Dudh Wala Farm Life

Illustrator--Agricult Logo

2009-04-29T12:35:00.001-04:00

Photoshop- Curious Abhi

2009-04-29T12:27:00.000-04:00

Photoshop- Scary Deva

2009-04-29T12:24:00.001-04:00

Forest Fairy-Photoshop

2009-04-27T11:44:00.002-04:00

Abhi Invasion-Photoshop

2009-04-27T11:42:00.002-04:00

"sunshine"

2009-04-14T13:05:00.006-04:00

"shift"

2009-04-14T12:30:00.005-04:00

Damaged Picture Repair Assignment

2009-03-30T12:26:00.005-04:00

BEFORE

AFTER

Illustrator assignment

2009-03-23T13:27:00.000-04:00

Logo assignment

2009-03-23T12:46:00.003-04:00

ok, this is all. . . I think

2009-02-17T12:08:00.006-05:00

Link to the before picture

More Pretties with color corrections

2009-02-16T13:09:00.002-05:00

Pretties for Todd (My teacher)

2009-02-16T13:04:00.004-05:00

I know, it's been a looooooong time.

2009-02-04T12:07:00.005-05:00

But here I am. I guess I may start posting again. I was feeling like I didn't have much to post, and what i did want to post, I didn't want the whole world on Planet Iskcon to see it. In fact, I would really prefer that my blog NOT be on Planet Iskcon, so if anyone with the power to do so will do so, please do so.

I am currently enrolled in my local Community College and am taking a Computer Art class and I have to post my assignments to my blog for my teacher to see. That is what has really prompted me to start posting again. So, here goes. . .

And as you may see, blogger does some wierd thing with my art when i upload it, it negatizes it? So this is not really what my art looks like, but close. Hope you like it in all it's wierd distorted colors!! you can't tell from the color changes, but Abhi is dressed in the earth, Tilak in fire, and Avani in water.

Everything's better with butter

2008-09-28T13:26:00.023-04:00

So, I decided I would give you the play by play of butter making. . .

This is sour cream. You get sour cream by scooping the cream off the top of the milk and culturing it with yogurt.

Here is the sour cream going into the churn.

Here is a rare glimpse inside the churn. It's whipping the sour cream.

This is what it looks like when it's churned. It seperates into butter and buttermillk. Kind of like when milk seperates into curds and whey.

So then, you pour it all out into a large sieve INSIDE a larger bowl (to catch the buttermilk).

Then you lift the sieve of butter out and shake it all around to try to get more buttermilk out of the butter.

Handfull by handfull, you squeeze the butter, still trying to get more buttermilk out of the butter. If you leave it in there, it sours and makes the butter yucky.

When you have all the butter wrung out, you use the little sieve to scoop out the little chunks of butter left in the buttermilk.

Here you have it, butter and buttermilk. It's still not done.

Now you have to wash the butter. To get even more buttermilk out. See how cloudy the water is? That's buttermilk. So you rinse and squeeze and knead until the water runs clear.

Now the water is running clear. Time to get the water out.

You tip the bowl up on the side and pat and rub the butter to get as much water out as possible.

There you have it, clean, dry (well, not quite) butter.

Then you carefully splat it into the jars.

Then bang the jars on a stack of towel to get the air and excess water out of it.

And there you have it, 2+lbs. of farm fresh butter. MMMMMMMMMMM. . . .

2008-09-23T12:58:00.003-04:00

Pet Peeve

2008-09-21T21:58:00.002-04:00

People who buy something, use it for x amount of time and then return it just because they can, regardless of whether there is something wrong with the thing or not. They are just finished with it now and they take it back to the store and get their money back. This really bugs me. . . Don't they know "buy" does not mean "rent"? I know it's some dumb huge stores problem, I'm just more of a play-by-the-rules kind of girl. Suprising, I know. But I say if you buy something and it isn't broken, it's yours. And if you take it back just becuase you're done with it now, well, I think your a cheater. Enough said.

I've done it now!

2008-09-21T21:39:00.003-04:00

So, we were homeschooling the boys for the last year and a half. Last year went pretty well since my husband was doing it and spending about 3 hours per day dedicated to them. Then, we got the cows. The two new cows who seem to give oceans of milk. And everything else started, well, actually, very quickly, fell to the wayside, school included. Morning, 2plus hours milking, evening, 2 plus hours milking, and in between--curd, butter yogurt, washing. We were up to our eyeballs in milk and getting rid of it all was a real chore. Then came summer and we were off the hook.

This fall, I told my husband, I cannot homeschool them. I'm maxed out to the max already and no one has clean underwear and there are tomatoes to be canned that are rotting in the kitchen because I can't get to them and there are a million spiders and their webs living in here and I don't have time for one more thing, so you either get to schooling them, or I'm sending them to public school.

I had said some pretty bad words there. "I really don't want them to go to Sandy Ridge. . . " my husband said solemnly. So, I said, "Maybe you should try the computer curriculum." He had flatly rejected this some months before when the curriculum was 20% off because he was going to do it with them like he did last year. Well, working full time and dealing with cows another 30-40 hours a week didn't leave much time fo school. So, he said, "OK, we'll do the computer curriculum." I was lucky and found one on Craigslist for about half price and it was just down the road in King. So, the next day, Tilak started his school on the computer. Then Abhi started asking, "When do I get to start school. . . " Uh-oh.

So after a week of this, and Tilak rushing through homework and getting a 64% in science (which is his favorite subject) we decided that the kids could not be any worse off at Sandy Ridge Elementary than they are here at the Lipscomb Dairy Processing Plant. Not to mention, no kids live in Prabhupada Village anymore, so they are a little short on association. Yes, having a brother is great, but having him as your only friend is not always a good thing, for you or your parents who have to listen to it all day.

So, we are not very accomplished homeschoolers, though both of our children tested at the appropriate level. They will be starting school tomorrow. It will be Abhi's first day of "real" school ever, so I'm a little nervous. But Tilak has been before and always loved it. I'm excited for them to have friends again and be able to play. And I will be glad not to have two little messy marvins here making messes all day, but I will miss them. As they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. I don't know if it's possible, but if it means a little less pee on my toilet seat, it'll be worth it.

My Unsung Hero

2008-08-31T21:52:00.000-04:00

Some people may look at him and say, "What's his problem? Can't he get a job? Why can't he keep a garden going? He's not really doing anything else. Why isn't he at mangal aroti? He's out of it. "

Cows. 2 hours milking in the morning, 2 hours milking in the evening. Straining,de-creaming, cooling, boiling, jarring, culturing, churning, curdling, pressing, freezing, delivering, washing, drying, washing, drying, washing, drying, washing, drying. . .

Saturday 2pm-Sunday 6am. Nap. Sunday 2am-Monday 6am. 32 hours. Milking, milking, milking. Sleep? Nah.
Chanting here, chanting there. Temple? No. Vacation? No. Holidays? No. Festivals? No.
Rain? Yes. Wind? Yes. Sick? Yes. Cold? Yes. Hot? Yes. Broken? Yes. . .

Thank You, my Hero.

Cow Therapy

2008-08-30T18:38:00.003-04:00

You can only see him for the photo. From where I sit, I can only see his hand.

A couple of weeks ago, my husband noticed that his left hand was falling asleep very easily. Then, within a couple of days, his pinkie and ring fingers on that hand started to feel tingly. It's only progressed from there in what we figure is some sort of over-milking related stress. So, not wanting him to make it any worse, I have begun milking with him regularly again. I haven't milked with him regularly since before we got married. It's kind of a pain and it takes nearly 2 hours morning and night, but it has it's good points.

Being on either side of a cow, no telephone, no children (most of the time) no interuptions of any kind really, except when the cow decides to pee or poop, is very peaceful. And we consider it kind of like a confessional or some sort of marriage counseling. You see, it's very easy to talk to someone about something if you're busy and you don't have to look them in the eye. It's kind of like really primitive e-mail. We've had many of our best conversations on either side of a cow, and that is exactly where we understood that we wanted to be married to each other and talk on the sides of cows forever.

