Just a quick update to let everyone know that Belwether Bill will be back soon. It seems "Murphy" found his computer and did a number on it. Bill's got some "nerds" working on the problem and will be back with his series on his battles with "Murphy" very soon. His upcoming posts should be quite interesting since "Murphy" decided to move indoors with him. Maybe "Murphy" doesn't like the cold weather!
Mistakes I Have Made series will be back shortly.
Be aware. Be informed. Be prepared.
Riverwalker
Showing posts with label Mistakes I Have Made. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mistakes I Have Made. Show all posts
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Mistakes I Have Made - Part 7 - Continued
After a couple of hours I was able to modify the general population cage with some left over 1/2" mesh hardware cloth so as to be able to confine the second batch of 25 birds. I was also able to recover six of the escapees in the tall grass near the cages and add them to the overall total - Not too bad an ending of an otherwise screwed up afternoon.
After about five or six weeks the birds became old enough for me to be able to tell which sex they were and I was able to come up with 12 pairs and transferred them to the honeymoon suites. The seven birds left over were all males so I turned them loose to fend for themselves. That very evening as the sun began to set the birds began their "covey up songs" that are always such a pleasure to listen to,
For some reason those seven birds stuck close to the area and each evening I was treated to their music. Could be that they stuck around because I had the only ladies in town. Of course the fact that I set out feed for them had no impact I'm sure. In any event they became a permanent fixture on the place. So much so - that they took to following me each day as I moved about the turf doing chores. Down to the garden area, the compost piles and even down to the campground area and the bee hives.
On more than one occasion I would, without thinking drop a rake or other tool to the ground and spook them and they would flush with their typical noisy rush and startle me as well. Anyone who has ever hunted Quail knows about that noisy flush so unique to Quail.
One evening while walking from the garden area back up to the shop with the birds trailing behind as usual, I was startled by the most Gawd-Awful screeching I had ever heard. As I turned back toward the following quail I was treated to the sight of a Big Hawk carrying off one of the fat little males over the tree line screaming all the while. I just know that the hawk was a friend of "Murphy" and he was just letting me know that he was still lurking around looking and waiting.
Needless to say, it was at least two weeks before I saw or heard any of the other males again. They probably fled clear across the county line and took those two weeks just to find their way back home. I hear you Murphy, I hear you!!! (To Be Continued)
Take Care - Belwether
After about five or six weeks the birds became old enough for me to be able to tell which sex they were and I was able to come up with 12 pairs and transferred them to the honeymoon suites. The seven birds left over were all males so I turned them loose to fend for themselves. That very evening as the sun began to set the birds began their "covey up songs" that are always such a pleasure to listen to,
For some reason those seven birds stuck close to the area and each evening I was treated to their music. Could be that they stuck around because I had the only ladies in town. Of course the fact that I set out feed for them had no impact I'm sure. In any event they became a permanent fixture on the place. So much so - that they took to following me each day as I moved about the turf doing chores. Down to the garden area, the compost piles and even down to the campground area and the bee hives.
On more than one occasion I would, without thinking drop a rake or other tool to the ground and spook them and they would flush with their typical noisy rush and startle me as well. Anyone who has ever hunted Quail knows about that noisy flush so unique to Quail.
One evening while walking from the garden area back up to the shop with the birds trailing behind as usual, I was startled by the most Gawd-Awful screeching I had ever heard. As I turned back toward the following quail I was treated to the sight of a Big Hawk carrying off one of the fat little males over the tree line screaming all the while. I just know that the hawk was a friend of "Murphy" and he was just letting me know that he was still lurking around looking and waiting.
Needless to say, it was at least two weeks before I saw or heard any of the other males again. They probably fled clear across the county line and took those two weeks just to find their way back home. I hear you Murphy, I hear you!!! (To Be Continued)
Take Care - Belwether
Monday, October 6, 2008
Mistakes I Have Made - Part 7
I continue to believe that we can learn from our Mistakes But, we must always allow for the actions of our good friend "Murphy" the purveyor of all things evil. Rule #57: "If there is a way to screw things up he will find it for you."
Shortly after the minions of the Devil himself - "Fire Ants" - arrived in this part of Central Texas quite a few forms of wild life began to be adversely affected and some even began to disappear. Cotton Tail Rabbits, Jack Rabbits, Quail and Armadillos disappeared altogether.
Even the Whitetail population suffered. It seems that the Fawns would lie silently hidden away while the Does grazed nearby. During this time the Fawns would become covered with Fire Ants. When their Mothers returned and found them this way they would begin licking them off thereby ingesting quite a few of them in the process and causing themselves great distress and in some cases even death.
I really missed the Quail singing away to each other in the evenings as they began to "Covey" up for the night. I was discussing this loss with a co-worker over coffee one day when he suggested that I raise some Quail and turn them loose to repopulate the area. Since he raised many different types of birds on his country place just across the county line from mine, I figured that he knew what he was talking about and I became interested in the project.
He assured me that they were not too difficult to raise, let me borrow a couple of books to get the project underway. He also offered to sell me some of his recent hatch for ..50 per bird which was almost 1/2 of the going price at the time. Just a little homework convinced me that this was something that I might be able to do.
