Hitting the Books

Maybe it's because I'm old-fashioned and don't like reading things on a computer screen, but when it comes to researching a new project or idea, I start by buying a book on the subject...or, rather, every book on the subject. I probably own every single book currently in print on lavender; raising chickens, goats, donkeys, and sheep; keeping bees; harvesting maple syrup; growing pumpkins; and urban farming. Overkill? I think not. One of these years I'll get around to tapping some maple trees and will be oh-so-glad to have plenty of informative books on hand. (I absolutely love libraries but, oddly enough, I rarely can find the latest books on such topics as creating lavender labyrinths and starting a sugarbush.)

But after I tore into the box of books on paper making that arrived today, I realized that I need get with the now and start with free research online. I can't entertain every whim by ordering a shipment of instructional books right off the bat. I read just one chapter on paper making before deciding that paper making is for the birds. Turns out, it is fairly complex and involves special equipment, techniques, and processes. There even was a chapter on lye, a substance that reduces me to a shaking, shivering mess.

Eghh. Now I'm stuck with five books on paper making. They'll find their place right next to my books on artisan chocolates. A quick google search would have informed me that making chocolates is a sophisticated exercise in chemistry (I had pictured merely pouring some batter into molds). A quick google search would have revealed that making lovely stationery is not as simple as whipping up a paste and spreading it out to dry.

On second thought, I'll donate these books to the library. While I'm there, I'll check the shelves to see if another donor learned a similar lesson on creating lavender labyrinths and starting a sugarbush.

Bye Bye Borders

As a lifelong bookworm, I was saddened today to read that Borders is closing all of its stores. Until moving to the farm, miles from any bookstores, I dropped by our local Borders at least twice a week. I just love bookstores and libraries! Mom-and-pop bookstores are the best, of course, but I don't turn up my nose at the big box bookstores. I buy a lot of books, and I justify the expense as one that is practically virtuous--I'm supporting authors.

All this Nook and Kindle nonsense has me worried as of late. I love the crinkle of book jackets, the stitching on hard covers, the feel of the pages and the sound of them turning, and the smell of both old and new books. I hate computers, even iPads, and don't want to read books on them. I know it would be easier to "get with the now" and start e-reading. When we moved, I couldn't deny the somber fact that I had 65 boxes of very heavy, very space-consuming books. I still have my favorite books that I read as a kid, some with missing covers or tattered pages or my name or notes written on the inside cover.

I suppose the day is coming when I'll be forced to curl up with a darn computer, but I'm going to hold out for as long as I can.

Can't Teach This Old Dog New Tricks

I tend to raise a brow at self-help books and the people who read them. I'm skeptical whether, barring some kind of Krakauer-esque Into Thin Air type of accident while climbing Mount Everest, people really can change. But I stumbled upon Live More, Want Less while looking at chicken books in the homesteading section of the bookstore. After skimming the first few chapters, I was rather alarmed. Book's got my number. For example, it asks and advises:

Do you start but then abandon projects? If so, you are influenced by outside stimuli rather than inner passion.

Do you have numerous "some day" projects lined up? If so, you are planning for the future rather than living in the moment.

The book seemed insightful. Alas, true to form, I started reading it but haven't gotten around to finishing it. Rest assured, it's on my "some day" list.

Home Safety

I'm convinced that cell phones cause cancer, although purportedly, there are no studies that show a direct link. In the absence of anything conclusive, isn't it logical to just use your common sense? And common sense tells me that holding a device that emits and receives electromagnetic radiation near my brain probably isn't the best thing. At any rate, I've taken an interest in reducing everyday toxins and health risks in the home.

I found an interesting book, The Healthy Home: Simple Truths To Protect Your Family from Hidden Household Dangers. I like the book's approach, which recognizes that completely eliminating health risks from the modern home isn't practical. Instead, the book suggests little things we can do to reduce risks. For example, toxic or not, nonstick cookware is here to stay. If I have to soak and scrub a food-crusted skillet every night, you can bet that I won't be doing much cooking. And eating out is probably worse for us than aluminum-laced home-cooked meals. But I'm phasing out plastic storage containers in favor of glass containers. Little steps.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you that this newest mission is driving the Wrangler absolutely crazy. At least five times a day, I spout wisdom from the "Home Safety" book:

"The Home Safety book says that your brand of deodorant is the most toxic," I yelled to the Wrangler through the bathroom door this morning.

