Final Hour of 2012

Dear Readers;

  It's the final hours of 2012. What a year it's been. The number one great thing ..is that we are still here at the farm. I did not know how we were going to survive without Matt to help us out but somehow or other we are still stumbling forward. Helpers just seem to appear when we most need them.

 A little look at the highlights of this year at Govindas Farm. The soap business is taking off to brilliant reviews and we are getting a devoted clientele and making friends as well. Om-Made Soap is cleaning up here in Prince Edward Island:P The gardens were very abundant although it was a battle to save the potatoes from potato beetles.  We are still eating the winter greens and potatoes in December. Gaura Nitai replaced the shingles on the roof...all by himself....wow...amazing man all around. I've been blessed with a fantastic husband and tireless worker of all things imaginable. The pastures are improving immensely with this mob grazing.

 The cows are doing wonderful. We added a Canadienne pregnant cow to our herd and she just gave birth to twins 4 days ago. If the herd is happy then so are we. Unfortunately we lost two alpacas last February to illness. A fox ate three guinea fowl and a car killed another female. She died in my arms as I chanted to her:( Rosemary guinea fowl is the one surviving member and she has adopted us as her flock. You will see her in most of the videos.


 This year I've learnt that even though I'm afraid to connect and love the animals because they might die ...I'm beginning to open my heart even though the suffering is immense when they do pass on. All things have a beginning ...a duration and an end.

All the best in health and happiness in 2013 ...Happy New Year!!!

Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Gold And Diamonds...Or This? VIDEO

Dear Readers;

  Prince Edward Island is experiencing a snow storm today. When you have cows and other animals dependent on you for their well being...you just have to get out of your warm bed...get the winter clothes on and head out to the barn to clean,water and feed the beasts.

 We were told that it was a good idea to cook some gruel for Urvashi and give it to her warm. I started cooking it last night and when I went to take the pot of the stove...my wrist gimped out and all the hot mash landed on the floor....five second rule...right?.....I scooped it up and then went to feed her. She was pleased and took her time to munch it all up.

 The calves were happily running and jumping around the barn while Gaura Nitai was cleaning up. I will see if we can get the Media player working today so that I can post longer videos of the calves but for now here is a little look at the weather. The video is a warning to ladies to watch out for charming Scots....they promise you gold and diamonds..but this is what REALLY happens;)

Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Grandcalves?

Dear Readers;

  Having twin calves is almost the same as having twin grandchildren....so we are calling them our grandcalves.

  We have been checking on them constantly to see if all is well. We noticed that after they were born their mother just went back to eating in the pasture. When we carried the calves to the barn she was suppose to follow them but she didn't. We had to go and herd her into the nursery. We later realized that although she had given birth for the past 8 years she had always had her calves taken away ...so she had no clue what to do. That's alright...because we don't know much either.

 Mother Urvashis' placenta is still hanging out....so we phoned different farmers...who all said not to worry that it will come out in a day or two. It still isn't out so we phoned the vet and he said that because she gave birth to twins that it could take a week or two for the placenta to come out. It would start to smell bad and then fall out. Sure..............yikes! All I can compare this to would be my birthing one of my four children. If I started to smell bad...well...light the cremation fire...right?

 We are feeling overwhelmed ..lost...the house is a mess because we are also renovating the living and dining rooms.It isn't easy doing this but we will soldier on because we can't imagine doing anything else.

 I even noticed that it's been well over a week since I left the farm...yet I don't feel the need to run away for a change. When I was younger...living in the country felt like a prison sentence! Oh..yes...I've even had to wash poopy calf bums......because....John (Our neighbor) thought that it was the rectum coming out. Good news....not a rectum....just the first sticky poop:)Now he is fed...clean and tired. Sweet dreams little one.

