Texas Spring/Summer Thread

[pacerron]

Ron,
Bad thing about tractor PTO generators is they take your tractor out of action. I have found I depended on my tractor the most right after a storm.
hugs, Brandi

Brandi,
Your point about taking a tractor out of service for other things while running a generator is an extremely strong one. Thanks for bringing that up for any folks who might be considering a PTO generator. I did everything, including cutting, tedding, raking, bailing and hauling hay, for 20 years with just one tractor and it was quite a hassle sometimes, particularly when racing the weather. I have two now days but wouldn't want to tie one to a generator. We have put them both to a lot of use the past few days. We just finished repairing and retensioning the main horse pasture fence before lunch. You wouldn't believe the running, jumping, and bucking going on in happy anticipation of that pasture gate swinging open.
( And that was just from my wife ):dance1:

 

[Western]

You wouldn't believe the running, jumping, and bucking going on in happy anticipation of that pasture gate swinging open.
( And that was just from my wife ):dance1:

But did she "roll in the dirt"??? The true sign of contentment! Glad you guys made it through with minor "scratches" too. When We had our Ostrich farm, I had installed a 20k generator that would run the hatching facility, and our well. Since we where so remote , I had it connected to a 250# propane tank. For a bit over $7000 at the time, it was a nice unit, but probably way overkill for a single family residence.

Weatherman Pete Delkus said we are now listed in the moderate drought zone again, I figured it wouldn't be long. Has been very dry here, most of the vegetation had begun to wilt and dry up around my place. Hopefully the rain chances next week pan out for a few of us in N Texas.

 

[bindian]

Weatherman Pete Delkus said we are now listed in the moderate drought zone again, I figured it wouldn't be long. Has been very dry here, most of the vegetation had begun to wilt and dry up around my place. Hopefully the rain chances next week pan out for a few of us in N Texas.

Guess it is a good time to dig a duck pond. Just finished digging the dam core trench.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Weatherman Pete Delkus said we are now listed in the moderate drought zone again, I figured it wouldn't be long. Has been very dry here, most of the vegetation had begun to wilt and dry up around my place. Hopefully the rain chances next week pan out for a few of us in N Texas.

Guess it is a good time to dig a duck pond. Just finished digging the dam core trench.
hugs, Brandi

 

[jinman]

Guess it is a good time to dig a duck pond. Just finished digging the dam core trench.
hugs, Brandi

Well, I'm wimping out on pond building during this hot weather. It'll be awhile before I'll be building anymore dam core trenches. I know dry weather is the best time to build, but dry and the low 90s is what I'm holding out for. When it's 100+, dusty, and miserable I remind myself that I'm retired and don't have to work that hard.:dance1:

EDIT: Hey! This fits this thread. I just watched a scissor-tail chasing a grasshopper for about 250' at abut 18" off the ground. The bird finally caught the grasshopper and had a snack. Maybe that's why we don't see many grasshoppers. We have about a dozen scissor-tails around out place, the most I've seen in years.

 

[Western]

Jim, this upcoming week sounds like some decent dam weather, based on your "work criteria/conditions":laughing: As far as the Scissor tailed fly catchers, that's great you have some! The wife and I have noticed a lack of them here for some time. They are fun to watch, we used to watch how many "bugs" they would spear on a fence barb, I guess for "later snacking".

Well hired me another "helper" a nephew, for a short work trip back to New Mexico. I ran the last two off:thumbsup: :laughing: I cant tolerate guys showing up for work "under the influence" when it effects my living. They said I was being to "old fashioned and a hardA$$" WTH?? Leave tonight to El Paso and points beyond and the only thing I don't like , I have only seen my wife for 2 day's in 3 weeks and it will be another 12 days. She flew out to Ft Bragg with my daughter to visit my FIL and returns Sunday afternoon. At least I'm working though and we sure GET ALONG when I'm gone:laughing:

 

[Bird]

I haven't seen any scissortails in a long time. As for work in this heat . . . I mowed the yard this morning and that's about my limit. And the grass is growing very slowly, if at all. I guess I'm going to have to water more.

I took the dog for a walk in the woods in our big city park this morning and then along the edge of the woods. There's 2 football fields and I think 6 soccer fields, and of course the city waters them quite a bit. But I was surprised this morning to see two armadillos digging in soccer fields at 7:45 a.m. I've seen what I figured was armadillo diggings in the woods, but had not actually seen an armadillo in the park until today.

And while I frequently see squirrels and occasionally cottontails, I think it was Wednesday when I danged near stepped on a plump snake about 3' to 4' long in the park; first snake I've seen there. There's a little lake or pond in the park and the snake was about 10' from the water, but I think it was a non-poisonous water snake of some kind.

 

[bindian]

Well, I'm wimping out on pond building during this hot weather. It'll be awhile before I'll be building anymore dam core trenches. I know dry weather is the best time to build, but dry and the low 90s is what I'm holding out for. When it's 100+, dusty, and miserable I remind myself that I'm retired and don't have to work that hard.:dance1:

It isn't that dusty. Been getting a sprinkle here and there. I work it so I am under the canopy. Have my straw hat on and Wrangler long sleeve cotton shirt over a t shirt. We have had a breeze or two come through. Remember, I dug the last pond in 40 degree weather starting each day. This vacation was bid last November, so I gotta dig now.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Well, I'm wimping out on pond building during this hot weather. It'll be awhile before I'll be building anymore dam core trenches. I know dry weather is the best time to build, but dry and the low 90s is what I'm holding out for. When it's 100+, dusty, and miserable I remind myself that I'm retired and don't have to work that hard.:dance1:

It isn't that dusty. Been getting a sprinkle here and there. I work it so I am under the canopy. Have my straw hat on and Wrangler long sleeve cotton shirt over a t shirt. We have had a breeze or two come through. Remember, I dug the last pond in 40 degree weather starting each day. This vacation was bid last November, so I gotta dig now.
hugs, Brandi

 

[pacerron]

It isn't that dusty. Been getting a sprinkle here and there. I work it so I am under the canopy. Have my straw hat on and Wrangler long sleeve cotton shirt over a t shirt. We have had a breeze or two come through. Remember, I dug the last pond in 40 degree weather starting each day. This vacation was bid last November, so I gotta dig now.
hugs, Brandi

Brandi,
Even with the straw hat and canopy, if you have fair skin, don't forget the sunscreen. It's hot and greasy but I have a 2 ½ inch scar on my cheek to prove it is needed. I have always worn a wide brim straw hat and have canopys on all tractors, but it wasn't enough. Skin cancer is one of a tractor operators biggest plagues.
Ron