HAPPY CHICKENS ARE PREPARED CHICKENS

There are many of us who have chickens.  You need to take a few extra steps to keep them healthy and happy for the winter.  

Hill Spirit came across this blog (The Happy Chicken Coop) that you may want to check out.   Your chickens will be prepared for the winter if you take care of them in the next few weeks.

THANKSGIVING IS HERE - THINK OF YOUR BELESSINGS TODAY

 

On Sept. 6, 1620, a group of travelers (English Separatist Puritans) boarded a ship and departed from Plymouth Harbor, England and embarked on a 3,000-mile journey across the Atlantic to what was being called, The New World or New England.

Two months later, after enduring violent storms and other hardships, the ship, Mayflower, put in at what we now know as Cape Cod, Mass. Four days later, on Nov. 15, a small group of men rowed ashore on a small boat, where they saw a group of "savages" who ran away.

The explorers tried to follow the natives but soon foundered in the thickets and gave up. Exploring the next day they found an abandoned settlement containing evidence of planting, the remains of a shelter and a large kettle with sand heaped around it.

While digging out the kettle they found several baskets of stored food, some of which they took for themselves to carry back to the ship, while reburying the rest. The next day the group found a good place to put ashore and the entire complement of the ship, about 100 people, began Plymouth Colony.

Starting a new colony at the beginning of winter proved a daunting task, and about half of all the settlers died. If not for food pilfered from the Indians that winter, all might have perished.

The following spring a couple of Indians (one who had learned English from fishermen and another who had been taken into slavery but escaped) befriended the pilgrims and taught them how to plant and fish and gather fruit. Their first harvest that fall was plentiful for the colonists and they and the Indians shared their food during a three-day festival — a time that is known as the first Thanksgiving.

It turns out the celebration was premature. The group structure was designed so that everyone placed the fruits of their labor into a common store. People were then to take what they needed for sustenance. But during the following summers, with some toiling diligently at farming and fishing and gathering, and others refusing to work, hard feelings developed and food shortages occurred.

So Governor William Bradford assigned each family a plot of ground and allowed the people to use the fruits of their labor to eat or trade as they saw fit. It wasn't long before so much was being produced that they could use it to trade with others. The free market had won out over socialism.

Today we live in a country where "Democratic Socialism" is on the rise, and its proponents — make no mistake, they are full-fledged socialists — believe that both the economy and society should be run "democratically," which to them means meeting public needs, not to make profits for a few.

Meanwhile, those profits are already being taken away and shared by all through our tax-and-entitlement system that is already socialistic and not free market at all.

• The top 1 percent of income earners take in 21 percent of the country's wealth but pay 38.5 percent of the taxes. The top 5 percent of earners take in 36.5 percent of the wealth but pay 59 percent of the taxes.
• The top 10 percent of income earners take in 47.7 percent of the wealth but pay 70 percent of the taxes. And 86.1 percent of all taxes are paid by the top 25 percent of income earners.
• Meanwhile, the bottom 50 percent of income earners take in 11.3 percent of the wealth but pay only 3.1 percent of the taxes.

More and more the tax system is slanted to create a growing dependent class that pays little or no taxes while the producers are burdened with a growing tax liability. That will only increase if Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are foisted on United States citizens. It's a system that is doomed to failure today just as it was in the 1600s.

But today is a day for Thanksgiving, and you should still have much to be thankful for.  Those of us who practice a religion have our loving God. We have our health issues, but if we look about us we can always find someone dealing with a situation that would for us be a terrible burden. Blessings on them, on you, and on us all.

Finally, we Americans live in the greatest country in the history of the world, even if it is saddled with a few warts. For example, speaking of wealth and well-being, only 75 percent of those who want a job have one according to shadowstats.com (the government says "officially" about 93 percent are working).

But, despite all that, for a few days at least, Congress is not in session plotting to steal our wealth and liberty.

So let's relax today and consider our blessings. Eat a hearty meal — or two. Enjoy your family, your football game, and the weather. Recharge your batteries.

And get ready to take up the fight again anew, because tyranny is but a step away.

