Login

31

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: January 31, 2016, 07:28:31 PM »

Charlie that is sure a great looking tractor. I have 3 with that styling. Have my 1959 700 diesel, a 1959 900 diesel and a 530 gas, don't know the year. I like Ralph's 730 Western tractor. I think it would be a dandy haying tractor.

Celebrating my 74th birthday today. Still going. Got my own early birthday present last Monday. Traded my 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a 2011 Jeep Compass. went from V-8 and 4 wheel to a 4 cylinder front wheel drive. Both are Limited Edition, so has all the nice features. Trading 16 miles per gallon to 23 M[ATTACH=CONFIG]954[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]954[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]955[/ATTACH]PG[ATTACH=CONFIG]956[/ATTACH]

Still very mild winter weather here. Highs in the mid 50's and 40 at night. Last week was cold enough to freeze the ground so cut and split quite a bit of firewood. Went back with tractor and trailer yesterday to haul some to the barn. but ground started thawing on the surface and too slippery to haul up the hills.

Gene

32

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: January 25, 2016, 08:39:10 AM »

Charlie the tests went fairly well. The endoscopy turned up with no issues. The colonoscopy showed nothing abnormal but as you say I was not all clean and shiny so doctor was not satisfied with the results and wants me to retake the test with a 2 day clean and flush.

Weather has improved the last couple of days. Temperatures finally in low 30's yesterday and today. Skies have been crystal clear and really showed the full bright moon. The cold windy weather of the past couple weeks made it hard for me to breathe so didn't get much done outside. Yesterday's warm weather allowed me to get to the woods and cut and split some more firewood. Had a big 20 inch hickory snag that I cut down last week and got it blocked up yesterday morning and went back with the tractor, trailer and splitter and split a trailer load before evening. Still have about half a load in the pile. Felt good to get out and get some exercise. A trailer load of wood will last about 10 days of heating.

Backed the truck out of the barn to get the tractor out and was running rough and only running on 5 cylinders, so will have to do some injector work on it. Has 60 horsepower injectors in it now and I plan to go back to stock injectors. I don't need all that power and smoke.

Only random patches of snow on the ground. Weekend storm all went south of us. Don't miss it at all.

Gene

33

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: January 19, 2016, 05:44:24 PM »

Charlie, hope you got the cat into a warm bed. They can be pretty persistent at times.

The cold weather has been killing batteries here too. Had to replace the one in the Acura and then in the Case V that is my wood hauling tractor. Debated on changing the tractor battery as the tractor starts so easy with the hand crank. Usually 2 pulls to start it, but the starter is so much nicer.

Cold weather has settled in here with lows at 1 to 2 degrees above zero. Very little snow on the ground.Went to the woods on Sunday morning to cut some hickory wood. Started snowing a very light snow and I like being in the woods like that. Just so quiet and peaceful. Wood stove keeping the house nice and cozy but using a lot of wood. Been able to get to the woods and cut and haul some of the down trees. A little wet in spots but ground is freezing now so easier to get around.

Have another appointment tomorrow with OSU clinic for more tests. Need to get a colonoscopy and endoscopy to see if my digestive system is healthy. Not looking forward to this at all. Have scheduled another for Feb. 10 for a Check of my pancreas. It all reminds me of mechanics changing parts till something makes the car run.

Gene

34

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: January 04, 2016, 09:37:20 AM »

Glad the weather has been good for you Ralph. A little cool, but mostly sunshine. Same for here with sun and 26 degrees. Had just a wisp of snow overnight.

Making preparations for some more medical tests. Scheduled a MRI for Friday and then an endoscopy for the for Jan 20. Had a blood test battery done last Wednesday and donated 19 vials of blood for the tests. Had to take from both arms as I ran dry on the first arm. I am making good progress on my treatment and am pretty normal on my functions.

Gene

35

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 28, 2015, 11:14:55 AM »

Ohio weather has had a big turnaround. Went from mid 60's last week and clear weather to heavy rain and flooding Saturday night and all day Sunday. Temperature just a little above freezing. Still raining at noon on Monday. Not a nice change. Wet ground and windy conditions make doing anything outdoors unpleasant..

Water on Sunday morning had mostly covered the front hay field with torrents of water through the tiles at the end of the driveway. The extra gravel and concrete has held the gravel in place.

Been a little under the weather the last few days. Had another hospital appointment last Tuesday at Ohio State hospital. Still no cause for my problems, but actually seem to be getting a little better. My pre Christmas cold has mostly cleared up, and able to get around better.

Gene

36

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 19, 2015, 05:30:42 PM »

Yes raking and baling corn stalks has become pretty common. There is a lot of residual value left in the fodder. What cattle and sheep don't eat becomes bedding. A win-win product.


