3/23 Anderson

Spring is officially here and we certainly had Spring day today.  The temperature is around 75 a slight breeze and clear sky.  It was about 10 degrees cooler yesterday and the wind was much stronger and very cold.  Looks we might get some rain in the middle of the week.  That would be a good thing.

Lots of yard work today - mowed and trimmed then headed out to the pasture on the South to get rid of some blackberry bushes.  I had planned to generate a kindling pile then let it burn.  I decided that was not a good idea as the grass on that pasture ( belongs to neighbors) is very long and two years old.  Lots of dry stuff under the green grass that is coming out.  I went ahead and cut the bushes down then piled them up - I created 1 burn pile that I could control then pulled the others into the main fire.  That worked out great  - took me a couple of hours to generate the piles 15 minutes or less to burn them off.  I only have one fence section that has bushes on it - - very large and I will definitely have to plan that one out pretty good.  I am sure if I burned the whole bush pile the adjoining pasture would catch fire as well.  I suspect that I will attack it is sections - - lots of work but safer than the alternative.  Watch this space?!!

Two week ago I mentioned our 40 foot pepper trees in Tracy that are causing heart burn for our neighbors.  Kathy and I trimmed them some last week end.  We were at the end of the task  and I was working on the ladder about 5 feet or so - not on the top step but close.  I was using my tree trimmer which is a saw on the end of a 10 foot extension pole.  Somehow I lost my balance and stepped off backwards from the ladder.  Kathy tried to catch me but I landed flat on my butt.  I am probably 2 inches shorter now as I heard my spine popping when I landed.  I tried to land on my feet but that did not work.  Needless to say I shook my whole body up pretty good.  I have been dealing with a sore neck and shoulders all week and suspect the pain will last for some time.  I did not hurt myself but certainly bruised some muscles in my back and neck which will take some time to heal properly.  Back to the trees, we have not heard any more from the HOA or the neighbors - the issue is not over we are sure of that. 

Even with my sore back, I played golf all week, slowed things down and did not do very well but I did get some good exercise.  On Tuesday, I  played wiht some fellows at a course in Livermore.  I did not do very good but it was nice to get on another course for a change.  The conditions of that course were much better that Old River!!   I need to play other courses more often - good change of pace. 

Kathy is working hard on a art journal - another project from her on-line art class.  She is really enjoying the class and the interaction of the other students is very rewarding for her as well.  She has backed off on her other art show stuff - they have a Roses and Rust show in Redding in 3 weeks.  She participated in it last year but will wait for Fall to get engaged in that kind of activity again.  It does take a lot of time and effort to put one of those shows on and she has come to the realization that they are really not very profitable.  She enjoys the interaction with the other artists and working with the public.  She will have a time this fall at the next one.

We are looking forward to Easter week - we will be here all week.  Kathy is taking some time off and we plan to be here to enjoy more of this beautiful Spring weather.  This will be that start of our 3 year  - hard to believe that we have been here that long?    The place is shaping up and we really enjoy our time here!

Not much for news - - - hope you all have a great week.

More later

Ron, Kathy, Tessie and Sammie ( the cat)

3/9 Anderson

What a beautiful week end, temp hanging around 70 or so.  We were supposed to get some rain - just a little on Thursday.  We really do need some rain - the yard and trees are dong OK - had to water them this week end holding off with putting the automatic sprinkler on here.  I did checked the system and for some reason the control box is not getting any power.  Another project for me to put on the list.

Got uncle squared away - the IRS finally completed the forms and the taxes when through accordingly.  Had to wait a whole month for that - guess IRS was OK with the delay as most businesses wait for the deadline to file or get extensions.  At any rate it is done and glad to get that done.

We have a very interesting issue stirring in Tracy - our 40' pepper (2) trees in the back yard are causing the neighbors great distress.  Over the last 10 years they have asked us to cut them down as they are very dirty with pepper and branches falling into their yard and pool.  Now they have the HOA board  on their side trying to work the issue. Not sure how this will play out just have to wait and see what happens.  We struck a deal with the neighbors years ago - they can trim their side of all the branches.  That worked well until now when the task of trimming those pesky branches is dangerous and expensive.  Watch this space on this one.

I executed a plan to remove all the blackberry bushes on the fence adjacent to the main driveway.  I have tried lots of different things but have narrowed the practice down to one simple process.  Kindle up branches on the up side of the bushes with the wind to your back.  Torch the kindle and let it go with feeding it from either side to burn off what is not caught off in the initial burn.  Having a nice strong wind to your back was certainly the ticket to success!!   It worked great now I can move the project to the other side of the pasture - that will take place another day.  That will be a little more challenging as the bushes are surrounded by lots of deep grass both dead and alive.  It will be a challenge to control the burning of the bush and the adjoining grass?

Click {HERE} to see close-up photos of the pyro pictures, and a beautiful sunset!

Kathy busy with the artwork as usual, she was able to spend the afternoon yesterday with the ladies in Redding.  They had the old crew there yesterday and it felt like old home week for Redding Handmade.  She had a great time and enjoyed the interaction.

Another nice week for golf - ready for the time change now I can have a little extra time at home before I hit the course.  Have been getting out on the course around 7:00 and that was just about full sunrise.  With the extra hour that will give me more time in the morning and maybe a little more sleep.  Actually that does not happen - Tessie is wired with a alarm set for 5:30 and that is when she is ready to go outside - not much argument - just do it!!  Had my first nibble for golf balls yesterday - fellow wanted golf balls today but I could not deliver.  He was supposed to get 120 balls for $15.00 from someone in Modesto.  I told him that was a great deal  then offered to give him 200 or $40.00.  Hard to believe that someone is selling 120 balls for $15.?

Enough babble - hope you all have a great week. 

Ron, Kathy, Tessie and Sammie (the cat)