I started by building three cages 2' x 2' x 8' framed 4' off the ground. I covered all the frames with 1" chicken wire and the floors with 1/2" hardware cloth. One cage was to be for general population and two were to be partitioned for couples. Within two weeks the cages were built, necessary equipment and supplies were in place and I was ready for the birds.
After work one Friday I followed my buddy to his place and purchased 50 small "Bob White" Quail. He loaned me two of his transport cages with 25 birds in each cage with a couple extras thrown in for good measure. I could not wait to get home and transfer them into their new home. Upon arrival at the "Turf" I grabbed the first transfer cage hustled over to the quail cages and poured them into the general population cage. I then went into the house to change clothes and let them settle in a bit.
After changing clothes I went out to my truck to get the second cage and transfer them as well. You can imagine my surprise when I opened the lid to the general population gage and there were no birds at all inside. It seems that they were all small enough to pass through the 1" chicken wire and disappear… Thank You "Murphy"!! Got to me again !!! (To Be Continued)
Take Care - Belwether
Shortly after the minions of the Devil himself - "Fire Ants" - arrived in this part of Central Texas quite a few forms of wild life began to be adversely affected and some even began to disappear. Cotton Tail Rabbits, Jack Rabbits, Quail and Armadillos disappeared altogether.
Even the Whitetail population suffered. It seems that the Fawns would lie silently hidden away while the Does grazed nearby. During this time the Fawns would become covered with Fire Ants. When their Mothers returned and found them this way they would begin licking them off thereby ingesting quite a few of them in the process and causing themselves great distress and in some cases even death.
I really missed the Quail singing away to each other in the evenings as they began to "Covey" up for the night. I was discussing this loss with a co-worker over coffee one day when he suggested that I raise some Quail and turn them loose to repopulate the area. Since he raised many different types of birds on his country place just across the county line from mine, I figured that he knew what he was talking about and I became interested in the project.
He assured me that they were not too difficult to raise, let me borrow a couple of books to get the project underway. He also offered to sell me some of his recent hatch for ..50 per bird which was almost 1/2 of the going price at the time. Just a little homework convinced me that this was something that I might be able to do.
I started by building three cages 2' x 2' x 8' framed 4' off the ground. I covered all the frames with 1" chicken wire and the floors with 1/2" hardware cloth. One cage was to be for general population and two were to be partitioned for couples. Within two weeks the cages were built, necessary equipment and supplies were in place and I was ready for the birds.
After work one Friday I followed my buddy to his place and purchased 50 small "Bob White" Quail. He loaned me two of his transport cages with 25 birds in each cage with a couple extras thrown in for good measure. I could not wait to get home and transfer them into their new home. Upon arrival at the "Turf" I grabbed the first transfer cage hustled over to the quail cages and poured them into the general population cage. I then went into the house to change clothes and let them settle in a bit.
After changing clothes I went out to my truck to get the second cage and transfer them as well. You can imagine my surprise when I opened the lid to the general population gage and there were no birds at all inside. It seems that they were all small enough to pass through the 1" chicken wire and disappear… Thank You "Murphy"!! Got to me again !!! (To Be Continued)
Take Care - Belwether
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Mistakes I Have Made - Part 6
I still believe that we can learn from our Mistakes. Remember: Always be on the lookout on the lookout for the purveyor of all things bad - "Murphy". Rule #47: The simple things are always hard.
Always trying to find a way to make the "Turf" more productive, I did some research into the growing of grapes. I discovered that not only is Texas a good place to grow grapes but that a man by the name of "T. V. Munson of Dennison" is world famous for his research into grape culture and did much of his research right here in Texas. I also discovered that at some point in the past a disease called phylloxera infested much of the European grapes which was defeated by grafting European cuttings onto American rootstocks a process still in use today.
I have a large number of "Wild Grapes" growing all over the Turf. Some of the vines are as big around as my forearm. You know the kind that climb up into your best Oak trees, shade out the trees leaves and eventually kill the tree. Not only that, the only fruit they produce are the size of a "Scratch Anywhere Match Head" and are so sour, you will only taste them once. I figure that there must be a way to use this ability to grow and grow and grow for some good purpose.
Sooo…, I began to devise a "Simple" plan to do just that and perhaps even cut vine development time down considerably. The plan is to pull the vines down from the trees and train them to grow on wires that are stretched between the trees much like "Muscadines and Scuppernongs"! Train them to the same spur system that they prefer and later graft some of them onto the wild vines thereby gaining the benefit of its extensive root system and reap the bounty sure to come
The project began with the purchase of a couple of spools of "Horse Wire", six dozen large "eye-hooks" and half that number of large "turn-buckles" which should be enough to tame up 30-35 individual wild vines. Eye-hooks to attach the wires to the trees and turn-buckles to keep the wires taught over the years.
It took the better part of 2 years of spare time to pull the vines down from the trees, trim them to the length of wire from the original tree to the next closest tree (20 -30 feet on the average) about 6 to 7 feet off the ground . Attaching vines to the wire was easy - just wrap the vine around the wire several times over its length and tie it to the wire at the far end.
