The Riley Factor #90

The Riley Factor Fort Plain, NY
December 21, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

Merry Christmas to All

Animals -- Just for fun, on Thanksgiving weekend, we counted the various animals wandering the place, excluding the stray raccoon, ground hog, blue heron, red  fox, deer, mice, coyotes, coy dogs, neighbors' dogs, hawks, vultures, wild turkeys and other true wildlife.  (Somewhat) under our control were 2 horses, 4 steer, one bull, 21 Jersey Giant black chickens, 16 RI/Cornish red hens, 9 French Guinea Fowl (which Susan recently learned mate for life and love hot weather such as found in Africa !? - well one-for-two's not bad), 6 Narragansett turkeys, 3 cats and The Riley.  Total of 63.  "Plus us", adds Susan.

The Snows -- Snow began flying early in the month and almost daily the Lake Effect drops some white stuff on the place.  Never too much at a time, but it adds-up.  After a week of frigid temps, Dec. 9-16, daily highs under 20 with wind chills in the 4-5 degree range, we got our first real snow overnight on Dec. 15-16, when 2-3 inches fell.  Just 10 miles away in Sharon Springs, they got 6 injches and in Cobleskill, 25 miles south, they received 8 inches that night.  The Lake Effect is inconsistent and a tough one to predict.  100 miles to the west in Syracuse, it has snowed every day in December and they have received over six feet of snow, a new record for any single month, with 10 days remaining to set more records.  Route 90, the NYS Thruway, had to be closed for a while for snow removal.

Solar Project -- Sun shines, wind blows, infrastructure still under development.  Solar panels (actually called Photo-Voltaic panels) arrived on Dec. 14.  Installation to begin soon.

Planting and Plowing -- Still dormant until spring.

Riley -- The Golden Boy ate (yet another) Christmas ornament given to us by someone who saw it at a craft show and thought it would be perfect for display in Middle-of-Nowhere.  Well, perfect for a snack, according to Riley.  He moved on, and late on Dec. 15, Riley escaped our control (his incessant objective, nay - make it his prime directive) and strolled the yard and barnyard at will.  Eventually, he strolled onto the patch of lawn in front of the farm field closest to the house and found a deer that had been struck by a vehicle the night before and lay dead on the lawn.  When we tried to pick-up the small doe the next morning, it had frozen solid to the ground and was immovable.  Oh well, there were tracks in the snow all around it and it appears that coyotes, coy-dogs and perhaps raccoons or skunks have been feasting on the carcass -- the call of the wild.

Horses -- Lady has become the Boss of the Field, chasing the others around at her will.  Although when push comes to shove, Rio steps in and takes control.  Like any good filly, she follows her male protector.  On Dec. 16, we replaced the river-rock floors in the horse stalls with stall mats, which will pamper Rio's and Lady's unshod feet while standing and sleeping in the barn.

The Herd of Five -- Cattle have one mission in life ... eating.  They prefer pasture grass, but readily migrate to hay when the grass is short or snow-covered.  They also like grain (wheat, oats, barley, corn), and in a pinch will chew on sweatshirts, jackets and jeans.  They love to sniff leather coats (presumably searching for some long-lost relative).  Oh yeah, and their through-put is legendary.  Well, on Dec. 14, we had our first butchering, a melancholy day.  Two of our steer, Gabe, our 15-month-old red & white Holstein, and Zeke, our 10-month-old Holstein bull, were butchered for beef for our own use and for sales.  We raised them as beef cattle, from very young calves only a few days old, to their 1,000 and 700 pound states.  The processed beef should be ready by New Year's Day.

Fowl Weather -- The turkeys and chickens are becoming accustomed to staying in their indoor/outdoor pen rather than wandering all over the place as the mercury drops.  Most days, they remain in their 24'x36' coop and pen that is half indoors and half outside under the barn overhang.  Most have the capacity (but not the desire) to jump-fly over the six-foot fencing that separates them from the entire outside world.  They await return of warmer weather to return to that roaming life.  The Keets, those French Guinea Fowl, have taken to pairing-up, and one of our nine is left as a bachelor (or bachelorette).  One night, he/she stayed outside roaming in search of wedded bliss in 10-degree environs.  Alack and alas, at sunrise, he/she was found leaning up against one of the stall doors waiting to be let in to return to the flock.  Apparently the rural bird bar scene had not produced the desired hook-up.

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Ponds are frozen, almost ready for the first ice skaters of the season.  Korey-in-the-House -- Korey the Amish Plumber, arrived on December 7 to shut-off the greenhouse water for the year.  Temps had been in the 20s for several days, so it was fortunate that we escaped any unwanted pump, tank or pipe freezing.  For no reason, Riley acted scared stiff when Korey entered the house -- may have been the boots, black pants and jacket and straw hat.  After a minute of petting and talking, Riley was back to his old self, jumping on Korey and nibbling on his hands.  On one of his daily runs, December 10, one day after deer hunting season ended, Riley flushed-out a small herd of six deer in the third field.  They ran all the way from the bottom up into the woods, six large does.   Later in the week, he spied a lone doe on the trails and chased her into and throughout the south woods.  After 15 minutes or so, he emerged doe-less and huffing and puffing, unsuccessful in his chase and no worse for the wear.  The Golden Boy would not know what to do if he ever actually got close up to a deer.

Quotes of the Week --

     Failure is not an option. -- Gene Kranz, NASA Mission Control (Apollo 13, April 1970)

     Hope is not a strategy. -- true source unknown, attributed to many different individuals

     I tried being reasonable.  I didn't like it.
     If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster.
     A good man always knows his limitations.
     We boil at different degrees.
     Go ahead, make my day.                          

  -- Clint Eastwood, various movies, various points in time, each a classic

     Churchill knew the importance of peace, and he also knew the price of it. -- Rudy Giuliani

     If my kids graduate from high school, and want to become puppeteers, I'll send them to friggin' puppet college.  But for now, just teach them how to read, write and do math. -- Susan Fuchs, circa 1995, to the Hopkinton Superintendent of Schools

     What the hell is going on out there? -- Vince Lombardi
     One on my predictions for 2011 - the rich of the world, the real workers, will rise-up and unite in protest. -- Charles Payne, FOX Business Channel

     The Troubled Asset Relief Program was a complete failure.  Government spending does not create jobs. -- Steve Moore, Wall Street Journal
     The real Obama is more complex than his simplistic, outdated  'Yes We Can' mantra.  Obama's real slogans morph over time ...
          2008 Obama: Weak and Ineffective.
          2009 Obama: Dishonest and Incompetent.
          2010 Obama: a Socialist, a Liar, Hopelessly In-over-his-head. -- CF

     Good workers have choices. -- John Stossel

The Riley Factor #89

The Riley Factor Fort Plain, NY
December 5, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

The snows -- are flying.  The lake effect has begun in Middle-of-Nowhere, NY.  Constant lake effect snow forecast for Dec. 5 - 7.  Could amount to a foot in the west by Tuesday's end, Buffalo through Syracuse.  Been snowing here for 12 hours and looks like a white two days likely.  High temp today forecast to be 24, with with chill of 13.  So, the animals are in the barn for today -- a toasty 40 degrees in there, with a wind chill of, wait for it ... 40.  Although, you do have to listen to the Keets honking in there -- maybe the cold is not so bad.  Much too early for winter to actually arrive.  It won't be long before the ATVs are being ridden and slidden across the snow -- always fun.

