Forums:

Under Blue Sky The Life of a Herdsman

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 7 years ago

8
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I promised someone I would tell my story so here it is.A life of a herdsman.

I have been silent for too long.
Where our you from?I was born in Pittsburgh Steeler Country.
I cam from Montana.
How do you like it here?
I like it here.
These our the questions yo will hear in the desert.
They our good conversation starters I have learned.
My mother is a teacher now retired.
My father was an electrician now in prison.due to get out soon.I give alot of credit to my uncle Eugene"Geno" A vietnam Vet.He is a strong figure who raised me.
I was born 141 am the house I was raised in was on 141 Victoria.There is a 100 acre family farm we would go there often.I have fond memories of that place I was taught many things there.So much plant diversity in the North East.
Alot of tree species.----
To be continued--------

23844625_1973902322933072_3492860943238859653_n.jpg

24058836_1973902456266392_7749552985192847714_n.jpg

23905289_1973903702932934_1364041896730165283_n.jpg

24129739_1973903869599584_8109837390743347564_n.jpg

27750284_2101552250131460_8067918175603139798_n.jpg

The little engine that could.
NomadicRanch
Bionoculars,Cast Iron skillets,crock pots,Military gear/shovelsWoodworking tools,Rugged Cameras,rechargeable flashlights,Solar technology,tents,pack saddles,well made backpacks send to Benjamin Skiba p.o.box 1132 Teec Nos Pos Az 86514 items benefit sheepherders and surrounding community will be distributed

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 7 years ago

5
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I had a troubled adolescence growing up with out a father.I could only hear his voice on the phone.I drank,did drugs as most youth do.was destructive.I did not enjoy high school and often left after 2nd period which was art class.I would walk to the park and rose garden near by and play in the woods.I am thankful for my mothers driving force or "naggig"as it is sometimes called.She motivated me to get my G.E.D. and drivers license.I had a job off and on since I was 15.First I dishwashed.worked at horse camp at my aunts work.I really like being outside and by the river.Me and my friends would go camp by the river and get drunk,fish and build forts.I will never forget you Ricky.you left too soon.I realized one day after working this job or that job I wanted to work outside.I did odd jobs and landscaping for friends and family members.One day my mom told me about Bidwell training center.A grant program free school.(if you look hard enough there is free school out there.)They had a horticulture program.I took a test and was accepted.I hardly missed a day.(maybe 3 days being sick)I would show up early.Leave at 4am to beat traffic and wait till 7:30 when the school doors open.Often walking on the river trail.For once in my life I completed all my homework.It was mostly hands on and they helped me along the way.They even had a hydroponic set up and were growing orchids in a 2 acre greenhouse in the city.They took us on field trips every 2 weeks.I made many good friends.I graduated moved to the family farm and got a job at a tree nursery.