It took 2 years because in some instances the project required clearing brush and mowing just to get access to the vines. In other cases there were some vines that were unsuitable for the project and were remove altogether for the sake of the trees. The end result was 32 separate wild vines to begin the grand experiment with. The vines seem to flourish in their new environment, putting on lush growth with their meager grapes even growing a little bigger but not much. They are so vigorous I have to trim them back every winter as they like to escapee back up into the trees. Best of all - Even though the vines are the most luscious green things around the Turf - The Deer do not bother them at all.
The commercial grapes for use in the grafting phase on the other hand are another story. This has been an 8 year ongoing experiment with 4 separate plantings of the grafting grapes without a single vine maturing to a size that will allow cuttings to be taken. (You guessed it "Murphy" is in this game as well). Each planting is started inside its own chicken wire cage that grows with the vine as it grows to the top of the post it is planted next to for training. (About 2 years.) As it branches out and begins to get with the program - Here come the Deer! - Party Time!!! "Thank You Murphy"
Again, I have learned another of "Murphy's" rules: The Simple Things Are Always Hard". Next spring I'm thinking of planting some grafting grapes out in the wooded areas of the Turf. (Could this be another Mistake)? See ya'll again on "Mistakes Part 7".
Take Care - Belwether
Always trying to find a way to make the "Turf" more productive, I did some research into the growing of grapes. I discovered that not only is Texas a good place to grow grapes but that a man by the name of "T. V. Munson of Dennison" is world famous for his research into grape culture and did much of his research right here in Texas. I also discovered that at some point in the past a disease called phylloxera infested much of the European grapes which was defeated by grafting European cuttings onto American rootstocks a process still in use today.
I have a large number of "Wild Grapes" growing all over the Turf. Some of the vines are as big around as my forearm. You know the kind that climb up into your best Oak trees, shade out the trees leaves and eventually kill the tree. Not only that, the only fruit they produce are the size of a "Scratch Anywhere Match Head" and are so sour, you will only taste them once. I figure that there must be a way to use this ability to grow and grow and grow for some good purpose.
Sooo…, I began to devise a "Simple" plan to do just that and perhaps even cut vine development time down considerably. The plan is to pull the vines down from the trees and train them to grow on wires that are stretched between the trees much like "Muscadines and Scuppernongs"! Train them to the same spur system that they prefer and later graft some of them onto the wild vines thereby gaining the benefit of its extensive root system and reap the bounty sure to come
The project began with the purchase of a couple of spools of "Horse Wire", six dozen large "eye-hooks" and half that number of large "turn-buckles" which should be enough to tame up 30-35 individual wild vines. Eye-hooks to attach the wires to the trees and turn-buckles to keep the wires taught over the years.
It took the better part of 2 years of spare time to pull the vines down from the trees, trim them to the length of wire from the original tree to the next closest tree (20 -30 feet on the average) about 6 to 7 feet off the ground . Attaching vines to the wire was easy - just wrap the vine around the wire several times over its length and tie it to the wire at the far end.
It took 2 years because in some instances the project required clearing brush and mowing just to get access to the vines. In other cases there were some vines that were unsuitable for the project and were remove altogether for the sake of the trees. The end result was 32 separate wild vines to begin the grand experiment with. The vines seem to flourish in their new environment, putting on lush growth with their meager grapes even growing a little bigger but not much. They are so vigorous I have to trim them back every winter as they like to escapee back up into the trees. Best of all - Even though the vines are the most luscious green things around the Turf - The Deer do not bother them at all.
The commercial grapes for use in the grafting phase on the other hand are another story. This has been an 8 year ongoing experiment with 4 separate plantings of the grafting grapes without a single vine maturing to a size that will allow cuttings to be taken. (You guessed it "Murphy" is in this game as well). Each planting is started inside its own chicken wire cage that grows with the vine as it grows to the top of the post it is planted next to for training. (About 2 years.) As it branches out and begins to get with the program - Here come the Deer! - Party Time!!! "Thank You Murphy"
Again, I have learned another of "Murphy's" rules: The Simple Things Are Always Hard". Next spring I'm thinking of planting some grafting grapes out in the wooded areas of the Turf. (Could this be another Mistake)? See ya'll again on "Mistakes Part 7".
Take Care - Belwether
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Mistakes I Have Made - Part 5
I still believe that we can learn from our Mistakes. Sometimes we just think we know what we think we know. And above all, be constantly on the lookout for the purveyor of all things bad - "Murphy". Rule #37: "He really does know what we only think we know and will make us pay the usual high price to learn it".
I thought I had done my homework and felt that I was ready to make my first batch of "Jerky". I had just finished building a real neat 2' x 2'x 3' tall dryer with three separate racks of 8 dowel rods each 1/4" in diameter powered by a 100 watt light bulb under the vented floor board. I had even located some of those new large plastic coated paper clips to use as hangers so as not to taint the meat.