The Turkey Report -- Well, now that Thanksgiving is over, we can report that we sold-out of all the turkeys this year, the Narragansett heritage breed.  We received compliments from many of our customers.  One woman, Julie from Sharon Springs, who visited us a month or so ago to meet and greet the living and breathing turkeys, wrote us, "We wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know the turkey we had was WONDERFUL!  There was no fat on it, and the taste was amazing!  Also, I cooked the 10lb. bird, and it was plenty for all plus leftovers.  Everyone at the table was very impressed, and we all really appreciated knowing the turkey was raised in such a wonderful environment.  Thank you both so much for all the hard work and care in raising your animals."  It is great to hear back from folks who bought the birds. 
Solar Project -- Empire Solar has begun work on the solarization of Rock Creek Farm.  On Nov. 30, the support posts for the two wind turbines were installed on the east end of the garage barn.  Next steps calls for installation of the rotors and also 32 solar panels to be installed on the garage barn roof.  Then comes all the inverters, batteries, switches, transformers, generator hook-up and other hardware to get us off of the electric grid.  Stay tuned.  Timetable calls for a mid-winter completion.

Planting and Plowing -- Still dormant until spring.  Replacement weed-seed/grain filter screen for the combine arrived, so installation of that will transpire sometime before summer.

Riley -- It is possible, perhaps alleged, that some of Riley's recent high energy was due to his collar being too tight ... bad owners.  In any event, Susan loosened the collar one hole, and Crazy Riley became Riley the Calm.  Of sorts.  (Everything is relative).  He is still doing two two-mile runs on most days, snow or shine.

Horses -- Daily, Rio and Lady still appear to love roaming the pasture.  They graze and sprint back and forth at will, occasionally wading into Rock Creek and stopping for a splash and a drink.  Their favorite activity seems to be chasing one or more of the steers across the pasture.  Funny to watch those sprints -- frequently looks like the cattle will run right through the fence, but (so far) they have hit the brakes or veered before impact.

The Herd of Five -- The bovines are very calm and collected these days (when not running for their lives from the horses).  Still spending days in the pasture grazing, although the grass now is fairly short and sparse.  Hay is the preferred feed of the day.  And night.

Fowl Weather -- Score it French Guinea Fowl 1, Raccoons zero.  On Thanksgiving morning, a giant raccoon wandered into the barnyard, no doubt in search of a few scrambled eggs followed by a turkey or chicken dinner.  What he got was the flock of nine Keets chasing him and squawking their brains out until the raccoon trotted across route 163, back into hiding.  We did send a couple of rifle rounds over his head to give him the official human 'vamoose'.  The raccoon has not returned since.  Also, on the Friday afternoon after Thanksgiving, the great blue heron lifted from the lower pond and flew side-by-side with the Xterra as we drove down route 163 on some errand or another, staying 15-20 feet from the vehicle only a couple of feet off the ground for over a quarter mile -- looked great, but still a bit of a mystery how these creatures are able to fly.  They are about five feet tall, if stretched, with a five-foot wing span.  The blue herons always look like something would go terribly, horribly wrong if they were tossed from a helicopter door ... falling, falling, oh, the inhumanity of it all (apologies to WKRP in Cincinnati).  But herons do fly.

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Ice formed on the surface of the upper pond on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and on the lower pond the following Monday.  A bit on the thin side, but nevertheless totally covering the pond surfaces.  Riley has tested the ice a bit, but not yet enough for his 70-80 pound frame to walk out on it.

Rock Creek Farm Records -- CORRECTION from our last edition ... the earliest guest departure record goes to Stevie, who left one day last year at 5:30AM, easily besting Babs and Betty, who left for parts unknown at 7:50AM this year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Quotes of the Week --

     The problem is that Obama's campaign slogan, "Yes We Can", has turned into, "Thought We Could." -- David Letterman

     You can have a full day if you laugh, think, and are moved to tears. -- Jim Valvano, (late) basketball coach

     Where there's a will, there's a dead body. -- Gallagher, comedian

     Now they say that if we stop paying people not to work, it will cost the economy 600,000 jobs.  What?  How could this possibly be the case?  The people running the government are, of course, liberals.  They are Marxists.   They are socialists.   They are also incredibly stupid. -- Rush Limbaugh

     You are not elected to public office to get re-elected.  You are elected to serve the people, children, grandchildren and other citizens of the country right now.  Get some courage, or get out. -- John Kasich, Governor-elect, Ohio

The Riley Factor #88

The Riley Factor Fort Plain, NY
November 24, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

Lily -- A big welcome to Lily Johnson, who has just joined us, working at Rock Creek Farm.  She grew up in Cobleskill and now lives in Sharon Springs.  Lily is a Beef and Livestock major at SUNY-Cobleskill, and knows much about horses, cattle and the animal life. 

Planting and Plowing -- Dormant until spring.

Riley -- The French Guinea Fowl are becoming less leery of The Riley, staying in their tight band of nine and wandering ever closer to that great golden nose when he is tied-up outside.  The other day while out for his morning run, Riley came across a half dozen wild turkeys in the fourth field and began the obligatory chase (although in his still young life he has never caught more than a cold).  By the time he crossed into the third field, his quarry had grown to a bona fide flock of over 30 of the wild birds, all making their final dash in avoidance of Thanksgiving.  Eventually, the turkeys all flew into the woods and escaped, several landing in nearby trees and gawking down, mocking the Golden One.

Horses -- Rio and Lady are fitting-in more and more, no longer chasing the steers off the morning hay feed but mingling-in, almost creating a herd of seven.  During the day, the horses graze run around the pasture, frequently flipping on their backs and rolling in the grass and mud with legs in the air.  They spent some time the other day strolling back and forth in Rock Creek, stopping in the middle of the watering hole and splashing each other.

The Herd of Five -- The bovines are gathering their courage and standing firm among the horses.  For the first few days, they would scatter, especially from Lady, whenever their two new barn-mates were in close proximity.  Now, the herd is less afraid, and Gabe even wandered into Rio's stall early one morning trying to see if the newbies got better rooms in the Horse & Cow Hotel than the old tenants have.  As a welcoming gift, Gabe left Rio a warm, steaming cow-pie.

Fowl Weather -- Alack and alas, after a month in his private suite, Lefty, our one-legged turkey, succumbed to being pecked-and-pecked by his brethren turkeys, in the ever-continuing battle for survival of the fittest in the animal kingdom.  And just before Thanksgiving, we had 11 of the turkeys and three of the roosters butchered to cover the demands of sales and requests from the family.  That leaves us with a 'flock' of one lone Tom and five hens for breeding next spring.  And lately the geese have been around overhead in record numbers - on Sunday, we saw the largest flock of geese in flight that we have ever seen, at least 100 of the Canadians honking their brains out and winging southward.

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- We have quite a large population of wood ducks living in the back two fields and trails.  Interesting creatures, they much prefer to run away when confronted, rather than fly.  Long beaks and fast legs.  Also living out on the back trails are a few ring-necked pheasants, mostly running around here and there.  Very beautiful creatures.  Even though deer hunting season launched on November 20, we have seen more and more deer wandering the fields and trails, all does and fawns.

Rock Creek Farm Records -- A new Rock Creek Farm record was set on the day before Thanksgiving ... by those cutest of identical twins, Babs & Betts Slate, who departed for home at 7:50AM Wednesday morning, earliest departure time ever for a visiting guest.  Other existing notable Rock Creek Farm records include ...

