Progress Looks Different Every Day

Today started a little earlier than I had planned.

At exactly 5:30 this morning, I was awakened by the sound of heavy rain pounding on the roof of the motorhome.

So much for sleeping in.

The first thing I did was look out the window.

Immediately I realized I had left several things sitting on the outdoor rug overnight.

Fortunately, most of them were protected by the awning.

Normally I don't like leaving the awning out during heavy rain because strong winds can damage it.

But at that point the rain was already coming down hard.

If I pulled the awning in, everything underneath it would get soaked anyway.

Rain hadn't even been in the forecast, so I wasn't exactly prepared for the morning surprise.

So back to bed I went...

This is how I found Wyatt when I went back to bed.

I climbed back into bed, but there was no falling back asleep after that.

Around 7:30 my electrician arrived.

Over the last few weeks we've been chasing an electrical issue with the RV pedestal.

The Hughes Power Watchdog has randomly been shutting off power and reporting No Neutral Detected.

After looking everything over, we both agreed the breaker appears to be faulty.

The plan was for him to return later in the afternoon and replace the entire 50a box.

That didn't happen, so I'm guessing he'll be back tomorrow morning instead.

In the meantime...

Knock on wood...

The power has stayed on.

While he was here, Wyatt made sure to introduce himself.

Any visitor to Memory Lane usually receives a proper greeting from our four legged supervisor.

Once the electrician headed out, I had a few errands to run.

So...

Back into town.

It seems like I've been spending almost as much time driving lately as I have working.

The drive turned out to be worth it though.

On the way into town I came across a whole herd of deer standing together with a group of wild turkeys.

It isn't every day you see them casually sharing the same field.

On the drive back things got even better.

I spotted three different fawns along the roadside.

It was definitely a good day for wildlife.

When I got back to Memory Lane, it was finally time to get some real work done.

One of the first cleanup projects we tackled when we bought the property was dragging fallen logs into piles throughout the farm.

One of those piles has been sitting beside a field ever since.

Now that we have the new firewood racks, it finally seemed like the right time to organize it.

I fired up the splitter and got to work.

By the time I finished, I'd made a pretty respectable dent in the pile.

Once I got down to the smaller branches and pieces that weren't worth splitting, I decided it was time for a break.

While I was cooling off, I cleaned and refilled the hummingbird feeders and hung a few additional feeders around camp.

Hopefully they'll appreciate the extra dining options.

Then I remembered another wood pile.

This one has been sitting next to the pavilion for what I'd guess is seven to ten years.

Since the splitter was already out, I figured I might as well tackle some of that pile too.

Unfortunately, time hadn't been kind to it.

Much of the wood had already started rotting.

The pieces that were still worth splitting were absolutely saturated with water.

Even after splitting them, I imagine it'll take at least another year before they're dry enough to burn.

Still...

Progress is progress.

I know I probably should have spent the time working on the trees I cut down in the apple orchard.

I'll get there.

Everything has its turn.

By then I was hot enough that another cooldown break sounded like a pretty good idea.

After cooling off inside for a bit, I climbed back onto the mower.

I gave the orchard another quick cleanup and even pulled out the weed trimmer. But I did forget to look for apples.

That lasted until I ran out of line.

So now tomorrow's list has grown again.

Replace the trimmer line.

Finish the weed trimming.

Funny how every completed project creates another one.

Then I started another project.

The one I've been keeping under wraps.

I'm getting closer to showing everyone what I've been working on, but not quite yet.

I need just a little more time.

Of course, every tool I needed was still sitting over in the workshop.

Since we still don't have a side by side or utility vehicle, I found myself using the mower as my transportation back and forth.

I'd make a trip.

Realize I forgot a tool.

Drive back.

Grab another one.

Head back again.

Repeat.

By the end of the afternoon, I was hot, tired, and definitely not thinking as clearly as I had earlier in the day.

The project is coming together...

But if I'm being honest...

It looks a little janky at the moment.

I'm blaming that entirely on the heat and exhaustion.

Tomorrow I'll take another look with fresh eyes and hopefully make it look the way I originally imagined.

Satisfied with the progress, I headed back to camp.

Or at least I thought I was done.

Then I remembered one last thing.

The black tank needed to be pumped into the portable tote again.

So...

Back outside I went.

One more project.

One more thing crossed off the list.

Finally, I made it back inside.

A hot shower.

Some time to cool off.

And a simple steak sandwich for dinner.

Today wasn't filled with any huge accomplishments.

There weren't any major milestones.

But looking back, there were dozens of little improvements.

A wood pile organized.

More firewood split.

Hummingbird feeders refreshed.

The orchard cleaned up.

Another mystery project inching closer to completion.

Sometimes progress isn't measured by one big accomplishment.

Sometimes it's measured by all the little things that quietly move you forward.

Today was one of those days.

And honestly...

Those days are what Memory Lane is really built on.

~ Making Memories