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
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
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.
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.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Sunday, August 06, 2006
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!
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.
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, 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.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
A Man's work is never done
The dependable Jeep threw a shoe!
Himself is looking to see what caused the slow leak.
Discoveries
We are at III every other weekend. This visit, Saturday midday (after I had been to Bethany to shop, of course) Himself asked, as he always does, what is on your agenda today? Don't know, I said. Can't get motivated to do one thing yet. Himself agreed and we sat on awhile. Then we got up and went our own way. It was hot and humid and I walked across the clearing, moving rather slowly when I spotted some nails on the ground. One can tell, there once was a burn pile here. Himself has trained me well and just last visit the Jeep had a low tire as a result of a stray nail. So I picked up the nails and screws and as I did, I found more. And more again -- so I went and got my metal detector that I've had for 6 or 7 years but never really knew how to use. I sat, then, and read the book, set the dials and went to work digging out a cupfull of nails and screws. I learned to use my metal detector.
It finds nails and screws amazingly well. I hope it finds gold and silver as easily!
But there at III I'd get a "hit" and hunker and search and might only find a half inch brad but I would always find something. Sometimes it was just a piece of shiny tinfoil -- but that detector works!
I took the metal detector up the drive to the front gate and my first hit was a square nail! I was thrilled. The old farm house that used to sit "up top" has been dated -- at least part of it built with square nails. Unfortunately, the farmhouse was bulldozed and only an old cistern remains. I will take the treasures I find and make a memory board to those that walked this land, planted flowers, planned and dreamed, worried and schemed, way before my time.
And my unplanned, no agenda afternoon led to several hours of playing in the dirt, learning a new skill and discovering just a little bit of the history of III.
It finds nails and screws amazingly well. I hope it finds gold and silver as easily!
But there at III I'd get a "hit" and hunker and search and might only find a half inch brad but I would always find something. Sometimes it was just a piece of shiny tinfoil -- but that detector works!
I took the metal detector up the drive to the front gate and my first hit was a square nail! I was thrilled. The old farm house that used to sit "up top" has been dated -- at least part of it built with square nails. Unfortunately, the farmhouse was bulldozed and only an old cistern remains. I will take the treasures I find and make a memory board to those that walked this land, planted flowers, planned and dreamed, worried and schemed, way before my time.
And my unplanned, no agenda afternoon led to several hours of playing in the dirt, learning a new skill and discovering just a little bit of the history of III.
Monday, July 24, 2006
The Enemy
This is the critter that almost got my tomatos at III! Two weeks ago the tomatoes were looking poorly. I thought it was just the result of the deer chomping on them and I built a chicken wire cage over and around the cherry tomatoes. I want those cherry tomatoes to go to seed so they'll volunteer every year. I won't have to plant new ones; just wait for the little rascals to grow from last year's seed. But then! Then, I found one of these ugly little creatures. I tried knocking him senseless with a stick. If he would have let go, I would have stomped him to Kingdom come but he hung on for dear life. Not having the courage to just pluck him off, I roared off to town for tomato dust and dust them I did! This past weekend, two war-ravanaged tomato plants still survived. I dusted them again. Let us hope for a late frost. Those plants need to bear fruit and make seed. And next year, I will be prepared with my cage and my Sevin!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
4TH OF JULY 2006
We headed to II on Saturday, July 1 for a full week, actually 9 days of "vacation".
The first 3 days and nites we spent at II, just doing minor repairs, cleaning, etc. It was nice, as the previous year, we would to go to II just to mow on a Friday nite, then immediatedly take off for III. Which was all right, but now i am realizing that work must also be done at II. We had a very relaxing week, at least I did. I worked when I wanted and just sat and did nothing the rest of the time. Herself just couldn't seem to just sit and relax for more than a few minutes, and off she would go to find something to do. With the screen room done, most of the clearing done, and the trails in fairly good shape, i spent considerable time just soaking in what all we had done. I will try and finish another trail this fall, and i will try and get a bridge built. Will depend alot on cooler weather.
