What's everybody doing today?

[joel]

This morning I started digging the hole for my maple tree, wife wants it planted where a gum tree had been (removed about 8 years ago), dug into a 3 foot root ball... not happy, work going slow, resting now. There is just something about digging red clay and chopping wood at the same time that takes all the fun out of things. Worst of all, get that clay on your shoes and you have to take them off every time you go into the house.

Is that an large maple or the showy Japanese Maple Tree, what are the Fall colors?

 

[joel]

I have an apple tree to plant. We have lots of clay in our soil. No, our soil is clay! I have some peat moss to add to the soil. I do not have tree roots to get out as well, but I could if I planted in a few other locations. I have asparagus and blueberry bushes to plant as well.

Blueberries & asparagus does well in a raised bed, even a bed that is only eight to twelve inches deep. This would help with the clay underneeath the bed. It would soften the clay & stop the clay from drying out to brick hard in hot weather.

 

[Weedygarden]

Blueberries & asparagus does well in a raised bed, even a bed that is only eight to twelve inches deep. This would help with the clay underneath the bed. It would soften the clay & stop the clay from drying out to brick hard in hot weather.

Asparagus will go into a raised bed. I am thinking blueberries will go into large pots. I saw a blueberry bush that someone planted in a pot and it produced well, first year. The thing is the acid level of the soil. I purchased some additive to help with that, and I have to get a tool to look at acid level of soil as well.

 

[UrbanHunter]

Is that an large maple or the showy Japanese Maple Tree, what are the Fall colors?

It should be one of the large Canadian Maples, I got it as a very small twig (smaller than a pencil) and have grown it for 5 years in a container, it is now taller than me so I need to get it into the ground, the leaves turn bright orange and yellow brown in the fall... the place I have chosen is about 35 feet away from the house on the south side of the property. 20 years ago there was a gum tree there but it died and we removed it about 10 years ago, I just didn't expect to still find it's roots in tact when I started digging.

 

[Neb]

It should be one of the large Canadian Maples, I got it as a very small twig (smaller than a pencil) and have grown it for 5 years in a container, it is now taller than me so I need to get it into the ground, the leaves turn bright orange and yellow brown in the fall... the place I have chosen is about 35 feet away from the house on the south side of the property. 20 years ago there was a gum tree there but it died and we removed it about 10 years ago, I just didn't expect to still find it's roots in tact when I started digging.

A nursery shovel is made for that challenge. It has a square blade with a sharp edge to cut through roots. It also has a heavy strong handle to allow it to to used as a vertical axe.

Before I acquired mine I used loppers and an axe on the roots.

Ben

 

[Meerkat]

Blueberries & asparagus does well in a raised bed, even a bed that is only eight to twelve inches deep. This would help with the clay underneeath the bed. It would soften the clay & stop the clay from drying out to brick hard in hot weather.

We are about to take our bluenerries out of container we bought this year.Lost others didn't water them 2 yr ago when I got ill.

Today was cleaning day. Got lots done and more spring cleaning to go this week.

 

[Neb]

Yesterday I attacked the chaos that is my workbench.

I would have more to say if I didn't spend last couple of hours trying to images from the old phone to new!

Ben

 

[LadyLocust]

We headed up the mountain again today - got another load mostly farm implements and lumber and the cleaning supplies from the house. The only thing left is a ladder and the safe. We also cut up the tree that fell Monday and loaded the folks' trailer with firewood. Pa will get it split and it should be good by mid-late winter. Locust wood.
We've taken 3 loads to the dump in the last week - not big loads, but worth not having it around. It kinda feels good knowing it's gone. The thing is, didn't realize there was that much garbage hangin' around. It makes me wonder how much more we have - other than I've been going through things trying to organize and eliminate the extra. I read a passage the other day (spiritual) that was a reminder to "let it go." There is One to focus upon and don't let your "stuff" be an idol. I guess that sunk in with me. As I'm going through things, I have found myself saying "Let it go." I know that probably sounds a little wacky to some, but I'd really like to get down to more a simplistic organized inventory of stuff. (We really don't have tons of excess by comparison to many, but. . . )
We also have a little 1948 8N tractor with all the various parts and are thinking of selling it & looking for a small tractor with a cab - 1 pc to store rather than multiple. Only problem is a new one wouldn't be near as cool as Vern. Anyhoo, this is what we've done and what I'm a ponderin' on. Oh and we did walk down by the river to see if the cotton pods were ready - they're not.

