We have lost the pioneer spirit in the US. We have become a nanny state and the desire to achieve is disappearing! Sad commentary! The Malone's are bucking the trend!
Robert and Jill - your pioneer spirit and exposed independent nature is showing. I hope it’s contagious..... lots of people need a good case of it !!! Thanks Docs !!! Dave Fahlstrom
Oct 9, 2023·edited Oct 10, 2023Liked by Robert W Malone MD, MS
I had read part one late last Thursday and had many thoughts. Fixing homes, developing properties, or fixing up our personal property is my life and business. Honestly, I have never tackled anything that was so overgrown as the pictures from part one, but have come across many rotted buildings. In any case, I have come to believe that the hardest jobs we face and accomplish in life are the most personally rewarding. In general nothing good, at least for me, comes easy. My wife and I had bought a run down house on a lake in NH. After a long hard day of work I would almost get an endorphin high thinking about what was accomplished from the day. Reading your post I think you had the same sorts of feelings. There is and should be pride in owning something especially when you put your hard labor in it. It’s a big piece of the American dream. I believe it creates a strong bound between two people. I’m sure you both had many calluses, cuts, bruises, and poison Ivy breakouts but wouldn’t trade them for anything. Well I ranted enough. Congratulations on all your accomplishments!! Hope to see more finished photos in part 3. J.Goodrich
Wow. We are facing so many of the things you have effortlessly handled. Well, just like Baryshnikov, you make it look effortless. Just today I was looking up how to install a gate into an already existing wire fence under tension. That post pounder thing is genius. I want one.
And don't guinea fowl make a lot of noise? Is it a problem? We, too, have about 30 acres but having them near the house could be a problem if they interfere with phone calls.
And are those border collies? Is this a breed that is somewhat able to fend for itself? We have mostly deer here, but also coyotes and a bobcat. And a large snapping turtle. At least the coyotes seem nocturnal.
I really wanted horses but unfortunately, the place is infested with black walnut trees.
I didn't even know homesteading was a thing until I recently discovered a TV show called Homestead Rescue. My husband (an engineer) is working on a water wheel for hydroelectric and has already got everything up on solar. We have a couple of creeks and a separate spring so he has more hope in water than solar. Just one year ago, we were leaving everything behind in OR, fleeing covid and ideological insanity. And now we find ourselves in a place that pretty much lets you do what you want. It's hard to keep grounded and your articles about your farm are so interesting and helpful.
We had guinneas growing up. They roosted high up in the trees. I'm surprised a fox could get one, as they fly quite well, unlike chickens. I love their sounds, and they would also act as alarms and early warning system of anything nefarious nearby.
When I was a teenager, there was a back and forth "T.P." wars going on where we did each other's houses (trees in the front yard) with toilet paper. The next morning riding the bus to school, we'd all see whose house got hit the night before, hilarious. Well, our house didn't get hit, because the guineas "alarmed" and scared the heck out of those attempting to t.p. their trees. Too funny!
What a life. Reminds me of some of my early days and even into my 70's. Well, maybe 80's as I did tear down a 20 x 16 building and built a small storage shed in its place last year.
I have truly enjoyed your homestead essay. For two reasons I guess. First, it reveals something unique about your and Jill’s nature and I think it is good. Second, it fits with my own ag background. We have developed a more large scale cattle operation with a twist toward regenerative practices. We have not been able to do it debt free.
On the humerus side, with your focus on the buildings and the special horse breed, we rednecks would consider you a gentleman farmer. Seriously, you and Jill seem like such decent, humble folks. In my experience that is somewhat uncommon for people with your smarts.
Thanks for sharing Dr. Malone …your wife must have a great sense of humor , allowing the picture of her under the covers , with the dogs !! You guys are hilarious 🤣
Here is the thing about LIFE. Everyone makes mistakes. It is part of the process. Accept this, learn the lessons and move on. Some people like to hang on, make others wrong and cause pain for everyone, but ultimately themselves. It takes an aware person with little stake in being right to let go and "let God". Thanks for the encouragement, it goes beyond the farm and into my soul.
I have no bold, eloquent, or revelatory statements to make. I am simply enjoying your being candid and humble enough to share both the ups AND downs of your experience. And learning a bit as well, having never owned, managed, or worked on any farm, nor tried homesteading. Carry on!
I love this series, great motivation for the winter ahead of me where I have (finally) some time to catch up on much deferred maintenance and hopefully some expansion. The one thing I am missing is someone to care for the place when we are gone, so am very chained at the moment, which has its own niceties, but lowers movement.