Shhhhhhh......
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Twins are Fine and Winter Mob Grazing Update Video

Dear Readers;

  It's been over 24 hours since the twins were born and we have gone thru a gamut of emotions...from being completely freaked out....elation...excitement...aw....nervousness...fear and all night worry. Gaura Nitai braved the snowstorm at midnight to go and check on the babies and herd. The babies were happily suckling and the alpacas were going ...huh?...huh?... and the rest of the herd had their bodies inside the barn and their heads outside...checking out the storm. Gaura Nitai was sure that they were holding a meeting...saying.."It's just a little sleety snow.....we are Randles!!! We are strong and brave! You go out first....no you...no you...."So finally the boss had to just push them in and close the door.

  I was awake at 1 a.m....due to worry and pain. I was worried that we hadn't given the babies enough colostrum. Maybe they were too weak to drink from the very saggy milk bag....maybe they would die from the cold.....maybe I should knit them little toques to keep their little heads warm...maybe I should have put more hay down to block out the drafts.

 The pain came from having carried the calf to the barn and straining my arms. I then spent most of the day outside so the cold got into my muscles and caused spasms all night long. Of course when I went out to help make a new fence line this morning I tripped and fell on my arm. I believe that it's some kind of weird law that states....if you break a toe...you must stub it every day at least once....any injured body part must be injured over and over again.

 We are updating our winter grazing project today. Evaluating the cows and fields. Here are a few pictures and short video.

Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Urvashi Birthed Twins!!!

Dear Readers;

  Well...what a fantastic morning! Gaura Nitai let the herd out of the barn as usual. The animals all walked to the paddy and when he went to turn around to fix the fence...Urvashi dropped two calves ..plop...plop...right in the field! This was quite the shock because all experts who saw her ...even up to a few days ago all agreed that she was not pregnant. She was not very big and her milk bag was not filling up so we concluded that she must of had a miscarriage early on in her pregnancy. Imagine our surprise this morning!  We are very happy and here is the first picture and short video.

  The twins are quite small and weight approximately 40lb each. We believe that they are male...so folks this could be our teeny ox team:) We had the experts come and see if they were all right and they assured us that the mom and calves were healthy and strong. We just feel so rediculously incompetent. Oh...well...all we can do is stumble forward...right?

  We need to go and bottle feed the calves because they are having a problem latching on to the teat.

Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

  

Simple Living and Mirrored Walls

Dear Readers;

  I was doing some research on Nicola Tesla...inventor of AC ...light..(he used lights 40 years before it was "invented"),radio,x ray,remote control...etc.  I thought that making our own energy or by promoting Nicola Tesla was in line with what Govindas Farm is all about. But after some thought and discussion it's just not the direction we see this project of Simple Living and High Thinking going.

Usually done using two fingers and a thumb to mold the mud.

  Srila Prabhupada wants us to grow castor beans to make oil for our oil lamps. Of course if we have enough cows perhaps we can have excess ghee to light our lamps with ghee. Not only is a burning ghee lamp auspicious and healthy but it destroys pollution for many yards around the burning lamp. If we do use oil lamps to light the house ...then we must also take into account the need to bounce the light around to dark corners. I remember reading that the Egyptians used mirrors to bounce sunlight through the pyramids. Whether that is a fact I don't know because there is always some controversy as to whether or not they had mirrors that could reflect light or did they just have polished brass plates? I don't know...but I do know that the Kutch tribe of India decorate with small mirrors placed into the mud wall that serves a dual purpose...to provide beauty and to reflect light. The Kutch also paint their walls white to reflect light. Two years ago following the Kutch I also began to place small mirrors in my somewhat dark hallway.

  Here is a nice short video of a Kutch dwelling. Also a picture of our hallway with the beginning of small mirrors placed to reflect light.

 We are all related.
  Hare Krsna.
  Kokum Lal

Painted Barn Inspiration And Native Uprising Video (Pics)

Dear Readers;

  My friend keeps dropping off cans of random coloured paint. I see this as a gift that must be used to do good and to make the farm a better and more beautiful place. I've been researching painted barns because our barn is in desperate need of some paint. The farm had been basically abandoned for nearly 20 years....so the barn and out buildings have not been maintained at all.

