New tractor and… snow

The Almosta Blog Posted on by

We finally received our brand new tractor!  The old one, a Massey Ferguson model 31, is a sturdy machine but it kept needing repairs. After Gary spent two weeks getting the loader on it, he decided that the old tractor had served it’s time and that a new one was coming to our place. The old one was also hard for me to get to a stop. I’d have to stand up on the clutch and brake pedals. The new one, a Massey Ferguson model 1660, is a sweet machine. Runs smoothly and is easy to control. I’m not afraid of driving it. We also got a snow blower for it so we won’t get snowed in like last year!

Here I am test driving it around.

1006091727

1006091729a

In other news, how about some snow in early October?

101009_0178

Towards the end of September, temperatures dropped below normal and have been there since. Then two days ago, on the 10, we got snow (see picture above). But somebody, somewhere, decided that it wasn’t enough I guess. So yesterday we got some more…

101109_0185

And then some more…

101109_0189

Nobody was really prepared for this, us included. Our tent is still out there.

101109_0187

It snowed on and off yesterday and during the night. Forecast? More snow tonight. Where did fall go?…

Fort Abraham Lincoln and other news

The Almosta Blog Posted on by

On August 21, we visited Fort Abraham Lincoln located south of Mandan. Those who know me personally know that I’ve been there in the past on numerous occasions but we had only done the trail ride or simply visited with people. This time around we took the interpretive tour.

Things are well organized. As you can see in the picture below, you really travel back in time. Our guide, Miss Cassandra, is a laundress at the fort. While visiting, she asked us how we reached the fort. Answer: by boat or ferry, which was the only way across the river back in 1875. Men were required to remove their hats inside the house as was the custom back then. It was really interesting.

082109_0001

We’re planning to go back again and take some more pictures. In the meantime, I’ve set up a gallery in our Special Pages section. The page is titled Fort Abraham Lincoln 2009.

In other news, we made the acquisition of a Browning .22 rifle. Man, does it shoot nicely! It’s not in my nature to brag about my accomplishments but I do have to share my best target shooting to date. Everything just felt right when I did it. It’s such a special feeling. It’s like everything is in sync. It’s hard to describe but felt really good.

082309_1621

We also purchased a scope to put on it. Unfortunately, the first base mount we got doesn’t work. It doesn’t allow the scope to be mounted back far enough so we ordered another base mount. We should receive it this week.

Woke up early yesterday morning and caught this beautiful sunrise. Sunrises and sunsets here are the best I’ve ever seen.

082209_0100

082209_0105

A little later in the morning, I caught this pheasant hen with her young making their way through our backyard. We counted 8 chicks. Can you find all of them?

082309_0137

Where have we been?

The Almosta Blog Posted on by

Actually, we’ve been here all the time. We’ve just been too busy! A house and 12 acres sure keep us occupied!

Sometime in July, Gary took Sparky for a long walk. After well behaving for a long while, Sparky smelled something interesting and decided to run after it. Gary didn’t see what it was. But sure enough, Sparky ran in the ditch and crossed in the culvert under the road before responding to Gary’s calls. Well, no need to say that the poor dog was pretty smelly after his escapade (I’ll spare you the details ). However, a bath was in order!

072109_0877

The wildlife around us never ceases to amaze. On the morning of August 1, around 7 a.m., I walked in our living room and was graced by the sight of a buck right in our front yard. Here’s a little bit of information: Contrary to popular belief that a deer’s age can be guessed by the size of its antlers, the only way to tell for sure is by looking at its teeth. The growth rate of the antlers is influenced by genetics and diet and thus is not a sure way of telling.

080109_0884

Remember the swallows I mentioned last month? Their second attempt at building a nest was successful and they now have a little family to feed. There are four chicks in the nest. Can you spot all of them?

081209_0907

The parents are very protective of their young and every time we go by, they start chirping and flying in circles, away from the nest, trying to get our attention. I tried catching a picture of them faking a broken wing in flight, a common practice to attract predators away from their young. I was unsuccessful (geez, they really make sharp turns!) but got a beautiful in-flight shot.

081209_0904

And speaking of couples, it’s mating season for the dragonflies and damselflies. Caught these two in the act, right on our living room window frame.

081209_0902

Wildlife and trail ride

The Almosta Blog Posted on by

A few days ago, we spotted a baby ground squirrel right in our driveway. Thankfully, Gary was able to stop Sparky from playing with him before it was too late. It must have been a stressful encounter for the squirrel though because he didn’t move and went to sleep right in front of us. I seized the opportunity and took some pictures of him. Can you spot him in the first picture?

062909_3812

Here’s a closeup. Sure is a cute little thing.

062909_3811

A couple of barn swallows have started building their nest right by our front door. At first, we thought that us going through that door would make them move but no, they’re sticking around. Even after a first failed attempt where their nest fell. My guess is that they didn’t let the mud dry long enough and the nest became too heavy.

070209_3827

Here’s one of them with some building material.

070209_3828

Yesterday we went on a trail ride. The weather was perfect. Not too hot, not too cold, a nice breeze and some clouds to cut the heat from the sun.

070309_1547

Everybody stopped at our place for a rest. It sure was nice to see all these people and horses on our front lawn!

070309_1538

Then we went on for another 6 miles before stopping for lunch. It was fun and everybody had a great time

070309_1549

Septic tank update and new wheels

The Almosta Blog Posted on by

Ok, it’s been a while since we posted anything. We’ve been pretty busy and to top it all off, we both got sick last week. I pulled through it not too bad and Gary had to take antibiotics. The doctor said it was a bacterial infection. If you can, stay away from moldy hay. We had to pitch a whole bunch of it that was left sitting in the arena by the previous owner and we believe it’s what started it all. But don’t worry, we’re both out of the woods now and back into the swing of things.

Now, on with the news.

On April 16, we discovered a big hole in our backyard.

041609_1451

The hole is approximately 3′ x 2′ and roughly 3′ deep. It’s directly above where the main sewer line would be, so we thought “Ok, the pipe caved in so maybe we won’t need a new septic tank.”

Well, the guys came out yesterday afternoon and dug it up.

051209_2815

There was a septic tank down there and it had collapsed. It was the original tank so it’s well over 50 years old. Weird thing though is that it didn’t have a pipe sticking out of the ground to have it pumped. I’ve been told that’s the way they used to do it.

As you can see in the next picture, it not only collapsed, it was also overfilled. Nobody knows when it was pumped the last time, if ever. Turns out the tank was an old fuel tank which was common practice back then.

051209_2817

This is what’s left of the old septic tank.

051209_2820

So after a couple of hours of digging this morning, the new tank was lowered in place.

051309_2844

We can now do without the porta-potty and we can put the sump pump away. The worse of this ordeal was doing the dishes and periodically emptying the tubs outside. I did improve my water throwing skills though. I can now toss a full 2 gal. tub a good 3′ away! :D

We and the workers did get lucky. A couple of hours after the work was all done, it started raining. It’s been on the cold side pretty much all day and wouldn’t you know it, rain turned to snow!

051309_2856

I now have my own set of wheels! A nice 1998 Ford F-150, 5.4 litre V8, 4×4, dual exhaust with glass pack (this baby purrs so sweetly!), remote starter, electric windows and locks, electric seat adjustment. It handles the road nicely, even in the mud. I sure love it and it makes me very very happy.

050809_1513