The DB Longhorn Farm is under construction from the top floor to the basement. How can this be, when I am only upgrading the bathroom? It turns out we are also upgrading the entire plumbing located in the basement (I only got water to the dishwasher yesterday) and the wiring for new lighting and pumps and such will be brought down through the closet from the second floor bedroom closet.

We are installing a walk-in tub, a separate shower, a new toilet and floor followed by paint. A new deck, ramp and several handrails both inside and out, will assist me entering and exiting the house.

Yesterday was a lovely day with sunshine and a strong southern breeze from Texas. Although a bit nippy, I told Jerry I wanted to finish cleaning off the concrete in the cattle yard. I started slowly, just not quite coordinated, but became excited when I was able to break up some ice. It was like a chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream layers, but a totally different smell. I was thinking of carbon dating as this winter has lasted several decades. I never thought I would tire of a winter season, having been deprived my entire life, however will have to admit I relish the coming of spring and cleaning out the wood burner for the season.

Jerry went back to plumbing and let me go play with the skid loader (pooper-scooper for city folk). I really don’t know how it happened, as I was almost finished, but suddenly I found myself hanging upside down in that darn thing. I grabbed on like a spider and hung there, figuring that I had a load too heavy, a skid loader too small and was staring right into the beautiful pile of fertilizer. I thought, well that’s just great, I have finally mastered turning into a skid on the ice with a vehicle, but for the life of me could not remember whether to go up or down with the loader as I was upside down! I finally grabbed the cage, hung on like a monkey and climbed out to ask Jerry’s help in getting the dang thing upright again.

Sher told me when I found myself in an avalanche to clear away the snow and spit so I could orientate up from down and dig myself out. I just couldn’t put that scenario with this upside down skid loader. Jerry and Clay told me to put the bucket down, which pushes the skid loader upright. Again, I am upside down and was unable to decipher up from down on the controls. I do know that adrenalin had kicked in when the pain hit my body about three hours later.

Farming is dangerous and I had no idea I was in a life or death moment. Thank goodness, I was able to depart the loader safely, as many a man has lost their life to tractors and loaders.

I went into town and told them Jerry had fired me and Dan refuses to give me a good referral, so I will not be applying for that job anytime soon. Calving season begins next week and we have separated the big boys to pasture two. I promise to be more careful this year.

Happy Spring,

DB Longhorns Farm and Ranch
Deborah Acuff

Blog: Construction

Subject: Under Construction

Posted: Tuesday April 22, 2008, 6:42 am Visibility: Everyone       Tags: construction add/edit tags Add Tags: Separate each tag with a space. When entering a multi-word tag, use double quotes, like "killer whale". hide editor