Tag Archives: Central TX House

Sixteen Months

Philosophical Meanderings, Too Posted on by

Work continues painting the house. Some primer is on, but there is a lot of scraping and sanding going on.

I’m looking for this image so I can purchase the rights to it to have tile made for two showers. If I can’t find this exact image, I’m prowling stock photo sites looking for a suitable substitute.

Jase and I will be getting away for a few days. We’ll see what else happens over the next month.

Spring is here. Time to Mow!

Philosophical Meanderings, Too Posted on by
Now that I’m finally able to shelter in place like a good Texan (what a week it’s been until now), I decided today would be a good day to mow as much grass/weeds as possible. In preparation for this, I checked the mower at the store yesterday. Yes, I’d put the battery on the trickle charger over the winter. It should be fine. I’d need gas, though. Not a problem, I’ll bring a can with me tomorrow.
 
This morning, I topped up the gas tank in the house mower and headed off to the store. I removed the trickle charger, filled the tank, climbed on, pushed the brake, and cranked. Nothing. I checked all my connections and lever positions. Tried again. Nothing. I trudged out to the truck for my tools. I disconnected the battery, shut the doors, and headed to the small engine shop in Dutchtown. Yes. They had a battery. I exchanged $54 for a battery and was on my way. Yee ha! That did it. I backed outside and began mowing. By the time I got back around front to the driveway, something was very wrong.  I’d forgotten to check the air in the tires after a long winter’s nap, and the left front tire was flat. I retrieved my trusty battery-powered inflator from the truck and hooked it up. Rats. It’s a tubeless tire. I needed to get enough grip between the edges of the tire and rim so the air pressure could lock it on. I got the jack out of the truck and jacked the front of the mower up enough to lift the tire off the ground. Not enough pressure and the little compressor was exhausted. I moved the truck closer to the tractor so I could use the 12V adapter. I had to move the mower to be able to reach the tire from the truck. I got it moved so I could reach, and about that time, my neighbor comes bopping across the yard in a truck and asks if I could use any help. I explained what I needed, and he said, “That exactly what this truck is equipped to do.” He looked younger than my neighbor, and I was having trouble placing him, but he knew exactly what needed to be done with my little tire, and he had exactly the tools he needed to do it — including a compressor with a lot more oomph than mine. As he finished up, I thanked him for the help, and he said, “Mom sent me. He said you were up on the hill and it looked like you could use a hand.” That’s when it dawned on me that this adult-sized young man was the same little boy I’d seen riding all over the property six years ago on a 4-wheeler and mini-bikes and the lawnmower. I was thankful today that he also knew how to maintain tractors, even if the ones he works on are a lot bigger than mine. With that final repair, I was able to mow the store property without further incident. Time to head home. But first I filled the gas can.
After getting back home and getting the gas can put away, it was time to mow. I had charged this mower’s battery a week or two ago so it should be fine. Nope. I got on, pushed the brake pedal, and cranked. Nothing. I grab my tools from the truck, remove the battery and head for the small engine shop. Expecting them to have two batteries I needed on the same day was too much, so I headed out for CarQuest. Yes, they had one with more cranking power. I exchanged $57 for this battery and returned home. I installed the battery, and the rest of the mowing session was uneventful. Time to relax.

April 2019 Property Update

Philosophical Meanderings, Too Posted on by

The Ranch: Nothing new to report

The Store: Charged the mower battery and got the grass mowed.

The Detail Shop: Mowed the grass.

The Shop: Mr. L got the leak in the heater unit repaired — it needed a new part. Now he’s ready to have heat in the shop area next winter. He’s so happy. Mr. L cleaned up the showroom area and made space for our sort of annual indoor yard sale, and that went well. His plan is to paint the ceiling now that he has the space cleared again.

The Central TX House: I made a little progress on winter yard work. Yard is mowed again. I still need to trim.

March 2019 Property Update

Philosophical Meanderings, Too Posted on by

The Ranch: Nothing new to report

The Store: No change.

The Detail Shop: No change.

The Shop: Mr. L has been sorting and putting away parts and other things.  Mr. L got the gas turned on on Monday, but there’s a leak in the heater unit, so more things to figure out there.

The Central TX House: I made a little progress on winter yard work. I have a ligustrum in the front island pruned back. Yard is leveled and trimmed.

February 2019 Property Update

Philosophical Meanderings, Too Posted on by

San Antonio House: In January, we took the Spitfire down to the San Antonio house and pushed it into the garage. We removed everything we plan to remove except the stove. The new owner made an appearance, got her walk-though, and picked up keys. Mr. L has some things he’s … Continue reading →

May 2018 Property Update

Philosophical Meanderings, Too Posted on by

San Antonio House: All is quiet. The Ranch: No change. The Store: No change. The Detail Shop: No change. The Shop: Mr. L has been sorting and putting away parts and other things. He’s been doing a lot of restoration work on the ranch Jeep. It’s never going to be … Continue reading →

April 2018 Property Update

Philosophical Meanderings, Too Posted on by

San Antonio House: All is quiet. The Ranch: No change The Store: Mowed. The Detail Shop: Mowed. Mr. L unclogged a stopped up drain. The Shop: Mr. L has been sorting and putting away parts and other things. He’s been doing a lot of restoration work on the ranch Jeep. … Continue reading →

March 2018 Property Update

Philosophical Meanderings, Too Posted on by

San Antonio House: All is quiet. The Ranch: Started the wildlife census. Inflated tires on the motor home in preparation for moving it into town. We finished moving most of the small items in to town. The long pole in the tent is the motor home. Then we have about … Continue reading →

February 2018 Property Update

Philosophical Meanderings, Too Posted on by

San Antonio House: Mr. L rebuilt the toilet and tackled the troublesome garage lighting problem. He also purchased fence pickets and is drying them. The Ranch: Nothing new. The Store: Nothing new. The Detail Shop: Nothing new. The Shop: Mr. L has been sorting and putting away parts and other … Continue reading →

Cats: Rossie’s Graduation

Philosophical Meanderings, Too Posted on by

Rossie isn’t very comfortable right now, but what recent graduate really is? I disassembled Rossie’s cage today. She hasn’t been in it for at least two months. I removed the box from the corner she has been hiding in and placed the rocking chair she hides under on the floor … Continue reading →