Highbinder crossed over. Never be forgotten, Running things solo on farm

[Valkorado]

Ya  can't  take  the  cowgirl, out of the  girl..

Hell I was wrangling  a  calf  this morning  already in my jammies.. 

It's  a  hard  life  but I still wouldn't trade  it.

And that is the key and the answer and the reason.   And I understand.   

I remember watching the actor John Voigt discussing his personal enlightenment regarding life's challenges.  He was in a bad place in his life, struggling with career and personal relationships, and on the verge of giving up.  He broke down and asked God why things had to be so difficult.  In a voice as plain as day God audibly told him, "Its supposed to be difficult."

I think that is key indeed.  Forge ahead with what we can, and give the rest to Him.  Work with Him.  He's going to get us through this, and bring us to a place where difficulty, pain and sorrow are not present.

Found an article here.
https://www.godupdates.com/actor-jon-voight-short-god-stories/

I'm enjoying reading about your life "down on the farm".  Carry on, Lady.   

[Robert]

Ya  can't  take  the  cowgirl, out of the  girl..

Hell I was wrangling  a  calf  this morning  already in my jammies.. 

It's  a  hard  life  but I still wouldn't trade  it.

Wow, thanks you have made me feel so much better, that I'm not the only one. 

In the morning after the first cup of coffee and relaxing went outside and thought about the projects i had to do. So thought I would just look and see what they would take, well an hour later in my jammies I was fully engulfed in the project.

[LadyDraco]

That's  why we  live  the  way we  do..
Honestly I can walk outside  and yell at the  top of  my lungs  and  do often.
Calling the  cattle They need to hear me  3 miles  away, And THEY Do ! 
I can see  them that far  as  well.. 
I can also call Bigfoots ! 


Yeah the  Jammies  thing is  very common. More  common than folks  think .
Especially in Appalachia

That was  like  using the  chainsaw  at 3am..
Yeah I was truly not ATGATT . But the  project was in a  vise.
And  it was  my  pole  saw , that detaches from the  pole.

I couldn't  find  the  skill saw. I did  look at the radial arm saw.
And  said  I'm more  comfy with a  chain saw  .LOL

[Jess from VA]

I couldn't find the skill saw. I did look at the radial arm saw.
And said I'm more comfy with a chain saw.  LOL

Yeah, I'm way more comfortable with a chainsaw than either a radial arm or circular saw (which can give some nasty scary kickbacks).

I'm not big on climbing trees with a chainsaw anymore.  Ever since I cut a big limb on a 25 foot extension ladder, and it swung down and knocked the ladder out from under me.  Now I had properly tied the top of the ladder to the tree, but I was still knocked off it, and was hanging onto the cut stump with one arm and holding the screaming chainsaw off my leg with the other.  (Well this isn't good  )

In a week or two, I have a tree service outfit (owned by a longtime friend) coming in to knock the top third out of a giant 100yo oak in my front yard.  I was up and all through that tree 25 years ago, but no more of that for me.  I'm not scared of heights, but I am scared of falling out of a tree.  And bucket trucks are way easier and safer than free climbing.  But the work won't be free.   

[NewValker]

Jess, it’s not the fall out of the tree that hurts….it’s the sudden stop when ya hit the ground…..

Craig

[LadyDraco]

I don't  have  problems  getting up trees  , it's getting  down. 

Hmm the  other  thing I couldn't  find  was the  jig saw.
I  have a  Sawzall too. That I  like  a  bunch. And  I  only have  metal blades.

Today  had  me  in 20 different directions.. From mowing, trimming  limbs, and  poison ivy cut off  the  base.
Mowing for  the  first time  of the  year in the  ,well  only the  cut ins .
 As  I  had  to fix  a  fence  that took 3 hours, as    I had to deal with a multiflora rose,
I am so scraped up .. it isn't funny. This invasive piece of crap !
But the fence is fixed ,If it wasn't something that lead in to the yard .I never would have screwed with it.
   I don't know the rose was a big battle . With 20' limbs intertwined in my rose of Sharon.. That sets right on the fence. And that multiflora  was pulling the  fence down
I hate barbed wire

SO much  for  best laid  plans ..

