From cults to corn: weighing in on a number of topics.

COUNTRYSIDE: Here are a few bits of feedback maybe, hopefully, you can use.

* "Community or cult?" My family and I are "very" familiar with the group now known as "Twelve Tribes." We first met them over 25 years ago. I never like to speak ill of anyone, however, this is a group to definitely be wary of. Friends of ours actually had to have the state police intervene in order to get back their three underage children who had been taken without consent. We also know many families that have been split by this group over the years. Please, be careful.

* "What's wrong with their corn stove?" While the stove itself may be the problem, some aspects are the same for corn stoves as for woodstoves. Maybe you've already eliminated these things but here goes anyway. As with woodstoves, chimney height can affect the burn. If you're not getting a good draft it will go out, especially in warmer weather. Also banking (as with coal) and moisture content can be factors.

* "Boer/Nubian births?" Our Nubian doe has been bred with a Boer buck and given birth at least three times now. We have never had any problems. She has always had easy births with the Boer/Nubian kids and they have always been healthy. Just to let you know, the buck is a very large Boer and our doe is very small, as Nubians go. We actually like the mix except the does don't give as much milk as the pure Nubian.

* "Cutting wood with an axe?" My personal opinion is find somebody with experience to show you. I learned from my grandfather and I'm basically convinced that you can't really learn how from a book. For axes and other related tools here are a few resources I've found: Bailey's at www.baileys-online.com; Tamarack Log Building Tools, Inc., P.O. Box 120783, New Brighton, MN 55112; and Crosscut Saw Company, P.O. Box 787, Seneca Falls, NY 13148; [e-mail].

Enjoy the country!