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Yeah, I used to buy 2x4 studs for $1.97 and a few days ago I saw them for $7.13. I should have mentioned - we negotiated an even lower home building price in September-October 2021 but they bumped that price twice before we worked out all the details and signed in November 2021. So in that...

Yeah, I figured we would need to do a lot of it, and/or making some deals with locals up here in the hills - there are many with different skills. I have done a lot of electrical, plumbing, framing, drywall (hate that!), and more. So, an option. Thank you for the input.

Thanks for this information. I will ask for that. I have also started to look at log cabin kits - the daughter loves them and the mountain and hill top setting with fantastic views from the site would work out. I will visit the County Building dept on Monday to check out how the manage that...

Sad day here today. After signing a contract to build a second house on our 90 acre property (about $265,000 for the building only - we have to do the well, pads, septic and more) we waited for six months for the permit to be issued. Well, it was approved this week but the builder now says due...

dodge man, the pad is for the well head (controls, booster pump, pressure tank, and such). Our daughter and son-in-law are building a home on our property - we have 90 acres and have lived here for 36 years. It will be great to have them here as we get older. We have gone through the...

3Ts - you are spot on with that advice. For the well at the main house, the well house/covering can be completely tipped off the pad to one side to allow full access when needed - and it has been needed twice in 30+ years. It takes two strong guys to tilt it off and put it back but so very...

Actually, it cleaned out easily - immediately after we were done, we dumped the rest of the water in to the bucket and broomed it around and it came out clean. That was the easiest part.

I don't have a lot of cat knowledge, but will share this: We have two cats - someone gave them to my wife. We fixed both of them. They are quite old now. Then someone dropped off, or a feral cat had, three kittens. They showed up here. We trapped them, found homes for two of them and kept one...

Okay, finished it, so my update: Took the tooth bar off. Loaded up garbage cans with water- and smaller buckets to bail it with. The form already had rebar and wire. Coated the inside of the forms with cooking oil. Lined up the FEL along the form (3.5 x about 9' - and set to be about 5" thick)...

When my Husqvarna riding mower conked, I did my due diligence to find a replacement. I could not find any of the first 3 or 4 on my list of wants. I settled. One of the simplest JDs - and not the one I would have chosen. but it works fine and actually is quite suitable for our uses - I guess I...

Agree. I have always said that when the time comes that someone has to change my diapers I am checking out. The quality of life issue will control my decision.

Happened to me with something I bought at Lowes - more than once - missing parts and obviously were 'returns'. I returned the last item and explained that it was not the first time. The manager came out and was extremely gracious - thanked me and said they would take this up at the next meeting...

Never more than 90 seconds to a minute. Once a day, typically just after breakfast. One and done. I do take in a lot of fiber including supplements and so evacuation is complete.

It will be in the 90s for a few days, so I will wait until Monday when it is supposed to be a bit cooler and then will tackle this. I will take and post pictures and report back on the experience - the success or lack of success, the celebration or the regrets.

Okay, this might be TMI, but during the great TP shortage I decided to look at bidets. I read the reviews on Amazon, and they were over the top great. So, I took a chance and ordered one - the toilet seat kind - about $40. The wife thought it was foolish. Long story short. It came. I installed...

Thanks again for the input. Mixing dry in the form could work if I took out the wire and rebar. Think I want to leave that in. Mixing it in the FEL bucket would be a challenge to mix it well, but with the power (two handed) variable speed mortar mixer it will be somewhat doable. Or I may learn...

Thanks guys. Great options, but I don't have a mixer anymore, and the drive to the site from where we live is a bit rough and some distance away. I may be stuck with mixing at the site.

I need to pour a pad (3.5' x 8' x 4" deep) and have bought enough 60lb bags of concrete. The forms are built, with wire and rebar. It is on a hilltop where I don't have electricity but will bring up a generator and a HF mortar mixer - which I have used effectively before to mix concrete in...

Without TBN I would just be another old guy living in the country without friends and making a lot of mistakes.

Ditto that. I know a guy, well actually he lives here, well actually it was me - anyway he was busting up a concrete wall with a sledgehammer and seriously injured his eye. Big time. Surgery with a top specialist (locals wouldn't touch it) and no longer any dilation in right eye. Apparently...

I agree totally. Posting how others have helped you, or how you resolved, or failed to resolve your issue is important - that is how you help others and how you acknowledge how others helped you. That is what makes the forum so useful and satisfying.

This is a bit of a segue but many years ago - before I had a tractor - I looked into hiring a guy to do some dozing work - it would be his unit and he would operate it. We met and I outlined the work. He gave me a contract to look over. I did. It provided that if anything at all went wrong with...

The only connection between you and the guy is that he happens to live somewhat near to you - and ten minutes away is not that near. And it does not appear that you are someday going to be buddies - or would want to be. So, No. You have no obligation to him. But it seems you have reasons not to...