Next I took out the partially frozen Venison Back Strap, cut it up into 1/4 by 1' strips 4 to 6inches long to get it ready for the brine soak. I elected to use just salt brine instead of a more fancy marinade as I was planning to use the jerky in a big pot of stew for the Scout Campout on the upcoming weekend. (Right On)
I then tossed all the back strap strips into a large bowl, added the salt brine covered it, stirred well and set it in the fridge to do its thing over night. The next evening I gingerly blotted each piece of meat before it was hung up by the homemade paper clip hooks inside the dryer. (So far all went well!)
It took all of three days for the back strap to become dry enough for it to become Jerky. The temperature in the dryer varied between 130 and 150 degrees depending on how long I had it open to check on progress. (Not Too Bad!)
On Friday after work I had just enough time to gather all of the Jerky together and wrap it in foil before the dads and their Scouts began to arrive. Just before leaving for camp I gave each of the dads a small piece of Jerky to sample. Too my surprise, not a single comment from either of them.
After arrival at camp and everything was set up and we were all gathered around the traditional campfire for the evening, I passed out small pieces of the Jerky to each of the boys as a surprise. Again, not a single comment - Not even from my own two Sons.
Later after everyone had gone to bed and as I was making the rounds of the campsite with my trusty and loyal German Sheppard ("Moose"), I tossed him a full strip of Jerky. Since he had caught and eaten a large number of scraps during the making of the Jerky, he eagerly caught the strip that I had tossed to him and began to wolf it down. What happened next gave me the only true and honest appraisal of my first attempt at making Jerky.
If you have ever given a dog a big "Gob" of peanut butter and watched the gyrations that he goes through to get every bit of goodness off of the roof of his mouth you have some idea of what "Moose" was doing as he tried to chew on the Jerky. Only, this time he was "Frothing" at the mouth and was trying to spit it out, not swallow it. When he finally got it all out of his mouth he gave me a look that only a devoted pet can give when he thinks he has been mistreated.
"Murphy" had chosen this way to show me that I really did not know all that I thought I knew about making Jerky. I finally tasted a piece of it myself - "Yuuuukkkk!" - "Way Too Dammed Salty". Needless to say - We had no Jerky Stew on this camping trip and I learned another of Murphy's Rules. "Sometimes you just think you know what you think you know." See ya'll again on "Mistakes Part 6".
Take Care - Belwether
I thought I had done my homework and felt that I was ready to make my first batch of "Jerky". I had just finished building a real neat 2' x 2'x 3' tall dryer with three separate racks of 8 dowel rods each 1/4" in diameter powered by a 100 watt light bulb under the vented floor board. I had even located some of those new large plastic coated paper clips to use as hangers so as not to taint the meat.
Next I took out the partially frozen Venison Back Strap, cut it up into 1/4 by 1' strips 4 to 6inches long to get it ready for the brine soak. I elected to use just salt brine instead of a more fancy marinade as I was planning to use the jerky in a big pot of stew for the Scout Campout on the upcoming weekend. (Right On)
I then tossed all the back strap strips into a large bowl, added the salt brine covered it, stirred well and set it in the fridge to do its thing over night. The next evening I gingerly blotted each piece of meat before it was hung up by the homemade paper clip hooks inside the dryer. (So far all went well!)
It took all of three days for the back strap to become dry enough for it to become Jerky. The temperature in the dryer varied between 130 and 150 degrees depending on how long I had it open to check on progress. (Not Too Bad!)
On Friday after work I had just enough time to gather all of the Jerky together and wrap it in foil before the dads and their Scouts began to arrive. Just before leaving for camp I gave each of the dads a small piece of Jerky to sample. Too my surprise, not a single comment from either of them.
After arrival at camp and everything was set up and we were all gathered around the traditional campfire for the evening, I passed out small pieces of the Jerky to each of the boys as a surprise. Again, not a single comment - Not even from my own two Sons.
Later after everyone had gone to bed and as I was making the rounds of the campsite with my trusty and loyal German Sheppard ("Moose"), I tossed him a full strip of Jerky. Since he had caught and eaten a large number of scraps during the making of the Jerky, he eagerly caught the strip that I had tossed to him and began to wolf it down. What happened next gave me the only true and honest appraisal of my first attempt at making Jerky.
If you have ever given a dog a big "Gob" of peanut butter and watched the gyrations that he goes through to get every bit of goodness off of the roof of his mouth you have some idea of what "Moose" was doing as he tried to chew on the Jerky. Only, this time he was "Frothing" at the mouth and was trying to spit it out, not swallow it. When he finally got it all out of his mouth he gave me a look that only a devoted pet can give when he thinks he has been mistreated.
"Murphy" had chosen this way to show me that I really did not know all that I thought I knew about making Jerky. I finally tasted a piece of it myself - "Yuuuukkkk!" - "Way Too Dammed Salty". Needless to say - We had no Jerky Stew on this camping trip and I learned another of Murphy's Rules. "Sometimes you just think you know what you think you know." See ya'll again on "Mistakes Part 6".