"The Home Safety book says that you should avoid microwaved popcorn because of the chemicals in the lining of the bags," I informed the Wrangler, shaking my head in disapproval, as he looked for snacks in the kitchen cabinet.

"The Home Safety book says that if you can't avoid wearing dry-cleaned clothing, then you should sleep on organic cotton sheets. That way at least one-third of your day is spent without chemicals rubbing against your skin," I explained earnestly, as we headed to the store in search of new bedding.

"The Home Safety book says that..." I began, as the Wrangler poured himself a bowl of cereal.

"Okay, Sweets. Enough of the Home Safety book," the Wrangler interrupted. "I can't stand that book," he added, with considerable feeling.

"It's just that the Home Safety book says that many so-called "healthy" cereals have a high glycemic index," I said very, very softly. I couldn't help it.

The Wrangler looked me squarely in the eye and took a huge bite of cereal. Point taken.

Apparently, reducing household toxins may be harmful to household relationships.

Homemade Living

I've been enjoying the four books in the Homemade Living series by Ashley English. Beautifully designed, the books are both informative and fun. Ashley is a former medical professional-turned homesteader in North Carolina and seems poised to become the Martha Stewart of the modern homesteading movement.

Book Club

Even though it's been sunny and 80 for the past week, and it looks like it will continue to be so for the foreseeable future, it is January. And where I come from, January means curling up with a good book and cup of hot chocolate. Some habits are hard to break. I've read a lot this month--and not just sheep books. A few books worth a glance:

Peace at Heart: An Oregon Country Life, by Barbara Drake. This is a collection of short, charming, and interesting essays about life on a small sheep farm. The author and her husband moved to the country after living most of their lives in the city.

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness, by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein. This Malcolm Gladwell-esque book sheds light on how we make choices and, thus, how to prevent making mistakes (financial, social, and health-related).

Still Life with Chickens: Starting Over in a House by the Sea, by Catherine Goldhammer. This memoir traces the author's move from a manicured suburb to a ramshackle New England town with her teenaged daughter and their six chickens.

Growing a Farmer: How I Learned To Live Off the Land, by Kurt Timmermeister. The author owned several cafes in Seattle before moving an hour outside the city and starting a small dairy farm on 13-acres.

Some Light Reading

Guest Contributer: The Wrangler Speaks

This being my first guest blog entry, I feel obligated to introduce myself. I'm the Wrangler. You may be saying to yourself, I thought this Wrangler guy was just a fictional character in one of those crazy stories where each chapter is more random than the next. What I mean is, if you've been following Starr's blog, you've read about sheep, goats, chickens, and alpacas. You've been to a Texas livestock store, Farm Camp, Christmas tree ranches, through the L.A. wildfires for Ethiopian food, and back to Texas for the rodeo (just to name a few places). The theme of the blog brings to mind a book Starr gave me back-in-the-day, The Journals of Dan Eldon. I won't go into the details of this young man's extraordinary life because I couldn't do it justice. But the essence of his story is that The Journey Is the Destination. I remind myself of this every day. I love this journey and hope the destination is never found.

--The Wrangler

The Daily Coyote

In 2005, Shreve Stockton decided to move from San Francisco back to New York City and embarked on a solo trip across the country on her Vespa scooter. A month later, after reaching New York, she decided to return to a small Wyoming town, population 300, that she had scooted through in one day.

After settling in, Shreve took in a wild-born coyote after his pack was shot and killed in a state-sanctioned coyote management operation. Since then, Shreve has raised and lived in harmony with Charlie, who walks on a leash, plays with his cat and hound-dog friends, and snuggles in bed. Nonetheless, Shreve never forgets that Charlie is a wild animal.

Shreve's story is fascinating (and includes lots of gorgeous color photos of Charlie). Don't worry--I'm not about to start raising wild-born coyotes. I'll leave that to pluckier folks who undertake solo cross-country Vespa trips and randomly move from big cities to cowboy country. But here's to those who can live a life less ordinary and tell us about it.