We have major ground squirrel problems. Last year we shot or trapped 133, the year before 132. I have also used the gopher gassers in their holes - in the evening when hopefully they are inside - but don't know how effective that is. A feral cat dropped off three kittens a few months ago and we...

I bought this one - after I kept losing or misplacing several others. It seems to work - and it also provides information on how much the charge is - unlike the ones that just light up. So far so good. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01985HQWW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This reminds me of what a friend used to say - "It's zucchini season - lock your doors and your car doors or every few days someone will drop off a bag full."

I could not do that in my current project because of the steep terrain. I have tried it the past but if the ground is hard they just bend, and if the ground is soft it is almost easier to do it with a pounder - as we almost always seem to be where a tractor cannot safely go when putting in fences.

New. TSC - $5.79 per 6' post. I recall getting them not so long ago for about $4.40 each.

Yeah, I will get it done, but taking my time now, and the drill hack makes it doable. I am glad I ran out of posts and no trip to town to get more is planned for a couple of days. But, then again, being outside in nice weather and on my own clock is kind of nice. And nothing beats the...

After I had narrowed down my list to the brand and size of tractor I wanted to get, I discovered there were none available - anywhere. I kept looking - for a couple of months - and then finally found one about 150 miles away. I went to see it, negotiated a package with implements (FEL, pallet...

We once had chickens. About 20 or so. They were free range in the day, and they returned to an enclosure at night. Our experience: -Ours were free-range and coyotes would pick them off one by one - and uncannily, always taking the plumpest one next. We would from to time to time actually...

Yeah - very challenging - without the drill hack I would have not gotten this far - I think I have about 55-60 or so in already. The good news is that from now on the ground is a bit more level - not level - just not so steep. I will get back at it in a few days. I need to pick up some more...

Very steep - no way to get a tractor near there - it was even hard to stand as I pounded.

I am in the process of cross-fencing a part of our property (T-posts and barb wire). The ground is a bit hard now (and the area is steep) and after pounding in about 15 of the estimated 90-100+ posts I will need, I decided that my 78 year-old arms and shoulders needed to find a better way. I...

Regarding how much the electric fence 'lesson' will deter - many years ago I read a news article about cattle that died because their water source went down. There was an electric fence between them and a river, but they would not cross it to drink and just stayed inside and died. It was so many...

This may make sense to some, but I think you need to post a lot more details about your situation if you want to receive helpful responses.

Yeah thanks. If he would have had rear attachments on it, like he always had on his other very old tractor, he would have been drug for a couple of blocks and maybe kept under a part of the rear wheels. So, really lucky. I still don't understand how it could have started simply by pulling the...

Yeah, Moss. You can never be too careful. I am still puzzled as to how it could start up the way it did - I am not familiar with any tractor other than my Kubota. I am thinking of investing in a couple of wheel blocks I could keep on the tractor as our property is a bit hilly and at times I...

Well, as this happened to my brother two days ago, I have the details. I didn't say I understand it - just that I have a first-hand report on how it happened - we think. This may have to be a bit long. My brother - in another state - bought a used Ford 4N 1954 vintage tractor for $2,500. He...

Thanks for the thread - a reminder that I need to reinstall my bent up rod that came with the tractor and which I did learn how to use before I bent it and took it off. There are those times when I am just guessing if it is level. . . and making mistakes. This gives me something to do with the...

We have a conventional gas grill (flame and grates) down by the pool, and a smaller Truinfrared grill near the house. Infrared grills are supposed to provide greater heat and grill food faster (heating metal which heats the food, rather than heating air which cooks the food). I have found from...

I have posted this before on some other thread, but it is dumb enough to post again. So, if you ever have a need to bend a post hole auger, I'm your guy. Or if you want to DIY, here is how: Dig a deep hole with your post hole digger - so that the auger is at least halfway in. Then, drive...

78. Been on 90 acres in Sierra Nevada Foothills for 36 years. First thing I would tell myself is "do it all over again" as we love it here, hard work and all. The second thing - and very important - would be to be very, very careful where you plant new trees because they have a way of...

I don't need this tool, but I learned a way to straighten things with a wood splitter.

I am not recommending this - but - it worked for me when all else failed. For the first post-dealer oil change I had a guy come out to service the tractor. I wanted to learn about how everything was done so I could do it after that. Well, he tried everything he knew how to do to get that filter...

We buy used, but not often as we keep them at least ten years. Currently we have a 2008 Honda Pilot (about 180,000 miles) and a 2010 F150 (about 140,000) with no plans to buy newer models (especially now). Every year or so I ask my wife if she wants a newer car (with newer features) and she...

I'm way too smart for that. I even learned how to bend an auger. Dig a hole with your PHD, and then don't pull it all the way out and drive forward. Works even better in the Summer when the ground is hard. You're welcome.

