June 21, 2008

 fter work last night, I worked on the front pasture fence until the mosquitoes got too annoying and I decided to leave that last heavy rail until tomorrow morning after I ate something. The day turned into a warm one after the cool start in the morning, so even by 7 pm, it was hot work getting the spikes into the 4-5" logs and 3-4" posts with only a finishing hammer. The fence does not look very tall, but it is 5 foot to the top rail. It is a fair trick getting the rails to stay put and stay even with only myself, before I get the spikes in. Other than the skeets and when I drop one end too many times does it get wearisome. I actually like fencing. I thought the rails were 20's but when I looked at them again, they are 15's long. However, they feel like they must be 40 feet long and 200# when you are lifting those last couple rails on. 

I plan on eventually doing the whole front pasture in log rails, but for now with funds, time constraints, materials at hand and the logs still standing in the back 40, I had to do a combination of log and 5 strand barbwire. I was kinda dubious on how it would look done, but it actually does not look bad at all.  All the corners are done in log to give the fence strength instead of bracing the corners traditionally.

I woke up early this morning, hoisted up that last heavy log by 6 am, then ran the barb and got the front pasture done before 10 am. Then got the animals in.  I forgot to pick up the chain saw, so I cannot even the ends out for 2 weeks now.

After the fencing, I went to work and got home from work at 9pm. After a bit to eat and a little rest, I will probably work on the magazine until 1-2 am before work tomorrow at 7 am. 

My yellow Iris's have started to bloom.