Good morning!!!!

[RoyJackson]

2020-12-24, 0631

33 right now...high at 50 and rain...heavy rain to night and flood watches are in effect. Boy, I was hoping for a white Christmas (but not as white as the upper Midwest is getting...be safe there, folks)

Not much going on today...need to make a bank run ($$$ for wife and stepdaughter). Also need beer...

Last weekend I wrote about they tractor not starting on Saturday...just click...click. Sunday, one click, then the engine kicked over. My assumption was a bit of ice in the starter motor. Anyway, when it did start, a service light also illuminated. Called the dealer on Monday since I've only put 5-6 hours on it since it was delivered, after being serviced at the local dealer. Due to the holidays, they can't get anyone to the house to check it out. Although I'm not much of a mechanic (used to be OK, but my skills have not been kept up to date), I asked the service manager if he thought there was a way to reset the service light (owner's manual doesn't go in to this. Nothing in the service manual other then resetting using a Deere service laptop. However, from previous experiences, I have found that disconnecting the battery for a few minutes might do the trick. Deere service manager agreed but said if the service light does come back on to get the code that appears on the instrument cluster.
So, that's another project to do today since it will be relatively warm compared to the cold front coming in this weekend. I hope it works...
The service manager suggested that even if the light does re-illuminate, continue using the tractor. If there's a real problem, a red STOP light comes on. If that light comes on, park the tractor...
A bit of a bummer, but I won't get excited if this is a one time occurrence. Hopefully, this tractor isn't a lemon (what we referred to as a "Hanger Queen" in Naval Air). But it did have 321 hours on it since new (2015-2016) and I would think if this machine was a lemon, it'd show up long before 321 hours...
Wish me luck, Team!!

Anyway, after that, I'm going to take a page from Thomas' book...just putter about

 

[Looking4new]

Good morning, the temperature is 38°F and going down to 37. Wind ESE 19 gusting to 38 mph. Periods of rain mixed with snow.
We have too much snow for the rain to cut off, so no worries. We WILL have a white Christmas. We can expect lots of fresh new snow for tomorrow, about 6-8".

The only green Christmas I can remember is the one I spent in Miami Shores, Fla way back when.

A dump run is in the cards for today and that is all I will get up to.

Nice shot of a tree rat.


Have a safe day all

 

[Popgadget]

Good Morning. It’s 38 here heading to the 60’s with up to two inches of rain starting by noon and ending tomorrow morning. Then the temps are supposed to plummet.

Yesterday went sort of according to plan, I worked in the shop some and made some deliveries.
My daughter is an RN, now working in the ER, (COVID drove her out of the ICU) and she ran into the Paramedic that took me to the trauma center after my motorcycle accident. So she took me to meet him yesterday. It was interesting to have some of the details filled in for me, as I had no memory of the accident, I remembered lying in the road, but nothing prior to that. The most interesting things that I learned was that the SUV that hit me needed to be towed, and that I stood up and walked toward the ambulance, but collapsed after a few steps.
I changed a headlight bulb for her when we got home rounding out the day.

Today I’ve got to finish my deliveries, and get presents wrapped, as now I’ve got a deadline!

There is never enough room in a shop, especially if it also serves as storage for vehicles or equipment. Plus they seem to shrink as the years go by. When I first built my shop, it seemed cavernous, 40X60 with a second floor for a music room/recording studio. Now almost every project involves moving something.

Tomorrow we will have our traditional Christmas breakfast with the kids, DIL and a new addition for this year, a grandson. Two of the three kids live with us, and the third lives in the original farmhouse on the same property, so we are all pretty well quarantined together. My wife is also a nurse, she does hospice home care, and has already gotten her vaccination. Daughter gets hers next week.

Everyone have a great Christmas, and be safe.

 

[Eric Salop]

Good morning, Christmas eve and all is well here, hope it is the same with you.

