"Papa's" Rules on the Homestead

      Working on the homestead usually means getting projects done that aren't close to the house or garage, usually building or repairing things somewhere on the property.  Over the years even before homesteading we've compiled a list of rules to follow to stay safe or just plainly get a job done without interruptions.  I hope you find these rules as helpful as McGee and DiNozzo found Gibbs' rules to be and if you don't understand my reference head over to Netflix and start binge watching NCIS.

     So the first rule is one that Papa had to teach me about when we were first courting.  When we first met I was what he called a city girl and didn't know much of anything.  You think I'm joking but I lived quite a sheltered life, so when we met I started picking up some new skills.  Anyhoo, dating a mechanic means spending quality time in a garage or under a car or truck and using power tools including an air compressor.  That's when I learned his first rule don't stand on hoses and including cords.  Not only is it a safety concern when someone is yanking on said hose to get more slack but also it's damaging to the hose/cord.  Now that I've learned this important rule we are teaching the kiddos about it, it's important to teach them the fundamentals of life.

Don't hurt the hoses or cords.

     Our second rule is also one of Gibbs' rules, which is always carry a knife.  This comes in quite handy when doing chores on the property.  I use mine to cut open bags of soil, open seed packets, cut twine when staking plants, just to name a few.  A knife doesn't just come in handy on the homestead though, like Gibbs' we try to always have a pocket knife on us at all times.  I can't tell you how many times Papa has whipped his out to cut something for the kids when we're out and about...like shortening a straw, cutting up fruit, or even using it as a prying tool.

My girly pocket knife.

     The next rule I would call an accessory or some might call it gear, I think you should always have gloves in your back pocket.  They always come in handy when handling lumber or corrugated tin but there are so many other times you could use them.  I'm not sure about other homesteaders but they'll be times when we're just going to open the greenhouse but on the way Papa sees some old equipment he needs or there's fencing that needs a quick fix, and lucky for me I've got my handy dandy gloves so my oh so soft hands won't get damaged.  The best time they come into great use is when you're picking up eggs and there's a cracked one and there's goop everywhere and you need to clean it up but not with bare hands, oh no...I pull out the old gloves.  Come to think of it I think it's the most used tool.

He should have used gloves or are those dirty gloves?

     Our fourth rule is more like Papa's pet peeve but I agree with him, it's no standing in a doorway.  The kiddos seem to be really bad at it lately but I've been guilty of it myself.  It becomes especially annoying when we were building the greenhouse and taking materials into it and the kids were "helping" and then just stopping in the doorway.  It's frustrating and not always so easy to come to a complete stop when your hands are full.

The most blocked doorway.

     Last rule for now is not to walk away from a work site with tools or materials. This rule came about while putting in the gate opener just a few weeks ago.  I was doing my awesome job as an assistant but then those pesky kids asked for some water and I walked up the driveway to the house to fetch some water and when I get back Papa has that look on his face and I know something is up.  Well you see right before I walked away he had handed me a bolt and as soon as I left he needed and he had to wait for me to come back.  Of course he wasn't very upset by more perturbed because it brought our project to a halt and he was already dealing with some other issues.  So before you walk away to do another task make sure to leave any supplies that you've stashed in your pocket at the project site.

Keep all tools and supplies in one place.

     Now I know I've labeled these rules by no one gets put in the corner for breaking them, they're just a few ways we are trying to make life easier here on the homestead.  My hope is to practice these so they become habit and the norm for the kids because some of these come in handy in everyday life.  I mean you never know when you might have find yourself in a dark alley and have to defend yourself with your knife or perhaps have to deliver someone's baby on the side of the road then you'll be happy you have gloves on hand, just saying.  Now I've got to return that hammer Papa was using before he notices it's gone, alright back to the homestead.