Thirsty Birds

Jan 9, 2017

Ready for ice skating??

It is hard to enjoy a good, cold drink of water when it is frozen. This is especially problematic for the birds. We feed the them year ’round out here at Blue Rock Horses & Farm. It is a well known fact that this PFO (Primary Farm Operator) is not happy unless she is feeding something! The idea of another electrical cord running over the frozen ground is not very appealing though, so it has not been done. It has been so cold that the floating heaters keep only a part of the water thawed. The heaters in the bottom on our tanks do a better job. This is FAR from a complaint though. Years and years ago when I was the kid of the PFO (my mom), I had to break ice daily and wrap pipes with heated wires to keep them from freezing! Times, they have gotten better at least in this regard.

Sometimes the floating heaters keep only part of the water thawed.

However, a little discovery was made quite by accident while out feeding this freezing 12^ morning . Our water troughs tend to get lower than usual when it is so bitter cold outside. Who wants to stand in the freezing weather waiting for icy water to fill the trough? The trough in the Littles’ paddock was too low and needed filling—ugh. Here is the scenario; run to put hose is trough; run to turn it on; hurry! hurry! to be sure hose is in trough and not pouring out to freeze all over ground (sometimes they pop out of trough when water is turned on); run back to unhook and drain hose as quickly as possible before water freezes inside the hose itself.Whew! Job done, hopefully it will be warmer in next couple days. If not, the heated trough itself has thawed many a hoses—just drop it in for a couple hours!

A little Titmouse was on the rim taking a sip!

Something caught the corner of my eye as I was working around the barn. I realized it was a little Titmouse that had quickly noticed the full trough and was more than happy to oblige its’ offer of water. Unfortunately camera was not in hand.

Now this PFO has to be more careful to keep the water full to the rim, so the little birdies may come and have a satisfying sip! Another little job here at the farm…

You, Whoopie-pie, will have to come inside for your water!

The Steers are Gone

Jan 4, 2017

The hardest part of owning beef cattle came this past Thursday morning. They are gone. We had them picked up. They were too large to haul in our two-horse trailer.

This PFO (Principle Farm Operator) knew this day would come, that did not make it any easier. And yet, we will raise more again. It is good, satisfying work, though not profitable in the purse, but rather in the heart.

The hardest part of owning beef cattle has come…

As fate would have it, we fed them and now they are feeding us. We have a new outlook on the meat we consume now because of raising these steers. It matters how our food is grown and processed. Our cattle had good days everyday except for one.

…we fed them, now they are feeding us…

“Give us this day our daily bread,” has taken all full meaning now. Beef does not come from the grocery store. It has a face, it moves, runs, is curious, eats, sleeps, grows and dies so we can live. This is a driving force for us here at Blue Rock Horses & Farm. We strive to be good stewards of what we have been given and taken on. If this matters to you, you may be interested in our beef.

Beef does not come from a grocery store. It has a face…

This PFO is looking forward to the next round of beautiful steers to grow and live here for awhile on this place.

We strive to be good stewards of what we have been given and taken on.

This PFO is looking forward to the next round of beautiful Hereford steers…

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Dec 31, 2016

7:40p.m., winter has come for a frosty visit, 14^ outside, feels like 0^. Hope enough hay was put out for the livestock this evening. Life on the farm. Layers upon layers of cloths to stack on before heading out to barn. Careful not to fall down, may not be able to get up again, like Ralphie from A Christmas Story!

It is 14^, but it feels like 0^

This kind of cold requires attention to every detail in care of the animals. Plenty of hay is a must. Here at our farm we go out three times a day in this severe cold to feed hay. Hay is the best fuel for warmth for them, and is far better than grain. Square bales are our hay of choice. All of it is eaten. We put out straw for the cattle to bed on. Cattle lie down far more than horses. They must have a ‘bed’ to lie on for warmth, especially in this frigid cold. Should the animals eat all the hay, they will eat the straw if it is good, dry and fresh. This is a comfort when our heads hit the pillows at bedtime.

Plenty of good hay is a must for keeping animals warm.

Water heaters keep the water unfrozen and at a good temperature. Some horses will not drink too cold of water. There is also danger of colic. Should you ever see rusty red snow in your horse fields, it is a good sign your horse is not drinking enough water. Put the heater in your tank right away. There is something illogical about putting electrical equipment in a tank of water! Much is given over to faith by this primary farm operator!