     Briefest Visit ... Ames and Peter Slate, who stayed for one hour on one visit, summer of '09
     Most Butcherings in a Single Day ... 14 (11 turkeys, 3 chickens) on Nov. 22, 2010
     Traveled Farthest for a Visit ... Uschi & Achem Gottschalk, who came all the way from Sardinia, Italy, October 2010
     Largest Turkey ... 45 pounds, Domestic American White, butchered for Easter, 2010
     Smallest Turkey ... 6.5 pounds, Narragansett Heritage, butchered for Thanksgiving, 2010
     Best Shot ... Susan, in the barn, with a rifle, taking out a red fox that had killed 9 of our chickens over a 10-day period, May, 2010
    
Quotes of the Week --

    Google is the best resource since the wheel. -- Lily Johnson      

    Thanksgiving with Obama and his group ... now we are all sitting at the kiddie table.  The problem is that the American Dream has been in the hands of Day Dreamers for the past 22 months.  And that Pelosi, she is one bat-crazy chick - I guarantee that she sleeps hanging upside down. -- Dennis Miller

    They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -- Ben Franklin

    Terrorists are not caught by technology or by touching. -- Isaac Yeffet, former head of security, El Al Airlines
   
    Don't retreat, just reload. -- Sarah Palin   

    Money always does more good for the world when it is in the hands of individuals, than when it is in the hands of government. -- Judge Andrew Napolitano

    Obama and his administration are determined more than ever to control every aspect of our economy and of our lives. -- Rush Limbaugh

    Here's how to resolve that Korea bombing situation - Fire-up the Enola Gay and drop a little advice on those North Koreans. -- Don Imus

The Riley Factor #87

The Riley Factor Fort Plain, NY
November 15, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

Horses -- Stop in and say hello to Rio and Lady, our two horses, who arrived at Rock Creek Farm last Saturday.  Rio is an eight-year-old gelding that rides and drives, and walks easily on a lead.  Formerly a race course trotter, he is a full-blooded Standardbred, about 15-and-a-half hands high and as gentle as they come.  He was recently owned by an older couple who rode him and also used him for a handicapped child relative to ride.  Stablemate Lady is a two-and-a-half-year-old filly, a 50/50 mix, half Morgan and half American Saddlebred.  A beautiful young horse, green-broke with plenty of energy, she runs with grace and smoothness, and frequently strikes that standard Morgan horse profile pose, which makes the breed so distinctive.  Independent minded, at times, Lady can be a bit of a challenge when on a lead.  She is slightly smaller in stature than Rio, but almost the same height at just short of 15-and-a-half hands.

Planting and Plowing -- All quiet on the western front.

Riley -- Riley has taken up a new sport - curling.  He found a two-pound round stone somewhere and has dragged it into the kitchen, where he pushes it around various obstacles with his more-than-insignificant nose.  Now if we can only teach him to pick up a broom and do some of that sweeping that accompanies the sport as we see it on TV.  He has yet to have a first hand encounter with the horses -- stay tuned.

The Herd of Five -- A day of sleet on Nov. 8, covered a few things in wintry white.  No problem for the Holsteins and the Dexters, who run hot and enjoy the cooling effect.  Late Monday afternoon, I went down to the barn to check on them in the storm and wind, and also to feed them, and we played a little game we like to play around here -- it's called Slap the Bull.  Some fun on a cold and slippery day.  Go Wild Hogs.

Fowl Weather -- Turkeys fly; or more accurately described, jump-fly.  they really don't ever fly away, but in a pinch can fly 20-30 yards five feet off the ground.  Or could fly 10-15 feet straight up into a tree.  Certainly they fly well enough to get out of our outdoor turkey coop, which has six feet tall fencing and gate.  On Tuesday, we captured each turkey and clipped the top feathers, about 20 or so, on each wing, So far, no great protests.  Some of them can actually still fly up in the air about 3-4 feet, by furiously flapping their remaining feathered wings - a bit of barnyard entertainment.  Otherwise, the birds are growing fast and furiously, still tracking Susan's every step.  Lefty, the turkey who lost his foot three weeks ago, is flourishing in his private 12'x12' stall - the most pampered turkey in America.

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- At5 a local restaurant recently, we bumped into our friend Robert Hancock of Cobleskill.  In his spare time, when he isn't running his environmental consulting business in The City or his pool installation business in Fort Plain, he operates an animal rescue shelter of sorts at his home in Cobleskill.  He has an assortment of mostly old and/or hobbled horses, and a cow or two, in various pastures, pens and barns.  Recently he acquired a pair of horses from an elderly lady in the area, recently widowed, who could no longer care for them.  We spent Thursday afternoon with Robert's stable-girl, Lily, walking and brushing the horses.  Very relaxing, except for the one moment when something spooked one of the horses, which in turn spooked the other horse, which in turn reared up and bolted, knocking Lily to the turf.  No harm, no foul and all was back to normal in a minute.  Still, all in all, a very pleasant warm and sunny afternoon with the animals.  The horses are now in our barn and pasture.

Quotes of the Week -- Several excellent ones this week, from a few unusual sources ...

        People talk about the Haves and the Have-Nots.  What they should speak of is the Will-Works and the Will-Not-Works. -- Bill Galt, from The Galt Ranch, Last American Cowboy, Planet Green Network
        History will sum-up this (Obama) administration as weak and feckless. - John Bolton, Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., November 8, 2010
        And if Latinos sit out the election instead of saying, we're gonna punish our enemies and we're gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us, if they don't see that kind of upsurge in voting in this election, then I think it's gonna be harder. -- Barack Obama, October 2010.  Of course, later corrected with the proper take on America by presumed Speaker of the House John Boehner, who reminded Obama that people who evaluate and criticize governmental and political moves and motives are not 'enemies', they are 'patriots'.

        NOW HERE IS THE QUOTE OF THE CENTURY, MAYBE EVEN THE MILLENNIUM

Some people have the vocabulary to sum up things in a way you can understand them. This quote came from the Czech Republic . Someone over there has it figured out. We have a lot of work to do.

"The danger to America is not Barack Obama, but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency.  It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president.  The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America.  Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.  The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool.  It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."

The Riley Factor #86

The Riley Factor Fort Plain, NY
November 3, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

Election Recap -- Best summed-up by one of the CNN late election night pundits ... "We wondered if the Obama election in 2008 was the beginning of a movement.  Now we know it was only a moment."

Visitors -- Uschi & Achem, visitors for the last week of October, have departed for warmer climes - a week in London to be spent with son Moritz, and then on to Sardinia to resume life on the Mediterranean.  Upon her arrival in Middle-of-Nowhere, Uschi announced that she was very afraid of cows and did not want to get near them or get near the turkeys or chickens either.  "I am afraid of these things".  Upon leaving, she said she was surprised and she liked them, and loved Eli the best, because he gave her kisses.  "They are like big dogs, very friendly".  Achem, a painter (an exhibited artist), took hundreds of photos.  He said, "I have inspiration to paint.  I have never seen trees with leaves so yellow.  The old farms - they are so beautiful".  Uschi and Achem met our friend Annie Kanagy, and they spoke high German to one another for much of a morning.

Planting and Plowing -- The only remaining planting to do before the snow flies is to prepare the soil in a raised bed or two and plant the garlic.  With little additional work, the cloves will be ready for harvesting next August.

