Van Guard

This has been something of an epic season for the van. Joanne's Kona began throwing sensor errors on the left rear, so I tore it down and gave her the van to use--whereupon the van began doing the same thing. Its last mission was the August 24 collection of Frey, after which I confined it to the garage. When I started to remove the left rear bearing, Frey thought I was fighting something, so he tried to drag me out by my nose. Ow. At last I pulled the bearing, and did a three wheel brake job. One to go.

Bearing It

 Once I had some time to devote to it, the bearing wasn't that bad, but that rotor is only a year old and it's very rough. The new parts seem to move well, though, and it's nice to have a new splash guard in. 

First Fire

 This is our first wood fire of the season--and I only just finished cleaning the chimney and smoke pipe! 

Frey

 We brought him home just a week ago. I think he's going to fit in just fine.

Siding

Nearly done the ground floor siding on the North side. Now I need more for the second story. 

Dry

This is a truly dry summer. Here is our Panama, the ever flowing stream originating on Ralph's land.

Dry as dust.

Once More...

 The long delayed vinyl siding replacement resumes. There was some rot along the bottom, and the usual problem with original thick sheathing under the hood mould. As always, 3/4 inch plywood was my solution. 

Relearning

 I had to dig out the old jigs and re-teach myself how to make the caps for the exterior window headers. I made two of 8" planks before realizing I would need 10" ones! Never mind--good practice and they will come in handing for the garage windows, if nothing else. 

Another Fine Mess

 The sill wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. There were some dubious bottoms of studs, and the lower sheathing boards were bad. I replaced them with 3/4 inch plywood--not the miserable pieces in the picture but with long sections. 

Never Again

Lots of penetrating oil, sledgehammering, and cunning bolt work finally got the old bearing off. Never again...

Before and After

 It seems a shame, really, but it was in the way. It's quite crowded enough as it is! We planted them quite densely twenty years ago, and now it is time to think them out. This one made it hard to mow, so we knew it was time for it to go. The new chain zipped through it, and I cut it below the turf line. 

Garbage

 This is the rebuilt garbage bin. It has the top of the original, but the rest is entirely new. Well, it had a long run, built of irregular boards from Skinny Green's mill, battered by bears twice, and once by a falling larch. In all, it lasted 22 years. We'll see how this one does.

Stairway

 This is much better than a ladder for carrying things up to the remarkably capacious garden shed loft!

Spring at Last

 The little Crick has cleared, the last of the snow is being washed away by rain--yup, it's finally Spring!

Late Snow

 

Some days, it's hard to believe this winter will ever end. It has been rough on the pines-there will be lots to clean up when spring finally comes.

Peanuts

 These are either mighty big crows or perhaps ravens eating peanuts. I try to toss them about when the crows are in the area--I don't want the squirrels to get them! I think the crows might keep the pigeons away.... 

Note of Colour

 It's cheering to see something bright and colourful at this time of year.

Valentine's Day Storm

 It snowed steadily from about 9:00am until the wee hours, and the lower layer was quite dense--I got the quad stuck at one point, as it lifted the wheels clear. We had about two hours of snow clearing, all in all. The only problem is that we are running out of places to pile it!

Snow Fair

 I returned home (early) to find the driveway buried in snow, but a determined charge got the van into the garage. I set to work with the usual tools--Polaris, Husky, shovel--and soon cleared it out. However, Thursday promises more of the same... 

The End

 This is (finally) the last day of January, a month to get through, not one to relish--though I must admit, with an early thaw and light snowfall, it hasn't been especially harsh. Several days offered dreadful driving conditions, but we survived (knock wood).

What a Difference a Day Makes

Snowshoeing on an overcast day--then the sun came out! We must clear large areas to make it a brighter forest. This time we went all the way to the campsite. 

Skully's Cap

 Skully is wearing a white winter bonnet!

The Triumph of Winter

Going...going...gone!

 

Pitch Perfect

 Two sheds: 6/12 versus 12/12. And the winner of the snow shedding competition is...