23795658_1973903992932905_5563603360727109117_n.jpg

23905197_1595478060474841_6796538631551879630_n.jpg

26169985_10155747357180485_3445011844062030353_n.jpg

24294379_10102209383659347_139094739368499435_n.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 7 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I hit some bumps in the road in between here and there.Started gardening and planting trees on the farm.I was introduced to was introduced to masanbu fukwoaka sepp holzer and bill mollison thanks to my friend andy who sat behind me.Worked at a landscape company.fell in love once or twice and out.I was gardening hardcore at this point.had a 20 by 40 foot patch.I volunteered with an organization called Quiet creek. They our a positive force in my life.they taught me many things and provided me with postive reinforcement.instead of debby downing me like some peers do.(People places things people move the hell away.)We went mushroom picking,planting maple groves,blueberry picking,gardening,soap making,herb walks,herbal medicine,bread making,worm composting.The list goes on and on.I still talk to them to this day.The families sons would teach me many things as well while riding unicycles climbing trees and running thru the woods.I was reading heavy masanobu fukowa ruth stout,ben law at this point.I was putting the words into practice.I had noone to share it with at home though.I ran across a website called permies.I was reading things on there,studying and experimenting.They had this thing called ant village where this kid named Evan and his friend Kai were doing all kinds of cool things.Building houses,gardening,Shooting weasels with arrows and eating them.I thought man I wanna do that.I was working at a railroad tie plant and finally one day I said i'm going.I put in a months notice,bought my bus ticket and packed my bags.I had never seen such high mountains,grasslands and snow covered peaks.The blackhills in south dakota were alien to me.Somewhere in South Dakota a guy got all drunk and started screaming.Then he did dust angels in the dirt outside the bus.The driver left him there and called the law.Evan and kai picked me up from the bus station and the rest is history.I arrived at ant village ready to work.I followed Kai and Evan around like a puppy dog.Sometimes they didnt know what to do with me.They would say maybe go help so and so.Take it easy bro your still on the clock.I think a couple of days after staying there I was invited on a cruise to see mike Oehlers place.The underground house builder.It was amazing.I had never seen anything like it before in my life.There were hobbit houses carved into the hillsides and a mansion on the ridge.I was invited on many more expeditions to other places which maybe ill cover later?

30762827_10156024064105485_6938093442723479552_n.jpg

30714549_10156011663030485_7438462020380262400_n.jpg

30715296_10156011664460485_7290009550990606336_n.jpg

28575930_2030023177320986_817264199529232887_n.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 7 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

maybe i won't who knows?Eventually the boys decided I should build a house on Josh's plot.So I set to work building a house.I had a alot of help from Gappers and ants alike and built a house just in time while also helping others.(You get burnt out you know gotta walk away from the project sometimes and also have fun.Go swim in the river.Pick Huckleberries.)Paul and Jocelyn our the owners of this homestead and basecamp.Paul is eccentric a man of alot of ideas.Jocelyn for me is a motherly figure.We call her Saint Jocelyn.I talk to Paul mostly about Dune,some science fiction.Sometimes if he's in the mood he'll play a game.I talk to Jocelyn about gardening,help cooking.We listen to music.Alot of potlucks and many fine memories.Two houses and a kitchen later.Lots of square dancing and dumpster diving with Fred the pecan shaman and lord of the dance floor.(Sometimes i think he leaves trails of fire he's so fast.)Lots of interesting characters passing thru from the states and across the ocean.(Let it be known tim the australian finally had his first squirrel compliments of the strawhat.)For personal reasons,a crazy women and wild fires.I got a job in town working day labor.One day I was talking to a wise man on the phone and he says If your work you might as well do something you like.So Every landscaper I see working in town I start asking if there hiring.Finally a guy calls me and says I heard your looking for work do you want the job?Yes when can I start? Monday.So I work all over Missoula and in some other counties even at an airport.All te while dealing with crazy women.While in the hospital with her one day I say what do I want to do with myself?I want to herd and shear sheep!

