I wanted to take a minute to share with y'all a couple of great blogs that I read. One is new, One I just found and the others are ones I have not mentioned before. If you feel compelled to check one out just tell them the Redneck sent ya.
This guy is a good friend of mine and it is a shame that we live to far away to visit more. I could talk to him for hours. A historian, gun toting, flag waving red blooded American. You will enjoy what he writes.
https://yeoldefurt.wordpress.com
Here is a guy that just got started in the blog world. After his first post it was hard not to hit the follow button so he is now on my blog roll. He comes highly recommended.
http://downrangereport.blogspot.com/
I have been reading this guys Mountain adventures for a couple of months now. I live through his blog . You will love some of the pictures he posts. It is so comforting to know there are still places like that left in the world.
http://ajournalofselfsufficiency.blogspot.com/
I want to tell y'all what, this young couple has it figured out. I wished I could have started doing this when I was their age. It has been a real pleasure reading about the farm.
http://thewanderingkfarm.blogspot.com/
I am not getting any money from plugging these blogs. They are great blogs that I would like to share with y'all, that's all. I think some of us already read them but if you don't then here is your chance.
Please don't get offended if I did not put yours up here. Shoot me an email or a comment, ask and I will.
Thank y'all for showing your support.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Mr. Survivalist
I was twelve years old the first time I was exposed to the word Survivalist. It took a while to get it in my head on what it actually meant, but after I fully understood it I knew I had to be one.
My dad had an old friend that came by every now and then and sometimes while they sat and talked I would ease-drop in their conversation.
The old man would sit and tell stories and talk of his dreams about being a mountain man and surviving in the wilds. He would tell my dad about all the preparing he has done to achieve his life long goal. He described the plan right down to the smallest detail, the log house he was going to build, the food he was going to grow and he even set a date on when all this was going to take place.
I would sit at the end of the porch, captured by his every word and listen to the thin, grey haired old man as he talked about a day when he was going to live free among the wilds of the mountains. It did not take long for me to start asking questions and trying to learn as much as I could. After he would leave, I would always looked forward to his return.
Finally, the day the old man spent so many years preparing for came. I wondered if he was going to come and say goodby or not like he said he would. When I saw his little red truck pull into the driveway loaded down with supplies and bags I was thrilled. When he got out he told me that he had brought me something special. Reaching in the back of his truck he presented me with a cage and his pet Ferrets. He told me to look after his pets while he was away and to take good care of them. He would be back to get them in the fall.
I did not want to look after his animals, I wanted to go with him. All the talking he and my dad had done about surviving in the wilderness, starting a homestead, living off the land and living free only built a fire in me to do the same. I had even packed a bag on the hopes my dad would let me go with him for a while. Remember, I was around twelve years old at the time and Grizzly Adams was still on TV. All I could think about was having a pet bear and living in the mountains.
I cannot remember the old mans name. All I remember is how he lit up every time he talked about his dream and the smile from ear-to-ear across on his face while he waved goodby as he drove away to capture that dream.
I never saw him again after that day. I would often think about him and his wild adventures while I fed his pets a year or so later. I want to believe he parked his truck off some old mountain dirt road, grabbed his bags out of the back and wondered off into his dream.
May God be with you wherever you are Mr. Survivalist
My dad had an old friend that came by every now and then and sometimes while they sat and talked I would ease-drop in their conversation.
The old man would sit and tell stories and talk of his dreams about being a mountain man and surviving in the wilds. He would tell my dad about all the preparing he has done to achieve his life long goal. He described the plan right down to the smallest detail, the log house he was going to build, the food he was going to grow and he even set a date on when all this was going to take place.
I would sit at the end of the porch, captured by his every word and listen to the thin, grey haired old man as he talked about a day when he was going to live free among the wilds of the mountains. It did not take long for me to start asking questions and trying to learn as much as I could. After he would leave, I would always looked forward to his return.
Finally, the day the old man spent so many years preparing for came. I wondered if he was going to come and say goodby or not like he said he would. When I saw his little red truck pull into the driveway loaded down with supplies and bags I was thrilled. When he got out he told me that he had brought me something special. Reaching in the back of his truck he presented me with a cage and his pet Ferrets. He told me to look after his pets while he was away and to take good care of them. He would be back to get them in the fall.
I did not want to look after his animals, I wanted to go with him. All the talking he and my dad had done about surviving in the wilderness, starting a homestead, living off the land and living free only built a fire in me to do the same. I had even packed a bag on the hopes my dad would let me go with him for a while. Remember, I was around twelve years old at the time and Grizzly Adams was still on TV. All I could think about was having a pet bear and living in the mountains.