I have had (🤞) good luck with predators for the chickens, outside of a rattlesnake that zapped my rooster's leg. It is the layout, about a quarter acre fenced in with many trees. It is hard for a fox or weasel or racoon to get in during the day and the hawks are deterred by the trees and the territorial ravens who extort me by swooping the outside layers' eggs.
The henhouse is well built, a bear could get in but nothing smaller, maybe a clever lion, which is around because of the scat and lack of deer and rabbits this summer. The fires from 2020 burned the forests out real bad and there is less space for the deer to take cover, the forest is open.
Congratulations on all the great work! I miss the lushness of the mid-Atlantic, and that cold dew on barefeet.
Your lifestyle is both envious and admirable. At 76 I'm afraid too much for me. I am convinced the coined "birdbrain" came from having Guinea fowl, but they are such pure examples of life and they can be a real hoot. A fond memory is that of my parents neighbor's Guinea fowl chasing cars with chrome bumpers and aggressively pecking away at that competitor.
Like your other readers, I love these stories! The auger for the fence posts is beyond cool. A blessing that your neighbor had one; otherwise it probably would have been very expensive to rent. I appreciated the part about cataracts. I have one but not serious enough to have surgery yet. I didn't know about the triple vision lenses. I assume that works well for reading, computer, and distance as those are my needs. Hugely expensive but maybe worth it to get rid of glasses completely. Thank you for taking the time to write; your lives are very interesting to those of us who have always lived in a city.
Oct 9, 2023·edited Oct 9, 2023Liked by Robert W Malone MD, MS
Dr. Malone, I have so enjoyed reading your homesteading posts, because my own homesteading experience is similar to yours and Jill's in some respects. Along the way I've even had to deal with eyesight problems, like you.
I'm a semi-retired single female. In 2012, when I was 62, I bought 30 acres of raw land with pretty views in rural northern Maine. In 2014 I broke ground for an 800-square-foot timber-frame house (1200 square feet if you count the basement). Now, nine years later, the house is nearly finished, and I have several outbuildings.
Unlike you and Jill, I don't have skills that enable me to do framing, roofing, carpentry, plumbing, wiring, etc. I've hired people to do those things. I've done some cosmetic work such as sanding and painting.
My house is off the grid. Developing an understanding of solar-electric technology has been a bit of a challenge, but I am now at the point where I have about 2600 watts of solar panels and almost 20,000 watt hours of battery storage. My house looks and functions pretty much like a grid-attached house: I have pressurized hot and cold water, conventional lighting fixtures, high-end flooring and furniture, high-end appliances, a fully equipped home office.
Unlike you and Jill, I don't have farm animals. I don't have the time to take proper care of farm animals, and frankly, I'm not comfortable around farm animals. Plus, I rarely eat meat, and I don't eat many eggs.
What I do have is a good-sized garden, a 10' x 20' greenhouse, ten apple trees, and two blackberry patches. My gardening skills and food-preservation skills improve every year. This year I have a bumper crop of apples; I'm making gallons of applesauce and cider, and I'm dehydrating many quarts of apple slices.
I heat my house with a woodstove, and this time of year I enjoy the ritual of hauling firewood and stacking it in my woodshed.
Like you, I have an orange tractor! Mine is the Kioti brand. Yours is probably either Kioti or Kubota.
This past spring, I realized my visual acuity was deteriorating. I was terrified , and I put off making an ophthalmology appointment for about three months because I was so scared. I was scared of the possibility of blindness, and I was (and still am) mistrustful of the medical establishment. When I finally did see an ophthalmologist, I was given a diagnosis of retinal vascular occlusion, and I learned there is a treatment for it: periodic injections of a drug called Avastin. The injections go into my eyeball. Sounds terrible, doesn't it? But actually, it isn't all that bad. I've had four injections, and my visual acuity has returned to normal. It's a miracle for which I am very grateful.
BTW, I'm not vaxxed, so there is no way the retinal vascular occlusion was caused by Covid vax.
This life I've chosen comes with lots of hard work (as you well know), but never have I felt such contentment.
If you and Jill ever have a reason to be in the vicinity of Presque Isle, Maine, I would be honored if you could come for a visit. My house has a small guest room, and next summer I'll build the guest cabin I've always wanted. You can reach me at info@yourmainewriter.com.
Thanks to you and Jill for all you do. In my own small way I have tried to red-pill friends and acquaintances. I've met with some success. Not as much success as I'd like, but some - and I keep trying.
We have lost the pioneer spirit in the US. We have become a nanny state and the desire to achieve is disappearing! Sad commentary! The Malone's are bucking the trend!
