16 Uses For Baling Twine

Oh, what a beautiful day it was! 

Peacock Sr

Waking up to sunshine can’t be beat. Add in the welcoming sounds from the animals and a good cup of coffee and you‘ve got a pretty good start to the day. And, its a toss-up as to who is the loudest in the morning. Between the horse, goats, chickens, peafowl and ducks, I think Ducky is the noisiest. In fact, she gets rather excited when she sees me first thing: she sneezes after she quacks. I find this trait of hers funny. Why would a duck sneeze? It made me think of the expression “nothing to sneeze at“ and where it originated. Take a look here because I’m sure you’ll find it quite interesting. I know I did, and now I’m beginning to think Ducky isn’t so cute.

Ducky & Dizzy

Trouble & Sandy sunbathing

As I sat in the sunshine for a bit this afternoon untangling baling twine that I refuse to throw away, knotting it together and then winding it onto a hose reel I got to thinking of the reasons why I was taking the time to bother. Well, let me count the ways:

1. Use to tie the lid down when hauling something in a vehicle trunk
2. Make braided lead ropes with clips for the horse, goats, cat, etc
3. Use it to make a straight fence line, seed rows or plant a straight line of bushes
4. Weave a floor cloth
5. Tie newspaper bundles
6. Crochet a rug
7. Use it to tie packages.
8. Make a fish net
9. Use it for temporary clothesline
10. Use it for tying down tarps 
11. Hang the chicken feeder
12. Use it for tying down tents
13. Make a string trellis for morning glories
14. Use it for string beans to climb
15. Use wood and baling twine to make a trellis panel
16. Use several strands together to make a hammock

I’m sure there are more uses, and I know there are some who would consider my reel of twine an eccentric habit. But it got me to wondering if anyone else would use my reel of baling twine after I’m gone. Naturally, I will leave it to my son. And I would hope he would gladly use it and think of me. But who would use it after him? He and his wife don’t have any children. Who is going to remember it was me that started that reel of twine? And why am I thinking of this baling twine as one of the two things I'd be leaving to posterity? Do I really want to be remembered as that crazy old woman who had a reel of twine and a sneezing duck?

"It's Okay"

The mournful cry made my heart ache. It made me want to pick him up and tell him "It's okay - you'll be alright tomorrow". But how do I know that? Because they say time heals all things. And to believe that is easier said than done at the exact time the hearts of both mother and child are breaking.

I had the chance to catch Peacock Junior (now over 6 months of age) this afternoon in the peafowl pen. He didn't like the experience one bit! I didn't expect him to, and I anticipated a fight on my hands. After a couple of minutes and a few tail feathers missing (his, not mine) I had him under my arm in order to band him with last years color (red for 2013). But there was another reason I wanted to catch him. For one thing, Peacock Senior was pestering Junior every chance he got. And, I also felt it was time for him to go in with the other peachick, who is also in with the chickens. By doing this he gets accustomed to the way of the chickenhood so when I let the chickens out to free range he will follow their habit of going in to roost at night.

What I did not anticipate was the heart-wrenching cries between mother and son. It made me feel like a heel. I actually went out to the chicken house to see if my presence, at least, would sooth Junior. Yeah, right! What was I thinking? He couldn't care less that my heart was breaking too. So, I stood there like an idiot watching him pace back and forth; both mother and son refusing to go to roost because things weren't the way they were supposed to be. So, back into the house I went, listening all the while to the sad cries from the chickenhood.

So, we'll see if tomorrow is any better for Junior. It's not like he can't see mom - there is only a screen door between the two. But, for tonight I have to resist the urge to lug my rocker and a baby blanket out to the chicken house and cuddle Junior until he falls asleep. If he only knew just how much better that would make me feel.