A New Winter cover !

This post is especially for Grand-daughter Millie. Millie was very concerned, during the summer, with the leaking roof and was most helpful getting pails set out to catch the drips. I think that next spring I'll have to get a scaffolding up and do some repairs on the roof !

By the way, Millie, this blue tarpaulin came from British Columbia !!

It is still unusually mild, so today will be a scything and shredding day !

Whew ! Actually did the job I planned to do.

Just a quick post today!


Being a 'Happy Farmer' involves understanding two immutable principles and learning to live with them is the key to happiness.

1) Nature rules man and those who think otherwise are sorely mistaken.
2) Machinery is only as good as the constant upkeep and maintenance.

Having a 'done list' is one way of respecting these principles and helps to avoid lots of frustration and tension.

This huge trunk and its accompany limbs are now stored off the ground, to dry out and await milling one day.

Grounds Upkeep-An on-going activity.

Just a week ago, Saturday 7th, Vicky, Christopher, Ben, Ollie and Leo visited, bringing the most delicious dinner- marinated salmon fillets that Christopher did on the BBQ. Vicky prepared, as a special treat, creme brule for dessert. Apparently she wondered whether or not I would have a blow torch, to which Ollie remarked that " Grandpa Phillip has everything" , or words to that effect. Having produced the blow torch, which Vicky wielded professionally, Christopher asked if Ollie's observation was correct, to which I replied that there were one or two things that I might not have, for instance a Chipper/Shredder !

Today's job. Get the pine logs, suitable for milling, off the ground and racked for drying. And, while I'm at it, get the stump cut down to ground level !

I don't think it is worth getting a stump grinder. More practical to rent one for a week !!

Clearing out the "plantation" .

Moving from brush pile to brush pile in Dad's plantation. Chipper/shredder makes wonderful mulch !The whole area is beginning to look quite respectable after several years of neglect. This might be the perfect site for a small shelter constructed out of some locally cut wood:

The mowing season is over, as is the leaf blowing, vacuuming and mulching. And as the vegetation dies unsightly reminders of incomplete brush clearing appear !

Just one week ago, Gabriel remarked, after a chariot ride on a beautiful afternoon, that the piles of brush in the tree line were quite noticeable and that she understood why I had been casting my eyes on a chipper/shredder, and very generously offered to get me one, which I needed no further encouragement to follow through on !

Thank you, Gabriel. This piece of equipment has already proven to be one of the best acquisitions, and it's all thanks to you.

Our local township has all but banned outside brush burning, in fact has pratically eliminated all fires. This is a very sore point with local farmers and yet another example of the continuing intrusion into our lives by government.

It looks as if we will have another beautiful day, so must get down to work . This great weather is an unexpected bonus.

SOME DREAMS HAPPEN !

Naturally, the sequence of pictures is exactly the reverse to the one I wanted !

Here is the almost completed work barn addition. Two doors make up the sliding barn door. The green one was from the inside of the farmhouse, from some 37 years ago and the pink one was either the front door of the house or cottage when we first came here in 1972.

Checking to make sure the entrance is wide enough to take the lawn tractor with the mower deck !

Framing, and selecting windows !

Preparing the foundation. The last of the railway ties !

The chosen space for the extension.

Staining and final trimming will have to wait for next spring. Always something to look forward to !

Winter won't be far off, I have all four winter tires on, so for the next few days I'll make sure that everything is put away, do the pre-winter maintenance on all the equipment and get the snow blower cab re-installed.

A beautiful sunrise today, so we're off to Ottawa for a visit to the Nicholas Hoare bookstore and the National Gallery.

No thoughts about my next dream, for a winter indoors project, but will let you know when it is done.