I don't know  if  the rain will hold  off tomorrow..
If it does maybe  I can get the yard   mowed and  all the  cut in's  finished.

[Jess from VA]

I don't have problems getting up trees, it's getting down.

The truth is, climbing anything challenging (like a rock face) is always easier up than down.

For one thing, your eyes are at the top when climbing up, and they are still at the top when climbing down.

And your hands have much more dexterity than your feet (unlike a chimpanzee).

No wonder they don't wear shoes.

[LadyDraco]

I'm still pulling  bloody thorns out of  me!

[Robert]

That's  why we  live  the  way we  do..
Honestly I can walk outside  and yell at the  top of  my lungs  and  do often.
Calling the  cattle They need to hear me  3 miles  away, And THEY Do ! 
I can see  them that far  as  well.. 
I can also call Bigfoots ! 


Yeah the  Jammies  thing is  very common. More  common than folks  think .
Especially in Appalachia

That was  like  using the  chainsaw  at 3am..
Yeah I was truly not ATGATT . But the  project was in a  vise.
And  it was  my  pole  saw , that detaches from the  pole.

I couldn't  find  the  skill saw. I did  look at the radial arm saw.
And  said  I'm more  comfy with a  chain saw  .LOL

You have helped me identify my problem, I should be on a farm, similar to you rather than suburbia. Jammies here in the am outside makes it a bedroom community, So have some leeway among the neighbors.

When it was on, used to get up at 5 AM to watch Sunrise Farmer tv show when I was a kid, and I still miss that show today. Love, the pics of your ranch, they really bring memories back and such a great and beautiful area you live in. You also have the property so well laid out. Peacefully, quiet, no close neighbors and you can do what you want, when you want. That is a true blessing 

I stayed on a horse farm in the North Shore of Long Island for awhile and it was so beautiful to have the quiet in the morning and the mist over the ground and in the air. The smell was something you never forget. Cant find that in most places and it was a real settling in the morning to walk out with a cup of coffee, visit with the horses and look out over the landscape. Miss that so much for the concrete jungle that I live in now doesn't afford that kind of luxury. I guess that's why I love riding so much I can get out go out to the Everglades and all the farms there and its just a different kind of feeling. It settles you and allows you to breathe and relax. Funny that not even living on the water does the same thing its just different.

Was very happy with my chain saw till I learned that cutting treated wood will dull the blade. Was cutting down a neighbors old swing set and it was treated. Well went to cut some trees around the house and found that is was slooowww in going through what should have been a easy job. So changed out the blade which was new and finished it up. That went really easy with the new blade, so made a note to self, no treated wood on chain saws.

I have a gas pole saw and I love that thing, cuts like a knife through butter on some pretty substantial stuff. Also its nice for the high stuff but a little trouble standing on a ladder then this thing goes up about another 10 foot. 

Love your workshop at your fingertips, so if you wanted to build something you have essentially a wood shop right there all set up. No wonder you are so good at making stuff for your house.

[LadyDraco]

You are  too kind...  Thank You
LOL can always  use a  farm hand  . Can't  pay can feed well.
 

Right now  with my metal kitchen cabinets  in the  shop  and  other  stuff;
 Can't really find   all of  the  stuff.. That can be  needed at times.
My Beast is up on car stands and  my favorite  jack too.
   Getting  ready to pull the rear  wheels.
Yes  Lugs  have  been loosened . For  easy removal while  it's up.

I do Miss Don checking my work. That was  something  he always  did  for  me.
As  he always   jacked  the rearend  up for  me .
I did  remember   what he  did ..  So that is  now  done.

[LadyDraco]

Wheels  are  off   and I  have  just the  Rims  that I'm sanding , cleaning up.
And  will paint ! Then Hopefully Monday/ Tuesday  have  the  tires mounted..

