Never thought retirement would be like this

[NancyNGA]

Progress report:

Did OK, maybe B+. First the routine chores: (manual) dish washing, vacuuming, dusting, change sheets, laundry. But that just got me back to square one.

Paper sorting was time-consuming with not much to show but a full recycle bin, versus a big box of mail. Found one annual city stormwater bill that's only 10 months overdue. Only $42. The penalty couldn't be too bad, could it? The rest of the evening just spent putting stuff away and carrying tools down the basement. Lots of steps back and forth. Didn't get the platform made for the cabinet. Got the boards cut, but can't figure out the best way to put them together, and I'm too tired to think now. It's raining heavily right now, so I'm sure it will be wet tomorrow. Anyway, I didn't take any long breaks.

 

[drifter]

It did,thanks.

 

[ndynt]

What a wonderful job you did on that enclosure. How very clever. Love it.

 

[Meanderer]

Hi Nancy, I have enjoyed catching up on your diary! Maybe a "Turtle Farm" would be a good way to get "unstuck"!

 

[NancyNGA]

:lol1:

 

[NancyNGA]

Where did I leave off?

Did not get the barn cleaned out, but just as well because it's supposed to get down to 45 tonight. Too cold for flies to get real active. Did trim goat hooves and decided to give tetanus boosters. So I find this weird cauliflower-looking "stuff" just between Shorty's hooves and dew claws, *only* on the back feet, and no other goats have it. Snap a picture, put antibacterial dip on it and head home for internet troubleshooting. Got to get internet service out there.

Conclusion: either a really weird case of ringworm or, more likely, mites. It already looked better by the next day. Shaved his feet, washed with Dawn, softened and scraped that stuff off down to the skin and smeared on oral worm medicine. If it's mites, that should work, but may have to keep at it. You'd think in 12 years I'd have seen it all, but no. And why just one goat, and why only the back feet?
Down to the pond both days and discovered.....FROG EGGS!!!:excited: Behind a steel grate along the edge of the pond. Just 24 hours time lapse between these two pictures:

I'm sure they're not bullfrogs, but any frogs are welcome. Now I know how to help the frogs---put a barrier along the edge of the pond. Also had 4 cute little fish, probably bream, come to the edge of the pond to visit. Tossed them some little pieces of chicken scraps and they attacked them.

 

[NancyNGA]

Sent the dam construction man an email this morning making him an offer, otherwise I needed to start looking for someone else. His wife replied immediately saying he would call me this weekend. I know pretty much what it will cost him, from talking to the previous contractor. What a strange way to have to do business. So here we go again...

Really busy afternoon. Too many things to mention, but ended up with mowing the lawn. Didn't get home until almost 8, and I'm still running late.

Goat's feet looked great today! Soaked them with Permethrin this time. Apparently these mites are very common in goats, only burrow into the hair follicles, not under the skin, and some individuals are more susceptible than others. He is even walking better. There is no good reason for that, other than the fact that every little thing seems to annoy him more than the others. You almost have to know each one individually to diagnose.

The frog eggs have grown tails and are scattered about now. Mostly they sit still, then all the sudden they swim a couple inches. Maybe I'll try to keep a record, just for fun, until I can't find them anymore.

Day 4 (48 hour time lapse and lots of trash in the picture):

 

[NancyNGA]

The contractor called Sunday night and said he would arrange for a Soil Conservation person to go out next week to determine the appropriate pipe size for the drainage system, and he'd "see if we can work within your budget." He said count on August or September to do the job. That would be perfect timing, but from experience I'm not holding my breath he will follow through. I think you usually stock fish in winter here.

Tried out the boat today. The new oars are longer than the old ones, and much easier to use. This is an old aluminum boat with a license sticker on it dated 1960. It is deep and heavy compared to new ones, but it sure is safe. My parents brought it up when they worked on the cabin 30 years ago. Boat stayed bone dry for the whole trip! Toe at bottom proves it's me. Ha!

Saw a large bass, maybe 18" long, come out from behind a large rock underwater near the far bank of the lake while out. Previous owner claimed to have caught a 5 lb bass out there, but I take that with a grain of salt. The water is very clear. Probably too clear. Green FA (filamentous algae) is starting to grow in shallow areas. Hope it goes away by itself when the water becomes deeper.