 Slowly...very slowly they are being cleaned up and small repairs done. It will take a few more years of hard work but now my plan for all those cans of paint is to decorate the barn and other buildings with East Indian patterns and colours. Here are a few pictures for colour inspiration.

  The Canadian government is once again trying to crush our treaty rights into the ground but all tribes across Canada are protesting peacefully by singing and dancing. We are working together to make a difference and the movement Idle No More was started by four women. Here is just one video of what is happening here in Canada. The governments across the world are taking the freedoms away from all people so it is important to be aware and tell them that we are going to work together and chant and dance to make our voices heard.

  Express yourself with colour and joy. Please take care of one another.
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Govindas Farm Barn needs some colour!!!

Catch and Release (Mouse Video)

Dear Readers;

  We are having a beautiful sunny day here at Govindas Farm. I'm not saying that it's warm because the wind is brutally cold.

  Our latest WWOOFER Australian Karen has gone on to another adventure in Winnipeg. She was a very pleasant and hard working volunteer and we thank her for all of her hard work. Once again thank you Karen for all your hard work. Also thank-you for putting Rosemary away because by the time we returned she probably would have been up in the trees. Surely she would have gotten blown to bits because last nights wind was brutal. Gaura Nitai found one of the hoop houses on the other side of the road. It sustained quite a bit of damage.

  What we have learnt from this incident is to make sure that the end of the hoop house is closed and the frame pinned down.

  We also have a little video of letting a little deer mouse free. Our humane trap works wonders. We let the caught mice go about a mile from the house...so hopefully they won't find their way back..this year. Eventually we will find all of the holes in the houses foundation so that way we won't have this problem..next year.

Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Small Business.

Dear Readers;

  Having your own little business is such a fun experience. One day we are making soap....next day cutting...packaging...selling...taking pictures...advertising,updating the blog, filling orders,shipping...meeting people who come over to buy soap. It's just a freeing experience to do something that you find satisfying....besides it's good for the people and good for the planet.:)

  I took a few pictures of our new scents and of our Minty Hair Shampoo Bar.

 Please take care of each other.

 Hare Krsna.
 Kokum Lal
 

Minty Hair Shampoo Bar...Fresh As Rain

Sandlewood Soap

Pink Grapefruit Soap

Lemongrass Soap

We're Still Here!! Are You?

Dear Readers;

  We're still here...so are the cows:) I'm sure that we have all heard or read that if a natural disaster is on the way..then sometimes the animals will act differently ...as in scared! I did keep my eye on the animals and wild life...but the only odd things that we saw at Govindas Farm...was excessively happy cows...jumping...dancing and doing wild twirls in the air.

  The only change that I noticed in myself was I had a "dreamless sleep". I usually  have amazingly colourful exciting  dreams...full of adventure.I'm one of those annoying people who analyzes her  dreams and others peoples dreams. My girls and I can talk about our dreams for hours. I wake up my poor husband in the middle of  the night if I just had an exceptionally interesting technicoloured dream.I'm absolutely shameless about disturbing his rest. But it is his fault...after all..(so goes my reasoning) because he has never once told me ..."To put a sock in it!"

  Anyways ..life goes on...cows need moved...renovation needs done...and lunch required reheating...from yesterdays amazing feast.

  I will leave you with a few pics and a song.

 Please take care of each other.
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Life and Death.

Dear Readers;

  We go on a daily morning japa walk and while on these walks we begin to know the local squirrels...rabbits...pheasants ...fox and other residents of the area. So when one of the locals meets a violent death by car..it is a sad time. Just yesterday our neighbor Mr. Squirrel was scolding us vehemently for disturbing his lunch ...today we found him dead by the road side.

  Once again when I view "death" I walked a ways and then thought..."So what is it that is gone from Mr. Squirrels' body?...It is the living essence...the soul...the person...because his cute little body is still here...I'm holding him...but HE is not here ..any longer...this little furry squirrel body is now just an empty shell."

