Female Homesteader Stories?

strawhouse · #1 10/08/10, 01:25 PM

The thread "mind sets that will win in building a homestead" has got me really wanting to hear some positive female homesteading stories.

We all know the poster's statement that women can't build a homestead is ridiculous.

I would like to hear some of my fellow ladies' stories.

Did you build your home? Barn? Shed? Do you easily do and enjoy doing so- called male duties?? Are you a do it yourselfer, no matter what the job?

Bring on the tales grrrrls!

stanb999 · #2 10/08/10, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strawhouse

The thread "mind sets that will win in building a homestead" has got me really wanting to hear some positive female homesteading stories.

We all know the poster's statement that women can't build a homestead is ridiculous.

I would like to hear some of my fellow ladies' stories.

Did you build your home? Barn? Shed? Do you easily do and enjoy doing so- called male duties?? Are you a do it yourselfer, no matter what the job?

Bring on the tales grrrrls!

I thought women were kept barefoot and pregnate for the last 40 years.

Kinda hard to do much without at least a good pare of shoes. No?

I always liked the story of the woman that built the cabin in Ak that was featured in backwoods home. I think someone here could find the link. Anyone know?

Sheripoms · #3 10/08/10, 04:18 PM

I also would love to hear some stories from you tough gals.

I have been known to do some pretty good mechanics on my car. Including putting in a new cv joint or 2 ...

I just went down to the library and printed off the chilton manual instructions from the book and followed them to the T.. Turned out perfect.
Now if I could just put some new ball joints in! But alas I think you need a certain tool.

lisa's garden · #4 10/08/10, 04:58 PM

Well, I haven't built a house or barn, but I am the only one in our house who takes care of the animals and garden, butchers the critters, and preserves it all. Don't think my hubby would go through with it if he had to kill a rabbit to eat dinner...would probably be a vegetarian.

I grew up on a farm and have missed it ever since I grew up and left the ol' homestead. We finally made it out of the subdivision this summer and I am raising chickens in addition to the rabbits I was raising and butchering on the sly before. We don't have a big plot of land, but it is zoned ag and I am glad to have the chickens for eggs and meat. Would like to expand and get goats and bees, but need to start out slowly because of the cost. I also want to make sure that I am not overdoing it for the size of the lot.

Would love to hear more about women in the wild!

FunnyRiverFarm · #5 10/08/10, 05:03 PM

Let's see...I built shelters for my goats and put up all of the fencing myself. Made a couple of chicken tractors too. I always try to learn and try things on my own before I ask for help...I usually have a clear picture in my mind of what I want and how to get there and don't like any interference...LOL. So far, hubby has been pretty impressed with my projects...he had no idea I could do things like that...and the truth is, neither did I until I tried it!

Sheripoms · #6 10/08/10, 05:08 PM

woops

Sheripoms · #7 10/08/10, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Well, I haven't built a house or barn, but I am the only one in our house who takes care of the animals and garden, butchers the critters, and preserves it all. Don't think my hubby would go through with it if he had to kill a rabbit to eat dinner...would probably be a vegetarian.

Wow, I am impressed. I don't know if I would like to butcher the rabbits. I know I could do the chickens but I guess if I had to I could do the rabbits. I guess ya just have to get in the right mind set.

HomeOnTheFarm · #8 10/08/10, 05:29 PM

Some of the more humorous stories of my homesteading life...(backstory: DH traveled for work frequently, leaving me in charge of the place).

DH and I decided to raise "some" meat chickens. I expected 12-20. He came back with 80. 74 survived to adulthood. First butchering day comes up, he assures me that his family used to butcher their own meat when they lived in the mountains (waaaaay backwoods...ex-hippies and all). Okay, fine. Cut its head off, dunk and pick off all the feathers, get it on the block and he turns to me and says "Now what?".

Thanks to Practical Skills for their step-by-step how-to, we managed the first one together. After that, it was a race to see who was faster.

Middle of winter, pregnant with DD1, DH was working a job in another state for a couple of months, so mom comes to visit. The house was heated solely by the woodstove, and we were getting low on split firewood, so I get geared up to go split some when Mom tells me that I shouldn't be splitting firewood due to my pregnancy. I assured her that the baby would be fine and appreciate the heat.