20180620_131348.jpg

20180622_192518.jpg

20180620_180805.jpg

20180607_081004.jpg

20180616_190921.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 7 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I contact several organizations.Dine Be Iina gets back to me.They put me in touch with a very talented individual pretty much family and close friend Roy.Roy is a fiber artist a weaver,felter,shearer,and herder.You name it he's done it.A damn good cook too.He drives an old beatu ford truck.He's gotta little dog named tsilly.Raises sheep and goats on a 2 acre farm.He teachs me the ins and outs of everything.How to cook.How to herd sheep.How to shear.How to set up a loom.How to tell which direction your going.(I have a broken compass I still get lost driving.Not walking though interesting enough.I think maybe driving is too fast paced for me.)I am taken to many events called spin offs.Where people get together and teach each other crafts.I learn knitting from my friend Rose.(Rose is also a badass farmer I didnt even know.)I am fed well.(I can eat for 10 people.)I have the desert and mesa pretty much to myself.although I share it with wild horses,coyotes,foxes,jack rabbitshorn toads and the like.I herd everywhere around.I am invited to many family events.I am invitred to meetings and various occasions.Roy,his sister and I sometimes go see a movie.Especially if it's starwars.His sister will go see a chickflick.My neighbor Rozz often comes over for coffee.She was retired but now has a little job in town.We move the sheep and goats up to the summer pasture.It is about a 25-30 mile hike.We split it into two days and setup basecamp and corral at base of mountain.It is a struggle and feer our sore but we make it to the sheep camp triumphant.This is my home for the next four months.I don't want to leave.Just give me a women,a horse and a yurt and I will stay.We have a huge party when we make it up the mountain with lots of food and mutton.My friend butchers.We help clean it.I am full beyond full and take 2 naps.Everybody packs up leaves the next morning.It is quiet.My new neighbors our wild horses,mountain lions,bears,squirrels,rabbits,blue birds, paw patrol seven dogs,cows and sheep goats.It is quiet here.I like it that way.I often talk to my mom in the morning.Sometimes I talk to my friends which is good.The mountain doesn't allow me to talk while herding sheep.Its my signal off and ends my calls.It is alive and it allows my to be here.I truly believe that.My friend Roy visits from time to time.WE laugh and carry on with whoever decides to join him.I have grown as a person out and have many more friends.They our good to me.They give me food,water,shelter,tell jokes,make me laugh.Text me and ask me how im doing.I miss the strawhats I call or text and pester them from time to time.My Mecca is Mongolia.I get whatever library book I can get my hands on and read about it.Sometimes I watch youtube when I can.I will live there someday and herd sheep on horse like here.This is my story.My history.I have shortened it there our many chapters missing but I don't want to bore you.I want to keep up with the present not the past.I have been told I should share my story so I wil.Maybe you will learn something from it?Maybe I will learn something from it?

29683745_1644080008981224_2614870381102203404_n.jpg

34962595_10156137430035485_701114262445096960_n.jpg

28685114_2030026573987313_7608026532243058562_n.jpg

26230820_1998456010477703_1577354922696034009_n.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 5 years ago

5
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

vaccinations and helping setting up a loom.Life has been a whirlwind.I want to try and document some of it again to share experience.Planting in the field now and soon sheep will migrate from 5000 feet to 9000 feet.

94186749_10157842670740485_808050233626853376_o.jpg

93687070_10157845914520485_6056912388630773760_n.jpg

93674993_10157845914425485_5900680075610685440_n.jpg

94436044_10157842670835485_8154659237306302464_o.jpg

94377497_10157845914365485_7130873865848225792_n.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 5 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Sheared some sheep then proceeded to make the wool into some felt.Felted scarf and felted soap.My friend Hoofy wild mustang I caught in the wild started training myself with some mentorship from my great cowboy friend Mr.Smiley.

95988761_1676851675787041_3169548704667402240_n.jpg

96118003_1676851765787032_3853688513329364992_n.jpg

84668212_2604162379907060_6098423303381188608_n.jpg

84285502_2603314536658511_8061657647566290944_n.jpg

78715975_2453002234956576_977598684726296576_n.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 5 years ago

5
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Just before Corona virus outbreak I had a visit from some Badass Strawhats.( I have edited the photo out of respect when your a space pirate you must be anonymous.)Roy Kai me and taco libre.Without the friendship of these men I would not be where I am at today.They have literally given me the clothes off their backs. Sent me seeds to plant,gave me beso,gifts Drove me to see my family in Pennsylvania and have come visited me At home.My son Zo a gift from the gods.When you have children it really changes your perspective on life. will be here we have always been here.I hear all the time I'm just here Kno.Planted blue corn today.Next week we will plant yellow corn.Then the following week we will plant copper corn.

Evantokairoy.jpg

96085101_163350308547235_1117418355750338560_n.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 5 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Hello fellow permies I am in need of some research material for my next project.The Construction of a ger.I want to build a ger for my family to live in.we currently stay in a small rv do to coronavirus no way to heat it this winter(can't build permanent structure.).I feel that a ger will help my family tremendously.If you'd like to help in my cause donate this books or any information on building gers.Anybody willing to help send to P.O.Box 1132 Ben Skiba Teec Nos Pos Arizona.Thank you and I hope your growing season is going well.

