Tag: Family

“Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens…” (Part 1)

~ Kana Smith ~ 35 Comments

Well, after tackling the political angle of backyard chickens and mustering our (mostly free) resources, we finally got our start on building the chicken house...  Or, to use the Hawai'ian handle, the Hale Moa (HAH-lay MO-wah). We got through the framing today, so here's our chicken-house-building (part one)---mostly in pictures, because I'm saving up most of … Continue reading “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens…” (Part 1)

His Worst Week, His Best Week. Same Week.

~ Kana Smith ~ 51 Comments

Life has its ups and downs---true for all of us. But magnify those altitude-adjustments by whatever mysterious hormonal algorithm determines teenage moods, and we're talking about emotional topography to rival Idaho's Sawtooth mountains. Having said that, though, teenagers' experience of life isn't any less real for the fact that they're hormonal or young. And sometimes … Continue reading His Worst Week, His Best Week. Same Week.

We now PAWS to bring you this Public Service Reminder

~ Kana Smith ~ 18 Comments

Fourth of July, U.S. Independence Day...   Our guest this afternoon has been a frisky and friendly German Shepherd, who arrived in our yard trailing a broken leash. Given that the leash was attached to a choke collar with metal prongs, he must have really wanted to get away. We figured it had been a frightened-by-fireworks … Continue reading We now PAWS to bring you this Public Service Reminder

Boundaries (or… “This Righting Isn’t Write!”)

~ Kana Smith ~ 42 Comments

She calls herself an editor. In actual fact she's a person with terrible written communication skills (as well as terrible manners) and a dubious grasp of the English language. She pays well, though---more than twice what I used to make per article---so maybe the practice of regularly having to advocate for myself is just part … Continue reading Boundaries (or… “This Righting Isn’t Write!”)

Kitchen Chemistry #3: PEOPLE-Cleaners

~ Kana Smith ~ 23 Comments

Well, here we are with the third installment of Kitchen-Chemistry do-it-yourself cleaners---doing positive things for both our wallet and our well-being! If you're just joining, the previous installment covered household cleaners made from kitchen ingredients... They're doing a great job of cleaning the house, they cost next-to-nothing to make, and we know they're better for … Continue reading Kitchen Chemistry #3: PEOPLE-Cleaners

Barter ECOnomics & the Much-Maligned Art of Packrat-ism

~ Kana Smith ~ 26 Comments

I'm a little embarrassed. One of the lovely side-effects of living below the poverty-line  is the realization that most money-saving behaviors are thoroughly environmentally friendly. I'm embarrassed because it shouldn't have taken a detour into destitution for us to put this type of lifestyle into practice. A matter of putting my money where my mouth … Continue reading Barter ECOnomics & the Much-Maligned Art of Packrat-ism