A Swale and a Cut

 

There is a fair uphill/incline behind our house that seems to stay wet much of the year.  There is both quite a bit of run off from the mountain and several significant (wet and dry weather) springs just up the hill a bit that contribute to this issue. It renders the land largely unusable. As you can see from the above picture I generally cut up only as far as the swale that was cut just behind the house. (I'm assuming this was done to save mowing. When you're up at hunting camp you don't want to have to spend time mowing lawn.)

I tried cutting it one time last fall and got the tractor stuck.  When I took the Jeep in to get the tractor out I got the Jeep stuck. After getting the Jeep and the tractor out, I managed to get the tractor stuck a second time.  Lesson learned.  Lots of clay and lots of water - don't cut!

Soooo... this year we had a swale cut in at the back of property line to shed the run off and the spring water.  

We anticipate that this will alleviate most all of the problem.  The extra good news is that the solid and extensive clay base we found makes the reality of a future pond a lot more likely.

Things have been pretty dry of late so the newly cut swale along with the dry conditions allowed me to get into this section of field and begin clearing.  The John Deere had quite a workout today cutting a good third to half an acre of 18 inch deep grass and ferns on some pretty rough ground.  Thankfully I had had it brushhogged last year and took out some of the scraggly unwanted pines.

So this...

 

 

Became this...

 

There is still quite a bit of cut field over to the right of the pics but you get the idea.  We're hoping the the old swale (seen mid pic) might no longer be necessary but we'll have to wait until we get some good rains and the wet weather springs run again before we know for sure.

It may not seem a big deal to some but any progress is encouraging.

The lady of the house has identified this area as eventually playing host to a patio and outdoor barbecue pit for entertaining. She's even mentioned a pergola...

This evening we spent sitting out watching the barn swallows work the freshly cut field.  It was quite a peaceful sight!

The next big project is the bathroom...stay tuned for that.

Thank you, Lord, for gifts of grace along the way.

Nine Months In...

So, nine months into the "Great NorthCentral Pennsylvania Adventure" the workshop is fully functional.  There are still a few walls to be covered. (I've been using plywood removed from inside the house for this.) And I still need to run some conduit and pull wires. But with a simple 30 amp extension cord I can run what I need to, when I need to.

 

WELCOME TO POP'S SHOP

 

Excusing the coffee roasting equipment in the doorway, the table saw is finally out and centered for optimal access.  On the back wall is the chop saw which I've mounted on an 8' collapsable table  due to limited space.  I've used old telephone pole climbing struts and steps for shelving to support the weight of the hardwood which came back with us from West Africa.

To the left, as one enters I have the band saw and storage for such necessities as dowel rods, screening, roofing felt, visqueen, etc.  An attentive eye also takes note of the empty jars on the shelves waiting to be filled with canned goodiness that the lady of the house will be putting up yet this summer!

The back left corner has the dreaded "chemical shelf" for refinishing supplies and other not suitable for children things over top of the belt/disc sander.  And next to that is the spindle sander and bench grinder table, under which is the jigsaw and the planer/thicknesser before coming to the chop saw on the back wall.

To the right is the supply section with nails, bolts, lions, tigers, and bears oh my stuff.  You may note the ventless lp heater on the wall. (There is ample venting that can be opened in the winter to stay safe while maintaing heat.) AND the shopsmith vacuum system which has hoses to each of the major pieces of equipment which keeps everything so neat and tidy!!! And of course more cabinets...

On the right end is the work wall with all the hand tools and a work bench along with a drill press. All ov the cabinetry, the wall coverings, and tables, benches, etc. have been salavaged from the house as we remodel.  So with the exception of the building itself and the insulation, the shop cost next to nothing!!! Yippee, skippee!

This really is an important part of my life as virtually every tool in this shop belonged either to one of my grandfathers, my father, or Carol's father.  So it is a testimony those who have taught me, those who have taken such good care of their equipment, and the tradition I hope to someday pass on.  (Or if the kids or Carol wants, they can simply sell the whole shop ready made and ready to go!) 

I also wanted to get this done this summer so that as the fall and winter weather sets in, I am still able to continue work on remodeling the house without having to do the cutting and shaping, sanding, and finishing IN THE HOUSE! That makes Carol quite happy.

Sometimes it's the little things, the blessings along the way that just cause me to stop and say "WOW! Thank you Lord, for you provision in all ways." God has been so gracious. I pray you are likewise able to find that grace and gratitude in all aspects of your life!

 

Harvest Time

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While the Lumber Index is showing great promise for a reduction of lumber prices we're wait for this to actually show up in the lumber stores. In the meantime, my attention has turned to outside work. The past week or two I've been concentrating on land/lawn issues in something of a "pioneer" fashion.  In short I've been collecting rocks.

When I gardened in town, I often collected 7 or so wheelbarrows of stone/rocks out of a 1200-1500 sq foot garden...each spring...and again each fall as I roto-tilled and raked. Small ones.

Here at 12 Monks Hill I'm forced to dig them up. (They create significant disagreeable encounters with the John Deere.)  I was able to walk most of the property to be cut last fall and collect a number of them.  I started piling them up waiting to decide their ultimate fate.

I'm beginning to understand why the farmers of old built stone fence rows. It was easier to leave them close to where they were harvested.

Currently in need of topsoil to fill these holes, the neighbor has offered his massive pile of fill for my use.  

So that, of course, means I will need to buy a wagon for the tractor. 

Oh boy! More toys!!!

Some of these are so big, even though I've dug them out by hand and struggled to get them out of the hole, I find myself unwilling/unable to get them to move any further.  And so, some will likely just stay where they are.

I've managed to clear about 1 1/2 acres for mowing although stones still seem to magically appear at the strangest and most inconvenient of times.  I've started working on areas that haven't been mown in years such as the cute section around the garden shed (former horse run-in) seen below.

And so now, in addition to waiting for lumber prices to come down we're also waiting for another excavator to come in and dig a swale behind the house (to dry out) the land behind the house.  And then we'll brush hog the hillside and the stone/rock removal can begin back there.

The current swale (seen mid pic) was cut too close to the house(for our desires). But then, less dry ground means less grass to cut and when you're dealing with a former hunting camp you get it. Who wants to cut lawn when your at camp?

And so we continue this work on our own "Old House" as the Lord provides the time and resources, making the house a home.  

Soli Deo Gloria!