Riley -- The daily Riley swims are diminishing in frequency, inversely proportional to the temperature at time of each daily run.  Uschi and Achem loved Riley, saying he is such a good dog, and very gentle.  Uschi does think that Riley could benefit from a Dog Whisperer.  (At times, I think Riley could benefit from a Dog Screamer, and I occasionally fill the role).

The Herd of Five -- The steers are mooing, growing, and eating lots of hay.  December 8 is B-Day (Butchering Day) - starting line-up and size of roster to be determined.
 
Fowl Weather -- Having arrived in mid-May-June, the black Jersey Giant chickens are beginning to lay eggs.  (No, the eggs are not black).  Some of the roosters are truly giants, approaching 15 pounds.  They haven't got the morning crowing down right yet -- frequently crowing at noon, dusk and whenever-the-hell-they-want.  Lefty, the turkey who needed to have a foot amputated last month, is doing fine, spending his days contentedly in his own stall, with occasional visits from one or two of the red chickens or a turkey or two.

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- We have a new resident at the compound - a ground hog has been wandering around inside the garage and driveway, not really bothering anyone or anything, nor being bothered by anyone or anything.  Impact and resolution, if any, to be determined.  Susan's foot is finally returning to normal - I inadvertently dropped a log on it when we were splitting logs on October 13 and she has been shoeless ever since, along with being colored black-and-blue and experiencing the accompanying toe throbbing - perhaps a broken little toe.

Quotes of the Week --

   "Twenty-two months from Messiah to pariah". -- Dennis Miller, Fox News Channel

   "We have done things you don't know about." -- Barack Obama, to John Stewart, on The Daily Show, October 27, 2010

                                                  (Well, unfortunately, now we can only guess.  But we will find out, and correct them all.)

   "He will go out the same way he came in ... without any class." -- JFK, in 1960 speaking of Richard Nixon.  Soon to be applicable to Barack Obama.

   "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." -- Hebrews 4:16

The Riley Factor #85

The Riley Factor Fort Plain, NY
October 27, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

Visitors -- Many of you remember Moritz, our German Italian foreign exchange student from 1999-2000.  Well, his parents, Uschi & Achem, made a long-awaited visit to Middle-of-Nowhere on the tail-end of a whirlwind tour around America that began a few weeks ago at a NATO pilots reunion in San Diego (Achem flew fighters for NATO for 20 years, before retiring in the 1990's in favor of painting and drinking red wine and German beer).  After Susan toured Uschi and Achem around New England for a few days, the threesome arrived in Fort Plain for a few days relaxation before Uschi and Achem flew back to Sardinia.  A good time was had by all.

Planting and Plowing -- We found one last farming thing to do before the snow flies -- on Oct. 20, we fertilized the newest hay field, six acres in the lower half of Field No. 3.  Got the John Deere tractor stuck in the mud in the middle of the nearby rye field, while getting rid of the last of the fertilizer, and had to walk back a half mile to get another tractor and pull the Deere out with chains.  Some fun, while Susan was away touring with the Gottschalks.

Riley -- His energy geometrically increases with his age.  I soon see Riley becoming a nuclear power.  If he survives the day.

The Herd of Five -- Mooing on.  A simple group.  Content.  They refused to come into the barn one night.  I went down to their stalls for a final check around midnight and found the five-some all laying down in a tight circle right outside the barn door.  They were mooing, not moving, and declined to get up.  So I declined to waste any more time on their evening comfort.  All was fine by morning.
 
Fowl Weather -- The turkeys have taken to roosting on our Jeep, a ridiculous sight, covering almost all of the horizontal surfaces.  The Jeep barely accommodates the 20 of them.  But I have evidence.  Trust me though, you don't want to see it.

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Hawks abound over the upper fields and edge of the woods.  With an occasional vulture or two.  Great to watch them soaring.  And the deer sightings are picking-up, no doubt before the hiding begins with the opening of deer hunting season in mid-November.  The wild turkeys have not yet exhaled, since their hunting season runs from October 1 to November 19.

Quotes of the Week -- Our Forefathers Speak

   The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. - Thomas Jefferson

   Laws that forbid the carrying of arms..disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed one." - Thomas Jefferson

   The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing. - John Adams

   To contract new debts is not the way to pay old ones. - George Washington

   There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet an enemy. - George Washington

   I appeal to you again to constantly bear in mind that with you, and not with politicians, not with Presidents, not with office-seekers, but with you, is the question, "Shall the Union and shall the liberties of this country be preserved to the latest generation?" - Abraham Lincoln

The Pledge to America -- The New Republican Agenda -- America is more than a country.  America is an idea – an idea that free people can govern themselves, that government’s powers are derived from the consent of the governed, that each of us is endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. America is the belief that any man or woman can – given economic, political, and religious liberty – advance themselves, their families, and the common good.   America is an inspiration to those who yearn to be free and have the ability and the dignity to determine their own destiny.  Whenever the agenda of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to institute a new governing agenda and set a different course.

The Riley Factor #84

The Riley Factor Fort Plain, NY
October 19 , 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

Planting and Plowing -- Done for the year.  Equipment is in the barn.  Some oiling, greasing and painting in process.

Riley -- The Golden Boy is running and still swimming daily.  He still chases the turkeys and chickens within an inch of their lives, but it is a love/hate relationship.  When the birds run (that's right, run not fly) away, they move about five feet -- not exactly fleeing for their lives.  And Riley runs about four feet, not exactly chasing down his dinner.

The Herd of Five -- Word on the pasture is that one or more of the herd may be heading for the butcher this fall.  Makes for a nervous barn.  All are doing well, with Gabe and Eli each near 1,000 pounds, and the Dexter brothers not far behind.  Zeke the Bull is still a waif, at under 400 pounds, including horns.
 
Fowl Weather -- Although only 20 weeks old, some of the Jersey Giant chickens have laid their first few eggs.  A few of the roosters, at about 6-8 pounds, recently made a trip to the butcher, and (presumably) are enjoying their new life n the freezer..  That leaves about 25 hens to lay eggs and a couple of roosters to organize and patrol the hen house.  The 17 remaining RI Red/Cornish Hen crossbreeds are each still happily laying an egg a day.

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Leaves have changed colors.  Many have fallen.  Scenery is beautiful.

Quote of the Week -- .
                             Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.                                                                  President John F. Kennedy

The Riley Factor #83

The Riley Factor Fort Plain, NY
October 4, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

Planting and Plowing -- Susan spent Monday and Tuesday rototilling the first field and planting the winter wheat -- two acres of white semolina and an acre and a half of hard red.  Added 400 pounds of triple-15 fertilizer per acre, so the wheat will require virtually no attention until it is ready for combining next August.  Result next summer should be three to four tons of wheat.  We took this year's wheat to a grain house down the road and they cleaned the wheat and put it in stiched 60-pound bags - now all stacked in the barn for use.  We also put down 100 pounds per acre of the fertilizer on the 15 acres of hay fields, so those are all set for winter.

Riley -- Riley made a new friend this past weekend with Paisley, a year-and-a-half old Jack Russell Terrier/Beagle mix, owned by Samantha, one of CJ's friends.  CJ and peeps, James, Brooksie, Samantha and Alex, were in town for a 3k warrier road race that had a dozen or so obstacles on the cross country course, including were such stations such as running through fire, crossing a 5-foot deep water hole, crawling in mud under barbed wire, etc.  All survived and finished the course.  This weekend through tomorrow, the identical twins, Barbara and Betty, along with Betty's 84 year old 'boyfriend' Larry, are spending a few days visiting.