Many fewer tadpoles than last time. These cuties got a slight habitat modification when my foot slipped on the mud into the water, but no one was killed. Just a wet shoe. Saw a new small wading bird out there last week. Too far away to get a picture and can't ID it from memory. [Uh oh! Should have put a cover over top of the tadpoles, too?]

Day 7

The 4 bream brought some friends this time, maybe a dozen of all different sizes, and I tossed them more little chunks of raw chicken. Now they are becoming pets. {sigh}.

Didn't get everything done I wanted to, but it was a good day. Goat's feet still look good. Need to get out there earlier in the day next time. Just not a morning person.

 

[NancyNGA]

Updates.
In an attempt to become more of a morning person, I arrived 3 hours earlier than usual to work at the farm yesterday (10:30 am). Caught the goats by surprise. One was sleeping so soundly he didn't move even when I poked him.:eewwk: One of ours died in his sleep a couple years ago.

Three hours constant shoveling and wheelbarrowing, and the barn is all cleaned out inside for the year! A little stiff this morning, but not sore. Now there is a big pile of straw/mix that has to be moved away. The rain water from the roof on the back side of the garage is washing dirt out under the concrete foundation. So I've decided to try to haul it up to the garage and spread it out under the roof line instead. Next time maybe.

The tadpoles are disappearing fast. Only about a dozen on Day 10, and no larger than the last picture. I thought making frogs was a quick process, but apparently it could take all summer, and some tadpoles are cannibalistic---survival of the fittest, not due to hunger. I did my best. Nature can take its course now.

More chicken for the fish, then switched to generic cat kibble from the dollar store. Their reaction: to spit it out. It is 35% protein just like fish food and supposed to be as good. Can they be spoiled in just 3 days? Would they prefer Purina?

Next major project may be to cut down the Alder bushes along the far side of the pond. They are growing right at the full water line.

Then maybe tackle this clump at the head of the pond. These will be hard because it's swampy.

I'm learning so much about ponds it is overwhelming. Only the top portion of the water matters to fish---specifically, whatever depth it takes for the water temperature to drop 10 degrees F. Cover is very important. I can see there is *no* cover for the fish in shallow water.

I may just throw the Alder bushes in the water. They have to be tied together and weighed down, else they'll all just float to the drain pipe. People use all kinds of stuff to create artificial cover. Since I'm not planning to go fishing much, it might be a good way to get rid of some junk. This could be fun.

This is Algae Dude, after a swim, just to show what filamentous algae can look like:

 

[NancyNGA]

If Willie Nelson had recorded a few more songs like THIS ONE by Gershwin early in his career, I would have appreciated his voice much more. I love it. Just released in February.

Went back to curly hair for the summer. Too much work with high humidity to keep straight hair looking decent.

Mild case of stomach bug this morning, so arrived even later than normal to work at the farm. A beautiful day for working, high 71, low humidity. The abbreviated plan was just to pile some straw around the garage, then try bundling a clump of alder bushes across the lake and sinking them to see how hard it would be. If it didn't go well, there needs to be a plan B. There are a lot of pieces of untreated scrap lumber in the basement that could be used.

Headed out in the boat with concrete blocks, baling twine, saw, etc. Had to retrieve something from over the deepest part of the lake. It is completely irrational, but if I know the water is deep under the boat it makes me nervous. Phone reception is ok in the middle of the lake, but not on shore. So I can call 911 if I do it before the boat completely sinks. Ha!

Cutting down the bushes was easier than expected, so when I got going I didn't want to stop. Finished about 1/2 (the easiest half) of the ones on the opposite side of the lake. By that time I was "bushed," and had to quit. Fish seemed to have warmed up to the catfood a little. No spitting out. Discovered from pictures they are redbreast sunfish and bluegill. Didn't get to leave until after 8pm.

Three loads in the golf cart was all it took. This stuff will settle after it rains a few times:

Some demolished bushes:

 

[ndynt]

OH MY ! ! !, Nancy....that thing with retrieving something in the middle of the lake...my heart skipped a beat there. What would you have done if you went over and lost all the boat's contents? What do you use to cut the alders? You truly had a very productive day.