I cannot remember the old mans name. All I remember is how he lit up every time he talked about his dream and the smile from ear-to-ear across on his face while he waved goodby as he drove away to capture that dream.
I never saw him again after that day. I would often think about him and his wild adventures while I fed his pets a year or so later. I want to believe he parked his truck off some old mountain dirt road, grabbed his bags out of the back and wondered off into his dream.
May God be with you wherever you are Mr. Survivalist
Monday, August 29, 2011
I Thought I Was Done With It
I don't understand it. With her first pay check, the youngest girl went out and bought more show rabbits. I thought we were done with the show rabbits.
They are of the Mini Satin breed and come with good records so I guess we will see. I have been down this road before though. I think she wanted them just for the local and county shows next year and not for breeding this time.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Redneck Women
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| Home Made Margarita Machine |
Being that our good friends D&R have their anniversary in the same week, the past several years we celebrate both of ours on the same day. Last night the girls wanted to be wined and dined so my buddy Dave and I showed them the town.
First we took them to a nice little restaurant just to show them we care and then to a pool party another friend of ours was having. After just a few minutes of shaking hands and listening to the band we made our escape and stopped off at the pool hall for a few games of billiards, then later back to the pool party to watch and laugh at all the intoxicated people. It was great.
It is amazing what a couple of three hours can do to a party. The people we shook hands with that were all prim and proper just a few hours ago were now three sheets to the wind.
Our two wives sat around in the hot tub laughing at the harlets while me and my buddy Dave were trying to figure out the engineering marvel of the home made Margarita machine. It is powered by a garbage disposal. Truly an amazing wonder.
Both of our wives had a great time on our cheap date night.
Redneck Women are the best.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
New Addition To The Mini Farm
Meet Barack O'Lama.
We just picked him up from a guy who got a divorce from a lady who hoarded animals. It is a shame we did not know about this in time and got there a little late. They gave away many, many chickens, goats, sheep, pigs and a few other animals as well.
If I could have gotten there last weekend I would have been the new towns animal hoarder.
Friday, August 26, 2011
21 Years And Counting
At six years old I was a tough little kid that walked with a swagger wearing squared toed boots with a bright shinny buckle on the side. I would have rather kicked you in the shin and spit in your eye than look at you. At that age I thought I could rope a Texas tornado or ride the Red River bare back in a flood. Nothing scared me because I was ten foot tall and bullet proof plus I had a big daddy that would back me up.
That all changed one day when my parents threw a barn party. They had parties once every other month or so, but this time new people were coming. I was all excited to meet some new kids and as their car pulled into the driveway and they all got out, I started to act like a fool.
They had this little blonde haired girl with them that got out and looked all timid and cute. She just stood there with her hands folded in front of her looking around. Normally I would have just ran right up to the car and punched whoever it was. I guess that was kinda like my hand shake, but this girl was something else. All the sudden I got all shy and nervous. I started seating and even started kicking the rocks on the ground as I watched her from the corner of my eye. I had to get her attention some how. Without even looking at me she followed her daddy to the barn and I was not to far behind.
I stalked her like a hunter stalks his pray. I tried making strange noises, climbing on the walls and anything I could do to get her to look my way, nothing. After a few minutes I finally got the nerve to go up and ask her name. The whole time she talked I could feel my heart beating in my ears and the blood in my cheeks turning them a bright shade of red, I even started to stutter a little not forming any words that she could understand when I was trying to ask her to be my girlfriend. To save face I knew right then what I had to do, I had to hit her and run away.
After landing a nice slug to her upper arm, I ran straight in the house and told my mom that I had a girlfriend and I was going to marry her.
We stayed friends all through school and it helped that our parents were good friends as well. That meant I got to see her more often. She stared dating and so did I and somehow we always ended up together. Most of the times my girlfriends would call her house and ask for me or her boyfriends would call and ask if I had seen her. She was even with me one day when I had to break up with one of mine. It was not a good site.
One day while helping give her cow a bath I finally got up the nerve to ask her out on an official date. We were almost seventeen at the time but I have wanted to date this girl for years. Even though we were more like brother and sister I knew she was my destiny and I wanted it to be more. I rehearsed my speech over and over the last few months and I was now ready to tell her just how I felt. I started spilling my guts and boy did it sound good. Before I was even done with my amazing speech, she said no. She just wanted to stay good friends. That answer hit me like a ton of bricks and I felt like I was six years old again and all I wanted to do was punch her in the arm and run.