TI will check out the fuel caddy option. But I would take care to check out the cheap battery powered pumps. I was about to buy one but then learned that it would not work unless the gas can was raised up to be level with the fuel tank opening. That would defeat the purpose for me - although I...

I always learn something here. I have read that you can go 7,500+ miles between changes with synthetic oil. I have been using synthetic oil in my pickup and changing oil about every 6,000 miles - my miles are almost exclusively highway miles (which should mean the engine is running about one...

And particularly not a good time to buy a hybrid or electrical vehicle. Prices on those have shot up with the gas prices. The limited good news I suppose - my SIL totaled his Prius when he hit a wild pig on the highway near us a few weeks ago. He paid $2,600 for the car a year ago (it was used -...

I recalculated my original payback term (then about 5 years) after the energy costs increased. Now just about 4 years. So, by the end of this year the cost will have been totally recouped.

He got rich by giving people what they need and want. That's how it works. Just like Ford, Edison, Gates, etc. If I try to protest that by not using Amazon, I am the one most immediately affected. Trips to town (2 hours round trip) to try to find where they have what I need, and then to figure...

I don't know if this has been mentioned here or considered in the discussion about whether Prime is worth it. We have Prime but also have the Chase-Amazon Prime credit card - when you use the card for purchases you get 5% off. I don't know if you can only get that card if you are a Prime member...

oosik, yeah, that is an issue - probably no solution to that. We are fortunate here that we get a good bit of sun even in the Winter. With the daily charts (available online with our system), we can clearly see that we get almost no production on a rainy or totally cloudy day. Fortunately...

Interesting question. Unless the planet they exist on is in the same kind of a goldilocks zone as we are in, with similar moon, gravity, tides, elements, and such, the chance that they would resemble us is not great - just an opinion. Evolution could mean four legs would be better suited to...

Got it. Thanks. Still educable.

Yeah, based on JethroB's suggestion we both started using it. We noticed, however, that it is not a permanent setting - you have to reset it each night - I suppose each time you turn the ipad on. It's one of those things, though, that will be difficult to assess- i.e., whether, or how much it is...

An alternative to a battery powered mower - IF your circumstances fit - is a corded mower. We have quite a bit of lawn in different areas - most but not all is level - and we have used corded mowers for the past ten years or so - we are on our second one. It is easy to get used to the cord - I...

JethroB - thanks, I checked that out and apparently using the 'night' setting does eliminate or at least reduce the blue light effect. We will be trying that. Update: checked this out - the 'night shift' setting is to filter blue light apparently - and let you sleep better - a sliding scale...

Thanks, I will do that. I have ordered the glasses already, but if there is a setting we can try - all the better. I do know that she adjusts the brightness when she reads but we will look for other adjustment options.

Back to the Amazon "is it worth it issue" --- An example from today as to why we like and use Amazon. The wife reads on her ipad at night but she has trouble falling asleep after that and eyes ached a bit. She was told by our daughter that she could get a blue blocker screen cover for her ipad...

Totally agree.

Code 54, thanks for your suggestions - others (Ferling, bcp, dougtrr2) mentioned the same thing. I will add to that - I had some brief experience with a CO2 pellet gun - it broke before I could have much experience, but I do recall how much it did not feel like a real gun. So, getting a .22...

Right. She went to a range to try out different guns -really useful as some did not fit her hand well. And the guys there helped her learn about the gun, stance, jams, and more. At home we will use the actual handguns to practice - mine, and whatever she ultimately decides on - and will also use...

Well, as I look a bit further into this, I see that some air guns (pellet pistols) cannot be shipped to California - including the one I was looking at. Apparently, they have to have a brightly colored tip and other markings - not sure yet. I will keep looking. Gotta love California. But...

Thanks Doofy, I do not - yet - find that precise model on Amazon, but find others by same company, including this one (below) - looks interesting - and now see that there is another question I need to answer - blowback vs non-blowback - have to read more about that, and something not requiring...

I built a nice target range for handgun practice - cut into a hillside, with cables for attaching targets and distances marked. I have a 9mm and a .357 revolver. I have not used the range much but plan to use it a bit more and want my daughter to also become comfortable with handguns - she hikes...

Right now we have to pay about $30 a month to PGE even though we have solar. We have to pay $5 per meter - a fee so we can remain hooked up to the grid - and we have two meters so that is $10. Then there is another charge - just under $10 per month per meter if your electricity use (that which...

I recall being told that before you consider solar - in order to have it correctly sized and not oversized for your usage - you should first do everything else to reduce your energy usage. This is because they (at least in my case) sized the solar set up based on the last twelve months of energy...

I have a theory that if you poured Mountain Dew on Mars, the unpronounceable chemicals in the can would generate life there in 3-4 weeks.

