I do not recall when the thought of building a retreat facility first crossed my mind. Perhaps it was the first time I signed a check for thousands of dollars for a place to take our staff, or maybe the day I signed a check for tens of thousands to host our Extreme Youth Leadership summer camp. I do remember once in college creating a business plan for a retreat center. (Do you know how much water 100 people would use in one day? That is water in and water out…)

The plan showed me how many days I would have to sell to offset the expense of building and maintaining the facility. How much does one hundred mattresses cost? And then you need one hundred sheets, blankets, pillows, covers, bed frames… What kind of commercial grade kitchen would we want? How much is a food warmer or commercial ice box? I was overwhelmed at an almost $1,000,000 project. Time to scale back. Instead of focusing on what we could not do we asked, “What can we do?

We stayed at a “Quilting” retreat center and I was amazed that clubs like quilters and scrap bookers were looking for a place to get away for a weekend.  The facility was small and run by a couple. This is doable I thought.

Then when our son’s were married at very beautiful locations, (and I saw the price paid for their event centers) I decided that this would be an excellent way to create income while helping small groups afford a place to get away. (as well as family gatherings)

 

Now, how does one go about building a retreat center? Pray first, “Is this a mission or just busy work”? If it is a mission then is it MY mission?

Next- get fired from a 19 year career. (This provided the time necessary to do the following) The firing part was God’s plan, He brought me there and then removed me, providing everything I/ we needed all along the way.

Then- Build a small home to live in after you have sold your big home for more than I could believe it was worth. (This would later provide the cash to buy the property and pour the foundation) Thanks to $100+ bbl oil prices.

Search for property and wait on God, and wait on God, and wait on God, and wait on God, and wait on God, and wait on God, and wait on God. We looked at several lots but nothing said “buy me”. Then one day Brenda sent the link, the property was back on the market. Call, negotiate, contract, quick…

Brenda had actually found this property online earlier but it was under contract. The contract fell thru and we were able to step in and make the purchase.

Moore Acres was purchased by Mitchell & Brenda Moore on February 27, 2015.

After a two year search, God presented us with this wonderful opportunity.

The 16.226 acres had been owned by Ferris Joseph since the 1960’s. He had manicured a wonderful picnic area, pond, dock, and bridge. Complete with picnic tables and electricity, Mr. Joseph and his family used this as a recreational area for many years.

Amazed at the purchase, we went and walked and smiled and said thanks to God. We could not and sometimes still do not believe that this is our property…

What we are building- A 3000 sq ft facility to host training, gatherings, weddings, meetings and fun.

We received a bid from on April 5, 2015 and County Approval on June 4, 2015 to install a 600 gallon aerobic septic system. After much rain and equipment getting stuck in the slick mud, the septic was finally installed.

 

We went down during March 2015 (Spring Break) prepared to build a cabin but got rained out. We learned about chiggars (red bugs) and got the suburban stuck on the first night.

Fortunately we were able to utilize a very nice 5th wheel from Bendee & Venitia Smith. This was much better than sleeping in a tent. (We were prepared to do this but not in anyway excited about it)

During the next few months we built a small cabin on an 2″ pipe frame (the frame had been part of a shed we tore down in 1994 and had been laying around every since). We used a large 4’x4′ window given to us by James Moore and bought 4 other windows at the Habitat for Humanity in Las Cruces NM.

Most of the property is so over grown that you could not walk through it. We tried to clear the thick vines and trees but it was a futile effort.

In June we purchased a used travel trailer and went down for the week to complete the cabin and enjoy the property.

After much contemplation about what to build and where to build we decided to use an area close to the existing electric pole, mainly because it was already cleared. We dreamed and drew plans. Placing a 4’x8′ white board on the wall at our home in Greenwood, we drew plans, walked by them, re-thought them, re-designed them, erased it all and started over from scratch. Over 100 plan changes later we finally decided upon building a wood frame building with a metal roof. After sending these ideas out to family and friends and making more changes, Clifford Moore drew up our (final ?- I don’t think so) blueprints. After a few great family/ friend meals we locked it up for the winter.