 

[UrbanHunter]

@LadyLocust that is so funny, when I was working at a school district I spent part of a summer rebuilding a 8N Ford Tractor, it had a bucket and a gang mower attachment. Cute little tractor, love those old flat head 4 cylinder Fords...

Finally got the root-ball dug out from that old tree, filled up 2- 55 gallon cans of just roots, ended up with a 5' diameter hole 3 feet deep. Broke my fiberglass pickax and had to run to Home Depot to get a new one, by the time I was ready to place the tree it was dark and I did not have enough soil available to place it properly. Hope to get up at sun rise and finish the job before the thunder storms get here....

Funny, my arms, back, and shoulder hurt; but where they worked on my mouth feels fine (or it does not hurt enough to be visible through the fog of body ache).

 

[Amish Heart]

Glad your mouth feels ok, but I bet you were all tensed up when they did the work, and now the body ache. Bummer.

 

[INresponse]

Storage container arrived 3 days ago. Was supposed to be better than Grade A fur dented and rusty and built in 1997. We were NOT happy, but still a thousand cheaper than the other source in our area and we were waiting for it so that we could start fencing the horse coral area so we begrudgingly accepted the POS. It is water tight and without holes but it definitely was not what was expected. I plan to call to complain and tell the nice man he is a bold faced liar. Also told the neighbors not to buy from them unless the they see the container before paying and accepting delivery. Time was not on our side, and it was usable, so it will do. Wired up over half of the horse area. Gates should be hung tomorrow. Hopefully maybe even finish the rest of the fence to make it complete, minus a solar energized wire to keep out cats an other critters. The horse is calm and understands the meaning of fence, but we plan to let the turkeys graze in the horse area so we need to keep other critter out. I figure having a 4 foot welded wire fence grounded, and the hot wire on the outside edge of the top of the fence, if the neighbors abundant stray cats try to climb the fence they will quickly learn the top of the fence is NOT their friend. He doesn't care for them, he just keeps bringing them home and at times we have counted over 30 cats in his yard. I have used a humane trap inside out chicken area and caught over 30 cats in the last two years and relocated them to a ranch way north of here where they can chase field mice to their hearts content, but I prefer they stay off my property and away from our flock. Natural sprays and cat deterrent plants are not working. The neighbor is worthless. He just brings them home, feeds them, lets them free range out the cat door, and allows them to procreate as often as possible. One cat did have a tag and phone number, she was returned to her family with a warning to keep her away from our birds. She never returned. I may hate cats due to them walking over the cars and scratching the paint, but if the owner keeps them away from my cars and my birds and my garden I wont bother them. I have no idea how many times I had to polish cat claw marks out of the pain on my classic cars. Never had a dog scratch anything. I just don't understand letting your pet roam the neighborhood. Ugh.
Tonight I started work on the logo, business card and advertising information for my girlfriends newly inherited Lip Sense and Skin Care business. Her best friend in Utah passed away suddenly and asked her to take over the business so now she is my latest, first client in my effort of renewing my promotional product business that Istarted when I retired. (my ex still has my silk screening equipment and most my stuff but I still have my computer and experience). Hoping to kick off two money makers with one effort.
Her daughter brought her horse up for about an hour to get him used to his future home. He did well, but spooked a little from the noise of dumping rocks in a trailer to clear his new stomping grounds. Gave him some treats and walked him around before taking him back down the street to his current home. Tomorrow he may be back for another visit. I suspect he will be her full time in a few weeks. Looking forward to actually getting a ride around the trails in the hills near the house. He will probably come in handy if I ever apply for a deer tag in the future, easier to use a horse than to carry out to booty.
Best part of the day, the new flag pole was placed out front and Old Glory is waving once again. Just need a new University of Michigan Flag and a new Utah Utes flag to join her in the breeze.
OK, time for bed. Stay safe and stay healthy.
EDIT:
Forgot to mention, my first batch of Aspen tree clipping have rooted and may be ready for potting in a week or two. So far ever tree clipping is doing well, has leaved out, and I am pleased with this new found hobby. I plan to try to root ever clipping off the Aspen, Birch, and Apple trees this year and beyond. I need more trees and free is the best price.

