When it comes to livestock, goats have a lot going for them for homesteaders. Smaller, cheaper, and easier to handle compared to cows, and not quite as nasty or destructive as pigs, goats occupy a neat middle ground and can still furnish you with plenty of meat and milk for your own family or as ... Read more
American LaMancha Goats for Homesteaders can be read in full at New Life On A Homestead- Be sure to check it out!
Hantavirus: What It Is, how it spreads, and how to protect your family. Here’s a plain-language post to help you understand hantavirus, recognize the risks, and take simple steps to keep your household safe. Most people go their entire lives without thinking about hantavirus. Then a news story surfaces about a confirmed case, and suddenly the questions come flooding in. What exactly is hantavirus? How do people catch it? Could my family be at risk? This post answers all of those questions in plain, straightforward language so you can feel informed and prepared, not panicked.
When Mark and I lived in Southern Utah, the news would report a few cases of Hantavirus each year. We had desert rats and mice. I can’t forget the cockroaches. We had the outside of our house sprayed monthly, safe or not, I didn’t want dirty cockroaches in my house. We did have traps for the rats and mice, and our home was meticulously clean, as was our yard. These critters want to “nest” when the time is right. When you live in the desert, you get used to desert rats and mice; we took over their terrain if you think about it. We had to have a special group come and get rid of desert rats that had made a home in my pool toy container, which held life jackets; they had a heyday shredding them.
It wasn’t until I saw that Gene Hackman and his wife may have had Hatavirus that I thought about writing this post. Gene Hackman’s Wife BBC Article. Then this week, a cruise line had a Hantavirus infestation, with 3 deaths so far. Here is one article,
European Center for Disease Prevention and Control
Hantavirus is a family of viruses carried primarily by wild rodents. The virus doesn’t make the rodents themselves visibly sick, which is part of what makes it tricky from a public health perspective. Instead, infected rodents shed the virus in their urine, droppings, and saliva throughout their lives. Humans can become infected when they come into contact with these materials, most often by inhaling airborne particles.
There are several strains of hantavirus found around the world. In North and South America, the strain that causes the most serious illness is known as Sin Nombre virus, which leads to a condition called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). In parts of Europe and Asia, different strains cause a related but distinct condition called Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS). This article focuses primarily on the North American context and HPS.
Key fact: Hantavirus isn’t a new disease. It’s likely existed for centuries, but it was first formally identified and described by scientists in the United States in 1993 during an outbreak in the Four Corners region of the Southwest (Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico).
In North America, the primary carrier of the Sin Nombre hantavirus strain is the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), a small, large-eared rodent with a white belly that’s common across much of the continent. Other rodent species can carry different hantavirus strains, including the white-footed mouse, the cotton rat, and the rice rat.
Not every wild mouse or rat carries hantavirus. Infection rates in rodent populations vary significantly by region and by season. However, because you can’t tell by looking at a rodent whether it’s infected, it’s wise to treat all wild rodents and their traces as potentially hazardous. Hantavirus isn’t known to be carried by common household pets such as dogs and cats. It’s also not carried by insects, birds, or livestock.
The most common way a person contracts hantavirus is by inhaling tiny airborne particles contaminated with the virus. This happens when dried rodent urine, droppings, or nesting materials are disturbed, causing particles to become airborne. Sweeping out a dusty shed, cleaning an old cabin that has been closed for months, or moving a pile of wood where mice have nested are all scenarios that can stir up these particles.
Less commonly, a person can be infected by touching something contaminated with rodent secretions and then touching their mouth or nose, or through a bite from an infected rodent. Person-to-person transmission of North American hantavirus strains hasn’t been documented. You can’t catch hantavirus from another sick person, which distinguishes it from many other respiratory illnesses.
Certain activities and settings carry a higher chance of exposure than others. Opening and cleaning a building that has been closed for a long period is one of the most commonly cited risk factors, as mice may have nested inside during the off-season. Agricultural work, camping, and hiking in areas with high rodent populations also increase the risk of exposure. Construction and excavation work can disturb rodent burrows and nesting sites.
One reason hantavirus is taken seriously by public health officials is that Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome can be severe and progress rapidly. Early symptoms, which appear one to five weeks after exposure, can resemble those of influenza and include fatigue, fever, muscle aches (particularly in the large muscle groups of the thighs, hips, back, and shoulders), headaches, dizziness, chills, and sometimes stomach upset.
Four to ten days after the early phase begins, symptoms progress to include coughing and shortness of breath as the lungs fill with fluid. This respiratory phase is the dangerous stage of the illness. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after a known or possible rodent exposure should seek medical care immediately and inform their healthcare provider about the potential exposure.
When to seek help: If you’ve been in an environment with signs of rodent activity and develop fever, fatigue, and difficulty breathing within a few weeks, contact a doctor promptly and mention the possible exposure. Early medical attention is important.
The encouraging news is that hantavirus infection is entirely preventable. Because the virus doesn’t spread through the air between people and requires direct contact with infected rodent materials, following a handful of practical precautions greatly reduces your risk. N-95 Masks, Disposable Gloves.
The single most effective strategy is preventing rodents from entering your living spaces in the first place. Seal any gaps or holes in walls, foundations, and around pipes that are larger than a pencil eraser. Store food, including pet food and birdseed, in sealed metal or heavy plastic containers. Keep firewood stacked away from the house and elevated off the ground. Reduce clutter inside and around the home, as piles of boxes, newspapers, and similar materials create attractive nesting spots.
If you discover signs of rodents in a space such as a garage, storage shed, attic, or vacation cabin, resist the urge to sweep or vacuum immediately. Dry sweeping and vacuuming can send virus particles into the air. Instead, air out the space by opening windows and doors for at least 30 minutes before entering. Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves along with a quality face mask. Spray droppings, nesting materials, and contaminated surfaces with a disinfectant solution or a bleach-and-water mixture, and let it soak for 5 minutes before wiping up with a damp cloth or paper towel. Double-bag the waste and dispose of it in a sealed trash container. After cleaning, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
For heavily infested spaces, consider contacting a professional pest control service before attempting to clean. In some situations, wearing an appropriate respirator (rated N95 or higher) is also recommended.
When camping or hiking, avoid sleeping on bare ground in areas with obvious rodent activity. Use a tent with a floor, and keep food stored in rodent-proof containers. Don’t disturb or pick up wild rodents, alive or dead.
There is currently no specific antiviral drug approved to treat hantavirus infection. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and supporting the patient, often in an intensive care setting where doctors can assist with breathing and maintain blood oxygen levels. The sooner a patient receives supportive care, the better the outcome tends to be, which is why recognizing symptoms early and seeking medical help promptly is so important.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome has a significant fatality rate, historically estimated between 30 and 40 percent in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, it’s also relatively rare. The CDC typically records fewer than 50 cases per year in the United States, and most people who spend time outdoors or encounter rodents will never be exposed to an infected animal.
Can I get hantavirus from my cat or dog bringing in a dead mouse? The primary risk would come from handling the dead mouse directly, not from your pet. Pets can carry contaminated material on their fur, so washing your hands after handling them in areas where rodents are present is a good habit. Cats and dogs aren’t known to be carriers of hantavirus.
Is hantavirus contagious between people? The North American strains of hantavirus, including the one causing Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, aren’t known to spread from person to person. You can’t catch it from a sick family member or coworker.
Should I be worried about my child playing outside? Every day, outdoor play carries a very low risk. Teach children not to handle wild animals or disturb burrows, and to wash their hands after playing outdoors, especially in areas where rodents may be present. Simple hygiene habits go a long way.
How do I know if my home has a rodent problem? Look for droppings (small, dark, pellet-shaped), gnaw marks on food packaging or wood, nesting materials such as shredded paper or fabric, and evidence of gnawing around entry points. Rodent activity often increases in fall and winter as animals seek warmth.
Where in the United States is hantavirus most common? Cases have been reported in most U.S. states, but the highest concentrations have historically been in rural western and southwestern Regions. States including New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and California have recorded the most cases, though the deer mouse range spans most of North America.
How would people on a cruise ship get hantavirus? Although the recent sickness and deaths on a cruise ship that visited some African locations are still being investigated, it’s believed that rodents may have entered the ship’s storage areas. Certain foodstuffs are often stored below decks until needed for meal preparation. It should also be noted that some variants have shown an ability to move from human to human, although very rare.
How To Love Cleaning Bathrooms
Hantavirus is a serious illness, but most people can effectively protect themselves by understanding how it spreads and taking a few common-sense precautions. Keep rodents out of your living spaces, clean contaminated areas safely, and avoid disturbing rodent nesting sites without protection. If you suspect exposure and develop respiratory symptoms, reach out to a healthcare provider right away and mention the potential contact. Awareness is the most powerful tool you have. Now that you know what hantavirus is and how to reduce your risk, you are far better equipped to keep your home and family safe. May God bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Rats Contagious Diseases AdobeStock_391154510 By Thongchai, Mouse Desert With Long Tail AdobeStock_364384365 By Michael
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Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
In the laundry detergent section of most grocery stores, you will notice an old-fashioned looking product with a wagon train on the label. First introduced to Americans in 1891, 20 Mule Team Borax is made in the U.S. by Henkel, a subsidiary of the Dial Corporation.
The distinctive image on the packaging and the product’s name come from the teams of 18 mules and two horses that pulled large wagons full of Borax out of Death Valley, California to the closest railroad tracks in the late 19th century.
Made from the naturally occurring mineral boron, borax deserves a place in your home alongside other natural multi-purpose products such as baking soda and white vinegar. In fact, the product is so useful that you should consider stockpiling it for emergency purposes.
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Before we get into its many uses, let’s clear up a common question about borax. Is it safe? The answer is the same as with most natural products: yes, if you use it responsibly. Also called sodium tetraborate and sodium borate, borax is a compound of boron, which is a mineral.
Borax is a white powder comprised of soft crystals that dissolve easily in water. Mined for centuries from evaporated lakes in Turkey (and more recently in California), borax is not identified as toxic. However, like many other natural substances (including baking soda, for example), it can cause mild skin irritation in some people, and it can be poisonous if ingested in large amounts.
Now that you know what borax is and what it isn’t, here are 25 uses for borax that will make you want to start stockpiling it:
Used alone or as a booster to your current detergent, borax helps clean and deodorize clothes, towels, and bedding. It can help make colors brighter and whites whiter.
You can also use Borax to clean your carpets and help keep them smelling fresh by adding a half-cup of the powder to each gallon of water in your carpet cleaner. Pet owners especially will appreciate the deodorizing ability of borax.
Borax is an inexpensive and effective way to deter insects and other creatures from your home. Try sprinkling equal parts of borax and sugar around suspected entryways for ants, roaches, termites, water bugs, and even mice.
By adding the mineral boron to the soil, borax can help keep your fruit trees healthy. Lightly spread a cup of borax around the base of your mature fruit trees every few years for enhanced growth and seed development.
You can dry and preserve fresh-cut flowers naturally with a mixture of borax and cornmeal. Here’s a video showing the simple process.
You should keep borax away from your flower beds, but it is excellent for killing weeds that pop up in your driveway or on a walkway. Just sprinkle the powder directly on the unwanted plants.
Get rid of sticky spills and messes inside your refrigerator or freezer by mixing one tablespoon of borax with one quart of warm water. This simple cleaning solution will also deodorize your fridge.
Mix two parts borax with one part of water and apply to sticky adhesives. Rub the mixture until the residue dissolves and then wipe or rinse clean.
Similarly, you can dissolve grease and grime from your cookware by sprinkling borax on your porcelain and aluminum pots and pans. Rub in the borax and then rinse well. It also works great on crockpots.
Car mats take a beating, but a solution of borax and water can get them looking and smelling clean again.
Mix enough borax with warm water and lemon juice to create a paste. Apply the paste to the rusted area, rub, and then wipe or rinse clean.
Sprinkle borax on carpets, pet bedding, and other areas where fleas are living and hatching. Let the powder sit for an hour before vacuuming thoroughly. Dispose of vacuumed material in a tied bag and place it in an outside trash bin.
Dissolve a half cup of borax in one gallon of water and pour it into the humidifier tank. Run the machine for about 15 minutes. Pour out the tank water and then rinse the tank well with clean water.
You can use borax as you would other powdered cleansers to clean sinks, tubs, and other surfaces without scratching the finish. Simply sprinkle borax on a damp cloth or sponge, or you can sprinkle it directly on stains before scrubbing and rinsing.
For stubborn stains in stainless steel or porcelain sinks, try making a paste of one cup borax and one-fourth cup of lemon juice. Work the paste into the stain before rinsing with warm water.
Replace toxic toilet bowl cleaners with a homemade solution of borax and white vinegar.
Place three tablespoons of borax directly into the drain. Let it sit for an hour before rinsing well with warm water.
You can loosen clogs in a kitchen or bathroom drain by pouring a half cup of borax followed by two cups of boiling water into the drain. Let the drain sit untouched for about 20 minutes. Then run warm water to dislodge the loosened clogs.
Use borax to sanitize and deodorize both indoor and outdoor trash cans. Fill the bin with water and add a half-cup or a cup of borax (depending on the size of the bin). Let the solution soak for an hour and then rinse well. For added odor protection, sprinkle more borax in the bottom of the clean, dry can.
Make a gentle solution of one teaspoon borax, one teaspoon dish soap, and one quart of warm water. Use it in a spray bottle to clean your outdoor furniture. Then wipe your furniture clean with a damp cloth or rinse well with a hose.
Did you know you can safely remove unpleasant odors from mattresses with borax? First, moisten the mattress surface where the odor originates, then rub in borax with a damp rag. Allow the mattress to completely dry before using your vacuum to remove the remaining dried powder.
Mix two tablespoons of borax and two tablespoons of white vinegar and a squirt or two of liquid dish soap with two cups of hot water in a 16-ounce spray bottle. This solution is great for cleaning up everyday messes.
It’s almost impossible to keep bed pillows from developing a yellowish hue as they absorb natural oils and drool as we sleep. Here are directions for whitening yellow pillows and linens with borax.
You can replace expensive pool chemicals with borax to increase the Ph of your swimming pool water. Here’s how to do it.
Use a borax and water paste to remove crayon, pencil, and other unwanted marks from your walls. Try an out-of-the-way test spot first to make sure it doesn’t harm your paint or wallpaper.
You can safely renew colors of old china dishes with borax. Here’s how. Soak the plates and cups in a sink filled with warm water and a half cup of borax for at least a half-hour. Then rinse well with clean, warm water.
Shoes and sneakers that have developed an unpleasant odor can be freshened up with a simple borax treatment. Sprinkle a tablespoon or two of borax inside each shoe and let it sit overnight. Shake or tap out the powder in the morning before wearing. The borax will absorb moisture and neutralize odor-causing bacteria.
Borax is an effective and non-toxic way to tackle mold and mildew on tile grout, bathroom walls, and other surfaces. Mix one cup of borax with one gallon of warm water and apply the solution to the affected area with a scrub brush. Unlike many commercial mold removers, you don't need to rinse the surface afterward, leaving a light residue behind actually helps prevent mold from returning.
Make Homemade “Slime”. Here’s a recipe for some fun with the kids and grandkids. All you need are two bowls, water, food coloring, a bottle of white “school” glue, and borax.
First, mix four ounces of the glue with a half-cup water and a few drops of food coloring in one of the bowls. In a separate bowl, stir together one teaspoon of borax with one cup of warm water until dissolved. Then, pour the glue mixture into the borax solution and stir.
As the “slime” begins to form, pour away any excess water and knead the slime to the desired consistency. Repeat the process for other colors. Store your slime in air-tight containers.
According to the 20 Mule Team Borax website, the first 20 mule teams hauled borax a grueling 165 miles through Death Valley. A fully-load rig included a 1,200-gallon water tank and weighed 36.5 tons. Railway expansion ended these animal-drawn wagon trains, but their image lives on as the trademark for 20 Mule Team.
The brand became a household name in the 20th century when the company sponsored the radio program “Death Valley Days,” which eventually became a TV show that starred Ronald Reagan.
Today, in addition to its familiar packaging and its place on supermarket shelves, borax is mined for use in soap, fertilizers and even cell-phone glass.
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Spanish rice that’s restaurant quality, it’s better than going out to dinner, trust me. If you’ve ever sat down at your favorite Mexican restaurant and thought, “I wish I could make this at home,” you aren’t alone. That perfectly seasoned, fluffy, deeply flavorful Spanish rice sitting alongside your enchiladas or tacos has a way of stealing the show. The good news is that you absolutely can recreate it, and once you do, it’ll become one of the most requested dishes in your household.
This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients you likely already have on hand, and comes together in about 30 minutes. Whether you’re feeding a crowd on taco Tuesday or just looking for a comforting side dish for a weeknight dinner, this Spanish rice delivers every single time.
Spanish rice, also called arroz rojo or Mexican rice, has a rich and layered history that stretches back centuries. Despite its name, the dish isn’t actually from Spain. It’s a staple of Mexican cuisine that developed after the Spanish introduced rice to the Americas in the 16th century. Indigenous communities, particularly in Mexico, began combining rice with the ingredients they already knew and loved, including tomatoes, onions, and chiles, creating something entirely their own.
The dish became deeply rooted in Mexican home cooking and eventually made its way into the Mexican American experience, where it evolved further and became a beloved fixture on restaurant menus across the United States. Today, Spanish rice means something a little different depending on which family table or which region you’re visiting, but the soul of the dish has always remained the same: a warm, tomato-kissed, savory rice that brings people together.
The secret to restaurant-quality Spanish rice isn’t some mysterious technique. It comes down to a few key choices. Toasting the rice before adding liquid gives it a nutty depth of flavor. Using chicken broth instead of plain water adds a richness that water simply can’t provide. And balancing the tomato sauce with aromatics like garlic and onion creates that layered, slow-cooked taste even when you’re making it on a Tuesday evening. Let’s talk about each ingredient and why it earns its place in this recipe.
Olive oil is the foundation of this dish. It’s the medium through which the rice gets toasted, and the aromatics get their start. A good quality olive oil adds a subtle richness and helps everything in the pan cook evenly. It also gives the finished rice a beautiful, slightly glossy appearance that makes it look as good as it tastes.
Not all rice is created equal, and for this recipe, Jasmine rice is the star. Jasmine rice has a slightly floral aroma and a delicate texture that holds up beautifully to the toasting process. It absorbs the flavors of the broth and tomato sauce without becoming gummy or mushy. The result is individual grains that are tender on the inside with just enough structure to feel satisfying on the fork. If you’ve only ever made Spanish rice with long-grain white rice, switching to Jasmine will genuinely change your life.
Garlic is non-negotiable here. When you add minced garlic to hot olive oil, it releases its natural oils and begins to bloom, filling your kitchen with that unmistakable aroma that means something delicious is on the way. Garlic adds warmth and depth to the rice without overpowering the other flavors. It’s the quiet backbone of the whole dish.
Onion brings sweetness and body to Spanish rice. As it cooks down in the olive oil alongside the garlic, it softens and becomes almost silky, melding into the rice and broth in a way that you can’t quite put your finger on, but would absolutely notice if it were missing. Chop it finely so that every bite gets a little of that savory sweetness.
Tomato sauce is what gives Spanish rice its signature color and that tangy, slightly sweet flavor that makes it so craveable. It coats every grain of rice during cooking, creating the deep reddish-orange hue you see in restaurant versions. Use a plain, unseasoned tomato sauce so that you’re in full control of the flavor profile. You want the tomato to enhance the dish, not compete with the other ingredients.
This is where restaurant rice separates itself from the rest. Using chicken broth instead of water is the single most impactful swap you can make. Chicken broth infuses the rice with a savory, rounded flavor from the very first minute of cooking. Every grain soaks it up, and the result is rice that tastes like it’s been simmering all day. Use a low-sodium broth so you can control the salt level yourself.
Rinse your rice before cooking for an even fluffier result. Rinsing removes excess surface starch and helps keep the grains separated.
Don’t skip the toasting step. It might seem like a small detail, but toasted rice has a complexity of flavor that un-toasted rice simply doesn’t have.
Keep the lid on during cooking. Every time you lift the lid, you release steam and disrupt the cooking process. Trust the process and leave it alone.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat with a small splash of chicken broth to restore moisture.
Spanish rice is one of the most versatile side dishes you can have in your repertoire. It goes well with tacos, burritos, enchiladas, grilled chicken, carne asada, or even just a simple plate of beans. It’s also a wonderful base for a rice bowl topped with your favorite proteins and toppings.
If you’re serving it at a family gathering, double the recipe. It always disappears faster than you expect.
There’s something deeply satisfying about a recipe that connects you to something bigger than dinner. Spanish rice carries centuries of culture and tradition in every grain. When you make it at home, you’re not just feeding your family a delicious meal. You’re taking part in a culinary story that spans continents and generations.
What’s the Difference Between Stock and Broth?
This version is simple enough for a busy weeknight, but good enough to bring to any gathering. Once you make it this way, you’ll never go back to the boxed version again. Give it a try, and let your kitchen smell like the best restaurant in town. May God bless this world, Linda
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