I spent the next week down in the dumps. I stayed away from her and even avoided her phone calls. I just lost a good friend because it could never be the same now that she knew how I felt.
It was a late Friday night and I was working at a little gas station right outside of town at that time. I was about to close down when she came walking in. I was surprised to see her but quickly looked away because she had just broke my heart and I did not want to go through it all again. She told me she was in trouble. Now that she had my attention I asked why. Her date that night was a big cowboy and he wanted what she did not want to give so she told the guy to pull into the gas station for a minute. She asked if I could take care of her little situation. I told her to have a seat and I would be right back.
On our way home that night she looked over at me and said she would like to be more than friends. Without even blinking an eye I said no, now it was her turn to beg. It did not take long for me to give in and she slid right to the middle of the truck seat just like it was meant for her this whole time.
I waited till her senior prom to pop the question. I had the whole assembly stop and watch as I took a knee. The fog from the machine circled us while the dim light illuminated the very small diamonds I presented to her.
We were married just a few months later because I had to start my senior year of high school. During the year when I was sick she had to write my excuses for me. The teachers would always read them aloud, "My husband was sick yesterday. Please excuse his absence." It was funny but embarrassing at the same time.
Everyone we knew said we were to young and it was not going to last. I tell you this, our marriage has outlasted most everyone's marriage that had said that, some even twice.
She is my life, my world, and my soul mate. I knew it at a six year old mean little boy, it just took her a little longer.
That all changed one day when my parents threw a barn party. They had parties once every other month or so, but this time new people were coming. I was all excited to meet some new kids and as their car pulled into the driveway and they all got out, I started to act like a fool.
They had this little blonde haired girl with them that got out and looked all timid and cute. She just stood there with her hands folded in front of her looking around. Normally I would have just ran right up to the car and punched whoever it was. I guess that was kinda like my hand shake, but this girl was something else. All the sudden I got all shy and nervous. I started seating and even started kicking the rocks on the ground as I watched her from the corner of my eye. I had to get her attention some how. Without even looking at me she followed her daddy to the barn and I was not to far behind.
I stalked her like a hunter stalks his pray. I tried making strange noises, climbing on the walls and anything I could do to get her to look my way, nothing. After a few minutes I finally got the nerve to go up and ask her name. The whole time she talked I could feel my heart beating in my ears and the blood in my cheeks turning them a bright shade of red, I even started to stutter a little not forming any words that she could understand when I was trying to ask her to be my girlfriend. To save face I knew right then what I had to do, I had to hit her and run away.
After landing a nice slug to her upper arm, I ran straight in the house and told my mom that I had a girlfriend and I was going to marry her.
We stayed friends all through school and it helped that our parents were good friends as well. That meant I got to see her more often. She stared dating and so did I and somehow we always ended up together. Most of the times my girlfriends would call her house and ask for me or her boyfriends would call and ask if I had seen her. She was even with me one day when I had to break up with one of mine. It was not a good site.
One day while helping give her cow a bath I finally got up the nerve to ask her out on an official date. We were almost seventeen at the time but I have wanted to date this girl for years. Even though we were more like brother and sister I knew she was my destiny and I wanted it to be more. I rehearsed my speech over and over the last few months and I was now ready to tell her just how I felt. I started spilling my guts and boy did it sound good. Before I was even done with my amazing speech, she said no. She just wanted to stay good friends. That answer hit me like a ton of bricks and I felt like I was six years old again and all I wanted to do was punch her in the arm and run.
I spent the next week down in the dumps. I stayed away from her and even avoided her phone calls. I just lost a good friend because it could never be the same now that she knew how I felt.
It was a late Friday night and I was working at a little gas station right outside of town at that time. I was about to close down when she came walking in. I was surprised to see her but quickly looked away because she had just broke my heart and I did not want to go through it all again. She told me she was in trouble. Now that she had my attention I asked why. Her date that night was a big cowboy and he wanted what she did not want to give so she told the guy to pull into the gas station for a minute. She asked if I could take care of her little situation. I told her to have a seat and I would be right back.
On our way home that night she looked over at me and said she would like to be more than friends. Without even blinking an eye I said no, now it was her turn to beg. It did not take long for me to give in and she slid right to the middle of the truck seat just like it was meant for her this whole time.
I waited till her senior prom to pop the question. I had the whole assembly stop and watch as I took a knee. The fog from the machine circled us while the dim light illuminated the very small diamonds I presented to her.
