And So It Begins... Again! When Winter Shows Up Early in the North Country

Well folks, it's that magical time of year when Old Man Winter shows up dressed as Frosty the Buzzkill. Right on cue, he’s thrown his annual Halloween snowstorm just to keep us humble. Because nothing says "festive fall fun" like shoveling your porch in a witch hat while trying not to slip on pumpkin guts.

Usually, these early flurries don’t stick around long. The sun will put in a few extra appearances, trying to convince us we’ve still got a bit of fall left. It’s a noble effort—futile, but noble. I like to think of it as Autumn’s version of, “Wait, I wasn’t done yet!” But even the maples are starting to look nervous.

Last year, though? Oh, we got played. Snow moved in mid-October like an unwanted houseguest and didn’t pack its bags until late May. That’s seven months of winter. Seven. That’s over half a year of the landscape looking like a powdered sugar doughnut. I started measuring time in shovelfuls and lost all feeling in my upper arms somewhere around March.

So now I’m side-eyeing this snowfall with deep mistrust. Is it a harmless little prank? Or the first icy warning shot of a winter that plans to overstay its welcome again? Up here in the north country, you don’t assume anything—you just mutter under your breath, check your firewood pile, and question all your life choices.

Either way, it's time to make the annual pilgrimage to get those snow tires put on. Preferably before every other procrastinator in town remembers at the same exact moment and the waiting list starts looking like the DMV line on a Monday morning. Waiting until the first real storm hits is a bold strategy, and by bold, I mean foolish bordering on tragic.

So here’s to hoping this snow is just a flurry with commitment issues. But just in case? Better dig out the snow shovels and the livestock water heaters, and start buttering up the plow guy. We might be in for another long one because Mother Nature certainly doesn’t care what the calendar says. If she wants Christmas in October and mud season in June, well, buckle up buttercup.

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©2008 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm

Sportsmen (and Sportswomen) for McCain/Palin– Hank Williams Jr. Endorsement

Leave it to Hank Williams Jr. to say what a lot of Americans were thinking. In his “Sportsmen and Sportswomen for McCain/Palin” PSA, he doesn’t dress it up or hide behind clever slogans. He talks straight — about faith, freedom, hunting, and the values that built this country.

The video feels less like a campaign ad and more like a campfire conversation between people who understand that freedom isn’t something handed down by politicians — it’s something earned and defended. Hank speaks the language of rural America: hard work, family, and the right to live life without government sitting in the front seat telling you how to drive.

What stands out is how personal it feels. He’s not talking to Hollywood or Washington — he’s talking to the folks who get up early, put in a day’s work, and spend their weekends in the woods or on the water. It’s a call to remember that those same freedoms — the right to hunt, to speak your mind, to make your own choices — are only safe if we stay awake and involved.

In 2008, politics gets loud and mean, but this message cuts through the noise. It isn’t about party labels as much as principle: standing up for the Constitution, for faith, and for a way of life that’s becoming rarer by the year.

Watching it reminds us that it’s more than just nostalgia — it’s a reminder of what matters. Hank’s words ring true: freedom is personal, and once it’s gone, you don’t get it back.

It’s not fancy. It’s not polished. It’s honest — and that’s why it hits home.

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©2008 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm

Dog Dance – A Heartwarming Bond Between Human and Dog

If this doesn’t make you smile, you might want to check your pulse. I stumbled across this video of Tina Humphrey and her dog dancing together in a competition, and let me tell you—it’s one of those rare things that warms your heart, lifts your spirits, and makes you forget for a moment that the world can be a pretty noisy place.

I don’t know what competition it was, but it doesn’t really matter. The performance speaks for itself. There’s Tina, graceful and confident, and beside her—well, not just beside her, with her—is her four-legged partner, moving in perfect sync. Every spin, every step, every bow—it’s not just well-rehearsed; it’s a duet of pure joy. The bond between them practically glows through the screen. You can see it in the dog’s eyes and that nonstop, rhythm-perfect tail wag. That’s not obedience—that’s happiness in motion.

