The back 35

I fully understand your commitment to your land, because I feel just the same way about the small acreage I have had the privilege of looking after, but have been very discouraged in the past five years, when bad health has interfered with my work. After spending the best part of 40 years sharing my ground with hundreds of campers, I at last dug out the gardens I wished for since I began. This of course coincided with the heart attack - just the start of failing health. I listened carefully to the video you linked to and the thoughts of that young man with the multiple tumours and very small amount of time left here, and it made me feel very humble and full of admiration for him. What a lesson!

As far as the tiny home goes - there are a lot of considerations to go through, and although I have actually looked at lots and lots of examples of these little self built palaces with huge interest, I would say that they might not be everyone's choice for many reasons. The first person of course to discuss it with is your wife.
Whatever becomes of the idea, eventually, on the subject, my first thoughts would be to leave all options open for as long as possible. Act in haste and repent at leisure !
I could tell you about several ''little'' places I have inhabited over the years, but there's not enough time for that right now. Phew! 😪😴
 
As far as the tiny home goes - there are a lot of considerations to go through, and although I have actually looked at lots and lots of examples of these little self built palaces with huge interest, I would say that they might not be everyone's choice for many reasons. ...
Yes, agree.

I have divided (virtually with survey marks) the property into three tracts of 10 acres, 10 acres, and 15 acres. My current thinking...and it is only thinking...is to give each of the 10 acre tracts to closely held relatives and keep the 15. The tiny homes are a thought for the two 10 acre tracts as the relatives currently reside a good distance from Texas let alone the property. Also, if I decide to sell them I think I could make a large profit on those two tracts with a tiny home. In this scenario the 15 acre tract would be where we could build a "regular" house.

None of this may happen of course...just musings from an old cowboy looking forward to the next roundup.
 
Sounds like there will be a few more interesting musings and happenings to watch out for on this thread then. Always good to have something to look forward to. I wish I could witness the next roundup up close. I find that fascinating.
 
That's such an efficient way to clear stumps; root raking and burning 👍

When my "good" husband an I had his family's 90 acre farm, first thing he did was have it logged as there was about 15 acres that hadn't been used in 40+ years and was forested with trees. He decided to leave the stumps and as they deteriorated, the termites moved in.

My guinea foul would, when the termites started to swarm, as soon as I let them out of their pen in the morning, make B-line for those stumps, circle around, and gorge themselves on termites until they were so full and so exhausted that they had to sit and rest for a couple hours !!😂 Groups of 8-10 guineas all sitting around stump after stump completely pooped !!

Root raking and burning them would've been much better for me as I had to practically carry my exhausted guineas back to their pen in the evening !! 😄
 
That's a great story about the Guineas. I love them and wish I still had some. The predators around here, especially coyotes and wild ferrel cats, make for a problematic place for them to live. I hated to see them penned up at night but even doing that they would get picked off during the day. I miss the guineas.
Guineas are so much fun !! I love how they chase each other around !! I don't really like eggs so, I put the Guinea eggs under a broody hen,of which I kept only two. She'd hatch them and I sold them when I got too many.

I had mine trained with white millet to get in their coop. I made a trail of it back to the coop and they quickly caught on that at 4pm millet appeared. Later I could just put it in the feeder and they'd come in.

We had fox that was after mine. My dog kept them at bay during the day but no way my Guineas would have survived outside at night.
 
Looking at those last two pictures Meadowlark, that sandy soil would make a good beach. How about a lake?
Yes, that is a real possibility @Sheal that I will consider after getting the property cleaned up. Here we use clay to build the dam for ponds/lakes. There is plenty of clay underneath all that sand to build a formidable dam. Meadowlark Ranch currently has 5 ponds ranging from 1/2 acre in size up to 4 acres each of which I either built or reconditioned with some assistance.

There is an excellent place on the property to build a substantial one...but whether or not I'll get to it is TBD.
 
We had fox that was after mine. My dog kept them at bay during the day but no way my Guineas would have survived outside at night.

I haven't seen many foxes here but nightly we are serenaded with the songs of packs of coyotes. I love to hear that but not good for guineas. We also have bobcats around that are a top predator.

This place years ago had a thriving quail population but over the years it declined to none. I tried to reestablish them by releasing 100 pen raised birds but the predators just had some great meals. I miss those "bob white" calls in the early evening.
 
I haven't seen many foxes here but nightly we are serenaded with the songs of packs of coyotes. I love to hear that but not good for guineas. We also have bobcats around that are a top predator.

This place years ago had a thriving quail population but over the years it declined to none. I tried to reestablish them by releasing 100 pen raised birds but the predators just had some great meals. I miss those "bob white" calls in the early evening.
I initislly had coyotes on and around the farm but they moved on and when they did. in came the fox. I'd rather have the coyotes.

The first time I was ever on that farm by myself a bobcat hissed at me.!!😱. I just backed away slowly because, it is said that the only time a bobcat will make any sound when a human is near is when they have kittens. No way I'm getting a bobcat mad at me !!
 
Yes, that is a real possibility @Sheal that I will consider after getting the property cleaned up. Here we use clay to build the dam for ponds/lakes. There is plenty of clay underneath all that sand to build a formidable dam. Meadowlark Ranch currently has 5 ponds ranging from 1/2 acre in size up to 4 acres each of which I either built or reconditioned with some assistance.

There is an excellent place on the property to build a substantial one...but whether or not I'll get to it is TBD.

It surprised me that there is clay under the sand. Knowing the heat you have there, is it a problem keeping water levels up in the ponds ?
 
No, not really. When we build a pond we make sure it is completely lined with clay...at least two ft. and more at the dam. We use a dozer or other heavy equipment to pack it down good. I have even used cows to pack it by putting out feed on the places that need packing. A cow's foot has incredible pressure.

The ponds hold water very well...but of course if it never rains, the cows and evaporation will take its toll.
 
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