Interesting to read that so many have similar issues. Mine: easy to go to sleep, then frequently I wake up after 2-3 hours and can't get back to sleep without a pill (which I don't like taking), other times I will sleep a solid 5 hours- rarely 6, and almost never 7 hours. The past three nights I...

I am also finding that is true. There is a lot of free content, but some of the movies we want to watch (usually the really good older movies) seem to be about $4 to rent. Still, for four of us to watch a great movie that is a bargain. We rented In the Heat of the Night, and The Sting last month.

The pucker factor has kicked in a few times even when I thought I was being careful - for me it is always a sudden thing - front wheel dips into an unseen hole on a slope, or raises over a rock. I agree that having a feel for the circumstances you are in is critical. What helps: going slow -...

Yeah, I forgot about the easy and convenient return policy. Never any issue, even if the reason for returning something is my fault, e.g., ordered the wrong thing, or didn't like it - whatever. For items ordered in October (for early christmas shopping) you could return them until January 31st -...

Prime membership has worked out well for us. We order a lot of things from Amazon that we would otherwise have to travel to town to get and so we save on gas and time. And because we don't go to town that often, we get the items faster through Amazon than we would when we stack enough errands up...

I popped a hose twice - both times back dragging at a severe angle.

Ericm, No. No tank at all. But we are planning that for a second house my daughter is building on our property. And while planning all that (2 tanks, domestic, fire reserve, etc,) I thought that maybe we should get a tank for our well (now consisting of a pump in the hole, controls, pressure...

Thanks for the heads up. I will check on that, but I don't think so. I do know that they have a program where they will lower cost for certain choices, but you have to agree to those and I don't think it has anything to do with the rebate. We would not consider this but for the announced plans...

Our local utility (PG&E) is offering rebates of up to $1,200 for back up generators, so I am looking into that. It looks like most brands qualify- the list is very long. I am considering a dual fuel whole house back up system - likely Generac. I will be making calls today to see what...

Something I created to entertain the relatives.

Dogs are special. My obit states that in lieu of flowers or whatever, adopt an old dog.

Reading all this - all that the truck drivers have to know and do to be safe - gives me immense new respect for the good drivers.

Well, tried and tried but cannot get the video copied to my post. The video was on a fb post but I can only manage to load a photo - I will try the link to fb. And BTW - if you do a search for videos of wood splitting you will find dozens of fascinating ways people split wood.

Saw this video. Interesting and apparently efficient with four people, but I have to wonder how many accidents there were. Note: I see the video is not playing - I will try to figure that out and repost.

It was when I was trying to figure out what tractor to get, what add-ons, implements, etc., that I discovered TbN, and asked for advice. Then, based on what the TbN members advised, I had a list. On that list - bucket hooks. The dealer welded three on the bucket. Used countless times since.

The meme below reminds me of the answer on Amazon to a question about a particular garbage disposal I was looking at to install for my daughter. The question was whether a garbage disposal could be hooked up to a toilet. The answer was "Lady, if you need a garbage disposal for your toilet, you...

1964. Driving through Dallas on the way to the Mardi Gras. We decided we would like to stop and have a beer. Nowhere to be found. When we stopped to get gas we asked the attendant where we could get a beer. I will never forget how many times we had to have him repeat what he said...

I visited the US Mint in Denver a couple of years ago. They pointed out how it cost about two cents to make a penny and more than a nickel to make a nickel (in 2021: 2.06 cents to make a penny and 7.53 cents to make a nickel). I told the guide that I had an idea that would save them a lot of...

Set a trap. . .

And if you need just one more reason. . .

77, 84, 79. .. . that explains why there is such wisdom and common sense on this forum.

I don't know how large or how many beds you are planning. What worked well for us (four 4 x 8 beds) is this: 8 x 8 x 16 concrete blocks staggered and stacked three high (two high would work) with caps Metal lath in the bottom to keep the critters out. We did not use any mortar - just stacked...

You are correct - I re-read it and clearly a good bit of that - but not all - was around in some way. I am soon to be 78.

Listening to the Lone Ranger and Sky King on the radio. And for whatever reason, always sitting right on top of the radio.

A high school friend sent this to me yesterday:

I forgot to mention something in my last post here. I said we were saving about $4,000 a year with solar. But our on-the-grid bills (total of two meters) prior to solar were much less than they would have been if we had everything on one meter. This is because the perKW hour rates increase the...

A good point. Our system was sized based on the prior 12 months of electrical usage. The system installed is a 10.2 DC kw system which we were told was equivalent to a 9.5 AC kw system. The system covers use for our two meters. Our usage is household (with AC), well, hot tub, swimming pool...

Not for us. We are saving about $4,000 a year and that will increase as utility rates continue to climb - and there are proposals now for substantial increases in rates. By the end of this year we will have saved $12,000+. That said, it is important to educate yourself before talking to the...

