Good morning!!!!

[RedNeckGeek]

Good Morning!!!! 48F @ 4:15AM. Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 73F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
No rain in the 10-day, and we'll be up in the low 90s for the weekend.

Drew, my friend down south has a snowball bush that has grown to be about 6' high and wide. And it's got fist sized blooms all over it now, must be hundreds of them. Don't know if yours will get that big, but keep that in mind when you decide where to plant them.

And FWIW, the side-by-side switch seems to have been cured with a dose of DeOxIt, just as it has fixed so many similar problems before. And the Kubota dealer called last week to say the new switch is ready to be picked up. You can bet it'll be a lot more dear than fifteen bux.

The dozer man seems to have taken too much dirt out of the bottom of the driveway hill, increasing instead of decreasing the slope. And up top, they've hit the mother of all boulders, so we might have to settle for what we've got. It's better than it was, but still steeper than I'd like at 15%. Somehow the Sierra Blaster option seems to have fallen off the table.

Tuesday's mail contained a deficiency notice on a class action lawsuit I'm participating in, and I was surprised I was able to dig through good old fashioned paper records and come up with the documentation needed to cure the problem. Never throw anything away...

The boots delivered Tuesday turn out to be too small, and Amazon was only going to offer a refund instead of an exchange. Meanwhile, the price has gone up almost a hundred dollars! I managed to get through to a supervisor, who said they'd issue a credit for the cost difference once the too small boots are returned, but I had to pay the higher price on bigger boots first. Hope she doesn't forget. They did generate a free return shipping label, though.

Table and label rime, but how come they're spelled differently? English is a crazy language to learn, Helo!

Also managed to cram the pants with the broken zipper into a medium sized "if it fits, it ships" flat rate Post Office box, so they're ready to go back, too.

Called the folks that sold the new flail mower to ask about the missing hydraulic hoses and learned that they should have been included. I dropped the box blade off of the tractor and backed it up to the flail to measure the length of the needed hoses, and left them voicemail asking for a call back. Hopefully they'll do so today.

And FedEx seems to have lost a package they were supposed to hold for pickup, so I have another email into StarLink asking them to replace the lost item. Took the better part of a week for them to respond to my first question, so we're not off to a good start.

Town run for groceries today; not sure what else I'll get into.

Hang in there, gang, Friday's comin'!

 

[daugen]

RNG, thanks, I'm looking for something to dampen the road noise also, these will go out along roadside, but maybe 15 feet in. So if they get big, that's ok.
and most importantly my landlord thought they would be lovely...

waiting to call TSC at 8am about a trailer they have, though apparently not there. 1500 bucks for a small lightweight trailer, not bad. 2400gvw, just right for car, perfect for hauling
500# lawn mower. They never come with radials or good lights though easy to swap out. Probably no spare tire either but that's easy to add with the right bracket.

 

[Popgadget]

Good Morning
It’s 58 and won’t make it to 70 today. Mostly cloudy, but a nice day.

Yesterday was a busy day, I got the hoses sleeved and installed on the auger, the wear sleeve is great to protect and corral the hoses, but a PIA to install.

I decided to fly the little plane to Philly to get the turboprop to go to Wilkes Barre for the checkride, it’s a 9 minute flight from Doylestown to Philly vs a 45 minute drive. I’m about 15 minutes from Doylestown. Checkride was a non event, but time consuming.

My travel scheme let me get home in time to finish mowing with both the tractor and Lazer, grandson helped with both. I gave him the small Makita bower and I took the Stihl to work as a team blowing off the mowers when we were done. Drove him home on the Lazer, and got out the Makita string trimmer and finished up in time to get on Zoom meeting for Airport Authority.
Today, I want to mount the digger on the tractor and test it, and get the mailbox post welded up. I did get one of those Chinesium pneumatic bevel tools like RNG, and tried it on the plasma cut pieces of steel plate. It worked well, but was a bit fussy setting the depth. I might find more to to outside, and push the fabrication project onto tomorrow when it will be raining.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

Guten Morgen liebe Leute

57 heading to 85 today. “Rolling in clover.” Literally.