The Herd of Five -- The steers have a new habit -- they have refined their palates and when they leave the barn in the morning they stop, look up at the second floor hay door and moo until Susan drops a bale of the recently baled second cutting hay.

Fowl Weather -- Inexplicably, one of the 23 turkeys was found dead in the coop last Saturday morning.  We rounded-up the usual suspects and threatened the rubber hose treatment, but concluded natural causes was the culprit.  The remaining 22 Narragansetts are roaming free along with the 17 red RI/Cornish hens and the 31 black Jersey Giant chickens.  The turkeys have become accustomed to heights, spending time each day in the workshop over the garage and in the rafters over the top floor in the barn.  Plenty of turkey pooping is involved.  The Jersey Giants, now about four months old, are just starting to lay eggs.  Late breaking story: one turkey took-on a vehicle on route.  Result: now 21 turkeys are roaming freely ...

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Susan and her friend Annie canned 13 gallons of grape juice on Wednesday -- made from three bushels of concord grapes.

Quotes of the Week -- All from the late, great Vince Lombardi (1913-1970), over the years --

  Fatigue makes cowards of us all.

  I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.

  If it doesn't matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?

  If you can accept losing, you can't win.

  It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up.

  Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.

  Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.

  Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser.

  The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.

  The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.

  The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.

  The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

  The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.

  Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything.

NFL Update -- The Packers are back where they rightfully should be, in first place (tied with Da Bears) in the NFC Central Division.  The Patriots are no doubt heading for a train wreck in Miami, on tonight's Monday Night Football.  This just in -- Aaron Rodgers is certainly one of the top three quarterbacks in the NFL -- no room for Peytonn Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees to join Rodgers in that Exclusive Club -- you pick the other two.

The Riley Factor #82

The Riley Factor Fort Plain, NY
September 19, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

Planting and Plowing -- Monday and Tuesday were spent repairing a tractor, the hay tedder, the hay mower, the combine and the rototiller.  Ahhh, then disking the recently plowed turf in field no. 1, in anticipation of planting the winter red and white semolina wheat before month's end.  Also, the trellis for the grapes in the vineyard began its ascent this week.  Most of the vines are still too small to need a vertical assist, but their time is coming.

Riley -- On Tuesday, Riley spent a couple of hours in the back barn with Ephraim Blank and me and the tools.  Riley is beginning to settle down a bit, now that he has celebrated his first birthday (September 3).  He is still the terror of the turkeys (and keets).

The Herd of Five -- The bovine boys are beginning to look a little nervous ... I think they heard the rumor that one or more may be heading for the butcher this fall.  :-/

Fowl Weather -- The flock of 23 Narragansett turkeys, about 10 weeks old now, follow Susan everywhere, en masse.  When she goes into the house, it is common to see the 23 all standing around, loitering on the patio waiting for her to come back out and play.  (Editor's note: you do not want 23 turkeys standing around any one place anywhere for too long a time).

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Susan and her friend, Annie Kanagy, canned 26 liters of apple sauce on Monday -- made from three-quarters of a bushel of Gala apples.

Quotes of the Week --
          "Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out."
                --Benjamin Franklin
          "God will give me justice."
                --Alexandre Dumas, pere, from the principal character in The Count of Monto Cristo

Fact of the Week (surely to be repeated from time to time) -- The top 1% of U.S. taxpayers pay 40% of all federal taxes paid.
                              

                                                               The top 5% of U,S, taxpayers pay 61% of all federal taxes paid.
                                                                                             50% of American families/taxpayers pay no federal income taxes at all.

The Riley Factor #81

The Riley Factor Fort Plain, NY
September 12, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

A Football Aside (a mere brief diversion) -- Are you ready for some football> -- Hey, the NFL started this week.  Several of the football pundits at FOX, CBS and ESPN picked those Green bay Packers to win this season's Superbowl -- very wise, very wise.  Alphabetical others notably picked to win it all by some of the less perceptive football geniuses were the Colts, Patriots, Ravens and Saints.  And everyone predicted great seasons to be had by quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees.  I guess it's time to play the games.

Planting and Plowing -- Ahhh ... nothing better than the aroma of aged manure spread on the fields before plowing to give one the true sense of farming.  Well, really, I can think of several things better.  We spent Labor Day spreading aged manure over field no. 1, in preparation of planting the winter wheat.  Then we plowed the fields under, to be followed in the next week or so by disking and planting.

Riley -- Craving his runs around the place these days.  Riley gets-in two or three runs daily, a mile-and-a-half each or so.  He is taking the lead more often and rarely wanders off course.

The Herd of Five -- We may decide to butcher one or more of the steer this fall.  No final decision yet.  Leading candidates and weights are Gabe @ 900-1000 lbs., Eli @ 700-800 lbs., and each of the two Dexters at 600-700 lbs. apiece.  Only Zeke the bull has immunity for now, owing to his skinny 300 lb. frame.  This too shall change.

Fowl Weather -- We're building a new outdoor coop for the turkeys, outside of their indoor coop.  It will be 12'x36' in size and six feet high -- we will have to clip the 23 pair of wings to prevent escape by flight.  Construction schedule still up in the air.  Those same 23 turkeys all escaped en masse on Saturday into the workshop over the garage.  After several house in the Tool House, they each waddled to the upstairs doorway and one-by-one jumped like skydivers flying (sort of) to about half way to the road before hard-landing on the side lawn next to the barn.

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- While moving the second field, which takes about eight hours to complete, large black hawks, smaller red-tailed hawks and some other bird of prey, probably vultures, were constantly overhead, circling for small prey to be scared into the open by the tractor/mower/me.  Very interesting to watch -- several times, they did get to within 10 feet of the tractor seat, but don't appear threatening at all.  Usually, they cruise 20 to 50 feet overhead.

Separately, Susan encountered a buzzing mound of honey bees on one of the main trails Wednesday afternoon -- a pile a foot or foot-and-a-half in diameter and 4-5 inches high -- consisting of nothing but thousands of bees piled on top of one another.  No idea as to the reason or purpose for this.  We do have a large honey bee nest out back, in the edge of the woods. about 200 feet from this bee pile and about 100 feet from the upper pond, which has been there all summer, without any events to report.  We saw the bee-mound again on Saturday -- a bit unsettling to say the least.

Quotes of the Week --

I do not like this Uncle Sam,

I do not like his health care scam.

I do not like these dirty crooks,

or how they lie and cook the books.

I do not like when Congress steals,

I do not like their secret deals.

I do not like this speaker, Nan , 

I do not like this 'YES WE CAN.'

I do not like this spending spree,

I'm smart, I know that nothing's free.

I do not like your smug replies,

when I complain about your lies.

I do not like this kind of hope.

I do not like it, nope, nope, nope!

                              

                                                                                                      Anonymous

The Riley Factor #80

The Riley Factor Fort Plain, NY
September 6, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

Labor Day Visitors -- Roger, Carol and Cindy Slate spent a couple of days of Labor Day Weekend at the NY Compound.  With great success, the accompanying kids, Sebrina and Brittany, spent two days coaxing the senior chickens to lay more eggs.  Although their specific methods went unobserved, the results could not be ignored with the 17 egg-laying hens producing over three dozen eggs in a 24-hour period.  When not singing to and cuddling the red hens, the girls were swimming in the lower pond and playing with the 23 young turkeys and, of course, the five bovines.
Planting and Plowing -- The second cutting of hay was completed last Wednesday and is in the barn, with 120 bales stacked and salted.  Mowing, some plowing, some disking and the fall farm work begins.  Susan harvested about three-quarters of the tobacco and hung it in the greenhouse for drying.  Still have potatoes, tomatoes and peppers to harvest.  And winter wheat to plant.

