Taking Out Electric Fence

On one of our farms, it was time to replace the electric fence. This particular fence needed to be replaced because it had been broken in a few places and spliced backed together, and it also had some bad wire in a few spots and was tangled with brush.  LB decided it was time to pull the post, roll up the wire and start over.

 

 After pulling all the post, we use our gas powered wire roller to roll the wire onto a spool for the next use.  That keeps the wire nice and untangled so that when we rebuild the fence it makes things a lot easier.

 

On this particular farm, there aren't any cows at the moment, but later this spring we will replace the fence in preparation for some new cows.  We use the fence to separate the wheat from the grass.  The Cows can graze the wheat once it is strong enough and until it begins to flower.  Once it begins to form a head we'll have to take the cows off the wheat so that we'll be able to have a crop.

 

Confused yet?

 

If the cows graze on the wheat too long, it won't let the wheat go to "head" or produce.  And so we take the cows off and that allows the wheat to "head" or go to seed.  Then that's when we cut it!

 

This picture cracks me up!  Baby J was being so patient waiting for his daddy!

 

I didn't get many pictures because the wind was blowing about 100 miles per hour and because I was having to drive the pick-up for LB.  Maybe when we put the fence back I'll be able to get a few!

 

Wind blown and tattered!

Amy

 

 

 

 

Carpenter In Training

The other day, I walked out to the shop, to ask LB an question and this is what I found.

LB was in the middle of a project and Baby J was right there along beside him.

  

He wanted to be just like daddy!  He had his own "pockets", tape measure, and pencil.

He was so proud of himself, he had learned how to use a screw driver!  And of course he had to show me how to do it!

I'm not sure how fast LB will get his project finished, but he's going to have fun making memories!

 

Amy

Four Wheelers

Baby J loves riding the 4-wheeler.

 

In this picture, Baby J is yelling: "Watch Out Mama!"

 

He was afraid LB was going to run over me! He's so sweet, didn't want his mamma to get run over!

This might have something to do with why he likes riding it!

 

Boys!

 

 

The Joy of A Pair Of Pliers

 

Every Sunday, after church, we have a routine.  It's a good routine and it has always worked.  Until, a few Sunday's ago when a small change caused some big tears!

 

After church, we come home and eat lunch.  Then, LB rocks Baby J down for his nap before heading off to the farm.  Well, this particular Sunday, we were late getting home and eating lunch and LB needed to get to the farm as quickly as possible.  So, I would be in charge of Baby J's naptime routine.  This plan did not sit well with Baby J and he commenced to let us know by producing some very large and pitiful tears!

 

LB tried to explain that once he woke up from his much needed nap he would be able to join him.  But, Baby J just continued to repeat "I wanna go wiss you"

 

That's when LB happened to remember the pair of pliers he had for Baby J, but just hadn't given to him yet.  (We don't have a practice of bribing, but on this particular day, he was so tired and not going with his Daddy at that very moment was very heart breaking to him.  So, giving him the pliers to wear when he got up was merely giving him something to look forward to.)  He quickly went to the closet, dug them out, and fitted them to his waist so he could be just like Daddy!

That seemed to do the trick.  He was so excited!  He was ready for  his nap so he could go help Daddy with his "new piers"

 

And then, for the next several days, he wanted to wear them around the house too!

 

I love my boys!

Amy

 

 

 

How To Build A Bed - Pt. 3

Well, it's finished!

 

And just in time too,

 

we started cutting wheat yesterday!

 

 

I think they did a great job!  I'm so proud of them!

 

 

It'll be the slickest truck on the road!

 

 

 

How To Build A Bed - Pt. 2

 

Back in February, I told you about a truck bed that they guys were building.  Well, here's an update.

 

 

The floor of the bed is finished, now they are working on the sideboards.

 

 

It's time consuming work, and there are a lot of steps that I didn't document.  But, they are so close, I'm getting excited to see the finished product!

 

Won't be long now because, they'll be using it during harvest!

 

 

Before long, Baby J will be right in the middle of all that building!

Amy

 

 

 

How To Make A Bed

First you buy a truck.

 

Oh, wait, did you think I was going to give you tips on pulling and tucking sheets!

 

Now you won't find something like that on this blog!

 

Then you install a hoist.

 

That's the thing that raises the bed up and down.  (So they can dump the wheat.)