Tom Turkey decided he had a grudge against me and would race clear across the property just to crowd me out of a spot. Well, I saw him chase down one of his harem that had decided on a solo walk...he sat on her in stages...head, right wing, left wing, full body. No mating, just sitting.

Next time he came after me, I sat on him. DH thought I was nuts. But it worked. That Tom gave me clear deference after that.

Ram kept showing dominance by racing ~20 feet to slam into another animal (sheep or goat, didn't matter, even with pregnant ewes and does). I'd had enough of it and one day, he did it right in front of me, knocking a doe about 5 feet. Grabbed a section of 2x4, he saw me coming, but didn't run fast enough and I managed one hard swat on the rear. I didn't have any trouble with him after that.

My brother thinks I'm insane. He's actually stated "How can we have possibly come from the same family?" My aunt thinks I'm pretty cool just because I knew that cattails were edible.

KIT.S · #9 10/08/10, 06:11 PM

In my young, strong, stupid days in Alaska, we lived 4 years and 2 babies with no water. I swore I would never live without electricity though! We hunted (I shot my first moose on our honeymoon!) and butchered what we got, fished, canned, raised a garden.
Now I have a small property in Oregon - 5+ acres - and grow what we eat. We still hunt, too, and we butcher what we raise and catch, still can, dry, freeze everything. We picked up a mfg home for cheap and gutted it and rebuilt it. Replaced the walls, some wiring and plumbing. Installed floor to ceiling tile in the master bath, tiled front entry, kitchen counters, bamboo flooring in the kitchen/dining rooms. Sigh, it still needs some molding installed, and we're putting in a wood stove this month.
I've purchased several fix-and-sell homes, doing all the work allowed ourselves. My son helps a lot, but it's still just us.
When my son was 10, his father was no longer around and I signed up for a small engines class at the local community college with the instructor's permission for him. He learned more than I did, but I can tune up a lawn mower, operate the tractor, back up a trailer, change a tire and spark plug (I don't do oil!), use a chain saw and log splitter, the chicken plucker, commercial meat saw and grinder, fix a sink disposal, unclog the plumbing, prune a fruit tree, sew nearly anything including a new canvas for a tent trailer and roof for a convertible vehicle. I can tan a hide and make it into clothing or boots. I can spin, weave and knit, but I haven't tried my new set of sheep shears yet. We've built sheds, put up fences, doctored animals, set up irrigation systems, painted houses, replaced roofs.
I credit my father, mostly. He had an 8th grade education, but read everything he could get his hands on. He told me I could do ANYTHING I wanted to, and by gosh, he was pretty much right! He could make or fix anything, and fortunately, my son inherited that. That, and living in Alaska where you can't run down to a Walmart and the computer tech has to fly in for a repair call, you learn how to do what needs to be done! I really enjoy being able to do "It" myself. I don't have to beg or borrow, except now I'm getting tired and weak! I can only carry 50 pounds instead of 80, and not nearly as far! I really wish it was 30 years ago. Wow, what a run I could have if I had an extra 30 years, starting from now!
kit

hillbillygal · #10 10/08/10, 07:04 PM

http://www.dorothyainsworth.com/

A big inspiration for me. Dorothy is one of the most awesome DIY women ever. I'm still working on my stories, lol

randy11acres · #11 10/08/10, 07:12 PM

Hey Sheripoms

Check with your Advanced Auto Parts or Auto Zone. They have specialized tools that they "loan" out for these kind of jobs. You have to 'pay' for them, but have so long to use them, and then return them for a refund.

ThisLittlePiggy · #12 10/08/10, 07:23 PM

Ah, a post to make me feel competent again, bless you, I needed the boost. I built a log cabin from my own trees while living in a tent one summer when I was young and bullet proof. I was homeschooling 3 sons at the time. Dug my own out house, spring box etc., no electricity until I put in solar panels. My only power tool was my chainsaw. Boy do I miss my 20s or at least my 20 something body. Enjoy it while you’ve got it girls middle age aches and pains stink. Ah well, it’s not the years it the miles.

dragonjaze · #13 10/08/10, 09:12 PM

Well, I haven't started my homestead yet, but I have a pretty decent shop that takes up 1/4 of my basement for woodworking

I own 8 times as many tools as my boyfriend does AND I know how to use them, which is more than he does, lol!