Yours for the truth,

STRESS FREE HOLIDAYS CHALLENGE - WEEK EIGHT

Time just seems to be flying by, doesn't it? But of course it always does during the holiday season since we are so busy.
This week we are focusing almost exclusively on Thanksgiving, since it actually happens this week. We'll continue with more Christmas preparations next week, and beyond.

Link to complete article, well worth your time.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

STRESS FREE HOLIDAYS CHALLENGE - WEEK SEVEN

This is already week seven of the Stress Free Holidays Series. Can you believe how time has flown by? That means there are only six weeks left until Christmas. Do you feel prepared for both holidays?

This week we will again be focusing on Thanksgiving a lot, because it is getting closer, with just a little Christmas preparation thrown in for good measure.

Link for complete article, well worth your time.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TOMORROW

Please take time to study the people running, make the best decision you can and then it always helps to pray that you make a good choice.  If you aren't a person of faith,  the first two steps are still wise advice.If you are in the Elkmont boundaries, you will be voting at town hall in the middle of town.  You can't vote at the fire station. Polls will be open from7am - 7 pm.You will need to bring ID or make sure the poll ladies can vouch for you. 

*Please remember that it is your responsibility as a citizen to vote, don't let what you hear on the radio or tv discourage you from voting for the candidates of your choice.

JUST BECAUSE....

It's election day.  Don't forget to bring your driver's license and vote. You may be depressed with who you get to choose from so here is something to lighten the mood. This is too funny.... See how many characters you recognize.

Video: Economics 101

FOR YOU ON HALLOWEEN

Love the silly symphonies and here is a good one to share for Halloween. Make it full screen and enjoy.

GETTING READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS - STRESS FREE WAY

Halloween is here and there is lots to do to get ready for the next 8 weeks.  Hill Spirit would like to share the series of blog posts to help you have a fantastic holiday season and still remain sane.  

Thanksgiving planning time is now upon us in week 5 of this series. Follow these steps for a stress free Thanksgiving with your family. 

This week we're are in the mode of planning for Thanksgiving, although we will also deal with a little Christmas preparations too this week.

 LINK: Stress Free Holidays
 
Here are the previous challenges:

• Week 1: Reducing Holiday Stress Through Planning
• Week 2: Experience Holiday Stress Relief With These Steps
• Week 3 - More Simple Steps To A Stress Free Holiday Season
• Week 4 - Final Preparations And Halloween Planning Tasks

ELKMONT GHOST STORIES - GHOST LIGHTS

In the early 1900's, my Grandma raised four boys and sharecropped on a cotton farm on Crooked Branch owned by the Dave Maples family. The farm is north of the Elk River Bridge off of Hwy 127. There is a large Indian cemetery on the farm and the story is a light was seen many nights going back and forth to the cemetery. It remains on the land in a wooded area and many arrowheads were found on the land. When I was growing up people would come and dig for arrowheads. 

Elinor Lawson

ELKMONT GHOST STORIES - GOLDEN ORBS

As you walk north from downtown Elkmont along the trail, you will find a tree lined path and see a white house sitting on a hill slightly to the right. This is Compton Hill but at one time it was called Hyde House Hill and stories of the supernatural swirl around it.  Stories of buried treasure and ghosts. 

However, stories of golden orbs of light that appear and disappear are also common.  These lights have been said to chase people who don't belong from the area.  One sighting was in the 1930s.  A man was walking home along the railroad tracks from Elkmont.  As he approached the Hyde House hill, he saw one of these orbs floating a few feet from the ground.  As he drew closer, it still remained.  When he got close, he took his gun from his pocket and fired at it.  The orb quickly shot straight up into the evening air and disappeared.  

 

OLD HYDE PLACE

Another orb was sighted in the 1950s as two teenage girls were walking up to the old two story house.  As they rounded the corner, a golden orb hovered in front of them.  As they looked at it more closely, they realized two faces could be seen within the ball of light. The girls raced down the hill, leaving the hovering faces. However, on certain nights, light can be seen in the trees.  Those who get too close will see the golden glow suddenly disappear ... Do the balls of light still haunt Hyde Hill? 

These have been sent in from Elkmont residents or from published sources. Do you have one from the Elkmont area to share? Hill Spirit has not experienced any of these but one never knows...