Hay is far better than grain for maintaining warmth in frigid cold.

Yes, baby, it is cold outside sometimes. But tending to the animals not only warms the body, it warms the soul.

Tending to the animals warms the body and soul.

Happy Winter all y’all from from Blue Rock Horses and Farm!

Cows are not Political

Nov 14, 2016

This week has come to an end. Thank goodness. I believe everyone is glad the election is over. I am not saying everyone is happy with the results, simply happy it is over.

Here at Blue Rock Horses & Farm things were normal as usual this week. I am not complaining! We like it when things are normal. I am saying is it is good cows are not political. Neither are the horses, cats, dogs, or Jeffy, the parakeet. They are highly opinionated though. Each one is quite good at communicating their opinions to those who pay attention. Time to let me out; time to let me in; I like my hay spread out; my ear is itchy; these flies are annoying me; this hay does not taste good; it is time for supper! To name a few of their ideas. They are very good at letting us know what they think!

They ‘knock’ at their stable door, insisting on feed; they stand in front of their treat jars just hoping they can ‘will’ a treat to themselves; they moo or whinny from across the field the moment they see someone coming from the house; and worst of all, they stand stock still and just STARE at you!! They run-up behind you, in front of you, all around you (ever wonder why we wear hats, gloves, and carry sticks??)

Sometimes they stand stock still and just STARE at you!

This is why I am glad they are not political! They are pushy enough! Good thing too. No banner waving, flag burning, property damaging, crying or pouting from them when their guy does not win. Thank goodness. Just remember this: Do not ever mess with feeding time, you may open your barn door one early morning to find every one of them holding a protest sign!

Cows are Easier than Kids

Oct 31, 2016

I have had both, and plenty of each one over the years. They are both cute, for sure. But cows are easier—why?

Cows are easier than kids

They do not live in my house first and foremost. This is huge—no shoes, socks, dirty underwear, books or toys are to be found strewn around my house because of the cows. I do not have to dust nor vacuum their space. They eat the same thing morning, noon, and night. No meal planning necessary. How great is that? I never have to wash their clothes.

There are no days of packing them in my truck and hauling them hither and yon for this and that activity. No music lessons to pay for, no beds to make, no faces to wash, nor teeth to brush. This is getting better and better!

Yet…I would have no one to play games with, to tuck in bed at night, no poetry to read and laugh over…”There was a little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead!”…and worse of all is that I would have nobody to horseback ride with.

Have someone to horseback ride with. Grandkids are the GREATEST!! (Three generations of riders here in this pic!)

Well, cows are great—yes. Kids are greater to be sure. But,

Grandkids are the GREATEST of all!!! Can I hear an AMEN!!?

I am Seeking a Divorce

Oct 12, 2016

It pains me to say this, but I am seeking a divorce. I hope those that know me know how hard I have endeavored to make this relationship work. It simply is not going to happen, so I must seek a divorce ASAP.

It surely is not because I have not made every effort. I have trusted and trusted—to no avail. A divorce is simply the only way out. My sincere hope is that everyone will eventually come to an understanding of just why this divorce must take place. Perhaps if one would spend the time where I have been lately one would know the utter pain and sadness I have felt as of late—perhaps, hopefully, one would see just why I need this divorce.

I am seeking a divorce from the supermarket. We simply do not see eye-to-eye any longer. Oh! How it grieves me to say this chasm has been building for years upon years. We simply must break up, period. End of story. Now the hard part is making this happen, and figuring out just how life proceeds without the grocery store. I am seeking a new “me.” I have determined because of the despicable nature of the source that supplies supermarkets, they no longer are worthy of my hard-earned dollars. To all my Christian friends, please pray for me!

I am working diligently to divorce myself from the industrial food system that supplies all supermarkets. I have finally read and watched enough u-tubes on this grotesque industrial food system, aka CAFO’s (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations), to know I shall not ever buy meat again from a grocery store, or superstore.

I have evolved into a true “localvore.” Yes, we do spend more money on food (that is because real food is not subsidized by our government). That is fine, for I know our beef, chicken, pork, and vegetables have enjoyed a real, normal life, indigenous to how they were created.

