination cheeses)
sour cream
1-2 lbs hamburger
1-2 packets taco seasoning
Fajita sized wheat wraps
1 can re-fried beans

Cook the hamburger completely and drain off excess grease. Add 2/3 C water for each packet of seasoning mixture. If cooking 2 lbs of meat, use 2 packets seasoning. Cook on medium until the mixture thickens and most of the water is boiled off, then add the beans and mix well. Chop tomatoes and thinly slice the lettuce. Place a wrap then add a line of meat mix leaving about a 2 inch space to one side. Top with cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, and taco sauce (optional). Then fold up the end you'd left bare and fold in both sides. This gives a drip-free grip on the whole thing.

Enjoy!