Some women have the pleasure of their husbands leaving in the morning for work and they have a peaceful day to themselves to cook, clean, read. I don't have that pleasure. But I have the pleasure of having nearly 4 hours every day to visit with my husband. I understand that this is a luxury and very well may have a lot to do with why we have such a happy marriage. Communication. And lots of it. About all kinds of things. We may discuss philosophy, food, money, our past, our future, our kids, our likes, our dislikes, things that bug us about each other, ourselves, or others. And the list goes on. We've never had much trouble talking to one another and would probably be happy if this was all we ever had to do. Thank goodness now we can do it and accomplish something at the same time. We figure a WHOLE LOT of stuff out this way. Just talking it out, God knows we have the time! My husband isn't very good at doing anything while he's talking, except milking a cow. It makes the chore easier and quicker to have somebody there with you to help out, to pass the time. I recommend that to improve your marriage, you only need to add milking a cow.

I ain't no Sabjimata, but. . .

2008-08-23T17:44:00.003-04:00

Today, I canned 7 quarts of tomatoes and 4 quarts + 3 pints of applesauce!! Last year, my brother had too many tomatoes, so this year he said if we staked them and picked them, we could keep half. Good deal, right? So yesterday, we got our first big batch. I still have as many more ripening to can in a few days. Then, our other neighbor, Sauri, has several nice apple trees and we've been trading apples for milk. The boys don't care for the apples so much, so I decided to just make applesauce (they'll eat that!) I really can't wait to try some. I've never made it before, but I love eating it!!

Sabjimata, by the way, has become a household word around here because I spend so much time reading it. And my kids are fighting over who's getting the last few drops of Dad's birthday jam. I keep telling them "KEEP AWAY!! IT'S YOUR DAD'S!!" But they keep finding ways to try and trick me out of it, "Mom, could I have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? I'll make it myself (wink, wink)" They're no dummies, those kids.

OK, Avani is growing up fast and as per my usual procrastination self, I went and got her birth certificate yesterday. They misspelled her name and I didn't even notice. I wonder if it will take me 5 years to order the certified copy like it did for Abhi? It took me so long that by the time I sent it in, they sent it back because the price had gone up $5!! I'll try to be more on top of it this time.

Abhi's birthday is coming up, he'll be 6 on the 5th. I think we are going to go to Fairy Stone State Park and go paddleboating and look for fairy stones. Then we are going to go to the Virginia Museum of Natural History. Abhi really likes rocks, animals, well, anything "natural" really, so I think he should have a pretty good time. Plus, we don't get out much as a family unless it's to grocery shop, and that's not that fun, even if we eat some Soy Delicious and Glee Gum while we're out!! Also, on Labor Day, we are going to see our (well, mine anyway)favorite theatrical performers. The Paperhand Puppet Intervention. For those of you not local to the Chapel Hill area, they can be found on YouTube, and you should find them. They are amazing. They make giant puppets and play live music and I just can't describe to you how fantastic it is. It nearly brings tears to my eyes. And my husband even likes it (and he doesn't like much like that), and Mathura, the most conservative gasoline user I know, will drive ALL THE WAY TO CHAPEL HILL to see this!!!!! Or maybe it was the half-naked fire twirlers they had that one year? No. I think if he broke his arm, he might walk to the hospital, but he'll drive two hours to see Paperhand. So check it out. They also send lovely messages, like, don't eat meat, take care of nature, meditate and take care of your soul, you get the picture.

So, while our friend Avadhuta was here visiting, he did a little astrological outlook for me and told me I need to wear a blue sapphire ring. He's really into astrological gems since that seems to be what helped him most after his accident that paralyzed him. . . but he's not paralyzed. . . hence his faith in astrological gems. Sooooo, my brother is also very into this and has been shopping for his families needed gems, except Citra's which was diamonds, and I happened to have a very nice diamond ring that was our Grandmothers, but Avadhuta told me it was not good for me at all. So, I told Citra she should wear it. No need to put it in a box somewhere. Mathura ordered their gems and they were delivered to my house. I was here when he opened them and guess what was in there? A Blue Sapphire, for me. . . Now I know most of you must have heard me say how tight, I mean conservative my brother is, most of you know him, but I must say, sometimes, he's very generous. He's generous when it's important. When he thinks he can truly better your life. I suppose that's the best kind of gift. It's a beautiful stone that should help aleviate the most frustrating aspects of my life and I can't wait to get it set and marvel in it's powers!!

On the cow front, my husband's left hand has started tingling and going to sleep all the time. I think it's from milking three cows twice a day. So I've been doing a lot of the milking. It's nice being with the cows, but I hope his hand gets better. It's not a service he wants to give up. Hopefully by resting it and massage and stretches, it will get better.

In sad news, I found out that one of my best friends from home just found out her only son who is 5 has muscular distrophy. If those of you who pray could say one for Jack and Sasha. . . I can't imagine her pain.

I think that's all for now. Sorry I post so infrequently. I think about it often, if that makes you feel any better. . .

What you've been waiting for

2008-06-26T15:51:00.006-04:00

Here's the evidence of what I did. I shaved it all off. It was hot and sticky and messy and I just asked my husband, "Do you mind?" He said no, and it all went down the toilet. Feels so much better. I highly recommend it for all of you "no maintainance" typed out there.

After I cut my hair, JarJar Binks stopped by (that's who he said he was). Never a dull moment around here. I only wish I had pictures of him wearing one of Avani's diapers on his butt and another one on his head. . .

Then the new lawn guys stopped over to mow the lawn. They pooped on the porch a bunch before they mowed. . .

And the newest little goofball in the family is getting big and has been practicing her silly faces in the mirror. . .

All is well......

It's been a long, long time

2008-06-13T18:51:00.003-04:00

So, no one will probably even see this post for weeks since I haven't written anything in months, but I will get back to it right now. I've been putting it off, wanting to post pictures and my camera is not available right now, but I've decided to put off the waiting and just get back to it. So I'm going to start with a little welcome back questionairre courtesy of Satyavati and Mandakini.
What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was getting used to having little baby (HUGE) Timber (now known as Tilak) who was 13 days old. He was born by c-section, so I was still recovering. I was in a bad marriage that I wanted out of, wanting so badly to become a devotee (Mathura had just moved to NC). I was doing the deposit every morning for the steak house we ran (I said hellish, right?) and living in my aunt and uncles apartments behind their laundrymat in Mt. Vernon, Missouri.

5things on the "to-do" list today. . .
Take Arcana her milk, yogurt, cream, and butter.
Call Sesa about Saranams milk.
Laundry
Breakfast
Lunch

(I actually accomplished everything, well, the laundry got done, but by my kids. . . that counts, right? Delegation. . . .)

Snacks I enjoy

Chocolate

My husbands homemade Ice Cream

Popcorn with Nutritional Yeast

Concoction (a family favorite made of basically whatever you can find that tastes good. May include but not limited to bananas, honey, nuts, raisins, yogurt, sour cream, carob powder, peanut butter. . . you get the idea. . . concoction.)

Things I would do if I were a Billionaire

Fund the new temple for Radha-Golokananda

Finish the temple in PV.

Buy Citra a "nice" car (and whatever else she wanted

Buy Mathura whatever he wanted, but that would only use up a couple hundred ;)

Buy my Mom whatever she wanted.

Buy the barn and all the land around it and make the barn into living quarters for "simple livers" then go find some of those to come live with us. (stole this one from KC)

Build my mother an air conditioned cabin for when she visits.

Visit my friends that are scattered all over the US.

Donate sizable portions to a few friends.

Donate sizable portions to a few Vaisnavas of our choice.

Take a trip to Japan with the Baba family.

Build the Baba family a nice Japanese house, complete with a Zen garden for BV and his chainsaw.

Go to India.

Build Varsana Swami an ashrama in PV so he will come stay here.

Probably buy my kids some stuff they don't need. Some stuff they do. . .

