51F under clear skies, headed back up into the high 70s today with an advisory for high winds. The camo colored Harbor Freight tarp I put over the wood pile last Fall is already shredded pretty good along one side where it gets morning sun, and I wonder if it'll make it through this next dose of wind. We're almost out of the rainy season anyway, with all summer ahead to dry out again, so I'll probably not worry about it till next Fall.
Don, those are some nasty looking nettles you've got there. We've got a thistle that looks about the same, except for the flowers. It's covered with spines, but doesn't have a sting. The spines will break off in your skin by the hundreds though, and they're tough to get out even with tweezers. Glyphosate works pretty well on 'em, but a few always seem to manage to come back the next year. I've met some very hospitable Texans, but I guess the insect and plant population never got that memo, huh? :laughing:
I musta missed how the land deal turned out, too, Drew. Hope everything's OK in that regard.
Dave, we get fire warnings every time the humidity drops and the wind picks up around here. And with good reason. CalFire has already staffed up to full summer status, a full month earlier than usual, and they've put out 40-50 wildfires more already than in a normal year. Just yesterday they arrested a guy that started another one, but fortunately it only toasted 4-5 acres before the fire crews got it out. It was a real windy day up in the Plumas National Forest, and it could have turned out very badly if they hadn't caught it in time.
Weather yesterday was perfect for working outside, with cool temps in the 60s and mild breezes. Took out the big trimmer with the hedger blade and mowed what turned out to be 2' tall grass all around the house, getting set to break out the Brushog next week. That setup made very short work of what used to be a real wrestling match with the push mower (owing to the steep grade) or worrying about breaking windows with the string trimmer. This time it took longer to rake up the clippings than ittdid to make them. I always seem to let it get too long, but it's hard to cut down all those pretty purple lupines. There will be guests in over the weekend, so I re-buried a bunch of lawn edging that the rains had washed out. And they said I wouldn't have to dig ditches if I got a college degree
Was going to spread more decomposed granite after the repairs, but the tractor wouldn't start. Kept getting a message about depressing the clutch, the PTO, and neutral, but I've only got two feet and couldn't manage all three at once (just kidding). Was about to give up when I noticed the cover for the fuse box down low on the left side under the dash, so started pulling them out one by one checking for corrosion. All of them were very dusty, and a few were corroded, and sure enough once I got them all back in and the cover on, the old girl started right up. I'll do it all again in a few days with some sand paper and DeOxIt to make sure the repair sticks.
Once I did get it going it was good exercise spreading a third yard bucket full of DG with a shovel (ditch filling in around the edging). All went well until it came time to put the tractor away and I headed down the steep back hill. I found myself at the wheel of a run away as the rear wheels skidded and the front wheels spun freely. I'd been on that ride before and after an initial shot of adrenaline I dropped the bucket to bring everything to a halt. Turns out I'd left the thing in 2WD to come up the concrete driveway on the other side of the house, and Kubota only put brakes on the back axle. With just a light angle blade on the back and that heavy 4-in-one bucket out front, there wasn't much traction on that slippery grass. It'll grow back over the skid marks, but it won't be 'till next year's rain starts.:shocked:
Be careful out there, folks, and always make sure your ROPS is up and you're wearing your seat belt. Accidents happen in just a split second, and being prepared just might save a life.
