a tale of tails, tenacity, and tedium, as told by me, usually barefoot and bellowing

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Being Honest

I'm going to be down right truthful with you.  Farm life is not easy. Having acreage is not easy.  Having little money is not easy.  Can I get an Amen?!

Those who homestead and farm know exactly what I'm talking about. If there is any way an animal will escape it will, piping will always break when stores are closed and you can rarely reach the friend that knows how to help repair.  That's just the way it is and we all get by either by doing it your self or turning the water
off until your friend can come help.

I know few people that are experts that don't want money so I do the best I can.  My husband had told me for years and I quote "I ain't no damn carpenter!"

I used a pick ax today to dig and lay a row of bricks to keep siding off the ground.  May not be the right way but it works and it's level. Three pieces of siding done.  Hallelujah!  And it only took this old rusty body three hours to figure it out, cut it and get it done.  I am working with scraps so don't expect home and garden.  I am proud and when it is painted to blend some may never know especially since this is a seldom seen spot.
Not bad for an over weight rusty retired postal employee.
Then we began to play with rocks.  This is the center rock for my latest hot new project.  I am combining my water gardens or that's the plan.  I have the tractor tire garden, and the water garden I built for Dad. 
My brilliant plan, an engineering feat, is to have the water run over this huge rock down the natural channels into the re positioned tractor tire which will be buried on a tilt.  This will then run into the larger garden and recycle back to the rock.  Sound good?  Yes. Sound difficult?  Yes.  Sound impossible?  Absolutely not!!!

Where there is a will there is a way.  The new location of this masterpiece will be directly beside the steps that lead to the Dreaming Porch.  

If you have some digging tools and muscles, come on over.  I will supply drinks, food, and music.

22 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That is one big rock.
I do have the muscles. Will have to check on the shovel though.
And no one is ever going to notice the bricks. Clever idea.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I will be right over. Sounds like the perfect place to relax and forget you are a farmer:) Great job I love your ingenuity. HUGS B

StitchinByTheLake said...

I think it looks great Gail - it's far better than I could have done! blessings, marlene

the canned quilter said...

Whew! Sounds like work to me : )

Irene said...

My first husband told me to never do a Mickey Mouse job and I've always kept to that rule, no matter who I was with or how poor I was. You'd be surprised at how many people do a slip shod job.

TexWisGirl said...

for the time i've known you, you're never without dreams and drive. bless you!

MadSnapper said...

your repair job looks fine to me, now you can paint it AFTER you invent a fancy pond... can't wait to see the finished pond project. and I knew it would have a ROCK in it for sure and that is one BIG rock..also a BIG tractor. did Lizzie know she was in mortal danger? I fully understand where you are coming from, my family was dirt poor my whole life, daddy grew what we ate and we did without a lot but we were never hungry or without shelter....

ellen abbott said...

Yep. I hear ya. Don't have acreage but it's still 'do it yourself with the materials at hand' around here. and if I lived close, I'd be there to help with the pond project.

The Dancing Donkey said...

Amen! I have never been a carpenter either, but it didn't stop me from building a house by myself because that is the only way it was gonna happen. Now, I say what makes a carpenter are the right tools and a willingness to learn how to use them and then put them to work. Your carpentry and landscaping skills look like they are doing just fine:)

Sandee said...

I was raised on a dairy farm so I know it's hard work. Very hard work that never has a day off involved.

If I were closer I'd help, but I'm not much help.

Have a terrific day. ☺

Sandy Livesay said...

Gail, AMEN!!!!!!

A wonderful job, I think we should call you the master carpenter, plumber, and landscaper. You always have great ideas, and you follow through with them. I can't wait to see the final pictures of your garden and pond with the rocks.

labbie1 said...

Oh my goodness! I bow to your greatness! What a project! Can't wait to see it completed!

Country Gal said...

On our way ! I was raised on a farm living off land and livestock it was tuff back then but I think with the way the world is now it is even harder . I think you did an awesome job . I agree where there is a will there is a way ! Never say never . Hope you take a rest after all that work .

Sketching with Dogs said...

I am very impressed with your repair, I bet it will last. Love the sound of your new water gardens with the water cascading off the rock. Look forward to seeing it. Sounds like fun!
Lynne x

Pat said...

Ha! Remember when you thought you worked hard at work? Then you retired! I bet you never just sit and relax. If you ever do, have your sister take a picture of you because I won't believe it really happened!

John Going Gently said...

Overweight postal employee my arse
You are a picture of health xx

Lynne said...

You've got that "where there is a will there is a way" down pat! You Go Girl!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Been there...done that girl. I've been at the end of a many pick ax projects.

I truly believe that nothings impossible.

How ya been? My Mom is suppose to go home Thursday with 24/7 care, 'lost count of the days...well over 100. MIL is havin' some issues too. I tell ya'll this elder~care stuff 'ain't for the faint of heart for sure.

Hope your havin' a marvelous summer my friend. God bless! :o)

carolina nana said...

A definite AMEN to the first part of your post. We learn that we all have a bit of carpenter,plumber,animal vet, along with a lot of other things inside us when we farm.
Your rock garden sounds really nice.
I keep saying I'm going to make me a water garden but never seem to get around to it.
Blessings
Marilyn

Far Side of Fifty said...

You have been busy and I am certain it will be a beautiful water garden! :)

Brian Miller said...

wow. ambitious project...but that will look really cool when you are done...nothing is impossible to those that can dream it you know...smiles.

Susan Anderson said...

I'm impressed with your inventive siding method!

=)

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