No chestnuts roasting on an open fire, though we do have a few dozen collected a couple of months back, now in plant pots, to be grown on as replacements for some of the ash trees that will inevitably succumb to Chalara fungus that is now everywhere.

Best of luck for a lemon free Christmas Roy.

Wng, a feast and exchange of gifts in a car park will have made this a Christmas for the family to remember for a very long time :thumbsup:

 

[Thomas]

35F cloudy chance sprinkle rain this morning high low 50's rain arriving evening heavier late PM into AM with strong winds....hope Santa uses RainX on hid eye glasses.

Outside chores done E muffin time. :licking:
Plans for today...quick trip to town for goodies,couple good wheel barrow loads wood in the basement,check outside what needs be put under cover etc. because of nasty storm coming,than just numb the rest of the day.

Enjoy the day all.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Christmas will be lonely this year no kids

May all not forget the reason for the season

I’ve been calling my Dad more often. I know it’s hard on him living alone. Hopefully some of my siblings living closer will visit.

The birth of the king.

 

[Rich B1]

Good morning! 46 now, supposed to drop later and snow.

First post in a long while.....I will get to that

But first....MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

My Christmas was Monday after being in the hospital for 3 weeks due to severe complications from Covid. My advice is....don稚 get it. And I have no clue how/where I caught it. None.

I have many things to be thankful for this Christmas season

 

[Thomas]

Darn glad your feeling better Rich take it slow and easy.

 

[txdon]

Rich B1, glad you are feeling better. Sorry you had a rough time fighting off the virus.
Do you fall into any of the high risk categories? Did you have to be put on a ventilator?
Take it easy and have a good second Christmas Tomorrow.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Good Morning!!!! 48F @ 4:30AM. Sun and clouds mixed. High 58F. Winds light and variable.
Rain moves in tomorrow afternoon, lasting through Monday, then on and off for a total of 6 in 10 of the coming days. But a total of only 1.3" for the whole period. Not what we need, but better than nothing. Like a lot else that seems to be going on these days.

Putting 15 quarts of oil into the truck yesterday morning sure took a lot longer than I thought it would, what with other little things popping up along the way that just needed done. Didn't leave for town until eleven, ran into lines at several stops as a result. AirGas, which I guess is the new name for Linde, was out of Ar/CO2, and their delivery was running late, so I had to double back after I finished my rounds. Then the young man that was "helping" me wouldn't help me get the 171 cu. ft. tank up on the tailgate of the truck, saying it was against company policy. I told him I've been buying my industrial gas from his outfit for more than ten years now, but that's the last they'll see of me. I'm gettin' too old for that kind of crap.

Went to the head of the line outside BevMo, who was limiting the number of people allowed inside. My order was ready, but I had to ask for a cart when the lady helping me tried to hand me the box with a case and a half of beer inside. I didn't check the order, and sure enough, it was shy a six-pack. Called and was told they'll hold it until I can swing by again, in about two weeks.:confused2:

Someone had started a junk pile in the back parking lot of my local BMW motorcycle dealer, leaving a window unit A/C, a cooler, a blanket, and a tall test tube stand with several clamps that were big enough to hold four to six inch diameter vessels. I was tempted to snag the stand for the metal in it, but no telling what it was contaminated with so left it all alone. The guys in the shop knew about the mess, but for some reason hadn't done anything about it. More "not my job" syndrome.

Went to recycle a 5 gallon bucket of used oil, and had to pour it into one of the rolling jugs the place put under the cars they serviced. It was almost full and wouldn't drain well, so had to use a second one to get to empty. Been a lot simpler to just use the big tank they empty those jugs into, but I guess that would be too easy.

Still too many people inside at the allergist's, but at least they had air purifiers every other chair. They've cut their hours by half, and now the staff complains that they're too busy.:duh:

Most of the items I picked up at HF were on sale, a good thing because I'd forgotten my 20% off coupon, again. The wind overnight had blown oil all over the plastic tarp I'd spread under the truck, so instead of trying to clean it, it went into the trash. Four dollars got me a replacement, a fair price for not having to deal with that particular mess.