My journey down the juicer lane was a disappointment. Perhaps I was not doing it right or expected too much. But, it seemed like it took a whole lot of vegetables or fruit to get much - that was the first disppointment - a lot of work for a glass of juice that was just okay. The second...

The local fire here requires a minimum of 2500 gallons dedicated to fire use. That can mean a 5,000 gallon tank with float switches set so that the domestic use never causes the level to go below 2500 gallons - the domestic use taps the top 2500 gallons. On the recommendation of a well guy we...

I think well systems with storage tanks would make sense as they do not need to go on and off frequently - then the booster pump from the tanks to a pressure tank and then running into the house would be a 110 (?) and could be operated off a smaller generator. Our well does not have a storage...

Carl, I assume you are referring to a portable generator with 7500W - 9500 starting? I may look into that as I consider my options. Thanks for the information.

Thanks Peter for the info. I am not certain what information the Tesla sales person at the home show asked me for re the well start-up issue. Possible that I shared info about the well (1.5 hp, 420 feet down). I don't know if it was important to his statement that the battery would not work for...

I chatted with a Tesla battery vendor at a home show a few months ago. After I explained my needs - including the ability to run a well pump - he said their batteries could not do that - i.e., could not "start" my well pump. I assumed that is correct as he is in the business of selliing...

I have QA pallet forks and clamp on forks (with stabilizer). They both have their uses and I use both. I could not get by with just the clamp ons though - there are times when nothing but the pallet forks would work out. If I had to choose one - it would be the pallet forks (boulders, large...

Why Old Men Have Problems Finding A Job: Job Interview: Interviewer: What do you think is your greatest weakness? Old Man: Honesty. Interviewer: Well, I don't think that is a weakness. Old Man: I don't give a $%#* what you think.

A reminder. . .

Starting with the definition of a hobby as "an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure." (i.e., not to earn a living) It seems to me that there is farming to earn a living - not a hobby. And hobby farming - perhaps not the sole source of income, or any income, and it may or...

I once saw two identical sporting goods stores directly across the street from each other. When I went into one to shop, I asked them why they had two stores so close. The answer was that they took over the space for the second store because they did not want a competitor sporting goods store to...

True, true and true. I have had my share of injuries, most not that serious - but one required eye surgery (a triple procedure- $40k but had insurance) and right eye no longer dilates, a chain saw injury had me driving to town with a roll of paper towels wrapped around my arm, and a few back...

A bit on point: I heard yesterday that PG&E - a supplier of electricity and gas to the northern two-thirds of California (as well as other suppliers) are petitioning to increase the cost of solar customers to be connected to the grid. For me, it is now $5 per meter per month and another $9 or so...

Assuming they thought about this. . .

I have been there. Spent a lot of time hooking it up, getting into position to start, discovering I was not really in position to start, starting, not making progress, exiting the holes, using a pry bar to chip away at the 'too hard' dirt and rocks, trying other locations where the dirt might be...

This may have been mentioned before on this thread - too many posts to check back for that. There are a number of HF items that I buy - some because I know I will only use them infrequently, or the price is such that I will get enough use out of them for the price. But the one thing that pops...

Ditto on the cameras (even if fake) and the signage. We have signage re 24 hour surveillance, beware of the dogs, "nothing here worth your life" (with a picture of a gun), and a locked gate, and a beeper alerts us if anyone is at the gate (nice for deliveries). No one has ever come on to the...

My first question would be how often are you going to need what you intend to build? If it is not frequent, either pallet forks or clamp on pallet forks with something to close the gap and hold things would be the simplest thing. I have both and they have worked out well to haul brush with a...

I posted previously on this thead advising that I bought a craftsman 20V pole saw (Lowes) and loved it. I need to update that a bit. I got a lot of use of it and more value already than what I paid for it but I am now finding that the connecting pins between the three pole sections are not quite...

Kenmbz, actually, I am not a fan of Las Vegas. I have probably been there about 4-5 times in the 50 years I have lived in California and never before that. When we do go, it is for the food and shows - never gamble one dime- and we head out early mornings to sites near there- Valley of Fire is...

Kenmbz - you are correct - in California - somehow I assumed it was in Nevada as the only I see the signs are when I am on the way to Nevada.

Zzyzx, Nevada. An interesting history if you want to look it up.

Me neither.

Thanks Bruce. Learned something new. The manzita as a bush can grow quite high - especially when it is among/below other trees and needs to stretch for sunlight - some here (though should check again) I think are at least 20 feet high.

What your links show - I think - is a tree we have hundreds of here on our property - we call it manzanita. Red bark that peels, and a sort of tortured branch growing pattern. Hard wood that becomes brittle, and I have been told burns very hot. We don't use it for firewood as we have so much...