 

[NancyNGA]

Hi Nona! Thanks for stopping by.

It was just a plastic jug floating, and I thought I'd pick it up while I was out there before it landed some weird place you couldn't get to. Used a fishing net. I cut the bushes with a little trim saw. It's like a very small chain saw. Works great.

Are you a good swimmer? I'm not, but could probably manage as long as I didn't panic and do something stupid.

The hard part is securing the boat when you get back to the dock. It needs to be turned over to keep it from filling with rainwater and the banks are steep. My dad dug a trench out below water so you could ease the boat in alongside the dock. But that trench is way up on dry land now since the water level is down. Maybe I should get a cover for it, but there's nothing to tie the cover down to. For sure I need to come up with a better plan next time. Too much work.

 

[ndynt]

Just thinking outside the box....a tarp with sinkers sewn to the edge...if you think you could throw in onto the boat from the deck? Or wade out to it?
As you said...as long as you did not panic...you could even dog paddle back to shore. I have not swam for at least ten years...think it is like riding a bike?
Have you ever lived at the lake full time? Sounds idyllic.
Is the trim saw like this alligator jaw saw? One of the best purchases I ever made. I even cut down small trees with it.
http://www.terapeak.com/worth/black-and-decker-electric-chain-saw-alligator-lopper-handtool-grab-clamping-jaws/262418414950/

 

[NancyNGA]

Thank you! I've never seen one of those alligator saws. It's JUST what I need! I'm going to get one of those.

I have a holly hedge in town that has gotten way out of control, becoming like trees. Brought the chain saw in town yesterday to cut it way back, but it is really noisy. The neighbor's house is right near the hedge. Electric is bound to be quieter, and it looks easier to use to cut stuff with lots of branches.

My saw is an older version of this one. It's the only one they make with a handle on top so it balances really easy. Most have the handle at the back.



Sure better than the old fashioned method.

Just can't picture you cutting down trees, Nona.

I really like your new avatar. Is that your granddaughter?

ps: Never lived right near the lake. It is pretty remote on the back side of the property. There is a mobile home up on the main road. I'll think about the tarp idea. If you think long enough something always comes up. Sometimes if you think really long the problem just goes away. Ha!

 

[ndynt]

My alligator jaw saw is quite a few years old. There are other brands now, that are lithium battery powered. I love it. I so remember using a axe and a having to cut overgrown brush with a machete. Thankfully there are easier methods now.
Have done it all, Nancy.....digging dry wells, building, taking down trees and what ever. The spirit is still there....but, my body just will not co-operate. That, along with a sil and daughter that do not want me to do anything. Can you believe my sil was changing my bed sheets, with my daughter today. Telling me I should not be doing anything...to go paint.
Thank you for your avatar comment. I love it too.....that is my 6 year old great grand-daughter at one of my grand-daughter's wedding last July.
Shame you could not live right on the lake, able to view it constantly. The wild life and season changes.

 

[NancyNGA]

Nona: Had to look up "dry well." I kept picturing you with a divining rod, looking for water, and coming up empty-handed after digging a well. Machete! Wow!

Try to think positive. If there is a job I wouldn't mind someone doing for me, it might just be changing bed sheets. I don't have any relatives living near by. Just have to worry about one neighbor watching me. I try to work outside when her car is gone. Ha!

 

[ndynt]

The dry well is hilarious. Just could never bear to put grey water into the sewage systems. Better my garden.
Nancy, isn't that the most annoying thing. Don't you feel like telling her to, "get a life"? Why I could never live in an apartment....or even more, senior housing. I would never go outside my door LOL I could care less what my neighbors do...and when someone asks if I saw or heard something...have absolutely no clue. Once upon a time, living in military housing, a neighbor told me that if someone was killing someone else on my doorstep I would just politely say excuse me and step over them. Of course she knew everything that was or wasn't going on.

 

[NancyNGA]

....I could care less what my neighbors do...and when someone asks if I saw or heard something...have absolutely no clue.