As I have said in previous blogs: if you cannot visit your food supplier—you may want to evaluate where your food comes from and just what you are eating. Here at Blue Rock Horses and Farm, we delight in showing you where your beef (and soon eggs!) come from, and exactly how they are being raised. You are invited to come meet the animals, and visit around the farm.

Here at Blue Rock Horses and Farm you are invited to come meet the animals, and visit around the farm.

“The Measure of a Society can be how well its people treat its animals”

—Mohandas Gandhi

A Visit to Polyface Farm, Swoope, Virginia

Oct 6, 2016

Polyface Farm, Swoope, Va

Joel Salatin, owner of Polyface, led the tour.

We visited Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia this past September. We took, what they call, their Lunatic Tour, a two-hour tour over their beautiful, rolling hills farm. It was a lovely, sunny, warm day. One of the tourists was a beautiful lady from Africa who farmed chickens, and was interested in the way Joel Salatin raises his. Another tourist, a gentleman, was from Israel. It seems this is normal at Polyface, having interested folks visiting from all over the world.

Their beautiful, rolling hills farm.

We heard about this farm several years ago from our son and daughter-in-law who live in Charlottesville . They purchase Polyface meat from various places around town. It sounded very interesting, but got lost in the shuffle of life. A couple months ago, however, some guests came to tour the house where I work in Winchester. They had visited Polyface the day before coming to visit us. The enthusiasm of those ladies surely sparked the interest, as I re-heard all the non-usual operations done at the farm. The way they manage their animals, the wide, wonderful variety of animals they have, how they manage the land, it all struck a chord this time. I am sure it is because we now have cattle, and more land for other animals as well. I immediately ordered two books written by Joel Salatin that the ladies told me I would enjoy. He has written around 10 books on farming, raising pasture fed beef, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, pork, and farmland management.

After blazing through The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs, I signed up for the Lunatic tour. There were about 100 visitors the day we were there. Two tractors with two attached wagons to each tractor and straw bales going down the middle of each wagon as seats for us, and a big cooler full of ice cold water (how thoughtful!) was ready and waiting to escort us around the farm. Joel drove one of the tractors, and led the tour. The other tractor was driven by an intern.

Their eggmobiles!

The pasture fed turkeys and chickens were fun to see—so differently are they raised than how I have seen and known over the years.

The tour was informative and encouraged us to re-think how we eat, where our food comes from, how is it raised, managed and processed. Joel Salatin is an informed, passionate farmer, and is a first-rate steward of his farm/land/animals. He knows his business, he is willing to share his knowledge with interested folks, and he signed my books! His farm is worth the visit for those that are interested in the quality of food you eat. If a visit is not possible, get on his website and purchase his books. Two movies we recommend are: Food, Inc., and King Corn. Be forewarned, they will change the way you look at food.

Know the farmer, know the farm, know where your food comes from, or even grow some of your own food! Here is a good rule of thumb: if you are not allowed to visit the place where your food is raised, you may not want to eat it. This goes for both meat and vegetables.

Now that we have cattle and land for more animals, we are very interested in how farming is done at Polyface. You are always invited to come visit us here at our farm!

No Room in the Inn

Sep 30, 2016

Scripture records there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn upon their arrival into Bethlehem thousands of years ago. We believers cherish this history record of Christ’s birth in that peaceful stable so long ago. Is it not amazing to think the very first place Christ came to on earth was a stable? It seems the first lesson He taught us through His lowly birth is plain to see—humility.

Is it not amazing to think the very first place Christ came to on earth was a stable?

After all, who wants to be born in a dirty, smelly stable? Hey wait! Who said the stable was dirty and smelly? We have cattle, horses, cats, and soon chickens (oh! to have a couple pigs in the woods!). At days’ end when chores are checked off, troughs are full of fresh water, mangers brimming with sweet hay, the animals bedded down for the night, our stable is anything but smelly. Fact is, if the stable is smelly, it is the farmers responsibility. We have visited a few filthy, stinking, cobweb-filled barns. These have the makings of a scary Halloween setting. Stables do get dirty to be sure, however, there is a distinctive difference between kept and unkept ones.

Who said the stable was dirty and smelly?

At Christmastime as we are setting out the Nativity scene in our home, the whole idea of Christ’s humble birth in a stable with animals, straw, rough-cut lumber, and soft lights create a peacefulness that is hard to deny. It impacts the way we live here at this farm. It fills us with joy and peace to be farmers. We have Christ’s approval! What more does one need?