TheCompleteYurtHandbook
MongolianCloudHouses

Thomas A. Cahan

Posts: 70

posted 4 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

.... Thank You for telling your story.... it has helped this reader more than words can express.

... it is a comfort and reassurance to hear another person's story - in their own words - at a time when the world seems to have come apart.

... looking forward to the next chapter - Best Wishes....

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 4 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Thank you Thomas for your words of encouragement.It has given me inspiration to continue spinning my story.Life gets really busy sometimes.

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 4 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

So the raw thoughts our spun into yarn,the yarn into chapters the book a weaving.This is from october of 2019.Taking the sheep down.I trained a wild mustang by the name of hoofy.I trailed the sheep up with him.When I got up on the mountain I corralled him.He was busted out the corral by some wild horses.My friend was able to get the halter off of him.Afterwards I was able to walk up too him two times.The first time I rubbed some herbs in a cut he had received from escaping.The second time I walked up to him my friend was able to capture this picture.I never saw him again.We spent majority of the summer at sheep camp in a canvas tent.We hung out with a cool sheepherder from connecticut named Lucas who was going to the mariines after herding sheep for the summer.Inbetween we built forts and helped herd sheep.My mother even came to visit for awhile to see her grandson.It was good we stayed up there and brought family members up to the mountain who havent lived or seen the traditional way in quiet sometime.Some pictures of sheepherders,Some strawhats that hitchhiked a ride to take sheep back down.Some fall scenes of the mountain.I'll post somemore tomorrow.May the spring rains bring you bountyful harvests.Thank you my friends.

FB_IMG_1611800323559.jpg

FB_IMG_1605825892792.jpg

FB_IMG_1605825899475.jpg

FB_IMG_1605825886531.jpg

FB_IMG_1605825926607.jpg

FB_IMG_1605825944703.jpg

FB_IMG_1605825952700.jpg

FB_IMG_1605826885142.jpg

FB_IMG_1605826958176.jpg

FB_IMG_1605827162424.jpg

FB_IMG_1605827028699.jpg

FB_IMG_1605827150472.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 4 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

We went for a hike into the mountain to a secret location where we harvested turquise.It's somewhat chalky when raw.We stabilized it with chemicals.Then later we cut it.Then proceeded to polish it.This is done with a tile saw blade and polishing wheel pictured below.We ended up with a green turquise.It was awesome hunting for the turquise.There our many stones that can be made into jewelry and warn.Turquise carries a special meaning out here in SouthWest.To be continued.

IMG_20201008_121901.jpg

IMG_20201008_121911.jpg

IMG_20201008_145804.jpg

IMG_20201008_145817.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 4 years ago

5
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

During the summer a mother horse died and her colt was running around her corpse.A friend was able to catch the colt and asked me if I wanted it.I had just lost the black horse Hoofy earlier that summer so I agreed.I met him and his mom half way up the road with my horse trailer.My friend had him tied up in the back of the truck like a sheep.We put him in the horse trailer and untied him.He was pretty beat up and in bad shape.I took him to our house and called around asking how to bottlefeed.I drove down the road to one of my sheepherder brother's and borrowed some milk mix for baby colts.He has twice now rescued orphanned colts.He instructed me how to mix the milk gave me a big bottle to use and I nursed the little guy back to health.my son first time on horseback.My friend who caught him named him PonyBoy.

