May 18, 2010
Got up early and headed out the door to do the morning chores. It wasn't quite 4:30 am. This morning was the first time in a week I could see the stars and it was welcome. Glinda got to the barn about 20 minutes after 6 to help me finish up. Fifteen minutes until seven and we were in the garden planting peppers, both hot and sweet. We planted 20 sweet pepper plants and 60 hot pepper plants of various varieties. Finished up with that around 8:30 and headed to the house for breakfast. I had a message on the machine and I returned the call as the computer warmed up for checking the news and e-mail. Glinda whipped us up some great pancakes which were eagerly eaten, I really like pancakes. She decided to go mow the lawn since it was getting tall and the rain had kept us from it for a spell. A few minutes later she was back saying the blades were really making a racket so I went to check. At first I could not figure out what was wrong. I had her start it up and demonstrate again. There was a definite banging under the deck but after it was shut down and out of gear I turned the blades by hand and could find nothing hitting. I tried tightening the bolts but they were snug. I had her try again but the noise was just as bad as before, again she shut it down and I started taking the blades loose to see if I could figure it out. I first took the right blade off and then I spotted the trouble with that blade and so I moved to the other side to check it out. The star on both sides on the bottom of the shaft was worn smooth. We hadn't had this mower long as Glinda had bought it used last fall. I removed the shafts and went to Mtn Grove to "Hawkins Home and Lawn" for replacement shafts. I have done business with them for years and have always felt I have received a square deal. I was in luck as they had the parts I needed. While I was there I decided I would replace blades as well. I also purchased a new shop hammer since I had broken the handle of mine old shop hammer and hay season will soon be here. I took the time to photograph the ends of the shafts so I could show how bad they were worn. Photo below.
The photo below is one of Glinda once again happily mowing her lawn.
I had other things to get done while she mowed. I needed to haul some pipe that Jacob and "Skeezix" and I cut to length last Friday evening to build Amanda a chicken coop so since the trailer was already hooked up and in Glinda's way of mowing I went to load the pipe. Mitzi and "Lil" caught me and helped me load the pipe, then we all three took the pipe to Jake and Amanda's house to unload. We arrived there but no one was home. We just threw the pipe off by the side of the driveway because we were not sure where they wanted it.
Arriving back home we sat in the shade and watched Glinda mow for a bit. We got bored with that so we began pulling weds from the strawberries. Glinda finished mowing and joined us for a bit but we all tired out before we were finished and it was time to rest a bit before evening chores were upon us once more.
Mitzi and her brood had to attend baseball practice and they left us. Glinda and I planted some green beans and then we tattooed some calves and castrated three bull calves before we started the regular chores. Once everything but the milking was done Glinda left me to mow the garden and Mitzi's yard while I milked the cows. She and I both finished about the same time. She was pooped and so was I. I needed to go to VFW Post 3770 CDR Pete Proctor's house and get some documents signed and Glinda rode along. We were tired and dirty but decided to get something to eat while we were in Mtn. Grove. We chose the "Hayloft" as we had not been there in a long time. The meal was great and we came home full and ready to relax. Tomorrow will begin another day.
Cheerily
IJK
Arriving back home we sat in the shade and watched Glinda mow for a bit. We got bored with that so we began pulling weds from the strawberries. Glinda finished mowing and joined us for a bit but we all tired out before we were finished and it was time to rest a bit before evening chores were upon us once more.
Mitzi and her brood had to attend baseball practice and they left us. Glinda and I planted some green beans and then we tattooed some calves and castrated three bull calves before we started the regular chores. Once everything but the milking was done Glinda left me to mow the garden and Mitzi's yard while I milked the cows. She and I both finished about the same time. She was pooped and so was I. I needed to go to VFW Post 3770 CDR Pete Proctor's house and get some documents signed and Glinda rode along. We were tired and dirty but decided to get something to eat while we were in Mtn. Grove. We chose the "Hayloft" as we had not been there in a long time. The meal was great and we came home full and ready to relax. Tomorrow will begin another day.
Cheerily
IJK
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