Ditch digging and tree branch hitting

Hubs was so excited to put Claude the Trackhoe to work this past weekend. We have a large pasture that is boggy due to the lack of draining off excessive water. Since burning the blackberries and the water grass, all he has talked about is helping to allow it to drain properly into the area at the bottom of the hill. This area is where we plan to put a pond. Of course, that is about 43 years down the road, but at least we have plans.

How does tree branch hitting fit into this whole work day? Well, I'm glad you asked. Last week, Hubs had a procedure on his head resulting in a handful of stitches and a quite tender surgery location. Ignoring explicit orders from the doctor to "take it easy for a few days", he got up the next morning and proceeded to excavate the entire property. There are two things I am thankful for right now. Well - three technically. First, I'm thankful he's ok. Let's start with that. Second, I'm thankful he followed directions enough to keep it covered for a few days. And third, I'm thankful I wasn't there to see this. Evidently, whilst traipsing around on Claude, a thick tree branch got caught and swung back. He didn't see this happen as he was watching the tracks to make sure he didn't get stuck. Said branch flung back and with full force hit him directly on his wound. I am certain the colorful words that came from his mouth following this would shame any sailor.

Proud Hubs after some clearing

Good thing Claude can handle that mud!

Creating drainage

Already the water is moving better

Checking it all out 

BUT - he's ok. And wound seems ok too. Believe me, I was VERY careful when changing the dressing. The good news is that he is getting more comfortable on the trackhoe and therefore, more and more pleased with how it works and what it can do. I'm certain he'll go back out there again this weekend and work on the pond. Me? I can't WAIT for that day. With the valley heat, a nice pond will be refreshing.

Peace Out :)

Manly work time

So Hubs and boys spent the better part of their weekend chopping, cutting and stacking firewood from the property. We have found that while our insert in our living room is wonderful, it's not as efficient as we had hoped. Imagine our surprise when last week our supply of firewood out in the barn was completely diminished by the first week of February. Unheard of!!

Consequently, Hubs decided something needed to be done because we would NOT resort to using the heater. Nope, no way. Not an option. Needless to say, the boys were much more inclined to turn that thermostat up a few notches than spend their weekend out in the windy tundra. But Daddy won that battle. Oh, and by "tundra", I mean close to 60 degrees and sunny. Lovely CA weather :).

Scout stayed in the truck the whole time. Just wanted to be near his boys

It's all fun and games until your dad makes you sit in the back of the truck and stack firewood

You can doooooo it

Ethan so angelic in the sunlight

Tossing more wood on his pile

Hubs showing the boys how it's done

Necessary maintenance on the chainsaw

Love that you can see him splitting wood in the background :)

The fruits of their labor

Yes they were parked on a hill

Attacking the next bunch of downed trees

We have firewood! Yay! We enjoyed it greatly last night as the temperatures dipped into the high 20's. Yes, I know. People have negative numbers, but for us that's COLD!!

Peace Out :)

Big burn day

Our pasture is great. About 13 of our 25 acres are in pasture. What wasn't so great? The tremendous amount of blackberries that were starting to take over. That and water grass. The house and property had been neglected for years, so unfortunately, we have a lot of work ahead of us to bring it back to it's former glory.

A few months ago our neighbor (the owner of the cows, mules and horses) sprayed our blackberries with something that would kill them thus allowing for us to burn them in the late winter/early fall. This is something that will have to be repeated for several years, but each year the intrusion of blackberries will be less.

Over the weekend, Hubs and boys spent the day wandering up and down the hill carrying the torch and propane. I had spent the day doing my once/month shopping and prepping so fortunately  unfortunately, I missed the flames in all their glory. I'm not sad about this. I'm sure I would have been hyperventilating. Hubs grabbed the camera, but seeing as he was busy tending the HUGE flames, he only got a few before and after pictures of the property.

Lovely dead blackberries and water grass

No more blackberries! But now ugly patches :(

Waiting on the cows to come over and stomp these spots down

Smoldering 

Water grass before

Looks like we had some sort of accident

Bye bye water grass

Just finishing up

So now I have to remind myself that the patches were intentional and I need to remember what the end goal is. I'm told that the cows (when they come back over) will smash the little blackberries that may come up and they will somewhat turn over the burned portion of the ground. I hope so! Luckily, spring is coming so hopefully the grass will grow back. 

Just another day on the farm!

Peace Out :)

A day in the life....from Hubs' point of view

Hubs took the camera out over the weekend. Interesting the different things we see.... 

Peace Out :)