 

[kenmbz]

Morning all, 60 going up to 70 and cloudy
Spoke to my dad, they are home and resting.

Potted some trees and more pool cleanup, about a much I can do, but leg is healing, albeit slower then I like.

Roy - well that would make you dizzy, better today?

Drew - I had trouble with broccoli - had good stalks and small heads, but vigorous growth. The stalks we cooked down with onions in tomato sauce. Even the kid ate it.

PJS - congrats on the college graduations !

David - glad to hear Sophies eyes are better- been a long tough trip for that.

Stay safe and be well,

 

[PJSprog]

73°F and foggy this morning, going up to 90° here today.

Didn't get as much done as I'd hoped yesterday. I did get the parking area next to the driveway repaired and the trailers rearranged on it. After that, the heat and humidity had me drenched and tired already (did the work with a shovel and rake). Bug man is supposed to be coming sometime this morning, which is kind of mucking up my morning plans, but so it goes. Need to vacuum my car, and probably should mow some today, though I may hold out until tomorrow for that when it'll be less warm (80s).

I imagine that clover would make a lot of grazing animal's very happy, Bill. Und, auch dir einen guten Morgen.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

I imagine that clover would make a lot of grazing animal's very happy, Bill. Und, auch dir einen guten Morgen.

Oh yes.

 

[Bird]

74° this morning going for a clear sunny 94°. I've just been dragging lately, but yesterday I got the last of what I needed to clean the outside of 9 windows on the house, so much as I hate that job, I got started as soon as it was light enough this morning and got it done.

 

[Bird]

RedNeckGeek said, "Drew, my friend down south has a snowball bush that has grown to be about 6' high and wide. And it's got fist sized blooms all over it now, must be hundreds of them."

That sounds like the one my wife's parents had in the yard at their home in southern West Virginia. It sure was pretty, but I've never seen one here in the north Texas area.

 

[toppop52]

55 going to 63 today, we’ve had a week of cool, damp windy and cloudy weather, tomorrow May actually get close to normal temperatures, but rain of course. My grass is a week past due and looks like a hay field. If it’s dry enough after lunch I’m going to start on it.
Respiratory junk is slowly clearing up, cough mostly gone. Antibiotics are doing their best imitation of Exlax.

Buppies, Roy and the rest of the ailing, get well soon.

 

[rswyan]

76F and sunny @ 10:30, "feels like" 75F ... heading up to a high of around 85F for the day supposedly.

Slow to get rolling this morning, yesterday kicked my butt (lack of sleep, but stayed up anyways and worked all day)

Got the East Planting Bed all weeded back on Tuesday. Used the little rolling seat, worked out pretty good since it allows mobility without having to get up repeatedly ... but still have to bend to reach the ground which is a strain. Still need to rig a tow rope for it.

Finished mowing front as well. Probably about due to be mowed again ... lol.

Water Buffalo retrieved from barn, tire pressures checked and filled and moved around back.

Last of mulch removed from van. Most of it placed around the Stella D'Oros and hosta in the East Planting Bed:

... but some also placed on the slopes of that (soon to be) new hosta bed around the hawthorn tree back behind the pump house.

Have several more hosta varieties that will get added to the East Planting Bed before any more mulching takes place.

5 bags of concrete, 3 bags of lawn fertilizer, and 2 bags of gypsum unloaded from van as well. Two of the bags of got applied to the lawn using the Chapin tow-behind spreader. But I forgot to run the first bag through a screen before dumping in the hopper to break up any clumps ... so I had to scoop it out and run it through a piece of hardware cloth to break them up.

Still have to get the 55 gallon aquarium out of the van ...