During December we made more changes to the plan and I purchased a 55 h.p. tractor with a sweet “rock bucket” to clear the land.

I was traveling/ working 6 out of the 8 weeks in January and February of 2016 and trying to get the slab poured. Our surveyor recommended a local commercial contractor and after 2 hrs of discussion we began negotiating terms for the contract.  He would dig 30″ trenches every 10′-12′ and need 110 cubic feet of concrete to complete the job. I was accustomed to 12″ trenches and estimated about 40 cubic yards of concrete. I was beside myself at the expense, this foundation would wipe out most of what I had planned to use for the entire building. He didn’t know when we would pour so I decided to buy the material and start building trusses in Greenwood. After getting bids I was about to order the lumber when the call came. Mr. Moore we will be onsite in the morning to get the forms ready. Excellent, I am glad that I had not ordered the truss material, I was headed down the road on that 325 mile journey again.

I stayed in the cabin for a week while 10 men and some excellent trenching equipment constructed the forms, included in the bid was a plumber (so that I would not be holding the concrete crew up waiting on me to rough in the plumbing if I was not available) After the plumbing went in the crew laid in the steel, the next day the pump truck showed up and concrete began to flow. 6 hrs later the crew had smoothed the slab to be ready to stain and seal.

On March 2016 I wrote the check and as the concrete cured we made a trip to Las Cruces for the week.

April Fools- So I loaded all my tools and clothes to last me for a couple of weeks, purchased the lumber to start framing, had to change the delivery date because of the rain, got the lumber on the slab and covered up right before a flood. IDK how many inches of rain came down but i was definitely “rained out”.

The rain filled the pond.

Upon returning to Greenwood and stewing for a couple of days, unable to build I decided to order the metal for the roof and after delivering it I would bring back some lumber to build the trusses in Greenwood. Calculating how to build and the transport 40′ trusses became the project to keep my mind busy for the next few days.

This is my first time to build trusses. After much research, downloaded truss software (which measured in metric), several attempts at a template, and lots of 2×4’s cut up I finally have a simple pattern. After two days of cutting lumber I am finally ready to start assembly. For those who want to know why I did not just have them built, it was all about price. My material cost =$58 per truss- The bids came in around $150 per truss. Cost savings = $2,852 for 31 trusses.

Finally finished, loaded & ready to travel.

After much delay and a few set backs I will be headed down with the last load of trusses.

Summertime!

The summer was busy. I was on the road training 73 out of the 92 days of summer 2016.

I brought the last load of trusses down in August and……. “It was raining”…..

 

Maybe we can get some walls up after Labor Day. When I arrived in September the rain had produced a few weeds!

  

The mornings were wet, then the cloud cover left and the sun came out. Nothing like working in 95% humidity with 95 degree temperature.

Finally in September, the first wall went up.

 

Benjamin Moore, James Moore and Brent Blackburn all came out and helped put up some walls.

 

With the walls up, we purchased 8″ cedar post for the front porch. Brent came back out and helped mix cement for the 20″ piers. The next day I stood up and braced the post.

 

I used a Laser Light level to mark the cedar post. Then I cut the tops with a chainsaw. With more rain on the way I headed back to Midland, where it was raining! Even with the humidity in the Permian Basin, it didn’t feel as hot.

 

 

After setting the headers, it was time to add the top plates and begin setting trusses.

             
After the trusses were in placed I closed up the west wall and then added the interior walls. I have now used up all of my 2×4 studs.   Next- hanging the gutters and putting on the sheet metal. How do you hold a 20′ gutter and then level it and nail it ? With gutter hangers of course!

 

 

21′ Sheet metal posed a challenge but I got it done! At least one side before I went home to rest (and dry out).

    

I saw some cool things at the property this month. Beautiful sunsets, turkey making their way down to the pond for a drink, foggy mornings and spiders getting ready for Halloween.

      

I also had a helper show up! Lexi explored most of the building.

 

It is now October 15th, 2016. I have a week of SAPS Training in Kentucky next week, then 2 weeks to get this place dried in before fall sets in and I leave again. Progress !

The sheet metal is 21′ 6″ long. I had a difficult time staying motivated so I would install 3 at a time.