Yes, I'm the same way. If any weird things happen in my neighborhood, I'm probably the cause of them. [But I'm almost overly conscious of trying not disturb anyone.]

....Once upon a time, living in military housing, a neighbor told me that if someone was killing someone else on my doorstep I would just politely say excuse me and step over them. Of course she knew everything that was or wasn't going on.

:lol:

 

[NancyNGA]

Scattered afternoon thundershowers all week, and predicted beyond, are causing changes to plans. Lots of loafing time has been added. Can't afford much more of that. Rain also makes the grass grow faster. Boo! The soil that was under water at the pond is really slippery when wet. You'd need cleats to walk around on it, so chopping bushes has been put on hold. Ordered the corded Black&Decker Alligator loppers! It will be strictly an in-town tool. I will put them to the test on that overgrown hedge.

New mattress came in. Opted to pick it up myself, rather than be held hostage at home, waiting for delivery. It was awkward to handle and seems like it weighs a ton. Fun part was unloading it while trying to appear nonchalant, hoping the neighbor wouldn't see me struggling and come over to talk. Got it inside the door and that's it, so far.

Mattress store is an old round barn built in 1913 (not my picture):

Found more tadpoles at a different spot along the bank of the pond Wednesday. The number of fish that show up for catfood is, I'd guess, up to at least 30 now. Three different sizes: medium, small, and very small. Actually fish were jumping all over (but the cotton is not high, because it's not Summertime yet.)

 

[NancyNGA]

Saturday: About 50 fish showed up for catfood this time.

Sunday: Decided to go out late just to get the barn cleaning job off the to-do list. The tractor started! I've been hooking it up to the charger when I think of it this winter.

Well over 50 fish showed up---too many to count. No need to ever stock bream. They follow me up and down the side of the pond now. Spotted 100's of minnows (fish less than 1 inch long, probably also bream). This is really good news! Haven't seen minnows for years. They are a necessary part of the food chain, especially for bass. So things are springing back to life mainly because of the low water providing cover along the banks, I think. Now if I can just get rid of some more snappers, the ducks and geese and wading birds will come visit, and it will be a thriving place.

Today: plan is to get more of those bushes cut down.

Next job: make some cover bundles and sink them for when the water goes back up. Don't know if the Soil Conservation person came out or not. I think they already did the analysis for the previous contractor.

Then: spray the fence line and cut some trees off the dam.

These will be only once a year, at most, jobs.

Maybe in a couple of weeks, barring rain, I'll get caught up and only have to do routine maintenance. A good side effect of all this is getting back into shape without having to go to a gym.

 

[NancyNGA]

Cut bushes all the way toward the dam until the bank slope got to be 45 degrees. Afraid to stand and use the saw like that. Just that short strip is left, maybe 60 feet at most. Not sure about the clump at the head of the pond. Since it is flat land, no banks to erode, maybe better to leave them. OTOH, maybe too much vegetation in the water? I'll have to go read more about that.

Not being a morning person, there may never be a picture of this job, because you have to face the camera due west, right into the afternoon sun, to get a shot.

Every day more fish show up for catfood!!! It needs to be crushed for the small ones. I've been hammering it in a plastic bag. Got to find a quicker way. Watched the fish across the pond on breaks---they seemed to be all bass over there. Saw one that looked about the same size as the big one I saw last week. What's the probablity it was the same one? I'll have to take them some food next time I go over there.

The Alligator loppers had arrived when I got home. Just had a few minutes to try them out before dark. Not much heavier than lopping shears. So far I like them. The only thing that puzzles me is why it seems to chew the branches off, rather than slice them. It's just like a plain old short-bladed chain saw. I noticed that happened in the demo video, too. I still think you ought to be able to do better than that. May start on the hedge tomorrow if I can still walk after today. Good lower back exercise. Maybe a little too much.

Found a YouTube video on the new Briggs & Stratton plastic carburetor (cheap lawn mower that won't start). I've decided to just start taking it apart and see what happens. Got nothing to lose. Repair would cost as much as a new one. Maybe I'll get lucky.

 

[NancyNGA]

Did not start on the hedge Tuesday. Obligated to some household chores instead.