A billion dollars is A LOT of money and I'm sure I would do a whole lot of stuff with it, but can't think of it all right now.

Places I have lived

Mt. Vernon, MO

Overland Park, KS

Olathe, KS

Columbia, MO

Dallas, TX

Grapevine, TX

Plano, TX

Addison, TX

San Juan Capistrano, CA

La Jolla, CA

Miller, MO

Hillsborough, NC

Sandy Ridge, NC

Carriere, MS

Cedar Grove, NC

Lived in several of these places more than once. . . .nothing to brag about.

OK, there is much more exciting news to come, but it will have to wait for another day. . . .when I have my camera to show you evidence of what I have done. . . . . .

Babies-R-Us

2008-03-31T13:36:00.004-04:00

So here we all are. Can you tell who's who? I dug all of these out to see who Avani looks like. Seems all three of our kids look alike. I think it's interesting how much Tilak and Abhi's baby pics look alike, but they look so different now.

SHE'S HERE!!!!!!!

2008-03-07T10:55:00.003-05:00

As they say. . . "better late than never." Well she came exactly 2 weeks late, but right on time. She was born on Wed, March 5th at 2:57 am at home in the water. The labor was quick, which is good, cause it was pretty intense!! I will share the details later. She was 8lbs.6oz. and 19.75 inches long. She has a little bit of dark hair and very dark eyes and BIG feet. Her brothers and Dad and I are very happy and excited to add another member to the bunch, and look forward to the difference a girl will make. The boys really like her and she likes them too. . . she recognizes their voices and watches them very intently. She's eating and sleeping well and being a sweet little baby. We haven't decided on a name yet, but we'll get to it. . . Thanks for all the well wishes from everyone. More later......

12 days overdue

2008-03-03T12:10:00.002-05:00

This is for those who assume that since there has been no activity here that the baby has come. It hasn't. I am just here waiting uncomfortably, talking to the baby, begging it to come out. I promise, I will post as soon as I can following the birth. But for now, you'll all just have to wait with me. And pray that it comes very soon. I'm starting to get a little crazy waiting. . .

Waiting. . .

2008-02-21T10:12:00.002-05:00

So I'm overdue now. Wed. morning early I was having pretty strong contractions and I thought that was it. But when I got up and took a shower and ate, it all stopped. Last night was a full moon and I thought that would do it, but I slept like a log all night. So tonight is supposed to be bad weather, maybe THAT will do it. I'll keep everyone posted, I promise we will call everyone when it gets here. One more "have you had it yet" phone call and I may have to unplug the phone. . .

My Valentine, courtesty of Mandakini. . . .

2008-02-15T16:48:00.002-05:00

Mandakini sent this to me, to be posted here, so here goes!!
What is his name? Christopher Warren AKA Krishna Chaitanya
How long have you been married? 6 years 1.5 months
How long did you date? 3 months!
How old is he? 32
How old are you? 33
Who eats more sweets? we both eat as much as we can. But probably him.
Who said "I love you" first? I don't remember
Who is taller? him
Who can sing better? him
Who is smarter? him by a long shot but I have more street smarts (you know, changing oil, balancing check book smarts)
Who does the laundry? me
Who does the dishes? we both do plenty
Who pays the bills? he fills the account, I write the checks
His guilty pleasure? crimelibrary.com, reese's peanut butter cups
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? me mostly, although being prego and having 2 kids, there's a lot of musical beds at our house.
mows the lawn? we both do
Besides you, who is his best friend? Kyle or Mathura
Who cooks dinner? Me, except the very rare occassion. He makes great kitri and biscuits, but the kitchen when he's finished!!!!!
Who drives? Him
Who kissed who first? We gladly, mutually kissed each other after we returned home from our legal marriage.
Who asked who out first? I met him at a Sunday feast, he was a brahmachari (celebate monk) and after we left, my brother said, "You could marry him."
What was your first date? As most of you can probably imagine, 99% of our time spent together before we were married had something to do with cows or the barn. . . But one time, we were "allowed" to drive to the Charlotte Rathayatra alone together, well, Tilak was our chaperone. . .
Who proposed? I don't know if there was a "proposal" We knew going in to it that we were checking each other out for marriage, and it just was obvious that's what we both wanted.
Who has more siblings? we both have one each. I have a younger brother and he has an older brother
Who wears the pants? him, though most people believe it's me. I just have a bigger mouth, that's all.
What is your favorite thing about him? His sense of humor, definitely!! Also, his spiritual knowledge, his calm nature, his musical ability, and his crazy hair.

The Boys

2008-02-13T20:29:00.003-05:00

These are the boys. . . (L-R) Abhi, Kapila, Narada, Rasaraja, and Tilak. Ninjas, knights, wizards, and giraffes. . . . They have a lot of fun with the dress up box. It just got more wild from here. At some point, Rasaraja was wearing the giraffe suit, carrying a sword, wearing hockey pads, and had a big red snake draped around his neck. I don't know what he was, but it sure was cute.

7 days

2008-02-13T19:25:00.004-05:00

Only 7 days to go. My kids say it's still getting bigger, but I don't think so. I think it's holding pretty steady. I actually have lost a little weight. It's really hard to eat when everything you eat forces stomach acid into your throat. Just a few more nights in the trusty recliner and then I will be able to lie down again, although then I will have a little nursling there, a nursing baby beats acid reflux and heartburn anyday!!

On a more positive note, I had a fantasitc fun weekend. My best sister Mandakini and her kids (my kids' best buddies) FINALLY were all well enough to come visit so we could exchange Christmas gifts. They have been sick every weekend since Christmas it seems and haven't been able to come. Poor things. They've had colds, strep throat, etc. etc..... So they came and we had a fun time talking talking talking and the boys playing playing playing. Then Saturday morning, Mother Harakhanta (my brother's mother in law) came by and told me she wanted to invite us all (2 moms 5 boys) to lunch. Her health hasn't been so great so I asked was she sure she was up to it? She said the solar panel guys (volunteers putting solar panels on the temple) were supposed to come and she had lunch half cooked for them all at the temple and now they are not coming. Would we just want to come to the temple to eat the prasadam at 1pm? I said sure, sounds great!! Avoiding feeding 5 little boys in your house is a great stroke of luck!! So at 1 o'clock, we went to the temple to eat. There were a couple of other cars there. One I didn't recognize, one I thought was a man's truck from the community. I thought she must have invited them too. Then I saw my friend Gaurangi Priya's kids. I said, "What are they doing here?" Sometimes they come up on a whim for a weekend visit. I thought that was probably why they were there. Never thought anything of it. Then, we went into the temple and walked into the prasadam hall and "SUPRISE!!!!!" Those rascals were having a suprise baby shower for me!! I really was completely suprised. I had no idea. It was really fun. They had a bunch of white onesies that we all decorated. They are so cute, I'm sure you will see some of them here in the future. Then we ate really yummy prasadam and played "guess the weight of the pregnant lady" which was fun although I think it made some people a little uncomfortable. They were afraid they were going to offend me. . . but really, it was fun. My brother came too, which was nice. They didn't let any other men in, but since he is family and he has a pony tail, they let him stay!! Also several ladies came all the way from Hillsborough, which is about 2 hours!! Thanks my dear friends. It was fun. And it was a really nice day so afterward, a bunch of the ladies and kids came over to our house and played outside. It was a lot of fun and I was so touched. It recieved many nice and thoughtful gifts, but mostly, I just liked having a party with my friends. And for those of you that couldn't come, I know you would've if you could've. It's the thoughts that count. So think happy easy open baby thoughts for me in the next week. Pray I have a fairly uneventful birth and that we are able to stay home for it. This would be the greatest gift, positive thoughts from the Mamas. Also, extra special thanks to my not just sister-in-law, but my sister-in-heart Citra and her sweet mama for getting the shower together for me. I love you both very much. . .

Wanna see a huge belly???

2008-02-04T20:30:00.000-05:00

Two weeks from this Wednesday!!!!

