Good morning!!!!

[toppop52]

Apples and peaches bloomed in early April here, but not much compared to a normal year. Not expecting much fruit. I never get any blueberries, dewberries, goose berries or blackberries. As soon as they start to ripen the birds clean the vines. Looks like you shaved them. I get a few wild strawberries.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

One of our friends decided for a closer view today from the Volcano golf course. Across the road from Volcano National Park
View attachment 554524View attachment 554525View attachment 554526

Looks like the ending of caddie shack.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Good Morning!!!! 52F @ 6:15AM. A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 65F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

Hope that leg surgery goes well for you Buppies, and that it's the last.

More tractor time today; yesterday's only lasted a couple hours before I started getting into dry grass and the humidity dropped to the point where I was worried about sparking a fire. Lots of rocks in the ground for the flail to work with. Yet in some areas the grass was wet enough I needed to engage the diff lock to get back up the hill.

Got the steel fenders cut off my neighbor's car trailer. Was going to use the demolition saw, but there was no room for the blade. Tried a cutoff abrasive blade in both the air grinder and the electric angle grinder, but that was too slow. Ended up with the plasma cutter, but had to pull the wheels back off to avoid burning up the new tires I just put on there. This afternoon I'll poke around in my junk pile and see if I can find enough angle iron or square tubing to make mounts for the new fenders. If not, I'll let the neighbor know what size is needed so he can scrounge it at the junk yard. He's driving trucks for them now, hauling scrap down to the SF Bay Area on grave shift to avoid the traffic.

Happy Hump Day everyone!

 

[daugen]

I love morning "meteo" talk.

I think you guys are "talking dirty" and we just don't know it...what's a Mojo in the Pacific?

watching radar, off to do some hoeing, probably get rained out and when it comes it will be send me undercover.
That's ok, need to change oil in Kubota tractor and that's easily done inside where it lives in the barn.
Dealer just came and took my new F series mower away. The dealer installed the cruise control wrong and when you hit the brakes
you don't stop at all. Very dangerous, and I had to contact corporate Kubota. Then things started to happen quickly when I mentioned how
dangerous it was. I don't think the dealership has ever sold one of these before, that's the problem but worse frankly is their lack of trained help and having
the senior guys QC the junior guy's work. Doesn't seem to be happening and they have a lot of turnover in this tight job market.

If they have never sold one of these mowers, you would think they would have a senior guy check it over. Nope. Some newbie who pumped so much grease into the thing
it took me half an hour to clean it off the mower. He clearly did not understand that grease outside the bearing accomplishes nothing good.
Simple lack of competence. And the salesman was a no show at delivery, kid who worked on it supposedly was going to show me how it worked.
So no one drove the thing after he installed the cruise and put it together. Very disappointing performance by the Kubota dealer. He said he sent me an email three weeks ago telling me cruise control should disengage when brake was applied. That's it. And btw, I never got the email...he sent me a copy today. No don't drive the mower we'll be right out. Nothing.
Just it doesn't work right, we have confirmed that. Sure makes you scratch your head what they were thinking, or not.

 

[PJSprog]

61°F and partly cloudy this morning, going up to 85° today. Looks on radar like there are a few pop-up storms in the area, but nothing threatening the immediate STL area yet.

Fascinating pictures, David. My golf game has enough issues on semi-solid ground. I certainly don't need any rumbling greens throwing off my putts even more. Hope you and yours remain safe.

I guess if I ever had a "favorite car" it would be a '63 'Vette with a split rear window. Just always liked those. However, as musician, I never could justify owning a car like that. Vehicles have always been utilitarian for me, with the sole exception of motorcycles. So, I guess instead of a hotrod car, you lottery winners could buy me a new Honda Goldwing.

... which reminds me, I need to get the 'Oldwing listed and sold. Not sinking any more money into that one.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Good morning to all! Low of 42, up to high of 84. Now upgraded to "exceptional drought" status. Can't remember the last precip here, too long ago, should have written it down. At least there is a chance of an 'isolated thunderstorm' on Sunday.

Knee is doing much better, starting back to PT today. If all goes well, back to light duty June 4th. The doc says 'do anything you feel comfortable doing'. That's good.

I hope everyone out East has made it through the storms unscathed. The scenes of the large downed trees into houses and on top of cars is scary stuff

Wng....I'm having second thoughts about that home vacation swap you mentioned....

Jay, glad to hear you back on, was getting worried you became "too domesticated" (or overwhelmed).

Prayers out to all, extras for Buppies, RS, and RIP. Everyone have a great day!