boi
The first 3 days and nites we spent at II, just doing minor repairs, cleaning, etc. It was nice, as the previous year, we would to go to II just to mow on a Friday nite, then immediatedly take off for III. Which was all right, but now i am realizing that work must also be done at II. We had a very relaxing week, at least I did. I worked when I wanted and just sat and did nothing the rest of the time. Herself just couldn't seem to just sit and relax for more than a few minutes, and off she would go to find something to do. With the screen room done, most of the clearing done, and the trails in fairly good shape, i spent considerable time just soaking in what all we had done. I will try and finish another trail this fall, and i will try and get a bridge built. Will depend alot on cooler weather.
boi
Friday, June 30, 2006
Red eye
We are off, tomorrow morning, for a week in MO. The lists have been made and the bags packed. The weather report is calling for hot, humid temperatures but we are used to that. These two beauties await me at III. These cedar logs are project material!
They are a little rough, in the photo, but I have been working them. They are ready! and so am I . . .
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Garden Invasion
Last trip down, I lovingly planted five cherry tomato plants. I chopped through 50 years of pasture grass and dug out Prairie Roses with 2' long roots. I pulled grass and dug in a large bag of potting soil, then embedded the tomato plants. I watered them profusely hoping they would make it two weeks until I could get back and tend them. While I was gone, while my back was turned, something stepped over my garden fence and feasted on all but two of my tomato plants! And next to them, wildflowers had been cut off a foot from the ground as neatly as though I had taken my garden pruners to them.
It must have been a deer but I couldn't find any tracks. I can't think what else would have munched them all down and left 12" of the wildflowers and why didn't they take the last two tomatos?
I will save those tomatos! I pounded in stakes and wrapped chicken wire around the surviving two plants. If something gets in this time, it won't get out -- but I don't know what I'll do if I go back and find I have trapped a deer! Or what I will do if the last two tomatoes are gone.
It must have been a deer but I couldn't find any tracks. I can't think what else would have munched them all down and left 12" of the wildflowers and why didn't they take the last two tomatos?
I will save those tomatos! I pounded in stakes and wrapped chicken wire around the surviving two plants. If something gets in this time, it won't get out -- but I don't know what I'll do if I go back and find I have trapped a deer! Or what I will do if the last two tomatoes are gone.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Summer at III
Among the bumble-bees in red-top hay, a freckled field of brown-eyed Susans dripping yellow leaves in July,
I read your heart in a book.
From "Adelaide Crapsey" by Carl Sandburg
It is summer at III. The bashful Brown-Eyed Susan is in bloom as well as the Prairie Roses. We spent only part of a day here this past weekend as we were at Too, doing overdue repairs and maintenance. I enjoyed the day at Too but as I cut back grapevine or sprayed poison ivy, my thoughts wandered over here and I wondered how the tomatos were doing, what flowers were in bloom and how is that next project going to turn out.
We soon will have a whole week at III. I'll have my fill, no doubt, of prairie flowers and pioneer ways but for now, my thoughts are of summer days at III.
Friday, June 16, 2006
A VISITOR TO III June 9,10,11 2006
We were welcomed by the news that my brother, RWH, was finally coming down for a weekend visit at II, and also a visit to III. Now, he finally knows what we have been writing about. RW and a friend came to II on Friday, and stayed until sometime Sunday, while herself and I stayed at III. Saturday afternoon, RWH and his friend came to visit us at III. They immediately hit the pond with their fishing equipment, hoping to have the same luck as previous fishermen have had catching the big "cats".
HOWEVER, the only fish that seemed to be biting were small ones, and I mean very small. But, RWH seemed to be having some uncanny ability to catch stick fish, or, maybe they were "fish sticks". And, I might add, was very consistant at it. Cast after cast would bring in sticks and more sticks. As the picture indicates, he finally pulled in the "big" one. I never did see him catch anything that was alive. Anyway, it was fun having visitors and hope they will come down again sometime. I do want RWH to know that one of my first thoughts when we were first looking at this property was all the times we roamed the timber around Prescott, shooting at squirrels and anything else that moved.
We didn't do to much this weekend. I mowed as usual, herself started her new project of planning a cedar post bed. I worked on removing more stumps with the chain saw. I think I am finally down to maybe 25 more that I have to remove before I can mow and not have to worry about hitting one, as I did this weekend. I bent the deck enough so that it stopped the blade from turning, but managed to get it repaired, changed the blades, did a little maintenance, and basically took it easy for a change.