  On my first walk past the body...I picked him up by the tail and threw it into the ditch because I didn't want to inadvertently walk on the decaying body on my next walk....but then after some thought and deep contemplation in the woods.( I was also doing a soap photo shoot)...I had the time to ponder life and death. On my way home I went into the ditch to pick the squirrel up and have a good look at him. I said goodbye and wished him well on his journey then respectfully placed his little body at the foot of a pine tree.

  We are all just passing through this world.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Chapter 2 Verse 20

 

na jayate mriyate va kadacin

nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah

ajo nityah sasvato 'yam purano

na hanyate hanyamane sarire

TRANSLATIONFor the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.

Take care of one another because the human form is very precious.
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Pump House and Winds (pics)

Dear Readers;

  Today is another busy day at the farm. Gaura Nitai is gutting the computer space so I am on wifi at the kitchen table. A neighbour just dropped in to buy some soap and I am also making lunch prasadam for everyone. Our volunteer WOOFER Karen is cleaning out the pump house. At present water has to be carried from the bathroom in the house on days when the temperature is below freezing...so the goal is to get the old pump working and hand pump the water into the trough for the cows and alpacas.

 We also had a very windy night but it wasn't to bad. We will just need to move the hoop house back to it's former location. We find that these hoop greenhouses can take a very high wind. The reason this one moved was because it is opened on both ends so the wind has a place to catch the plastic...other wise it just blows over...leaving the structure intact.

Have a great day and remember that love is a verb.
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Pump house full of junk. Notice the old washing machine on the right. I would like to get that working again.

This is the type of weather today!

Hoop house needs to be replaced over the winter greens.

The Glories Of Cow Dung

  Dear Readers;

   A new volunteer from Australia is helping out at Govindas Farm for the next little while. This is Karen's first experience with Mob Grazing.

  The biggest energy contribution from cows and bulls is their dung. India's cattle produce 800 million tons of manure every year. The Vedas explain that dung from cows is different from all other forms of excrement. Indian culture insists that if one comes in contact with the stool of any other animal, they must immediately take a bath. Even after passing stool oneself, bathing is necessary. But the cow's dung, far from being contaminating, instead possesses antiseptic qualities. This has been verified by modern science. Not only is it free from bacteria, but it also does a good job of killing them. Believe it or not, it is every bit as good an antiseptic as Lysol or Mr. Clean.

Most of the dung is used for fertilizer at no cost to the farmer or to the world's fossil fuel reserves. The remainder is used for fuel. It is odorless and burns without scorching, giving a slow, even heat. A housewife can count on leaving her pots unattended all day or return any time to a preheated griddle for short-order cooking. To replace dung with coal would cost India $1.5 billion per year.

http://www.archaeologyonline.net/artifacts/sacred-cow.html

Biggest cow paddy in the field.

  Here is an excerpt from Gokulam-A Gift To Mankind.

  Sometimes people speak that dung of sheep or buffalo or horse is more powerful fertilizer. That may be or may not be true. But it would be lacking in solar and universal energies present in cow dung and urine. So the food grown from such agriculture may make one strong and stout but certainly his intelligence will not be in tune with nature. We see today we might get nutritious food but it agitates our senses to great extent. Food not grown on cow dung will not be supporting mind and intelligence in proper way.

  Even though our cows are Randels and Canadienne breeds that are bred for the coldest of winters ...I personally feel that it is unkind to leave them outside at night. If any of the readers know my husband or myself..you know that we have many heated debates....but we do eventually come to a compromise. Gaura Nitai wanted to leave the cows in the field all year long...but...seeing that the woods that they took shelter in last year was flooded ...we decided to leave the barn doors open at night so that the herd could choose to come and go as they pleased. Gaura Nitai said that if I wanted the cows in the barn...then I would have to clean the barn every morning....fine by me...as long as he cooks breakfast and washes the dishes. Guess who is cleaning the barn? ....Not me:)...(although I don't mind cleaning the barn...I like the smell of hay and manure.)

Please look after each other.

Hare Krsna.

Kokum Lal

The barn is cleaned out every morning and the manure spread over the garden.

