Archive for August, 2006
Sunday, August 27th, 2006
PhD = Post Hole Digging
Building a gate
The passing along of knowledge is very essential in all phases of life. In making a new fence line there are time tested procedures coupled with old timers “tricks of the trade” that are invaluable and make practical work much easier to accomplish.
The fence line we are currently working on was started earlier in the summer when the ground was not so hard and dry. I had hired two young men, Tulasi and Nirguna, to dig the new holes for the fence posts and too set the new posts. The holes traditionally are 3 feet deep and when the post is placed in the hole the dirt is slowly put back in the hole and “tamped” down so the post is secure with no movement. The “old timers†say the best time to “set” posts is during the waning of the moon, because then the moon is pulling downwards as it grows smaller and will pull the post down and keep them in the holes. These two young men are earning PhDs on the farm. PhD is short for POST HOLE DIGGING. They are becoming fully realized in the science of posthole digging and they will be able to use this knowledge anywhere throughout their lives.
Jason and Caitanya Bhagavt are learning how to do the next step, stringing the wire. There are two types of fence. One fence is too keep animals in the area and the second is too keep animals out of an area. The difference is which side of the post the wire is placed. Since we want to keep the cows in the pasture, we are stringing the wire on the inside of the post or the pasture side. Then if the cows push on the wire, they will also be pushing on the post itself. If the wire is on the outside of the post then when the cow on the inside of the pasture pushes on the wire they are only pushing against the staples that hold the wire in place.
We have already finished half of the fence and made “H BRACES” on the ends for extra strength. Slow work, as there are many little steps to complete the task. In between the two halves, we have left an opening with a simple gate. A team of oxen or a vehicle can pass through this gate to get to the wood lot on the other side of the pasture. If the job is done correctly, the fence will be sturdy and will last as long as the posts don’t rot away which could be as long as 50 to 75 years depending on the quality of the fence posts.
The choice of wood for fence posts in this part of the country is locust. Locust fence posts, when allowed to dry properly, will outlast several applications of wire over the years.
Weather permitting we will finish the new fence line today and facilitate the cows being switched back to new pasture on that side of the ISCOWP farm.
Balabhadra
ISCOWP Website
Life With the Cows and Land
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Saturday, August 26th, 2006
Tally Ho!
Dear Friends,
After journeying across the breadth of the USA the core team of Krishna Camp has officially launched from LA en route to Black Rock City! We’re on the early arrivals list and will be making multiple loading runs between Burning Man and a wonderful devotee couple’s home which is located in Stagecoach NV, the […]
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Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
The Spider and the Fly
As I was going to the barn for my morning check on the cows, I saw this spider web of intricate, artistic design. I appreciated its beauty and then saw the fly wrapped within. Just as the fly could not see the web as it winged its way through the air and was caught; we humans also have to be careful of the illusory nature of the material world.
The Spider and the Fly
An Apologue.
A New Version Of An Old Story.
Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,
‘Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I’ve a many curious things to shew when you are there.”
Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”
“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly.
“There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, ” Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I ‘ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome — will you please to take a slice?”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind Sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”
“Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I’ve a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you ‘re pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.”
The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
“Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple — there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flatering words, came slowly flitting by,
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue–
Thinking only of her crested head, — poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, in to his dismal den,
Within his little parlour –but she ne’er came out again!
And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.
by Mary Howitt 1821
From Sketches of Natural History (1834) , Effingham Wilson: London
Balabhadra
ISCOWP Website
Life With the Cows and Land
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Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
Ox Training
Krishna and Balaram
This conversation was overheard in the barn. Krsna, the ox, is speaking with his herd mate Balarama, the ox.
Another day of training is upon us and we will be heading up the lane to our classroom where Balabhadra will be teaching us another directional command. So far, we have learned the command to “Get Up” which means to move forward.We have learned the command of “Whoa” which means that we should stop immediately.The third command we learned is “Ha” which means to come to the left.
Today we will start to learn the command of “Gee”, which means to turn right. Balabhadra has been very busy and it’s been awhile since we had a lesson. It sure does feel good to be heading to class so we can learn more and become a valuable asset to the farm.
There is so much service to be done. In the spring, there is plowing, planting, and cultivation of the crops and gardens. In the summer when it’s dry enough there are fence posts that need split and then hauled to the various fencing projects or stacked by the barn for future use.
