The weather forecast is for 8 to 10 inches of snow, falling tonight through tomorrow. Will’s been having trouble with the truck snowplow. He had to replace the motor (which had been on the truck for like 20 years, so it didn’t owe us anything), then the pump was not working. At sub-zero temps, he pulled the motor (again) and then the pump. Holy cow, it was frozen in a block of ice! No wonder it didn’t work. So yesterday, he removed the pump with the help of his handy propane torch, melted out and drained all the ice/water in the reservoir and brought the pump inside to thaw, dry and examine. This morning, he replaced the pump and added hydraulic fluid to the reservoir. Yeah, the pump worked, but it would only lift and go down. There has to be ice in the hydraulic lines as well. He’s working on that now.
Meanwhile, some good news. When I came home from the post office this morning, there were 10 boxes of our new catalogs sitting by the gate, courtesy of FedEx. I had several pages full of names and addresses of folks who had emailed or written us for a new catalog. So, I sat down and got to address the first batch of catalogs.
I really love the cover of the new catalog as it’s a customer, holding his prize-winning ear of Bear Island Chippewa corn, the biggest one I’ve ever seen. No wonder he was proud of it!
Just a note: all of our regular customers will be getting their new catalog directly from the post office near the printer. They went out today. It’s strange how our seed business started as a non-business and has now grown and grown. It goes to show you that you can “make money” doing something you’re passionate about if you keep at it and deliver something folks want or need. Yes, even on a self-reliant homestead, you do need a source of money, whether it be for taxes, fuel, repairs, insurance, or whatever. But it is nice when the homestead provides that cash. — Jackie
It is only December 7 and we’re already tired of snow lol. Hauled in more wildlife feed today, that was fun – I should have did a bit more shoveling to make it easier to walk..
Better half raked off part of the roof – discovered a down spout extension was frozen solid cause ice cycles to form (and drip leaving lovely patches of ice). In most of the areas that get “raked”, you have to turn around and shovel what you raked off.
We will have two days of temps just past mid-30s and freezing rain/bit-o-snow. So glad I do not have to drive to work. And if the forecast is correct, I may need to blaze another trail through the snow as the current one will likely be icy slick as it goes downhill. The ground wasn’t frozen when the first snow hit right after T-Day.
Trudging through the snow, with or without carrying anything is a workout. You just have to pace yourself.
I like the cover of the catalog – you should keep one for yourselves. Planting may be a ways away but planning is not.