Fall is coming-end of August

This summer has flown by as no other summer before it has. The weekends are getting away from us, and it appears most of September will be taken up by events beyond my control. I will try and do my best to be patient during this period.

A note for Clint. As we didn't get to fully test the converter and battery last season, I thought i'd let you know that in march, i fully charged the battery, and six months later, it is still going. Thanx again for the gift.

It is now nearing the season in which all other projects will end and work on the new trails will begin. We don't have far to go to get to the upper clearing by the highway, but it is pretty rugged terrain, and a bridge will have to be built.

I can see it is becoming almost a full time job just keeping the current trails cleared, as every time we have gone down the trail, a tree or trees have fallen, and of course they ALWAYS fall across the trail. You would think they could fall another direction once in a while.

We have purchased a new trailcutter mower. It will be used to clear the land that has not been fully overgrown with big trees, and to keep the trails cleared. It will be pulled behind the 4-wheeler. I can hardly wait to try it out.

We have pulled Tony's boat out and have stored it out of the way in the timber garage for the season.

Herself has kept busy with the 4-corner cedar post bed, while I try to take care of things outside and stay out of her way. I believe she will get it finished, and am sure it will be better than sleeping on the cold un-insulated floor.

All for this time
Himself

Fairy Land

The fairy flowers growing on the creek bottom are gone now but all the rain has set the stage for another fairy wonderland. This weekend, Himself and I admired 6 or 8 different kinds of mushrooms. Some looked just like pancakes and were as big around as dinner plates. Some were like the traditional white mushroom with stem and cap. These in the photo were a beautiful shade of rosy red. Every where we looked, there were mushrooms and fungi.

I have been reading up on Missouri mushrooms and there are edible ones out there now. One, called the “Other Mushroom” as opposed to the Morel, is the Chanterelle. Himself and I will need to develop a palate and an eye for mushrooms. With this many mushrooms, we could eat like kings -- and feed the world!

Getter Done

(or Sheer Determination)

After a three week hiatus, we finally got back to III. Two weeks ago, Himself and I were in the neighborhood at Too but as there was about 4" of rain in the gauge -- and still raining -- we didn't even visit here. This weekend was wet also but Himself made up his mind that he had to mow so Saturday afternoon we drove to III. After all the rain, the drive wasn't too muddy but the grass was about 8" tall and wet. Very wet! Himself immediately revved up the mower and headed up to the gate to make the ol' homestead presentable. After knocking off "the top" he mowed down the drive and part of the trails before the skies opened up and the rain forced him to the porch.

I had been piddling around as he mowed, figuring out in my head how I was going to get four cedar posts to stand and actually hold up a mattress and two full size adults. I finally decided I wouldn't know 'til I tried and got out the tools and went at it. Himself got bored sitting (or maybe I was making him nervous with my sawing, pounding and drilling) and he came and helped me with a couple of posts -- and out of a tight spot or two, I might add.

With three posts up and a couple of rails, it is easier now to figure out how to put the rest of it together. As I have to measure twice (or 3 or 4 times) to cut once (hopefully) and as I have no plan or How To book, it is a slow process but it will be there next trip for me to anticipate and to study on. But all ready, the next project wriggles around in my head and I want to getter done and get on to the new.

Sunday morning, we arose early to more low clouds and drizzle. Himself, more determined than ever to mow, waited for the clouds to break and the grass to dry. The radio's weather forecaster predicted a break in the rain around 10:00 a.m. As we have gotten a bit skeptical about weather forecasts, we weren't really surprised at 10:00 a.m. that it was raining harder than ever. Finally, after a good hot late breakfast, Himself just bore down and went out and mowed her wet. In the drizzle. In the tall wet grass. He got her done.

Three cedar posts are secured (in the fashion of a pioneer's rope bed).
The fourth post will be the challenge!
It was so dark and dreary in the cabin, that without Cousin Clint's gift of power and our lone electric light, I could not have taken this picture.

August In Missouri

We are back from a weekend at III. Saturday was hot but a breeze blew all day and Himself and I puttered around the clearing. He mowed; I went to town and shopped. He burned stumps; I smoothed cedar bed posts. Came evening and Himself cut stumps and I meandered along behind with my loppers awaiting the right opportunity. When he stood and stretched, I was there.

Will you please take out one scrawny cedar tree for me, while you have the chain saw out, I asked politely. Silence. A "look". Then, "which one?" he reluctantly asked and I showed him the small tree. He pondered but didn't answer. He stood and contemplated longer and I knew we were in far enough that I must remain quiet. Patiently I waited for the decision. I knew he could see the need but one thing was going to lead to a half dozen more.

He sighed. Then Himself said, "that whole clump needs to come out; those three are dead and that young oak is crooked and has to go". No, that oak will straighten out after the cedars are gone, I countered. Himself didn't reply and after a few more minutes, he pulled the rope and the chain saw roared to life.

There went the cedar. A stretch and a pause, then the second scraggly cedar was gone. Himself bent again to the task and in one fell swoop took out the little rugged oak, turned to me and grinned.

I was not surprised. I knew early in the negotiations that the price I might pay to have the cedars taken out was one poor, misshapen oak. I had gambled and lost; had hoped the Judge might grant a stay of execution at the last moment -- but had never counted on it.

Smiling to himself (I well imagine) he turned away and started on the three dead trees, calling over his shoulder, "you better figure out how to get these cut trees cleaned up!

Stop the Clock!

This weekend, Himself and I admired our cabin clearing -- the neatness, the mown areas and the groomed appearance. Himself has asked me before to be sure and take "before and after" photos and I do have some early pictures such as the "The Lane, before", below. So when I went to post the photo, I was surprised when I looked at that photo with nostalgia.

I love the cabin clearing today and take pride in the work Himself and I have done but when I pulled that "before" picture up, I thought "oh no!" "Stop!" "Don't do any more. This is the way the lane should look!"

But maybe, I really just want to go back and do it all again.

Himself and I have connected with this place. Though we worked hard, we have played hard too. We enjoy our time here -- and each other. We have connected again, Himself and I, in this place called III.

The Lane, before

This is how the lane looked when we bought the property, in December 2004.

The Lane, after

And this is how it looked in May (when the children and bairns were all down). Himself had it all mowed and groomed -- and there are about 50 fewer trees and shrubs now.