New to Pungo

We are new to Pungo, having lived in this area of Virginia Beach for only a couple years.  Before coming out this way, we were warned that it is a hard community to move to.  Rumor has it that people in Pungo don't welcome "outsiders," and maybe it is true with some.  Living in the Creeds area of Pungo, we have found just the opposite.  It may be that, coming from country bloodlines, we fit in a bit easier.  It could be that, having grown up in the country as a child, this life came easy.   Whatever the reason, moving out here felt like coming home.  This place is like being in an old book; it is so wonderful, that it seems like it could be fiction!  I am starting this blog as a way of keeping a journal of our experiences.  Even if I am the only one to read it, I want to record this incredible journey.

Introductions:  "We" is composed of:

My husband, Dan, and me, Jane

Our children:

Caleb

Lucas

Rebecca

And our plethora of pets - a dog, 3 cats, 2 horses, chickens, guinea hens, and 3 new ducklings.

Last year was hectic and a struggle to get things done, built, and planted.  It was a great time of learning.  This year's challenges have become easier as we learn more about what to expect of our selves, our animals, and our property.  Last year we bought a shed and converted it into a chicken coop, hired someone to build a barn, hired someone to put in posts for a horse fence, and planted fruit trees. Then we learned about raising chickens, handling predators (we have a lot from hawks and owls to foxes and the occasional coyote), deer who eat baby trees, drainage issues, surveying, and how to build our own damn fence and structures. As a result of our knowledge, this year we have dug a ditch, installed electric netting and pinwheels to deter predators, moved our horse fence off of the neighbor's property, started composting, and plan to build a carport for our tractor and add more fencing to protect our sticks that were once trees.

Should be fun!