I've always been handy. If you can't do it physically (which, to be honest, I'm short, fat and out of shape) then there are mechanical ways to do things. Block and tackles are your friends!!

Granny Sue · #14 10/08/10, 09:28 PM

I did a lot here with husband #1 as we cleared the land and built our first house. I had my own chain saw for cutting wood for my cookstove, built a pole greenhouse, did all the rototilling and mowing because #1 hated it. I planted and harvested all the gardens, built fence around 23 acres alone, and did the milking, feeding, etc until my sons were older. Husband #1 did some of the chores, but the bulk fell to me. Also raised and sold strawberries, helped dress out turkeys to sell every year, was the main cook when we made molasses, helped with the tobacco and hay...so many things it's hard to list them all. Or even remember them all. I went to work because he wasn't bringing in enough money but still kept up with the farm work. Then we got divorced, I remarried, stayed on the same farm, had son #5 and started college when he was a year old. We put in electricity in 1990 after being here since 1975. The farming dwindled but DH#2 did most of it--by that time I was working 2 part-time jobs, had the boys to care for, college full time and DH was working full-time too. Wild years, but by the time I was 45 with my masters degree we were only keeping chickens, gardening, cutting firewood, etc--all the major farm stuff was gone because we didn't have time for it and economically it really wasn't worth it when we factored in our time and costs. We've been adding things back the past few years, looking at what is cost-effective and best for our health. So no pigs (sigh), but turkeys and chickens, big gardens, cider, lots of canning and freezing, venison in the freezer, herbs, etc. We may get goats but not a milk cow again. I've been on this farm for 35 years and can't imagine being anywhere else. Or living any other way.

Kazahleenah · #15 10/08/10, 09:37 PM

Pondering posting my "fencing story"... one of many funny "Did-it-myself stories from my past. lol

strawhouse · #16 10/08/10, 09:37 PM

These are some inspiring, and funny stories! Thanks ladies!
(HomeOnTheFarm, that turkey sitting story had my laughing my butt off!)

Lyra · #17 10/08/10, 09:52 PM

I've taught myself how to small space garden and cook from scratch. Yes, I realize it isn't the same as wrestling a bear in the Alaskan Bush but I live in the city. I am a million years ahead of my city girl cohorts.

Katey · #18 10/08/10, 09:55 PM

I bought a tractor a week ago. Saw it on Craig's List, contacted the owner, made sure it had what I needed, then called DH and informed him that we'd be going to pick it up on the weekend. His reaction when he first laid eyes on it? "I didn't expect it was going to be CUTE!"

Kazahleenah · #19 10/08/10, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strawhouse

These are some inspiring, and funny stories! Thanks ladies!
(HomeOnTheFarm, that turkey sitting story had my laughing my butt off!)

This should give you another chuckle... It's a description that I wrote a while back of one of my lil homesteading moments...

So, there I was. Standing beside a 330' roll of field fence, (the SAME roll I couldn't bring home the other day because I forgot I drove the car) a pile of posts, a post pounder, a fair amount of ambition and a roll of twine. Everything a gal needs to start putting up a fence, right?? So when a friend stopped by and saw what I was about to attempt to accomplish, offered to give a hand with it. My reply? "I can do it MYSELF.. I aint no invalid just yet! Thanks anyway." And with that, say bye bye to the only chance I had of any help.