Take Care - Belwether
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Mistakes I have Made - Part 4
I still firmly believe that we can learn from both our Successes and our Mistakes. We must always pay attention to the things that go on around us. Above all, be constantly on the lookout for the purveyor of all things bad - "Murphy". Rule #27: "If Things Are Going Real Well - Look Out It Is Fixin To Turn Sour".
It took most of that Summer to get all 12 of the "Raised Beds" constructed so no crops that year. Having read about a process called "Sheet Composting" and deciding that it was not all that difficult and that it was something I could do, that became the plan for the Fall.
I was able to collect tons of Leaf Mold from the wooded areas of the Turf and spread it all 6 to 8 inches thick on the beds. Now since I had purchased my own 8hp "Troy Built Horse" tiller, I was able to till all that Leaf Mold into the beds and let it cook till Spring when I had great plans...
Come Spring the beds looked great, very few weeds that were taken care of by a few passes with Ole 8 Horse. Then it was crazy time, I planted A bed each of Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Onions, Pinto Beans, 2 of Tomatoes, 3 of Peppers, and 2 of Potatoes. All that was left for me to do was water on the weekends and watch the crops do their thing.
Everything was growing just great, nice and green and blooming. I was beginning to feel pretty smug once again and could not wait to begin sampling some of the fruits of my labor and sharing some with my neighbors. Again, Murphy chose this time to enter the picture.
It was the week before the Memorial Day weekend as I recall. We had 6-8 inches of rain during the week. When I arrived at the Turf on Friday evening, the first thing I did was check out the garden area. Sure enough, Murphy had seen to it that a 10' wide gully had washed down the whole 100' length of the garden. It even rained again that night just to add insult to injury.
I had constructed the Beds running across the slope of the land thinking to catch as much rain run off as I could. I caught it alright… Had to rethink that whole project. Thank You For Your Help MURPHY!!!!
As usual, I hope that we learned another of Murphy's Rules and that ya'll were able to see the error of my ways. (Still not sure that I made a Mistake here - Unless not allowing for "Murphy" is a Mistake - Yeah I Made a Mistake!) See ya'll again on "Mistakes Part 5".
Take Care - Belwether
It took most of that Summer to get all 12 of the "Raised Beds" constructed so no crops that year. Having read about a process called "Sheet Composting" and deciding that it was not all that difficult and that it was something I could do, that became the plan for the Fall.
I was able to collect tons of Leaf Mold from the wooded areas of the Turf and spread it all 6 to 8 inches thick on the beds. Now since I had purchased my own 8hp "Troy Built Horse" tiller, I was able to till all that Leaf Mold into the beds and let it cook till Spring when I had great plans...
Come Spring the beds looked great, very few weeds that were taken care of by a few passes with Ole 8 Horse. Then it was crazy time, I planted A bed each of Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Onions, Pinto Beans, 2 of Tomatoes, 3 of Peppers, and 2 of Potatoes. All that was left for me to do was water on the weekends and watch the crops do their thing.
Everything was growing just great, nice and green and blooming. I was beginning to feel pretty smug once again and could not wait to begin sampling some of the fruits of my labor and sharing some with my neighbors. Again, Murphy chose this time to enter the picture.
It was the week before the Memorial Day weekend as I recall. We had 6-8 inches of rain during the week. When I arrived at the Turf on Friday evening, the first thing I did was check out the garden area. Sure enough, Murphy had seen to it that a 10' wide gully had washed down the whole 100' length of the garden. It even rained again that night just to add insult to injury.
I had constructed the Beds running across the slope of the land thinking to catch as much rain run off as I could. I caught it alright… Had to rethink that whole project. Thank You For Your Help MURPHY!!!!
As usual, I hope that we learned another of Murphy's Rules and that ya'll were able to see the error of my ways. (Still not sure that I made a Mistake here - Unless not allowing for "Murphy" is a Mistake - Yeah I Made a Mistake!) See ya'll again on "Mistakes Part 5".
Take Care - Belwether
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Mistakes I Have Made - Part 3
I firmly believe that we can learn from both our Successes and our Mistakes. We must always keep moving forward. If you stop you will be over run by the Sheeple. You must also remember who Murphy is and all of his laws. Rule #17: Always Be Careful Who You Loan Your Tools To."
Several weekends after the big Grass Fire I decided that I might as well take advantage of the naked ground and begin to get the Garden Plan into shape. With this in mind I had stopped at one of the many "You Rent Em - You Break Em - You Buy Em" places on my way out of town and rented their biggest 8hp Front Tine Tiller with wheels and a big 2' pointed tang behind the tines that dug into the ground to help churn up the soil. Had not heard of a rear tine tiller at this time. Got a good deal on the weekend rate - Pick up on Friday eve and return on Sunday eve at a 1 day rate,
I was up and at the break of dawn and after a quick Breakfast I began to unload the tiller down at the garden site. Just as I got it out of the PU bed my neighbor to the East drives up to the fence in his ATV and a can of beer. He is another Ole Timer not quite WW II vintage but old enough for me to show him some respect. He asked about the fire several weeks past and we chat a little before I allow as how I need to get to work tilling this garden and that this was the first time I ever used a tiller.
