My Sky Color

A forty something Dad, Husband, Engineer guy living in Western Oregon. Reflections on all things in life. A few technical things and whatever else comes along.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Hobbles and Carburetors
So life just goes. It is Spring as the larger goat is springing over fences whenever possible. I attempted to make a set of hobbles to keep the jumper grounded. The hobbles didn't work as planned. After installation a large stutter jumping goat streaked out into the night. The hobbles came off. We may have to give it another try as he is looking in windows at odd times.
We got the track loader running and rooted out a few dead trees and stumps. The #1 son was over joyed. I let him drive it. We have lots more work to do, weather permitting.
The lawn tractor isn't operational yet. It cranks and will run by dumping gas in the carb or sparkplug hole. I can't get it to draw fuel through the carb. The wiring was all messed up. I had a technical rep helping on a project at work that started his career as a mechanic on lawn tractors in Wisconsin. He came over one evening and helped troubleshoot the electrical system. It was great to have someone that new the systems helping.
Pinewood derby is this Friday so this week's evenings are dedicated to putting the final touches on the cars. Cars with an "S" because the youngest has to build a car too. The nice thing is the Cub Scouts let him race. So that is the news. DMP

Friday, March 24, 2006

Something Fun
In an effort to keep my blog followers committed here is an interesting little test on your American speech style/origins. DMP

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Squealed Like a Stuck Pig
Our latest farming adventure is pigs. We decided a couple months back that we wanted to feed up a couple for 6-8 months for the eating. So last weekend, the 4th, we worked really hard getting the pig pad built. I had to go out of town for work and the pen was not complete. My wife had to pick up the weiners on Tuesday. She put them in the outdoor portion of the chicken run. They had it tilled up within 24 hours.
So last night we completed the real pig pen. It is about 20' x 40'. It is in a black berry brushy area as far away from the house as possible. The fence is 5 strands of barbed wire and one strand of electric in the inside about 8 inches off the ground. So last night about dark we moved the piggies to their new domicile.
The chicken area is about 8' x 12'. It was a challenge to catch those little piggies. They are fast, low and strong. My wife and I were going around in circles. We caught the bigger, quieter one. You should of heard her squeal. After I started packing here to their new pig she quieted down. The smaller of the two is more vocal all of the time. Oink...Oink-ing all of the time. When we caught her she squealed at full volume all the way to the new pen. I'll bet you could hear her a quarter mile away. I'm thinking the neighbors knew we were up tp something. As soon as I set them down they shut right up. They are so loud that it hurts your ears!
So now when someone says, "squealed like a stuck pig." I now understand from experience. We were all laughing so hard during the vocal chorus. DMP

Friday, March 03, 2006

I'm So Busy I Can't Get Anything Done
These last few days life has taken on a faster tempo. Blogging inspiration has been lacking in the whirlwind. The youngest has had an after-school wrestling activity. Yes, kindergardeners wrestling! It is great. He comes home hungry, tired, and really happy.
The eldest is hitting puberty, is too smart, loves TV and games and is a talker. He has Webelos and after school Inventor activity.
The Mrs. teaches knitting classes two times a week and works evenings 4-5 days a week. So I get to ramrod the domestic scene.
We are getting ready to have 2 new pigs at the zoo. So pen building, shelter building, and feed gathering are underway. The pigs are going to be about 400 feet from the house so we have to route water and electric fence down there.
I am heading to NC next week for work, so I am trying to get loose ends tied up. The pigs will come to the place while I am out of town. That should make for a $10k funniest home video.
We are getting excited to have a new piece of equipment on the farm, an 18,000 lb TD9 track loader. We find more things we can do with it everyday. The boys are already dreaming about getting to drive.
We are researching a new vacuum. Alas a vacuum... I am trying to work to smartest and most economic fuel injection system for the Landcruiser. Ebay is getting lots of screen time.
It makes for a tornado life style. But its a good thing. DMP