Good morning!!!!

[mpham]

Morning all! 71 going to lower 80's today. Way to wet outside to get anything done out there.
Waiting on visitors today for inspection of the furnace install.
Wagon wheel delivered and now waiting on them to paint and install before I get another one.

Played in the shop a bit and made a container for the master bath and a couple wands for possible sale. Waiting on reply from requester.

Not sure what will get done today. Think I might be part of the procrastinators club!
Hope everyone stays safe and healthy!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Didn't he tear up the Jeep too?

Yep..... that's coming back here in a few weeks so I can rehab it......

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

LS, maybe the ford low oil will be the make or break point for your daughter and her incompetent boyfriend.

I wish, but I doubt it......

 

[Engineer42]

Yep..... that's coming back here in a few weeks so I can rehab it......

Wow, I thought you just had.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Wow, I thought you just had.

You don't want to know......
At least it will be staying here for her son to use while he is staying here for college.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Good Morning!!!! 63F @ 6:00AM. Abundant sunshine. High near 95F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

Damned squirrel in addition to costing a box of towels almost gave me a heart attack when came scrambling out of the box and up my arm before jumping to the floor.

I think I forgot to mention that almost the same thing happened to me when I was looking for popped fuses on the firetruck last week. I found a mouse nest in the glove box, and when I opened the ash tray a mouse jumped right into my lap. It's next hop was to the floor, and I was a second too late trying to stomp it with my boot. Instead it made it out the door to live and restore its home in the glove box again.

OK, valve tap gone at idle, but still present at the 2K rpm range. Not good.

What engine is it? If it's the 7.3L Diesel, it won't start or run if it looses oil pressure. At two quarts, it wasn't completely out, but if the oil level was below the pickup, could be the cams and lifters suffered some damage.

We're dry and hot here this week too! Make sure you close the doors and windows......

I haven't had any doors or windows open for ventilation for at least a month because the temperatures have been so hot, and for the last week, because there's enough smoke in the air to make it unhealthy.

I'm wondering if I can get take out from there, good food but in a very quiet rv.

I was warned away from The Big Texan by the locals in Amarillo, Drew. They said the food is not very good. Lincoln Steak House seemed to be their favorite.

I was very happy when the Honda generator started up after only a few seconds of cranking yesterday. I installed a propane conversion on it a few years ago, and haven't used it much since. It ran for most of an hour up at the gate powering a medium size hammer drill I'd hoped would make short work of the concreted in and burned off at the ground fence posts there. No such luck, as I only got about a foot down on one post in all that time. Gonna need the full sized electric jackhammer for this job, and it's down south. But the list of things to do here keeps growing, so I'll need at least one more van trip before I can start driving the Toyota up here again.

While I had the generator hooked up, I ran my neighbor's pipe wrenches back to him, and we hooked his 120VAC welder up to the generator so I could fine tune the propane mixture while it was under load. He didn't have a replacement 1" PVC shut off valve, so when I mentioned I was just going to the local rip off hardware store to save me a trip to town, he decided to ride along and pick up a roll of stamps. The big van got his stamp of approval, too. Mine, too, as it made it up both of our steep gravel driveways loaded with half a ton of firewood with no trouble at all.

Back home I made a bad cut on the PVC when I went to replace that valve, but fortunately had a fitting in the box that would work. Doing it that way didn't let me re-route and simplify like I'd intended, but it ended up being less work.

Once the sun got lower and it cooled off a bit I dumped the water out of the Kubota side-by-side's radiator and mixed up a gallon of 50/50 antifreeze. Left it to drain overnight and called it a day.

Today will start with filling up the Kubota radiator, then spraying another tank or two of glyphosate on the yellow star thistle that always comes in this time of year. Not sure what the rest of the day will bring, but there are lots of choices.

 

[Engineer42]

You don't want to know......
At least it will be staying here for her son to use while he is staying here for college.

Hmmm. Well at least he keeps you in projects.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Good morning! Low of 60°, going up to 92°, no rain. The monsoon is supposed to kick back in Thursday or Friday, so chances going back up. Temps will be too!

