The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow

I normally like to write alone, but this week’s essay was written in collaboration with Kit, my emotionally avoidant dog.  It’s about the importance of a time-out.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 5 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the written version of this story over on The Radical Homemaker Blog at SapBushFarmStore.com . Support the show

Final exams and final projects, lambing season, the loss of a local microbrewery, spring cleaning.  It’s been a busy week here at Sap Bush Hollow, with  lots of change and lots of surrender.   I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 3 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. You can find the text version of this story on The Radical Homemaker blog at SapBushFarmStore.com . Support th...

For three years, I’ve been gently encouraging folks, even farmers and small business owners, to consider abandoning their social media accounts.  But today, I’m not going to beat around the bush.  I’m going to come out and ask you to do it.  I think you’ll be happier for it, that your businesses will run better without it, and that you’ll be helping to take steps to restore democracy.  And right n...

It’s hard to ignore the news these days, even though I think a lot of farmers prefer to.  We’re keenly aware that agrarian political views vary widely, and rural neighbors can’t afford too many political battles.  I try to keep my mouth shut to get along better.  But last week, farm and homesteading culture got thrown into the political debate.  And I think a few things warrant discussion.   I’m S...

Winter is loosening her grip slowly this year, matching our emotions as we move into our first season without Mom here on Sap Bush Hollow Farm.  We’re doing as well as can be expected…in spite of my dog’s utter failure to offer emotional support.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 1 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. You can find the full transcript of this essay on The R...

It's the final episode of the season, and we're going to explore what it takes to make it in this agrarian way of life when aptitude isn't in the cards.  For a written copy of this piece, visit The Radical Homemaker Blog.  You can learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm at SapBushFarmStore.com. Support the show

Family farm life is rife with daily disasters.  If we measure our happiness based on our ability to avert them, we’ll never be content.  The trick is to enjoy the life in spite of them. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 19 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  To find a text version of this post, visit The Radical Homemaker blog. To learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm, fi...

Living rural has typically necessitated car ownership.  Our family tries to minimize that expense for ecological, financial and quality of life reasons.  But now both our daughters are driving….What will this mean?  You’re listening to Season 5, Episode 18 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Find the transcript over on the blog at The Radical Homemaker.net .  Learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm h...

The real estate market is booming.  What does that mean for our farmers?  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 17 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Find the written copy of this story over on The Radical Homemaker Blog .  To visit Sap Bush Hollow Farm on the web, find us here .  Support the show

What does it take to savor every moment of every day?    I’ve been taking lessons from a two-year-old.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 16 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the transcript on TheRadicalHomemaker.net.  Click here to learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm . Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash Support the show

I believe my meditation practice has improved my life immeasurably, making me less volatile and more full of loving kindness.  But does that mean there is never a place for a splash of volatility?  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 15 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Find the transcript on The Radical Homemaker blog .  To visit Sap Bush Hollow Farm on the web, find us...

Life throws all kinds of challenges at us.  But if we’re living the life we want, even the challenges can be valuable experiences. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 14 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, and today we’re going to talk about Bears, Bees, and other failed endeavors fit for a castle.  Read the transcript over on The Radical Homemaker Blog .  Find out more abou...

“We are all in the gutter.  But some of us are looking at the stars.” - Oscar Wilde I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 13 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, where we’re going to talk about the power of hope and friendship.  If you'd like a transcript of this episode, find it on The Radical Homemaker blog here .  If you'd like to learn more about Sap Bush Hollow F...

Mom has been gone from the farm house for about a month.  And she’d been sick for some time before that.  It’s a wonder the barn didn’t eat the house in her absence. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 12 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  To find the transcript of this story, visit the blog at TheRadicalHomemaker.net.   To learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm, visit SapB...

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks.  My family has been shaken up, and we’re madly trying to swim to the shores of a new normal.  Thankfully, we’re not the first to make the journey.  I’m going to try to bring you up to speed this week.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 11 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.   Find the text version of this story over on The Radical Homemak...

A lot of small business owners and farmers had to raise their prices this year.  And sometimes, we take heat for it.  It’s time to have another talk about that cloak of shame. To read the transcript and review the sources, visit the Radical Homemaker Blog .  To learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm, find us here .  Support the show

There’s short cuts, then there’s cutting corners.  One way saves time, the other usually winds up wasting it.  But sometimes, time needs to be suspended all together, and the longest way is the only way.   I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 9 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  You can learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm by visiting on the web at SapBushFarmStore.com . ...

I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 8 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, where we’re going to talk about farming, vaccines, social media, and getting the most out of life.  Prefer to read the story with all the citations?  Find it here .  Support the show

If granted three wishes, most of us who run farms and have families could easily name the first two: one for the well-being of the farm, the other for the well-being of the family.   What about the third wish? I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 7 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, a story about a Banana Coffee Peanut Butter Smoothie.  If you'd like to read the text ve...

What does it take to become an expert?  Who has the right to use that title?  Does it even matter anymore?  I'm Shannon Hayes and you're listening to Season 5, Episode 6 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. If you'd like to read the transcript, you can find it on The Radical Homemaker Blog .  If you'd like to learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm, you can find it here . Photo by G...

How many moments of your life do you get to remember?  I just picked one.   I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 5 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  The transcript of this piece can be found on the blog at The Radical Homemaker.net .  To learn more about Sap Bush Hollow, visit SapBushFarmStore.com .  Support the show

Breaking up with friends and lovers is never easy.  But chickens help.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 4 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. You can find the transcript for this story on the blog at TheRadicalHomemaker.net .  You can explore Sap Bush Hollow at SapBushFarmStore.com . Support the show

The New York Times is reporting that angry farmers are shaping the political landscape of Europe….but maybe not for the best.  But that anger is valid.  And it’s on this continent, too.  It’s just harder for our culture to listen to it.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 3 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Looking for the original text version of the story?  Find it her...

The weight loss industry is now valued at over $70 billion dollars.  And it’s making a lot of us unnecessarily hungry, farmers included.  We need to talk about feed. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 2 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Looking for the transcript?  Find it here . Looking to learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm?  You'll find that here .  Support the...

When you’re open to the public for business, you can choose what to sell.  But you don’t always get to choose what issues you’ll have to tackle.    I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 1 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Read the story over on the blog .   To learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm and its grass fed meats & wool products, visit it on the web here .  Supp...