It was very nice to leave town and get back out into the country and home. The wind had died down, and once the truck was unloaded there was just enough time to gather some wood for a camp fire and watch the sunset. Shiner's Seasonal Holiday Cheer was tasty, but I couldn't quite put my finger on the spice they'd used in it. Sort of like coriander, or maybe clove, certainly nothing you'd expect to taste in a beer, but not bad, either. The Electric Reindeer milk stout was a nice followup, and was a pleasant match for a hot bowl of chili for dinner, too.

Looks like I'll finally get to split some wood today, at least that's the goal. :crossfingers:

 

[Frankenkubota]

They don't call them storms any more. Now it's a RAIN EVENT.
pouring now, 14 hours of solid rain ahead followed by a 30 degree drop in temp and tornado warnings.

Other than that Mr Lincoln, how did you like the play?

 

[txdon]

Good morning! 31˚F. clear skies heading to 55˚F. Christmas Eve, I need to start my Christmas shopping . . .
Tonight we have a candlelight service. It was by reservation and limited seating to keep the social distancing, and mask worn. They also are having two services to space people out more.

Kyle good to see the bike running and enjoyed.

 

[ronjhall]

Rich, happy to hear you are recovering from Covid. Prayers and best wishes you continue too full recovery.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

39° and periods of heavy rain. Major snow meltdown yesterday, the rain will take most of what’s left.

My garage and barn have shrunk. The more space you build, the more that accumulates. Can only get 1 car in garage, with wheelchair ramp blocking other side. Can’t fit truck in barn anymore since I got the ranger and ZT. Still need to get rid of go kart and riding mower.

 

[ronjhall]

Rick, the reflection pictures were great.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Rich, been wondering about you. Sorry you got the China flu, Glad you are doing better.

 

[txdon]

The unattached garage holds just the toys. It is 30X30 foot with 20X15 foot storage above. It was built for the Crossfire and the tractor. . . .
My attached garage 24X24 holds the work vehicles.

You have your tractor in the wrong garage.

 

[Bird]

My Christmas was Monday after being in the hospital for 3 weeks due to severe complications from Covid.

I think most folks can't even imagine what 3 weeks in a hospital would be like. Glad you're out now and I hope all is well.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Good morning. It 37° here this morning and very windy .. our high will just get over 50° this afternoon.

Yesterday's "FryDay" went very well and our proceeds will easily put us over 50% of the total cost for our new building.

Fryers ready!

Turkeys getting their FryDay Vaccine!

The finished product .. cooling.


We decided that next year we will moving this back to the weekend before Thanksgiving. Our decision to hold our FryDay was decided on too late .. to make it happen earlier this year. We also decided offer smoked turkeys as well .. smoked the weekend before Thanksgiving. Now .. with our "first annual" behind us we'll go bigger next year. All our turkeys, this year, were pre-ordered and we'll continue that in the future .. eliminating the "unknowns".

We also took pre-orders for Berdoll pecan pies .. which were a big hit and generated addition proceeds.



A local garden shop brought boxes and boxes of poinsettias for all us volunteers putting on FryDay. Nice gesture from our community.

This morning I'm taking one of my pressure washers and foam gun down to try to remove most of the spilled peanut oil from our fryers. We're not too concerned .. as the present building and slab will be recycled / demolished as soon as our new building is complete. We'll eventually have an outdoor covered kitchen, next to the new building as part of our phase 2 plan.

We're having a small Christmas dinner in Richmond tomorrow then .. a few will come out to the ranch for the weekend.

I've got a 5# standing rib to wrap in cheesecloth and back into the refrigerator this morning.

Hope everyone has a safe and joyous Christmas Eve.

Prayers to all.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Rick, the reflection pictures were great.

Not bad .. for an iPhone 8 Plus.