 

LB said these are called the stringers.  They are basically the frame for the bed.

 

I stole these pictures from LB's camera.  I've been out there three or four times and I didn't have my camera any of those times.  I think they are farther along now, but I haven't been out there in a couple of days.

 

I'll keep you posted!

Amy

 

 

He Loves Tractors!

Baby J is only 10 months old, and he LOVES tractors.

Well, it's really not just tractors he loves.  If it has a steering wheel, big tires or a loud motor he's good to go.  He gets on and just squeals with delight!

Love, the very proud Farmer's Mommy

The Pit

LB and The Mechanic have a pit.

They burn things in it.

Various things get thrown into this pit thrugh out the year: dead trees, old lumber, dead cows, and various other bits of burnable junk from around the farm.

From time to time the pit gets full, so we begin waiting for an evening when conditions are right. No wind and plenty of moisture.

They like to burn at night; they can keep an eye on the embers, and make sure nothing else catches on fire!

On this particular night, we all went with LB to burn the hole! It was a nice romantic evening, we listened to Christmas music and drank hot chocolate by the light of the fire!

The Farmer's Wife

The Bulldozer

My husband has recently become the proud owner of a bulldozer!

Do you see the smile on his face.

You know why it's there don't you?

It's because he's thinking of all the things he could do with a bulldozer!

Fortunately, he decided to start with something small; like repairing waterways.

He didn't really care where he started as long as he got to dig in the dirt!

There were times when he made me a little nervous.

Like when the dozer pointed a little more downward than I liked.

But, he's not worried.  He's diggin' a hole and gettin' good and dirty. 

 Beside, it's got roll bars and boys don't worry about things like that!

Well, at least he hasn't torn down any buildings yet!

Your farm friend,

Amy

The Scout

Don't Worry!  He hasn't been run over, he's working on it!

LB brought this jewel home a few years ago.  This is an International Scout.  He has wanted one of these ever since I have known him.

I'm not exactly sure what it is about this vehicle that makes it so appealing.  Maybe it's because I'm a female and I don't have testosterone running through my blood.  But LB loves this vehicle and has had several offers to sell it, although he has turned them all down.

Now, don't get me wrong, if it was all fixed up and had a new paint job, It probably wouldn't be too shabby; especially since you can take the top off and drive it like a convertible.

The other day, LB and I went to the farm to get it and bring it to our new house.  Before we could move it LB crawled underneath it and took a piece out of it. 

Now, I'm no genius, but I figure,that when car companies build cars, they don't just put parts under the vehicles for decoration.  Those are usually pretty important parts.    But, that's just me.

LB has assured me that it doesn't need this particular item. See below:

(It looked like a pretty important piece to me!?)

He says it will drive just fine without it.

 

But what do I know?  I thought you needed seats too!

Well, we got 'er started.

But we needed a little help to get her up the hill and out of the pasture. 

Then, the crazy haired dog and I followed him home!

Ah, the crazy life I live!

Amy

Boys And Their Toys!: Sand Blasting

Sand Blasting

The boys discovered a new toy today.  LB and the Mechanic decided to rent a sand blaster.  They have been servicing all their machinery this winter and decided that their wheat truck and cattle feeder needed new paint.  So, in order to repaint the truck, they had to remove all the old paint first.  And just like with the track hoe why not do it themselves.  How hard could it be?  They are pretty good hands at running all types of equipment; and this piece of equipment seems especially fun!

First, you have to put the sand into the blast pot.

Next, put on protective clothing.

This protects your eyes, ears, nose and mouth from being filled with sand.  And your skin from being torn by flying bits of sand.

Finally, turn on the biggest air compressor you can find.

(big box thing on the right)

Now you should be ready to hurtle sand as fast as you can at anything that needs to be striped of paint.  Make sure you keep arms and legs away from the stream of sand if you would like to keep wearing your skin.

NOTE:  Do not stand down wind from someone who is sandblasting!

This picture is not out of focus, that is a haze of sand.

We are less than 5 minutes in and you can see that there is not much green paint left!

In less than 30 minutes LB sand blasted the whole cattle feeder. 

Now we're ready for paint!

After watcing these last 2 experiences with rented machinery, it makes me worry about what would happen if they got their hands on a bulldozer!

Your Farm Friend

Amy