Dental rejection

2008-02-04T20:11:00.000-05:00

The other day we took the boys to a new dentist. They haven't been in over a year and they really need to go, but I loved our dentist in Chapel Hill sooo much and was sure I couldn't find another one so nice. Well, I was right. They have medicaid and I've taken them to the Medicaid clinic before and hated it. One lady yelled at Tilak and then, when I took Abhi, when he was 3, they came out when he was finished and asked if when I took him to the DR. did he cry until he hyperventilated??? Apparently, that's what they let him do there. I vowed to never go back there again!! So I looked at all the dentists in our area that take medicaid and found one pediatric dentist in Greensboro and I called and made an appointment. When we got there, they had about 10 pages of paper work for each kid, it took at least 30 min. to fill it all out. So at the very bottom, they ask is there anything else they should know and I wrote that I didn't want them to have flouride treatment. Read waaaay too much bad stuff about it, and I just don't feel comfortable with them having it. So they ask me if there is some reason I don't want the kids to have flouride and I said I had never given it to them, I don't believe in it. So the lady tells me she doesn't know if the dentist will see them if we refuse flouride?!?!?! So they consult with the hygenist, who rolls her eyes and makes a wierd face. Then they asked the dentist and he refused to see my kids unless I let them give them flouride????!!!!?!?!?!?! It's OK actually because my husband nor I either one liked the place or the ladies that were working there. So we said thanks and left. The boys were so confused. We had bought a pizza from one devotee here to take with us so we had nice prasadam to eat while we were in town that day and they were bugging us the whole way there to eat the pizza. Their appointment was at 10am so it wasn't that they were hungry, they could just smell the pizza. So we kept telling them, after you go to the dentist, you can eat the pizza. When we were walking out of the dentist office having not seen the dentist, they were so worried!! "DO WE STILL GET TO EAT THE PIZZA??" they were asking, all in a panic. We let them eat the pizza, and I think we may be taking them back to Chapel Hill to the dentist.

A Sad Day on the Farm

2008-02-01T21:48:00.000-05:00

Last night, my favorite cow, Pingala, left her sweet body. My husband milked her daughter, Yasoda, like he does every night. While she is finishing up her grains, he comes inside and transfers the milk and washes the milk bucket. Then he goes back out and puts her back in the pasture. Last night when he went out to put Yasoda back in, Pingala had shown up at the milking area and was on her knees. She was swinging her head back and forth all the way from one side of her body to the other. Then she fell onto her side. My husband was panicked, chanting, trying to figure out what to do with her. He got her grains, thinking that may coax her to stand up, then he tried getting a halter on her to help her up, neither of those attempts worked. He got behind her and tried to push her up and he said she let out a big moooo, kicked a little, and then, left. He was very shocked and he came in and woke me. I sat straight up, feeling something was wrong and he told me he thought Pingala just died. I went out with him and she was definitely gone. Poor man, he was very shaken and shocked. He kept thinking he saw her breathing, but she clearly was not there. She was not an old cow, and seemed fine right up until those last few minutes. We have no idea why she died, and to get some sort of autopsy to find out means transporting the animal within a fairly short amount of time to Raleigh. Something we can't do. So we just have to speculate. She was a very, very sweet cow. Not an aggressive bone in her body. We bought her from a dairy about 6 years ago, just after we got married. She was OUR first cow. We bought her with money left to my husband when his uncle died. We thought that was a good investment. She was pregnant when we bought her and she had a daughter, Yasoda, who eventually had a son, Prahlad. I couldn't bear the thought of weaning Prahlad at such a young age, so we put him in the pasture with his gramma Pingala and let her nurse him. She nursed him for a long time. Until he was old enough to breed her then we had to separate them. She was easy to milk and was always very compliant. You just would grab her halter and she would go wherever you wanted with no objections. We bought her from the dairy because when my husband and brother went there to look at cows, she came right up to them out of the crowd and seemed very happy to see them. So we are sad today that sweet Pingala is gone, and lamenting that we didn't get anymore calves out of such a sweet cow. We will miss her dearly. She was lucky, she was saved from the hellish life of a dairy, she served Krishna very nicely for many years, her milk being offered to many different forms of the Lord in New Talavan, New Goloka, and Prabhupada Village. Plus giving us her daughter who is also serving the Lord nicely with her milk, and her grandson who will someday plow the land. Her departure was swift and didn't seem too painful and was accompanied by the chanting of the Holy Names. I told my husband, if I were only 7 months pregnant, I would be sure she would be our child. Maybe if it's a girl, I'll name her Pingala, after the cow. . .

Ok Ok, I know it's been a long time. . .

2008-01-13T12:24:00.000-05:00

So I'm not sure where to begin. As you can see, the belly has been growing steadily. It's starting to get a little heavy. As many of you know, this last month or so is definitely not much fun. Heartburn, peeing a million times a day, leg cramps, trouble sleeping, constant internal kicking, baby hiccups, and the list goes on. But I'm doing pretty well this time. It may have something to do with the fact that I have 4 extra people living at my house right now. All of which I enjoy very much. Mathura and Citra and Deva are with us for the winter since their house isn't liveable yet and their trailer stays cold and frozen. Then, we have our good friend Avadhuta Siromani visiting for awhile. Some of you know him and I'm sure you can imagine the entertainment and conversation value of his presence. Seems he REALLY likes playing UNO. So we've been having some pretty hairy UNO games lately. It's winter, no plants, not much to do. So we hang out a lot. Eat a lot. Makes the time pass quicker for me with so many people and fun around. We had nice holidays. Quiet, but nice. Skipped out on all the inlaws this year and just had Christmas at home with the family. The boys are getting bigger and bigger and Abhi went on his first overnight sleepover last night (well, he's stayed with Auntie and Uncle, but that doesn't really count.) Tilak went with him to make sure he was OK. But I had to go pick Tilak up at 8:00 and Abhi was just worried I was going to make him leave!! Quite the independent little guy. They are both getting excited about the baby. Me too, and Kc too. Hoping I can have a successful home birth this time. Avadhuta does astrology and he says I don't have it in my karma to have smooth birth. So all you ladies, send me smooth birth vibes. It'll probably be another long one. Oh, well, I'm a pro at 30+ hour labor now. And this time I'll be at home, with no extra people, no birth center or hospital atmosphere, the birthing pool, and lots of determination. Oh, and I found a magic herb combo that's supposed to help a lot too. I'll let you all know how it works and maybe some of you may need it in the future?? Oh, yeah, I've been wondering about all you Hillsborough-ites, who's next???? You ladies aren't going to drop the ball now are you??? I'm doing my part!! Gaurangi Priya? You there? Rasa Sundari? Who's it gonna be, ladies, only 38 days and counting. . . . you know who you are and you know you better get busy!! The baby chain must go on!! OK, so all is fine here, despite my not posting here for months. I'm sorry to all my fans, and I'll try to be better. See you all soon. . . .

Devavrata's Grain Ceremony

2007-09-25T10:25:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, the appearance day of Lord Vamanadeva, the dwarf incarnation of Krishna, was Devavrata's grain ceremony. For those who don't know, Devavrata is my nephew. He really liked the sweet rice and eventually ate the whole bowl. Ekadasi (fasting from grains and legumes) is finally over for him!! So I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. Baby Vaisnava's ki JAYA!!!

