Beyond the Thermostat: A February Night in Otter Creek
Grain and hay are fed, the water tank is filled, the barn cats have a treat, and the north wind was trying to take the skin off my hands.
Just a standard February night in Otter Creek.
In the Dark: A Bobcat Encounter My Dad Never Forgot
A quiet walk out of the woods turns into a heart-pounding fight for survival. Discover the chilling true story of a face-to-face encounter with a trapped bobcat in the pitch black, and the incredible rescue that followed.
The Midnight Sanctuary: Why Deer Chose My Yard
A quiet look at the three whitetail deer that settled into my yard last night, and the survival science behind their “bedroom” choice.
Standing Still in Otter Creek: A Quiet Winter Night in Rural Wisconsin
As I stepped out of the barn last night after doing chores, I paused and I’m glad I did, because I realized how much I would miss by just rushing inside for supper.
Staying Warm: Surviving a -25°F Morning at Otter Creek
It takes simple, raw hardiness to survive a -25°F (-32°Celcius) Otter Creek cold snap in January. As I walked to my car for work the other morning, I spotted these two whitetail deer bedded down under the pine trees at … Continued
Forget the Salt: Why Hay Chaff is the Ultimate Winter Traction Hack
Tired of fighting a losing battle against black ice with bags of salt and sand? I skip the hardware store and head to the barn. By using hay chaff—the fine, fibrous leftovers from hay bales—I transformed a dangerous, icy driveway into a high-traction path that’s safe for tires and paws alike. Discover why this old-school homesteading trick is the most eco-friendly (and effective) way to handle a deep freeze.