…the soft lights create a peacefulness…

So as we set out pumpkins, wreaths and Indian corn around our stable this October, we invite you to come visit. Come sit a spell in the cozy barn with the animals and a cup of warm cider. You may leave feeling happy there was no room in the inn.

If You Cannot Pronounce It, It is NOT Food

Sep 28, 2016

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate

Calcium Peroxide

Ethoxylated Mono-and Diglycerides

Calcium Sulfate

Monocalcium Phosphate

These five ingredients are listed on the ingredient deck of a regular loaf of bread. This brand is found in every grocery and convenience store around. For each of these ingredients, the dictionary app said,”There are no definitions available for…” This means, as a customer, we do not have definitions for the ‘food’ we cannot even pronounce. Is this for real? Try it yourself—read the list of ingredients on a plain loaf of bread. Check it out on two or three different brands. Test other usual products in the grocery store; cookies, cake mixes, cereal, pretzels, granola bars and on and on…

Here is a question: If ingredients cannot be pronounced nor defined, how in the world is the human body to process them? If you cannot pronounce it, it is not food!

So, now what? How do we, as consumers, buy real food? First, be a label reader. Determine not to eat ‘foods’ that cannot be understood or pronounced. Remember, it is easier to stay healthy than to get healthy. Cheap food is just that— CHEAP!

The closer food stays to it’s original, natural form, the better it is for your health and long-term wellbeing. So, an apple is far better than apple juice. Each step away from the natural form takes away nutritional value. So, natural apple cider from fresh pressed apples is far better nutritionally (not to mention tastes better) than apple juice (which has gone through far more steps to make than cider).

The goal? A happier digestive system, a hunger that stays satisfied longer, healthier skin, strong nails, and beautiful hair. Who does not want any of these wonderful benefits? Eating is not a past-time!

Read your labels, know what you are eating, feed yourself REAl food!

Ingredients in this tomato soup? Tomatoes, onion, banana peppers, basil, salt, pepper, paprika. If you cannot pronounce it, it is NOT food!

6th Annual Abba Trail Ride–Paw Paw Tunnel, West Virginia

Sep 24, 2016

We rode this fall for the first time. All previous rides have been in June or July. This year was a bit different because of not having a horse. That has been resolved, so next year we will ride in the early summer again.

It was fun thinking about the mules pulling the boats through the tunnel.

Our ride took us to Paw Paw Tunnel in West Virginia a couple weeks ago. The weather was nice, the trail gentle, the scenery interesting. It was fun imagining the way things must have been back in those days of boats, canals, mules, and tunnels. We did not attempt to ride our horses through the tunnel, that would take a bit of ‘sacking out’ as we call it in the horse world. This means we would have to work with them a while to accustom them in that dark tunnel on a small towpath without getting too nervous. Probably one good reason mules were used predominately over horses on the canals! Actually though, the tunnel is closed to horses and riders, there is a trail that goes around it. However, there are stone steps that go up the side of the tunnel entrance, a walk over the top, and stairs descending down the other side. We did go up them!

There were stone steps up the side, a walk over the top, and stairs descending down other side. We went up!

For those that may not know, Abba of Winchester is our local pregnancy support center for young mothers that were not planning a pregnancy. Abba offers medical, spiritual, family, leadership and community support to those in need during their pregnancy and afterwards. They offer classes for moms, and dads to help with their new baby and role as parents. It is a loving, supportive group of local folks that love babies and families, and work very hard for them.

The weather was nice, the trail gentle and scenery interesting.

It has been our priviledge to ride for Abba these past six years. All donations from our rides benefit Abba as well as our Silent Auction items. We are delighted to say we have raised over $3,300 for Abba including this year. Our sponsors are generous and faithful to our cause. We thank them for their generous support:

Acker Real Estate Service

The Gordon Family

The Davis Family

The Bricker Families

Mackintosh Fruit Farm

We thank all our riders and sponsors who have been faithful and generous to our cause.

We invite other riders interested in supporting babies, families and our effort towards that end. What a great way to help others by spending time in the saddle! Contact us at: mitzybricker@gmail.com for more information.

for more information contact: abbacare.org