Material bodies

2007-09-23T20:22:00.000-04:00

So I was coming here to post about Devavrata's grain ceremony today, but on my way, I checked the blogs I always read and found out about a sweet devotee from NV whom I met when I was 10 weeks pregnant with Abhi. She is apparently very sick with cervical cancer and it may also be in her liver. She is not an old woman. Maybe 35-40. She has a sweet son that is 8 named Gopal, and little girl who is maybe 4. When I met her, she found out I was pregnant and she took me to a big storage closet and gave me bags of cloth diapers, nursing bras, diaper doublers, baby clothes, blankets. I didn't know if it all would fit in the car on the ride home. She had just met me, but still, she just decided to give me all her stuff. I think she thought she wasn't going to have any more children, but not too long after she gave me all her paraphernalia, she became pregnant. I really liked Gopi. She is from the North somewhere so she has a cute accent. And she's very straightforward. She had a good sense of humor and wasn't afraid to drop in a curse word in a conversation here or there. I always inquire about her when I go to NV. Last I heard, they went to India. Her husband is studying some Ayurvedic therapies there. Apparently in Aug, she got very sick and they found out she has cervical cancer. This could be one of us. It's very frightening to me and makes me want to be more serious about my life, because it may be a lot shorter than I'm planning on. It made me think, what if this were me, what if I found out that I was going to die, here, in PV, in this house. It didn't feel good. I thought, if I'm going to leave my body, I want to be at New Goloka. I don't think I'd even want to go to India. I don't know anyone there, I am not attached to those deities, Gurudeva is not there. I want to be where my sisters and brothers are. Where I know I could leave this world surrounded by love and Krishna Conciousness. Makes me want to come home. . . .

My art projects

2007-09-16T01:16:00.000-04:00

So, some of you know I've
been taking an art class online.
So, I thought I would share a
little of it here. So, here they
are. They are just labs dealing
with texture and composition.
Hope you like them!!

Fall Harvest

2007-09-12T20:56:00.000-04:00

So today we decided to go out and see what was left of our terribly neglected little front yard garden. After I got pregnant and sick, I let it go to weeds, but before that, I took very nice care of it. And it paid off!! Here's some pics of our picks. . .

We got about 10lbs. of red potatoes. The kids had a great time "treasure hunting" for the potatoes every time Dad would turn over a shovel of dirt. We also got about 11 Long Island Cheese Squash (it's the fleshy one on the far left), 1 tiny little pumpkin, and about 20 Red Kury squash (the red-orange ones in the middle of the squash).

The most exciting crop was the Tom Thumb Popcorn. Of course this was the boys favorite, and they insisted we pop some up right now. It was really yummy and it was kind of neat, even the ones that didn't pop much were good!! They didn't break your teeth!! But you don't eat much because it hurts your hands so bad to get it off the cob!!

The other fall fun we're having is SOCCER!! Tilak played a couple of years ago, but this is Abhi's first year. Tilak's team did well. They only lost 0-6, apparently, last year they lost to the same team 0-22. So that's quite an improvement!! Abhi's game was just cute and funny!! Oh, and Abhi was 5 last week!!! Where does the time go?????So we're going to the beach to see the family. Hoping to see some historical sites in Charleston and do a little beach bumming. I'll post some pics when we get back.

Fall means school

2007-08-26T10:49:00.000-04:00

So I was just reading Mandakini's blog and she was being happy about the regulation forced on us un-regulateds (sounds a little too much like retards. . . )by the kids going back to school. Well, we homeschool, but I sure can't wait for those curriculums to come in the mail so we can try and get back some regularity in our lives. Pregnancy has really messed up any routine I may have had before, and now, with the first three months over with, I need to get back to it. Last night, I couldn't sleep until 2am?!!! This is crazy. My husband is always in school, and now he has encouraged me into going back. He found an online Graphic Design Certificate program through the NC Community College System (wonderful system for anyone interested) and I'm all signed up. Started last monday. I like it so far although I was a bit shocked by the pricey software we have to buy. I can get all the programs I'll need for 3 semesters for a bargain price of $400 (regularly about $1200) which will all be covered by financial aid, so it's no big strain, I was just shocked was all. So I'll post some of my projects here and you all can tell me what you think. This semester I'm taking Design I and Graphic Design I.

So Abhi is going to start Kindergarten and Tilak , 4th grade. A friend told me about a great curriculum that is brief, concise, simple to teach, and cheap!! I got both grades, brand new, for less than $300. For those of you who aren't familiar, a year for one grade can cost over a $1000. So we're all geared up and we're all in school. I told the boys there would be no complaining about school because we all have to do it, even Mom and Dad. I think this made it easier for them to face.

So, the garden is about over. We are still getting big tomatoes and basil and the winter squash is starting to do quite nicely. Waiting for the popcorn to fully dry so we can pick it. Everything else is finished and needs to be tilled in. I'm looking forward to planting some nice fall colored mums in my corner flower bed. The sunflowers are all but finished there. This morning when I went out, it was cool and little yellow leaves were blowing in the breeze from our walnut tree. I was so happy to see and feel the first little hint of fall. I'm so sick of the heat, I can't even begin to describe it. Someone please remind me to never start a pregnancy in the summer again. Bad idea. . .

Speaking of pregnancy, it's going well. I feel like the baby is a girl, don't know why. Don't really care what it is, but I feel like it's a girl. For whatever that's worth. To tell you how accurate my "feelings" are, I dreamed more than once that Abhi was twin girls. And that, he is not. The midwife came once. My iron was good, which was a surprise, but having been through this before, I knew how to counteract the anemia. My blood pressure, however, was barely there. I think it was 82/47. Kind of low. No wonder I was tired all the time and all I could do was sleep!! She said it is fine and that it will go up as the pregnancy progresses. I liked the midwife a lot. She was still an assistant when Devavrata was born, but now she is taking primary clients with the other midwife still backing her up and attending births with her. Please, everyone, pray that I can have at least one child normally at home.

Oh, yeah, one last thing. As many of you know, my husband and I are not the greatest organizers of our life and sometimes, we take a little (okay, a lot) of coaxing to get things done. Well, by Mathura's urging and encouraging (since probably May) we have started making Ice Cream. We still sell it on the Q.T. like the milk, but yesterday was the first day he took it market and he sold 6 quarts and 6 pints and got pre-orders for 18qts. for next week!! I think we may have hit on something here!!! So wish us well in our new endeavor to lift ourselves out of poverty while engaging ourselves and the cows in some service!! Jaya GoMata!!!

I'm sorry. . . .

2007-08-07T17:59:00.000-04:00

Sorry I haven't been posting. I had a request for at least a farm update, well, we've turned our cultivation to the inside. . . of my body. . . and to the new baby that's in there!! So the garden is full of weeds (and lots of yummy vegetables, too) and the house is a mess, and the couch is being well cared for!! KC is growing lots of Okra and selling some from his big garden. The sorghum is going great, but while it's doing so great, it's shadowing out the squash that's companion planted with it and it's not doing so well. But it will be OK. We are exploring an ice cream making adventure. Hoping that goes well. Everything else is going well, although it is as hot as hades here. No a/c is tollerable about 355 days a year, but those other ten, especially when you're pregnant, whoa. So look for me more now. I promise, I'm back. . .

Some stuff

2007-06-16T18:42:00.000-04:00

Not a lot of excitement here. Except for all the new babies in the garden!! We have a few zucchinis, some teeny-tiny yellow squash, lots of spinach, and the tomatoes, melons, and winter squash are getting blossoms. Plus, I have this great advantage here, it's called a brother with too many seedlings. So today, we added a row of Basil, our family favorite. My kids could eat pesto all day. I also went to the market with Mathura today to buy some herb plants. I fell in the creek on my way there and got soaked up to my waist, my arms, and hair and busted up my elbow. Then, Mathura's van wouldn't start. But the rest of the day went much smoother. I now have (to finish my herb bed in front) thyme, rosemary, oregano, lemongrass, lavender, sage, and some italian strawberries. I know, strawberries aren't herbs, but they ARE perrenials.

My husband has the lower big garden almost full now. It's a 1/2 acre. It has okra, sorghum, grain corn, and 4 kinds of winter squash. And before long it will have about 400 eggplant plants in it. That's the cash crop garden (except the corn). Hope it does well. I'm so proud of him. It's a beautiful garden. Not many weeds, and he did it all with Bhima the big ox. Good for Bhima too. OX POWER KI JAYA!!!

He's also been on an ice cream making kick. Especially since we found the super bargain on pure vanilla at COSTCO. I don't like those big stores much. But sometimes, you just can't refuse their offers. Anyway, if the motorcar civilization falls, I'm sure I can do without it. The other day, we had fresh blackberry frozen yogurt with our milk and blackberries from the yard. I've the jars all lined up to make jam, I just have to keep the boys from cleaning the bushes of the ripe ones everyday!! All Abhi's shirts have purple stains on them. And his face usually does too.