Realities of Winter (Pics)

Dear Readers;

  There are a few realities of winter in Canada. One ...there is snow.....and it's cold. Two..you have got to cut wood...and move wood...burn wood. Wood is dirty...smokey...but what a fantastic heat! So it is worth all the austerity that is put into getting it. Of course it is better to build houses so that they require very little wood to heat it....thus saving trees,labour and pollution.

  Gaura Nitai has been demolishing the living room and now we will need to clean up before putting the plastic on the walls. Fiberglass isn't our first choice.....but right now..it's what we can afford.

  Have a nice warm Monday and take care of each other.
  Hare Krsna.
  Kokum Lal
 

Discovered that an adz was used to fashion the beams in this house.

Real men don't wear gloves;)

Guess who? It's Rosemary!

Blood or Beets

Dear Readers;

  I've been feeling very annoyed and frustrated with Canadian and American Politicians. They are so in your face about not caring about how they are exploiting the people but most annoying is how the general masses....believe that their corrupt leaders would not intentionally hurt them.

  When I was a teenager ..a few of my native friends were traditional Indians. We wanted to go back to the old ways....we decorated our long black hair with beads and feathers and let the winds blow it free. We believed in spirituality..taking care of each other...we believed in ceremony...and hunting and gathering. Yet....I wasn't satisfied...I wanted more....besides I was a wannabe vegetarian and hunting just didn't fit...therefor I didn't fit.

  It took many years of trial and error but I feel deeply that Govindas Farm is on the right path. No one can fight the government with weapons...because they have bigger guns.You can't appeal to their sense of justice because they have none. Right now as we speak Canadian Prime Minister Harper is trying to shred more of our Native Rights. It's not enough that we are living in third world conditions...right here in one of the wealthiest countries in the world...Harper wants to grind us aboriginals farther into the ground..until we disappear completely.

  Sure we are protesting on the streets...beating our drums...but no one is listening....because they don't care. So I am telling everyone who will listen..that ...they aren't doing this to just us...it's a global agenda. They are destroying all indigenous peoples around the planet.....the whites are just last on the list...but their time has also come. We as a human race are all in this together....and the only way out is by working together. Don't buy their Chinese junk...make what you require. Don't grease the wheels of commerce. Peaceful resistance..is what scares them. They love war and chaos...because it keeps us all emotional and unable to think clearly. Don't believe me....check out any world leader who protests peacefully or after violent up heavel comes to realize that peace is the way out...Gandhi...Malcolm X...Martin L King....Crazy Horse....Kennedy....

  My own guru Srila Prabhupada once said that if the government actually knew what he was doing that they would also kill him.Srila Prabhupada told us years ago to get out of the city and grow food...weave our own cloth...live simply...but use our brain to think of spiritual thoughts. Forget materialism..it's done.

  Once again....farming...taking care of cows...growing organic food...creating community...is the way out.....the way to peace and prosperity.

Please grow something and take care of each other. Love is a verb.
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

My Opinion On Sandy Hook

Dear Readers;

  I've been kicking around this idea all morning. I'm asking myself should I say this ...or should I just ignore this and post something cute and funny?

  Well...it's my blog and I promised to be honest.

  I've already had a debate over the latest elementary school massacre in the USA. Everybody has their opinion on what caused it. I agree that it happens far to often and for many reasons that include RX drugs,mind control, government conspiracy etc..ect.....BUT I do not believe that begging the government to take away our right to defend ourselves is a smart thing to do. It's a knee jerk reaction  and I believe that the powers that be, WANT us to have this very normal reaction.....so that they can trim a little more fat off of the American Constitution. They aren't TAKING our rights away...we are handing over our rights and begging them to please protect us from ourselves! Ingenious plan! We are left thinking that we are in control when in fact the government is controlling the people like puppets.

 I'm from Canada and some may think that ...why should I care...USA is not our country...why should I waste my time? USA and Canada are joined at the hip. Canada is the Americans deep freeze.They use us and abuse us to their hearts content.....what ever the Americans tell us to do...we do it. What ever happens in the USA rolls over that pretend line called a Border. We ...Canadiens aren't immune to American culture or lack of....we suffer right along side of you.