He right away tells me how last weekend he did his garden with a tiller just like the one I had rented and allowed as how it only took several hours. He also told me that it "worked a whole lot better once he took off the wheels". I looked over the tiller and sure enough the wheels were removable but I was not too sure about this plan to remove them. He then climbs over the fence and says "let me give you a hand and show you how it works".
We fiddle with it for a while and finally get the wheels off. He then says "I'll show you how it works then you can give it a Shot". Again, he was an Ole Timer and just might know a thing or two, Sooo I let him have at it. I had already test started it so I gave it a jerk, It started, He grabbed hold of the handle bars revved the engine and engaged the tines.
That was when Murphy joined in the game - The tiller took three giant leaps and a couple of smaller ones before it reached the fence with the Ole Timer still hanging on for dear life. Before I could get to him and cut it off it had chewed into the tines about a 10' section of goat wire and barbed wire.
When things finally stopped he said "Dammit that was a hell of a ride, this must be more powerful than the one I used" He then calmly walked through the hole in the fence, got on his ATV and disappeared over the rise toward his barn. I was left with a "Bird Nest" from hell that I am sure that Murphy was real proud of.
The only tool I had with me that would cut wire was a pair if Lineman Pliers. I got them out of the truck and began to cut the tiller out of the fence. 30 -40 minutes later just as I pulled the tiller loose from the last piece of wire still attached to the fence, here comes my neighbor with a spool of barbed wire and a section of Goat wire. He hopped off his ATV and says "Mind giving a hand patching this here gap". (Sure - Why Not).
It took until lunch to get the "Gap Patched". He then climbed over the fence and was last seen going over the rise toward his barn. It was several months before we spoke again and no mention was made of the tiller incident. I guessed that was the way of things in the country.
I still had the Bird Nest from hell to deal with. It took me the rest of the day and most of Sunday to get the tiller squared away. The most difficult part was making the 2' tang on the rear straight again. I even washed the tiller before I took it back to town looking no worse for the fence war.
Again, I hope that we learned another of Murphy's Rules and that ya'll were able to see the error of my ways. (I certainly did) See ya'll again on "Mistakes Part 4".
Belwether
Several weekends after the big Grass Fire I decided that I might as well take advantage of the naked ground and begin to get the Garden Plan into shape. With this in mind I had stopped at one of the many "You Rent Em - You Break Em - You Buy Em" places on my way out of town and rented their biggest 8hp Front Tine Tiller with wheels and a big 2' pointed tang behind the tines that dug into the ground to help churn up the soil. Had not heard of a rear tine tiller at this time. Got a good deal on the weekend rate - Pick up on Friday eve and return on Sunday eve at a 1 day rate,
I was up and at the break of dawn and after a quick Breakfast I began to unload the tiller down at the garden site. Just as I got it out of the PU bed my neighbor to the East drives up to the fence in his ATV and a can of beer. He is another Ole Timer not quite WW II vintage but old enough for me to show him some respect. He asked about the fire several weeks past and we chat a little before I allow as how I need to get to work tilling this garden and that this was the first time I ever used a tiller.
He right away tells me how last weekend he did his garden with a tiller just like the one I had rented and allowed as how it only took several hours. He also told me that it "worked a whole lot better once he took off the wheels". I looked over the tiller and sure enough the wheels were removable but I was not too sure about this plan to remove them. He then climbs over the fence and says "let me give you a hand and show you how it works".
We fiddle with it for a while and finally get the wheels off. He then says "I'll show you how it works then you can give it a Shot". Again, he was an Ole Timer and just might know a thing or two, Sooo I let him have at it. I had already test started it so I gave it a jerk, It started, He grabbed hold of the handle bars revved the engine and engaged the tines.
That was when Murphy joined in the game - The tiller took three giant leaps and a couple of smaller ones before it reached the fence with the Ole Timer still hanging on for dear life. Before I could get to him and cut it off it had chewed into the tines about a 10' section of goat wire and barbed wire.
When things finally stopped he said "Dammit that was a hell of a ride, this must be more powerful than the one I used" He then calmly walked through the hole in the fence, got on his ATV and disappeared over the rise toward his barn. I was left with a "Bird Nest" from hell that I am sure that Murphy was real proud of.
The only tool I had with me that would cut wire was a pair if Lineman Pliers. I got them out of the truck and began to cut the tiller out of the fence. 30 -40 minutes later just as I pulled the tiller loose from the last piece of wire still attached to the fence, here comes my neighbor with a spool of barbed wire and a section of Goat wire. He hopped off his ATV and says "Mind giving a hand patching this here gap". (Sure - Why Not).
It took until lunch to get the "Gap Patched". He then climbed over the fence and was last seen going over the rise toward his barn. It was several months before we spoke again and no mention was made of the tiller incident. I guessed that was the way of things in the country.
I still had the Bird Nest from hell to deal with. It took me the rest of the day and most of Sunday to get the tiller squared away. The most difficult part was making the 2' tang on the rear straight again. I even washed the tiller before I took it back to town looking no worse for the fence war.