[LadyDraco]

ok up till 2am 1 wheel fully masked off ,wet wipe. and  tacky cloth , ready for paint .
 Have to finish the other one today. Glad I snagged a new roll of blue tape

[LadyDraco]

And  1  rim is  fully done... 

I  never  got  out of  my jammies  today, well they are  yoga  pants, sooooo

It's  45* all day, I spray the rim  bring it  right back in to the  house.

Starting to prep the  other  rim...

[carolinarider09]

Wow!!!!  I can't do that any longer.

Yesterday, I began the task of replacing some "deck boards" that were becoming a bit weathered.  They were 2" x 6" x 16' treated pine I installed when we built the house.  Some rotted and had to be replaced a couple of years ago.

I decided I would replace them all this year with new lumber that I have allowed to "dry out" a little.

The screws (yes I used 3" screws, forget the number size) that were designated for wood decking.  NOT GOOD!!!

So they will be replaced with stainless steel screws. 

The task in and of itself is not hard but getting the screws out is tricky.  Over half come out without too much hassle.  However the remainder have to be removed using a tool I saw in a "for sale" site.  Could not find one here but used the next best thing.  A hole saw (drill thingy) with the drill bit removed.

Works sort of.  But better than what I was going go do with my saws all.   

Anyway got three boards done yesterday.  Not 100% but.... And I am getting old so, it is not like it was when I put them in 10 years or so ago. 

That is why I admire so much what LadyDraco has accomplished.  Really impressive.

Oh I got some new knee pads.  They are better than the other pair I have but....   time will tell.

[Jess from VA]

Jim, I've been told that today's pressure treat lumber is no way as good as it used to be.

I suppose the safety fanatics hated the arsenic and other chemicals used to make good (older) pressure treat.  The EPA essentially outlawed the use of arsenic and chromium in treated lumber at the end of 2003.

Anyway, I'm told the new stuff won't last as long or stand up to weather as well as the old stuff did.  And that a good stain or sealer is a good idea when it's fully dry (which has always been the case).  

Course, I'm 71 now and a 'lifetime warranty' isn't as impressive as it was when I was 31.  

[Robert]

And  1  rim is  fully done...  

I  never  got  out of  my jammies  today, well they are  yoga  pants, sooooo

It's  45* all day, I spray the rim  bring it  right back in to the  house.

Starting to prep the  other  rim...

Yoga pants dont qualify as Jammies so you got into your work attire.  

45 is a bit cold to spray?

I must admit, now I know why your nicknames fit such a pretty woman. They seemed out of place but now I understand, good for you. Have you always been this handy? 

Will work for food 

How bout some pics, of the rims? Do you have an air compressor since if you had a sand blasting machine you would probably enjoy the results of how quickly and completely it removes old paint and rust. Sometimes the rims get rusted on the beads and the tires never seat properly and leak air. Sand blasting seems to get it off.

I found a place around here that does sand blasting on items big or small and will even powder coat them. Something like even metal patio furniture is no problem for them. The results are amazing.

Almost did this for this lawn mower for the yard. It was an older John Deere commercial mower because I was tired of all the new ones wont cut for their life and are expensive. The metal on this thing was 1/4 inch thick. It was in pretty bad shape but cleaned it up, got the engine running, some new pulleys and belts and the thing was running really good. Bought some of that green John Deere paint, sanded and cleaned the surfaces and it came out great. Not perfect but pretty good for a mower that has been around for awhile. It was just a lawn mower and didnt really want to lift the 1/4 inch steel deck to go to a sand blaster so the paint was just fine.

All the lawn guys wanted to buy it and had their eyes on it. Did eventually sell it because although the grass is thick and this mower gave a good cut and went through anything, and I do mean anything, it was just to big for a smaller lawn. Great for a farm where the tractor does not get. Could have made it a ride behind since it had the ability to hook up dolly for a person to stand and be pulled.

[LadyDraco]

I agree 45* being cold  to spray, but with the rim being in the  house  over night,I felt the alum. was warm enough, and it wasn't  outside  long during sprays!
It feels  really good  this  morning.

