| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 07 2014 : 12:22:22 PM
I grew up on a farm right here in southwest Colorado. My hubby and I were deeded a little over three acres by my dad back in the 70s on which we built our house.
My dad was an inventor/creator of so many things he needed on the farm. He didn't have money to buy everything but he sure had ideas and all the know how necessary and tools so he just made what he needed. We raised a variety of crops and animals so it was never just a one shot deal. That was smart because my dad never knew for sure when some crop would fail/freeze or how the cow/sheep production would be and how the markets for anything would be.
The first two photos I'm going to post for you are of chicken nests he built. When I was a teenager in the 60s my parents had about 150+ laying hens which meant they needed nests. I don't know how he came upon enough 55 gallon drums to build nests but he had many. So with a cutting torch and a welder he manufactured these nests, using the drums and rod links from a type of conveyer he used for potatoes and apples. He cut the barrel ends out part-way, bent them for openings/perches. Cut a door in the side, put on a hinge and used the ends of the conveyer rods to make handles and a prop for the door. As you can see the legs were made from the rods as well. These had to be at least 50 years old!!
In the pics the barrel nests are upside down. We just hauled the last remaining two we had to the salvage yard and they are on the trailer ready to go. I'm sure anyone following us would have found them curious indeed. 
Check back later for the next "curiosity" photo! 
Thanks for letting me share!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| katmom |
Posted - Nov 29 2014 : 7:44:02 PM
Hey Ceejay....
just poking my head in and saying "Hugz"...
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| laurzgot |
Posted - Nov 25 2014 : 3:41:09 PM
CJ, Thanks for sharing all those pictures and memories. Just love it.
Laurie
"Smile and be yourself everyday"
Country girl at heart
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 24 2014 : 11:17:11 AM
Thank you Mary Jane!
Thank you farmgirls!
Have a HAPPY, BLESSED THANKSGIVING!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| MaryJane |
Posted - Nov 22 2014 : 06:13:22 AM
CJ, you saved the best for last. Those two pics of you, one with your Dad, are priceless.
MaryJane, Farmgirl #1 Plowin' Thru ~ giving aprons a good wrap for 45 years and counting ~
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| texdane |
Posted - Nov 21 2014 : 6:09:03 PM
Very cool, CJ, very cool...
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 17 2014 : 12:09:57 PM
Thanks, farmgirls, for letting me share! I could post a lot more pics, but I wanted to mainly share those of unique things my dad made for farm work.
Hope you enjoyed this eve a little bit!
Thanks again!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| katmom |
Posted - Nov 16 2014 : 8:05:15 PM
Luv the sweet photos of you CeeJay
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Nov 16 2014 : 4:45:07 PM
These are all such fun photos, CeeJay. I especially love the one of you as a little girl!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 16 2014 : 12:35:09 PM
My dad was an expert orchardman, raising several varieties of apples which were his biggest fruit crop. He also raised a lot of peaches and pears. There were smaller crops of plums, apricots and dark sweet cherries. Orchards are very labor intensive, every spring meant pruning his trees.
He always owned Allis Chalmers tractors (orange ones) and this tractor (I don't recall model or year) was hia pruning tractor. The front tires were close together, he attached his pneumatic pruner equipment and built a fold-down platform on the side to stand on while he was pruning. In this pic you can see the platform folded up. Served the purpose very well!
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..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| lovinRchickens |
Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 1:19:32 PM
CJ
I absolutely love your pics. What a treasure you have in them.
Farmgirl #5111
Farmgirl of the month October 2014
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 11:58:06 AM
Well, I couldn't resist sharing these OLD photos with you. I don't know, for sure, when they were taken, but probably 1950-ish
This "barefoot farmgirl" trying out one of dad's tractors.
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A rare moment for this "barefoot farmgirl" and her dad!
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..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| prayin granny |
Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 04:02:53 AM
Oh Cj, what fun to see these pics and hear about your heritage. Absolutely loved it all!
Thank you so much for sharing with us
Hugs,
Linda
http://grannysbirds.blogspot.com/
Country at Heart
'For I know the plans I have for you......'
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| Calicogirl |
Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 03:50:53 AM
CJ,
Thanks so much for sharing your heritage with us. I have really enjoyed learning more about your family and farm. Your Dad was so creative! You must have inherited that from him :) I love seeing the photo of him and Sara is right, there is a certain eloquence and quiet confidence with farmers and ranchers.
Grace,
The only difference between us gals and the boys is what we hang onto and ours you generally cannot see when you pull into the yard :)
Farmgirl Sister #5392
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
http://amerryheartjournal.blogspot.com/
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| MaryJane |
Posted - Nov 14 2014 : 3:44:10 PM
What a tinkerer he was. Love these glimpses into your past!
MaryJane, Farmgirl #1 Plowin' Thru ~ giving aprons a good wrap for 45 years and counting ~
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| lovinRchickens |
Posted - Nov 14 2014 : 3:21:12 PM
CJ
I too am loving all your family history. What a great dad, so smart to make all the things needed to help the family survive. Thank you for sharing.