Hand pump sprayer was retrieved from top shelf in garage, cleaned up and filled with glyphosate. Tank looks like it may be cracked (but is not leaking) on the side, unsure how that might have happened but it bears watching.

Two new 1' diameter x 2' tall chicken wire plant cages cut and closed up, placed over the new blueberry bushes to replace the old temp covers. Was thinking the current (three) rhubarb plants will fit nicely between the blueberry plants.

Hopper feeder relocated to the west side of the house, for viewing out of the kitchen window. Rethinking it now, after having done it, think it might be just a little to close to the house (25') ... not sure I want critters that close. Refilled hopper and two suet feeders yesterday morning. Suet feeders still need relocated.

Took battery string trimmer up and mowed down the grass and weeds along the hosta bed behind the shop. Still need to hit the edges with some glyphosate.

Made up another 1' diameter x 2' tall chicken wire plant cage after it got dark (day before yesterday)

Caught Squeak yesterday morning pushing back the clear top cover on one of the planting trays and nipping off a few marigold heads. She is very bad ... the Cat Grass can't get here soon enough ...

Hawk fished out of frog pond yesterday morning and hauled up to the burn pile. From the looks of it, the frogs were disappointed ... despite the stink.

Made up a batch of hummingbird juice, filled the feeder and stuck it out on the pole.

UPS dropped off the plastic mulch (4' x 200' x 4 mil) for the pumpkin patch yesterday, Amazon dropped off another 30 plant labels and 100 six plastic pots. The plastic pots are the cheap ones, pretty thin ... but should work for starting seeds ... with some room to grow.

Four old 4 x 4's retrieved from the pole barn to use for the base below the 55 gallon drum in the Water Buffalo and set out on saw horses behind the house. Will get those washed off today and then cut to length once they dry.

Got another tarp laid out over the grass in the garden expansion area. Also planted the three rhubarb plants between the new blueberry bushes and got everything there watered:

Woman flew out yesterday to go visit a dear friend and her family, so I'm on my own for a week. Cats think She has deserted them.

When I talked to Her last night after She got in, She joked about me having to make my own coffee (She always makes it ... as She is ... very particular) ... told Her I was thinking about just making the run to Dunkin' in the mornings and picking up a large, iced Butter Pecan (what I did immediately after dropping her off at the airport) She was like "Oh no ... you're NOT going to be doing that !" ...

Probably going to be a fairly laid back day today, for the most part.

Have a few plants I might get planted over in that East Planting Bed.

Wash off the 4 x 4's, maybe cut them later.

Run to Menards and pick up mulch and other items. Ordered some trick potting soil that is supposed to have an additive that helps to retain moisture ... will see if that helps, as most of the stuff I have put in peat pots seems to dry out awfully fast.

Need to fill the gas cans for the Cub while I'm out.

View from behind the house, looking northwest:

Have a doctors appoint later this afternoon as well so I need to get moving.

Hope everyone has an enjoyable, productive, and safe Thursday ...

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Good morning to all! The low was 49, only going up to around the high 70's. Wind was supposed to be light today, but there have been a few strong gusts already. I don't think it will get too bad.....

RNG, ---- "Table and label rime, but...." Way to mess with Helo.... don't you mean 'rhyme'..... I know the spelling would be harder.....

Drew, good luck with finding larger shrubs. A nursery will be your best shot. Everything we have ordered from the mail order nurseries have always been very small sticks. We only use them for seeds now.

Hoping everyone ailing continue to get better.

Roy, still try to take it easy.... the continued dizziness may be a concern.

Thomas, I hope you can find the MIA gamecam. Has BooBoo been back?

I behaved myself at Harbor Freight yesterday, only getting the face shields. I looked up and down just about every isle..... nothing else jumped into the cart. The wifey was relieved.

Not sure what trouble I can get into today.... I'm sure I'll find something.

Everyone have a great day!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I think we had two shrub/tree gonners..... the Crepe Myrtle has not popped any buds, nor does it have anything growing from the base. I'm still going to give it a little more time.....

