The little things...

 Our quick trip to Cullman this week let me discover some problems that had developed. The repair to the 55-66 tractor was good but the fuel lift pump had developed a leak. If it isn't one thing it is another. Additionally, 3 tractor batteries had died. The battery in the zero turn appears to have gone kaput as well. In the house, the battery in the Chromebook had died as well. It was a battery death kind of week. I moved the sprayer and got it working properly but the 284 had developed a miss and so I ordered new plug wires and will install the wires, plugs, and the distributor kit when I'm there next time. Always something to do.

Bringing the 6 wheeler home

 We endured a week without power due to Hurricane Zeta. Once the power was restored, we made the run to Cullman to pick up the Big Country from the shop. It turns out we had correctly diagnosed what was wrong but our aftermarket part was defective. Expensive error. We were able to get the big tractor down to the shop to fix the leak in the coolant system. Apart from that, we didn't have much to do. I got some batteries charged up and used the John Deere mower a little bit, but mostly things are at a good place.

Last cutting before rehab for the old tractor

 After having spent last week waiting to come down with Covid 19, I remain uninfected and did another work week. Now we are in Cullman doing what may be the last grass cutting of the season. It remains very warm but the days are getting much shorter. We need overnight temps down below 55 to stop grass growth. With great effort, we loaded the Big Country and hauled it to the Cub Cadet repair shop. I met the mechanic there named Jason Tyler who said they could repair the water pump I liked they way the little guy presented himself. I think we will trust them to get it done.

We called 157 Hardware about the tractor. They will contact us about picking it up to repair. They already have the 6 wheeler. I was hoping they would get it repaired by today. Perhaps tomorrow before we go.

Rainy days...

 Bev and I took a 2 day trip up to Cullman. We doubted we'd be able to accomplish much because the remnant of a tropical storm was putting down a lot of rain there. My plan to replace the fuel pump on the Cub Cadet was successful but didn't solve the problem with the engine dying. Next trip we will take it to a shop to get it sussed out.

Maw Maw had run over something in the yard with the new John Deere mower so we raised it to check the blades. No harm done. So I sharpened them while it was up there.

My vacuum pump idea for the brake lines didn't do what I hoped but I was able to bleed them both. The left brake works again but the right brake was negative function. That helped when I was able to pull a big limb off the Galen property to the burn pile with the 284.

In the prior week, I had my heart tested for an episode of heart attack like symptoms. I came through with a clean bill of health. Since I actually went to the Doctor for a Meloxicam prescription. I got some from the local pharmacy and since I've started taking it, I am doing better with my hip, neck, and joints.

Change

After 2 years and 5 months of attempting to survive my job at Citizens, my old shift opened up at Coosa. They contacted me and I'm returning starting 9/14. While I've used the opportunity to learn a lot about clinical pharmacy, there is limited opportunity to use it here at Coosa. But that's not the most important consideration. The shift allows me to sleep late if needed which will be a blessing when I only get 5 hours of sleep in a night. I've been practicing my sleep habits and find I don't have to get up to go to the bathroom. I think once I've adapted to the old sleep schedule, I'll feel better and get more exercise.

In Cullman this week, I donated 2 days to get some brush-hogging done. With such a short window, I didn't focus on any of the other work. I did get all the fields near the house done and also was able to brush-hog the fields behind the old house. I am finally comfortable on the tractor most of the time. The addition of a safety belt helped. I have now mown almost all the areas so I know what I can get away with.

The 6 wheeler is having a little problem with a fuel pump. I ordered the replacement and will install it when I am there next.

Reversing direction

 

Another work week in Cullman. This time no brush-hogging needed. The hot, dry weather has slowed the growth of the grass. It was my chance to get the bolts out of the brush-hog. I finally got the last nut off. The penetrating fluids finally did their job. But the bolt would not come out. Preston heated them with the acetylene torch and they never budged despite whacking them over and over with a hammer. I returned it to Sonya with apologies. 

The new brake cylinder went on but I'll need to do some more work. The other brake locked up and I had to take the lines loose to get it moving again. I'll attack it next trip.

So my work days consisted mostly in changing oil in the lawn mowers. I sharpened blades on the Old John Deere and lubed the mower deck. I used the blue vacuum device. It worked very well. Despite the report the nuts were left loose on the Old Zero Turn mower, I could not budge them. Not sure they were taken off at all.

We took the tomb stones I bought for the folks up and installed them over their graves. It was something asked of us a long time ago and now they are in place and finished.

Friday was my day to paint the trim on the workshop but Cullman finally got some much needed rain.

The 19th was the Williamson's anniversary. It could have been a sad time but Maw Maw seemed to have a better time of it. While I'm sure she is lonely, perhaps she is coping a little better.

On the home front, I was contacted by Coosa Valley about returning to my old pharmacy job. It was something I had wished for. I've really missed the extra time I had for outdoor activity. My current job is burning me down. So I've tentatively agreed to return. Still haven't heard what my pay rate will be, but I think it will be commensurate. 

August arrives

Back on the farm again. I spent the day on the tractor. I started with the 284 because the 55-66 had a low battery. I tried to put the brake cylinder on it but the hose does not fit that nipple I need to get a reducer so I can get a tight seal. But I got it running and did a small area before the tractor started to misbehave. It exhibited a variety of quirks before shutting off and refusing to restart. After a bit of lunch, I got it started and drove it up to the barn where it decided to quit and not restart. Not sure what's the matter. I took out the big tractor and brush hogged the pasture around the lake. It was pretty much an all day job. Now I can get the area around the old homeplace done. I should have some time left for painting the shed. The trim work remains to be done. A couple of blades to sharpen should seal the deal for this trip. Will need to purchase more diesel fuel this trip. If I have some time, I want to get some things fixed on the fuel carrier.

My plan to get the homeplace took a lot longer than I'd expected. The folks who are cutting those pastures for hay did not cut a big section of field. That put me on the tractor for a lot longer. With the 284 giving some quirky action, I just did it all with the 55-66. But I didn't have time left for doing anything else. It was after I finished and was back at the house I noticed the loud diesel sound had bothered my right ear. I'm absolutely going to have to use protection hereafter.

I had installed the new brake cylinder only to discover a small leak coming from the screw that covered the hole in the bottom. I'll be sending it back for revision.

The really upsetting moment of the weekend was when Bev came downstairs and told me her Mother threatened her with disinheritance if she voted for Joe Biden. Now I've have had a problem with her continual lack of appreciation for the effort made on her behalf. She never seems satisfied with anything that is done. But this recent development seems particularly mean. I'm wondering if this is dementia. Bev's response was to tell her give it to whomever she wants. Bev said it would be a relief for her not to have to dispose of it. It would be a relief. That has me thinking this morning. She is so very right. We would not have to spend a year of our life unable to do what we wanted, we'd be stuck there disposing of all that crap. We will have enough finances to live well. We don't need it. The only thing left to deal with is continuing to do that work for someone who doesn't appreciate it. I'll do my part for Bev's sake. But I think it will be less.