Finally finished with the roof.

Time to start on the end gable.

Next – windows and doors!

 

January 2017

David and Maddie Myers came out and welded a beam for the big room.

We had AC installed.

I have been working on the electric rough in so we can get the spray foam insulation in February 2017.

Spray Foam changed everything!

Now to the water rough in.

Some messy, some organized. I love working with pex pipe.

  

So I went to the store to buy enough sheetrock to finish the back bedroom and ended up getting enough to do 1/2 of the house. Because a forklift smashed the corner of a stack of sheetrock, they discounted it from $13.62 to $6.50 per sheet. Not bad but after additional negotiations I got it for $4.80 per sheet.

Now I have to unload the stuff. 5/8″ 4′ x 8′ and 4′ X 12′ double sheets are heavy.

Working smarter, not harder!

Ready to hang some sheetrock!

We began working on one room & one bath.

  

We have completely finished one bedroom & bathroom.

 

 

Spring 2017

Lainey helped plant a Pecan Tree

We spent some time spring break enjoying the property and each other.

 

    

 

David & Maddie worked on the bridge.

We layed some asphalt.

I got the bee traps set, garden beds planted and enjoyed the wildlife.

Summertime! June, July & August have been booked. I was on the road training 64 out of the 92 days of summer 2017. Hopefully we will continue finishing this project in the fall.

Hurricane Harvey filled up the pond but we had no damage.

I am always looking for a sale and I thought saving $429 was a great deal!

September 2017- we began sheet rocking again.

   

We also cooked out and engaged our lead propellant devices.

October 2017

I came across this guy when I arrived on the property.

We got a mailbox. Does this make us official?

I never get tired of mirror image pictures

We worked on the front room to be able to move into it before Thanksgiving.

Good thing I labeled those wires.

What a great month for such a blessing.

November has arrived and we are purchasing more sheetrock.

The King, our neighbors to the east had their 49th annual Boy scout event complete with a huge bonfire.

I set up our hot tub, ahhhhhhh.

We enjoyed Thanksgiving with family.

 

December 2017

I started on the master bedroom and bath

Almost complete

Here are some before and after pictures.

December 8th- winter for a day!

Tractor back from the shop, 2 years old now.

Visitors

December 20th- view from the south side.

Time to close it up and get ready for Christmas. See ya in 2018!

January started with interior sheet rock!

 

While the sheet rock is far from finished the stack that was in the hall is now on the wall!

Thanks to Caleb Moseley for helping sheet rock.

When you get tired of sheet rocking you get on the tractor!

Hanging a 12′ piece is always a challenge.

     

 

I always forget the piece over the door.

I must quit going to town w/o my trailer.   $445 worth of lumber for $95.

90% off.   I couldn’t resist.  #poorsuburbaninterior   

         Another great deal.   $2,657 for $336. 87% off!   Now to unload and sort!

Headed down with another load.

 

Building  and setting up the truss table and this happened!

Cutting out pieces to build 40′ trusses this week.

 

   

Building Trusses.

 

 

Trusses finished and wrapped for the rain.

Hoping to get the walls up on the big room next week, then set trusses and metal roof.

North wall up.

I haven’t seen this side of the slab in a while.

Lumber moved, ready to build the south wall.

South wall up.

You were warned! Wood dust causes cancer in California.

Those big windows are going to be great.

Early morning load of sheet metal headed to the building.

Straightening a warped wall, after being exposed to the elements for a year.

A little early to park inside?

Checking the distance on the 40′ wall. Not bad.

March 1, 2018 Time to set the trusses

   

     

Spring Break we added some fish to the pond.

Ruby & Caleb learned more about taping, floating and teamwork.

We added boards to the bridge.

Since we did not leave spacing between them this happened after the first rain.

Not to worry, we haven’t secured them to the frame yet.

Working Smarter, not harder!

I appreciate the rain, it slowed my work but filled the pond.

Mushrooms anyone?

Temporary kitchen sink cabinet.

3/4 OSB went up to $25 per sheet- ouch!

April 2018 Time to put the metal roof on.

1st attempt to use the tractor instead of my back. 