We had our chimney swept/cleaned a couple of weeks ago. It had not been done for many years - I expected we would have a lot of build up of creosote, and I was thinking about installing a liner. I went up on the roof with the guy and when we opened up the chimney and shined a light down the guy...

My wife wanted me to hang a tire swing from a branch of a very large oak tree. I told her I wouldn't do that. I don't trust the integrity of oak trees - even very large ones. We have had oak trees and large branches just come down - looked totally healthy until they fall and you can see inside...

I thought it might be. Yet, they stay in business. Their motto is "On time for less" - it should be "sometimes we deliver, sometimes not". Several years ago my packages were consistently showing as delivered when they were not (Amazon). I advised Amazon of that and suggested that their shipper...

I tried the same thing - notified the shippers that a particular delivery company was in my opinion totally unreliable and not to ship anything to me using Ontrac. And there is a locally based fb group for 'neighborhood news' and there are very frequent posts complaining about the same delivery...

You did not say if you have a gate at the driveway - or how far in from the road it is situated. I ask because our driveway gate is about 850 feet from the house but also about 40 feet from the highway and that set-back makes it hard to see unless you are looking for it. The delivery guys pull...

I have had a TSC carry all frame for a couple of years and finally got around to adding a 'box'. I made it so that the sides come off but latch securely everywhere, and the front can be closed up with 2 x 6 boards in "C" channels (made from two alluminum angle pieces). The tops of the removable...

Harvesting season here much longer - at least in our garden - typically get tomatoes from about early to mid June and until about the first week of December. (Central California foothills)

Shooterdon, I imagine they would get bored at some point - and we don't expect them to work here and I doubt I would enjoy putting up 200 cans of anything. We don't need that - we enjoy what we do to the extent we do it, and prefer it to TV or sitting - a nice hobby with rewards. Our enjoyment...

We never buy canned - will buy frozen or fresh. And as for the reasons to garden, well. . . see the pics. Two of them- from yesterday with the grand daughters. Enough said.

As for how to hang or store a PHD, I made a large "U" out of three sections of 3" steel pipe - connected by 90 degree elbows. Then I inverted the "U" and put the two ends into the ground about 18" or so - and added a bit of concrete. The bottom of the "U" - which is now the top is about 3 feet...

A man who was driving a bit fast was stopped by a police officer around 2 am. The man asked the officer what the problem was. The officer said, "Well, I hope you have a good reason for driving this fast this late - just where are you going?" The man replied, "Well, officer, I'm sorry I was...

On freeway 5 - coming over the mountains from LA area towards Bakersfield - a stretch commonly referred to as the grapevine, there are two runaway truck lanes - going north. The first one is on the right and the second one - not that much farther down - is on the left. I am guessing that they...

I guess I have missed all the "groan" threads. Nice to have found it and able to contribute:

And I should have known better - initially - to say no. And this is why: 35 years ago just after we moved here, and before we had a gate, a guy knocked on the door, introduced himself, and said the former owner used to let him hunt pigs here and wondered if it be okay. After discussing it a...

Thanks again for the additional input. All has been resolved amicably. I realized I only had his email. He emailed me this morning and I responded - attached. Happy that it went well.

Thanks guys. Sometimes you know - maybe most of the time - you really know the right decision, but nice to have a bit of support. Especially from a trusted site. Appreciate the input. I will make the call.

We received a very nice letter requesting permission to hunt turkey's on our property with a bow and arrow - he provided references and all. I agreed to meet with him. We met yesterday. Very nice guy - apparently an experienced out-doors guy. I kind of wanted to help him out. I initially...

As ljjhouser explains the SEP - my example: I turned 65 in 2009 and signed up for part A only. Because I was insured through my wife's health insurance policy provided by her employment I did not need Part B. When her health insurance was no longer available to us in 2014 I signed up for Part B...

What all these posts reveal is that you have to learn as much as you can and then make very individualized choices for your particular situation. Knowledge of the options and consequences of your choices is critical.

Yep. And that slick marketing with all the promises is going to hook a lot of people who will later get hit hard - surprises lurk. It may be a fit for a few, but the risks are huge. The lesson is to learn all you can before you leap. Read it all and then read it again. Ask all the "what ifs"...

Well, this does not quite fit the topic, but I somehow feel it is sufficiently in sync with the topic.

We (wife and I) had a standard plan G Medicare Supplement plan for several years. The joint premiums gradually rose to about $340 a month. We then looked at a high deductible plan because we rarely went to the doctor and when we did go it was for things that were already fully covered by...

Updating: I determined my hydraulic top link would need to be replaced - even extended full out it would tip the top of any implment way in. I also wanted the extra height for my carry all which rides a bit low. I posted questions to the owner of the EZ Hitch - he called and addressed my issues...

