October 25, 2013

View of the day-All tucked away for the winter.

What a productive day! While Al was anxiously awaiting "go" time in the combine, we found plenty to do around the yard. Al had to take the half ton into town to get the heater looked at...unfortunately, it wasn't just a flush that was needed. It seems one of the heater doors is not working and the dash would have to be removed...we've been there, alright.

Marilyn was still working on unpacking and while Al was in town, the furnace man made it out. One look at the furnace and we found out they don't make parts for that one anymore...he even called their supplier and Marilyn heard him laughing on the other end when they told him the brand. So, it would seem we need to get a new furnace. They sent out one of the head guys out and he looked things over and gave us a quick estimate on a new furnace, took some measurements and then they were on their way. Still no furnace, but it looks like they can get the new one in on Monday or Tuesday...let's hope so, since we will both be away next weekend and it wouldn't be good to leave the fireplace going.

We got the camper winterized, closed up and parked for the winter...always a big job and a sad one...for Marilyn, at least. Al was more sad that it was 2pm and we still weren't combining. Murray had done a test around 11am, just as they had planned, but it was testing 21%...just a little high...so he decided to wait a few hours.

While we were waiting, Marilyn got the lawnmower out to clean a spot for the camper, then that spilled over into doing the whole lawn. It looks so much better now for the winter, except a good go around with the weed trimmer is in order.

We finally moved the combine and header out to the field, taking the long way around. There is a back road straight east of our place, but you have to cross a low water crossing and the combine doesn't fit through with the header. 

We got out to the field, got the header hooked up, then Al stopped to talk to Murray, who was in his pickup holding part of a rotor rub bar...not a good sign. This would be the first time in a long time that we got to work alongside a silver combine.

We started combining and the wheat, while still pretty high in moisture, was going through the machine like good old Kansas winter wheat. Thick and lush and except for the fact that it was 5pm and the sun was already setting, we could have been in Kansas...well, there was also the 34ºF/1ºC temperature that brought us back to reality.

While Al was combining, Marilyn made a dash into town to pick up another heater to help with the next couple of nights that are supposed to be down to 19ºF/-7ºC.

But tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warmer...