The sheet metal is 21′ long and the wind created some challenges. Attempt 2.

   

A little better. I learned as I went along.

 Tie it off!   

View from the top

View from the bottom

Start the South side

James Moore stopped by to help. It was a nice cloudy overcast day. We finished before the rain fell.

Roof on! Time to put the metal on the side.

MADD Welding installed the AC stand

I made some temporary garage doors out of the old truss tables.

Front door added

1st time to use the hall into the big room!

Already filling up the big room…

Oops- time to clean out the big room.

May 2018

So I thought I would place the Air Conditioning condenser in the attic and sheet rock another time but we decided to go with a different system. That means we need to insulate, sheet rock, tape & float and then paint first….

           

The big room is painted and the air conditioning works.

 

June, July & August 2018- My summer was filled with training across the State so we didn’t get a lot completed during the summer.

Also it rained, and rained and rained.

 

We began to move from Greenwood and are grateful to have a large room to place all of our belongings in. 

 

September 2018

Should we rent a “box on wheels” or just use what we have?

Moving more of our stuff to the property this month and trying to fit it all in.

  

October 2018- Flooding in Texas.

 

In October we began building cabinets. (after a quick trip to NYC!)

Turning plywood into custom cabinets!

Jig for building face fronts.

Checking for size!

November 2018

The King, our neighbors to the east, celebrated their 50th annual Boy scout event complete with a huge bonfire.

Designing corner cabinets to utilize all of the space in the hidden corner.

The bees were getting a “bit of sugar” before the cold front. They cleaned out half a honey bottle and a pound of sugar.

Cabinets built- time to build the drawers. 

Checking for fit.

We went to Las Cruces for a week then Iraan for Thanksgiving.

We ended November at a Tamale Making Class.

December 2018

Time to prime, sand and paint the cabinets.

 

The cabinets were hung in the kitchen with care,
it was quite a challenge to get everything square.
The walls a bit crooked, straight ceilings are rare,
keep everything level and get a screw in up there.
Now it’s time to step back, take a long look or stare, 
It’s my first time to build cabinets and they turned out pretty fair.

 

Time to build counter tops and try the “Marble” epoxy finish. Mix epoxy part A with part B, add white paint. Pour, trial, chop, torch, torch, torch, wait. Now I have to keep it all at above 75 degrees for the next 72 hours.

Adding 2nd (clear) coat below.

   

Finished Cabinets

January 2019 – Cabinets in, time to cut doors and drawer fronts. After sweeping (repeatedly) all of the sawdust out of the big room I decided to move my makeshift shop onto the back porch.

 

I took all of the 1×4, 1×6, 1×8, 1×10 & 1×12’s from the culled lumber I bought as well as a load of boards my dad brought up (from his culled lumber pile) and turned them into 450′ of 3″ base trim and 325′ of 21/4″ door trim. I am grateful to have a table saw and planer. One day I “made” 3 trash cans of wood shavings. If anyone has 100 hamster cages, I have enough pine shavings to fill them all.

  

Time to paint those cabinet doors in my makeshift paint booth.

What is the quickest way to paint 75 boards?

     All at once, of course!      

Building a 30′ Counter in the “big room”

September 2019- Setting up the “big room”- 1st event.

We had a 20′ X 40′ carport built , now we have a place to park out of the weather (hail)

Time for an adventure !!

Added siding

 

    

Added ADA ramps

 

January 8, 2020-  I planted 4 Celeste Fig, 2 Texas Everbearing fig & 2 Ayers pear trees around South side of the pond. Also- 6 Arapahoe & 1 free crabapple tree in pots. All from Legg Creek Farms, Douglass TX

January 12, 2020- I tried to drill 3 post holes at the front gate. I could only get about 1 foot deep before I hit a large root from the Oak tree. I also tried to “drill around” another post at the front gate but it still will not come out of the ground. The auger is stuck under a root and I had to back it out with a pipe wrench.

Planned, built & installed a front gate

     

 

March 2020

10th- My facebook post- CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) prevention: Wear this protection device. To date, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in your county or any of your adjoining counties. There are 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Texas so you should probably be catastrophizing everything. There is currently no evidence of community spread in Texas but you should stock up on toilet paper just in case. The Texas Department of Knowledgeable People has indicated that the risk to most Texans remains low but you should stock up on bottled water anyway..

