STORM DAMAGE CLEANUP (part 1)

On the night of November 30, there was a storm and apparently a small tornado.  The large tree near the front of the old house ended up on top even though it had been leaning away.  The first two pictures were taken the next morning.  It really doesn't look all that bad from the outside, but looks are deceptive.  The second picture shows a little different view.

Though the house was only used for storage and was not in shape to be lived in, this mess would have to be cleaned up.  Not only was there a tree to be removed, but the wet ceiling was now on the floor and on top of tools and other things stored in that room.

First thing was to remove the sheet rock off of everything, then start moving power tools and other items that were not already destroyed.  Not pleasant, but necessary.  There was some immediate damage and there will ultimately be quite a bit of loss, but it could be worse.  

Next step was tree removal.  This was a big tree with lots of branches, not an easy task.  With most of the rafters in that room broken, being on top with a chainsaw was a little less than safe but top first was about the only way to remove it, one piece at a time.  

During this time, I was also occupied with fence building, cutting firewood and numerous other necessary activities, so this was not  a quick job.  It is also one that will continue, in one phase or another for quite some time to come.

On January 1, I began the new year by cutting up much of the top and throwing the brush and firewood off.  This was not easy, with the shaky roof and tons of small branches to trip over, but progress was made.


About a week later, I finished cutting the tree from the roof.  In the process, the main part of the tree shifted and took down the porch roof, as was expected.  With the tree gone, it is easier to see the                                                         damage.  The last picture shows how it looks inside.  If you look closely, you will notice a large tree branch hanging in what used to be ceiling joists.  It will have to come out during demolition.

A few days later, I cut up and removed the part that was on the porch roof.  Now there is only the trunk.  I will decide soon whether to try to get it sawed into planks or cut it up for firewood.

Now that the tree is off, it will be time for more inside cleanup and demolition.  This will certainly be posted in multiple parts so watch for part 2.

NEIGBORS, FENCE BUILDING AND FIREWOOD

My neighbor contacted me back in mid October saying that he was ready to get the fence row between my property and his cleared so the fence on two sides of his property could be partly replaced and partly re-stretched.  He had scheduled a bulldozer to do the clearing (at his expense) the following week.

I had set stretch posts and bought goat wire about 5 years ago, with the intention of turning part of that fence into one side of a goat pasture.  Infections in my feet and legs had prevented me from continuing the project, for quite some time but by now I am back able to stay on my feet long enough to get some work done.  The timing was great.

Over the next few days, I took down barbed wire from the stretch which would be the new goat fence, and waited for the bulldozer.  Turns out that the bulldozer operator was a longtime friend who I have had do work in the past.  Awesome.  He did a wonderful job and worked around the line posts so I didn't have to pull and re-drive them which saved a good bit of work.

There were several trees that were too big to be pushed with a small bulldozer, so I agreed to cut them.  The neighbor needed a few ricks of wood so I traded it to him to cover my part of the clearing cost.  He had not intended for me to pay anything, so there was a bit of negotiation involved.  In the end, he accepted enough wood to cover my part of the bulldozing, then bought a couple more for cash.


When the clearing was done, the neighbor replaced the really old fence and re-stretched part of the newer fence.  I re-stretched part and replaced the rest with goat fence.  I finished my part on New Years Eve.

It is good to finally have that much of the fence finished.  Now I can continue with the rest of the goat pasture.

Sorry there aren't more photos.  I really must start taking the camera with me wherever I go.

PREPARATION FOR COLD WEATHER!!!

We have been enjoying some really gorgeous days here this fall, with a little frost some nights and t-shirt weather most afternoons, but that is set to change.  They say we have a serious cold front coming through early next week.  We will certainly see if they know what they are talking about this time.

With these things in mind, I should have spent the whole day yesterday preparing for the coming cold.  What I actually did was run some errands early, then went to cut and haul some wood.  NO, NOT FIREWOOD, that would have been immediately practical.  The wood I cut and hauled was for turning in my lathe.  It then had to be sealed and today will be stored, to dry for a year or two.  That is preparation, right?  Of course it is, just not preparation for next week.

While I was getting the turning wood, I made arrangements to trade firewood for goat hay.  That too is preparation, but for a couple of weeks later.  At least it is for this winter instead of two years down the road.

Of course, while I was running errands, I did get a sack of rye seed to plant in the garden as a cover crop.  It is later than I like to sow rye, but hopefully it will be alright.  It really needs to be planted this year, since the potato crop had nematode damage and rye helps with the nematodes.  Wish me luck.  Once again, preparation but for springtime, not next week.

In fact, the only thing I prepared for the short term was a walking cane.  Yes, a walking cane.  It is made from a beautiful piece of black locust root and may very well be needed if the weather coming in makes my knees much more stiff and painful.  Besides, I had to do something while the potatoes cooked over my little cook fire last night.  And with that bright moon and the firelight, there was plenty of light to work.

Bottom line (yes, there is always a bottom line), is that I seem to always be preparing for a distant future, at the expense of the more immediate.  I will have to work on that.  After all, springtime and years away are good to prepare for, but it does no good if you don't make it through next week. 

Wish me luck and any suggestions are more than welcome.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Happy Halloween from Hare Brain Farms! 

Yes, it is Halloween, and the first freeze warning here.  Time to pick all the chillies and tomatoes (ripe or not), pick the last of the okra, put extra bedding for the goats and rabbits and get ready for a fire in the workshop.  If the weather forecast is correct, 25°F, while not really that cold, will certainly take down all the tender plants and make it a bit uncomfortable.

As always, I have been putting off preparing for the inevitable freeze as long as possible.  I always hate to see the growing season end, but the feel in the air says it is time (can't trust the weather forecast at all, but the bones don't lie). 

Tomorrow will start the winter routine of cutting wood instead of grass, of feeding hay instead of fresh green vegetation, and of preparing the garden for next year instead of harvesting this year's bounty.

And so the seasons of the year and the cycles of farm life continue.

Have a great Halloween, and don't get SPOOKED.