Well, as I said, I had a good amount of ambition, so I string the twine, marking where posts are to go. After pounding in a thousand posts (only FELT like that many, was actually 27), and drinking about 200 gallons of water, I am ready to hang the fence!! I knew victory was only a short time away!! Did I mention I was wearing shorts, a tank top and flip-flops? No, I guess I had left THAT lil tid-bit out. OK, so there I was.. unclipping the lil wires that hold the roll of fencing all in that ever so neat roll when the last one was clipped, the end shot out to backhand me... HARD! As I am wondering what they load this stuff with, I stand on the end, and start rolling it out with my foot and walking on top of it as I go...(to keep it flat, ya know.) Well, all started wonderfully!! That fence started unrolling at a good rate of speed, me walking quickly as I keep kicking it to keep it moving. Well.... anyone know what happens when a spring loaded roll of fence is unwound quickly? Go aheah... guess!! Yes! The beginning end will snap up and thwack the idiot... errr... I mean the "fully capable woman" upside the back of her head! OK... that sort of ----ed me off, but I was not to be deterred.

Off to the shed I skip to fetch some tent stakes. I am, after all, quite ingenoius when it comes to handy ideas. With the growling end of the roll safley held down with the tent stakes, I resume my arrogant dominance of this fence. Off I go, kicking and unwinding the roll when all the sudden it puts the brakes on, then shifts into reverse, catching my foot under the roll part. My handy flip-flops are no longer any form of "shoe", but a device with no other purpose than to tangle and attach my foot in the squares of the fence. Terr-frikking-riffic!! So, as I am pushing the roll and thrashing about.... remember my "ingenoius" idea about tent stakes? Well, let me be the first to tell you... THEY WILL NOT HOLD BACK A RABID FENCE!! I heard the other end pop up, and watched as it started rolling up as it barreled toward me (who was STILL trying to yank my foot from the roll). When it collided, there were two "rolls".... one holding my foot securly in place, and one that had the sole purpose of beating my body from about calf height to shoulder/chin height. At this point, I vaugley remember thinking something to the effect that "maybe" I should have accepted the help that had been offered. So, there I was, foot stuck under and in one end of the roll, and body pinned by the other end (which had ever so politely re-coiled back up). With an arm and a foot, I back the one coil off me a couple feet, and hold it back with my foot. Then, I start to push the coil that has my foot snared, slowly and painfully, I feel it let go of me. There IS a God!!! Yayyy!! I am Free!!!

Standing there, foot holding the one roll, hands holding the other end, it dawns on me...(yes, I know I'm 'quick').... How in HELL am I gonna get out of this? Well, I'm no spring chicken, but my goose aint quite cooked yet, so I decide (after MUCH forethought and carefull planning) to let go of both ends at the same time and dive for the grass. Well, it looked great on paper! I suppose you all know that two spring loaded coils WILL snap back together way faster than a middle aged, tired, beat up woman can possibly dive out from between them? If you were thinking that... you were right!! They both sprang back together, and I swear I heard it growl in a laughing way as it hit me, I fell and got sort of wound in it from the waist down. Now, I did mention those flip-flops? The ones I STILL hadn't taken off? Welllllllll .... they got caught again (I'll NEVER wear flip-flops again when doing fence!!) and I was caught. Hook, Line AND Sinker!!! To make matters worse, I have no cell phone, nobody to check on me, and Que`bie suddenly saw this as me wanting to play! He starts bouncing (as only a 34 inch tall dog can bounce), licking my face, and barking at me. Great! So, there I am, sore, tired, snared again by that rabid fence, and now my sidekick decides to torment... errr... I mean play with me! The more I thrashed, pushed and wiggled to free myself, the more excited Que`bie got until I was trying to yell at him to stop, but I was laughing the way a crazy woman laughs when nothing ELSE can go wrong. Ever so slowly, I wiggle free of that rabid fence, and as I turned to face my foe, my foot, unbenounced to my brain, gives it a flying size 9. OUCH!! Bad move, foot!! Flip-flops offer ZERO protection against stupidity.

That roll is still laying out there in the hay field today... beckoning it's next victim into it's clutches. I can hear it all the way to the house!! I am thinking maybe I'll wait till I have my son here to help me before tackling that task!!

Kaza

((That fence is now up, and yes, I did get help to finish the task)) lol

motdaugrnds · #20 10/09/10, 03:30 AM

Kaza I have not laughed so hard in a long time. Your story (and HomeOnTheFarm's story) were hilarious. Thank you both so much for sharing them. If I get some time, I will post a few of my own .... clears throat .... funny (Did I say "funny"?) stories.