GREAT WHITE HUNTER

Well this is the year that Clay decided that he wanted to get a deer. It is a really short deer season, 2 different times, about 10 days in Nov. and about 10 days in Dec. He got a permit for one deer killed on our property. He was so excited the first time he was preparing to go. The night before, getting all of his gear together, setting his alarm, he acted like it was Christmas Eve. Well the day finally dawned and he sat out in the woods in the freezing cold for 2 hours. He saw 2 squirrels. His words, "froze my butt off." Then the next time he again set his alarm got up really early and lasted 1 hour. The thrill of going out seems to be gone. But most days he sets his alarm early and then when it goes off he turns it off and goes back to sleep. I know he will keep trying until the season is over. We don't really need the meat but I understand that it is a process of seeing how much of the land we can live off of. He would probably give away most of the meat but he wanted to make venison jerky and venison sausage. It is wonderful having land and not being tied to a neighborhood co-op or a landlord to ask for something or get permission for things. The possibilities seem endless. It is a really nice feeling. Thankfully we have Clay and Frances because if it were up to Drew and I to "live off the land" we would all starve to death. They will do things that we just can't even think of doing.

Our chickens went through a huge molt, they looked like something from a leper colony. But are finally back to their beautiful old selves. The last 3 turkeys will have their days come to an end next week. The tom is HUGE, he is so big that he can't hardly stand. He can only waddle a short distance and then has to rest. He is beautiful though and we are anxious to see how much he will weigh all dressed out. He is really GIGANTIC. We will miss seeing them around but will start over with babies in the spring.