 

[joel]

INresponse
I got a 8' wide X 9' tall X 40' long container for $1600, delivery & set up $600.00 plus $200. =$2400.00
I am told that this was a good price for a conx that traveled 100 miles, but being my first I have no ideal.
It is rated Cargo-worthy.
I will be putting a roof on it to cut the heat in the summer & fall.

 

[phideaux]

@INresponse , your a man after my own heart.

"I may hate cats due to them walking over the cars and scratching the paint, but if the owner keeps them away from my cars and my birds and my garden I wont bother them. I have no idea how many times I had to polish cat claw marks out of the pain on my classic cars. Never had a dog scratch anything. "

Jim

 

[Meerkat]

Daughters peeps are all ok but one,it has pasty butt. funny I had just mentioned pasty butt to her yesterday then today she tells me she had to clean one with it.
She put her oldest granddaughter over the care of the peeps so she is now upset. I told her don't feed the childs grief it will only get worse,lol.
Hurt my back moving heavy couch yesterday cleaning so won't be mopping the floors today as palanned. No big deal will do less strainous work.

 

[INresponse]

Beautiful day so far. Probably as warm at 9am as it was yesterday afternoon. Hoping for mid-60's today even though they are only guessing 60.
GF is a flight attendant and left for work this morning. She is already over her minimum guaranteed pay and probably good for another 20 hours or so on this 3 day venture. She will be happy with her paycheck next month, first time over the minimum in quite some time.
Trash needs to go to the dump and horse fence is waiting to be installed.
Have a great day, be safe.

 

[Spikedriver]

The sun is out, the sky is clear and blue, and I'm finally back to work. Never thought I'd be so happy to work...

 

[Grimm]

Yesterday our oldest cat refused to eat or be social. I tried handling her to see what was wrong before I jumped to taking her to the vet to find out she might be getting ready to die. After a few times pestering her with pets and checking her body for injuries I found a small abscess at the base of her tail that had a scab formed from the draining pus. I soaked the scab and got it off without making the wound worse. It drained dark red-ish pus and smelt like death. So I played 'doctor' and cleaned it out and packed it with medicine. This morning she was moody still but ate a little. I ended up playing doctor again and found her fur helped block the wound from draining. I clipped the fur around it and flushed it again. She is doing better. Just laying in the sun. The clipped fur makes it easier to see any draining fluids and to clean them up.

For those who find it funny when someone does something stupid and hurts themselves...

She peed on me both times I was doctoring her up. On purpose!


I have been reorganizing our food stores since K put the new bed frame together. It feels weird getting out of bed when my feet don't touch the floor. Fun though.

 

[UrbanHunter]

I got before dawn up to rain, I knew I needed to get the maple tree planted before the hole filled with water. I put in 4 5 gallon buckets of old garden old, 4 bags of store bought garden soil, 4 bags of potting mix and I was still about 6" short of grade level so I used 40 gallons of the recycled soil that I had been making to finish planting the tree. That was just enough to get the tree to grade level but it didn't quite fill the hole around the tree. I put some of the sod back around the outer edges of the hole so it looks like the hole was only about 2 feet in diameter instead of the 5. Still have a big pile of clay that I will need to dispose of. Not sure what I will do with it at this point.

Some time this week I will need to get a truck load of mulch to finish things off.

Church was at 10 AM so I have stayed busy today.

I have more meetings at 3.

We are having corned beef and cabbage for dinner, after 3 days of liquid diet the smell of it cooking is driving me nuts! (I am about to fall of the liquid diet wagon)

 

[snappy1]

Sunday school and Church first, then went to Kroger for local sale.
Came home, put away items and did video.
I still have to make yellow rice for the black beans that I pulled out of the freezer.
Cook broccoli.
Re-arrange some things in my office.
Call a few friends and call it a day!