IMG_20201022_072150_HDR.jpg

IMG_20201022_072119_HDR.jpg

20200818_110852.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 4 years ago

8
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Sometimes I don't know what to say to people so I say nothing.Other times I rant away like a chatter box.I think it's ok to be quiet.We our so used to noise and hustle and bustle.It scares us when we our quiet.it's ok.Everything is ok.My lady,kids and I our going to school for 5 months my lady is taking silversmith i'm taking horse shoeing.When I arrived I couldnt trim a horse.I couldnt nail a shoe on.I could ride alright thats about it.I'm glad I have patient teachers who dont get upset with my slow learning process.Today I shoed a horse completely by myself and im proud of it.Another level I feel like goku dragonballz.Never stop learning keep leveling up in life.

hoof2.jpg

hoof3.jpg

hoof1.jpg

hoof5.jpg

hoof7.jpg

hooft6.jpg

hoof8.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 4 years ago

8
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Forged a knife today out of an old rasp file.Just gotta put it on the grinding wheel to sharpen it then drill holes in handle.I'll post when I make some more progress.I keep reaching for a knife but don't have one.Why go to the store when I can make one!My teacher has taught me the basics of blakcsmithing.I also learned some welding.It opens up your eyes to the possiblities.Like I can make pretty much any tool I use.Not to mention wood chisels and gouges.Froes for making shingles etc.I heard the first thunder just the other day.They say once the you hear the first thunder the bears our up,the snakes our up,and anything else that hybernates no more winter stories.alot of people our starting seedlings and getting beds ready.The first signnnns of spring.To be continued.

cart1.jpg

cart2.jpg

cart3.jpg

cart4.jpg

cart5.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 4 years ago

7
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

We went on a family trip to bosque redondo.The long walk.Fort Summer.Not a happy place for my lady and daughter and sons tribe.But in this place of great sorrow.They have built a museum and have Navajo Churro sheep.I was told later by an elder really your not supposed to visit.We did somethings to counter the negativity of the place said prayers and such afterwards.I wanted my daughter to learn some history and understand what the longwalk ment.Perhaps when she's only I can explain.We went on springbreak for a week from school.So we traveled back home.I was spotted at the trading post and asked to chainsaw some wood for several people.Sometimes i feel like a living legend.
Well I hope all of you our enjoying your journey.Spring is near and alot of folks our starting seedlings.Good time to read some chapters in Sepp Holzer's books.Do some grafting,plant some saplings.

IMG_20210228_173307.jpg

IMG_20210312_142305.jpg

IMG_20210312_142256.jpg

IMG_20210312_142502.jpg

IMG_20210312_145947.jpg

IMG_20210312_151722.jpg

Thomas A. Cahan

Posts: 70

posted 4 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

... Thank You for the update; always looking forward to them... hope You and Family are doing well.

.... read the Tony Hillerman series years ago; very enchanting and informative.... always wondered if the Dine still kept the old ways, and strove to 'Walk in Beauty'; hopefully so.....

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 4 years ago

7
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

It's a struggle to keep traditional ways but still have the modern world.One of the biggest challenges is technology.Computers,phones.Perhaps going to a remote location without service once a week could help with this?Alot of the youth aren't learning the language or practicing alot of traditions.But Some are.I even know some that grew up without the traditional ways but have learned them.Have learned the language.There is hope.The culture is still here.Hopefully in 100 years it will still be here.They have adapted to many things.I don't think the Dine people will go away.They will adapt and hopefully always carry their identity.

I had a strange dream about wheaton labs.They had got the well drilled on the lab.It is very successful.Lots of ponds,Food forests.Giant apricot trees,and peaches.flora and fauna.I was walking with some faces that I remember and they were showing me the many things they have accomplished.Not to brag but because they were excited to share with me the beauty of the land.I thought it was interesting.I have roots here now but I wish the folks there much success.Hopefully I can visit one day.I'm always forgetting to take pictures because i'm to focused on the moment.It's good to have friends and family that our photographers.The mighty Zo all decked out.

-B

142739473_2924420301214598_8370155552925719947_n.jpg

155122691_1935816813223858_7053336431898952563_n.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 4 years ago

6
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Silversmithed some bezzels last night for a cuff bracelet.Ria's drawing and mountain times.Four more weeks of school then back home.I'm trying to open some doors and see what happens put myself out there.It's hard to come out of your defensively fortified turtle shell sometimes.Well enjoy your day.

bezzels.jpg

riadrawing.jpg

benjackie.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 4 years ago

7
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

My horses look like cows.Finished my bracelet last night.All iced out and protected from the witches.Have a good day.