Again, I hope that we learned another of Murphy's Rules and that ya'll were able to see the error of my ways. (I certainly did) See ya'll again on "Mistakes Part 4".
Belwether
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Mistakes I Have Made - Part 2
I firmly believe that we can learn from both our Successes and our Mistakes. We can do almost any thing we set our hearts on as long as we remember who Murphy is and all of his laws. Rule #1: "If it can go wrong - It will."
The year after the "Orchard" disaster I was picking up rocks in the planned "Garden Area" closer to the well head about half way between the planned home site and S of the failed orchard. I had already built a small cabin just a little further S of the Home site to make the weekend stays a little more comfortable.
It was a clear sunny day with no wind, just a bright spring day that makes you want to enjoy the world around you. The "Garden Plan" was another 50' x100' plot that called for 12-4'wide by 40' long raised beds with 4' walkways between them. I wanted to use the "French Intensive" method but the top soil is limited in this area so "Raised Beds" got the nod.
My thoughts at the time were "Why try to till through all this grass (about 1'-2' tall)"? "All I have to do is burn it off and then the tilling will be sooo much easier" That sounded like a good plan and I started a small fire that would be easy to control until the entire Garden Area was cleared, (Right!) - Besides the ash from the burned grass and weeds would be good for the soil.
Unknown to me, Murphy had taken up residence beneath my cabin. As you might have guessed by now - That small fire quickly became one that I could no longer control and headed straight through the planned home site, past the well head toward the cabin. Before I could get the water hose into action the fire had sped past the cabin and onto my neighbors acreage to the S of mine.
Luckily, I had purchased a cheap 3hp mower and had been mowing around the cabin and well head for the last few months otherwise I might have lost both to the by now raging grass fire. My neighbor just happened to be home and placed a call to the local VFD then came out to help me fight the now losing battle with the fire that was now burning his storage building. Neither his hoses nor mine were able to reach the battle.
After about 10-15 minutes the VFD arrived and quickly put out the blaze. Too make a long story short - About 20 acres belonging to my neighbor went up in flames as did the small storage building that also belonged to him. I got to know him real well that day. I also got to know most of the members of the VFD as well.
Cost: A new 8' x 10' storage building for my neighbor and a few yard tools as well.
A healthy donation to the local VFD.
A stinging blow to my self esteem. (Stupid, Stupid, Stupid…)
A new respect for the bringer of all things not good - Murphy!
Again, I hope this was not too long and that ya'll were able to see the error of my ways. (I certainly did) See ya'll again on "Mistakes Part 3".
Belwether
The year after the "Orchard" disaster I was picking up rocks in the planned "Garden Area" closer to the well head about half way between the planned home site and S of the failed orchard. I had already built a small cabin just a little further S of the Home site to make the weekend stays a little more comfortable.
It was a clear sunny day with no wind, just a bright spring day that makes you want to enjoy the world around you. The "Garden Plan" was another 50' x100' plot that called for 12-4'wide by 40' long raised beds with 4' walkways between them. I wanted to use the "French Intensive" method but the top soil is limited in this area so "Raised Beds" got the nod.
My thoughts at the time were "Why try to till through all this grass (about 1'-2' tall)"? "All I have to do is burn it off and then the tilling will be sooo much easier" That sounded like a good plan and I started a small fire that would be easy to control until the entire Garden Area was cleared, (Right!) - Besides the ash from the burned grass and weeds would be good for the soil.
Unknown to me, Murphy had taken up residence beneath my cabin. As you might have guessed by now - That small fire quickly became one that I could no longer control and headed straight through the planned home site, past the well head toward the cabin. Before I could get the water hose into action the fire had sped past the cabin and onto my neighbors acreage to the S of mine.
Luckily, I had purchased a cheap 3hp mower and had been mowing around the cabin and well head for the last few months otherwise I might have lost both to the by now raging grass fire. My neighbor just happened to be home and placed a call to the local VFD then came out to help me fight the now losing battle with the fire that was now burning his storage building. Neither his hoses nor mine were able to reach the battle.
After about 10-15 minutes the VFD arrived and quickly put out the blaze. Too make a long story short - About 20 acres belonging to my neighbor went up in flames as did the small storage building that also belonged to him. I got to know him real well that day. I also got to know most of the members of the VFD as well.
Cost: A new 8' x 10' storage building for my neighbor and a few yard tools as well.
A healthy donation to the local VFD.
A stinging blow to my self esteem. (Stupid, Stupid, Stupid…)
A new respect for the bringer of all things not good - Murphy!
Again, I hope this was not too long and that ya'll were able to see the error of my ways. (I certainly did) See ya'll again on "Mistakes Part 3".
Belwether
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Mistakes I Have Made - Part 1
I firmly believe that we can learn from both our Successes and our Mistakes. I also believe that we learn more from our Mistakes than from our Successes, at least that has been my own personal experience. The Lord knows that we all make many, many Mistakes as we grow in life.
Sooo, with that in mind, I propose to share with ya'll some of the worst Mistakes that I have made over the years and hopefully save some of you some grief that I have endured over the years.