On a side note, I have a cousin who is 36 and has been trying to get pregnant for several years. Lucky for her, she has the money for all kinds of fertility treatment, and after being pregnant I don't know how many times, she is pregnant with TRIPLETS!! Congratulations Julie and Dennis!! It's been a long painful road for them and I'm glad they finally are getting their children. I couldn't have done what they have done to be able to carry their own children. But I admire their determination. I hope they have a lot more!! I think they are going to need it!!

My favorite devotees are coming this week and I can't wait to see them. You know who you are. . . I will post the fun pictures of their visit.

My outdoor accomplishments

2007-06-06T08:21:00.000-04:00

So here are the pictures that you have been waiting for. This is the vegetable garden. Looks even better now. We've been doing a lot of weeding.
This is the playground. See the neat concrete ABC stones mother Harakantha made for Abhi! Aren't they cute!!

And here is the walkway outside the house. I had some veggies in the bed but ants ate them all. Sorry I haven't been here much. Busy, Busy. I'll post more soon.

Anastasiya and Some Other Stuff

2007-05-31T16:45:00.000-04:00

So, my brother has been reading over the last year or so these books about "Anastasiya." We joke with him because he always says, "Anastasiya says. . . ." Although I liked some of the ideas he told me she had, some of them sounded way to far out for me. But he just kept telling me and telling me and so finally, I decided to read them. What convinced me was that she says a lot about child rearing. I can always use some help in that department, so I decided to give her a try. I finished the first book and am now starting the second. I would highly recommend them to anyone interested in natural living. I don't think I could live as natural as her, but it's very interesting what she says. And much of it comes from Vedic knowledge. So, check them out. You can find more at www.RingingCedars.com

Sorry I haven't written much. I know all my half dozen readers are really missing out!! My Mother was here visiting, but now she is gone. She left early this morning. I will be back on track now. We haven't been working on Mathura's house, but I've been working on our yard. The other day, I mowed, weed-eated, mulched, planted a bed by our front door, re-made the sidewalk, pulled up all the ugly black plastic, raked, washed and waxed the car. I was a little busy. . . But the yard looks much better. On memorial day, my husband and I built a playground under our front tree for the boys. We hung two swings, made a sandbox, put a platform in the tree, and a rope for climbing. They like it a lot. They have been spending a lot of time out there. Then, yesterday, a friend gave me about 50 starts of cosmos. They are flowers that will reseed themselves and come back. I planted them on the big bump in my front yard that is impossible to mow. They're up there with the Elder Berry and Blackberries. I hope they make it. They will be prettier than all the weeds that are there now!! And my Mom bought me some marigolds, snapdragons, and a couple other flowers that I can't remember the names of right now. So we may actually have an attractive looking yard for the first time in history. The garden is all mulched and the plants are growing up nicely, even though we haven't had rain. They are holding up fine. I've been giving them manure tea once a week. I think this is getting them through. And the cool creek is getting the rest of us through!! Thank goodness for the cool bubbling waters.

Mathura's house

2007-05-23T08:37:00.001-04:00

So, last fall, Mathura finally started building his house. He dug the footing by hand, mixed the concrete for the footing by hand, and the stones all around the foundation were salvaged from the building of a neighbors pond. In the last couple weeks, he finished the shake shingle roof (which I'm amazed by because it keeps the water out). So, the next step is putting in the earthen floor.

The floor and walls will all be made out of cob, which is a mixture of clay (from the clay that is in abundance here, it came from the earth dug out from the footing), sand, and straw. You mix it on tarps with your bare feet, walking and stomping it to mix it together, then, pulling the edges of the tarp to turn it on itself and keeping this up until it is properly mixed. Then, you add the straw, and water when necessary, getting it to the right consistancy. Then, you blob it out on the ground and mush it and mash it into place and level it. Then you do it over again. . . and again, and again, and again. It's labor intensive, but practically free and it's nice to just hang out working together.

Above (top), you see Mathura (my brother, squatting) and Krishna Chaitanya (my husband, standing) mixing and leveling the cob. We all like to talk and we get a lot of it done during these kinds of activities. It doesn't take a ton of concentration or exact measuring. You just walk and walk and slop and smooth. I'm pretty sure we are all going to have buns of steel!!

It's a time consuming process, but we all have more time than money, so it seems the perfect way to go. Above Mathura is leveling the cob. You can see nicely the rocks he salvaged for the foundation. They will keep rain water from splashing up onto the cob walls. The gravel underneath the earthen floor is right on the ground so it keeps the floor cool. And in the winter, the sun warms the cob and it holds the heat well and releases it throughout the night. Very efficient use of what Krishna has provided for us.

Next are my husband's lotus feet mixing up the cob. It's a new batch, you can tell from the sand on top. You use the tarp for turning it and mixing it. It's a bit like cutting butter (clay) into brown sugar (sand). It gets a little rough on the feet after 6 or 7 batches. My feet started to feel a little raw. I don't think it would feel as good with socks on, but may be necessary if we do a lot of it (and I think we will be doing a lot of it!!) It's a great physical workout and is a bit tiring, but we were lucky, at the end, Gramma went and bought us all ice cream, cookies, and rootbeer!!

The bottom pic is the floor we made in approximately 4 hours with 2-3 people. It went a little slow to start with since this was the first go round. Also, this is just the first layer. It's generally thicker and rougher. Then on top, you put one or two thinner, smoother coats. Then, once it all dries, you rub it with beeswax to finish it. It apparently feels like leather when finished. It's warm, a little soft, durable. It's very easily repaired with a little mud patch from things gathered around the yard.

So now, we just have to finish the floor. Then start on the walls (thank goodness there are a lot of windows!!). Then, hopefully, someday, we will have our own house and we can do all over again!! Wish us luck. And I'll keep you posted on the progress of the house project.

More farm activities

2007-05-23T08:11:00.000-04:00

This is my husband, Krishna-Chaitanya das with our ox team, Bhima(left) and Abhay(right). Bhima has been with my husband since he was a calf. Adikarta Prabhu and Mother Rucira bought his mother, Yamuna, from a dairy and while there getting her, noticed she had a calf. They asked what would be the fate of the calf and when they were told, they said they would take him too, that's Bhima. My husband is very fond of this guy and he is the gentlest animal we have. Abhi often rides on his back up the big hill and Bhima never minds. Once, my husband had a dream that Bhima was sick and walking on two legs and my husband was helping him walk, letting Bhima lean on him, and Bhima was telling him how much he loved eating grapefruits. Later, after that dream, he decided to feed Bhima a grapefruit and he does, in fact, really love grapefruit.

The other ox, Abhay, was borrowed/aquired from Murari Sevaka. The first time we saw him during a visit there, I laughed out loud because he was SOOOOO fat. But he was also very friendly, despite not having much contact with people for years. He came right to the fence to see us and let us pet him. He still is very friendly and nice. He kind of scared my mother on her last visit here because he would follow her all over.

Anyway, those of you that know about oxen know how important having a team is. We've never really had a proper team. Bhima worked with RisiKumara's ox, Nara, a few times. But Nara was old and left his body. But not before we mowed, raked, and put up about 3 acres of hay one season, solely with man and ox power. It was a very rewarding experience. You see, there is some equipment and some jobs that are just too difficult or heavy for one ox alone. Like mowing, pulling a wagon uphill, etc. It's like having a tractor vs. a big lawnmower. So Abhay has been staying with us for a couple of years, but finally, my husband has had the proper time and facility to work with him and Bhima together on a regular basis and make them a team. They are so sweet.