Riley -- Riley has become the model citizen in car rides.  Sitting quietly looking out the windows, with his favorite position being riding shotgun next to the driver.  Looks a bit ridiculous as he rides around town sitting patiently and surveying the surroundings.

The Herd of Five -- The Fearsome Fivesome loves the newly cut hay.  After getting a few bales of it, they were returned to reality and eating through the remaining 600 bales of last year's remaining forage.  On Labor Day, when Susan filled the outside feeder with the old stuff, the herd turned the feeder upside-down in protest.  "Free the Fort Plain Five", they mooed in protest as they left the feeder area in ruins.

Fowl Weather -- Adding a formal outside pen for the turkeys and chickens is the first fall project to begin the journey to fruition.  Designed to be about 12' by 36' and six feet high, should be completed in a week or two.

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Oops.  While mowing around the upper pond, I wasn't paying enough attention and hit a 25-foot tall white pine tree, about 8 inches in diameter, with the corned of the bucket loader and flattened the tree -- snapped it off right at ground level.  On the bright side -- slightly improved view and firewood anyone?

Quotes of the Week -- "Liberal environmentalists don't care anything about people.  They are all about 'Save the Whales' and 'Abort the Fetuses'." -- Laura Ingraham, Fox News, 9/2/10.

                              

     "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." -- Proverbs 22:6

The Riley Factor #79

The Riley Factor August 30 , 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

FORT PLAIN NY, August 30  --

Goodbye, Farewell, It's time to Say Adieu ... to Pauline and The Donald Michaud.  Thursday night, family members and friends gathered at Pheasant Hill in Agawam to wish success and happiness to Pauline and Don, who have decided to pick-up and move to Tuscon.  Bags are packed, vehicles are loaded, and the train pulls out of the New England station for all points west on Sunday morning, August 29.  All the best go out to the happy couple about to embark on life's next big journey.

Planting and Plowing -- A bit of mowing, some plowing, some disking and the fall farm work has begun.  Not long before it will be over for another year.  Still have potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and tobacco to harvest.  And winter wheat to plant.  And the final hay cutting of the year to make.

Riley -- If you really want a taste of the experience of Life with Riley, see the movie Marley & Me (2008, Twentieth Century Fox, Owen Wilson, Jennifer Anniston, currently running on HBO).  Although Marley is a Yellow Lab and Riley is a Golden, the two breeds are very similar, and Marley and Riley have the same, let's say, zest for life.  This Hollywood blockbuster (well, perhaps straight to video B- flick) film captures the entire essence of Life with Riley.  Chewed stuff not meant to be chewed, diving into pools of water where no one should swim, jumping up on people who don't fully appreciate the excitement of a 90-pound dog meeting a new acquaintance head-on at 20 mph, "I didn't notice that he chewed through the leash" episodes one after another, etc.  A good time is had by all; well, at least is had by Marley and Riley.

The Herd of Five -- Cutest photo op of the week was Zeke, our 300-pound bull calf, napping under the overhang near the barn, with two of the red chickens standing on top of him -- all three at peace.

Fowl Weather -- The French Guinea Fowls declining numbers continue, with nine of the squawking prowlers remaining.  Eventually, one hopes that they get the idea that in the game of Car Versus Bird, car wins.  On the positive front, Queen Susan has trained 23 two-month old turkeys to come when called.  They follow her around like Red Sox fans follow Big Papi.

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Ponds are still overfull and streams are still flowing heavily from last Sunday's torrential rains.  But the basement is now empty of its six-inches of water and the town's fire alarm has stopped going-off every hour.

Quote of the Week -- "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." -- Winston Churchill

The Riley Factor #78

The Riley Factor August 25 , 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

FORT PLAIN NY, August 25  --

The Rains -- This past Sunday, we got six inches of rain here in beautiful Fort Plain.  And six inches of water in our basement.  Our drainage culvert, which runs parallel to the house and carries the water run-off from the fields down to the street culvert, breached its boundaries, and we had a 15-foot wide stream of sorts running across our front yard and driveway.  All is fine here now, owing to a couple of pumps running all night in the basement and emptying the swimming-pool-to-be.  We saw some wicked flooding in and around town.  One house, its breezeway and garage had a stream turned river flowing right through it, across the front yard and across Route 163 in a 100-foot-wide swath.  When we drove past, the owners were standing in front of the house in six inches of flowing water in the middle of the street on the double yellow line.  Rock Creek, our little creek after which our farm is named, is dry most of the year or at least runs very, very little.  Our pasture fence is built right over the creek, about 20 yards from Route 163, under which the creek flows through a 4-5 foot in diameter pipe.  After a typical torrential rain storm, the creek might widen to 15-20 feet and perhaps a foot deep for a few hours due to storm run-off.  We have experienced this many times.  Last evening, the creek had swelled to 75 feet wide and was so deep it flowed through and right over the top of the pasture fence.

Planting and Plowing -- Harvesting is done for the year, except for the remaining tomatoes, potatoes and tobacco.  Soon fields will again be plowed and disked, and the hard red and soft white winter wheat will be planted.

Riley -- Allegedly a hunting hound of sorts, Riley spends part of each daily run/walk pursuing rabbits and other little furry creatures.  To date, Riley is being shut out.  A good thing.

The Herd of Five -- Grazing in the pasture, mooing, nibbling on hay bales, slurping some water, pooping ... the life of cattle is not a diverse one.

Fowl Weather -- We sold 20 of the black Jersey Giant chickens, which were about three months old, so now the chicken flock is back to a manageable level at 49 ... 31 remaining Jersey Giants and 18 of the Cornish Rock Hen/RI Red crossbreeds.  On the turkey front, for some reason, the 23 young turkeys, which are about two months old and just learning what their wings are for, decided to fly up into the top rafters in the barn one evening last week.  No explanation offered.  They refused Queen Susan's pleas to return to the planet surface, resulting in their spending a night up over the hay in the rafters above the top floor of the barn.  Fortunately, one night was enough for this adventure.
Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- The most civilized of the logging roads has finally been cleared and pruned to allow even the least hardy sole to traverse via ATV or Ute a half mile into and out of the darkest parts of the woods without feeling like their face is being constantly whacked by brush.  Sorry, but your butt will still feel like you've been in the saddle driving cattle for a week, but, hey, you can't have everything.

Quote of the Week -- "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Riley Factor #77

The Riley Factor August 21, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

FORT PLAIN NY, August  21 --
Planting and Plowing -- An acre each of barley and oats were combined this week and stored in the barn, to be used as cattle feed.  The oldest member of Rock Creek Farm, the huge Oliver grain combine, continues to chug along without too much repair being called for.  And the second oldest member of the farm family, the New Holland baler, put-up more bales of straw into the barn from the remnants of the semolina wheat harvested a couple of weeks ago.

Riley -- Moving up to three runs per day through the trails and fields to have energized the golden one

The Herd of Five -- A round-em-up rodeo has become virtually a nightly feature in the pasture, as the Holsteins and Dexters enjoy being chased by Susan on an ATV round and round before settling in on a track into the barn.  They each take a turn or two first confronting the ATV head on, and then running away before turning around to fight another time.  Thus far, no head-on charges have resulted in collision.  But Gabe at 900 lbs. and Eli at 730 lbs. each outweigh the ATV and rider, so cowgirl beware.

