Chains

Did I short sell just how frustrating it was to be stuck at the bottom of the hill with a crapped out tractor in the last post?  I was ready to lose it.  That is an accomplishment in itself in the epoch of the blue pill (being pissed).  Very short bursts, quickly extinguishing themselves.  Not bad.  

After finding that the cheapest I could get tire chains new was $350 and used (if you can find them) was $200+, I got out the old calculator and figured we could make them ourselves for less than $200.  A quick trip to Menards for the chain and the to Farm & Fleet for the more fasteners, and it's true.   They will come in at around $175 and as soon as I got them on I drove up my ice covered driveway in 1st gear.  Nature can suck it; mans dominion continues.  

OK; so for all you kids out there that think that geometry is a waste of time, I am here to tell you that if you intend to be of any use to anyone in the building trades, you need to know what the helm is happening in that discipline.  As a plumber and in the many little things that I mess with living the shed lyf, it is a good thing to know.  Couple of simple calculations, but if you don't know Pi*d you are at a disadvantage.  In the end I was off by 2 links of the chain.  We made all of the cuts without a test fit and it snapped right into place.  SCIENCE!

The very acute observer may notice that I have yet to fix my PTO leak.  Soon my pets; soon.  Gotta shut the MB down for the month of January, it will be oil leak repair month in the shed.  

Shaved the majority of my facial hair off today.  Stood in front of the mirror in only a towel and felt like yelling out "Come up Kinch you fearful Jesuit, entroibo ad altere dei".  That is how plump I am.  Not stately though.

Continuing to fight through work issues.  I will settle into a more professional demeanor at work and explore life outside the CEC.  Going to get the radon vent up at home, get the weights out, do a little big brother work at Lakeshore, feed the hungry, cure cancer, and read a half dozen books this Jan, Feb.  

When the Joe and the boys came over on the 15th, I remembered what I missed about the boy.  He's one of the few that gets right down to it.  He talks about serious shit and expects that you have a response.  I have only him left that I can fall right into that immediate rapport, talking about everything from tits to infinity.  

Prone to that wintertime sadness.  Need to think about heading it off this year.  Always worried about stuff.  Like homework being due and not having anything done.  Crappy feeling to have for two months straight.  

  

39.99

Finished Product Pre-Snow

There are a couple of trim boards and the stone work left, but its mostly done.  The place looks a lot different after getting 15" of snow.  My turn to turn 40 this weekend.  That, coupled with challenges at work, is conspiring to destroy my recent good spirits.  Like Ron Burgandy said, "I am completely miserable, San Diego!"

Put the 7' blade on the back of the tractor and started moving snow.  It was going great and then I ran out of gas.  Filled it up and after it started, made one circuit around the place and it quit again.  It sits for a day or two and we run to Farm and Fleet to grab a 6v charger.  I charged it up and after I got it going I realized that the major issue was the throttle notches were so worn that it kept shutting back down to a super low idle.  Took a good two hours to work it back up the hill that was covered in snow.  Brendan tried pulling me with the Jeep and finally I got a run in 3rd gear and ran up the side hill.  B said it was swerving back and forth and looked a little out of control, but I made it.  Once up I cleared the top part pretty good.  Need chains for the tires before I get too brave and try to go down the hill again.


Joe and a ton of other boys are coming to town this weekend.  Going to see the Hobbit in 3D then home, then beer.  Firehouse better be ready.  If these fools want to go to Shenanigans or something like that I'll throw a tantrum.

Mr. Buckaroo

Couple of pics of our trip to the boundary waters with my cousin Marty.  A really good time with some very good fishing.  And yes, my northern was bigger than Brendan's.

Living, Loving

Went to Joyce's visitation and think a couple of things.  First: Joyce had some very specific thoughts about how life was to be lived.  If we bared our souls we would, likely, be worlds apart, but she truly loved her family and she held all those around her to a high standard.  Her husband Bud was the kind of guy that would make you pop the hood on whatever vehicle you owned, just to talk about horsepower and gas mileage.  He was a Ford man.

I luv the lil lady ton's even though she throws darts at me bout every day...She's mighty sexy and lays the magic on me.  Happy 40th Baby.  Luv ya Princess.

The dbl barrel stove is up and running,  It powers out the heat great.  Sure the fumes from the burning off paint nearly kilt me, but whatever: cost of livin' the shed lyf.