Nearly 20 years ago, we set out to create a self-reliant homestead. Now we produce our own food and our own power, and can tackle whatever craziness this wild world throws at us. If you’re ready take back control from Big Pharma and Big Food and feel confident facing Everyday Emergencies, join us.
Common Sense Home Good News Letter 5/10/25
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"A whippoorwill trilled in the twilight. We stopped evening chores to listen. This was the first time we'd heard the call in 20 years. Though they used to be common in the area, the mega farms that now dominated the landscape had left them without a sanctuary - until they found our home." It gives me such joy to hear "new to us" bird calls in the yard. From the early morning light to sometimes well after dark, our feathered guests serenade us with a multitude of songs. So much habitat has been lost that it's amazing to me that they can locate us, but nature finds a way. I've mentioned this before, so it may be familiar to some, but a while back an elderly neighbor was visiting. I could tell he didn't completely approve of the not so tidy areas in the yard, as he keeps his place very meticulous. Then he heard the song of a bobolink, and his whole posture changed. He noted that he hadn't heard them in decades. Since then he's offered a little more grace for our more relaxed style of tending the land. I called him about the whippoorwill and he was very excited about the news. Again, he hadn't heard one in many years. Now we're watching and listening for meadowlarks. I think I may have seen and heard one, but I didn't have binoculars handy to confirm, and it was windy so the call wasn't clear. In related news... We were hunting online for old satellite images of the homestead for Duncan's permaculture certification course, and it was pretty crazy seeing how much the place has changed over the years. You can view the photos here. Sometimes it's easy to forget how far you've come in your journey, and to wonder if what you're doing is making a difference. Paying attention to the little things can be a good reminder of just how far you have come. Helping you create resilience and abundance, Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan) This week's featured articles...Slowly but surely things are greening up around here, so I decided it was time to update another Weekly Weeder article. This week we have the spotlight on Pineapple Weed, also known as Wild Chamomile, which is useful for a number of things, from tension taming to bug busting. I was talking with a friend recently about things slowing down as you get older - including, at times, bathroom visits. I put together this list of 10 home remedies for constipation to help keep things moving, plus tips of when not to use certain remedies. (Side note - the stock photos for constipation remedies cracked me up. You do not want to be on the toilet clenching your fists. That is not helpful. So I chose the image below.) My neighbor, Betty, stopped by to buy some eggs yesterday, so I thought I would share one of my favorite recipes from her - Betty's Buttermilk Rye Bread. This recipe is great for sandwiches and toast. Other popular articles this week: |
Laurie Neverman @ Common Sense Home
Nearly 20 years ago, we set out to create a self-reliant homestead. Now we produce our own food and our own power, and can tackle whatever craziness this wild world throws at us. If you’re ready take back control from Big Pharma and Big Food and feel confident facing Everyday Emergencies, join us.
"The day started out cool and grey - again - with a steady light rain that topped off the ponds and would soak you through if you lingered too long on outside tasks. It would be easy to be glum - if it weren't for a certain troop of extremely happy duckies who came barreling out of the coop at lightning speed, careening around the yard to see who could grab the most worms before they darted back into their underground tunnels. Whenever rainy days dampen my spirits, the duck patrol perks them...
"The chill of winter lingered like that one friend who insists on striking up a conversation on their way out the door when you're more than ready to wrap up the party. The honeybees had made it through winter, but you could feel their hunger and eagerness to forage as they gathered around the sugar water set out to hold them over until blossom season began. Spring bulbs still hesitated, showing greens, but reluctant to lift their flowers to the wan sun. Still, signs of spring peeked out and...
"I like who I am when I walk outside around our land. The open spaces and knowledge of the terrain encourage me to take long, confident strides. (Unless it's muddy or icy, which merits more caution.) I can feel the good the movement does, loosening up those joints that stiffen when I spend too long inside." Our weather this spring reminds me of the joke about winter acting like a guest who's refusing to leave, coming back again and again to say, "And here's one more thing..." We have snow in...