172715257_2983708515285776_779390782757747273_n.jpg

173246721_2983708541952440_4509103540952100028_n.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 4 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Hoof locusts."But the arch destroyers are the shepherds, with their flocks of hoofed locusts, sweeping over the ground like a fire, and trampling down every rod that escapes the plow as completely as if the whole plain were a cottage garden-plot without a fence."

I actually believe if you manage your animals properly you can heal the land.Horses bring rain in some traditions.I've been told part of the reason is all the boundaries and fences.People used to be able to migrate far and wide.coming back to the land when it had rested.The hooves from the buffalo,antelope would till the soil.Now a days animals our trapped and over graze.

hooffff.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

5
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Wake up before the sun.Greet the sun.Give the twilight an offering.Where to start where to start.I have been so busy.Thanks to some permaculture people I now have a camera to document the circle I call a life.Spring is just around the corner even in the dark of winter I have been busy as can be.If you suffer from the winter blues like I sometimes do don't worry spring is right around the corner keep yourself busy you got this.I have been hand crafting alot of items wool/felt ,welding horseshoes,taking care of livestock (sheep,horses,donkeys)trading livestock , cutting wood for the community.It never ends It's good.I feel reborn in a sense.Refreshed by the beginning of spring. Shout out to Oni for the camera thanks brotha I appreciate your love and support. So we continue the saga of a herdsman hope yall our ready for a new wave.

100_0019.JPG

100_0020.JPG

100_0021.JPG

100_0001.JPG

100_0046.JPG

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Breathe in the cold air.Wake up.Wake up Slowly i pull myself from the darkness.I bust of this cocoon i call a sleepingbag.Stretch.Don't be hard on yourself.If you accomplish one thing on your list today you our still a superhero.Can't do everything in one day.Today We prepare a fiest for my daughters birthday.Gonna cook some fresh mutton,blue corn and who else knows whats on the menu.It's gonna be epic. Sharpening a chainsaw, harvesting red ochre, an impromptu livestock rack.Yall have a good day out there.If you accomplish one thing on your list today you have still achieved something.Keeppp on a movinnnnnnn.

100_0009.JPG

100_0014.JPG

100_0015.JPG

100_0012.JPG

100_0013.JPG

100_0011.JPG

100_0010.JPG

100_0008.JPG

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Had to run over the hill and cut down a juniper tree for barbaqueing.Had a heck of a party for my daughter yesterday.The food was amazing.Blue corn mush.Mutton dumpling stew.Mutton ribs.Fries. She just took a few little nibbles and played with all her cousin brothers an sisters haha.The party was more for the adults.Today we go to the trampoline park which was here request.

100_0018.JPG

100_0019.JPG

100_0021.JPG

100_0023.JPG

100_0004.JPG

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

My neighbor came over and asked me to haul a goat.I forgot to take a picture of him.He's a redish colored billy.So we went to a sheepherder we know and took that goat with us.I was playing around with a little colt he had rescued when it was abandoned.Then we came back and my friend loaded his tubbaware containers with some mutton stew and blue corn mush.Don't wanna waste food better to give it away then for it to spoil in the fridge.Now home again gonna mess with some horses for a bit then get some more horseshoe's prepped to sell for horseshoe hangers and various items.That's todays adventure.