 

I had some tractor problems and had to figure out how to load the tractor on a trailer without a wheel.

Bluebonnets again this year at the front gate

March 18- 2020- We went to New Braunfels to buy eight 20 week old laying hens. We left early to be able to get in line before the rush. They said the chickens would arrive from Gonzales Tx after lunch, we finally got them at 5:50 pm. Glad to have them. 8 chickens and one nervous rooster for $130.

Built a movable skid based chicken coop and added 8 pullets and 1 rooster (Lexi named it Hey Hey)

March 23, 2020- I put the door on the “little red hen coop” but the chickens did not come out. Checked the bees, doing well. I added a second deep box and removed the feeder. I saw the queen in the east box. Brood in both. 4 ruby slipper oakleaf hydrangeas are planted at the front gate. Bluebonnet’s are bloomed. Bees are bringing in pollen like crazy. Chickens are scratching. Fish and turtles are swimming. Home school is happening. Sun is shining. God is in charge. All is well.

March 27th, 2020- Lexi built a Leprechaun trap for school today. She got to use the drill on some boxes then asked if she could use it on the walls. Bees are looking at/ moving into a swarm trap out in the junk yard. I added a hinged wall on the chicken coop with a devise to open and close the inside door from the outside. Lexi & I went for a wagon ride across the property until she said that it was hot and was ready to go inside.

March 29, 2020- Great day to be outside, low temp, low humidity. Disked, plowed, raked several garden beds & then planted 300” of sunflowers down the East fence line. Broke a 5/8” bolt (sheared) on the plow.

Planted 300 plus sunflowers and a bee mix of flowers down the fence line

March 30, 2020- Moved the chicken coop, planted 200 corn seeds, plowed & raked a garden area. LOTS of cedar roots.

March 31, 2020- Covid 19 news- another month of quarantine, no school until May. Estimated 100,000 people in America will die from this pandemic. We have lost $99,080 in our 401K since January 29^th.  24.7%

 

April 2020

Finishing the front gate area.

Added 4 ruby slipper oak hydrangeas

We caught 2 bee swarms

Aapril 15, 2020- Today we let the chickens out to roam while we were in the hot tub. Lexi told me that I was “rooster bocker”. I called “Hey, Hey” well.

 

April 17, 2020- I did a cut out in Houston

April 21, 2020- 5 eggs today, Lexi told the chickens’, “Thanks for your eggs, were going to eat them tomorrow for breakfast”.

May 2, 2020- Lexi and I walk outside and looked at the chickens, garden & bee hives. She now knows that bees pollinate, make honey from nectar, produce their own comb and use it to store honey and bee eggs for babies. 3rd- . Lexi and I opened up the chicken coop, looked at the garden and bee hives. She asked if she could name the queen bee Caroline.

4th- May 4, 2020- We were all awaken by a rooster crowing in the screened in porch at 1 am. Whaaaat? Why are the 5 chickens not in the pen? Close your eyes, I’m going to turn on the lights and transport them to the coop.  Got all of the chickens in the pen before dark, all the hens went in and then the rooster called them back out, I chased him and one hen for a while then they went in.

May 24th- Stupid weather reporters kept interrupting the TV with not much to report.  It might rain between 1 & 7”, and a tornado could get stirred up. Really…”Please send us pictures of the hail in your area, but don’t go outside if its hailing”.

June 21, 2020- Hot &humid. Worked on bee feeders, added a box to 20.2, moved swarm to stand, all ok. They are all bringing in resources and making honey. While we were in the hot tub Brenda said, “What’s that smoke behind the house?” I jumped out of the hot tub to discover the apiary on fire. The plastic box that holds all of my equipment and the table it sat on was on fire. After throwing 2 buckets of water on it I connected some water hoses and put the fire out. Everything destroyed, hot enough to melt the aluminum frame pullers. Scorched one bee hive but I hope all is ok inside. While I was spraying water the bees were tagging me and buzzing me. Thank you God for saving us. This could have been a disaster with dry grass and dead wood everywhere. We almost did not go into the hot tub as lexi was dressing slowly. God saved us, just in time. I still do not know how the tub caught fire internally. Possibly a spark from the smoker? It only takes a spark…. Estimated loss is $957.00

July 13, 2020-  Record 108 degrees at Camp Mabry, Mostly stayed inside after 9 am.

