It’s 71 degrees outside with plenty of sun. Will and Drew are busy welding up the bucket for the big Kubota. The brackets which hooked it up had broken and we didn’t need it at the time. But, with spring comes equipment repair while waiting for the gardens to dry out enough to work in. As Drew is a welder by trade, Will can take a break and just be an advisor with the welding. But his experience keeps them on track for the fitting.
Meanwhile, I’m trying to get our seed orders pulled and packed for today so I can get more tomatoes transplanted as they’re getting very leggy due to not enough sunshine. It’s been very cloudy off and on, for weeks. But I have to work around my knees as they’re still very painful. I stand and walk back and forth for a while, then find work I can do while sitting. Then it’s back at the standing/walking. It’s what works for me, for now.
I was pretty tickled when, yesterday, Will drove the solar-powered golf cart out of the woodshed, where it had been since the last big snow was forecasted. Toward evening, I was done with all the tomatoes I could do, so Will and I took a drive out to the Wolf Garden for the first time since fall. Wow, it was snow-free and drying nicely. It won’t be long before we can get in and start working at removing the tomato cages and stakes, mowing the spent corn stalks and weeds, plus pulling the name stakes on the beans, tomatoes, and corn.
We had a weird thing happened two nights ago. Our dog, Hondo, started barking at 2:30 AM. I got up and let him out as I didn’t hear wolves howling. I was worried a fox might be trying to get into the chicken coop. He ran off barking, here and there and I finally called him to come in. I had my flashlight on the driveway and sure enough, here he came. But there was another set of shining eyes about 20 feet behind him. What the heck? I thought maybe it was Mittens, who might have sneaked out. Nope. Hondo came up to the porch and the eyes behind him stopped by the generator shed. I went inside to look for Mittens, who I eventually found. Hmmm… Well, about another half an hour later, Hondo started in barking again. I got up and let him out, this time with a stronger flashlight. He barked around and then I called him in again. And again here comes the shining eyes about 20 feet behind him! This time, I turned Hondo around and set him on the critter. The funny thing was he ran after it, but wasn’t chasing it, just running along! It dived sideways and I could see it was a Red Fox. But Hondo wasn’t really chasing it in prey mode. A little while later, Hondo came trotting up into the yard. And, yep, those eyes were still behind him, only farther away. Then they turned away from the buildings and off toward the sawmill. What the heck? Does Hondo have a fox friend? We’ll probably never know. (No, I’m not worried that it might be rabid. There’s been no rabies in our area for years.) Wilderness mysteries!
— Jackie
Will and Drew sure make a good team! Welding is such a good skill to possess. I have three nephews who went to welding school. One is now a welder by trade and the other two use their welding skills working on their logging equipment. They are loggers by trade and also have an ag spray plane business. They are busy young men. It’s funny how animals befriend each other. I could just see that fox and Hondo playing. We had rain again last night but missed the severe weather that went through. Gardening is pretty much on hold until it dries up. I am getting asparagus and I cooked a couple of stalks of rhubarb for sauce last night. Had that with homemade hominy and I really enjoyed the meal that I grew. It always gives me a feeling of satisfaction to know I can feed myself without a store. Sending prayers for a blessed week.
Thanks so much! We love our meals where every single thing came from the homestead. The milk, eggs, meat, vegetables and even seasonings. So fulfilling! We’re several weeks away from asparagus and rhubarb but can’t wait.
Day three this week of storms – we got hail, mostly quarter size or less but a few ping pong ball sized. A lot of tornadoes, a school on the NW side of the state had shattered windows. One touched down 3-4 miles south of us and one about 6 miles east of us. Garlic showed no ill effects from the hail. We’ll see if any trees down – only had one down so far – sized to cut and burn without splitting. I think the more trees you have, the less come down as no one or two trees bear the brunt of the wind. No leaves definitely helps. Sticks, boy are there sticks to pick up.
Harvested asparagus yesterday and today. I think all the thunder and lightening plus warm temps helped. Rain is supposed to end early morning tomorrow and I desperately need to weed the strawberry patch. The past couple of year violets have been an issue. And are still an issue.
