A Busy Morning and a Quiet Night

Today was an early day.

I was up by 7:00 a.m., which is definitely earlier than I've been getting moving lately, but I had somewhere I needed to be.

Yesterday, the right front tire on the tractor went flat, and the valve stem disappeared inside the rim. So this morning, the first job was getting the tire off the tractor so I could take it to the tire shop.

Once I had it off, I loaded it into the truck and started the nearly hour-long drive to have a new tube installed.

After dropping the tire off, I figured I might as well make good use of the trip.

First stop was laundry.

Then some grocery shopping.

Then back to move the laundry into the dryer.

Then I went to exchange a propane tank.

Then back again to pick up the repaired tractor tire.

It was one of those mornings where I felt like I was constantly moving but wasn't actually at the farm getting anything done.

Although, I guess laundry, groceries, propane, and a repaired tractor tire all count as getting things done.

Somewhere along the way, I also passed an Amish buggy traveling down the road.

Just another normal morning around here.

By about noon, I finally made it back to Memory Lane.

I was also dealing with another little reminder of yesterday's work. My arms and belly were covered with small bites and welts, probably from something I disturbed or got into while working yesterday. They actually look and itch a lot like the fire ant bites I'm used to getting in Florida, although I have no idea what caused these.

I've been putting topical treatments on them throughout the day, which has at least helped minimize the itching.

The first thing I did was put the tire back on the tractor.

With the tractor operational again, I managed to move about three loads of dirt before deciding that was enough for today. I covered the tractor and headed back to camp to unload everything from the truck.

Just as I was finishing, my cousin showed up.

Neither of us had eaten lunch yet, so we headed back out to get something to eat.

The food looked good.

Unfortunately, it wasn't.

Normally, the food at this particular place is good, so I'm going to give them a pass this time and not even mention where we went.

Everybody gets an off day.

Afterward, we went and picked up some dessert and started heading back toward the Lane.

We made a few stops along the way just to take in some of the views.

This time of year, it's hard not to.

Every day there seems to be a little more color on the mountains. The greens are slowly being replaced by yellows, oranges, and reds, and sometimes it's worth stopping for a few minutes just to look around and appreciate where we are.

Eventually, we made it back to camp and spent some time hanging out and watching a movie.

Later, I heated up some baked ziti that my partner had left for me.

It was easily the best meal of the day.

Not surprisingly.

Actually, it would have been the best meal of the day even if everything else had been fantastic.

After dinner, I took Wyatt outside to play.

Lately, he's really starting to show more of his herding roots.

He's always had the cattle dog instincts, but they're becoming more noticeable as he spends more time running around the farm. I think getting him into some actual herding training might be something worth looking into.

He certainly seems to believe he already knows what he's doing.

I'm just not sure the rest of us understand his instructions yet.

Tonight is going to be an early night.

It's raining, so there won't be a fire tonight.

No major projects.

No burn pile.

No tractor work.

Just Wyatt, my cousin, some movies on TV, and a quiet night inside listening to the rain.

It was a busy morning, a productive afternoon, and a pretty relaxing evening.

And most importantly, the tractor has four working tires again.

For now.

~ Making Memories