September 17, 2020- Lexi had her online meet the OT school staff at 10am. She showed off by playing soccer/ hockey in the hall with her braces and crutches. She watched Governor Abbott press conference at lunch with me and we discussed him being in a wheel chair. She asked if he could reach high things and what was that guy doing behind him waving his arms and hands around (sign language interpreter) She really liked ruby being here all day so she could show her how things work at home school.

November 2020- Ruby, Ben & I mixed and poured 600 sq ft of concrete for the front porch, 6×10 sections at a time.

December 16, 2020 – I bought 8- 5gallon containers at Tractor Supply, filled 4 up with diesel. Got a few supplies at Walmart including bleach & propane. Picked up groceries and bought 50 # beans and rice, Stew meat, canned tuna and chicken & pork tenderloin at Sam’s. Preparing just in case. IDK what may happen in America or locally during the next few weeks.

I wrote a check for $6,678.45 for 2020 property taxes. I compiled all of the information documenting 5+ years of beekeeping on the property to apply for Ag exemption in 2021.

January 5, 2021- Another nice warm 70 degree “winter” day. I drilled holes and cemented 4×4 posts into the ground at the south side of the property. I should end up with a 20 x 40 bee yard. I am also incorporating the chicken yard into the bee yard so that the chickens can help keep the weeds and beetles maintained. Lexi and I watched the price is right this morning and let’s make a deal this afternoon, now it’s time to go pickup groceries. 6th- What a day, speeches, protests, rioters, congress disrupted, now Congress resumes…I spent all day online looking for truth. 8th- “Around 6,200 National Guard troops from Washington, D.C., and six states have been mobilized to help police provide security in the capital. All of the military personnel will reach the capital by the weekend, he said. “These personnel and these security measures will be in place for no less than the next 30 days,” McCarthy said.” I hope we are prepared and that our friends and family are safe.

January 23, 2021- I dug a ditch for the new water & electric line. Buried 1”pipe and 12 gauge electric line. Connected the buried electric from the main breaker to the front gate. Connected the new water line. I hope there are no leaks.

February 9, 2021- Getting ready for a freeze, drained the water lines, secured the bees, covered up the pipes, made a cage to bring Patches in, watched the initial impeachment hearings. 11th- Moved all the plants inside. Roads & trees iced over this morning, cancelled our grocery pickup in Bastrop. Put a heat lamp in the chicken pen, need to do something for the bees. 12th- Muddy, icy mess. Just above freezing. Wifi is SLOW this morning. We all cut fruit for the dehydrator “experiment” with Lexi. Wrapped the bees, wind blocked. Ready for the snow. 13th- Trump acquitted in impeachment Senate trial. Some discretion in whether to call witnesses and weather the supporters called for the Calvary or cavalry. After voting to call witnesses the defense said they had a list of over 300, including Polosi, and would delay the Senate from their work of approving Biden’s cabinet. They took a second vote and declined to call witnesses. Ha, what a show- no solid evidence, just “reportedly” videos of rioting & media reports. 14th- Everything is frozen, expecting another cold blast to come in tonight.