Sadly around  here  No  sand blasting place.
That I know  of. But doesn't  mean they are not around..

Really ? they feel soft like  jammies and  have a  flared  bottoms..
They are NOT jeans or  cover alls .. So they are jammies  LOL...

I do use  the  small jet spray nozzle  on the  big air  compressor, to help with paint removal.
I just wish my sanding   was  a  bit better..
At least  where  the  tire  bead is  that is   sanded  nice  and  smooth for  the  bead.
That was where  I worked  the  hardest on..
But the  inside  of  the  hub where  ya  don't  really see, I was a little  more  forgiving..
 I will post up pic soon..
You know   with a  camera it  takes  a  bit  longer and  more  hoops  to jump.

  I hope  I can sand  today, I have  8 fingers  with splits  on them. so typing with pinkies LOL
Once  I  put some  porters liniment salve  on , that numbs the  splits  good for a  bit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There  is  a  part of  my deck that will need  to be  addressed  this  year.
I was looking at  that other   deck boarding. As  this  area  is  NOT under  cover,
8' x 5' area.  I think it  needs like  21 boards..

[Robert]

I agree 45* being cold  to spray, but with the rim being in the  house  over night,I felt the alum. was warm enough, and it wasn't  outside  long during sprays!
It feels  really good  this  morning.

Sadly around  here  No  sand blasting place.
That I know  of. But doesn't  mean they are not around..

Really ? they feel soft like  jammies and  have a  flared  bottoms..
They are NOT jeans or  cover alls .. So they are jammies  LOL...

I do use  the  small jet spray nozzle  on the  big air  compressor, to help with paint removal.
I just wish my sanding   was  a  bit better..
At least  where  the  tire  bead is  that is   sanded  nice  and  smooth for  the  bead.
That was where  I worked  the  hardest on..
But the  inside  of  the  hub where  ya  don't  really see, I was a little  more  forgiving..
 I will post up pic soon..
You know   with a  camera it  takes  a  bit  longer and  more  hoops  to jump.

  I hope  I can sand  today, I have  8 fingers  with splits  on them. so typing with pinkies LOL
Once  I  put some  porters liniment salve  on , that numbs the  splits  good for a  bit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There  is  a  part of  my deck that will need  to be  addressed  this  year.
I was looking at  that other   deck boarding. As  this  area  is  NOT under  cover,
8' x 5' area.  I think it  needs like  21 boards..

Wow what a dream of a girl knowing all the ins and outs of painting even down to your finger with splits. But you know what really takes the cake????  Not work clothes but jeans or coveralls. 

I know you know but,
Keep the chemicals off your hands and wear gloves for sanding. I had the problem with micro cuts and believe it or not Clorox cut 50% when cleaning your hands helps your hands and stops many of the roughness that comes from projects and working. At night find a good creme you like and put that on it helps them heal so much faster and the cuts stop hurting almost immediately. when putting this on my hands they would be warm slightly and dirt in the cracks of the finger prints would come out.  Splits on your fingers makes the project so much harder with the pain every time you work. Work is hard enough but those small cuts take all the joy away from the project. 

Funny, but here so called, Jammies/ yoga pants have made fine fashion in the malls around here. So many with them on but now I know why you would call them Jammies. They just don't hold up to the work or things your doing. It could also get really exciting if welding and a piece of metal hits them. I'm so much more comfortable in my jeans they are also so much more comfortable and protective.

On the deck are you going to use Composite boards?

[LadyDraco]

for that small area , I was thinking  about it..
It is  an area that see lots  of  water.. From time  to time.
But of course  ,not for  a while, one  can dream.
If I can ever  get some  extra $$ that isn't  needed  some where else. 
Or I win a  store  sweepstakes.. 

Well ,why ya  think HB scoffed me  up so fast! LOL 
I  miss  him so much!
He  always  said  I  got  my tinkering from my Mum..