100_0013.JPG

100_0010.JPG

100_0008.JPG

100_0030.JPG

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

5
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

PonyBoy The mighty the legendary.Rescued as a young lad in the mountain range by a sheepherder by the name of Benjamin Mutton.He is a sturdy steed a Navajo War Horse.Herding the sheep and going many miles thru the desert without water. I should right a fantasy book about the epic adventures of Ponyboy.I think in the real life chapter of ponyboy we last left off he was being bottle fed.It's been 2 years now.He is Ride able. I ride him all over the place.To the store,to the neighbors house,to the mini hogan.He is actually a better horse then the gelding I have.No hard feelings Chevy.Chevy is the brown gelding in the pictures.He showed up a day later after i had to put the companion horse of Ponyboy Shadow down.She colic-ed and there was no saving her so rather then an expensive vet bill I put her down.The next day a group of horses showed up almost to consul Ponyboy.I caught one and named him Chevy.Later On me and a cowboy friend of mine castrated him.Ponyboy's family jewels remain in tacked.Somehow he is a calmer horse then Chevy despite being a stud.

I wander if anyone would seriously be interested in a Southwest fantasy novel? Lemme know your thoughts if your out there reading this from a space station or distant planet.Have a good day permies.Get that one task a day in.

KIMG0033.JPG

261673045_619425685772379_4936087213125788404_n.jpg

100_0028.JPG

100_0030.JPG

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Greetings fellow earthlings. Last night I had to do earthling things today. First I took a steel rod out of my tire because it kept losing pressure.Put a nice little plug in there.The butcher sheephide which I have to tan and smoke.I listed somethings for my family on ebay and actually got a sale woohoo.Nothing like commerce on the web.Hey it's a good way to continue a pastural life without a 9-5.Don't be fooled though I still Have a 9-5 at the moment.A man has to when he has children.Last night I took off in the ride in anticipation of a big snowstorm.At the moment Im doing snow removal as ranching isn't paying the bills.Pretty soon shearing season will start though and I should be pretty alright.Things our coming along good they just take more time then we want to.It would be nice not to struggle one day though.A man grows tired.Especially for those of us who have struggled as children.It makes you hungry.I a m torn between two worlds.The culture of my sons people and the culture of the western world.The culture of enjoying life and the culture of money.I've ranted about this before.It's just such an inner turmoil for me.It seems there our two options.Live free with little or no money go where you please on foot or on horseback or solar vehicles.Become free buy your freedom by having enough bankroll to do whatever you want without being outcast by society and being a "responsible adult".The second is somewhat peer pressure as well.This is all part of being a man though a true man.You must do what you don't want to do for the betterment of your family.If you our a single individual it is alittle easier to sail the world in a moneyless manifesto like our friend Mark Boyle.Which is a good read by the way.Applied to teach two wool festivals on felting.Got approved for one on a positive note.I share with you in the hopes that it will help someone else out there struggling internally with these thoughts but unable to voice them.

100_0027.JPG

100_0026.JPG

100_0033.JPG

100_0001.JPG

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Some of the things we've been making as of recent.Ghost bead jewelry and horse shoe hangers.Alittle bit each day goes along way just keep on keepin on and pluggin away.

DSCN5397.JPG

100_0024.JPG

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Carding some wool this morning for trading/selling and making of felted goods.

317606445_534892564942399_469710009663641466_n.jpg

318110619_3476328379319461_3116526462663015335_n.jpg

318183722_841080530560895_5115034300453283572_n.jpg

318228286_1687828448285383_4104510617038946689_n.jpg

317518226_6480519641974569_3097570069656136801_n.jpg

317849994_690352052718369_7464937320492249966_n.jpg

318087971_851710265948638_6691252401251363101_n.jpg

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

The gods have finally graced us with some snow out here.Some say an elderly women put a curse on this land not to receive moisture.Just over the hill in colorado they get the moisture that's where the barrier seems to be.I think it more likely has something to do with the uranium mines and the coal plant.Destroyed the water table.I believe the land can be healed.I think it would take some heavy earthworks or alot of people working on the ground to make it better.Sadly my community is stuck in there ways and won't support a big move like this.Also majority is elderly so even if they wanted to they cant.My friend a warrior buddhist monk who travels the world doing permaculture suggested I start small in a wash by my friends house where a natural spring still runs.Then work my way up towards the water source.The natural pump the mountain.I think there's a big reason people used to (out here they still do) pray to the gods or nature spirits.The mountains our alive and our natural water pumps.Life exists and flows from the heavens and continues all the way to the low lands.There's also something to be said about rain catchment.My plan if I can get the funds(2300$ for a 2000 gallon black water tank) Is to put a gardenshed/greenhouse structure at the farm and catch the seasonal rain run off to farm.We used to get enough snow from the mountain that the water would flow almost year round all the way to the river.I believe it still does but has since retreated underground.Well these our my thoughts for the day.Have a good day permies.