Took a few pictures of the big red oak trees I am cutting up. Really big trees about 28 inches diameter and 27 feet long Lots of big blocks many over 200 pounds. spent about 5 hours with the chain saw on Wednesday and think I may overdone it. Been under the weather since Wednesday afternoon.

last pictures are from my east lawn.



[ATTACH=CONFIG]945[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]946[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]949[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]948[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]948[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]947[/ATTACH]=

Gene

37

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: November 13, 2015, 07:05:49 AM »

Yes, Charlie, I do look and admire the concrete. Will be the nicest floor I have ever had. Been spending a lot of time on it putting in studs for the insulation and paneling. Have a long way to go to finish. I initiated the concrete last week when I changed the oil in my Jeep. Got a few drips on the floor, but with the sealer and a little soap and water it cleaned up nice.

Had a very windy day yesterday with wind gusts of 60 mph. Not a good day to be outside, but nice working inside the new shop. Weather is turning colder, so I guess fall is here.

Wapakoneta tractor club has their fall swap meet today and tomorrow. Will go over to see what is there and do a little visiting. Forecast is for cold temps and 30 mph winds, so may not stay very long. Have to stay for dinner as they always have a good meal.

Gene

38

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: November 09, 2015, 08:12:27 PM »

Thanks for the thoughts on my brother Edsel. The turnout for his viewing was beyond belief. Edsel was involved in so many interests in his life. He was a collector of Packards and was a prominent member of the Packard club. He showed a 1955 Packard 400 and was a consistent first place winner with this club. Edsel was also the service agent for all the club members. Many of the Packard club members were at his services. Could go on all day with his accomplishments.

My oldest grandson was married on Sunday. Had a nice ceremony at a large public farm near Canton, Ohio. Was nice weather all day.

Charlie wants some pictures of my concrete floor so took a few more pictures of it today. Was kinda dark, but May be be able to make out the images.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]932[/ATTACH],[][ATTACH=CONFIG]933[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]936[/ATTACH],[ATTACH=CONFIG]937[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]938[/ATTACH]

Gene

39

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: November 01, 2015, 09:04:45 AM »

Ralph, I hope you get a window to get the rest of the flax harvested. Weather here has been very favorable for harvesting corn and soybeans. Ground has been dry and hard and able to support the combines and trucks without any problems. Semi-trucks can go anywhere in the fields. Finally got some rain by mid week that was much needed. Some fall tillage was waiting for some moisture to improve the conditions and the 2 inches of slow steady rain was perfect  for that.

My doctor's appointment on Thursday  turned a new possibility for my condition. He thinks it may be sclerosis of the liver, so now I have to have another biopsy done in December. He believes it will be treated medically and no surgery. Just have to keep hanging on.

Sadly, I lost an older brother yesterday. Edsel was 79 years old. He had rheumatic fever at 8 years old and had been fighting an ailing heart all his life. This finally caused a shut down of his kidneys that claimed him. Edsel was the best natural mechanic I have ever known and ran a repair garage for 45 years, that is now operated by his son.

Gene

40

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: October 22, 2015, 07:32:19 AM »

No cat population at Mockingbird hill. Guess there is nothing here to attract them. Neighbor's cats do a lot of hunting in the hay field, so probably helps to keep the mouse population down. Other neighbor's dogs are frequent hunters too.

Concrete contractor coming this morning to survey the new shop for the concrete. Hope to pour that tomorrow. Good weather for concrete work with high today of 70 degrees and 65 for tomorrow.

Got the chisel plowing done last week and turned out well. Glad to have that done.

Truck has had a few problems this week that required attention. Monday was parked in the driveway when I noticed a puddle of anti-freeze under the engine. Water pump had started leaking so put a new one on it that afternoon and Tuesday while working under it I noticed a lot of free play in the left front u-joint. Got new u-joints for it and started taking it apart. Never had such a hard time getting it apart with everything rusted together. Once I got it apart with a lot of heating with the rosebud torch, I was able to clean and grease everything so reassembly was much easier.

Still have more corn to haul. Amish have not done any husking since last week, so have to wait on them for the last few loads.

Health wise I am doing pretty good. Still Have some of the same symptoms, but they seem to be getting better.

Gene

41

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: October 16, 2015, 06:43:16 AM »

Had the hospital procedure done yesterday. Results were not what we were expecting. The test did not reveal any blockage. There was some rough roughness apparent in the duct. Thoughts by both the doctor and me were possibly a small stone that had actually worked its way through to allow the duct to open up. This is consistent with my lessening of symptoms the few days. Next doctor appointment is Oct 29, so will see what the prospects are.