Researched the issue on the daughter's truck. Two very common issues not too expensive to fix, just very time consuming. The third one is less common, a little more cost, but even more time consuming. The last issue (which is related to low oil) is the worst, she'll get to decide if a full rebuild is worth it vs the value of the truck....

We're going back up in a couple of weeks and I'll take some tools with me to diagnose it. I have a good suspicion that it's the third common issue. Fingers crossed that I'm right.

RNG, it's the 6.8L V-10. Known for breaking exhaust manifolds, spitting out spark plugs at high velocity, and oil starving the cam phasor / tensioners. Her's was the last year before they changed head design. I'm thinking that it's getting ready to launch a mini missile!

Feeling much better by last evening. Didn't do a blessed thing yesterday except hold down the furniture. Startled awake again last night at 01:30, only tossed for about an hour.... getting better.

I am planning on a small project that's been on the back burner.... grinding down 2 cast iron pans, then re-seasoning them. Can't say that I procrastinated on doing them, just other things got priority.

Buppies, take it easy and heal quickly.

Drew, had to look up that squash, yes, strange looking.... almost more like a gourd. Hope tomato delivery successful. When is your tentative scheduled stop here?

Time to go catch some fresh morning air on the porch. The BIL is also enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Far different than his home of San Jose.....

Everyone have a great day!

 

[gstrom99]

Hot and humid days, now... Working in the new shop with A/C on is nice. The SIL said his little Kubota B1550 started making a racket and smoking while bush hogging, so he shut it off - way back from the road. Turns out the water pump went out. Worst one I've seen. The wobbling fan blade knocked a hydraulic clamp loose from the cooler, but the smoke was from the belt - the pump was so bad it was locking up. I'll replace some original hoses, while I'm in this deep. Taking the hood off and the radiator out made access easier. Got a chance the clean the radiator and lower panels under the motor good too. Yes, there is a stand under the raised loader...

 

[daugen]

Ted, route 66 rv campground, Edgewood NM, Sept 29 for two nights, have reservations

off on refrigeration errand of rescue
taking my rv portable electric fridge over to neighbor across street whose fridge just died after 29 years.
They can set that on freezing and I'll take them a cooler with cold packs for other stuff.
not doing any good just sitting in rv.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Big Texan had the best steak i've ever eaten. It was so good.

overcast so far today. Haven't gotten a price yet to replace the TXV valve.
Been busy with bills this morning. Got bill yesterday for son's ambulance ride on Apr 2. Pi$$ed me off that the county started charging for that, after all the taxes we pay (just got that reminder last week). anyway, they charged $360 just for mileage. Their web page says they charge to the closest hospital, yet they drove right past the closest hospital and took him to the 3rd furthest away, and charged the higher rate. Also pi$$ me off the bill comes from KY. Why isn't it local. Called local people who run emergency services, to ask why bill wasn't sent to insurance company. All I got was a voicemail, in the worst "I don't really want to talk to you" voice imaginable. Then I called the number on the bill (from the KY billing company), got a very pleasant person, who said they would put the bill on hold while it goes thru my insurance.
Got a bill from my term life insurance, that is going up 78%. Going to cancel that. Not paying $44K for life insurance for the next 10 yrs, with the rate increasing again in 5 yrs. I don't need the coverage. My financial guy told be a couple years ago I should cancel it. Couldn't get them on the phone.
Got some other bills paid. Electric was a day overdue, they keep creeping up the due date each month.
The older I get, the grumpier I get.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

gstrom99, good luck on water pump replacement. when mine went on the L5030, dad thought it was radiator leaking (although he said he never saw a leak) and he kept putting stop leak in the radiator. Until the head cracked....... THat was an expensive fix.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

The Sellersville is 10 minutes from my house, Annapolis is almost 3 hours, just sayin…..

Sellersville is 3 hrs, Annapolis is 1.5 hrs. I'm hoping to stall and not go to either.....lol

BTO is playing the county fair, but haven't gotten tickets yet.