I wear gloves, and  bleach eats  my hands up real fast.
I guess  from the  days  of  milking goats, used a lot of  bleach back then.

https://www.amazon.com/Porters-Liniment-Salve-2-Ounce/dp/B001V9FPHM   is  the  best!
That  size  tin will last a  LIFE time. my tin  is 40 yrs old. Maybe

  Twotone Valk. Knows  the  stuff.. It numbs  a bee sting fast!

[Robert]

for that small area , I was thinking  about it..
It is  an area that see lots  of  water.. From time  to time.
But of course  ,not for  a while, one  can dream.
If I can ever  get some  extra $$ that isn't  needed  some where else. 
Or I win a  store  sweepstakes.. 

Well ,why ya  think HB scoffed me  up so fast! LOL 
I  miss  him so much!
He  always  said  I  got  my tinkering from my Mum..

I wear gloves, and  bleach eats  my hands up real fast.
I guess  from the  days  of  milking goats, used a lot of  bleach back then.

https://www.amazon.com/Porters-Liniment-Salve-2-Ounce/dp/B001V9FPHM   is  the  best!
That  size  tin will last a  LIFE time. my tin  is 40 yrs old. Maybe

  Twotone Valk. Knows  the  stuff.. It numbs  a bee sting fast!

I'm going to try that porters, I've heard of it but nothing seems to help since they are always into something.

A good paint for stopping rust and coating the surface in so hard a paint that its hard even to sand. Ive used it on a few projects to stop rust, just took off the loose stuff and painted over it. Never had a problem after it was put on. Body work on cars and rocker panels and such, but also the John Deere lawn mower put some on that and it protected the surface from rust and chips.

https://por15.com/

Quote below.
Well ,why ya  think HB scoffed me  up so fast! LOL 
I  miss  him so much!
 :'(

[carolinarider09]

Jim, I've been told that today's pressure treat lumber is no way as good as it used to be.

I suppose the safety fanatics hated the arsenic and other chemicals used to make good (older) pressure treat.  The EPA essentially outlawed the use of arsenic and chromium in treated lumber at the end of 2003.

Anyway, I'm told the new stuff won't last as long or stand up to weather as well as the old stuff did.  And that a good stain or sealer is a good idea when it's fully dry (which has always been the case).  

Course, I'm 71 now and a 'lifetime warranty' isn't as impressive as it was when I was 31.  

Thomson's water sealer is the next step after the new boards are in place.   

[LadyDraco]

These rims are cast alum... I believe and  a 14" rim..


I do need  to give  FenderMender  a shout out .
As  he  showed  me  where  I needed to pay more att to.
   Waiting  for  my Dremel to charge  back up. I found 2  more  sanding wheels  .
Boy do they grind  down FAST ! LOL.
I'm almost ready to hand  sand.


I was going to detail the  finished  rim, But felt I would  rather  have  the rubber  on it .
As  it will get finger prints  and  grease  . SO I'll wait..

[LadyDraco]

Well the  break downs  continue!
My trusty quad, has  internal issues now, At least it's  up by the  house.
That's all I'll say about that .

Not in the  best of  moods

[f6john]

Breakdowns are to be expected but these days are a tough pill to swallow. Everything in my stable is now at least 10 years old and I foresee problems on the horizon, some I can handle on my own and some probably not. But the cost of new is going to keep me in repair mode for the foreseeable future. Hope your quad still has some affordable life let to give!

[LadyDraco]

Yeah this 06 quad is  the  newest thing in the  stable.

[LadyDraco]

I'll be  drinking tonight  !
If  any feels  like  joining  in ..

It has  not been a  very good  week..
It's  a  good  thing I'm strong

[carolinarider09]

I shall be raising my glass at 9:30 tonight.  I shall think of you and the picture above. 

There are times in ones life when something happens and we ask ourselves (not others) why? 

I cannot answer for others but for me, I look up and ask why?  And the answer is always the same. 

Strength through faith. 

[LadyDraco]

I worked outside  most of  the  day.
So with pitchfork on  hand  and  poor ole yeller and  my wood  wagon, I  picked  up  hay in the  fields  that was not being eaten.  If  ya  leave  it  makes  bald  patches . 
So 3  wagon loads  and  took them to the  tater  patch, and   put more crappy hay down, Tomorrow  I  plant taters. And  put more  hay on top of  the  taters.