Firewood is needed for the three houses on the farm. Next to plowing, that is the most strenuous work of the summer because the weather is so hot and humid. But, allot of the firewood project is in the forest where it’s shady. It’s nice working in the forest. Besides being shady, there are so many neat places and the birds are all singing and talking to each other. There are also different tasting grasses and herbs that we don’t see or taste out in the pastures.
Balabhadra would like to get a small ground driven Manure spreader so we can spread manure on the fields and garden in the fall.
Balabhadra was talking to his daughter Lakshmi, and said that if we learn the command “Gee” quickly, he would like to Yoke us up in the very near future so we can learn how to walk together and then start pulling a small load.
Soon the fall season will be upon us, and the undergrowth in the forest will thin out and we will go practice pulling a small load through an obstacle course of trees and stumps and fallen branches. It’s so exciting to be in training again, so we can be of service on the farm. Vraja and Gita, the senior ox team, are retired and we will be taking up their service.
Vraja and Gita
It’s so nice to know that as trained oxen we have value and are not just looked at as a potential hamburger or considered as a burden because we just eat and sleep and don’t pull our weight around the farm.
I can’t wait until we are fully trained and we can show everyone the value of a team of trained oxen. After all, the conclusion of Bhakti Yoga, is to render service to Lord Krsna, with love and devotion. I can’t wait Balarama. How about you? This life won’t be wasted on just eating and sleeping.
Balabhadra
ISCOWP Website
Life With the Cows and Land
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Thursday, August 17th, 2006
Dear Srila Prabhupada
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svaminn iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Dear Srila Prabhupada,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada!.
The experience I am about to relate happened on the ISCOWP farm. I was in charge of the cows during the winter when my parents were away in the mall earning enough money to pay our personal bills. They are disciples of yours. They have taught me how to care for cows. I am most thankful to you and them for this cow seva knowledge because of the happiness that I, and others, can experience while caring for the cows and oxen.
When I went to check the cows Saturday morning (December 3), the first thing I noticed was that Balaram, Gouravani, Visaka, and Radha Shyama were out eating hay in the hay barn and grass in the driveway. As I looked for the break in the fence where they got out, I looked up and saw a cow lying down and not moving in the barn. I cried out to Krsna and started praying that whoever was down was just sleeping.
When a cow is dying, we like to give them some holy water and have a tape of Srila Prabhupada singing bhajans 24/7. I did not have time to do either. I am also very attached to all the cows.
I rushed into the new barn where the cow was down and discovered it was Veda. He was barely alive. This spring the vet said that Veda had a wasting disease called Johne’s disease and it would just be a matter of time before his demise. The vet knows we do not put any of our animals down, but I thought he would last longer. The day before he seemed okay, not well but ok, not at death’s door. I started singing to him the Nrsringa prayers and checked to make sure that he was not stuck, in fact was actually down, and nothing else was stopping him from getting up. At this stage, he was also very weak and could not lift his head. I went and got bedding to make him more comfortable and also hay and water to see if he would eat or drink which he did not. I could do nothing more at that moment.
After I did this I gave Vraja his medicine for his arthritis, fed the cows in the loafing shed and old barn, went back outside to fix the fence, and put the four cows back inside. After calling my parents to find out where the CD player and blankets were, I collected these items and I covered Veda with the blankets and turned on the CD player to continuous play. As I was doing this, I noticed that Krishna and Visaka were sniffing Veda. Then they each went to stand on either side of Veda and stand guard.
To read the rest:
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Friday, August 11th, 2006
Lending a Helpful Hand
As the deadline draws nearer for Burning Man we’ve been trying our best to pull in as much assistance as we can, books, prasadam, helpers, equipment, transportation, and especially finances.
We’ve put together a little 2 page flyer useful in showing people what we’re up to and how they can help. If you feel inspired please […]
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Friday, August 11th, 2006
Finding Peace in an Age of Strife
In a world of increasing conflict, chaos, and destruction, people are desperately seeking some way to counteract the onslaught of imminent disaster. His Holiness Radhanath Swami spoke at NYU to address these issues. We felt it quite relevant to our involvement at this years Burning Man in contributing to the theme “Hope and Fear: The […]
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Thursday, August 10th, 2006
Krishna Camp Burning Man Site Placement!
Krishna Camp has been given prime real-estate placement for our first year’s appearance!
Check out the map Here
Feel free to set up your own camp nearby or talk to us if you would like to join our happy family of camp-mates!