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Today's Quote


“If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny.” Thomas Jefferson

Monday, November 19, 2012

Tax Hike on Farmers and Ranchers 2013

Now I know this won't affect many of us small time folks, but I guarantee it will affect someone you know even if only by casual acquaintance (if you live in a farming community). I know a couple of families that this will probably impact. The death/estate tax exemption will drop from 5million to 1 million in 2013. That means that many large ranchers and farmers who happen to own a lot of land passed down from generation to generation will be out of business. The rancher's children in the article will owe 13 million dollars on the ranch 9 months after his death. He already paid 2 million when he inherited it. We aren't talking about superwealthy have a house in 4 states kind of folks. We are talking about middle income, barely getting by, struggle every year ranchers and farmers. Just simply because they own a lot of land and that land is worth a lot of money. That dirt is what makes them a living and keeps most of the country fed. Oh, that's right...what happens when they can't pay the taxes and there are fewer ranchers and fewer cattle herds. Beef becomes hard to come by and expensive to be had. And then there are the others who own a lot of dirt, chicken farmers, pig farmers, crop farmers. If they all lose their land to estate taxes then the cost of food will rise, people won't be able to eat and hungry masses are a dangerous thing. I don't agree with much of commercial/big ag practices but I do realize that I can't feed nearly as many people off my land as my neighbor down the road who raises cows on 1000 acres or my other neighbor that raises cows, quail and honey bees on another 1000 acres. Both pieces of property worth well over 1 million dollars. What does this mean for them. Sounds very agenda 21 to me, push them off the farm and into the city. So what does that make this the second or third wave of destroying the farmer's of this nation. Anyway, read the article...write letters do what you can because I guarantee this will impact everyone large and small. If they lower that estate tax now, then they will lower it again and eventually all land will be impossible to pass on to future generations. Blessings, Kat Article

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Meet Shotgun!

Yes we did it. Here is our new puppy he is a Rottweiler/Pitt mix and he is cute as a button. He plays hard and sleeps a lot and as you can tell he loves his bear. I can tell this is going to be "fun" as he is already showing signs of a strong dominant personality. However, he is being very good about staying in his box at night (which will be moved to a crate as he grows) and going outside to potty. We are already having trouble with keeping things that we don't want destroyed out of Shotgun reach. Why Shotgun you say? As we argued over names for thirty minutes in the car with no one agreeing, I said Bullet. The kids didn't like it so we were making the round of gun names...Winchester, Remington, etc. when my husband yelled out Shotgun and the kids liked it. So I was tired of arguing and that is his name. Have a good day, Kat

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Music Wednesday

As I have said before I love music, any music. So since many Wednesday afternoons my husband takes the children to town it is usually my time to rock the house. And crank it up I do. I often conduct imaginary orchestras as well. I imagine it is a sight to see! So here are just a little of this Wednesday's music choices. Enjoy!

Taking a Break

I know I haven't written in a while. We have been so busy trying to finish projects. We finished the new pig fence and the little piggies are happy as can be with their new digs. We are at a stand still with the brush fence because when my husband went to get a new chain for the chainsaw, he got the wrong size. So anyway, I am tired. We have been going hard and steady for months and I am just plain sick of farming. So I am taking a break this week from farm projects. I take care of the necessary chores and then let that be it. I am focusing on being a housewife this week which actually considering all that I do feels quite liberating. Yesterday, I purged our videos and CDs and painted a shelf to be used for books in my little ones room. Then I cleaned out an antique cabinet that was not being used where it was and brought it inside the house for the little ones school things. I want to get to some sewing this week also. We only have a few more things to finish up before winter gets here and I can do this throughout the winter. It will be nice, I need the break, my body is beyond worn out and I am mentally exhausted. I am ready to sit and sew and work on needlepoint. Spring will be here soon enough with the flurry of things to do that come with it. The weather is turning chilly and I just don't work well when my joints don't function well so it is time to finish up fall and sit back and wait for spring. Meanwhile, this little break this week is nice and gives me the motivation to finish it up and be done. So off to get the day started. Hope you all are doing well. Blessings, Kat