Slow start today. Not one big goal, just little jobs. Moved old mattress from in town out to the country. Cleared limbs off a seldom used road to the clump of bushes at the head of the pond. Water is too shallow for boat access. Then cut a path, or an old-fashioned WV term might be swath, through the bushes to the pond. Stacked them up in a pile. Not enough time left to really bother getting started. Just wanted to see how hard it would be. Not hard, 30 minutes at most, and not very swampy at all.

The new little portal through the bushes:

Think I'll just go ahead and remove them all now. The stumps should be plenty of cover.

Now this is where two people can be much more efficient. These things are 10 feet tall and growing just inches apart. You start cutting and before you know it you are trapped by cut bushes on your head and all sides. So you have to keep stopping to remove them. Another person can pull them out of the way and stack them while you're cutting---a much harder job, btw.

I should really remove some larger trees near the edges of the pond, too, but don't see that happening. I need to get a pair of these:

They sure look shiny and healthy. Wonder how hard it would be to trim their hooves?

I'm tired, but it's a good tired feeling.

 

[NancyNGA]

I knew if I waited long enough things would start to happen that would make a decision about what to do with the property out in the country easier. The last couple of days I've spent getting past emotional reactions, and finally moving on to more rational thinking...

Got almost done cutting the bushes at the head of the pond Thursday, but it got too swampy to continue without boots. Back muscles began to lock up anyway, so it was a good time to quit. Then made the mistake of driving over to the far side of the lake, to take a look at the bass again, and found footprints. Whoever was there left their electronic fish-weighing scales. Hope they didn't catch Mr. Big Bass. Absolutely ruined what started out a wonderful day.

Trespassing was so bad before the fence went up, I actually thought about just draining the lake at one time. But there would still be deer hunters. Years ago I reported the worst cabin break-in to the sheriff's office, and their attitude was essentially...what do you expect if you don't live there. Makes you feel kind of helpless.

The fence helped a lot, but those uneasy feelings are resurfacing. Will someone be there when you drive up next time? Will boys be hiding in the woods shouting obscenities at you, like before? Will the cabin be trashed again?

I've spent the last 30 years on the defensive---assuming that it would be counterproductive to spend time trying to stop them. If you make them angry, the boat might get shot full of holes, the cabin windows broken out, or bolt cutters taken to the fence. It finally dawned on me last night, that none of those things are important. Fences can be mended, I can get another boat, and I would never stay in that cabin alone again anyway, if there is going to be heavy traffic around the lake.

So I've decided to get pro-active. Got nothing to lose by trying. It's either that or sell the place. I can't ever live out there, even just on weekends, with people like that. I have come up with a plan. No weapons involved. Ran it by my friend at lunch today and he thinks it's a winner. More later, maybe. Then again, maybe not.

Hey, only 3 serious rants in 1.5 years isn't so bad, is it?

 

[NancyNGA]

Out to the lake intentionally late tonight. Footprints everywhere this time. Either there were a lot of them, or they did a lot of running around. Maybe looking for their fish scales. All big feet. I'm guessing they show up in the early mornings.

Set three fenceposts with POSTED (no fishing, hunting, or trespassing) signs right at the edge of the water all along where the footprints were.

Carried three bundles of cut alder bushes out into the water, weighed down by concrete blocks. There will eventually be more bundles---up to the maximum recommended for cover for the fish. (Convenient plausible deniability.)

I suspect this is really going to make them mad. Question is, will they have a bookstore revelation---that they are angry at themselves because they were wrong and got caught? (yeah, right)

I'm trying to force them to either back off, or do something more criminal than just trespassing. I am prepared for the worst. I guess they could poison the goats. That would hurt. But the goats don't go back that far on the property anymore. Keeping a log and will take pictures. I will bug the heck out of the sheriff's office this time, if it starts. Totally out of character for me. I tend to be the doormat type, but I'm tired of this.



In case the tone of these last two posts makes someone think I've gone over to the dark side, not so. These are good old local boys. No way to get to the back side of the property unless they are neighbors, or go across a neighbor's property. Won't say any more than that.

 

[Meanderer]

Hi Nancy, sorry to hear about your "visitors", I can imagine how upsetting that is for you. Make your own safety a priority. Here is a link.