I keep remembering more concerts, but don't have the date of when they were. I know I saw Dan Fogelberg twice, and he's not on the list. One year we bought a concert series pass at a local venue and saw several.

 

[Looking4new]

I got the back lawn the moles tore up fertilized this morning and the patch the wood guy helped me to mess up got seeded with Scotts seed and fertilizer.
Gonna rain this afternoon. Hope it is gentle.

The first concert I ever attended was Bill Anderson. I was into country music then. Switched over to bluegrass and then to rock. I still like a good pipe band.

 

[sodamo]

68°F and .03 inches rain.

Didn’t get a lot accomplished yesterday morning. My friend Keith had arranged to borrow my tiller. No problem, got it ready for him, but then it was after 12:30 when he drove off. Keith loves to visit. Then I had to load the garbage, diesel cans etc and it was time to head for town. I do need to swap out the PTO shaft this morning, but will meet him at PO. Gave him wrong one, too long.

Nice HH at the golf club. Had an interesting sandwich, 2 burger patties, slice of Swiss, lettuce, tomato, bacon, brisket, and an egg all on a bun. Intimidating, but good.

Prayers for all
Be safe
Have a great day

 

[daugen]

sounds like a yummy heart attack on a bun David...
any luck with LS diagnosing your tractor/replacing parts?

took coolers over to neighbor, they were happy with that.
they did have an auxiliary freezer which I didn't know but now they won't worry.

was going to mow the lawn but high 80's and decided I really didn't want to get soaked in sweat.
waiting until 4pm when I can pick up an out of town friend's CSA share of veggies at Tinicum CSA, right
near the Frenchtown bridge. I'm sure I'll give half of that away but curious to see what they have.
sure will pass on the tomatoes

so I happily joined the local procrastinator's club and the lawn
can wait until tomorrow. We are going to get about a quarter inch of rain so that should at least
cut down on the dust.

enjoyed my SIL's homemade potato salad and gazpacho. Some of my tomatoes went into the soup.
great way to eat your vegetables.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

The older I get, the grumpier I get.

Me too! I wonder if there's something in the water?

Oh, and tolerance for stupid people has really diminished over time.... it's down to about 45 seconds now.....

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Didn't know BTO was still around! Used to blast out the speakers listening to those guys!

Dennis, most all ambulance companies are able to bill both the insurance AND the individual. Double dipping at its finest! There is a difference in what they can bill.... actual treatment and supplies to the insurance, mileage and equipment charges to the individual. But that can vary town to town.

I was surprised that polishing the cast iron pans wasn't all that difficult. Had both done in about 45 minutes. They are now "cooking" on the grill. First coat burning in nicely. In another hour, I'll recoat them with olive oil and cook for another hour.

BIL brought some gifts for his nephews. A couple of "aerobies", frisbee rings. They were out playing with them this morning. They really fly far!
He also brought some "dried owl pellets" for a science experiment to do with them.... hocked up owl hair balls! He is a middle school teacher, really enjoys teaching science. I wonder what they will find in the pellets?

Next up: bundling up a gazillion cardboard boxes to take to the dump. I don't know why I have an OCD to collect boxes...... BUT, at this point, half the garage is stacked with boxes! Time to go!

Chicken parm for dinner. Smells really good so far.... Even have some fresh Italian bread....

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Earliest concert I have record of attending is Del Reeves and the Good Time Charlies in 1975.
I saw Cher, and I think it was Sony and Cher then, sometime at the Ohio State Fair. The only concert of theirs I can find listed for the Ohio State Fair was 1967, so that might be the first one.
Saw Bob Hope in 1976
others Paul Anka, Mac Davis, Sha Na Na, Kenny Rogers, Air Supply, America back in 70's or early 80s.
My list now at 50

 

[rswyan]

Yesterday's post (got distracted by other stuff ... )

81F and mostly cloudy @ 13:15, calling for a high of 83F for the day with scattered thunderstorms.

