Yes, the title of the post indicates the time of its writing, not the time of its reading. While you, Dear Readers, are perusing this post on what, I trust, is a fine Saturday, I wrote the post on Friday evening. Again, it's a time travel thing, sort of.
While The Missus Herself allowed me to layabout most of Friday (for I have that day off every other week) eventually I was called forth to do yard work. For it seems that last year the grubs got under the grass and managed to lay waste to vast swatches of the turf here at Chez Sarge. In past years the local skunk population kept the grub problem at bay by eating the little critters. Yes, it left small holes here and there but those were nearly indiscernible at a distance.
The big brown patches are obvious. No doubt they can be seen from space, if NASA were to direct their attentions in my direction. Or would that be the NSA these days? I know not, nor do I care who is watching me in the privacy of my backyard.
I wonder where all the skunks have gone. Perhaps they no longer care for the taste of the grubs here on the estate. Sad in a way. As long as you don't startle them, they are very much "live and let live" creatures. Definitely do not startle them.
Anyhoo. There are large patches of dead grass which needed to be reseeded. That is m'Lady's latest project. As I had agreed in the past to lift heavy things and the like, my services were called upon. Which I
At any rate, my services were only required for a few hours, whereas The Missus Herself had labored mightily for most of the day. When we were done with the day's labors I helped myself to an adult beverage (or three). Sips were offered, and taken, and the day wound down with a lovely sunset, as they often do in these parts.
Of course, I didn't get away scot-free...
"I've been out there, digging and seeding all day. And yet here you are celebrating. Explain thyself kind Sir." said the love of my life.
"Why dearest, I hoist this fine example of the brewer's art to celebrate the fine job you have done. It is to you I drink, my Dear." I offered.
"You're an idiot."
"Why yes dear, I do believe I am. Needless to say, I consider myself to be a very happy, and blessed idiot."
"Hhmm... There's leftover pot roast for dinner. Will that do?"
"Why yes, yes it will."
She spoils me.
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| Yum! |
Preparations for the first grass cutting began a couple of days ago. The big mower fired up with just a light touch of jet start, (hoorah for fuel stabilizer) but the attempt to put air in the port forward tire ended up being more interesting than planned. Investigating why air would not go into the tire showed that one of the previous owners had installed a tube in the tubeless tire, and then put sealant into the tube. The sealant had welded the tire valve shut. No big, I have a valve core tool and some new valves.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that under some conditions when you release all the pressure from a tube, the stem will retreat inside the rim, and you will then spend some quality time fishing the stem back out through the hole in the rim. New tires will be on order after a little research.
Agree with the live and let live about skunks.
And is it cruel and unusual punishment if you hit a skunk with the prisoner transport van while enroute to the crossbar hotel.
Hahaha!
DeleteInteresting data points regarding valve stems and skunks versus prisoner transport vans.
Love those images of the sun illuminating water droplets. And there's nothing finer than sitting down to a plate of leftovers after a long day of bit... er, labor. :)
ReplyDeleteSkunks are fine fellows in my book. At least once a year the dogs convince themselves they've found a defective one. How many times do you have to learn the same lesson? Remind me of meself, they do.
I find that having to relearn a lesson means one of two things:
Delete1) I never really learned that lesson in the first place, or
2) It was so much fun the first time, I forgot the consequences.
I'm betting the dogs subscribe to number 2.
Too much yard for me. But, the left over pot roast- that looks and sounds very tasty. Good thing I also have some. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot of yard.
DeleteThe pot roast was very good!
Skunks delenda est!
ReplyDeletePot roast es muy bueno!
Uno mas cerveza por favor!
Madre de Dios, Juvat ha tenido demasiado tequila.
Delete¡Aún no, pero pronto!
Delete¡Muévete!
DeleteYou see, if you'd just convert to a rock garden, all that work could be avoided. :)
ReplyDeleteI voted for that.
DeleteAs you can see, I lost.
Idiot said, no doubt, with love.
