Concrete Time

One of the big goals of my time back home was to pour a couple concrete pads down at the barn. I was hoping to do it on Thursday, but when I called the concrete plant, they said they were tied up on Thursday but could do it today! So I got busy framing up the last pad and finished the job today instead of tomorrow.

It doesn't take to big of job to justify a concrete truck instead of sack-crete. Though we only ordered two yards, it was still money well spent.

This little stall in the barn will be the utility room for the barn loft. To clean it up, we wanted to put a concrete floor in it.

So we took down all the stanchion walls so we could frame in a room with a fresh start. Once cleared out, we got busy setting our forms.

The second pad is right behind the tack shed. Here we wanted to pour a 4' pad-extension so that we could move the building back from it's present location. Get's it more out of the way of vehicles and also gives us a 4' patio out front. 

Once the dirt was leveled off, we set our forms.

Good idea to use metal steaks in the ground to keep the 2x4s from bowing. 

Then the truck showed us and we got busy pouring. The utility room had to be wheelbarrowed in. Not far though. I actually had my brother lined up to help with the pour on Thursday, but he couldn't today. So he sent out his farmhands instead, Ernesto and his brother. These guys made concrete look easy.

First step after getting the concrete poured, is to screed it off and make it level to the top of your forms. Good work, boys.

Then we moved over to the second pour. This one we could use the chute to get the mud right where we need it. 

Same process. Ernesto is not afraid to get dirty. 

Always good to have a place to go with the left over concrete. This should serve as a good pad for our HVAC unit.

When the concrete is just right after the pour, troweling it is the next and final step.

Clean up is necessary. The sooner you get to it the better off you and your tools will be. 

Should work.

Just what I was hoping for.

That was one of the most easy-going concrete pours I've been a part of. Special thanks to Ernesto and crew. That made my life a lot easier. In the end, I'm real pleased with the way everything turned out. Slowly but surely, we are bringing this barnyard up-to-speed. It's fun to give it new purpose. Every scribe trained in the Kingdom of God, brings forth from his storeroom both the old and the new (Matthew 13:52). Let's ranch on!

Dirt Works

There's just something about playing in the dirt that brings a man to his roots. Probably because we were made out of the stuff (Genesis 2:7). When there's dirt work to do, I can't tell if it is work or fun. This time around, it was definitely both.

The one turn around in the barn yard, where the chicken coop used to be, is pretty steep. I've been wanting to shape it up, but there was a lot of work that when a long with it.

For a job such as this, we fired up the JD 450.

The first step was to dig up the power line feeding the barn. When Dad and I put it in years ago, it was pretty shallow. Wanting to shape this turn around area freely, we dug up the power line so we could sink it deeper. 

Got it.

To start the shaping process, I wanted to remove some of the bank behind the tack shed. 

Better. Eventually, we hope to move the shed back 4' so that it is less in the way of the corral gate.

After that was done, we hooked up to our box scraper. Don't tempt me with a good time!

This is what we used to take the hump off the parking lot. Such the right tool for the job!

Once that was done, we got to re-digging in the power line.

Better.

Once that was closed in, we put the final touches on the turn around and driveway to the corral. I'm pleased with the way it all turned out.

Straight shot.

We ended up with a lot of dirt to deal with. For another time. 

Couldn't do it without John Deere. Giddy up.

With the right equipment, a big job can turn into a lot of fun. I'm thankful to get this project completed. Jobs like this you want to start and finish, so you're not holding up everyday duties. Thankfully, I've got a little vacation time to spend back home. With three days yet to use, I wonder what else we can find to do? Let's ranch.

Leisure

 Reconnecting with God on a natural level.

           https://youtu.be/ssvpkJTU0cw         

Buffalo 4th of July

Everybody loves the 4th of July, especially when it's the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation. To celebrate such a milestone, the town of Buffalo went big. So we decided to big with them. 

One main attraction in town was the Saturday morning parade. Buffalo usually doesn't have a 4th of July parade, but went for it this year. It was a softball pitch for us to join in. Fr. DeSmet, the Jesuit missionary priest, celebrated the first Mass in this territory in 1851. From then until now, that is 175 years of proclaiming the Gospel. Hence the theme of our float. 

First step was for James and I to hitch up to Jim's trailer and grab a few square bales. 

We had some banners made that showed up on time, thankfully. So we sized them up. 

Then James and Darin got busy getting it all attached. 

Not bad for a couple of farm boys. 

For game day, we saddled up Chief. Just wouldn't be right not to include him. 

Then parked at the park as parishioners of St. John the Baptist mounted the float. 

Meanwhile, DeSmet and his horse got into character. 

Time to ride. Downtown Buffalo was the route of choice.

It was a shorter parade, but hit all the high points of town. 

For the Proclaiming the Gospel part, Dcn. Jay stood at the pulpit with the audible Gospel playing in the background as two altar boys flanked him and eager parishioners listened in. 

Members of the DeSmet Council of Knights of Columbus followed the last banner that read, Still going strong 2000 years later. Also, members of our youth group handed out brochures, inviting townspeople to the Mass and ministries found at St. John the Baptist. 

Fr. DeSmet and his bay steed were a crowd pleaser. 

These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete (John 15:11).

Chief did great. No stranger to the limelight. 

Home stretch. Short but sweet. 

God bless America! 

The Catholic Church has had something to say about the progress of America in the last 250 years. Her insistence on Gospel values has helped shape this nation into a land of life, liberty, and justice for all. Our presence in Johnson County will continue to ensure that these natural human virtues are upheld and that the fullness of freedom found in Jesus Christ is proclaimed to all! Thanks be to God for everybody, past and present, that made this celebration possible. To you, we tip our hat, and pledge to keep on ranchin' in a free world! 

Paint Job

Seems like eventually these Chevy pickups start to peel paint. White Horse has been pretty blessed, as this spot on the hood is the only place that is peeling. We've put up with it for a while, but now it was time to take care of it. 

When I washed the truck this morning, I really put the pressure washer to this spot to make sure everything that wanted to peel off got the chance to. Looks bigger than ever, but now is in good shape to repair. 

First step was to hit it with 220 grit to take down the rough edges and feather it into the existing paint. 

Then a 1000 grit for the final touch, especially over the established paint that was going to get a new coat. Gives it something to stick to. 

Once sanded, a little brake cleaner works good to clean the surface.

Then tape it up. The new paint is going to be noticeably different from the old paint, so make some nice tape lines that will show the transition. 

Spray paint carries, so we covered the other surfaces as best we could.

And turned on the exhaust fan to keep the overspray moving away from the truck.

Our paint of choice was this Dupli-Color that is pretty darn close to the original. Super easy compared with other options. 

A light coat first, to get things tacky.

Second coat, a little stronger.

Final coat we laid on pretty thick.

Seems to me that tape is best to pull sooner rather than later.

Works for us.

Much better. White Horse is looking about as good as she ever has. We have a 4th of July parade this weekend, so we have to be looking sharp. Peeling paint is going to happen as this truck gets older. My hope is to just keep touching it up as we go. Thankfully, this was the only spot and that's now fixed! Let's ride!