Spring continued

We've managed to get the garden going in full swing, though it's been a cool and shady summer thus far. I'm not complaining, but it is causing our garden to grow slowly. Either way, we've had a few days of blistering heat, very unseasonable, mind you, but overall it's been great.

We managed to score our firewood, and that's all stacked, and overall summer maintenance is now taking place. Trying hard to get the barn going, but so many roadblocks.

Things Might Be Moving

In a state where you couldn't spit without hitting a capable real man, I feel like I've got to take some initiative and make things happen. It helps to have friends who are real men. We need to finish this barn.

We have an unfinished barn that we want to make into a livable space, which is pretty huge undertaking. Now if it were any of my contractor friends the job would be a no-brainer. Just do it, but of course, I'm not them, and have no clue where to begin.

But there is a glimmer of light. My friend Gary said he might be able to help walk us through the process of designing, building and getting permits. It would be killer to have some help, though I feel inadequate that I'm incapable of doing myself, but what else is new. This could get interesting.

The first step is resolving the septic system issue. This has been a thorn in my side for the past six months, the first step to making this all happen and it's a giant one. Paul Dirksen has told us that nothing is going to happen until this gets done, which I think is kind of lame, but he calls the shots.

Now getting a septic system design and approval requires an engineer. I contacted one group and they said that it can pretty much be done in any situation, almost as if it wouldn't be a problem. He said this sight unseen, and seemed pretty sure about it. The engineers do the consulting, file the paperwork and do the design. The price was steep, though, and I've been told that there is a lot of work involved.

Either way, Gary said he might be available to consult, and I'd jump at the chance. Not sure what he's charging, but he's a great guy, and I trust him.

Ruth has been painting walls, I need to keep peeling wallpaper and get more walls ready. I also need to think about getting the shelves made. More to come. Thanks for reading and take care.

Firewood

The saga continues, but in a good way. I bought six cords of wood and now have four massive piles in our yard, but man am I glad to have it. I've got plenty of time to stack, and it's one less thing to worry about. I understand why people are so protective of their wood sources. Could use one or two more cords, not to mention a half dozen pallets, but one thing at a time here.

Frustrated

This whole firewood thing bums me out. It's so damn expensive, what's the deal? We might have to buy more propane, after all. This one guys is blowing me off hard for our wood. He said we could get six cords and I called him to say we're ready and I haven't hear from him since. Meanwhile, our friend Rich has already had his wood delivered. I'm so bummed. I called the guy yesterday for a second time and will wait to hear. If not I can be a pest, but he might get pissed. Then again, when you got nothing, you got nothing to lose.

Either way, we'll get some firewood. We need it, even if I have to get a chainsaw and cut the stuff myself.

On a happier note, Spring is here and it's beautiful. We're finally getting some needed rain, so of course everyone is complaining about how gray it is outside. It's been chilly, actually, and we've been burning lots of wood - damn. Got to save the stuff.

I need to get the lawnmower tuned up, but am wondering if I should just fire the damn thing up and use it. Since we don't have a truck, it ain't easy transporting the thing, but I may have to get creative. We'll see.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

The Great Outdoors

As I mentioned, Spring is here. As much as I love the snow and am sad to see it all go, it's great to see more sunlight and to have warm weather, for a number of reasons, the most of important of which is that the kids get to go out and play with reckless abandon.

The mornings are my favorite times. The beauty of a Vermont morning is hard to put into words, especially when you live back in the woods as we do. The music of the birds fills the air, and cool morning feels good. I might even begin writing outside. Now there's an idea.

Okay, enough waxing poetic. Spring also means a whole slew of practical issues. The grass is starting to grow, the garden needs attending to, and home improvement begins full tilt. Am I man enough for it all? I need to be, my family needs me to be.

We had a huge problem with our driveway earlier this month. Since it's essentially a dirt road, with hard pack nearer the house (listen to me, like I'm an expert), after the snow melted we had some serious mud, which I think is worse than snow. This presented me and the kids with an opportunity to get outside and try to make a difference.

So, with shovels in hand, we went out and filled in the potholes. It amazes me how much fun it can be just doing seemingly mundane things when you have kids around. We filled in holes and patched up grooves, and though it looked terrible, I do believe we solved the problem. Over time I think the ground will smooth out, but at the very least, we won't get stuck.

At least not yet. Until the next time, thanks for reading.

The Rains Came

If you can believe it, we finally got some much needed rain. After the winter that we had you'd think we'd be set for moisture well into July, but after a couple of scorching April days, things were getting pretty dry. Now that the rains have come, I think we can get the garden in full swing. I've been tilling the soil even though everyone is telling me not to. I'm getting into it, though, and have even found enjoyment in the laborious process of weeding. Go figure.

Will try to post more on this site, there's so much to say. Until then.

Firewood

The snow has is finally beginning to melt and we can see the ground, which pretty much means one thing - mud season. And along with negotiating our way through the muck, it’s time to start thinking about getting firewood, which is proving to be a difficult thing.

Wood is so expensive these days, it’s outrageous. Makes me wonder if it’s an economical alternative, but we like it. It makes me realize how lucky we got last year in getting our cords so cheap. I wanted to get the same this year, cut blocks that I can split myself, but realize how unusual it was and have no expectations to do the same. Besides, without a truck, I’m pretty much useless.

So I’m faced with two possibilities. I can buy tree length or cut and split. Tree length is obviously cheaper, and there is a remote chance they’ll deliver it, but I’d have to get a chainsaw and then split, and I’m not saving horrendous amounts of money. The other choice is get it cut, split and delivered. If I can find it at a reasonable price, then that’s probably the way to go, since I’d have time to do other things, even though I love splitting it.

I understand people’s reluctance to divulge their sources. Wood is precious.