Good Morning All. Clear and 48° here in tornado alley. Supposed to get to 82° his afternoon and 90° tomorrow. Yesterday was 80° which is freaking out the cold weather plants in the garden, like lettuce and spinach. we have four more days of this before returning to normal mid-70's weather. Trees are budding out everywhere after the rain Monday, weeds in parts of the front yard are begging to be mowed.
I am still pruning some trees here as I got behind in February. I know that it isn't the ideal time for it, but it has to be done.
I know that I have posted in the past about a newer neighbor of ours who took over a 100 acre parcel of land just south of us. He decided to turn this mixed woods/pasture land into a country estate. This is the guy who uses a weedeater along 1000' of barbed wire fence along the road frontage. He and his wife moved a couple of older restored houses onto the property sorta in the back and then had to spend $34K to build a gravel driveway. Then he spent another $45K to build a lake near the front gate that cost another $25K. The lake has a fountain in it! He has done a few other things according to some craftsmen acquaintances of mine. Bottom line is that the county tax assessor finally discovered the improvements and reassessed the place and revoked the agricultural exemption for nearly 60 of the acres. This will cost him dearly, probably to the tune of $35K a year!
So what does he do? He bought four Texas Longhorn cattle and fenced off what I estimate to be about 35 of those 60 acres to regain part of the ag exemption. He also had to rip out part of the driveway to install cattle guards to keep them away from the houses. I'm still not too sure why they brought in two houses unless he and his wife (who actually owns the property) live apart.
Thanks to all for the comments and likes regarding the motley collection of pizza joints;
Steve J, IB Ken, Troy, Dave B, Sherrel, OB Ken, Curt, Tom, Hughie, Rick, Patrick, Louis, George, Tom O, Joe, Guy.
I started a new project yesterday out in the train shed. It is on my very long list of things to complete. In an area where I just dropped off completed structures, I have this "Hot Rod Garage"
This is what it looks like on the layout.
It looks entirely different under the workbench lighting.
First step was making and painting a full base for it, which I don't normally do.
Added an LED interior bulb.
Mounted it and started with some details that I have hanging around.
I still have a few more details and figures to add today.
Sherrel - I forgot to comment, but that is one hell of a beautiful lemon tree. I hope that your options trading went successfully. I jumped back into my ETF's about two weeks ago and have regained about 25% of what I lost earlier in the year. Some I never got out of completely.
Steve J - I don't know anyone personally that does P:87, but I have read that it is a real PIA. On top of that, who knows except the builder? I'd rather have fun.
Troy - Yes, carnitas! Can't believe that you had never tried them. I make them all of the time, easy to make. Cube up a pork shoulder, marinate overnight in a dry marinate of toasted cumin seed/chile pepper/oregano and then braise them in the morning. Add to a crock pot and cook for a few hours. PM me if you want the complete recipe.
Guy -
Hughie - T. J. Reilly's really looks good. Doo-Wop, I didn't know too many other folks liked that stuff. I really enjoy it.
Joe - Escalades are a little out of my era, but I understand the significance.
It's Saturday for those who still have to work, so enjoy the day off.
Everybody have a great day. Tonight I'm grilling fajitas.