Salt Box

 Hogs were the main source of protein for the country family.  Hogs were slaughtered and the meat cured or smoked. The hollowed out poplar log above was used to cure meat in the early 1830's-1840's  by the Caperton family. A hollow log was used during this time period because sawn lumber was difficult to find. Salt would be placed in the log and the meat added. More layers of salt would cover the meat. Some people may have added sugar and pepper. A lid would then be placed over the top.  Using salt to preserve meat was necessary before refrigeration.

This salt box was purchased at an auction of the estate of Jack Caperton. This particular log is almost 12 feet long and weighs as much as 500 pounds. Today it is used in our sunroom to hold potted plants and serves as a conversation piece.

Yellow and Blue Flags

Yellow Flag
The Yellow Flag is found in marshes and stream
 margins. It was introduced from Europe. It blooms
 from June toAugust. This pen and ink drawing is 
an 8" by 10"print. It iso available for $25.00

Blue Flag
These flowers are found in swamps, marshes, 
and wet shores. The name "Flag" is from the
 middle English word for "rush" or "reed". 
 This 8" by 10" print is $25.00

Restocking the shed

The woodshed is almost empty

And this is why!

Now Spring has arrived.

And it is time we cut our wood to season for next winter.

Crested Dwarf Iris

These beautiful, light blue, fragrant flowers are found in rich woodlands or on mountain slopes. You will find them blooming from Maryland to Georgia during April and May. This crested dwarf iris is in the family Iridaceae, scientific name Iris cristata. It grows in mats and is easily transplanted. They grow to a height of 4-9 inches. There are 60 genera and 1,500 species of iris in the world.

Fire Pink

Another common wildflower on our hill is the "Fiery Pink".  It's fiery red flower gives color to an otherwise drab, brown woodland. The fiery pink, also known as the catchfly, has sticky surfaces that catch crawling, nectar-stealing insects. However, it does not catch flying insects it needs for pollination. The word, pink, in the name is somewhat deceptive because it refers to the family not the flower color.

Eastern Red Cedar Fences

On our farm we have built about a half-mile of cedar rail fences. Some of the fencing is decorative but some serves to keep the cattle in the pasture. It has taken years to collect the cedar without cutting living trees. Once a cedar dies the sap wood deteriorates leaving the red, aromatic heartwood. This is what we collect. The heartwood is resistant to insects and rot. Red cedar is often used for fenceposts, paneling, furniture, bedding for pets, and lining closets and chests.

Brown Leghorn Rooster

     This drawing of a "Brown Leghorn" shows the beauty of the rooster. He always stands watch over his flock and warns them of danger when a predator is near. This breed of chicken originated in Tuscany, Italy, and the females are very good white egg producers.
     It takes about 50,000 strokes of the pen and about 50 hours of time to complete a drawing such as this. Prints of these are available from McCoy Farm and Folk Art for $40.00.

Cut Off Saw

This cut off saw was powered by a belt and tractor and usually kept near a saw mill.  The slabs left over from the sawing of lumber were not wasted.  Using the cut off saw, they were cut up into stove wood size pieces to heat the homes and wood stoves for cooking. This particular saw was bought by Jimmy McCoy and was last used in the mid 1960's.

Wild Blue Phlox

     
"The first weekend in April,

We usually see them. 

The pale blue flowers

Of the Sweet William."

Phlox divaricata, an early spring flower, has a loose cluster of sweet smelling violet-blue to white  flowers. You will find them in shaded woods or mountain slopes. The plant, growing to a height of 10-20 inches, spreads by seeds or runners. You may also hear people call it "Wild Sweet William".
It is a very popular wildflower in North Alabama.

We are spending the weekend at the Blooming Festival in Cullman, AL. Having spent the past year working on pen and ink drawings, I decided to try my hand at selling art work. Each drawing has about 50,000 pen strokes and anywhere from 50-60 hours of work. The color is provided by colored pencils. The collection started with chicken drawings from our models at home. The more recent drawings have been of a rabbit, mule, pig, and assorted flowers. Prints (12" x 15") are $30.00.

Chicken In A Basket

When an old Barred rock hen goes "broody", she will find a safe play to nest for the next 21 days. She may even use an old peach basket to set her eggs if she can't find anything better. She only leaves the nest once a day for a quick drink and bite of food, then back on the eggs before they cool. We just placed 15 dozen eggs in the incubator and await  the arrival of a new batch of chicks just in time for Easter. Pen and ink drawings of this hen are available for $40.00.

Garden Sink

Cleaning the dirt from garden veggies can often be a messy job. The solution- a sink at the garden gate. First, we built a wooden frame 8 feet long by 2 feet wide. We used a recycled stainless steel sink and faucet. For the counter tops we used quarter inch mesh wire. A 5 gallon bucket at the drain will collect the wash water for garden irrigation. Now the only thing needed is a roof. That is in the planning stages.

Big Red Mule

The big red mule reminds you of farming times long gone with the advent of mechanization. Mules pulled wagons, plowed, cultivated, and even turned the syrup mill. In short they were the tractor of yesteryear. This mule drawing comes from the memories of growing up with a pair called "Poor Boy" and "Joe". They came to a sad end when spooked on a bridge. This pen and ink drawing with colored pencils is available for $40.00.