FIELDS FLOODED - HOBBY TABLE COMPLETED - JIBBER JABBER

 

Run-off from recent rains caught my attention a few weeks ago. I have not seen the nearby fields shedding rain water like this before. Today, local ponds are full and overflowing resulting in runoff to the roads and ditches. Local lakes are also full to the brim. 

Docks and beaches show high-water marks and folks are excited for more warm summer weather and getting out to fish and play in boats.

A mixture of warm temperatures and breezes changing places with near freezing weather has been the norm this winter.  I am told that mother nature can lead us on and throw in one last hard freeze and snow in mid March. We can plant early, but some of that can be lost requiring a second planting attempt after her last winter blast.

I have learned to wait on some of what I plant, although the warm winds and sun just begs to get greens in the ground. 

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HOBBY BENCH 95% COMPLETED

Final assembly and top has three coats of marine varnish. Bottom shelf holds a small electric heater perfect for cooler days. It moves easily on wheels allowing for use next to the opening/closing of a garage door. 

Mostly, it allows for the final open space inside the small workshop to function as a hobby or "fix it" table. A major shop cleanup and put away is in order and fine-tuning a clamp on shop light above. That in of itself will open up space for better function. 

The top may get a green rectangular ring around the outside for reasons I cannot explain. It may just look cool? Not bad for use of scrap wood and small hand tools. You will be seeing more of this work bench in use.

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PAMPAS GRASS AND ROSES TRIMMED

First trimming after three years. I am interested in seeing how they grow this coming summer? Plan to add a few more along the tree line as they have proven to be a great visual line between yard and tree line. They weather well and need little maintenance.

Front yard rose bush trimmed down to the nubbins two weeks ago. Already coming back. Also looking forward to seeing growth and blooming this coming season.

Mother Nature continues to teach.
 

MORE COMPANY COMING THIS WEEK

Has been 4 years since we moved here. Out of state visitors have been sparse and now with the span of a couple weeks, two sets of old friends will have come for a visit.

A neighbor has offered to smoke a large brisket and a half dozen Earl Campbell sausages. Will deliver the day before Set 2 visitors arrive. 

My wife jokingly worries that visitors may over enjoy this Texas BBQ so much it will leave us little to no leftovers. Not likely. More worried about that first night she and I get our hands on that warm brisket just off the smoker. Properly done (and they are here in east Texas), a brisket off of a well-seasoned smoker and from the hands of an also seasoned cook are how memories are made.

All of this is moving me closer to finally replacing the gone gas grill with a pellet grill/BBQ/smoker. I have not had any one try to dissuade me from this purchase, but rather encourage me with stories of how versatile/fun theirs are. Learning to properly trim out a brisket and the "how tos" of smoking/cooking lie ahead this summer. 

I'll try to get a few photos.

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JIBBER JABBER

I did not watch the Super Bowl. What did I miss?

Push is coming shove. Seemingly everywhere. Trucker strike heading for NYC will be interesting to watch it all unfold.

I find that I am getting indifferent and that probably aliens (outer space) landing in my front yard would find me suggesting to them a better time and place for them to visit.

What to do? Stay tuned, practice practice. Add "stuff," keep your knees bent and eyes on the horizon. All while taking care of your local area, good friends, family and telling that one person in your life that you love them more often.

Appreciate the visit y'all.