  Solutions anyone?

  Lest..anyone mistake me for a tulip hopping pacifist.... I'm not. Neither am I a violent rebel...like the American Weathermen of the "60's and early '70's. They did what they thought was right to try and bring the Vietnam war  into comfortable American homes. But in the end ...the members appeared just as confused as to why nothing changed. They tried to continue the fight but succumbed to the American apathy and joined the very bourgeoisie culture that they fought to escape.

  I blame the gross corporate beast that is raping and pillaging every country on this planet. It is like a charging rhinoceros.....better to get out of it's way...because if you get in it's way ...it will trample you without giving you a second thought.

  Get out of the city.....grow your own food....grow your own fiber for clothing...make your own music...build your own homes...teach your own children...take care of cows...chant...dance and be happy.

  My deepest condolences to the children , parents, relatives and community of  Sandy Hook Elementary School. There can be no greater pain than the loss of our children ..in such a violent manner.

Take care of each other.
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

 
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Reno...reno...reno..Yuck!

Dear Readers;

  We are not fans of a renovation because basically you just fix other peoples mistakes. When the ceiling was pulled down yesterday.....we found that the space had been insulated with dessicated fly bits. They had lived and died in that space for the past 35 years....yuck....but let's not forget the mice droppings. So although it's not fun to fix this up..it definitely is a necessity.

 Today is a busy day...baking bread and pulling apart the old slat walls to add insulation. Of course we will begin with our Japa walk.....meditation walk...to cleans both body and soul, Japa keeps us connected to the true meaning of life. Have a great Friday.

Take care of one another.
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Landfill Music. (Video)

Dear Readers;

  A Facebook friend posted this video....and Gaura Nitai thought that it is a very good example of Simple Living and High Thinking.

  It takes a true genius to "see" a wonderful instrument in a pile of garbage. To then take these bits of garbage and create the instruments....then to have the "ear" to tune these handmade musical instruments.....and then....teach children to play them...and finally to make such music as to free your spirit and all those who hear this beautiful music.Wow!

 Music is balm to the tortured soul. Music soothes the savage beast. Music helps us all float above  unfortunate living conditions.

 Human beings are truly but a spark of Krsnas' splendor:)

  This video can teach us that we can create beauty and purpose anywhere if we have the vision.

Take care of one another.
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Confused Winter Fairy

Dear Readers;

I do believe that the Winter Fairies and the Spring Fairies are confused. I don't say this lightly as I would never dare offend the little folks but Gaura Nitai and I have noticed lately on our morning walks....dandelions...strawberry flowers and yesterday pussy willows! Is there something going on with the stars..the alignment with the planets?

This is strange....very strange......

We are off to take our japa walk and to see what other strange things are happening in the natural world.

Take care of each other.
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Hair Cut Anyone?

Dear Readers;

  It was a hair cut morning. Sounds simple doesn't it?

Me- "You need a haircut...you're starting to look like a crazy man!"

  I start commenting on my husbands hair about a month before he seriously needs a haircut. Something like...."You're starting to look like a crazy man!"..."You look weird."..."Your neck hair is holding hands with your back hair!" Comments like that would send most men to the barbers but not my husband...the meaner or more outrageous the comments get, the louder he laughs.

 He's Scottish....insults are like mothers milk.  He avoids my scissors like the plague. I don't know why....I have no idea. It's just hair! It grows back. He has lots of it. So what if I've messed up in the past. A hairdresser once told my daughter to hide the scissors because sometimes she just can't fix my mistakes.:)

  He always wants me to buy an electric thingy. I just don't like them. They aren't reliable..they need oiled and they require electricity. Three strikes against them in my books. So once again it was just me ( I put my glasses on this time) and the scissors. It took 30 minutes to do the job but he looks quite dashing:)

Look after each other.
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal

Here is what I use to give Gaura Nitai his yearly haircut....whether he needs it or not!

Om-Made Soap,safety razor,scissors and a comb.

Just kidding that's not me.