There’s something almost magical about watching a person and their dog move together like that. You can’t choreograph love, but you can sure see it when it’s there. The trust, the connection, the fun—it all shines through every beat of the music. And honestly, that dog’s timing could rival most human dancers I’ve seen. Never once did he miss a cue or step out of line. I’ve had dance partners less coordinated than that!

If my own dogs ever master half those moves, I’m signing us up for Farmyard’s Got Talent. I can already picture Roxie and Jack trying to moonwalk across the living room while the sheep look on, unimpressed. But watching Tina and her dancing dog makes me think maybe—just maybe—it’s possible.

It’s easy to get caught up in the training, the work, the routines. But this performance is a reminder of what it’s really all about: joy, trust, and that special kind of love only a dog can give. Truly, this duo turned a simple competition into something unforgettable—a celebration of heart, humor, and one incredibly wagging tail.

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©2008 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm

Hank Williams Jr. sings McCain-Palin Tradition — A Campaign Athem

Well, Hank Williams Jr. has done it again. His song “McCain–Palin Tradition” is exactly what this country needed to hear right now — straight talk with a steel guitar. It’s catchy, it’s bold, and it says out loud what a whole lot of Americans have been feeling.

You can’t listen to it without tapping your foot and nodding along. It’s not just about politics — it’s about pride. Pride in hard work, small towns, and doing things the right way instead of the easy way. Hank’s never been afraid to say what he thinks, and this song proves it. He stands up for the kind of values that built this country: faith, family, and freedom — the kind of freedom that doesn’t come from Washington but from the people who roll up their sleeves every day and make this country run.

When he sings about McCain and Palin, you can hear the respect in his voice. It’s not about celebrity or empty promises — it’s about character. Whether you’re a fan of either candidate or not, you have to admit the man knows how to rally a crowd.

The best part is that it feels real. It’s not a studio-crafted anthem made for headlines; it’s a song from the heart of America. It reminds us that we still have folks out there who believe in honesty, accountability, and the simple idea that this country belongs to all of us — not the bureaucrats, not the lobbyists, and not the media.

Love him or hate him, Hank’s message is clear: there’s still a lot of us out here who believe in the old-fashioned American way — and we’re not ready to give it up.

No matter your politics, you’ve got to hand it to Hank — he sings what he believes, loud and clear.

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©2008 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm

Playin' With the Big Dogs! – Lessons in Joy and Gentle Strength from the Pack

It never fails to make me smile—watching the dogs wrestle and tumble around like a pack of furry toddlers hopped up on sugar. There's something so pure and uncomplicated about the way they play. No agendas, no grudges, no need to keep score. Just tails wagging, paws flailing, and that unmistakable sparkle in their eyes that says, "This is the best moment of my life!"

What really gets me, though, is the way the big dogs handle their smaller playmates—especially Roxy. Now, Roxy may be small in stature, but she’s got the heart (and bark) of a lion. She dives into the fray like she’s got backup from an entire SWAT team. And the big dogs? They play right along, all gentle mouths and careful paws, even though one misplaced chomp could flatten her like a pancake.

These dogs know they’re strong. They know they could win. But they don’t need to. They let Roxy be the queen of the yard, the tiny terror of the tug toy, the undisputed featherweight champion of the tail-chase circuit. And they do it with nothing but good humor and wagging tails.

We humans could learn a thing or two from that. Not everything has to be a competition. Sometimes, it's okay to let someone else win, just because it brings them joy. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is take a break from the grind, roll around in the grass (figuratively, or literally—I’m not judging), and just enjoy the play.

Because if the big dogs can put their egos aside and romp around with a spunky little underdog like Roxy… well, maybe we can too.

Play nice, don’t crush the little guy, and remember—sometimes letting someone else win just means you’re secure enough to know you already run the yard. 

 

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©2008 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm

Before and After: Goats, Chainsaws, and the Great Snow-Pile Clearing Project

This is the clearing project on the north side of the driveway—a job that started as “just a little cleanup” and somehow turned into a full-scale land reclamation effort. Since we’ve now got a permanent fence running along the south side, the north side became the only logical spot left for snow storage. After last winter’s twelve feet of the white stuff (not all at once, thankfully—we’d still be tunneling our way to the barn), having a designated snow dump zone isn’t just practical—it’s survival.

