Four Signs and a Fire

I was up just after 7, texting with Mom K who was fretting about the blog going private. Toss in their new email address quandaries, and let’s just say technology comes with lots of challenges. Coffee in hand, I finished Friday’s blog post while soaking up the morning sunshine.

Sheldon surfaced later, grabbed his cup, and headed out to hook up the dump trailer for the ATVs—only to find the truck tire that had been pressure warning us yesterday was now completely flat. Church plans, canceled. I helped with the soap bubble test, and sure enough, we spotted the leak. 

off to the zoo

His patch kit wouldn’t hold though, thanks to a snapped drill bit lodged in the hole. Britt eventually brought out a new kit, but not until after 12:30 (she thought there was no rush since the tire was flat). Sheldon spent the wait dozing in Big Brown.

farrier B getting Jimmy's feet in order

After sandwiches, he tried again—this time successfully patching the tire. Spirits lifted, he filled up with fuel, hooked up the trailer, and started loading the ATVs. Easier said than done. The Ranger went high-centered going off the ramps, stuck like a teeter-totter gone wrong. My attempt to add weight didn’t budge it, but Britt’s idea to tilt the box did the trick. Finally, both machines were secured back on the trailer.

We rolled out around 2, snacks and speaker in tow (though I had to run back in for the bear spray). Only eight minutes down the road, Sheldon glanced back—no crack in the Ranger window. Because the whole thing had sucked out and smashed into the quad. Strike three.

He tried to shake it off, claiming his three bad-luck moments were up… but about eight minutes later we heard a pop and the hiss of escaping air. The patched tire had given up again. Thankfully, we were near a wide approach, though no one was home when Sheldon knocked at the nearest house. Another patch attempt failed, the air compressor refused to cooperate, and sweat was pouring in the 29° heat. Britt suggested the spare, and after an hour (and about three gallons of perspiration), Sheldon had it changed. Well done, S. Four strikes and counting.

Changing a tire is not my forte, thank goodness there is a manual to tell you where all the keys and tools are stored.

At 3:30, we admitted defeat and turned for home. The dogs were thrilled at our return. Britt headed to town, I watered the garden, and Sheldon unhooked the trailer before collapsing into another nap in the A/C.

hot or cold

By 6:30, Britt was back with smokies for supper (thank you, B). Afterward, she rode Roo while I ate peas in the garden. Amanda showed up with the three littles, who munched peas and chased Jenkins while Stella remained her usual elusive self. Britt and Aislyn fed the horses, then Amanda broke out the s’mores kit, which the others enjoyed fireside.

The evening wound down before 11 with town folk heading home, Sheldon scrolling his phone, and me finishing my book. A day full of mishaps, but at least it ended in firelight and s’mores.

Lazy River & Firelight

I woke at 6:30 to the high-pitched whine of a mosquito. Taking a swat at Sheldon’s back, I thought I’d nailed it—turns out it was only a mole. LOL. Back to sleep I went, until 8:30—a rare sleep-in these days. Coffee served in bed was my peace offering once I finally got up, delivered just as Roxy texted to reschedule our evening plans.

Last night we’d promised bales for delivery this morning, so after his porridge, Sheldon hooked up the dump trailer, loaded five, and we headed off with Harley in tow. B met us near the rodeo grounds to show where to drop them, and we even got to meet the sweet little filly, Peaches. 

Groceries were grabbed on the way home as well as trash tossed out, and soon it was lunchtime. I gathered more tomatoes—finally scoring the first big beefsteak of the season—while Sheldon disappeared for his much-loved nap in Big Brown, and I tucked into today’s blog post.

shoe shopping 

By mid-afternoon, B was back to soak the feed, and soon the five of us (dogs included) were river-bound again. At 26°C with clouds and occasional breaks of sun, it was busier than yesterday—fishermen, floaters, and no fewer than 15 rigs drifting by in the time we were there. Naturally, Sheldon did his signature floats before we packed up and headed home at 4:30.

floater sets off

S really wants Har to float with him but I suggested we get her used to a life vest a bit at a time and maybe there will be a day she goes

Back at the ranch, dogs were fed, B rushed off to look after her friends’ horses, and Sheldon hopped in the hot tub while I cooked up a creamy chicken-and-veggie feast. B returned just in time to join us before heading back out for evening chores.

This is the email invite (L) you will get and once you click the accept there are a couple more steps to accept. You need to sign in with a google (gmail) account and all is good. In future days you may have to resign in just to keep security for the private settings but having the password saved makes it easy to log in. 

The western skies looked threatening most of the day, and sure enough, a quick rain shower swept through around 7. Just enough to settle the dust for us, while hail pelted the city (thankfully missed here). Once it cleared, Sheldon got a fire going at B’s request, and the evening melted into one of those easy, glowing firelight nights. B and Sheldon ended it with apple pie and ice cream by the flames, while I slipped inside with my book. B and Cooper set off for home before 11, already plotting an ATV ride for tomorrow.

fun at a wedding celebration

Last Weekend of Summer: Weeds, Water & a Zucchini Bowl

The day started like most around here — coffee in bed with the sun already bright, pets fed, blogging for me and Sheldon on his second cup out on the deck. Clothing optional, apparently, as he managed to scratch his head and pet two animals at once.

With tall gum boots on, we set out to tackle weeds. Once Craig’s weed eater was strung properly, Sheldon powered through the trees while I played “branch lifter” with the hay fork. Roo got her feed and shoe check, and then we tidied around the gate posts and trimmed the maple so the mower could get through. Amazing what a difference one pass with the weed eater makes.

fashionista

Afterwards, we cooled off with a cold drink on the deck — Sheldon lining up next week’s golf games with the boys while I snapped photos for spots for our photo locations for Monday. Lunch followed, and then I headed into town to pick up Cooper, with the heat already pushing 29 degrees. I also dropped off coffee pods at the post office and grabbed milk — I dislike single-task trips. By the time I returned, Sheldon had finished more weed control, Cooper was fed, and I gave the painted trays another coat.

With the work wrapped up, we packed the dogs and headed to the river for a float after I finally got the last 3 photos on the Wednesday blog. Bliss — the boat launch was full of vehicles but empty of people, the water relaxing, and the dogs happy. Sheldon floated three times, while Harley met him at the launch to walk him back each round. 

Was a bit hot when we got in the truck LOL

Our timing on the way out was less ideal: we returned to the truck just as the port-potty service truck was sucking things out. Pewhew! Trying to hurry, I bent back my thumb nail on both sides and my pointer — ripped right down into the bed. Painful! The nail shop was closed until Tuesday, but the girl suggested crazy glue, which I eventually dug out of a box at home. Ugly and really not effective on a digit that gets that much pressure and use.

Back at the ranch, Sheldon took on more fly-swatting (claiming another few hundred) then a gopher tour on the ranger, while I cooked up a zucchini burger bowl — all garden produce with bison meat. Delicious. Britt swung by after 7 to feed horses as I was snapping evening location shots, and we decided to move Switch and Jimmy into the house paddock before she left with Cooper.

what areas should we do photos at?

ranger has a new look

The evening wrapped with a hot tub soak (mosquitoes included) and the final episode of Waterfront. We even started The Thursday Murder Club, though Sheldon didn’t last long before drifting off.