Thanks for all for posting. Responding to your information: -I have a collection of zerks - and did take one off from another site on the FEL to confirm the size of the missing one (and it also matches the size of the one that fell out), so fairly certain I know the size - unless the FEL used...

I used Lucas Red. Lithium based from what I can tell. Not sure it is synthetic, but doubt it. Per your advice I will get synthetic. I am not sure what I used before though - I did have a several Kubota grease cartridges before - none found today - only had Lucas. Appreciate the input. Five...

Of the hole where one was missing? where one fell out? Will do - not sure if light will be ideal. Update: Went out to take pics - not sure what use they will be - just show where one was missing (first pic) and one came out (second pic).

Today was set aside to clean up the tractor, change the air filters, blow out the radiator, etc., and check it over generally, and grease it. All went well with the greasing until I found one zerk missing - in the most difficult zerk location. Nothing I had would fit - I removed a zerk from...

For any others who are following this and interested, here are a couple of links to TBN discussions the EZ hitch mentioned by Foodplot, and of Pat's. Interesting and useful discussions. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/ez-hitch.139827/...

I've had great contractors and really bad ones. Still, if it is something I can do myself that is the way to go.

Yes. I guess I am at decision point of Pat's and a new hydraulic top link (and possibly also with a pto extender), or the EZ hitch foodplot suggested. The later would apparently not require a new hydraulic top link or a pto extender, so there's that. Still thinking this through. BTW - likely...

Texas, can you clarify re the expansion tips?

I have no experience with that issue in that context, but a long while back I was able to remove some stubborn pins with a bit of heat - apply, wait, try again. Anyway, worth a try if you have a heat gun, or can pick up one at HF. A heat gun is useful anyway to have around - I have used it for...

Regarding 'pits', the house I grew up in had one in the garage - in the center of a concrete floor - covered by thick planks resting on a perimeter lip. One side had a 'step down' bench. Fine for one person but quite crowded for two. The house was built in 1916. Once my brothers and I were...

I had the same thing happen. A local mobile tractor service/repair guy was here to replace front axle seals and more, and discovered the cracks. He said it was due to stresses caused by loose bolts on the FEL mount - the force was being misplaced. He replaced the bolts but had to tap and...

Jeff, I had considered those as well, but recall some posts here of some bad experiences with those. I may be misremembering that - but will recheck. Definitely a fix for any pto length issue. The only pto implements I might use (and rarely - now that we have goats) would be a 6' rotary mower...

:LOL: Thanks for the support. . . I recall the time I thought that something was wrong with the tractor because I could not get a lot of power in reverse. I was worried that I had a real problem with the tractor until I saw that I needed to clean the twigs from under the HST pedal. As they say...

jeff9366, embarrassed to say I was ignorant about that. As soon as I read your post and the picture I knew exactly what you were referring to. Not to old to learn and one more 'tool' in the toolbox. Thanks for pointing that out. I guess I have never had a need to lower it - or assumed I did not...

cpy911, could not agree more. A couple of days ago after working with my wife and daughter on a project we had just finished, I said, well, one more memory in the basket. We reminisced a bit on all we had done. Got me to thinking about the kind of memories we have from living here for 35 years...

Foodplot, thanks for this. Looks interesting and doable - I will check this out further - only downside I guess is that I already have Pats - but still your option may be better. A question: you mention (and I see it in the pic) that it rasises the implements a bit. Has that been an issue with...

LouNY, I saw these as well - watched a video. Looked great but required welding and some precise cutting and alignments - skills I don't have. Otherwise, a great choice.

Mcfarmall - thanks for input. Yeah, I saw those hookups between QH and implements as I searched for options. What I did not know was whether I could use the adapter between the implement end of the top link and the implement to provide the extra length I need.

I have had Pat’s Easy Hitch units for years – in a box in the barn. I never hooked them up after I figured out that I had to get a longer hydraulic top link, and would also have to lengthen the PTO shafts on a couple of implements. However, I have now decided that I want to try to install them...

Just came across this: "Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience". Mark Twain

I guess dealing with "change" would be permanent. Otherwise, not sure.

I just came back from town - listening to talk radio both ways (what my kids call 'dad's white rap'). Most callers were concerned about the impact on ag, on landscapers, the already frequent power outages and thus need for generators, and a long list of practical issues. One major focus became...

I've told my wife that if I had to move to the city there is a 50-50 chance I would become a serial killer.

Yeah, the convenience of peeing when you want to (or need to) - I forgot about that very important advantage.

Just waiting for them to stop selling gas.

Just an FYI. It may also be difficult to find parts for your gas powered equipment as well. https://www.yahoo.com/news/california-law-bans-small-off-174600432.html

5030, I totally agree and should have made that distinction in my post. And I know the difference - I have (had) over a dozen uncles and aunts who farmed in the midwest and it was not easy and not always profitable. I recall making 25 cents an hour cutting weeds out of the bean fields on my...