 Then I  planted  flowers in my  planters  on the  porch  and  hanging baskets .
   
  And  after  that I  made   little  something  , That I will be  making more of. I was just using scraps
I  had  laying a  around.  So the  next ones  will be  better.

But sadly once  it's in use  you'll never  see  it..

[carolinarider09]

Glass raised at 9:35 PM

 

[LadyDraco]

 


~~~~~~~~~~

Ok some  of  ya's  might have been asking yourselves... SO what in the  world  has  LD  made  now??

I  made  a  planter  caddy..



I would  have  much rather NOT use  JB weld..
But I  had  to  whip  one up . To see if  it  would  even work as my mind  said  it  would..
I  must have  a ton of  rotors laying  around .LOL
   The  size  is  good , Beats  spending 20 bucks, for  one .
Now  I  had  the  4 coaster  wheels  laying  around. I  have  no Idea  what they belonged  to.
But I  have  a tendency to keep that kind  of  stuff ,when something  broke  and  had  wheels..

They will work out OK  for  my out door  plants !



I  had  to grind  the  posts  down a  bit so they would  fit in.
A generous  helping of  JB ..  Letting  it cure  for  a  good  24h..
Before I  use  it..

I will truly be  making many more in the  future..
 

[Valkorado]

Repurposing at its best.

[Jess from VA]

There's also a dolly for moving heavy stuff around.

I use my dolly and/or wheelbarrow almost daily.  (older gentleman/woman back-saving tools  )

[LadyDraco]

Yes   I  use  both appliance  dollies  and  I  have  2  hand  carts..
But for Plants  ; No sir...
They stay on theses  out side.
On the  deck, and  NOT sitting the  wood. the  air   is  a  good thing...

[Oss]

redneck engineering at its finest  or can I call it yankee ingenuity ?

I may steal that idea, the highest form of flattery is of course imitation

When we were on the beach a few years back the wind kept blowing out
the beach umbrellas all over the beach so I took a few plastic bags and filled em
with sand

We had the only portable umbrella NOT to blow away except for that giant wood pole one that weighs a ton  lol  and Bonnie got her shade

[LadyDraco]

{redneck engineering at its finest  or can I call it yankee ingenuity ?}

 No sir , just a  Southern Widow, doing her  best to keep in front of  the  demons ..
Besides my Mum was  born in Charlston , SC.  

[LadyDraco]

And I see  a   pure White  Bull calf  toddling behind  mum...
This  cow  only has  1  working teat I sure  hope   he  drank...
This  cow  will also KILL anyone  that gets  close  to her  baby!
She's  a  good  mum, but a  bit surly ..
Which is  good  as  she  has  NO  horns  and  need to protect her  babies..
   You always  need one  of  them in your  herd..

[LadyDraco]

This  morning  the  bull in me  said .
Lets  give  it a  go,  and  see if  ya  can get that tiller on by yourself ! 

Not only did  I  get her done !
But only had  to back up to it  1 time  and   it  was  a  perfect match up..
 That doesn't happen all the  time  !
SO for  once  it  was a  good  day.. Then it started  to rain.
So I  said  , Hmm I think I  could  use a  day off..
It's  damp and  chilly out ,I even have  a fire  going....

[NewValker]

1 back up is always a win! Lol

Craig

[LadyDraco]

   Thanks  Craig
I was tickled  for  sure...

[LadyDraco]

Well I tilled  both  gardens.. Charlie  called  me  this  morning  to check up on me..

And  gave  me  a few  pointers..  He  said  he  had  full confidence  in me  ... Glad  someone  did.. LOL

I did  OK I believe, I greased everything first, even on the tractor there  was  a few  crazy ones  way underneath , And  checked ALL Gears and Hydro..

I did  check the  oil  on the  tractor It might need  some  next time. Need  to figure  out the  radiator one  of  theses days, And  see how  it's fluid  is..