Some light rain moved through a bit ago, supposed to get more around 16:00 and then 18:00. We could really use it.

Indeterminate tomatoes on the vertical trellis and the row of Sunny Boys both got a watering of around 45 minutes each via their soaker hoses yesterday (Sunday)

It was hot ... with the high hitting 96.4F according to the LWS. But I managed to spend most of the day out in it.

Got 6 more gallon of glyphosate mixed up, one sprayer completely refilled, and the other one partially.

I spent a good part of the afternoon in the shade on the east of the garage, planting more seeds in pots: additional summer squash - both zucchini and straight yellow, some winter spaghetti squash, more cucumbers.

Was going to plant more okra but got reading the instructions and they recommended soaking overnight and then direct sowing. Of course I forgot to put them in water last night to sow today ...

Started to mow the side yards but it was way too dry and dusty, decided to wait until we get some rain.

Transferred the Sevin solution in the Chapin sprayer into the new Home Depot sprayer that has the angled nozzle so we can get the underside of the plants.

Then cleaned out the Chapin and The Woman mixed up some peppermint extract and water for that and went out sprayed the plants in the garden and the hosta around back.

Deer are really grazing down the hosta ... and are getting into the garden ...

Moved the Kubota around back next to the deck and raised up the loader and then went upstairs and climbed out on the deck through a window and loaded the largest pile of scrap deck boards which had been removed into the bucket and took that up to the brush pile and dumped it.

Pushed another brush pile in the back a little further into the woods when I came back down.

Hooked up the dump cart to the Cub and took it around back and started loading the 6 bags of mulch into it, two at a time.

Mulched the weeds in the new hosta ring around the small oak which I had sprayed and got those covered up.

Then started weeding and mulching around the summer squash along the back of the frog pond.

Started to refill the Water Buffalo, Woman texted about low water pressure so I went inside and checked pressure on the tank, was showing around 40 psi but I went ahead and shut it off to avoid damage to the pump in case it was now sucking air.

Went back out and hooked up the Buffalo and pulled it around back to where I was working and went back to weeding and mulching.

Heard a scream ... turned around there standing at the south end of the garden, about 30' - 40' away from me was a doe checking me out. Saw another two deer standing over in the woods. Eventually it took off and the other two headed back into the woods.

Ended up giving the summer squash a couple gallons each.

Went back inside and turned the well pump back on and then closed up the fence around the garden and came on inside as it was starting to get dark.

Today's post:

81F and mostly cloudy @ 13:30, DP 69F, HU 68%, "feels like" temp = 86F.

The Woman just announced that She was heading back outside for more string trimmed and then "Nevermind ... it's raining !"

We did end up getting more rain yesterday - LWS reported a total of 0.83" which should really help.

I was going to mow yesterday but The Woman noted that the grass was still wet so maybe best to hold off for a while.

That sounded like a pretty good plan to me, still showing rain chances for later today and tomorrow ... so might just wait until Thursday since it's supposed to be mostly cloudy then and the grass has slowed down quite a bit.

Instead I got some bills scheduled for payment.

Then went back to working on pulling more nails and removing more deck boards. Was pretty miserable out there with warm temps and high humidity while I was doing it.

Got another bucket's worth pulled and loaded up and took those up to the brush pile and dumped them.

Then came back down and collected up the garbage and took it up to the can at the road and set it out.

Woman worked on organizing and filing Menard's receipts, mainly trying to find the paperwork on the B&D drill/impact combo so I could determine whether the drill is still under warranty. She was successful on that and the drill should be under warranty until October of this year ...

She also harvested the first of the peppers:

Should have some tomatoes in the next few days.

Agenda for today (weather depending)

Refill bird feeders.

Move cattle panels which are lying in the driveway behind the van. Probably take those up to the shop where I can work on them in the AC. (A little bent up, need some straightening)

May go back to working on removing more deck boards later.

Plus whatever else comes up.

Just ended up getting a gully washer, add another 0.36" to the total ... dropped the temp down to 75F ...

Hope everyone is having a decent Tuesday ...