Well, it is a bit contagious. . . I mean the lifestyle.

I can relate to the "if you have to do it" sentiment. Once in a while after building something someone will say you ought to do this for a living. No way would I enjoy doing the very same things in that context. When I am doing something here, I can do it, leave it, take my time, change things...

Doughknob, a word a friend used to describe our lifestyle and I have become attached to it - means "relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life".

That makes sense - a perfect distinction. Retiring to a rural property is quite different than working on that property for a livelihood.

Diggin It, I can't disagree that it is a full time job and requires planning and more, but if you really enjoy the planning, and the work - it can be enjoyable and immensely satisfying. I just looked up a definiton for 'hobby' and found this: "an activity done regularly in one's leisure time...

A while back a friend from the city came to visit. As we sat enjoying the bucolic setting with an adult beverage, he said “Man, I could really go for this”. I pointed out that, well, this is half of it, but if you want this lifestyle there is also the work half – you need to enjoy that part as...

I am sure you will get many contrary opinions to this one, but: The 16 x 40' deck we put in about 30+ years ago is still serviceable but it is time to replace both the boards and the supporting 4 x 6 treated lumber. The deck surface was originally all 2 x 6 redwood - stained. After some time...

After I used the shotgun a few times - shooting over and under them, I tried mimicking the sound of the gun by banging two 1 x 3 short boards together - seems to work most of the time.

Checking in: In addition to my wife chasing them and throwing pinecones, I decided to fire blasts from a .410 both over them and in front of them. Shooting in front of them scatters some dirt and stuff and works better than shooting over them and they scatter and now seem much less casual about...

Good post - certainly some things to think about and do - having things arranged would be a nice parting gift. I would add that anything that would take some part of the burden off of your family would also be in order. I have a packet labeled "Just in Case" with financial info, who to notify...

Interesting - one of the suggested things to 'market' the HELOC was for a vacation home. Not certain what was meant by that though.

Tovy, thanks for the input. I really don't know why or how it happened this way but your explanation may be correct. BTW, after this happened I went through the multi-paged document packet they provided, which included 16 pages of "What You Should Know About Home Equity Lines Of Credit" to see...

Yeah, my wife would say 'stubborn', but yeah. And actually no choice here - need to get it done and confused why it should be so difficult.

We have been on the do not call list for many years. We still get a lot of robo calls - several a day. I am wondering if we need to re-up on that list, or if the effectiveness of that list depends on the kind of phone you have - we have a VOIP system using Ooma for home. A brief story: For a...

Well, all of you that have followed this and weighed in on my saga (and saga is the right word) deserve an update. The background: We want to build a second home on our property and sought financing. Many lenders approved loans but subject to an appraisal which they could never get done. So...

A critical planning issue is planting trees - where and which ones. Rather than repeat my post re that and all of the comments that followed, I will just share that link here. It may be one of the most consequential decisions one can make...

Cougsfan, I was unaware as well, until I tried back dragging at a severe angle where there was considerable resistance. POW - hydraulic hose burst. Now you would think I would have learned my lesson, but a couple of years later I did it again. . . I was thinking, well, just this one time I will...

It seems others have covered the issue quite well. But I would also be concerned about the junction box. Clearly not for outside use, or use at a well.

oosik, I have used the FEL to back drag but not frequently. I totally agree that you can damage something doing that - personal experience. When I do back drag it is at a shallow angle and only with very lose material - and not very much of it.

Two categories here, met and seen in person. I lived and worked in L.A. many years ago so you would see celebrities from time to time. Met: Richard Kiel (Jaws in Bond movies), chatted with him in an airport while waiting to board. Mohamed Ali, twice at fund raising dinners - brief...

I am not an expert but have moved a fair amount of dirt. A box blade will drag and move dirt to be dropped and spread as you need to - some patience is needed. But I find that I can be more precise with a rear blade as it can be angled as well as tilted and thus you can toss dirt to one side or...

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Regarding tire wear, I wanted to find out how much tread my R4s had left compared to the same tire new. My tires have, as best I can figure between 3/8 and 7/16 inches of tread height left in the middle of the tire (I bent a curved ruler over the center of the tire and measured up to the bottom...

That is a great idea. I did that when we replaced and relocated our old septic tank. I also put a metal plate over the hatch - buried down a bit - so I could locate it with a metal detector if necessary. I made a nice map of the two key points and the measurements. Then I lost the file. So, I...

rScotty, also curious here - about just how long the tires should last. The tires had about 1100 hours on them as best I can calculate. Terrain is hilly and rough, sometimes very rough where I need to work, sometimes gravel, primarily loader work, grading and moving stuff - including boulders...

The sizes are what came with the tractor when I bought it - and appear to be correct from what I can figure out from the manual.