 

[lostcreekranch]

I guess if I ever had a "favorite car" it would be a '63 'Vette with a split rear window. Just always liked those. However, as musician, I never could justify owning a car like that. Vehicles have always been utilitarian for me, with the sole exception of motorcycles. So, I guess instead of a hotrod car, you lottery winners could buy me a new Honda Goldwing.

.

The “issue” with the ‘63 Corvette was poor rearview visibility because of the rear window divider. A friend had one and he cursed that rear window. I had a ‘67 and there was a big difference in the two when trying to use the inside rearview mirrors.

 

[LouNY]

".... The MJO in the pacific is the root of our upcoming rain and the upcoming heat thanks to positive NAO"- Buppies

I love morning "meteo" talk. A lot of tropical moisture is available for the eastern CONUS and the strengthening Bermuda High is helping. I see a wet week ahead around here. I am happy to read that your back CA surgery is healing and good luck with the lower leg surgery.

Kyle, Don, and Randy- I was/am always saddened to read/hear about the personal losses people have of significant others and "of self," and humbled by how the "survivors" cope and move on with their lives and hopefully find another person to fill the void. My respects.

David- Thanks you for sharing your pictures. It is humbling. I hope that you and Sophie remain safe.

Andrew- Thanks for the pictures. I am losing the constant 30 year war with the invasive understory shrubs and brush. I did not help myself by planting bird attracting Autumn/Russian Olives. My lower field used to be around 7 open acres; now ~6. Good luck. Your goats would love this place.

Today started off with 50F fog with is starting to break up with anticipated high temperature in the low 60F's. Like Buppies posted; wet weather ahead.

I saw the first Indigo Bunting of the Season this AM. Spring comes all at once around here. Last week the Shad Blow/Serviceberry shrubs started blooming, and this week the wild strawberries and blueberries started blooming. It will be a bumper year for those blueberries. I mowed a path to the bushes (poor mower)); I hope to get some of those berries before the "natives" do. My pet blueberries look poorly. The pear and peach are starting to bloom.

My + thoughts, wishes, and prayers for all and those on the mend keep mending, and those in good shape stay that way.

Morning all;
Yes, it seems like spring is jumping in with both feet this year, everything coming at once.
Had the first humming birds last week and the first indigo bunting a couple of days ago;

 

[freedomlives]

5 "buddy seats" would fit the whole family, for now! Not sure where I'd use a 300HP tractor. I guess I'd have to hire myself out to my friend who just got a strip till planting machine. They've had to buy another tractor, 250HP, to use it. Whole different league-- 110K€ implement, lots of hydraulics, plows a strip of land for the corn or soybean seed, drills in the seed and fertilizer, then covers everything over, leaving the ground in-between rows un-touched.

Goats will indeed help with claiming back land from dense brush. They'll only destroy it completely if you leave them there a long while and let them be half-starved (which I don't do), but pretty quick after they eat the grass they'll remove the leaves on everything up to about 6-8' which makes it easier to walk around and see trunks that need cutting, then they'll strip the leaves off of what you cut down. If you do ever want to claim back that acre you've lost to invasive bush, then as long as there are no "wanted" small trees for the goats to destroy, getting them -- or now in a lot of parts of the US at least, renting some -- would make sense.

I actually just planted a Russian Olive. I figure with the goats and other animals, there isn't such a thing as an invasive species to me-- if unwanted saplings get grazed a couple times a year, they won't be a problem. It is just fields that have been left to overgrow for a decade or two that present a challenge, depending on what you want.

 

[CWB Wyo]

It was 36* for the low this morning, it made it to the mid 60s with thunderstorms yesterday afternoon. Today is going to be partly cloudy in the low 70's with a 20% chance of thunderstorms this afternoon .

Didn't work on the fence yesterday. Ended up going to see a friend of the neighbors that raises exotic pheasants. He had some nice looking birds.

I will try do get some work done on that fence today.

Hope everyone makes the best of your day.
CWB.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Lots of traffic backups this morning. More than usual.

Dentist today for some torture. First cleaning under the gums, then prep for a crown. Sigh.

 

[ronjhall]

The “issue” with the ‘63 Corvette was poor rearview visibility because of the rear window divider. A friend had one and he cursed that rear window. I had a ‘67 and there was a big difference in the two when trying to use the inside rearview mirrors.

My favorite was a 68 Vette. Convertible/hardtop. But I really don’t need another one.
Maybe I should change my request to a Kubota 72” 4 x 4 front mower with a cab and snowblower.