The Mimosa looks dead, but if you scratch the bark, it's green underneath. Definitely more time will be given for it to pop. At least another couple weeks.

It's hard to tell if they are truly dead.... we have two Wisteria plants, one much larger than the other, the smaller one is a few years older than the big one and has always been "struggling" with growth. This year it has tons of flower buds ready to pop.... the bigger one which has always had a bunch of blooms, is just now (2-3 weeks behind) popping some leaves.

Surprised that our lilacs aren't flowering..... the neighbors lilacs bloomed... strange things this year....

 

[sodamo]

66°F and .93 inches rain.

Sophie has GP appointment this afternoon in Honokaa, opposite direction from Hilo. So decided on an impromptu trip to Costco this morning.

Prayers for all
Be safe
Have a great day

 

[Looking4new]

Got the neighbours 2 stumps out. The first one was 2' in diameter and cut off 3' up as per my instructions. The second was 18" high and 18" in diameter. Took 2 hours from door to door. She is happy and that is all that counts. She is also my goodie maker in winter.
Black flies are out with vengeance. Hurry up and get up here check, the flies ALWAYS like fresh meat.

 

[daugen]

Ted, I agree, these tiny snowball bushes would be fine if one planted them, let them grow, and then replanted.
But I did find two nice larger ones today at local nursery, so I got them planted out front. My root shovel did fine, missed all the big roots.
Then Burpee orders showed up so I had four petunias
and four coleus to plant. Those I did with cordless drill and planting auger.
That pretty much wraps it up. And then mowed the lawn and most of the remaining dandelions. Put seed out for birds, ready to chill out
for afternoon, but first coffee at local diner with friend from church.

now I need to go online and order the right switch for my gen.

 

[PJSprog]

Cats think She has deserted them.

Our critters are the same, with my Wife out of town this week. The dogs look at me when I'm locking up and setting the alarm like, "What are you doing? Mom's not home yet!" Last night while talking to her on speakerphone, one of the cats meowed into the phone then started rubbing on it. I think they miss her.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Yes, it is surprising how our furry friends know when we are gone. Max goes nuts when he doesn't have a visual on where the wifey is / gone. I'm just his play-toy or treat giver.....

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Drew, glad you were able to find some larger hydrangeas.
My mom had 4 very large (at least 8x8'), different colors.... white, blue, pink, and a variegated. I have been tempted to get some here, but not sure how well they will tolerate the wind and arid conditions.

Now I'm gonna have to go look ......

 

[txdon]

Good afternoon! 87˚F no rain in sight for 10 days.

I'm On batch 3 of trying to find the perfect BBQ sauce with jackfruit that will also totally fit our WFPB requirements. In this last recipe I was able to eliminate the maple syrup and molasses by replacing them with dates. I'll let the jackfruit soak up the BBQ sauce flavors overnight and then see if this is the recipe I will serve next week at the big spring-fest luncheon where there will be both meat eaters and WFPB eaters from the garden club. This will be a surprise baked potato topper. It looks just like pulled pork so I will have to have a very noticeable label so the WFPB people will know they can eat it and the others will naturally shy away.

Since RS noticed that the term "Plant Based" also means some people also eat meat but mostly plants, some of the true plant chefs are getting away from the term "Whole Food Plant Based" and instead using "Unprocessed Vegan". So our Special Interest Group (SIG) might have to substitute WFPB with UV.
We could also use NOSSOAP
No Oil, Sugar, Salt, Or Animal Products. However soap in a food group label does not sound appetizing and it would only say what we do not eat.

Today I Picked first of the red potatoes - 2 plants (of the 42) yielded 9 potatoes. I will wait another week to 10 days till the plant tops just start to turn yellow before I do the rest of the harvest. Meanwhile I'll just pick when we run out of potatoes at the house. No more buying organic potatoes for the rest of the summer, yea!