June 2, 2008

got home from work about 7pm last night (started at 6 am), did chores and then did a 5 minute weekly project as per my New Year's Resolution. The outdoor clothesline has been broken for some time previous to me being single, either from a very strong wind or someone hanging from it. The cast iron wheel broke right where it hangs on the hook near the house.  I picked up a new one that was on sale at the feed store a couple weeks ago and decided to brave the mosquitoes last night and get the job done. The wind picked up and then it started to sprinkle a bit of rain, so the weather kept the mosquitoes at bay for awhile. 

It took longer than five minutes, but I didn't do a five minute project last week, so it worked out. I had to take down the electrical line which was attached right below the clothesline and of course had been my nemesis when the clothes line was not broken, so I un-tacked the fencing staples from the tree (I did not staple the tree!) and liberated the power cord. I will find a better way  of running power up to the barns.

I then had to cut the cable with a chisel and a hammer, as I seem to need to add a pair of wirecutters to my tool box. I then managed to get all the ends together with a bit of fast foot action as my arms were not long enough to be able to grab both ends of the clothes line at once to hook together with clamps. Stepping as far as I could to adhere end "A" to the ground, I could then stretch my arms as far as I could without moving my foot to then pull the other end "B" to get "A" & "B" to touch ....Nothing to it!!! The clothes line is all ready for use, now that I am not using the woodstove heat anymore to dry the clothes with.

'Crystal' is back to her normal self again (just an off day for her I guess) and the calf is 'feeling her oats'. However, I did not give her any oats! 'Blossom' has been ripping around and bucking up a storm. Crazy urchin!