Step one of the operation was bringing in my favorite landscaping crew: the goats. They don’t wear uniforms, but they work cheap and take their pay in twigs, bark, and the occasional stolen glove. I let them loose for a few days, and by the time they were done, you could actually see daylight through what had once been an impenetrable jungle. Goats may have attitude, but they’re nature’s finest brush cutters—like four-legged chainsaws with opinions.

Once they’d cleared enough for me to see the ground (and my footing), I fired up the real chainsaw and brought in the chipper. That’s when things got serious. Between the roar of the motor and the satisfying thunk of branches turning into mulch, I felt like I was starring in my own backwoods episode of Extreme Makeover: Farm Edition. The before-and-after photos are almost unrecognizable. What was once a tangle of scrub and tree limbs now actually looks like part of a driveway again.

All that’s left now is to drag a few of the bigger logs over to the landfill area, toss down some grass seed, and let nature—and the sheep—take it from there. Give it a season or two, and you’ll never know it was once a mess. The sheep will keep it cropped short, like a living lawn crew.

And really, that’s how this whole farm operation began: edible land management. Goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys—they’re all part of the system. It’s not glamorous, but it’s effective. Around here, if something eats grass, brush, or bugs, it’s got a job—and that’s what keeps this farm running.

Before:


After:

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©2008 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm

Crunch Time on the Farm: Racing Winter with Wood, Fences, and a Crockpot Savior

I haven’t had much time to post lately—because, well… it’s Crunch Time. With winter breathing down our necks like a relative who shows up early and stays too long, we’ve got a farm-sized to-do list that won’t quit. The clock is ticking, the leaves are falling, and it’s that golden window where the days are crisp, the sun is still warm on your back, and you feel just motivated enough to believe that yes, maybe we can get it all done before snow boots become a daily necessity.

Here’s a sample of what we’re staring down in the next few weeks:

• Finish the next 12'x36' section of the barn

• Split and stack six cords of firewood (and probably argue about the “right” way to stack it)

• Clear brush and trees on the left side of the driveway—because the right side is now fenced and, surprise, snow needs somewhere to go

• Clean the chimney and wood stove (the dirtiest clean job there is)

• Button up the house—weatherstripping windows, touching up paint, pretending we’re organized homeowners

• General clean-up and reorganizing of the farmyard chaos

And of course, let’s not forget the animals:

• Crutching the sheep (yes, that’s exactly what it sounds like—shaving the nether regions to avoid manure mats. Miss it one year and you’ll pay for it come shearing time.)

• Trim feet on all the sheep and goats

• Update all vaccinations

• Run electric hot wire along the top of winter pastures (because snow turns fences into launch pads)

• Send the remaining ducks to freezer camp

• Process the turkeys closer to Thanksgiving (they’ve had a good run... literally)

...and the list goes on. And on.

Hopefully, autumn takes its sweet time this year. Last fall, Old Man Winter barged in on October 19th and didn't pack his bags until the third week of May. That’s not a season, that’s a reign. We were caught scrambling then, and we learned the hard way—when it comes to winter prep, there’s no such thing as "too early."

But whether he shows up with a whisper or a wallop, the chores still need doing. It’s just so much nicer to tackle them now, while the sun warms your shoulders and the smell of leaves and earth still lingers in the air.

These are the days when it pays to throw a stew or soup in the crockpot first thing in the morning. Let it bubble away quietly while you haul wood, chase sheep, and curse at whatever tool you left at the other end of the property. And when the sun dips low and your body is ready to do the same, it’s pure comfort to walk inside and smell that rich, savory promise that dinner is just a ladle away.

Bless Mr. Crockpot. He never complains, never forgets, and always has your back at the end of a long, dirty, muscle-burning day. Here’s to sunny days, productive afternoons, and a hot meal waiting when the work boots come off.

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©2008 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm