Remodeling

For years the other side of the yard

was hand made recycling bins...one for glass sorted by color, one for cans.

Mom and Dad would wait til they had a truck load and recycle them.

We took a while to get all those things recycled but we did and now we can repair what is left. The back side of this fence has been neglected.  Last week I decided a change was over due.

I began by removing the wire (saving it to use elsewhere)

and clearing overgrowth.

Timber!

Could not save this post, rotted at the ground.

Had to set a "new" one.

The corner where the snake was found is stacked and thinned.

All clear except for burning the brush.

Now we can simply mow with no more trimming nor wondering what stump we might hit thanks to the saw.  In the spring tulips, lilies will bloom with a Crepe Myrtle blooming later.  I'm declaring one more back breaking spot done with material on hand

A Gloried Gofer...

is what I am...Go fer this, go fer that!  Hubby had asked for help and he wasn't moving outta his chair so I went back to bed early Sunday morning.  I woke and he was gone to build fence by himself...stubborn runs on both sides of our family.

 So I had to walk up the mountain to where he was building fence, because I said I would help, he just didn't give me a ride!  Reached the old orchard, yes, there used to be an orchard here about sixty years ago, and it will always be called the orchard.

Of course, Ki went every step of the way.

Stubborn working by himself.

When I, the Gofer, arrived, things got easier for him.  I am driving the mule, stringing wire as he tacks it on the post.  We then stretch between each post and hammer those steeples in.  I need the big hammer, the pry bar, more steeples, drive up, drive down...I felt like I was playing the old game Twister!

I got in trouble for putting wood in the mule but every stick, every stone that is removed means another spot for grass to grow.  If I had known I was going to get in trouble, I would not have brought him that drink!!  Got some fire wood anyway...I don't listen very well and it did not interfere with the fence supplies.

Having the right tools to work with always makes it easier.

This fence has been a long time coming.  Yesterday, Hubby had Andrew and Luke (son-in-law) helping and much progress was made.  This morning I was the gofer...and I think I did well.  This was not my first rodeo, I grew up on a farm.

I was sent to the house, just what I planned.  Gone after gloves, a tool we needed and more to drink.  Did I mention I got in trouble for taking pictures?  I told him I needed blog fodder and he said he needed a fence finished. (I didn't really get into lots of trouble, it is our way of joking around)

If you look closely in the distance you can see the farm compound in the valley below.  I had a nice surprise when I got there...a house full of helpers, but that's a story and more pictures for tomorrow.

Our Day Of Rest...

This was our morning sky.

Leaning on an auger makes it work better.

Recycling ice storm/tornado trees, strong and free.

These red heart cedars will stand for years.

Jake was not happy working in the sun.

Every one worked.

Some worked equipment,

some worked hand tools,

some worked their mouth

and the camera (that's me).

We took a few breaks,

although it wasn't hellishly hot,

we had no trouble sweating.

 Sunday is the Lord's Day,

but we had work to do

and this is our only day to get 'er done.

We did one round of wire.

The rest will wait.

The equipment is all inside the fence

so I know it will be finished soon.

The only way out is through the gap

we haven't opened yet.

Oh, happy cows! 

Their day of new green grass is coming.

Pumpkin Guts And Washouts

I just like the sound of that, pumpkin guts.  Did you know you can roast these seeds for a tasty snack?

This is one of the reasons the cows kept getting out one whole section of fence left with the flood.  This week that shall be remedied.  Short of cash but not so short on cattle, my hubby has worked out a deal, fencing for cows.  One bred cow gets our fence completed, no back breaking work for hubby, no missed days from work to fix the fence, I think it was a heck of trade.  Hubby has many post planted to expand the pasture but neither of us has the time nor the health to do it.

One victim on the farm this week, the butterfly was almot finished but Orange helped him go into the light.

Water always calms me, there is just a peace about it that seems to cure my maladies.

On the darker side, I have a green flying buzzing around that is as big as a helicopter.  Could this be a indication I need to clean house?  Has she laid eggs in my sink?  Or is this a precursor to Amittyville Horror?

Blackberry Winter

has arrived. It is cool enough this morning to need some heat in the house and a jacket outside. The wind sends the cold right to the bone. By most standards, this is not cold but yesterday we were sweating so I am calling today cold. The sun is shining. This is good.

Kubota King has a new toy, a fence auger.

His first post, not quite straight yet.

The top pasture we intend to fence.

May your day be wonderful and filled with sunshine.

I Am Back!!!!!!!!!

Marcy Art

I am sure you have been biting your nails and sitting on pins and needles waiting for me to get over it. That is my Motto, Get Over It! But for some unfortunate reason I could not. I was lower than a snake's belly, I mean underground!

Thanks to all my blogland Buddies, I have survived and am on the way to the top! Funny isn't it, how you can be kissing dirt one minute and flying among the trees the next. It wasn't that easy but from this good side, it seems that way. From the bottom, I could not see the sky.

Thanks everybody for not ignoring my whining. Thanks for all the good kind words. Most of all, thank you for letting me know I was not alone.

First step was taking a shower and painting my fingernails. Funny how showers don't seem so important. In the afternoon, I ventured out into the lovely warm afternoon in a clean pair of pjs and my painted nails.

Guess who would not leave me alone? Princess, that wonderful goat, that belongs to my sister. I think okay, I've had my shower so I no longer smell like a billy goat. I do not know if she was attracted to wonderful Bath & Body Works lotion or if she was just glad to see me. She circled all around me, rubbing her horns on me, bleating and just having a good time. I escaped into the house and she was at the door, at the window, bleating to me! I grabbed the bb gun and thought that might persuade her to go home...NO! Princess wanted me for some reason. By this time I am regretting my shower. My husband saves me with the paint ball gun. Princess is now brown, yellow, orange and white. Looks quite artsy and seems to know it.

The Paint is on the other side.

Marcy with Buddy, TP and of course, Princess

Today was much better. Den had been building fence on the west side and had asked me yesterday to come see. He knew better than asking me to come help. Today Marcy and I headed up the hill, behind the new pond, to see the wondrous work of THE MAN!

As you can see, I am really helping. It was cold on that hill!

The cold did not stop Seymour from running down the creek.

After that freezing trip, I came back and started to work. The Christmas tree and Santas are all tucked away. The kitchen was clean until Den cooked. Sent(bribed) my daughter's mate and Andrew to go pick up my groceries. Did ALL the laundry. Changed my sheets and even had time to watch a movie!!!! Even repainted my nails...how's that for recovery?

Work tomorrow and I am actually not dreading it.

Thanks to all you guys who dug me out when I needed more shovels than I could find!

My camera, God's art.