We went back to II on Sunday afternoon to mow there as we knew it would be another 2 weeks before coming back, and with the 1 and 1/2 inches of rain we got Sat. nite, it would have been a jungle. Anyway, I got half way down with the push mowing, and the engine quit. So, have to install a coil the next time down. The mower is 27 years old, but keeps on a runnin. Just needs a little coaxin sometimes.
All for this time
HOWEVER, the only fish that seemed to be biting were small ones, and I mean very small. But, RWH seemed to be having some uncanny ability to catch stick fish, or, maybe they were "fish sticks". And, I might add, was very consistant at it. Cast after cast would bring in sticks and more sticks. As the picture indicates, he finally pulled in the "big" one. I never did see him catch anything that was alive. Anyway, it was fun having visitors and hope they will come down again sometime. I do want RWH to know that one of my first thoughts when we were first looking at this property was all the times we roamed the timber around Prescott, shooting at squirrels and anything else that moved.
We didn't do to much this weekend. I mowed as usual, herself started her new project of planning a cedar post bed. I worked on removing more stumps with the chain saw. I think I am finally down to maybe 25 more that I have to remove before I can mow and not have to worry about hitting one, as I did this weekend. I bent the deck enough so that it stopped the blade from turning, but managed to get it repaired, changed the blades, did a little maintenance, and basically took it easy for a change.
We went back to II on Sunday afternoon to mow there as we knew it would be another 2 weeks before coming back, and with the 1 and 1/2 inches of rain we got Sat. nite, it would have been a jungle. Anyway, I got half way down with the push mowing, and the engine quit. So, have to install a coil the next time down. The mower is 27 years old, but keeps on a runnin. Just needs a little coaxin sometimes.
All for this time
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Crazy Quilt
Crazy Quilt
The garden at III started as a symbolic gesture when we first began our sojourns to this pretty part of the world. It was late winter or very early spring and too cold to really plant anything but I carted down a bunch of winter onions and a clump of chives and stuck them in the ground just so I could say we had a garden. Soon after, in imitation of the pioneers during the great westward expansion, I put in a fence to signify that this is my place, my homestead.
The fence is short and virtually useless but I dig in there and compost and am conditioning that area for a real garden someday and the fence bookmarks the garden spot.
Today, early June, the garden is colorful with a few yellow blossoms of the Brown Eyed Susan and some pearly white Queen Anne’s lace. The last of theWild 4 O’Clocks are fading and I am letting various other wild things grow – at least until they bloom. Depending on what gifts they present me, these wild young things might be removed or decapitated. Some transplanted Bachelor Buttons, brought from home, were added to the fabric today. I am hoping that the “Buttons” will blossom and set seed to return each spring on their own.
III’s garden is a mish mash of colors and textures right now – a Patchwork Quilt. In order to keep down the grass and unwanted wild flowers, I have placed small pieces of carpet in the garden. This might be an unorthodox method of weed control but it works and I like the look of my Crazy Quilt garden.
The garden at III started as a symbolic gesture when we first began our sojourns to this pretty part of the world. It was late winter or very early spring and too cold to really plant anything but I carted down a bunch of winter onions and a clump of chives and stuck them in the ground just so I could say we had a garden. Soon after, in imitation of the pioneers during the great westward expansion, I put in a fence to signify that this is my place, my homestead.
The fence is short and virtually useless but I dig in there and compost and am conditioning that area for a real garden someday and the fence bookmarks the garden spot.
Today, early June, the garden is colorful with a few yellow blossoms of the Brown Eyed Susan and some pearly white Queen Anne’s lace. The last of theWild 4 O’Clocks are fading and I am letting various other wild things grow – at least until they bloom. Depending on what gifts they present me, these wild young things might be removed or decapitated. Some transplanted Bachelor Buttons, brought from home, were added to the fabric today. I am hoping that the “Buttons” will blossom and set seed to return each spring on their own.
III’s garden is a mish mash of colors and textures right now – a Patchwork Quilt. In order to keep down the grass and unwanted wild flowers, I have placed small pieces of carpet in the garden. This might be an unorthodox method of weed control but it works and I like the look of my Crazy Quilt garden.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
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