 

[CajunRider]

My favorite was a 68 Vette. Convertible/hardtop. But I really don稚 need another one.
Maybe I should change my request to a Kubota 72 4 x 4 front mower with a cab and snowblower.

My wish is simple. I just want a 40 hp tractor with loader that will run reliably.

 

[hawkeye08]

Went to town last night and purchased the neon green "X-Line" .095 line for the trimmer. It is sort of square so has more edges and is supposed to cut better.. only a couple dollars more.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Found out yesterday an old friend passed away, only 54. Dont know details, haven't seen him in years, but we used to hang out, play cards, etc in my HS and college yrs. Sad thing is lots of tragedy in the family. His mom was killed in an auto accident when he was in HS. His brother passed this Feb at age 60. (his brothers son lost his life in Afghanistan)
Don't know if i will make memorial service, it is west of Cleveland. Was married 33 yrs. I never met his wife or kids.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

So, I guess instead of a hotrod car, you lottery winners could buy me a new Honda Goldwing.

I already have my forever truck, the '00 F250 SD, and my forever van. As in the mechanic is takin' f'n FOREVER to finish the engine swap!ullinghair:

... which reminds me, I need to get the 'Oldwing listed and sold. Not sinking any more money into that one.

Time's a wastin', PJ. The weather's startin' to get nice and lots of riders and rider wannabes have got tax refund money burnin' a hole in their pocket!

 

[jbrumberg]

"As soon as they start to ripen the birds clean the vines."- Randy In addition to the wild fruit bearing shrubs, we also have wild grapes, raspberries, and strawberries. Each fruit that I manage to gather is a gift. I may luck out with the blueberries thanks to bonehead Brogen and the daily walks.

BEF- I am happy to have swallowed that sip of coffee. I am visualizing the green holes erupting Good luck with the dentist.

RNG- We get a few red Flag Warnings here in the late Spring and late Fall when the fallen leaves are dry, but its nothing like the conditions with which you and Ted have to deal. One spark and You have a nasty area to brush hog from the pictures that you posted.

Drew- It depends on the ENSO "ju ju". There are so many weather/cosmic oscillations w/i oscillations it can "rattle" one's mind. I ran into a genius nut at a bar near the State Hospital. He was one of those "revolving door" hospital residents. He explained it all to me. It made sense :embarrassed: and that was before I had a couple of cold ones. Now I walk around hearing rattlesnakes.

Ted- I enjoy messing around in and messing up the kitchen, but honestly I was overwhelmed with the entirety of all the time and energy expended doing the "other half's" work. Trying to "balance" what I wanted to do with what I needed to do both inside and outside the house was overwhelming. A lot of the posters here can share my experience. I bet my fluctuating blood sugars was not helping either. At the moment I believe that I have my "priorities" better established and my blood sugars apparently balanced. I am happy to read that the MCL has healed to the point of PT and "light" duty in June. Take care with the PT. The week of June 4th will be a loooooonnnngg week. Good luck.

Lou- It was a short Mud Season and so far Blackfly Season is not too bad (yet). This pending rain will definitely bring on those black flies. Thanks for sharing the picture of the Bunting and the Goldfinches. Indigo Buntings and Red Breasted Grosbeaks are among my favorite birds.

Andrew- Without your goats in two years you would probably know the flight paths of all the birds feeding on your olives.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Forgot to mention, as I was typing the early morning post this morning, a gray fox trotted by the master bedroom glass door, and a flock of geese went over the house low enough to hear not only their honking, but the beat of their wings. And yesterday when I was mowing, I saw that southern alligator lizard again, but I wasn't quick enough to jump on it with my boots. Maybe next time?

Glad you're able to juggle things back into some sort of perspective, Jay. I was on my own when I broke my collar bone, and had to figure out how to keep doing lots of things but in a different way. One example was putting on a belt; that had to be done before I put the pants on. I could still run the sweeper and dust though, something that might not go over so well if mentioned to your better half.:laughing:

 

[PJSprog]

Time's a wastin', PJ. The weather's startin' to get nice and lots of riders and rider wannabes have got tax refund money burnin' a hole in their pocket!

Yeah, I know. I was kind of holding out earlier because my plate renewal was coming up, and I wanted to hold onto the customized plate (same as my car, MUSIK 1). Since we decided we wouldn't be replacing it until probably next year, that's no longer an issue. I'll just have to reapply for it, rather than paying for a year that it will be unused.

 

[ronjhall]

s
Memorial Day weekend is this weekend, right?
We don't plant anything in the ground before Victoria Day (May 24 weekend), and usually wait until after the full moon after that.

Memorial Day is the 28th.