ReplyDeleteOh by the way, "nor do I care who is watching me in the privacy of my backyard." Pay no attention to that drone overhead, and you had four beers!
Speaking of drones, I saw some for sale.
DeleteI want one. Don't ask why.
"I want one. Don't ask why."
DeleteSanta left a Syma X5C quadrotor under the tree. Quad and spare battery for less than $ 50.00, (Amazon sale) and light enough so it does not have to be registered. Not a lot of outside flight time, as even a light breeze is a bit to much for the drone. (or a bit much for the drone pilot) It took way more practice than I thought it would take to get adequate. Need lots more practice so the controls become instinctual.
Fixed camera included, and surprisingly good film and stills. Next time deer are milling about the yard, I plan on getting some close ups. Payload too light for ground to air weapons, but maybe advances in particle beam weapons will help out.
Details of quadrotor experience available upon request.
Cool. Now I really want one.
Delete(Can't wait for the particle beam weapons!)
Your lady has a talent. Beautiful yard.
ReplyDeleteThat she does, thanks WSF.
DeleteNeat. Pot Roast yum---even better when a leftover. Try Milky Spore for the grubs. Takes a year to really work, but it wipes 'em out.
ReplyDeleteMilky Spore? I shall look into that.
Delete(At first I thought you meant for the pot roast. Good thing I re-read that!)
Why wipe out the grubs, Capt Steve--great source of protein.... :)
DeleteSpoken like a SERE grad.
DeleteWell, grubs sauteed in butter with garlic, maybe. Still not as good a Mama's pot roast!
DeleteGotta put some garlic on them too. No wait, Frank's Red Hot, that's the ticket.
DeleteDon't do my own yard work anymore. There's a young fellow who has been doing it these past 20 years or so. (Young? He's 50 nowadays. Went to school with the youngest daughter.) The one thing I like doing is potting flowers in the various containers that are lying around. My health kept me from doing even that last summer so the house looked . . . unkempt(?)
ReplyDeleteSkunks . . . we got 'em. Gophers too. And squirrels. Deer aplenty. Bunny rabbits that live in a brier patch. Neighborhood cats that find entertainment value in watching the bird feeder antics. A gazillion chipmunks who all live in the rock wall that borders the south property line. And . . . I suppose that with all them rodents around, there are various types of snakes slithering about. -- End of report.
Most of the every day stuff is now done by somebody else. Mowing, etc.
DeleteI figured if I could afford to have someone else do it, why not? Gives me more time for writing. (In theory.)
Sounds like you have lots of critters around, they are fun to watch.
I've said it before and I will repeat, The Missus Herself has a very talented
ReplyDeletegreen thumb. And you seem to do very well as the hired labor (well paid in fine
ale). Try putting some of your cat food in a bowl in your garden and your skunks
will probably return. At least our local variety of skunks (and raccoons) really
enjoy our cats food if I forget and leave some out.
It's the raccoons I mind. One night I went out on my deck and one of the little ba$tards was right there and hissed at me.
DeleteI hadn't even started singing yet!
I'm kind of impressed that you live in such a small Blue House.
ReplyDeleteI did some yard work too! I found my glasses which had gone adrift a couple of weeks ago and landed somewhere in the yard. I also got to use a Dremel to burn through a bad screw in a taillight assembly and "fix" the burned out bulb. Many things could be done in a timely fashion but the patient man waits until Spring and a true warm day and is blessed by a noble and good companion who helps along the way.
Ah yes, the wee Blue House. It's small, but comfortable. As long as you don't mind sharing it with field mice.
DeleteAh, you found your spectacles Cap'n! Bravo!
Well, you know, the Blue House is one of my favorites. I remember riding the limo bus from Kimpo to Seoul and the driver pointing over there to the Blue House, home of the President of the Republic. I just like that you have one too.
DeleteWell, The Missus Herself is Korean. Though not all Koreans have a Blue House, we do. (It started out as grey, then the Rhode Island sun caused the color to change. The Missus Herself has made noises about repainting it grey again. Though I like blue, I don't really get a vote on those types of issues.)
Delete