Glad Hondo was not playing with a skunk!
Gosh, me too! Sorry to hear you’ve had such bad weather. Tornadoes and big hail are awful. We had quarter sized hail but that’s the biggest we’ve had to date and nothing was up to damage. We haven’t had any big wind, either, thank God. Just up and down temperatures; from 78 one day to 26 today. Crazy!
Four tornadoes in total from the storm – and EF-2, EF-U (hit but no damage), and two EF-1. I’ll see if any damage from the one that hit closest to me.
I’m still on PT after loosing thirty pounds of water and recovering from heart failure so I’m planting seeds for transplants and wishing the ice would finish melting enough to use the wheeled walker. I use a rub on product called Penetrex based on arnica a flower that helps my arthritis and muscle pain. It’s available from Amazon. It might help your knees. We have used a home made arnica in alcohol for years for burns and bruises. My kidney and hypertension Dr. even approved it which is good since he took away all non-steroidal pain relief! Have fun now that spring has gotten to you!
Spring? Ha! The high today is 26. After seventies two days ago. I’ll sure check out Penetrex. I’ve used arnica before and ran out; forgot about it, if you can believe that. Duh! I can’t take any pain meds. Tylenol doesn’t help and nsaids are dangerous as I’ve had a bleeding ulcer.
Don’t do CBD or heavy duty pain meds.
I hope you’re feeling better and that your ice melts so you can use the wheeled walker!
Thank you
Almost 90 yesterday, and freeze warnings out for tonight and Sunday. Ah, Spring in Nebraska! So tomatos, peppers & other starts are still in the house. They’ll go either on the porch during the daytime or in the cold frame next week to start hardening off. And yes, my ‘golden years’ feel more rusty and creaky also. Learning how to adapt & finding a way to keep going is good common sense! Good you have Drew to help you & Will. Wishing good weather and Peace to all.
Thanks Vicki! Our temps are about the same, although not quite as warm. Today, it’s 20’s for a high. Ish!!
Hondo and fox. Interesting! Great Will is able to relax and advise with Drew doing the work. Surgery didn’t seem to have helped as much as needed on your poor knees . Solar powered cart will give you some relief.What you need is a body to do the work and you advise (Drew/Will style) stay healthy enjoy the 71 day. We went from 82- week later hail snow 29 degrees. SPRING
Yep, we went from 76 two days ago to 26 today, for a high. And wind too. Ugh! Nope, surgery didn’t help my knees;only made the pain worse. Oh well, at least I tried. I do wish I had a better-bodied person around to help but it seems fewer young people are interested in working today.
Hmmm, a fox friend…as long as it stays out of the chickens!
What do you use for your tags in the garden? It can be tricky to find something that will last. I’ve thought about making large embossed copper tags where you pound the letters into the metal so it won’t fade.
Yesterday was GLORIOUS!! Nothing better than spring sunshine soaking into your bones.
This time of the year is so busy. I plant maple trees in tubes every spring. I received my ordered raspberries and potatoes. We’ve had a lot of rain. Last year at this time I had the peas, onions and potatoes planted. Each year is different. We had tornadoes nearby. Now have 7 baby calves-one set of twins. 27 cows to go. We had a dog one time that actually played tag with a young doe. I should have videoed that.i too work, take a break and get after it. Welding skills are handy. I think at times I need a new spark plug.
It’s good Will and Drew can get that bucket welded. It’s great Drew can weld. It’s nice they can work together as a team on this.
It’s good you take breaks for your knees and give them a rest.
I have trouble with my back so have to pace myself at times to get stuff done.
I’m still waiting for things to dry out here. Sun shines at times and wind picks up so that helps to dry the ground some.
I just keep trying to get done what I can. Concerned to plant a lot outdoors yet since
not holding my breath for more cold to come.
Hondo may have made friends with a fox after all and think that it is great if he has.
Jackie have you ever tried Magnesium Butter on your knees? I make this product and I have had some amazing reviews of it helping with various ailments. I’m sure there would be someone in your area that makes it. Knee pain is no fun especially when you have things that need done. Praying your knees improve drastically this summer.