We were married just a few months later because I had to start my senior year of high school. During the year when I was sick she had to write my excuses for me. The teachers would always read them aloud, "My husband was sick yesterday. Please excuse his absence." It was funny but embarrassing at the same time.
Everyone we knew said we were to young and it was not going to last. I tell you this, our marriage has outlasted most everyone's marriage that had said that, some even twice.
She is my life, my world, and my soul mate. I knew it at a six year old mean little boy, it just took her a little longer.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
What A Job
While the oldest girl was here she held two jobs over the summer. One at the local Pizza Inn and the other at nice little Golf Ranch near town. Before she left she was able to get the middle girl (16) on at the pizza place and youngest (15) on at the Golf Ranch.
Three nights a week we take the youngest girl to the golf ranch for a couple of hours to do whatever needs to be done. Being that she is young and this is her first job, I wanted to pay close attention to making sure she does this right. I had no idea how much fun this job was until I started going with her. If I would have known, I would have gone up there with the oldest.
The owner is gone during the week and leaves all operations to her.
The first thing we do is water and feed the guard dogs and then clean the office. Next we walk around and move the sprinklers and pick up several buckets of golf balls. After washing the balls and filling the buckets we clean and straighten around the range and complex area. When all the duties are done, it is time to hit some balls.
I play with a set of Big Bertha's' and have for years. It is only fitting being that is what they called me when I played football in High school. I have not had the opportunity to get to the course much over the last couple of years due to my work schedule so my game is in total despair right now.
If I could have had this job when I was a kid, my game would have been a lot better than it is now. In just two weeks of practice I have seen my numbers drop. Hopefully by the end of summer I will back to par again or maybe even better.
Hu, Redneck talking Golf, who would have thunk it?
Three nights a week we take the youngest girl to the golf ranch for a couple of hours to do whatever needs to be done. Being that she is young and this is her first job, I wanted to pay close attention to making sure she does this right. I had no idea how much fun this job was until I started going with her. If I would have known, I would have gone up there with the oldest.
The owner is gone during the week and leaves all operations to her.
I play with a set of Big Bertha's' and have for years. It is only fitting being that is what they called me when I played football in High school. I have not had the opportunity to get to the course much over the last couple of years due to my work schedule so my game is in total despair right now.
If I could have had this job when I was a kid, my game would have been a lot better than it is now. In just two weeks of practice I have seen my numbers drop. Hopefully by the end of summer I will back to par again or maybe even better.
Hu, Redneck talking Golf, who would have thunk it?
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Thank You
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| Makes a Dad Proud |
I wanted to thank all yall who have hit the fallow button on this little blog. If you just hit it yesterday or you are one of the first ones who decided to take this journey with me, I thank each of you for being a part of the Modern Day Redneck family.
Comments are always welcome and if you feel compelled to leave one then you can count on a reply. Just hit the "Email Follow up" link at the end of the comment and you will be emailed when I reply.
Thanks again and if you need anything just holler.
Monday, August 22, 2011
My "Go To" Crop
The one crop that never fails to grow in these harsh Texas weather conditions is Okra.
I have dried several jars of Okra and have now started pickling it as well. We eat pickled okra like it is going out of style so the more the better.
We may not have fresh canned tomatoes, potatoes or any other fresh canned garden veggies on the shelves that would have been there if we could have had some rain, but we sure do have the Okra. My Mom and Dad always plants way more okra in their gardens that can ever be eaten. If it was not for that, I guess I would have to buy it instead.
I have dried several jars of Okra and have now started pickling it as well. We eat pickled okra like it is going out of style so the more the better.We may not have fresh canned tomatoes, potatoes or any other fresh canned garden veggies on the shelves that would have been there if we could have had some rain, but we sure do have the Okra. My Mom and Dad always plants way more okra in their gardens that can ever be eaten. If it was not for that, I guess I would have to buy it instead.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Something To Write About
I took a week off from the blog world to focus on some things that were happening in my life that took my 100% undivided attention. Even though I was not writing something every night does not mean yall out there in blogger land were not on my mind.
This week has had it's ups and downs let me tell you and there is way to much to write about in just one sitting. First I will say this much, last Saturday we were sitting in the Emergency Room with my middle girl curled up in pain, not knowing what the future might bring. Yall and the church came together, prayed for her and Monday the pain was gone, she is back to normal and she is now all the sudden cleared to play sports again. How can anyone second guess that our God is the one in charge? I have never seen anything like it.