Robert and Jill - your pioneer spirit and exposed independent nature is showing. I hope it’s contagious..... lots of people need a good case of it !!! Thanks Docs !!! Dave Fahlstrom
Love them "Critters".
Looking forward to the next installment!
Can’t wait!
I had read part one late last Thursday and had many thoughts. Fixing homes, developing properties, or fixing up our personal property is my life and business. Honestly, I have never tackled anything that was so overgrown as the pictures from part one, but have come across many rotted buildings. In any case, I have come to believe that the hardest jobs we face and accomplish in life are the most personally rewarding. In general nothing good, at least for me, comes easy. My wife and I had bought a run down house on a lake in NH. After a long hard day of work I would almost get an endorphin high thinking about what was accomplished from the day. Reading your post I think you had the same sorts of feelings. There is and should be pride in owning something especially when you put your hard labor in it. It’s a big piece of the American dream. I believe it creates a strong bound between two people. I’m sure you both had many calluses, cuts, bruises, and poison Ivy breakouts but wouldn’t trade them for anything. Well I ranted enough. Congratulations on all your accomplishments!! Hope to see more finished photos in part 3. J.Goodrich
I think We would get along just fine. It would be an honor to buy. Very Best Wishes, Ed
Wow. We are facing so many of the things you have effortlessly handled. Well, just like Baryshnikov, you make it look effortless. Just today I was looking up how to install a gate into an already existing wire fence under tension. That post pounder thing is genius. I want one.
And don't guinea fowl make a lot of noise? Is it a problem? We, too, have about 30 acres but having them near the house could be a problem if they interfere with phone calls.
And are those border collies? Is this a breed that is somewhat able to fend for itself? We have mostly deer here, but also coyotes and a bobcat. And a large snapping turtle. At least the coyotes seem nocturnal.
I really wanted horses but unfortunately, the place is infested with black walnut trees.
I didn't even know homesteading was a thing until I recently discovered a TV show called Homestead Rescue. My husband (an engineer) is working on a water wheel for hydroelectric and has already got everything up on solar. We have a couple of creeks and a separate spring so he has more hope in water than solar. Just one year ago, we were leaving everything behind in OR, fleeing covid and ideological insanity. And now we find ourselves in a place that pretty much lets you do what you want. It's hard to keep grounded and your articles about your farm are so interesting and helpful.
It's so uplifting. Thank you.
Uhhh…Unfortunately I am now in the uk. I and My Friends could destroy those trees. And then, carve/mill them up into cool “stuff”. Ed
Edit - I have 5 chainsaws and 26 chains …all sharp of course. (My Lovely Bride of 21 years thinks I’m a bit nutty). 🏴☠️
We had guinneas growing up. They roosted high up in the trees. I'm surprised a fox could get one, as they fly quite well, unlike chickens. I love their sounds, and they would also act as alarms and early warning system of anything nefarious nearby.
When I was a teenager, there was a back and forth "T.P." wars going on where we did each other's houses (trees in the front yard) with toilet paper. The next morning riding the bus to school, we'd all see whose house got hit the night before, hilarious. Well, our house didn't get hit, because the guineas "alarmed" and scared the heck out of those attempting to t.p. their trees. Too funny!
What a life. Reminds me of some of my early days and even into my 70's. Well, maybe 80's as I did tear down a 20 x 16 building and built a small storage shed in its place last year.
I have truly enjoyed your homestead essay. For two reasons I guess. First, it reveals something unique about your and Jill’s nature and I think it is good. Second, it fits with my own ag background. We have developed a more large scale cattle operation with a twist toward regenerative practices. We have not been able to do it debt free.
On the humerus side, with your focus on the buildings and the special horse breed, we rednecks would consider you a gentleman farmer. Seriously, you and Jill seem like such decent, humble folks. In my experience that is somewhat uncommon for people with your smarts.
May God bless you in all you undertake.
Thanks for sharing Dr. Malone …your wife must have a great sense of humor , allowing the picture of her under the covers , with the dogs !! You guys are hilarious 🤣
Loving your stories and photos, Dr. Malone!
Here is the thing about LIFE. Everyone makes mistakes. It is part of the process. Accept this, learn the lessons and move on. Some people like to hang on, make others wrong and cause pain for everyone, but ultimately themselves. It takes an aware person with little stake in being right to let go and "let God". Thanks for the encouragement, it goes beyond the farm and into my soul.
I have no bold, eloquent, or revelatory statements to make. I am simply enjoying your being candid and humble enough to share both the ups AND downs of your experience. And learning a bit as well, having never owned, managed, or worked on any farm, nor tried homesteading. Carry on!