Years ago, when I first purchased this little piece of seclusion in the Hill Country, I decided that one of the things I could do to improve the overall productivity of the "Turf", would be to put in a Fruit Orchard.
Having done some extensive research as to which types of fruit would grow best in this area I decided on several types of each fruit (Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plumbs and Figs ), would be needed for cross pollination, extended season and other reasons.
I further decided that "Dwarf Fruit Trees" were the choice to make because they mature and produce fruit quicker, take less room to grow and are easier to harvest than standard trees. So far so good!
I had selected an open are about 50' x 100' to be the "Orchard Area". By planting the trees on 10' centers (Recommended), I would be able to fit 40 fruit trees into that area. With the "Plot Plan" made up I was ready to go.
Spring Vacation was coming up and the local garden supply had their stock on sale and now was the time to get started. I purchased 40 trees, 8 of each type of fruit at $9.95 each for just over $400.00. (Sounds cheap but this was 1973) I hate to think of what this project would cost today.
Vacation week came and went. Trees got planted with time to spare and that was a good thing as I now realized my first small Mistake. The Orchard Area was 420' from the well head to the front edge of the Orchard. I had only 100' of garden hose… Spent the rest of the week hauling water in 5 gallon buckets to set the trees in good and proper.
I was not living on the "Turf" yet - Just coming out and spending the weekends cutting brush, picking up rocks, putting in perimeter fencing and now hauling more and more water for the trees as the weather got warmer. By the end of May I was the proud owner of 600' of cheap garden hose.
By the middle of June the Fruit Trees were looking great not a single tree lost with all looking fresh, green and lush and I was feeling pretty smug about this project and the outcome.
Now came the 4th of July weekend. As I arrived the first thing I noticed was that there were no leaves at all on the Fruit Trees. What could have happened - The soil was still damp - Yet NO LEAVES!
By this time I had met my neighbor (WWII Vet) who lived on the 200 acres just to the north of me. I asked him about my situation. His response was just one word - DEER! He also advised that if I kept on watering them they would probably come around by Fall. I followed his advice and sure enough they came back to life.
The next year the same thing happened - Looking great one weekend the next weekend NO LEAVES! AAARRGGHH! Another Mistake! By now I had done more research and discovered the need for some elaborate fencing to keep the deer at bay. I then made the decision to postpone the Orchard Project until I had moved to the Turf.
I hope this was not too long and that ya'll were able to see the error of my ways. See ya'll again on "Mistake II.
Hang In There
Belwether
Sooo, with that in mind, I propose to share with ya'll some of the worst Mistakes that I have made over the years and hopefully save some of you some grief that I have endured over the years.
Years ago, when I first purchased this little piece of seclusion in the Hill Country, I decided that one of the things I could do to improve the overall productivity of the "Turf", would be to put in a Fruit Orchard.
Having done some extensive research as to which types of fruit would grow best in this area I decided on several types of each fruit (Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plumbs and Figs ), would be needed for cross pollination, extended season and other reasons.
I further decided that "Dwarf Fruit Trees" were the choice to make because they mature and produce fruit quicker, take less room to grow and are easier to harvest than standard trees. So far so good!
I had selected an open are about 50' x 100' to be the "Orchard Area". By planting the trees on 10' centers (Recommended), I would be able to fit 40 fruit trees into that area. With the "Plot Plan" made up I was ready to go.
Spring Vacation was coming up and the local garden supply had their stock on sale and now was the time to get started. I purchased 40 trees, 8 of each type of fruit at $9.95 each for just over $400.00. (Sounds cheap but this was 1973) I hate to think of what this project would cost today.
Vacation week came and went. Trees got planted with time to spare and that was a good thing as I now realized my first small Mistake. The Orchard Area was 420' from the well head to the front edge of the Orchard. I had only 100' of garden hose… Spent the rest of the week hauling water in 5 gallon buckets to set the trees in good and proper.
I was not living on the "Turf" yet - Just coming out and spending the weekends cutting brush, picking up rocks, putting in perimeter fencing and now hauling more and more water for the trees as the weather got warmer. By the end of May I was the proud owner of 600' of cheap garden hose.
By the middle of June the Fruit Trees were looking great not a single tree lost with all looking fresh, green and lush and I was feeling pretty smug about this project and the outcome.
Now came the 4th of July weekend. As I arrived the first thing I noticed was that there were no leaves at all on the Fruit Trees. What could have happened - The soil was still damp - Yet NO LEAVES!
By this time I had met my neighbor (WWII Vet) who lived on the 200 acres just to the north of me. I asked him about my situation. His response was just one word - DEER! He also advised that if I kept on watering them they would probably come around by Fall. I followed his advice and sure enough they came back to life.
The next year the same thing happened - Looking great one weekend the next weekend NO LEAVES! AAARRGGHH! Another Mistake! By now I had done more research and discovered the need for some elaborate fencing to keep the deer at bay. I then made the decision to postpone the Orchard Project until I had moved to the Turf.
I hope this was not too long and that ya'll were able to see the error of my ways. See ya'll again on "Mistake II.
Hang In There
Belwether
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