Fowl Weather -- The Keets flock continues its self-appointed route toward the endangered species list.  Two more were lost to traffic this week, leaving their numbers at 10, down from their starting point of 16.  And one of those 10 has a broken leg, presumabnly from surviving a bump with some 55mph vehicle.  They need all to consider some behavior modification.  And fast.
Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Susan and her Amish sisters harvested a few quarts of blackberries from the berry patches in the woods, and Susan has untertaken to turn them into blackberry wine.  Stay tuned.  And good thing the haqrvesting was done in daylight, as we heard a large pack of coyotes in the trails and we chased them back into the woods early Saturday evening.  No idea what we would have done had we actually caught them, but leave that matter for another day.

Tales from Hank Burton (and of your government at work) -- Hank Burton is a wonderful man, now in his 70s, and has been riding the seat of a bulldozer for over 50 years.  He did all the excavation that we needed for construction of the barns and drainage of the fields.  He stops in every few weeks to talk.  Although he considers himself 'retired', he still owns and operates an excavation company that does work all around the area, including most of the building of Dream Parks, the national baseball camp in Cooperstown.  He stopped-in last Monday for a chat.  Well, the other day, he pulled his pick-up into his driveway, and was followed in by a white pick-up driven by a woman from the IRS, who had followed him from seeing him somewhere out on the roads.  She handed him a copy of an Internal Revenue Code Section that authorized her to check the fuel in any/all of his trucks, cars, equipment, storage tanks, etc.  After selecting two pick-ups to test (not including the one that Hank had been driving), she announced that one of the pick-ups had the wrong fuel in its tank (cheaper farm diesel; as opposed to road diesel that is sold at a price including all the familiar federal and state road taxes).  Hank explained that that truck was an old one used almost exclusively off road, and had just returned from an 8-day project building a 5-acre pond for a client.  Just that morning, they had run the truck's tank down to almost empty and filled it with road diesel at a gas station in Milford.  No matter, it still contained some farm diesel in it, and it did carry NY license plates on it, so that violation would cost Hank a $1,000.00 fine.  So that is your grand federal government at work -- fining/taxing a 70+ year old small business $1,000 under some arcane law that would not allow even a gallon of farm diesel fuel mixed in a 30-gallon tank containing road diesel.  This while Obama wastes millions of tax dollars going on a half dozen vacations around the world each year and while his minions (guys like Timothy Geitner, Charles Grassley, Barney Frank and others) can't seem to pay their taxes and are excused from bothering to obey other federal laws.

Quote of the Week -- To live is Christ, to die is gain. -- the Bible, Book of Corinthians
..............................

............................................................................................................................................................................

Heartfelt condolences to Hank Burton and Family, on the tragic death of their son, Jimmy, who was killed last Tuesday in a logging accident.

The Riley Factor #76

The Riley Factor August 15, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

FORT PLAIN NY, August 15 --

VACATION EXTRA >>>>> Susan just returned from a one week vacation trip to Big Valley, Pennsylvania, with some Amish friends.  She spent the days visiting over two dozen Amish families and was the talk of the barn raisings.  She said the valley is enormous and strikingly beautiful.

Following that up, CJ and Chris just completed a western road trip, covering over 5,200 miles in 12 days.  First stop was a day at the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field in Green Bay (actually 85 degrees and sunny on August 1).  Then on to the Devil's Tower, the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Deadwood, Cody, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Cheyenne, Dodge City, Kansas City and Gettysburg.  Along the route, we passed through Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee, Sioux Falls, Denver, Columbus, Scranton and what seemed like millions of square miles of endless corn, wheat, soy and sunflower fields.  One lady told us that if we actually drove past Johnston, Wyoming, we would fall off of the edge of earth -- which was believable.  A great time was had, and CJ drove all 5,212 miles in his Jeep Wrangler.
Planting and Plowing -- the 3/4th acre of semolina (soft white pastry wheat) was combined on this past Wednesday.  CJ got his first taste of the farming life, helping Chris and Susan, without significant incident.  About 900 pounds were produced by the combine, bagged and moved into the upper barn for storage.  Next up, combining the wheat, oats and buckwheat (about an acre of each).  And a second cutting of the upper hay field is also in the offing, perhaps along with haying the deerfield.

Riley -- The golden one has finally started to calm down a bit.  He goes for a two mile run with us (in a vehicle of some sort) twice daily, and includes at least one pond swim in the middle of each outing.  He did make an unauthorized visit once, and was retrieved from Lloyd Vanalstine's front steps late Thursday evening.

The Herd of Five -- The steer spent their second unauthorized night outside on Saturday night, refusing to come into the barn for the evening feeding.  No incidents to report.  Just after dawn, they were all found outside under the barn overhang sleeping in the hay.  We weighed the three Holstein's this week -- Gabe was the winner at 900 pounds, with Eli coming in at 730, and Zeke trailing at a frail 300 (although he was only born this past February 13, while the other two were each born last September).  We estimate the Dexters each at about 600-700 pounds.

Fowl Weather -- The Keets are not chickens -- but they should consider some behavior modification.  Apparently, French Guinea Fowl are not as smart or quick as their barnyard fowl friends, the Jersey Giants and Rhode Island Red/Cornish Rock Hen crossbred chickens.  Four of the Keets have been hit by traffic in the past month, reducing the Keet flock to a mere dozen.  None of our chickens have ever been a traffic fatality, and we have had as many as 100 of them on site here at the NY Compound.  In a related story, the young Narragansett turkeys are now allowed outside, free to roam during daylight hours.  The flock of 23 young turkeys stick closely together as a group and venture as far as 100 yards from the barn.  Susan is their Queen, and the turkeys follow her every move, refusing to leave her side until she escapes.
Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Many deer have been seen recently prowling the fields and trails.  Including a just-born fawn that stood no more than two feet high at the head.  Also, the great blue heron has returned to the lower pond, with occasional trips to the watering hole in the pasture.  Regardless of how long you stare at a heron, it does not appear flight-worthy, despite its five foot wingspan and long stick-like legs.  But somehow, when the urge is there, it manages to take flight after some considerable effort.

Quote of the Week -- "Honesty may not be the best policy, but it is worth trying at least once in a while." -- Richard M. Nixon -- Particularly appropriate and relevant in today's world for all parties currently serving in the U.S. Congress, and especially for President Obama and his band of minions in the Executive Branch.

The Riley Factor #75

The Riley Factor July 21, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

FORT PLAIN NY, July 21 --

EXTRA, EXTRA >>>>> Stevie's & Scott's big wedding bash went off as planned on, Saturday, July 17.  Israel and Annie Kanagy watched Rock Creek Farm while were in Eastern Massachusetts -- big thanks to them.  Stevie did a remarkable job in planning the wedding (one man's unbiased opinion).  And what a great bridal party, everyone was so helpful with all the details, not to mention the impromptu singing and dancing during and after the ceremony.  We had a great time, and Stevie and Scott landed on Maui on Sunday evening for their honeymoon in Hawaii.
Planting and Plowing -- The wheat is closing-in on time for the harvest.  Golden waves throughout, still not quite dry enough for combining.  Should be good to go soon, weather permitting.  Ephraim Blank is giving the combine a once over to be sure it is ready for the 2010 season.  And, after a couple of weeks under the care and feeding of Lloyd Vanalstine, the recently acquired hay baler us up and running.