Waiting with anticipation for this beautiful story to continue. Thank you. God Bless🙏🏻
I love this series, great motivation for the winter ahead of me where I have (finally) some time to catch up on much deferred maintenance and hopefully some expansion. The one thing I am missing is someone to care for the place when we are gone, so am very chained at the moment, which has its own niceties, but lowers movement.
I have had (🤞) good luck with predators for the chickens, outside of a rattlesnake that zapped my rooster's leg. It is the layout, about a quarter acre fenced in with many trees. It is hard for a fox or weasel or racoon to get in during the day and the hawks are deterred by the trees and the territorial ravens who extort me by swooping the outside layers' eggs.
The henhouse is well built, a bear could get in but nothing smaller, maybe a clever lion, which is around because of the scat and lack of deer and rabbits this summer. The fires from 2020 burned the forests out real bad and there is less space for the deer to take cover, the forest is open.
Congratulations on all the great work! I miss the lushness of the mid-Atlantic, and that cold dew on barefeet.
Your lifestyle is both envious and admirable. At 76 I'm afraid too much for me. I am convinced the coined "birdbrain" came from having Guinea fowl, but they are such pure examples of life and they can be a real hoot. A fond memory is that of my parents neighbor's Guinea fowl chasing cars with chrome bumpers and aggressively pecking away at that competitor.
Like your other readers, I love these stories! The auger for the fence posts is beyond cool. A blessing that your neighbor had one; otherwise it probably would have been very expensive to rent. I appreciated the part about cataracts. I have one but not serious enough to have surgery yet. I didn't know about the triple vision lenses. I assume that works well for reading, computer, and distance as those are my needs. Hugely expensive but maybe worth it to get rid of glasses completely. Thank you for taking the time to write; your lives are very interesting to those of us who have always lived in a city.
Dr. Malone, I have so enjoyed reading your homesteading posts, because my own homesteading experience is similar to yours and Jill's in some respects. Along the way I've even had to deal with eyesight problems, like you.
I'm a semi-retired single female. In 2012, when I was 62, I bought 30 acres of raw land with pretty views in rural northern Maine. In 2014 I broke ground for an 800-square-foot timber-frame house (1200 square feet if you count the basement). Now, nine years later, the house is nearly finished, and I have several outbuildings.
Unlike you and Jill, I don't have skills that enable me to do framing, roofing, carpentry, plumbing, wiring, etc. I've hired people to do those things. I've done some cosmetic work such as sanding and painting.
My house is off the grid. Developing an understanding of solar-electric technology has been a bit of a challenge, but I am now at the point where I have about 2600 watts of solar panels and almost 20,000 watt hours of battery storage. My house looks and functions pretty much like a grid-attached house: I have pressurized hot and cold water, conventional lighting fixtures, high-end flooring and furniture, high-end appliances, a fully equipped home office.
Unlike you and Jill, I don't have farm animals. I don't have the time to take proper care of farm animals, and frankly, I'm not comfortable around farm animals. Plus, I rarely eat meat, and I don't eat many eggs.
What I do have is a good-sized garden, a 10' x 20' greenhouse, ten apple trees, and two blackberry patches. My gardening skills and food-preservation skills improve every year. This year I have a bumper crop of apples; I'm making gallons of applesauce and cider, and I'm dehydrating many quarts of apple slices.
I heat my house with a woodstove, and this time of year I enjoy the ritual of hauling firewood and stacking it in my woodshed.
Like you, I have an orange tractor! Mine is the Kioti brand. Yours is probably either Kioti or Kubota.
This past spring, I realized my visual acuity was deteriorating. I was terrified , and I put off making an ophthalmology appointment for about three months because I was so scared. I was scared of the possibility of blindness, and I was (and still am) mistrustful of the medical establishment. When I finally did see an ophthalmologist, I was given a diagnosis of retinal vascular occlusion, and I learned there is a treatment for it: periodic injections of a drug called Avastin. The injections go into my eyeball. Sounds terrible, doesn't it? But actually, it isn't all that bad. I've had four injections, and my visual acuity has returned to normal. It's a miracle for which I am very grateful.
BTW, I'm not vaxxed, so there is no way the retinal vascular occlusion was caused by Covid vax.
This life I've chosen comes with lots of hard work (as you well know), but never have I felt such contentment.
If you and Jill ever have a reason to be in the vicinity of Presque Isle, Maine, I would be honored if you could come for a visit. My house has a small guest room, and next summer I'll build the guest cabin I've always wanted. You can reach me at info@yourmainewriter.com.
Thanks to you and Jill for all you do. In my own small way I have tried to red-pill friends and acquaintances. I've met with some success. Not as much success as I'd like, but some - and I keep trying.