If there is one thing my husband is good at, it's at training the oxen. He's so patient and gentle, but firm and consistant. Bhima is a wonderful animal, and Abhay is not far behind. I feel good about what we do. It's a good life, albeit simple and a little austere at times. But we eat better than anyone I know (except Citra and Mathura!). We have time to do what needs to be done. Time for swimming in the creek and eating long picnic lunches under the trees. Time to chant. Time to read. Time to grow our food. It's a good life and I'm sorry I ever left it. Even if it was brief. But I suppose that leaving made me appreciate it much more now that I am back to it. As I'm typing this, I can see my husband milking Yasoda from the window. And a sweet devotee coming up the driveway to get her milk. It's a good life and full of mercy from Krishna and especially, his cows. I used to always joke with my husband, "If the cows go, I go." I said it jokingly, but I kind of meant it. I never want to be apart from them and the special blessings they bring.

The last few days

2007-05-22T07:11:00.000-04:00

So the last few days have been a little busy cause Gramma's here visiting. But I would like to share with you in pictures what we've been doing. It's more fun to see it than hear about it. We've been spending even more time than usual with Mathura, Citra, and Devavrata, which has been great, especially since it always involves eating lots of good food at some point.

So, this is little Shanti (which means Peace). She was born last Monday morning, I think. I spoke of her previously, but am just now getting the pictures up. Mathura's cows are miniature Zebu. Full grown mamas are only about 400 pounds. I'd say Shanti is about 20lbs. She looks like a deer. So skinny with long long legs. She really likes people and will run to you for love. This picture is just about an hour after her birth and she had not yet stood alone. She was still getting licked and cleaned by Sabala (her mata).

In the other picture, you can see Sabala and Bahula (their other cow who already has a calf, we'll call her the auntie cow) cleaning off Shanti. Bahula apparently stayed with Sabala for the birth and helped her clean everything up afterward. I love this picture because (I didn't notice when I took it) Citra is in the background inside the pen with the cows nursing Devavrata. So sweet, all the mama's and their babies and ALL THAT MILKY!!!

This silly blog won't let me do what I want with the pictures I want to post, so I'm going to make a new post for the other things we've been up to. Oh yeah, all the beans, okra, carrots, peas, cucumbers, melons, squash, potatoes, and some corn are coming up in the garden!! I'm so happy!!

How I honor my Dad

2007-05-18T18:20:00.000-04:00

Today I was on my way to Citra's house for lunch AGAIN and I stopped to pick her some flowers. I was picking daisies and I was remembering how my Mother and Father had daisies at their wedding. Her wedding dress even had daisies on it. I was then thinking how her would-be 34th wedding anniversary is next Sunday, and she will be here for that. Then I was thinking about my father who died 10 years ago on Mathura's birthday, July 4th. I was thinking how some people may would be disgusted with me because I only have one tiny picture of my father in my house and some may see this as some sort of dishonor or something. But I was thinking of how often I think of my Dad and how I don't think having pictures all over my house of him would make me remember anything more about him or honor him any more. Actually, seeing my brother everyday probably reminds me more of my father than actual pictures of him do. My Dad was the most honest person I've ever known and was an incredibly moral man. One time, the wife of a man he knew died. The man was left with 3 small children and he asked my father to take them. Of everyone he knew, he wanted my father to take care of his children. He asked us what we thought, I think we said OK. But my father told the man his children needed him. He told my mother on his death bed that he had known so many men who were unfaithful to their wives and he was glad that was one sin he would not be paying for. He had the old indian quality of feeding anyone who came to the door and forcing more and more food on them, even when they said they were full. He was a very dutiful man and always worked hard to take care of his family and provide for us nicely. He worried constantly, and even worried if things were going well and he had nothing to worry about! Whenever we would ask my Dad what he wanted for his birthday, christmas, etc., he always said, "I just want you to be good kids." We would get so agitated with him. But he really meant it. I sometimes feel bad because I'm not sure that he saw us as "good kids" when he died. When he died, my brother and I were gone to the Rainbow Gathering with our friends, getting intoxicated (which he wasn't really opposed to, as long as it was legal. . . he really liked drinking beer. . .) Neither one of us was married or in a serious relationship. My head was shaved and my brothers hair was down his back. My Dad was a good old Catholic boy. He wore jeans and t-shirts and tennis shoes, he played golf, watched TV, liked to fish and hunt. He was normal, and we weren't. I think sometimes he lamented this. Anyway, I wish he could see us now. I think that finally, his request for good kids would be answered (although I'm not sure where the Hare Krishna stuff would come in on his radar. . . ) But in our own way, we honor our Dad. I honor him by being honest. He couldn't even lie to my mother about a surprise birthday party. I honor him by being a God fearing person and going to church on Sunday. At my house, the only things that got you out of church on Sunday were death or vomitting, and sometimes, not even that. I remember having to go to church after my senior prom and not being able to sing for fear of throwing up, I left to do just that before the hour was up. On vacation, on gymnastic trips, at summer camp, I went to church. "Come hell or high water" as my Gurudeva always says. I honor my father by changing the oil in my car every 3,000 miles and never ever buying a brand new car (he worked on and sold cars his whole life). I honor him by getting along with my brother, because he wanted us to love each other. I honor my Dad by trying to take care of my body so I don't die of disease at a young age. I honor my Dad by wearing the color red. I used to hate it, but it was his favorite color on me and I think of him everytime I wear it. I honor my Dad by loving my children and trying to make them feel as secure as he made me feel. Anyway, we may not like all the things our parents do, or say. But I try to just take the good things from his example and leave the rest behind. I hope I'm a good kid now. I hope I would make my Dad proud.

this is went wrong today. . . and some stuff that went right yesterday

2007-05-15T21:30:00.000-04:00

I spent a few days cleaning up my house because my mom is coming to visit tomorrow. Well, I also volunteered to host the local ladies reading group here today (since my house would already be clean for my mom). So I got all the water cups out and made sure there weren't milk chunks in the bottom of them. I burned some incense, set up the chairs, cleaned the bathroom extra well, and waited. . . and waited. . . and waited. No one came. Not one person. Several people just got back from a festival out of town, but that was only 4 out of about 8 that usually come. I don't know where the others were. Only one lady called to say she wasn't coming. I don't know where the rest were. So I tried to use the quiet time alone (KC took the boys swimming so they weren't here disturbing the ladies) and I worked on a book I've been trying to make for my mom. It's a hardbound book that comes with a program for you to make a photo book with. You pick the layouts and put in the pictures and write captions. Anyway, I spent the next 5 hours working on it. I got it all done and tried to start printing it and my printer WOULD NOT print it. I was getting so frustrated. But decided it was probably due to the undersized paper I was trying to print it on. It comes with all the pages and everything, but I decided I could just print it on bigger photo paper (I have some around here somewhere) and cut them to size. So, I hit the save button (not the first time I hit it during this project) and decide I'll look for the paper and print it out later. So in the middle of it's saving process, it says "Blah-de-blah program has encountered a problem and must close."
OH MY GOD!!!!!It erased my whole book. I was too upset to be upset. My husband kindly volunteered to tell my mom all about it since he saw it. I don't know if I'll try again or not. . . .

So, yesterday, Mathura and Citra's cow, Shabhala, had a little girl calf. She is sooooo sweet. She looks like a little deer. They have miniature zebu cows (brahmin) and they are so cute. But they are very feisty. Shabhala didn't want to let the calf nurse, but with a little coaxing from Citra, they figured it out. Not before the calf smelled Citra's milk and tried to stick her nose down Citra's shirt!! Also, yesterday, I planted 6 impatients (is that how they are spelled?) You know, little pink plants/flowers. They were a gift from Mathura and Citra for Mother's Day, although, I'm not their mother. I also planted 12 tomato plants and weed-eated the yard. I tried to mow, but the mower wasn't cooperating. When I moved the mower, there was a 5ft. black snaked coiled underneath. I told the boys and they came to look. Abhi wanted to hold it, of course. I told him he couldn't and he said, "what about those one guys, they hold snakes?" I assume he meant the people at the museum or library or zoo who handle snakes. I told him he isn't one of those guys and he should leave all snakes alone. He's too little to discern poisonous from non, plus he's REALLY eager to touch any kind of living entities, so it makes me a little nervous for him to be touching any kind of snake. He said he'd be happy to pick it up on a stick, I guess this was some kind of compromise in his mind. No. Sorry. When you're big and you can pay your own hospital bill when you pick up the wrong one. The snake slowly made its way to the wood pile and he was still there today. I hope he eats all the dirty mice around here. I sent him happy, please stay, we love you vibes so he feels content to stay and eat them. I hope he does.