Weather has turned colder here. Actually had frost on Thursday morning and colder for this weekend. Worked the Case 970 and chisel plow the last 2 evenings. Ground is dry and hard, but the chisel is fracturing the soil well. Worked till dark last night when I broke a mount bracket for one of the shanks. Will likely have a hard time finding parts for this old Graham Hoeme machine. May have to make a mount for it.

Should be able to haul the last 2 loads of Amish corn today and have that job done. Plan to pour the concrete in the new shop on Wednesday or Thursday. Weather promises to be a little warmer by then.

Gene

42

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: October 14, 2015, 09:14:33 PM »

Charlie, those cattails seem to crop up where least expected.

Ralph, wish I could send you some of our harvest weather. Been dry and moderate temperatures and combines are running everywhere in the corn and soybeans. Some even have black beans that are being harvested. I finished my soybeans on Oct. 5. yield was decent at 52 bu/ac, considering the water damage. Price was low but the money is mine now. I put new twisted shovels on the chisel plow this evening and started working the bean stubble. The twisted shovels worked real good and never plugged with straw all evening.

Attended the Tri-State Portland swap meet. Found a few things I need for the new shop and and tools and hardware I needed. Weather was nice on Thursday, then turned windy and cold for Friday and Saturday, but at least no rain.  

Planning to put the concrete in the new shop this week. Looking forward to getting that done. Have the plastic and reinforcing wire down so ready to pour.

Will be going to Ohio State hospital tomorrow morning for my bile duct procedure. Plans call for a 2 to 3 hour procedure including recovery. My Daughter Lori works in Columbus so she will take me to the hospital and take off work to bring me back home. All sounds pretty encouraging.

Been hauling shelled corn for the Amish this week. Finished with one farm today and expect to finish with the other one on Friday. Corn is not yielding very good but test weight is high and moisture is low. Seems to be pretty much the same for all our area. So much for that record corn crop report.

Gene

43

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: October 02, 2015, 06:53:38 AM »

Wow, guess I am way behind on the list. Been over a month since I posted.

Dry weather has been favorable for local harvest of corn and soybeans. I started some of my soybeans last Friday and Saturday, but still have a lot of green stalks and pods so decided I better wait. Hope to do some more this weekend. Broke the stabilizer bar under the cutter bar of the combine. Broke both rod end bearings on the stabilizer. Nobody local has them, so ordered the parts on ebay. Got one yesterday and should get the other today.

Been hauling corn and soybeans for the Amish neighbors. Will finish the soybeans and ear corn today. Guess I will be starting hauling shelled corn next week. Have to take the last half of the week off for the Portland swap meet from Thursday to Saturday.

Another doctors appointment yesterday in Columbus. Have appointment in 2 weeks to do the procedure on my bile duct issue. Liver is healthy and no cancer indications, so that is good news.

Weather has turned to fall with cooler temperatures and strong winds. About 46 this morning and 30 MPH winds.

Gene

44

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: August 19, 2015, 11:41:06 AM »

Hi Charlie, Dean has always had a good eye for the great pictures.

Actually, no I am not working on the shop right now. Supposed to be attending to the campground at Portland to prepare for the show next week. I had to play hooky on Monday for a hospital visit yesterday morning and let the doctor poke a large needle into my liver to take a biopsy of a spot I have growing there. Won't know the results for at least a week. Just have to rest a couple days then can go back to Portland tomorrow. Left my motor home there and will drive the car over with the tow dolly to bring it home after the show.

Went back to the woods and took a couple pictures of one of my rock piles. It is about 5 feet high and 12 feet across. Have been been picking them up from the fields and many from cleaning up the woods. Other piles are too grown up to get a good picture.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]914[/ATTACH],,[ATTACH=CONFIG]915[/ATTACH]

Gene

45

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: August 12, 2015, 05:40:54 AM »

Wow Charlie, quite an adventure with the Impala. Seems it has found a permanent home. Neighbor had an old camping trailer parked on a hunting property he had sold and the new owner wanted it moved. Dale wanted to put it in his woods and wanted me to pull it. The brakes were frozen in it too and had to actually break the brake drums to be able to move it, but we got it moved.

Not much rain here. Had about 3/4 inch on Monday so helped dampen things some. It was a welcome shower and the crops and grass enjoyed it.

Wheat and oats are all combined and Amish have shocks of oats in the fields ready to thresh. Most are done that too.

Had a doctors appointment on Tuesday and blood tests showed a problem with my liver function. He seems concerned and scheduled appointments for an ultrasound for today and meet with specialist next Tuesday. Will have to see how this turns out.

Today is the day to move the motor home to Portland to prepare for this summer's show. Feature tractor is John Deere and this is our 50th anniversary show, so expect a good turnout. Have had some interest from prospective campers.

Gene