Farmgirl #5111
Farmgirl of the month October 2014
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
| Daizy |
Posted - Nov 14 2014 : 2:34:26 PM
Just one more?!?! Please send out a few more. I am going to find photos of the past here at the Poor House Ranch to share. I also have a few from my Grandfathers ranch, Choccolocca Brangus. I have really enjoyed your past that you have shared.
Hugs and prayers, Daizy #1093
Poor House Farmgirl Chapter {A virtual chapter open to everyone.}
A good day is when you find ALL your ear tags! I wonder how my cows would like my Farmgirl apron??
www.poorhouseparadise.blogspot.com |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 14 2014 : 1:41:35 PM
Thank you girls! It's been fun sharing and reminiscing. I have one more shot I'll share in a day or two and then that'll be it.
Thank you for letting me share and for coming along with me on memory lane!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| notathreatinsight |
Posted - Nov 14 2014 : 1:36:02 PM
CJ I've really enjoyed the little windows into your farm history! Thanks for sharing with us :)
Erin
Farmgirl #3762
~ Let our lives be full of both Thanks and Giving ~
http://www.etsy.com/shop/femmepostale/
http://www.pinterest.com/femmepostale/ |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Nov 14 2014 : 12:25:33 PM
CeeJay, your picture of your father bought this thought to mind. Whether it's Colorado, Texas, or any other of the 50 states all farmers have the same quiet confidence and eloquence about them.
Sara
Walk in Peace - Live with Joy
FarmGirl Sister #6034 Aug 25, 2014 |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 14 2014 : 12:06:21 PM
Before the market really went "south" for potatoes we raised acres and acres of them. Three varieties I think. Well, Dad needed a speedier process for harvesting/picking taters than a person walking along the row with a basket or gunny sack in hand.
So, he built these potato wagons to hook to the digger which was all being pulled by the tractor. These wagons had the link conveyors in the bottom (links are metal, like used for legs on the chicken nests). While in the field the spuds came up onto the conveyor of the digger and about three individuals positioned around the digger conveyor helped clean excessive dirt/mud off, remove rocks, etc. and then they went into the wagon. The wagons were backed up to the sorter/washer machine onto another conveyor and they were moved onto that where they were cleaned and sorted and bagged into big gunny sacks. I can remember when potatoes were harvested with the basket or sacks as you walked along. I was too small to do that because I couldn't handle the weight. So, with this more mechanized process the harvest became much faster and less laborious. As you can see these were quite run down, having sat on the farm for a long time, collecting all manner of other things. 
Sometime while I was in high school the market changed and dad stopped planting potatoes and focused more on his fruit orchards, which were another BIG operation!
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And, here is a great picture of my dad, the farmer, taken sometime in the early 90s. He passed away in January 1997 at the age of 83. My mother had passed away in February of 1994, just before her 80th birthday. (His mouth is puckered up because he was talking with my father-in-law)
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Nov 13 2014 : 08:17:16 AM
CJ this is great stuff!
And you know what they say about necessity being the mother of invention.
I think it is great that your dad had the get up and go to get 'er done!
~Denise~
Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Nov 12 2014 : 04:32:05 AM
Amazing stuff your Grandfather had! No doubt, someone else is making use of these times today and the legacy lives on!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 11 2014 : 12:41:58 PM
Dad raised alfalfa hay for feed for the livestock, but not to sell. He knew that he needed, if at all possible, for the haying process to be a one-man job. His barns always had a huge center section where he placed his chopped hay and then was able to throw it into the troughs on either side to feed.
I don't remember how he obtained a trailer from an 18-wheeler rig, but he did. He cut it in half, took off the top, cut the upper corners on sides, reinforced with angle iron across the front and rigged each half with a hydraulic push "wall" that he could use to push the load of chopped hay into the center section of the barn.
He cut the hay, let it dry, then chopped, blowing it into these trailers, then to the barn, backed them in, unloaded them and went after another load. He pulled the chopper and trailer with one of his big Allis Chalmers tractors. One-man operation!
Not sure what is over this one . . hmmmm!
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The car was the only one I know of that they purchased brand new . . 1965 Rambler, pale yellow, stick shift! But you can see one of these trailers behind the car.
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He used one of these to do the chopping. In this pic they are all lined up in the farm auction (the summer after my dad passed away). We called it "Jer-Rusty Park"
All of these items/equipment were sold at the auction that summer.
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| katmom |
Posted - Nov 10 2014 : 11:12:38 AM
Oh Dang! so that is what I have been doing wrong! not using shiny 50-gal drums to deter the 'Rats w/Antlers'... snork giggle!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 10 2014 : 09:54:40 AM
Yup, Gracie . . . we sorta have the same affliction, just with different stuff. However, I can tell you that I do NOT let stuff pile up forever!
That "Garden-Go-Round" is up by our garden and while the cans were still shiny they actually helped keep the deer out of the garden. Don't think that they are deterred by the rusty look, however.
I have a couple more "curiosities" I'll share with you this week!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
