Hello Reader, For years, I thought goats were my ikigai. But after reflecting on a few powerful books and the things that make me feel most alive, I realized something deeper: writing is my North Star, and goats are one of the subjects I love writing about.In Discovering My Ikigai, Dharma, and North Star, I share how this realization is leading me back to a memoir that has been waiting in the cloud for 13 years—and why I’m inviting readers to join my writing salon and offer feedback as the...
8 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, In 2004, we built our house ourselves — literally with a hammer, nails, and wood. For almost two decades, we thought we had done a pretty good job.But a series of decisions that seemed perfectly logical at the time eventually led to problems we never saw coming. In my latest Substack, We Thought We Knew Enough to Build Our House, I share how a little knowledge, a lot of confidence, and some unexpected lessons turned our dream of self-reliance into something very different....
18 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, For about a week now, there's been a really important conversation happening inside our Goats 365 community. It started when one of our members — who has a goat-related landscaping business and takes her goats out to properties where they could come into contact with people — brought up a question that doesn't have a tidy answer. In late July, a skunk got into the pen of a traveling petting zoo's goats in North Carolina. Three of those goats have since tested positive for...
22 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, I moved to the farm partly because I wanted a healthier, more active life, and the daily work gave me the exercise I had struggled to maintain for years. But when I received the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming an author, my daily life changed in ways I never expected. In Farm Life vs. a Writer’s Life, I share how achieving one dream gradually pulled me away from the lifestyle that had been keeping me healthy—and the toll it took on my body. Bucks are half of...
25 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, This August, I released four new podcast episodes about parasite resistance, fecal egg counts, homestead decluttering, and funding farm projects. I also introduced Goat Notes, a new series of short episodes that takes a closer look at one goat question, misconception, or research-based concept at a time. Whether you raise goats, manage a busy homestead, or dream of starting something new on your farm, there’s something here for you. You can download the episode to listen...
26 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, For most of my childhood, “I can’t” was defined by doctor’s notes, leg braces, and bone surgeries. Even after my knees were "fixed" at age 15, overcoming a lifetime of fear was another challenge entirely. In What “I Can’t” Really Means, I share how those experiences shaped my understanding of human capability—and why the stories we tell ourselves can limit us more than our circumstances. Growing your own food offers benefits that go far beyond saving money. Homegrown fruits,...
29 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Two cataract surgeries this summer really slowed down my plans for events on the farm, but I am excited that we are finally offering a yoga class this Friday at 6 pm! We’ll enjoy an hour of yin and gentle yoga by the pond at sunset, with optional goat cuddling afterward! Bring your yoga mat if you have one—we’ll have some available, too. The cost is $25 per person, and you can register here. 🧘♀️ 🌅 🐐 Breeding goats and sheep is a natural process, but the first breeding season can...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of Thrifty Homesteader—or inside the mind of the person who created it—I’ve been sharing more personal stories on my Substack, On the Banks of Mud Creek. Here are my five newest articles: What “I Can’t” Really MeansGrowing up with dislocating kneecaps, leg braces, and bone surgeries shaped my understanding of what humans are capable of—and taught me to question the stories we tell ourselves about what we can’t do. Where Do I...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, If you've ever wondered why I refused to give up on my goats when they were sick and dying two decades ago, I explain it in my article, I Was the Sickly Kid. Choosing the right hay is one of the most important feeding decisions you'll make for your goats. In this article, I explain the differences between alfalfa and grass hay, when each is appropriate, and why "more nutrition" isn't always better. Understanding these basics can help you feed your herd according to their...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
