diddlee

 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.

 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.

 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...

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 hel...

  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 fol...

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 ...

We spent a few days in Cullman this week. I created a work list which we attacked once we got there on Thursday. I had some appointments this week that kept us from leaving as soon as usual. Two of the biggest jobs I wanted to accomplish were to cut the access hole in the brush hog so we could remove the blades and to reconnect one of the brake cylinders so the 284 would have at least 1 brake. It turned out that the bolt was much bigger than I expected so the 2 inch hole wasn't big enough to allow the socket to reach the nut. Since we had already opened a hole, I had to come up with a plan to enlarge the hole without the help of the pilot hole that you normally drill with the hole saw. It occurred to me that I could use a piece of plywood to cut a 3 inch hole and let that hole control the hole saw. It worked. With a little patience, we cut the 3 inch hole and gained access the the nut. Then we encountered the next problem which wasn't unexpected. The nut had not bee...