MMMMMM, the smell of dirt

2007-05-11T18:06:00.000-04:00

At 7am this morning, I had the pleasure of walking down the long grassy hill, over the ice cold, gurgling creek, across the field full of hairy vetch, with Abhi. We were on our way to Uncles field to help him pick veggies for market tomorrow. We got our buckets and knives and began methodically cutting salad mix. It's good to get it done before it gets hot. . . for you and for the plants. We just squatted there listening to the birds, pulling out the teeny tiny weeds- that's so satisfying for me. . . like popping a big zit, but cleaner. Your fingers get all brown and the bottom of your dress gets all wet, and the smell of salad and dirt is overwhelming. Slowly, the sun rose over the ridge and started to warm my skin. It's been humid so the sky was all hazy with moisture. Eventually, Abhi got restless, more helpers came, and things weren't as peaceful anymore. But for those first few minutes of silent, steady cutting, I felt so peaceful. So calm. So thankful to be where Krishna has put me. . . again. Until my knees started aching from squatting. Then the body got in the way of my peace. I was thinking, why do I have to be such a sissy? Why do I have to sound like a complaining old lady? I tried to ignore it but the pain was real. I got a bucket to sit on and continued. It wasn't so bad after that. I was only sorry I had to leave and couldn't stay to help longer. I feel bad taking money for helping them, but I was more than happy to take a huge bag of salad, a huge bag of spinach, and 4 big bok choy. This is such an opulent life.

2007-05-10T20:25:00.000-04:00

Do you ever have one of those days when you wonder if the laundry will ever be done? Will the spiders ever move out of our corners? Will the floor ever stay clean for 5 minutes? Will the dishes ever be all put away? Will my kids ever pick up after themselves? Will other people who make messes in my house ever clean them up? Will my yard ever look like a yard instead of an overgrown toybox? All you mothers out there know about these days. When everything seems to pile up and you feel like you will never get to the bottom of it? And your children push you to the very last thread on the end of your rope? It's one of those days. I got a new book from my mother about parenting (it's very neat and inspiring and we hope to read the whole thing and do what it says--thanks Mom. . .) But everytime I tried to impliment their techniques, it didn't seem to work. Ever have this experience? Know how frustrating it is? Sometimes I wish life was as simple as a how-to-manual. But it just isn't. And I suppose, that's the beauty in it.

Conspiracies and Land

2007-05-09T18:42:00.000-04:00

So today I was at home stuffing a bunch of (400 actually) envelopes for a friend and I thought it would be a good time to finish watching "An Inconvenient Truth." I fell asleep in it the first time. Not because it was boring or I wasn't interested, I was just tired and it was a cold rainy day and I was horizontal on the couch. Anyway, I wanted to watch it so I could send it back to Netflix. So, just in case that wasn't upsetting a scary enough, I borrowed a couple of 9/11 conspiracy flicks from my brother. One was called "Uncovered." It was about the Iraq war. It was OK, kind of boring. But, the other was so scary. . . it was called, "Loose Change." It was amazing and you should see it and tell everyone you know to see it. It was amazing evidence surrounding the events of 9/11, and just in case someone still thinks the government is telling us the truth, I think this may change your mind.

As for "An Inconvenient Truth" it was alarming to say the least, makes me want to do more. I feel like we (our family) does pretty well in this department. We don't use AC at all, don't use a dryer, only drive about 100 miles/month in a gas efficient car. We use compact fluorescent energy star front loading washer and only wash in cold water. We buy most food in bulk and use our own containers and grow bulbs, much of our own, we drink our own milk (well. . . milk from our cows anyway) and we don't eat meat (which is really terrible on the environment). But I'm wondering why more people don't do more? Why do people still drive huge SUV'S? Why do they build McMansions in the middle of a sunny treeless field and set their AC on 68 degrees? Why do they eat crap that comes in a plastic container full of chemicals that it's been in for months? Why do people not care? I know people who you can show all the evidence to and they say "Oh, that's just propaganda." Well, where I come from, it's called maya. ILLUSION!!! It just makes me angry. We as a human race are embarrassing. Not everyone, but boy there are a few!!! Anyway, if you are still being wasteful and environmentally unintelligent, STOP IT!! Wake up and smell the CO2. It is our moral duty to take care of the living entity that supports us. Anyway, enough from my soapbox........Check out my links to see what you can do......

Calculate your personal CO2 production
Click on "Become Carbon Neutral"

Figure out your ecological footprint

Check out our environmentally friendly, silent (almost), fertilizing lawnmower

On to topic #2. . . LAND. Yes, we have none. Well, we are renting a house on a little, but it's not enough for us, our 7 cow, our veggies, plows, etc. So, we need some land. Plus, the man we rent from is a friend who will only give us a 6 month lease at a time because he's always thinking he may move back here and live in the house, so it's not exactly stable. And this house, well, that's a blog in itself. I lived here before once for 3 years, our youngest son was born here, and all my friends here are shocked that I moved in here again, but, it's a roof over the heads!! So, I took a long walk today to go look at the land that we would like to buy. It's lovely and it borders my brothers land. He is about 1/3 finished with a cob house he's building. We would like to do the same. The land here has a lot of clay and sand, which is perfect for cob. You hardly have to add anything to it. There is also plenty of timbers to mill without having to go anywhere. Most of it could be gotten from the forest with Bhima (our bestest, loveliest, gentlest ox). We could build most of it by ourselves with a little guidance from my brother. We could grow our own food, have our cows and our own milk, have little to no utility costs, and have plenty of time to spend with our family and chanting Hare Krishna. We want to make cow protection practical. We want to do what Srila Prabhupada described. We want to help establish one little corner of Varnasram-Dharma. And by the mercy of Guru and Gauranga (God) and our sweet cows, we will be successful. This is our dream. And now you know.

So, this is a little of the life. . .

2007-05-08T18:31:00.000-04:00

So, I'm sure some of you are wondering, just what is "Dhud Walla?" Sounds like a redneck wrestling match. But in Hindi, Dhud is milk, walla is a person who sells_______. So Dhud Walla is the milk seller. You see, we are some of the few, the proud (hopefully not puffed up) cow protectors in this world. We love our cows, never, ever would sell them or God forbid, eat them. And yes, we do in fact, sell milk.

We live in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northern North Carolina near the Virginia border. This is not the first time we have lived here, but we have recently moved back after a long and intense and incredibly painful, retail filled winter. We ran a toy store in a mall (and a kiosk, and a music box store. . . yes, we are, or were, NUTS). So after my long modern and insanely insane winter, I am so much more appreciative of the slow pace of our lives here. We drive the car (yes, the $900 one) roughly 100 miles/month. This is how much we used to drive daily. If we go somewhere, generally, our legs carry us. We are eating food grown here on the land that is under our feet and milk that comes from a cow in our yard with a name and whom we love, respect, and honor.

We have family here, too, which I appreciate more than I did before. Maybe it's because the family has grown to include a most wonderful sister-in-law Citra (just sister, really) and the cutest, rolly-polly little choochy (that's code for nephew aka Devavrata) that you have ever seen. I want to eat him up. We see each other almost every day and my day feels a little less if we don't. We share and help each other like family should. I feel so blessed and honored to have them so close. Not too many people can say they have such close extended family. And that's exactly what they are. Just an extension of the family that lives in this house. No more, no less, all family.

So this blog is so that I can tell you all about the fun things we do out here in the middle of nowhere with nothing. It's great fun, it's unpredictable, it's peaceful, and it's priceless.

Stay posted for more fun to come. . .