Riley -- Apparently, Riley has just discovered that he has a tail.  Question: What kind of dog waits 10 months and then begins chasing his tail, making this fruitless task a daily preoccupation?  Answer: The Riley.

The Herd of Five -- Susan had to round up the Herd of Five the other evening by chasing them on an ATV from up on the highlands.  She was laughing so hard that she caused a mini stampede while Lloyd and I looked on.  The two Dexters entered the barn at about 20 miles per hour.  Good thing those 500-pound steer have brakes.  The three Holsteins wandered in when they were good and ready.

Fowl Weather -- The Keets have gone on strike a couple of evenings, refusing to get back into their 'luxurious' quarters in the barn.  The inmates think that they are running the asylum ... now, where did I put my 12-gauge?
Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- One evening this week, Susan and Chris chased a flying brown bat around the kitchen for 5-10 minutes, before a well-placed swing of the broom knocked it out the door and onto the patio.  Even with the passing of a  few decades, that old high Agawam High School baseball talent still prevails.  Mighty Casey has not struck out.

Casey at the Bat By Ernest Lawrence Thayer Taken From the San Francisco Examiner - June 3, 1888

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day; The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play, And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same, A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game. A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast; They thought, "If only Casey could but get a whack at that — We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat." But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake, And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake; So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat; For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat. But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all, And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball; And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred, There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third. Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell; It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell; It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat, For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat. There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place; There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit Casey's face. And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat, No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat. Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt. Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt. Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip, Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip. And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air, And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there. Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped — "That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one!" the umpire said. From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar, Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore; "Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted some one on the stand; And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand. With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone; He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on; He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew; But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said "Strike two!" "Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!" But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed. They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain, And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again. The sneer has fled from Casey's lip, the teeth are clenched in hate; He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate. And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go, And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow. Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright, The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.

Quote of the Week -- "We are all architects of our own destiny." -- Gigi Gaston
                              

  "Being right is not the same as doing good.: -- Anonymous

The Riley Factor #74

The Riley Factor July 11, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

FORT PLAIN NY, July 11 --
Planting and Plowing -- The wheat fields are all golden brown -- waiting for the heads to drop and then it will be combining time.  And then time for baling some straw for bedding.  The barley, buckwheat, oats and rye are in mid-season form.

Riley -- Riley's new high-fashion electronic training collar is making a marked improvement in his behavior.

The Herd of Five -- All is well in cattle-land.  Herd is happy now that the heat wave has passed.

Fowl Weather -- Jersey Giants at nearly two months of age are the same size as our mature egg-laying Rhode Island Red/Cornish Rock Hen crossbreeds at a year or two old.  The Keets (French Guinea Hens) are a traveling band of 16, each never more than a foot or two from their nearest brethren.
Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Mid-summer mowings are all complete.  Trails are dry.  Ongoing project to re-open some of the logging roads in the woods continues when time permits.  On July fourth, Scott, CJ and Chris spent a few hours in the woods, for the first ti\me marking and posting the north property line.  Felt like we were wandering through the jungles of Southeast Asia, without any bullets flying by.  We are seeing deer on most evening trail rides.

And it doesn't seem possible, but 27 years ago, on a cold and sunny January afternoon, little Stevie was born into our lives in St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, and next Saturday, she marries Scott.  Where has all that time gone?

Quote of the Week -- “None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free” (Goethe).

The Riley Factor #73

The Riley Factor July 4, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

FORT PLAIN NY, July 4 --
Planting and Plowing -- All quiet these days -- growing season.

Riley -- ... is in the dog house.  Literally.  Last Sunday, he dug my money clip out of my brief case and chewed-up a few hundred dollars.  After an hour of puzzling, I had it all taped back together.  We'll have to see if the bank agrees ...  Does spelling really count? ... 'In Gd We Trst' ... here in the 'Unted States of merica'!

The Herd of Five -- The steer are becoming a bit rambunctious these days, especially Gabe and Eli, the oldest Holsteins.  We hope that an early trip to the butcher is not in order for one or both of them.

Fowl Weather -- Several of the little Jersey Giant Chickens have escaped and now wander around like they own the place.  They are far too quick to catch, so it is up to each of them as to whether or not they get back into the barn at dusk.
Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- Sign me into the seen small deer club -- on Monday, I came across a doe with a fawn that was less than two feet high at the head, probably 25 pounds in all, and no larger than a small dog with too-long legs.  Both were fairly calm, and trotted off after a minute or so.

July 4 Weekend -- All the 'kids', Stevie, CJ, Scott and Jess, visited us in NY this weekend.  Great Fort Plain July 4th on the 3rd Festival.  Great fireworks and a grand time was had by all.  The countdown to Stevie's and Scott's wedding is in full launch mode ... T minus 13 days and counting.
Quote of the Week -- "Hope is not a strategy." - Anonymous
                                "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by.  And that has made all the difference." --
                              

            Robert Frost, The Road not Taken

The Riley Factor #72

The Riley Factor June 26, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

FORT PLAIN NY, June 26 --
Planting and Plowing -- The hay baler has been transported to Lloyd Vanalstine's for a complete refurbishment.  We'll see how easy it is to find parts for a 50-year old machine.

Riley -- Pick-up 520 -- New game invented by Riley Saturday morning, after he chewed-on a deck of cards.  Dogs-or-Better to open.

The Herd of Five -- First attempt at worming them with Novomectin resulted in Chris being wormed and the cattle laughing to see such sport.  First aid indication on the box says, "If spilled on skin, immediately wash-off thoroughly.  Later, if you feel the urge to moo or eat hay, get to a vet right away."

Fowl Weather -- On Thursday morning, 24 Narragansett Heritage turkey chicks arrived all in good health in a box full of holes, courtesy of the USPS.  Susan says, "They are adorable".  One of the new chicks climbs on a small hay pile in the incubator and sits on it like the emperor on her throne.  The three senior turkeys have taken-up guarding the door to the new chicks' coop.  Beware all those who attempt to pass through this portal.  It turns out that one of the senior three may be a male, having hidden its gender during the period when we had two tom turkeys running the asylum.

The Narragansett Turkey is a heritage breed that was developed by crossing the Eastern Wild Turkey with domestic breeds brought to America by the colonists from England and other parts of Europe.  These are excellent turkeys to raise in free range environments because of their excellent foraging abilities and resourcefulness of eating crickets, grasshoppers and other insects.  It is also enjoyed because of its calm disposition and excellent mothering capabilities.  The good egg production and excellent meat qualities among its other utility traits make it an excellent choice to raise in large or small quantities.

Mowings, Musings and The Woods -- On Wednesday, Susan saw the world's smallest deer -- about the same size as our late departed Yorkshire Terrier, Jack -- less than two feet tall from hoof to head.  Ephraim arrived Wednesday evening with a ten-ton forklift and loaded the outdoor furnace used by the previous owners onto a flatbed trailer for transport to its new location at Ephraim's house on Tanners Road.  Stevie & Scotty and CJ & Jess will be visiting the NY Compound for Fourth of July weekend.

Quote of the Week -- "In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."  -  Benjamin Franklin

                              

  "You're gonna need a bigger boat." -- Amity Police Chief Brody to Quint, in the wheel-house of the Orca, in Jaws, 1975