Early start to the morning, as all of a sudden there’s a lot going on.
Got calls from neighbors J and D. J wanting to know if I can feed the horses while he and H are gone overnight, D wanting me to come finish the new chicken coop.
H left highly detailed instructions on horse feeding; I’ve been involved in major moves across the continent with less specific objectives. Hit it yesterday evening (the boys liked that) and this morning I just moved Friday shit-shoveling up a couple hours. The horses were unusually happy to see me. So that’s done, unless something delays the return of J&H.
On the way I dipped and marked the pipe I’ve been measuring the tank levels with. With all valves closed I still got nearly an inch drop overnight, which is perplexing as hell since there’s nowhere for the water to have gone. There’s no sign of water leaking from the tank or manifold, so one or more of the valves isn’t closing all the way. I also got another substantial drop in tank level yesterday, which makes me wonder if the pump is even working. No reason to think it wasn’t before, but I confess I haven’t checked. I’ll do that after the chicken coop. The tank filled slowly before, but it filled. Now suddenly I’m losing content instead of gaining it. Not good.
The frame, floor and rear wall of the chicken coop are already complete, and clearly if I finish the structure at D’s it’ll be too heavy for two old guys to move. So the revised plan is to cut all the remaining components but not assemble the coop till we have it in the yard. In the absence of problems – and when do problems ever happen? – I might get that project done by this afternoon. But now I have to go do that.
Have a nice day, don’t get caught violating ITAR.
You know,Joel,I have read your blog for a couple years,and I think you and I are very similar-similar eduction,prior jobs,skills and interests,etc,and sometimes I envy what you’ve done(the good Randian shrug,as you call it)and moved out to no-man’s land.But for all the freedom and advantages of living by and for yourself,I think I would miss proper plumbing and running water the most.That has to be the most frustrating part of your lifestyle and one which always needs more time and maitenance than you can put up with.Sorry for your troubles,buddy.
Billf