15th- 3.5 inches of snow and sunshine this morning. Rolling electric outages haven’t affected us. Still warm inside and thankful. Lexi and ruby “went out” this morning. The snow is beautiful- supposed to be in the 60’s by the 18^th…. Welcome to Texas. We lost water tonight but not electricity. The brisket in in the oven at 225. 16th- Everything is still frozen, Weather.com says its 6 degrees in Lockhart at 7am. “Hard Freeze” Forecasting a high of 28 today. We still have electricity but no water. Lots of Austin has no power. Poweroutage.us says out of 12.5 million tracked in Texas 4.1 million have lost power. Caldwell county has a 21% outage rate. Good day, we got water back and filled everything. Bryson called about hooking a generator up to his house heater. Josh & Ben household doing well. Just a few more days then 70 degrees. 17th- “Looks like we will have liquid rain this morning turning into frozen rain this afternoon” the weather reporter said, 29 degrees and clear this morning, we have had electricity the entire time- blessed. 18th- 28 degrees this morning feels warm. Ice crunching underfoot, no water but warn inside. Delighted that we have electricity and that I can track my daily usage with Bluebonnet Electric. 19th- Freezing through noon today then thawing out. 24 degrees at 7 am, on the porch. We still have water & electricity. 41 degrees and sunshine at 9am. Dumbass animals, won’t go inside tonight/

April 16, 2021- 6th- Bid of $6,000 for the 20×40 plus $5,000 for 3 walls and $2,600 for 2 roll up doors. Yuck, I think I’ll buy a welder and do it myself. Checked on steel prices in Seguin & San Angelo.

May 1, 2021- Rain, rain, rain- last night and off and on this morning. The pond is overflowing and the ground is saturated. Came home and played Mario Cart, went out on the porch and watched it rain, Lexi played in the water. I wired the porch, need about 20 more feet of wire. 10th-Crazy hot- 3 showers and finished with the porch! 11th- Electric connected, signal booster moved, ac duct ran through wall. Paint anyone? I found a 5 gallon bucket of paint that has been sitting way too long. It did not mix well.

June 5th- Finished painting the sun room, mowed until I got the mower stuck. Buried it up to the frame in mud and spun the left rear tire flat. 6th- Sun room is 99.99% finished, tools out and put up.  10th- I prepped and sprayed the front porch brown. 20th- I replaced the diaphragms on the air pump for the septic system. Warning light still going off. 21st- I mowed, fixed 2 weed eaters, fixed switch on septic alarm, got into the pool (to test it of course). 27th- It rained off and on. I placed 2 pc of metal on the underside of the porch, humid & wet, I quit.

July 1, 2021- Lexi flown to San Antonio for emergency surgery. Thank you God that she is alive today. Most of this month was spent in San Antonio.

September 14, 2021- I am moving slowly after recovering from pneumonia. I went outside and filled the tractor and mower with fuel, did some weed eating until the battery died , went to town to refill fuel tanks and pick up groceries. 28th- Hot and humid this morning. I did very little outside. I am bored but don’t want to do anything. Just another restless day. Ready for the rain. 100 degrees and humid today. Lots of thunder and lightning, rain from 10 pm- 3 am. 30th- Lazy day, set the burn pile on fire, patches found an old leather glove and taunted me with it, I removed the 2 raccoons from the traps.

October 6, 2021- Finishing trim on porch ceiling. 16th- Finally- a nice cool morning. Drove to Bastrop with Brenda, one roadside vendor had turkeys, chickens, dove, quail, parakeets, miniature pigs, baby pigs, and a lot of other chickens. $15 per hen & $25 per rooster. $150 per turkey- ouch.  Put up trim on 4×6 windows and both west doors. Prepped 3 doors on the porch, ready for trim tomorrow. My legs were very sore today, I need to stretch.  20th- Home and waiting for 50 quail eggs to arrive, incubator is ready. Cleaned out the chicken coop (poop and dead rooster) Changed the door to open outward and put some barriers around the bottom. Something (coon?) was trying to dig under last night.

November 8, 2021- I moved 16 baby quail, the size of a quarter, out of the incubator this morning. Already drinking and looking for food.

December 5, 2021- I gave the quail a small bowl of sand and you would have thought I built them an amusement park. They devoured, dusted and fought over the sand baths. As soon as one would get in, 2-3 others would push it out. 8th- Today I began to plan the hoop house/ quail pen system. 10th- I hooked up the tiller and tilled the garden then began building a 12’ X 30’ hoop house.

March 3, 2022 I finished the hoop house, complete with a $20 storm door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 2022- Bobcats attacked and killed chickens in broad day light. Time to set out the traps. One female bobcat, her cub & 3 possums trapped out. I did not catch the coyotes but saw them on camera.