302210523_3367493230240634_3551658442548348527_n.jpg

100_0004.JPG

100_0005.JPG

100_0007.JPG

100_0008.JPG

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

It's not much but it's our home.My father in-law left me with some guidelines for our home.He said Nothing permit it must be able to move.So this was a challenge for me.My gears turned.How can I heat something with would but the structure is mobile?I kept looking at sheepherder wagons thinking to myself this could work.I also would love to have a yurt as to me this is the ultimate nomadic structure.I ended up going with the sheepherder wagon style.I found a trailer on marketplace for 1200.Drove it back with my truck.I then Connected it to the rv we were living in.I call it Navajo Meow Wolf.On a side note if your ever in Denver/Sante fe/Los Vegas/Austin Texas. Go check out Meow Wolf it's amazing art exhibit.So this is the solution I came up with.If I were able to build a permanent I would definitively go with strawbale or an earthen structure as I have seen first hand the capabilities.I have seen mike oehler structure's,wofati's,cob houses,and strawbale. They in my opinion our all warm in the winter if you have a heat source(I've seem some with solar gain that heat up during the day.They our all nice and cool in the summer.Why live in a tin can that's hot in the summer and cold in the winter?Make's no sense.Unfortunately I am stuck in some limitations at the moment.So This is my solution.Rise and overcome.To every problem there is a solution.Seems like for me I fail 9 times and get it right on the 10th.My dad always says I'm not smarter then you son I'm older then you.

KIMG0062.JPG

single wide mobile home connecting to RV

KIMG0063.JPG

KIMG0058.JPG

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Yesterday I took a hike on top the mesa.You think the desert is desolate.But it is such a unique biome.On top the mesa is different then down below by the house.It is grassy.There our still junipers.Down by the river is completely different cotton woods,russian olive,different rocks,minerals.Up the road at my friends house is completely different farmland plowed,fruit orchards.A natural spring with a few surviving oak trees.Pictures of some wild horses.The tiny yurt/I call now the mini hogan.I am still in the works to sew blue jeans to make a canvas cover then it will be a yurt.I am also in the works to make another model since I made that one permanent .

100_0003.JPG

100_0004.JPG

100_0005.JPG

100_0006.JPG

100_0015.JPG

100_0048.JPG

100_0050.JPG

100_0045.JPG

100_0047.JPG

Ben Skiba

pioneer

Posts: 213

Location: Herding farming god of travel and fast horses.Holy fool.

I like...

posted 2 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

picture of sheep is during the sheepwalk from utah to arizona mountain.Some pictures of some projects i'm starting.Horse shoe coat hangers/salt and pepper holder,a project order for a latch for a horse trailer.Wood for a bucksaw packsaddle.Just been alittle I'm trying to make it a point to keep posting and document this wild life.Will make some soap soon for the open market.Trying to become financially independent sometimes I just wanna quit my job but Im trying to hold out as long as possible while getting my own businesses going.The constant struggle of an old soul in a modern world.I go round and round with this.Two types of freedom philosophy.There's the so much money you can do what you want independence then there is the moneyless manifesto.anyways keep chippin away permies you'll get there.

Screenshot_20230226_030705.png

100_0002.JPG

100_0001.JPG

100_0003.JPG

Bridget Evab

Posts: 29

posted 1 year ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

How is it going Ben? Hope the last year has been prosperous for your family.

He puts the "turd" in "saturday". Speaking of which, have you smelled this tiny ad?

Learn Permaculture through a little hard work

https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp