Hello, it's the end of June and lots and lots of things have gone on since the last blog. Corn is up, have had a fantastic alfalfa crop, am cutting a large hay crop, cows, calves and heifers all mowing grass like they were starving. Summer is here. Farming is underway.
We're working on grazing made easy. We have water in almost every paddock and are close to having the middle wire of all the fences as an electric fence. This makes bossies fence edicate much better as she no longer has the desire to eat from the next paddock. we are still mowing the easy parts of the new paddock and baling the hay right after we cut it. It is a wet bale and will spoil unless it is sealed up. We bring the bales home and wrap then in a plastic bag. Then we turn the cows in to eat along the fences and the steep hillsides.
Most of the birds have babies that are flying by now and the babies are coming to the feeders. They do not know how to eat. Can you believe that? We have a number of Red Bellied Woodpeckers at the feeders outside the computer room. Dads have the back, top and front of their head red. Moms have the back and top of their heads red. The kids have no red on their heads, only grey. The kids and one of the parents will fly to the tree to feed. the kid hangs on the tree while the parent gets a seed from the feeder brings it to the kid and sticks it into its wide open mouth. The Downy Woodpeckers are the same way. I should get some pictures. I should do a lot of things.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
May 9,2009
As I typed the 2009 date I thought back to all the perceived problems we thought would happen as we rolled into the new century. And what might have been on my grandfather's mind as he sat in this house and rolled into the 1900's. Fleeting thoughts about this beautiful planet the Lord made and how some of us enjoy his creation. Lots of yellow birds and orange birds outside the kitchen window, Downey, Hairy, and Red Bellied Woodpeckers on the suit feeder outside the computer room window. Thank you Lord for a job well done.
Last night Pete and I finally got the main corn fields planted. We got a late start because we drug the old 4 row corn planter out of the weeds (it was one of the better planters in 1956) and we began its reconstruction which took longer than expected. We had to get all the mechanism to
turn and function, had to change from 32" row spacing to 30" rows for both the seed placement and the fertilizer placement, had to set the rate of seed drop and the rate of fertilizer application. It took longer than we planed of course. When we were in the field ready to plant we suddenly thought "the markers are not set for 30" rows". We grabbed the manual to find how they should be set and guess what. It takes special pieces to set for 30" rows. The marker makes a line in the dirt to follow on the next trip down the field, so that the spacing between passes is also 30". Well back to the shop to modify the marker mechanism so they are in the right place.
All and all, things worked out pretty well the last few days. Earlier Pete had moldboard plowed all the fields. In the last few days I ran the digger and drag to smooth and prepare the field and Pete ran the planter. We just finished the last field when it began to sprinkle. We got the equipment covered and put the fertilizer wagon inside. Last night we got .32 inches of rain. Nice gentle rain. Those little corn kernels have to be loving it this morning. The sun is out today and will be beaming down on their little bed. Another week and they will be popping their little heads above ground. Thank you lord for good timing.
The shrubs and trees we planted last week budded out and have gorgeous little leaves along their stems. Although I weed whipped the ground bare where we planted them, they are slowly disappearing into a sea of grass. I guess I get another job, to drop a tube aroUnd the tree and spray roundup on the ground. That way I can let the regular vegetation grow (without mowing) and the new plantings will have a little space to grow.
Yesterday Forest brought down two hives of bees to sit by the middle pond. Lots of Dandelions to feed on and some plum and apple trees in bloom. Bees will love them. Morrells will be appearing soon. The rain will have helped them.
We need to work the animals today. Time to move them around and put some of them out on grass. Soon if you had a baby you get to go to the pasture. What an incentive. Also need to get the sprayer ready. Should be spraying for weeds within 5 days of planting. We may make this. Because we mohlboard plowed, this year instead of hiring my regular spraying guy to apply the multiple mixed weed killers, I am going to apply a preemergence herbicide at 1/2 the recomended rate and see if the corn will canopy and shade out the weeds. Have to get the sprayer going and calibrated. More work more work. More time? Less blogging.
Last night Pete and I finally got the main corn fields planted. We got a late start because we drug the old 4 row corn planter out of the weeds (it was one of the better planters in 1956) and we began its reconstruction which took longer than expected. We had to get all the mechanism to
turn and function, had to change from 32" row spacing to 30" rows for both the seed placement and the fertilizer placement, had to set the rate of seed drop and the rate of fertilizer application. It took longer than we planed of course. When we were in the field ready to plant we suddenly thought "the markers are not set for 30" rows". We grabbed the manual to find how they should be set and guess what. It takes special pieces to set for 30" rows. The marker makes a line in the dirt to follow on the next trip down the field, so that the spacing between passes is also 30". Well back to the shop to modify the marker mechanism so they are in the right place.All and all, things worked out pretty well the last few days. Earlier Pete had moldboard plowed all the fields. In the last few days I ran the digger and drag to smooth and prepare the field and Pete ran the planter. We just finished the last field when it began to sprinkle. We got the equipment covered and put the fertilizer wagon inside. Last night we got .32 inches of rain. Nice gentle rain. Those little corn kernels have to be loving it this morning. The sun is out today and will be beaming down on their little bed. Another week and they will be popping their little heads above ground. Thank you lord for good timing.
The shrubs and trees we planted last week budded out and have gorgeous little leaves along their stems. Although I weed whipped the ground bare where we planted them, they are slowly disappearing into a sea of grass. I guess I get another job, to drop a tube aroUnd the tree and spray roundup on the ground. That way I can let the regular vegetation grow (without mowing) and the new plantings will have a little space to grow.
Yesterday Forest brought down two hives of bees to sit by the middle pond. Lots of Dandelions to feed on and some plum and apple trees in bloom. Bees will love them. Morrells will be appearing soon. The rain will have helped them.
We need to work the animals today. Time to move them around and put some of them out on grass. Soon if you had a baby you get to go to the pasture. What an incentive. Also need to get the sprayer ready. Should be spraying for weeds within 5 days of planting. We may make this. Because we mohlboard plowed, this year instead of hiring my regular spraying guy to apply the multiple mixed weed killers, I am going to apply a preemergence herbicide at 1/2 the recomended rate and see if the corn will canopy and shade out the weeds. Have to get the sprayer going and calibrated. More work more work. More time? Less blogging.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
May 5 2009
Haven't blogged in a long time. Many things have happened and not commented on. Spring is here and although we felt we were finally having a spring where we were on time, the alligators invaded and we're behind. A beautiful rain this morning and we don't have the corn planted. Last week with 4 Massey tractors, one was running. We're back with 3 running now. Maybe 4 by the weekend, don't need the 4th one, but it is broken in the middle of what will be a corn field with a broken front spindle so we can't even tow it out on the way.
We did have a couple of turkey hunters in the south home, bagged two birds and saw a lot of them. We also had a prof from UW Eau Claire with a bunch of students on a geology outing for the weekend. Should have stories from all of them, so they say. One of the kids caught a 22" Brown Trout in Big Plum Creek on saturday. Big fish, they ate it, didn't save a bite for me.
We planted 200+ trees and shrubs around the upper two ponds over the weekend. We need to do more wildlife corridors with browse and cover. We plowed a spot in the bottoms for a corn and ?? food plot and will expand this along Big Plum in the fall and next spring. We have been getting things done, but the corn is not in, and lots of other things are not done. It just happens that way when you are on the farm; you get bit in the b____ when you least expect it.
This is an example of how the Shoo-fly Landing is utilized, last Saturday, we were headed to Menomonie and noticed a bunch of canoes coming into the landing. The cars and canoe trailers had been there since Thursday or Friday. We found Shaun and a passel of UW Eau Claire students had started from Eau Claire and paddled to the landing. The next place to pull out is 9 miles further south. Couldn't find a better use for this little piece of America.
As you can see, I had to put my two cents in ... (according to the boss) ... Nobody probably wants to hear about my birds, but guess what, here goes! The first of May was exciting to say the least. My first Oriole was here and
then on the second of May our first humming bird was here. It is good to know that they haven't forgotten where we live and where the feed is so abundant. While I am typing on the blog, the American gold finches are singing up a storm. It is so sweet to hear them. I am typing and looking out the computer room window and the Downy woodpeckers are on the suet packs.
Pete just called and said he was on "N" and would be here soon. His dad was taken to the hospital last night with chest problems. Pete had a doctor's appointment at 9:00 but will be here soon to start another day at the farm.
Today we are supposed to have the bulls tested for their testosterone levels to see if they are potent or impotent, whichever the case may be. Hopefully they will all be in good shape so they can produce babies for next year. We forgot to take any pictures of this happening. Our first bull went right through the end of the chute. He is one massive bull. We had to reload him into the chute and believe me he was not a happy camper. We finally got the testing done and he decided he did not want to go back into the pen so he took a little trip and ended up on the hill in back of the barn, bellering at us. As I said before, not happy at all about the situation. Carl and Pete went back later when things settled down and walked him back down to the chute. I'm surprised he even came down the chute to go back into his pen. When he walked down his head was down and his neck was arched and you could really see that he was upset. Usually the bulls are all very gentle. At this time I would not like to challenge him further. What a day!
We did have a couple of turkey hunters in the south home, bagged two birds and saw a lot of them. We also had a prof from UW Eau Claire with a bunch of students on a geology outing for the weekend. Should have stories from all of them, so they say. One of the kids caught a 22" Brown Trout in Big Plum Creek on saturday. Big fish, they ate it, didn't save a bite for me.
We planted 200+ trees and shrubs around the upper two ponds over the weekend. We need to do more wildlife corridors with browse and cover. We plowed a spot in the bottoms for a corn and ?? food plot and will expand this along Big Plum in the fall and next spring. We have been getting things done, but the corn is not in, and lots of other things are not done. It just happens that way when you are on the farm; you get bit in the b____ when you least expect it.
This is an example of how the Shoo-fly Landing is utilized, last Saturday, we were headed to Menomonie and noticed a bunch of canoes coming into the landing. The cars and canoe trailers had been there since Thursday or Friday. We found Shaun and a passel of UW Eau Claire students had started from Eau Claire and paddled to the landing. The next place to pull out is 9 miles further south. Couldn't find a better use for this little piece of America.
As you can see, I had to put my two cents in ... (according to the boss) ... Nobody probably wants to hear about my birds, but guess what, here goes! The first of May was exciting to say the least. My first Oriole was here and
then on the second of May our first humming bird was here. It is good to know that they haven't forgotten where we live and where the feed is so abundant. While I am typing on the blog, the American gold finches are singing up a storm. It is so sweet to hear them. I am typing and looking out the computer room window and the Downy woodpeckers are on the suet packs.Pete just called and said he was on "N" and would be here soon. His dad was taken to the hospital last night with chest problems. Pete had a doctor's appointment at 9:00 but will be here soon to start another day at the farm.
Today we are supposed to have the bulls tested for their testosterone levels to see if they are potent or impotent, whichever the case may be. Hopefully they will all be in good shape so they can produce babies for next year. We forgot to take any pictures of this happening. Our first bull went right through the end of the chute. He is one massive bull. We had to reload him into the chute and believe me he was not a happy camper. We finally got the testing done and he decided he did not want to go back into the pen so he took a little trip and ended up on the hill in back of the barn, bellering at us. As I said before, not happy at all about the situation. Carl and Pete went back later when things settled down and walked him back down to the chute. I'm surprised he even came down the chute to go back into his pen. When he walked down his head was down and his neck was arched and you could really see that he was upset. Usually the bulls are all very gentle. At this time I would not like to challenge him further. What a day!
Monday, March 2, 2009
MARCH 1, 2009
WELL -13 THIS MORNING. -14, -8, AND THIS MORNING -13. MORE PROOF OF GLOBAL WARMING. THE ICE IS SO THICK ON LAKE PEPIN THE BARGE TRAFFIC WILL BE ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATE GETTING STARTED. I SEE WE HAVE CHANGED FROM "GLOBAL WARMING" TO "CLIMATE CHANGE". I WONDER WHY???
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
FEB 24, 2009
SUNDAY WE WELDED THE WINCH MOUNT ON THE FRONT OF PETE'S DODGE. WE FABRICATED THE MOUNTING ON SATURDAY AND GOT IT MOUNTED ON THE TRUCK AND OPERATIONAL ON SUNDAY. PETE SAYS IT LOOKS TOUGH. IT IS A 9000 POUND WINCH (IT DOESN'T WEIGH 9000 POUNDS, IT PULLS 9000 POUNDS) WHICH SHOULD PULL TREES OUT OF THE FOREST WHERE HE CAN MAKE FIRE WOOD OUT OF THEM. HE WILL PROBABLY FIND OTHER USES FOR IT BEFORE LONG. LOOKS NICE.
SUNDAY WE PUT THE ISUZU PICKUP IN THE SHOP TO REBUILD THE FRAME. IT HAS A TOUGH ENGINE AND RUNNING GEAR (IF YOU CHAIN IT TO A TREE, IT WILL DIG 4 HOLES IN THE GROUND VS A 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK WHICH DIGS 2) AND IT IS SHORTER AND MORE COMPACT THEN A NORMAL TRUCK. WE WILL MAKE A MULTI USE VEHICLE FOR AROUND THE FARM. A TUGGER, A PULLER, A HILL CLIMBER, A CALF CATCHER, AND OTHER THINGS WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT.MONDAY WE GOT THE BODY DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME AND ALMOST SET ASIDE. THE FRAME IS REALLY RUSTED BUT WE WILL BE REPLACING ALMOST ALL OF THE ORIGINAL FRAME WITH NEW TUBING FOR A MORE STRUCTURALLY STRONG FRAME TO MEET OUR USES. I HAVE A SET OF OVER-SIZED TIRES AND WHEELS TO PUT ON THE BEAST TO GIVE MORE GROUND CLEARANCE. THAT WILL MAKE IT TOUGH.
MONDAY, FOREST CAME OVER WITH HIS
PORTABLE SCALE TO WEIGH THE CALVES. WE SET IT UP IN THE CHUTE IN THE BARN AND WITH A FEW MODIFICATIONS TO MAKE THE CHUTE NARROWER, TO USE A CHUTE DOOR AS A BLOCK IN FRONT OF THE SCALE, AND PETE WITH A RIOT PANEL AS A BACK DOOR TO MOVE THE CALF ONTO THE SCALE, WE WEIGHED THE CALF CROP.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
FEB 21 2009
A BEAUTIFUL DAY. WHEN THE SUN CAME UP IT WAS A SMALL BLIZZARD WITH ABOUT 3" ALREADY ON THE GROUND. THE WHITE CARPET SEEMS TO BRING OUT THE COLORS IT THE BIRDS. THE RED OF THE CARDINALS, THE BLUE AND WHITE OF THE BLUE JAY, THE RED, WHITE AND BLACK OF THE RED BRESTED WOODPECKER, THE PERKEY LITTLE DOWNEY WOODPECKER
Monday, February 16, 2009
FEB 16, 2009
IT'S BEEN OVER A WEEK SINCE I WROTE, AND FEB IS HALF OVER. TIME FLIES WHEN YOUR HAVING FUN. I GUESS. GOT A TON OF THINGS DONE LAST WEEK. PAT AND DAUGHTER TAMMY GOT TO NEW ORLIENS ON SUNDAY. 19 HOURS OR SOMETHING ON THE TRAIN. WHAT FUN.
IN GODS COUNTRY HOWEVER WE GOT A HAY RAKE REBUILT, NEW WHEEL BEARINGS, REBUILT AXEL'S, REBUILT GEAR BOX, AND IT NOW HAS ALL OF IT'S TEETH. BRING ON THE HAY! GOT OUR SECOND RAKE READY TO GO IN FOR SIMILAR SURGERY. ALWAYS NEED A BACKUP. SOME TIMES IT'S GOOD TO USE TWO RAKES IN FRONT OF THE BAILER. PETE LIKES TO KEEP THE THROAT OF THE BAILER CLOSE TO THE CHOKING POINT. HE LIKES TO PUT THE PUSH ON THE EQUIPMENT, BUT NOT AS BAD AS STANLEY DID.
WE FINISHED WELDING ON THE WATERER TANKS AND POLISHED UP THE NEW
DESIGN FOR THE PADDOCK WATERERS, PUT THEM AND THE OPERATING MEGA-HEAT IN PETE'S DODGE HOOKED UP THE TRAILER OF MEGA-HEAT FRAMES AND ON THURSDAY HEADED TO ZALK STEEL TO GET THEM GALVANIZED. WE PULLED INTO THE BAY TO UNLOAD, AND BILL WAS MORE INTERESTED IN THE MEGA-HEAT IN THE TRUCK THAN UNLOADING THE TRAILER.
BILL HAD A 100 POUND GAS BOTTLE THERE, HOOKED UP THE HEATER, TURNED IT ON, AND DREW A CROWD OF HIS WORKERS. EVERY BODY WAS WOWED. WE LET THE HEATER RUN, UNLOADED THE TRAILER AND TRUCK, WENT TO LUNCH, CAME BACK AND LOADED THE HEATER INTO THE
TRUCK. BEFORE WE LEFT, BILL SAID HE WANTS THE FIRST FOUR OF THE HEATERS WE BUILD, AND THIS WINTER YET. THAT'S A BIG ORDER WITHOUT HAVING PARTS TO BUILD WITH.
WHILE WE WERE IN MINNEAPOLIS WE STOPED AT MY NEIGHBOR JIM'S HOUSE, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ABOUT TEN BLOCKS FROM ZALK STEEL. THE CAMERA OPERATOR MUST HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. A VERY NICE UNIQUE HOME FULL OF ANTIQUE ART. JIM IS AN ESTATE AND ART APPRAISER BY OCCUPATION.
SO GUESS WHAT. I'M LOOKING UP PARTS AND GETTING READY TO BUILD, FOR HE WILL BE CALLING EARLY THIS WEEK TO SAY THE "FRAMES ARE READY". DON'T HAVE "HEATER BUILD" IN THE SCHEDULE.
SATURDAY PETE TOOK THE TRACTOR AND FEED WAGON TO THE BOTTOMS TO BRING HOME HAY. 1 BALE ON THE TRACTOR LOADER AND 4 IN THE FEED WAGON. IT'S NO PROBLEM MOVING IT ON THE ROAD, OR ON THE DRIVE (IT WAS EARLIER BUT THE ICE IS OFF THE DRIVE), HOWEVER THE REST OF THE FARM IS STILL A SHEET OF ICE IN SPOTS. A FIVE MINUTE JOB TAKES 2 HOURS. SOMETIMES THAT IS DISCOURAGING, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT IN THE SCHEDULE.
WORKED ON BLUE TRUCKS
FLOOR, TORE THE CANCER OUT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. REBUILT MOST OF THE MAJOR SEAT AND FLOOR AREAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND LATER ON THE PASSENGERS. GOT THE BODY MOUNTS DONE BUT NOT BOLTED DOWN. HAVE TO CUT SOME NEW RUBBER PADS SO IT CAN FLOAT A BIT. THIS IS A LONG TERM WORK ON IT NOW AND THEN (MY ADD KICKS IN NOW AND THEN AND I NEED A BREAK) TO FIX MY BABY UP. THEN I WILL PROBABLY NEED TO GIVE HER A SHINEY PAINT JOB. WHEN WE GET THE FIXEN DONE WERE GONA START THE PAINTEN. MORE DARN FUN
WE CUT THAT TREE PILE AND MADE A LOG PILE. WE HAVE MORE LOGS TO COLLECT FROM VARIOUS PLACES AROUND THE FARM BEFORE WE CALL THE LOG TRUCK. WE NEED TO GET IT DONE BEFORE THE ROAD BANS GO ON. THAT'S USUALLY ABOUT THE 15TH OF MAY. SAW THE LOGS THIS SPRING, ALSO SAW STICKERS (SMALL THIN BOARDS TO PLACE BETWEEN THE BOARDS WHEN THEY ARE STACKED. THIS ALLOWS AIR TO CIRCULATE AROUND EACH BOARD WHILE THEY ARE DRYING). IN TWO OR THREE YEARS I WILL BE ABLE TO USE THEM. GOT THE DRIVE CLEANED OUT READY FOR THE SNOW ON TUES EVENING.
IN GODS COUNTRY HOWEVER WE GOT A HAY RAKE REBUILT, NEW WHEEL BEARINGS, REBUILT AXEL'S, REBUILT GEAR BOX, AND IT NOW HAS ALL OF IT'S TEETH. BRING ON THE HAY! GOT OUR SECOND RAKE READY TO GO IN FOR SIMILAR SURGERY. ALWAYS NEED A BACKUP. SOME TIMES IT'S GOOD TO USE TWO RAKES IN FRONT OF THE BAILER. PETE LIKES TO KEEP THE THROAT OF THE BAILER CLOSE TO THE CHOKING POINT. HE LIKES TO PUT THE PUSH ON THE EQUIPMENT, BUT NOT AS BAD AS STANLEY DID.
WE FINISHED WELDING ON THE WATERER TANKS AND POLISHED UP THE NEW
DESIGN FOR THE PADDOCK WATERERS, PUT THEM AND THE OPERATING MEGA-HEAT IN PETE'S DODGE HOOKED UP THE TRAILER OF MEGA-HEAT FRAMES AND ON THURSDAY HEADED TO ZALK STEEL TO GET THEM GALVANIZED. WE PULLED INTO THE BAY TO UNLOAD, AND BILL WAS MORE INTERESTED IN THE MEGA-HEAT IN THE TRUCK THAN UNLOADING THE TRAILER.BILL HAD A 100 POUND GAS BOTTLE THERE, HOOKED UP THE HEATER, TURNED IT ON, AND DREW A CROWD OF HIS WORKERS. EVERY BODY WAS WOWED. WE LET THE HEATER RUN, UNLOADED THE TRAILER AND TRUCK, WENT TO LUNCH, CAME BACK AND LOADED THE HEATER INTO THE
TRUCK. BEFORE WE LEFT, BILL SAID HE WANTS THE FIRST FOUR OF THE HEATERS WE BUILD, AND THIS WINTER YET. THAT'S A BIG ORDER WITHOUT HAVING PARTS TO BUILD WITH.WHILE WE WERE IN MINNEAPOLIS WE STOPED AT MY NEIGHBOR JIM'S HOUSE, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ABOUT TEN BLOCKS FROM ZALK STEEL. THE CAMERA OPERATOR MUST HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. A VERY NICE UNIQUE HOME FULL OF ANTIQUE ART. JIM IS AN ESTATE AND ART APPRAISER BY OCCUPATION.
SO GUESS WHAT. I'M LOOKING UP PARTS AND GETTING READY TO BUILD, FOR HE WILL BE CALLING EARLY THIS WEEK TO SAY THE "FRAMES ARE READY". DON'T HAVE "HEATER BUILD" IN THE SCHEDULE.
SATURDAY PETE TOOK THE TRACTOR AND FEED WAGON TO THE BOTTOMS TO BRING HOME HAY. 1 BALE ON THE TRACTOR LOADER AND 4 IN THE FEED WAGON. IT'S NO PROBLEM MOVING IT ON THE ROAD, OR ON THE DRIVE (IT WAS EARLIER BUT THE ICE IS OFF THE DRIVE), HOWEVER THE REST OF THE FARM IS STILL A SHEET OF ICE IN SPOTS. A FIVE MINUTE JOB TAKES 2 HOURS. SOMETIMES THAT IS DISCOURAGING, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT IN THE SCHEDULE.
WORKED ON BLUE TRUCKS
FLOOR, TORE THE CANCER OUT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. REBUILT MOST OF THE MAJOR SEAT AND FLOOR AREAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND LATER ON THE PASSENGERS. GOT THE BODY MOUNTS DONE BUT NOT BOLTED DOWN. HAVE TO CUT SOME NEW RUBBER PADS SO IT CAN FLOAT A BIT. THIS IS A LONG TERM WORK ON IT NOW AND THEN (MY ADD KICKS IN NOW AND THEN AND I NEED A BREAK) TO FIX MY BABY UP. THEN I WILL PROBABLY NEED TO GIVE HER A SHINEY PAINT JOB. WHEN WE GET THE FIXEN DONE WERE GONA START THE PAINTEN. MORE DARN FUN
WE CUT THAT TREE PILE AND MADE A LOG PILE. WE HAVE MORE LOGS TO COLLECT FROM VARIOUS PLACES AROUND THE FARM BEFORE WE CALL THE LOG TRUCK. WE NEED TO GET IT DONE BEFORE THE ROAD BANS GO ON. THAT'S USUALLY ABOUT THE 15TH OF MAY. SAW THE LOGS THIS SPRING, ALSO SAW STICKERS (SMALL THIN BOARDS TO PLACE BETWEEN THE BOARDS WHEN THEY ARE STACKED. THIS ALLOWS AIR TO CIRCULATE AROUND EACH BOARD WHILE THEY ARE DRYING). IN TWO OR THREE YEARS I WILL BE ABLE TO USE THEM. GOT THE DRIVE CLEANED OUT READY FOR THE SNOW ON TUES EVENING.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
FEB 7, 2009
TODAY WAS 40 DEGREES. A HEAT WAVE! OFF WITH THE JACKETS, IT'S TOO HOT TO WORK WITH A JACKET ON. WE SPENT PART OF THE DAY WORKING ON LOG PILE BESIDE THE DRIVE.
THE COUNTY HAS WAITED FOR YEARS TO CUT SOME OF THE TREES ALONG THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. WE CAME TO AN AGREEMENT AND THEY REMOVED SOME TREES AND BROUGHT THEM UP THE DRIVE AND STACKED THEM UP. SOME OF THE TREES ARE LARGE ENOUGH FOR MAKING LUMBER, SOME ARE FOR FIRE WOOD. WE WERE TRIMMING THE SMALL ENDS OF THE LUMBER TREES FOR FIRE WOOD AND SORTING THE LOGS
IT WAS NICE AND WARM, THE SNOW WAS MELTING WHICH MADE FOR A LITTLE BIT
OF A SKATING RINK IN SPOTS AND A MUD SLIDE IN OTHERS. THE TOP OF THE MUD WAS SOFT, BUT BENEATH THE PUDDING THE GROUND WAS STILL FROZEN. ALL KIDS ENJOY PLAYING IN THE MUD (I THINK). IT WILL FREEZE AGAIN TONIGHT AND BE SOLID IN THE MORNING. CHOSE THE TIME OF DAY TO MAKE YOUR CHORES EASIER. THE MUD IS A BIT OF A PAIN, BUT IT'S THAT FREEZING AND THAWING THAT MAKE OUR SOILS YOUNG COMPARED TO THE SOUTH WHERE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN. WE LIKE YOUNG SOILS AND GOOD PLANTS.
THIS IS THE STACK OF LOGS WE WILL SEND TO THE SAWMILL. THE NEIGHBOR WITH THE SAWMILL LIVES A FEW MILES AWAY AND ALSO HAS A LOG TRUCK . WE NEED TO CUT THE LOGS INTO SHORTER LENGTHS, BUT I WILL LET HIM DECIDE WHERE TO CUT THE LOGS TO GET THE BEST YIELD OF LUMBER. IT'S BEEN YEARS SINCE I'VE DONE ANY SERIOUS WOODWORKING AND I WOULD LIKE TO DO IT AGAIN. MAYBE I'LL MAKE A GRANDFATHER CLOCK, OR A SERIES OF GLASS DOORS (I HAVE A LOT OF 30 X 70 INCH PLATE GLASS PIECES) TO MAKE CABINETS ALONG A WALL. WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY. ANOTHER PROBLEM TO SOLVE -- WHAT TO MAKE.
BEEN A BUSY WEEK, COLD TO START,BUT WE WORKED INSIDE ON THE HEATER FRAMES AND A NEW DESIGN FOR THE SUMMER WATERERS WHICH SHOULD BE MUCH
MORE GALVANIZING FRIENDLY. I'LL HAVE TO PUT THESE ON THE ABC WEBSITE. ALSO SPENT TIME ON HOW TO MAKE BIRD SEED BLOCKS. NONE OF THE MANUFACTURERS OF BIRD SEED BLOCKS WILL DISCOUNT PURCHASES OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF THE BLOCKS. MY FRIEND, FOREST, GREW SUNFLOWERS LAST YEAR AND IS SELLING BULK SEED TO THE PUBLIC. I THINK WE NEED TO MANUFACTURE THE SEED BLOCKS (GLUE AND PRESS THEM TOGETHER) AND MARKET THEM IN QUANTITIES OF 50 OR 60 AT A TIME. WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE A SPECIAL WEBSITE IF WE CAN MASS PRODUCE THEM. (ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW RUNNING THROUGH HIS BRAIN! WHAT A THINKER!!!)
WE ALSO REPAIRED A COUPLE OF HAY FEEDING RINGS. THE
COWS AND THE TRACTOR TAKE A HEAVY TOLL ON THEM. WE TRY TO FEED BACK NEW BALES IN A NEW SPOT IN THE WINTER PASTURE. THIS HELPS TO SPREAD THE FERTILIZER (COW POOP) AROUND THE FIELD. WE ARE GETTING THEM REINFORCED (WITH OLD FENCE POSTS) WHERE THE TRACTOR LOADER PICKS THEM UP SO THAT WE DO LESS DAMAGE MOVING THEM. THE COWS, HOWEVER, HAVE THEIR OWN SPECIAL WAY OF DESTROYING THINGS THAT'S HARD TO FIGURE OUT AND PREVENT. THIS PRESENTS AN ONGOING CHALLENGE TO TRY TO BE SMARTER THAN THE COW.
GUESS WHAT? TOMORROW, SUNDAY, I AM GOING TO MY FREEPORT HOME FOR A FEW DAYS. ON VALENTINE'S DAY, MY DAUGHTER, TAMMY, AND I, (PAT), ARE GOING TO NEW ORLEANS (NOLA FOR SHORT) ON THE AMTRAK FOR TWO WEEKS. WE ARE GOING FOR MARDI GRAS. THIS WILL BE TAMMY'S FIRST TIME LOOKING AT ALL THE WEIRDOS AND ALSO RIDING THE TRAIN. IT IS SO MUCH FUN JUST CHECKING EVERYONE OUT. CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT YOU CAN SEE. MY OTHER DAUGHTER, CHERYL AND HER HUSBAND, JAY AND DAUGHTER JADE LIVE THERE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GET A HOTEL ROOM. CAN YOU IMAGINE BEING ON THE AMTRAK FOR 19 HOURS. I HAVEN'T DONE THIS SINCE MY FIRST GRANDSON, PATRICK, WAS BORN, 30 YEARS AGO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL WE CAN GO UP IN THE OBSERVATION CAR, HAVE A LITTLE "DRINKEY-POO, ALONG WITH SOMETHING TO EAT" (OF COURSE) AND CHECK OUT ALL THE SIGHTS AND JUST "VEG OUT." WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD WE LIVE IN. ONLY IN AMERICA!!!
THE COUNTY HAS WAITED FOR YEARS TO CUT SOME OF THE TREES ALONG THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. WE CAME TO AN AGREEMENT AND THEY REMOVED SOME TREES AND BROUGHT THEM UP THE DRIVE AND STACKED THEM UP. SOME OF THE TREES ARE LARGE ENOUGH FOR MAKING LUMBER, SOME ARE FOR FIRE WOOD. WE WERE TRIMMING THE SMALL ENDS OF THE LUMBER TREES FOR FIRE WOOD AND SORTING THE LOGSIT WAS NICE AND WARM, THE SNOW WAS MELTING WHICH MADE FOR A LITTLE BIT
OF A SKATING RINK IN SPOTS AND A MUD SLIDE IN OTHERS. THE TOP OF THE MUD WAS SOFT, BUT BENEATH THE PUDDING THE GROUND WAS STILL FROZEN. ALL KIDS ENJOY PLAYING IN THE MUD (I THINK). IT WILL FREEZE AGAIN TONIGHT AND BE SOLID IN THE MORNING. CHOSE THE TIME OF DAY TO MAKE YOUR CHORES EASIER. THE MUD IS A BIT OF A PAIN, BUT IT'S THAT FREEZING AND THAWING THAT MAKE OUR SOILS YOUNG COMPARED TO THE SOUTH WHERE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN. WE LIKE YOUNG SOILS AND GOOD PLANTS.
THIS IS THE STACK OF LOGS WE WILL SEND TO THE SAWMILL. THE NEIGHBOR WITH THE SAWMILL LIVES A FEW MILES AWAY AND ALSO HAS A LOG TRUCK . WE NEED TO CUT THE LOGS INTO SHORTER LENGTHS, BUT I WILL LET HIM DECIDE WHERE TO CUT THE LOGS TO GET THE BEST YIELD OF LUMBER. IT'S BEEN YEARS SINCE I'VE DONE ANY SERIOUS WOODWORKING AND I WOULD LIKE TO DO IT AGAIN. MAYBE I'LL MAKE A GRANDFATHER CLOCK, OR A SERIES OF GLASS DOORS (I HAVE A LOT OF 30 X 70 INCH PLATE GLASS PIECES) TO MAKE CABINETS ALONG A WALL. WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY. ANOTHER PROBLEM TO SOLVE -- WHAT TO MAKE.BEEN A BUSY WEEK, COLD TO START,BUT WE WORKED INSIDE ON THE HEATER FRAMES AND A NEW DESIGN FOR THE SUMMER WATERERS WHICH SHOULD BE MUCH
MORE GALVANIZING FRIENDLY. I'LL HAVE TO PUT THESE ON THE ABC WEBSITE. ALSO SPENT TIME ON HOW TO MAKE BIRD SEED BLOCKS. NONE OF THE MANUFACTURERS OF BIRD SEED BLOCKS WILL DISCOUNT PURCHASES OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF THE BLOCKS. MY FRIEND, FOREST, GREW SUNFLOWERS LAST YEAR AND IS SELLING BULK SEED TO THE PUBLIC. I THINK WE NEED TO MANUFACTURE THE SEED BLOCKS (GLUE AND PRESS THEM TOGETHER) AND MARKET THEM IN QUANTITIES OF 50 OR 60 AT A TIME. WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE A SPECIAL WEBSITE IF WE CAN MASS PRODUCE THEM. (ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW RUNNING THROUGH HIS BRAIN! WHAT A THINKER!!!)WE ALSO REPAIRED A COUPLE OF HAY FEEDING RINGS. THE
COWS AND THE TRACTOR TAKE A HEAVY TOLL ON THEM. WE TRY TO FEED BACK NEW BALES IN A NEW SPOT IN THE WINTER PASTURE. THIS HELPS TO SPREAD THE FERTILIZER (COW POOP) AROUND THE FIELD. WE ARE GETTING THEM REINFORCED (WITH OLD FENCE POSTS) WHERE THE TRACTOR LOADER PICKS THEM UP SO THAT WE DO LESS DAMAGE MOVING THEM. THE COWS, HOWEVER, HAVE THEIR OWN SPECIAL WAY OF DESTROYING THINGS THAT'S HARD TO FIGURE OUT AND PREVENT. THIS PRESENTS AN ONGOING CHALLENGE TO TRY TO BE SMARTER THAN THE COW.GUESS WHAT? TOMORROW, SUNDAY, I AM GOING TO MY FREEPORT HOME FOR A FEW DAYS. ON VALENTINE'S DAY, MY DAUGHTER, TAMMY, AND I, (PAT), ARE GOING TO NEW ORLEANS (NOLA FOR SHORT) ON THE AMTRAK FOR TWO WEEKS. WE ARE GOING FOR MARDI GRAS. THIS WILL BE TAMMY'S FIRST TIME LOOKING AT ALL THE WEIRDOS AND ALSO RIDING THE TRAIN. IT IS SO MUCH FUN JUST CHECKING EVERYONE OUT. CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT YOU CAN SEE. MY OTHER DAUGHTER, CHERYL AND HER HUSBAND, JAY AND DAUGHTER JADE LIVE THERE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GET A HOTEL ROOM. CAN YOU IMAGINE BEING ON THE AMTRAK FOR 19 HOURS. I HAVEN'T DONE THIS SINCE MY FIRST GRANDSON, PATRICK, WAS BORN, 30 YEARS AGO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL WE CAN GO UP IN THE OBSERVATION CAR, HAVE A LITTLE "DRINKEY-POO, ALONG WITH SOMETHING TO EAT" (OF COURSE) AND CHECK OUT ALL THE SIGHTS AND JUST "VEG OUT." WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD WE LIVE IN. ONLY IN AMERICA!!!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
FEB 4, 2009
-15 BELOW THIS MORNING. ABOUT THE THIRD MORNING IN A ROW LIKE THIS. MORE PROOF OF GLOBAL WARMING. HOW CAN GORE KEEP UP THE FACE? BUT I'M AFRAID THEY HAVE THE WARMING BALL ROLLING AND WILL PUT MILLIONS, OR BILLIONS INTO THE POCKETS OF THE FAITHFUL. OH TO BE SLIGHTLY DISHONEST AND SIT AT THE TROUGH. THE AG ADVISERS PREDICTING THE NEXT 20 YEARS ARE GOING TO BE ON THE COLD SIDE SO WE SHOULD PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
JAN 25, 2008
ONLY -14 THIS MORNING. MADE THE TRIANGLE DRIVE TO MENOMONIE AND THEN EAU CLAIRE AND BACK TO ELLA YESTERDAY. HAD TO BUY EAR TAGS FOR THE NEW CALF. WANTED TWO DIFFERENT COLORS FOR THIS YEARS CALVES BUT OF COURSE AS MY LUCK GOES FLEET-FARM DIDN'T HAVE THE VARIETY. I HAD ASKED WAYNE TO ORDER BLUE AND GREEN TAGS BUT OF COURSE HE HADN'T GOTTEN TO THAT. SO WE GOT BLUE AND WHITE. PAT SAYS I CANNOT PUT BLUE TAGS ON THE GIRLS. THEREFORE AND WHATEVER, APPARENTLY OUR NEW CALF WILL GET A WHITE TAG THIS MORNING. I WONDER WHAT NUMBER?
AFTER ALL THE WORK WAS DONE (SHOPPING) YESTERDAY I TOOK PAT TO ""OUTBACK"". WE BOTH HAD THE STEAK SPECIAL. IT WAS EXCELLENT, IT HAD BEEN A LONG TIME BEFORE WE PARTOOK OF THEIR STEAKS. WE ALSO HAD A MARGUERITA. DELICIOUS!!! IT WAS QUITE BORING ON THE HOME LEG, THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY, IT WAS A NICE COLD, CLEAR NIGHT, NO BIG CHALLENGE AT ALL. COULD HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP.
WELL WHEN EVERYBODY IS FED, I WILL BE TRYING TO FINISH THE BLUE TRUCK. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS PICTURE, THE CAB WAS HAVING SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS. IT'S A 1986 GMC AND AS ITS BECOME AN ADULT, ITS BEEN HAVING SOME CAVITY PROBLEMS. SO I HAVE BECOME THE DENTIST. GUT THE CAB AND BEGIN REMOVING UNSOUND MATERIALS. (THE WHOLE BOTTOM AND SUPPORTS) WE KNEW THE CAB WAS SLOWLY BECOMING CLOSER TO THE GROUND, BUT EVERYTHING WAS STILL FUNCTIONAL. OCCASIONALLY THE FRONT TIRES WOULD RUB ON THE FENDERS, BUT THIS ONLY MADE NOISE WHICH ADDED TO THE EXPERIENCE.
WEL
L IT WAS WINTER AND FOR AN INSIDE CHALLENGE WE BROUGHT IN THE BLUE TRUCK. WELL IT IS A LOT LIKE DENTISTRY, YOU HAVE TO CARVE AWAY THE DECAYED PARTS WITHOUT DESTROYING THE HEALTHY ONES. THIS PICTURE SHOWS THE DECAY IN THE REAR OF THE CAB REMOVED. YOU CAN SEE ONE OF THE ROUND RUBBER CAB MOUNTS IN THE PICTURE AND THAT A LOT OF THE ROT HAS BEEN REMOVED. IT'S A CHALLENGE TO FIGURE WHAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED, AND HOW TO REMOVE IT WITHOUT DESTROYING THE SOLID PARTS. ALSO CHALLENGING IS THE PLAN FOR WHAT WILL REPLACE THE ROT AND HOW TO POSITION THE CAB TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORIOUS PLACE ON THE TRUCK.
IT'S A GOOD THING THAT I COLLECT A VARIETY OF BUILDING PIECES (MY JUNK PILE
THAT SOME PEOPLE, WHO HAVE NOT THE VISIONS, COMPLAIN ABOUT) TO CREATIVELY DESIGN SOLUTIONS. LAST SUMMER I SAW SOME NICE LOOKING CHANNELS IN BRIAN'S (MY LOCAL SALVAGE YARD) TRUCK, DESTINED FOR THE BIG YARD IN THE SKY. I RESCUED THESE PIECES FOR FUTURE PROJECTS. ALAS I FOUND A PROJECT! YOU CAN SEE THE NEW REAR BODY MOUNT WELDED TO THE HEALTHY CAB STEEL AND SITTING ON THE RUBBER MOUNTS TO POSITION THE REAR OF THE CAB AT IT'S PROPER HEIGHT. THE CENTER OF THE CAB FLOOR IS SOLID, SO IT IS ALSO WELDED TO THE NEW SUPPORT.
THE FRONT BODY SUPPORTS WERE NON EXISTENT AS WAS THE COLUMN HOLDING
THE DOOR HINGES. HOW CAN YOU HOLD THE BODY IN ITS PROPER PLACE WITH ALL THIS DECAYED STEEL. NO WONDER THE TIRES RUB THE FENDERS. WELL PPART OF THE ROT IS REMOVED; NOW DEVISE A PLAN TO REBUILD THE COLUMN AND THE FRONT MOUNT AND THE FLOOR SUPPORT. A CHALLENGE FOR TODAY. PAT IS UP, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY, (-14 THIS MORNING) THE SUN IS SHINING BRIGHTLY, THE BIRDS ARE HAMMERING THE SUIT FEEDERS, THE CALVES AND HEIFERS ARE READY FOR THEIR CANDY, I"M HUNGRY AND READY FOR THE DAY TO CONTINUE. WHAT CHALLENGES AWEIGHT??
AFTER ALL THE WORK WAS DONE (SHOPPING) YESTERDAY I TOOK PAT TO ""OUTBACK"". WE BOTH HAD THE STEAK SPECIAL. IT WAS EXCELLENT, IT HAD BEEN A LONG TIME BEFORE WE PARTOOK OF THEIR STEAKS. WE ALSO HAD A MARGUERITA. DELICIOUS!!! IT WAS QUITE BORING ON THE HOME LEG, THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY, IT WAS A NICE COLD, CLEAR NIGHT, NO BIG CHALLENGE AT ALL. COULD HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP.
WELL WHEN EVERYBODY IS FED, I WILL BE TRYING TO FINISH THE BLUE TRUCK. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS PICTURE, THE CAB WAS HAVING SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS. IT'S A 1986 GMC AND AS ITS BECOME AN ADULT, ITS BEEN HAVING SOME CAVITY PROBLEMS. SO I HAVE BECOME THE DENTIST. GUT THE CAB AND BEGIN REMOVING UNSOUND MATERIALS. (THE WHOLE BOTTOM AND SUPPORTS) WE KNEW THE CAB WAS SLOWLY BECOMING CLOSER TO THE GROUND, BUT EVERYTHING WAS STILL FUNCTIONAL. OCCASIONALLY THE FRONT TIRES WOULD RUB ON THE FENDERS, BUT THIS ONLY MADE NOISE WHICH ADDED TO THE EXPERIENCE.WEL
L IT WAS WINTER AND FOR AN INSIDE CHALLENGE WE BROUGHT IN THE BLUE TRUCK. WELL IT IS A LOT LIKE DENTISTRY, YOU HAVE TO CARVE AWAY THE DECAYED PARTS WITHOUT DESTROYING THE HEALTHY ONES. THIS PICTURE SHOWS THE DECAY IN THE REAR OF THE CAB REMOVED. YOU CAN SEE ONE OF THE ROUND RUBBER CAB MOUNTS IN THE PICTURE AND THAT A LOT OF THE ROT HAS BEEN REMOVED. IT'S A CHALLENGE TO FIGURE WHAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED, AND HOW TO REMOVE IT WITHOUT DESTROYING THE SOLID PARTS. ALSO CHALLENGING IS THE PLAN FOR WHAT WILL REPLACE THE ROT AND HOW TO POSITION THE CAB TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORIOUS PLACE ON THE TRUCK.IT'S A GOOD THING THAT I COLLECT A VARIETY OF BUILDING PIECES (MY JUNK PILE
THAT SOME PEOPLE, WHO HAVE NOT THE VISIONS, COMPLAIN ABOUT) TO CREATIVELY DESIGN SOLUTIONS. LAST SUMMER I SAW SOME NICE LOOKING CHANNELS IN BRIAN'S (MY LOCAL SALVAGE YARD) TRUCK, DESTINED FOR THE BIG YARD IN THE SKY. I RESCUED THESE PIECES FOR FUTURE PROJECTS. ALAS I FOUND A PROJECT! YOU CAN SEE THE NEW REAR BODY MOUNT WELDED TO THE HEALTHY CAB STEEL AND SITTING ON THE RUBBER MOUNTS TO POSITION THE REAR OF THE CAB AT IT'S PROPER HEIGHT. THE CENTER OF THE CAB FLOOR IS SOLID, SO IT IS ALSO WELDED TO THE NEW SUPPORT.THE FRONT BODY SUPPORTS WERE NON EXISTENT AS WAS THE COLUMN HOLDING
THE DOOR HINGES. HOW CAN YOU HOLD THE BODY IN ITS PROPER PLACE WITH ALL THIS DECAYED STEEL. NO WONDER THE TIRES RUB THE FENDERS. WELL PPART OF THE ROT IS REMOVED; NOW DEVISE A PLAN TO REBUILD THE COLUMN AND THE FRONT MOUNT AND THE FLOOR SUPPORT. A CHALLENGE FOR TODAY. PAT IS UP, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY, (-14 THIS MORNING) THE SUN IS SHINING BRIGHTLY, THE BIRDS ARE HAMMERING THE SUIT FEEDERS, THE CALVES AND HEIFERS ARE READY FOR THEIR CANDY, I"M HUNGRY AND READY FOR THE DAY TO CONTINUE. WHAT CHALLENGES AWEIGHT??
Saturday, January 24, 2009
JAN 24,2008
LAST BLOG IT WAS -14, THEN IT GOT TO -28, THEN TO -34, THEN A WEEK OF WARM WEATHER WHEN THE DAYTIME HIGH GOT ABOVE ZERO. ALMOST GOT TO FREEZING, NOT QUITE, SO WE DIDN'T, ANOTHER ICE SHEET. ALREADY HAVE ONE UNDER THE SNOW PACK. THIS MORNING -20 AND I GUESS FROM THE WEATHER FORECAST WILL BE THIS WAY MOST OF THE WEEK.
HAD 1 CALF IN THAT REAL COLD SPELL (NICE LOOKING BULL) THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT. HAD ANOTHER IN THE LAST WARM SPELL THAT IS DOING WELL. HAD A PAIR OF TWINS BORN DEAD. THIS IS WAY TOO EARLY. 3/4 OF THE NEW CALF CROP IS DEAD. NOT A GOOD RATIO. THE RED BELLIED WOODPECKERS (ABOUT THE SIZE OF A ROBIN) ARE REALLY WORKING THE FEEDERS THIS MORNING. AT LEAST ONE PAIR FEED (SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF BIRDS BUT I CAN'T TELL ONE MALE FROM ANOTHER) HERE ALL THE TIME. PAT GETS SUET FROM THE MEAT MARKET IN PLUM CITY TO PUT ONTO THE FEEDERS AND IT CERTAINLY IS A HIT WITH MOST OF THE BIRDS. (WOODPECKERS, BLUE JAYS, CARDINALS, NUTHATCHES AND MORE).
HAVE TO GIVE SHOTS THIS MORNING. ONE OF LAST YEAR'S CALVES HAS AN INFECTED KNEE. HE GOT A SHOT OF PENICILLIN TUESDAY, AND I WORKED SOME OF THE INFECTION OUT. IT WAS DRAINING NICELY. WEDNESDAY HE LAID DOWN IN A HOLE AND WE HAD TO HELP HIM GET BACK ONTO HIS FEET. WE PUT HIM IN THE BARN AND HE IS DOING BETTER. HE WILL GET ANOTHER PENICILLIN SHOT AND THE NEW CALF (HE AND MOM ARE IN THE HAY SHED DURING THESE BELOW ZERO MORNINGS) WILL GET A TAG AND VITAMIN E WITH SELINUM SHOT.
PETE WENT TO THE BOTTOMS TO BRING HOME SOME HAY (WE HAVE ABOUT 29 BALES WE DID NOT GET HOME LAST FALL) AND ALMOST MADE IT UP THE HILL. THE FEED WAGON HAS 3 BALES IN IT AND IF YOU LOOK CLOSE YOU CAN SEE IT IS TIED TO THE TREE WITH A TOW ROPE. PETE AND HIS DAD TRIED VARIOUS WAYS TO TOP THE HILL WITH NO AVAIL. IT WAS ABOUT 30 THAT DAY AND THE SNOW PACK WAS SLIPPERY. TODAY I WAS ON THE TRACTOR WITH MANY LENGTHS OF CHAIN SO THAT I WAS ON TOP OF THE HILL PULLING AND PETE WAS BEHIND THE WAGON IN HIS DODGE PUSHING. WITH QUITE A BIT OF TIRE SPINNING, RE-HOOKING, SHOUTING, AND A FEW LANGUAGE CHOICES WE GOT THE FEED TO THE COWS. ONE THING ABOUT WINTER IS HAVING A COMPLETE NEW SET OF OPPORTUNITIES TO OVERCOME. WHAT A CHALLENGE AND AT ABOUT -10 TO BOOT.
HAD 1 CALF IN THAT REAL COLD SPELL (NICE LOOKING BULL) THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT. HAD ANOTHER IN THE LAST WARM SPELL THAT IS DOING WELL. HAD A PAIR OF TWINS BORN DEAD. THIS IS WAY TOO EARLY. 3/4 OF THE NEW CALF CROP IS DEAD. NOT A GOOD RATIO. THE RED BELLIED WOODPECKERS (ABOUT THE SIZE OF A ROBIN) ARE REALLY WORKING THE FEEDERS THIS MORNING. AT LEAST ONE PAIR FEED (SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF BIRDS BUT I CAN'T TELL ONE MALE FROM ANOTHER) HERE ALL THE TIME. PAT GETS SUET FROM THE MEAT MARKET IN PLUM CITY TO PUT ONTO THE FEEDERS AND IT CERTAINLY IS A HIT WITH MOST OF THE BIRDS. (WOODPECKERS, BLUE JAYS, CARDINALS, NUTHATCHES AND MORE).
HAVE TO GIVE SHOTS THIS MORNING. ONE OF LAST YEAR'S CALVES HAS AN INFECTED KNEE. HE GOT A SHOT OF PENICILLIN TUESDAY, AND I WORKED SOME OF THE INFECTION OUT. IT WAS DRAINING NICELY. WEDNESDAY HE LAID DOWN IN A HOLE AND WE HAD TO HELP HIM GET BACK ONTO HIS FEET. WE PUT HIM IN THE BARN AND HE IS DOING BETTER. HE WILL GET ANOTHER PENICILLIN SHOT AND THE NEW CALF (HE AND MOM ARE IN THE HAY SHED DURING THESE BELOW ZERO MORNINGS) WILL GET A TAG AND VITAMIN E WITH SELINUM SHOT.
PETE WENT TO THE BOTTOMS TO BRING HOME SOME HAY (WE HAVE ABOUT 29 BALES WE DID NOT GET HOME LAST FALL) AND ALMOST MADE IT UP THE HILL. THE FEED WAGON HAS 3 BALES IN IT AND IF YOU LOOK CLOSE YOU CAN SEE IT IS TIED TO THE TREE WITH A TOW ROPE. PETE AND HIS DAD TRIED VARIOUS WAYS TO TOP THE HILL WITH NO AVAIL. IT WAS ABOUT 30 THAT DAY AND THE SNOW PACK WAS SLIPPERY. TODAY I WAS ON THE TRACTOR WITH MANY LENGTHS OF CHAIN SO THAT I WAS ON TOP OF THE HILL PULLING AND PETE WAS BEHIND THE WAGON IN HIS DODGE PUSHING. WITH QUITE A BIT OF TIRE SPINNING, RE-HOOKING, SHOUTING, AND A FEW LANGUAGE CHOICES WE GOT THE FEED TO THE COWS. ONE THING ABOUT WINTER IS HAVING A COMPLETE NEW SET OF OPPORTUNITIES TO OVERCOME. WHAT A CHALLENGE AND AT ABOUT -10 TO BOOT.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
JAN 8, 2009
WOW A NEW YEAR ALREADY. WINTER IS IN PROCESS AND SOON WILL BE SPRING, A BEAUTIFUL TIME. BUT WINTER IS ALSO PRETTY NICE. THE AWE INSPIRING SNOW CLINGING TO THE TREE BRANCHES, THE CARPET OF WHITE EXTENDING FOREVER, THE TEMPERATURE, CREATING THE DESIRE TO PUT ON ADITIONAL CLOTHS, WARM CLOTHES. THE LORD CREATES AN UNENDING CASCADE OF DIFFERENT DAYS NOT TO CHOSE FROM,. BUT TAKE THEM AS THEY COME.
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