That was of course was the high of the week, but the low is when we said goodby to the oldest. Thursday was the day we dropped her off at college over four hours away. I have done a lot of things in my short forty years and I will tell you this, that was the hardest thing I have ever done. I will not bore yall with all the sappy thoughts I have about this, but I can tell you I miss her something awful. I never thought it would be this hard.
The well also went out again this week. All I did was laugh at it. It was not as bad as the last time and I was able to fix the electrical malfunction myself. It's just adding more milk to what is already sour so to speak.
School starts tomorrow for the kids. They are geared up for it and even though we tried to prep for that expense as much as we could, it still shocked us on what everything costs just to educate your kids. The schools want you to buy triple of everything so the illegal's kids can have the same chance as the hard working, tax paying American citizen's kids have. I know it's not the kids fault, but it is still the fact of the matter and I don't like it.
A lot more things happened this last week but that is all I am going to bore you with for now. Thank yall for sticking by and I really think those of yall who prayed for the middle girl. It worked.
This week has had it's ups and downs let me tell you and there is way to much to write about in just one sitting. First I will say this much, last Saturday we were sitting in the Emergency Room with my middle girl curled up in pain, not knowing what the future might bring. Yall and the church came together, prayed for her and Monday the pain was gone, she is back to normal and she is now all the sudden cleared to play sports again. How can anyone second guess that our God is the one in charge? I have never seen anything like it.
That was of course was the high of the week, but the low is when we said goodby to the oldest. Thursday was the day we dropped her off at college over four hours away. I have done a lot of things in my short forty years and I will tell you this, that was the hardest thing I have ever done. I will not bore yall with all the sappy thoughts I have about this, but I can tell you I miss her something awful. I never thought it would be this hard.
The well also went out again this week. All I did was laugh at it. It was not as bad as the last time and I was able to fix the electrical malfunction myself. It's just adding more milk to what is already sour so to speak.
School starts tomorrow for the kids. They are geared up for it and even though we tried to prep for that expense as much as we could, it still shocked us on what everything costs just to educate your kids. The schools want you to buy triple of everything so the illegal's kids can have the same chance as the hard working, tax paying American citizen's kids have. I know it's not the kids fault, but it is still the fact of the matter and I don't like it.
A lot more things happened this last week but that is all I am going to bore you with for now. Thank yall for sticking by and I really think those of yall who prayed for the middle girl. It worked.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Break Time
For the past week I have not been able to comment on many posts in my blog roll. I have tried to comment on as many as I could, but this last week made it where I could only get to a couple at a time. Please do not get offended if I have not commented.
Saying all that, I also need to take a little break from posting myself. There are some pressing issues this week that need my immediate and whole attention. It's all just to much for a person to juggle at one time.
I want to thank yall for your continued support and I also want to thank you for being a part of the MDR family.
I will be back in a week or so to get everyone up to date on what all happens. Please bare with me.
Saying all that, I also need to take a little break from posting myself. There are some pressing issues this week that need my immediate and whole attention. It's all just to much for a person to juggle at one time.
I want to thank yall for your continued support and I also want to thank you for being a part of the MDR family.
I will be back in a week or so to get everyone up to date on what all happens. Please bare with me.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sundays Mini Farm Pictures
Today is all about family. We are having a going away dinner for the oldest so some friends and family are coming by to slap her on the back and tell her good luck. We are taking her down there this Thursday and helping her get moved into her dorm room.
We are going ahead with the dinner in spite of spending the day in the ER with the middle girl yesterday. She gave us a really big scare and we decided to rush her in. The doctors were able to rule out many worrisome things but she still needs to go the the specialist tomorrow for more tests.
We did get some rain yesterday morning, about an inch or so and the cloud cover made it stay nice and cool. I don't think it ever got above 93 or so. It was way to nice of a day to spend in the hospital. 
I have not posted many pictures this week so I thought I would catch up on some "Around the Mini Farm" pictures.
Yall have a great week and thank you for stopping by.
We are going ahead with the dinner in spite of spending the day in the ER with the middle girl yesterday. She gave us a really big scare and we decided to rush her in. The doctors were able to rule out many worrisome things but she still needs to go the the specialist tomorrow for more tests.
We did get some rain yesterday morning, about an inch or so and the cloud cover made it stay nice and cool. I don't think it ever got above 93 or so. It was way to nice of a day to spend in the hospital. 
I have not posted many pictures this week so I thought I would catch up on some "Around the Mini Farm" pictures.
Yall have a great week and thank you for stopping by.
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