 

[Grimm]

Roo is darning some of K's socks that have holes. I have her using yellow thread so her stitches can be seen. She is enjoying the chore and getting better with each sock she darns. I reminded K he needs to give us the socks while the holes are small so we can darn them. Her stitches are holding up to his hard wear of the socks and she is learning a life skill!

I am a proud mama bear.

 

[SheepDog]

You stole her phone didn't you... and I bet the game box is unplugged too.
I'm proud of you! and her.

 

[Grimm]

You stole her phone didn't you... and I bet the game box is unplugged too.
I'm proud of you! and her.

I wish!

Actually, Roo does not have a phone and we don't own any kind of gaming system. She does have a kindle tablet but she can only use it when we travel to my folks so she doesn't drive my parents up the wall. My dad likes his news programs and refuses to watch kids programing. He was like that when I was a kid too.

 

[Weedygarden]

Forgot to mention, my first batch of Aspen tree clipping have rooted and may be ready for potting in a week or two. So far ever tree clipping is doing well, has leaved out, and I am pleased with this new found hobby. I plan to try to root ever clipping off the Aspen, Birch, and Apple trees this year and beyond. I need more trees and free is the best price.

You must be familiar with Aspen trees. In Colorado, people take weekend drives in the fall to see the "gold" when they turn golden. Some people are very into them. People plant them in their yard in the city without realizing that their roots seek water and in many instances the roots grow to water and sewer lines. I think in the country when a person has lots of land, they would be a quick growing tree.

 

[The Lazy L]

...My dad likes his news programs and refuses to watch kids programing. He was like that when I was a kid too.

I was the same way until I got my thinking adjusted. I wasn't watching "kids programing", I was spending time with my children by doing something they enjoyed doing.

 

[Grimm]

I was the same way until I got my thinking adjusted. I wasn't watching "kids programing", I was spending time with my children by doing something they enjoyed doing.

My dad and I ended up finding common ground by watching X-files together.

 

[Spikedriver]

You must be familiar with Aspen trees. In Colorado, people take weekend drives in the fall to see the "gold" when they turn golden. Some people are very into them. People plant them in their yard in the city without realizing that their roots seek water and in many instances the roots grow to water and sewer lines. I think in the country when a person has lots of land, they would be a quick growing tree.

I like the aspens too. Around me, they're not too common, but you'll see one shaking here and there on the edges of the woods. I don't like them for any other reason than I like the way they look...

 

[Neb]

If memory serves me Aspen are some of the first trees to grow in unforested grounds and eventually give way to other species.

Ben

 

[INresponse]

You must be familiar with Aspen trees. In Colorado, people take weekend drives in the fall to see the "gold" when they turn golden. Some people are very into them. People plant them in their yard in the city without realizing that their roots seek water and in many instances the roots grow to water and sewer lines. I think in the country when a person has lots of land, they would be a quick growing tree.

I am familiar. They are beautiful to see when driving and playing in the mountains. Where I live there is no ground water so I have to water them, but once established they do well with deep watering. Our community water is affordable and the water department said our community wells are taped into a great water source, they call if an underground river. A couple years ago they provided water to the fire fighters for over a month and the water levels in the wells dropped less than a foot and we were in the dry/drought months of the summer so hopefully I will be able to maintain them for many years. Plus, when I cut them back in areas where I don't want them as thick or as tall I will have some good firewood.

 

[INresponse]

Ran more fence for the horse coral and hung the 12 foot gate. Level and a very smooth open and close so I was proud of my first gate hanging effort. I was working alone so took my time, took a lot of breaks, and enjoyed the quiet time.

 

[Weedygarden]

If memory serves me Aspen are some of the first trees to grow in unforested grounds and eventually give way to other species.

Ben

When you drive in the mountains of Colorado, there are large patches of coniferous trees. And yes, in the areas where nothing else grows, Aspens will fill in. They send out lateral roots and send shoots up for new trees.