Friday, April 13, 2012

337 Friday the 13th a good day to farm.

Well, today I decided to go ahead and plant half of my corn crop even though the conditions to do so are less than optimal. It is dry but there is some moisture down there, so maybe it will be enough to germinate the seeds even if it does not rain. However the weathermen are saying we could over the next 3 days get an inch or more of rain. I sure hope we do as I did go ahead with some planting today even though it was indeed Friday the 13th. Proving that I am not into that sort of witchcraft at all. It could turn out that today was not a good day to plant but it certainly will not be because of the date and the day. I think this may well be my last year of farming. My dad quit farming when he was 65 on his own and moved to Lafayette after selling his farm. I have farmed 8 years longer than that. But let me tell you he worked twice as hard at farming as I have, maybe three times as much effort. He was as tough as nails so to speak. He did continue to help his son's farm for maybe another 10 years after retiring and moving to the city. But in my case, I think I am just finally getting enough of it. I thought maybe I would keep it up for a few more years but I am starting to ask myself, "What for"? And I am not coming up with very good reasons to keep this up. I think that with the rent I can collect on my few acres that I may make at least half of what I do now maybe more. It will be good I think to just have to take care of my home and my lawn and the pond and maybe do a little more travel and camping than I have till now.

Susan is also starting to talk about retiring so if that happens she could then also travel with me if she desires. We could see lots of stuff together. Why with her sharing some of my expenses we could maybe afford to buy the diesel fuel for some longer trips maybe out west...Or maybe to the east coast or Canada who knows or maybe just stay right here at home...Practicing our marksmanship in case Eric Holder the worst attorney general in our history comes calling to collect my guns. I see today he stated that we should not have guns...the guy needs to be impeached, he goes after innocents and lets assholes run free...what a country...well I have rambled quite enough for a Friday the 13th....

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

336 Condo Sweet Condo

My second blog story about the new condo in Naples Florida. When both my tractors broke down at the same time and both were hospitalized at the Case dealership for at least a week, I decided I should drive back to Florida and spend a week and see what Condo living was all about. I did that and while I was there I changed the lock on the door of the condo. I feel good about having done that as who knows how many old keys there are floating around. This top view of me standing in back of the condo behind the pool. Our condo is directly over my left sholder in the center of the building upper floor.
A better view here of the backside of the building and the pool area. My first couple days there were spent shopping for bed sheets and pillows. Laudering them and making up the beds. Cleaning the kitchen up washing the dishes in the dish washer and just generally getting to know the place. Each day I did take the time to spend 2 hours at the pool getting to know some of the residents there a little better. In the third photo you see the pool area from inside the condo. I love the view from there. It is pleasurable to set there maybe sipping a cool drink and reading a good book. The area is extremely quiet and that is worth a lot to me. It is also extremely well lit up at night time adding good security for all of us.
I was there about a week in all before heading back to Indiana to start the farming process. I tried a little of that today but I feel the soil is just to dry for good germination, so I will wait for rain to add some before planting anymore. It is early yet and so waiting just may be a good choice at this time.
The last picture here is of the dinning area inside. It all is in good shape and needs nothing at this time but TLC and that I hope my family and Susan and I will give it lots of. I hope my kids will all have opportunities to use it and have relaxing vacations in Naples. Maybe even some grown grand children will also be trusted with a stay there, but it could be a little boring for the younger crowd. Although it is just a short 6 mile drive to the down town Naples beaches. So we will see....