Ridgetop - our place and how we muddle along

[Finnie]

There are still buildings in the downtowns here with the 1800's architecture, not every place tosses their history in the dumpster.

One thing that contributes to this (from my understanding) is that in the East, more buildings were made with stone and brick, which lasts, but out West, the settlers used a lot of clapboard, which didn’t last well. So their original towns had to be repaired and rebuilt more often.

But that might not actually apply to the west coastal cities, because they had ports and access to shipped materials. So I could be way off as far as that’s concerned. I was told this theory by a real estate agent in Minnesota when we were considering relocating there.

 

[Baymule]

Wow! Your DS2 has done a lovely job on the new deck. I know it’s not finished, but it looks fabulous already. Tell him you texted your Phone-A-Friend in Texas ( it’s a lie-really located in Malaysia with fake Texas accent) a picture of his handiwork and I approve. LOL

Once y’all get moved and get itchy feet, we can go to Brenham where they make Blue Bell and tour the factory. They have an ice cream shop with flavors not available commercially.


No plywood?? What’s this world coming to? Used elsewhere? Horrible.

I have to agree with @farmerjan , LOVE the view, but prefer terrain not so challenging. Even though there are gentle rolling hills around here, mine is flat. I’m ok with that.

@Bruce I’m glad you enjoyed the video.

 

[Ridgetop]

One thing that contributes to this (from my understanding) is that in the East, more buildings were made with stone and brick, which lasts, but out West, the settlers used a lot of clapboard, which didn’t last well. So their original towns had to be repaired and rebuilt more often.

Also, as towns were abandoned, people would take any good lumber for new buildings. Lumber was expensive. Some of the abandoned mining towns were just deconstructed and moved to a new location. Some of them the clapboard and wood just disintegrated or was eaten by termites. Of course, some of the towns were abandoned with the furnishings intact like Bodie in northern California. It is interesting to see that early people insulated their homes with straw between 2 walls. No wonder the towns could burn so fast! Early history is fascinating. The same thing happened to early man stone buildings where the stones ended up in farm walls, and castles where many towns and buildings were constructed from scavenged cut stone. Not to mention the buildings scattered across Europe where early Roman building stones keep turning up and pavements under buildings that were built on top of ruined settlements. These are a surprise to the finders, but if you consider people have known the value of a good building site from time immemorial. "Location, location, location"! LOL Can't you just hear the fellow with the ruined stone hut telling the newcomer about the great view and proximity to water? "Just needs some TLC to make it a showplace". LOL

Got my check from the auction yesterday. I was a little worried because she said prices the week before were low - only $80/head. She did say my sheep and lambs were much nicer but still . . . .
Sheep and got prices have been low for the past month so I was worried. I got the best prices I have ever gotten this time for my sheep. Don't know what prices were per lb. since the auction sells by the head. But very happy. That check will go into my farm account towards all the depressingly expensive things we need in the fencing department.

The dogs were up all night barking which meant that I was up most of the night checking for predators. Also need to encourage puppy Ozel that I hear her and am backing her up. The place across the gully is having some sort of TV/movie shoot and parked their crew vehicles and dressing rooms on the upper road. There were lights and people all night - not loud, but the dogs are not used to any lights or movement over there. Even the ewes in the creep were slightly freaked out about it - they were crowded into the barn, standing and facing the gully. Rika was not in with them, so I checked on them with a flashlight. The flashlight beam on the field upset the dogs even more! And Ozel is still learning what is normal here. She is a good little guardian and follows whichever dog around that is patrolling. Learning, learning, learning.

All grandkids are out of school now. DS1 is arranging for DGS1 and 2 to come over tomorrow or Thursday to help load all the junk metal for the metal yard. That will be a big job. He plans to use the truck and Datsun trailer. This is a little homemade trailer that Daddy (FIL) made out of his truck when the engine went bad. It is a Datsun truck bed with a tongue welded on. About 45 years old, BIL flipped it and broke the tail lights so we have to use the retro lights, and the body is a bit tweaked, but DH put new tires on it this year so we can use it. Not sure if we will bring it to Texas. DH might decide to put it on the flatbed, load it with stuff, and haul it back for use on the ranch.

DH had me go to Costco Business with him yesterday so I could see how it was different from the regular Costco. We saw a big chest freezer (6'+) that is rated for garage use so it has extra insulation. I have one in the milkshed which cost over $1000, and I had to wait for it during Covid. This one is available for $700, and we can pick it up now. I am seriously considering buying it. We can use to sort our frozen meat from DS2's and then bring it back to Texas with our frozen food in it with dry ice. Since it is rated for outside storage, once we run electric to the shed it can live there. For now it can join it's garage rated sibling in the milkshed, and we can bring home our 3 lambs and possibly half a steer. Andy said he wants at least half of the steer Kent found for us and possibly the whole thing based on price. Based on price DH may want half. I would just as soon wait for a steer in Texas since we currently have 3 full freezers, most of which is meat which we have to bring back.

DD2 and her husband are planning to move to Texas next year!
They are trying to get full custody of the older DGD and a "move order" allowing them to take her with them. Considering some of the things we have heard about the birth mother and her husband (since BM's parents who were the primary caregivers for BM moved a couple years ago) DD2 and DSIL2 would be the best situation for her. The stepfather used to take showers with her until she was 5 years old. I think he stopped when DSIL2 and DD2 complained to the judge. The mother does not respond to school requests for problem behavior conferences, and DD2 and DSIL2 are the ones who schedule all MD & DD appointments, etc., tke care of homework, etc. The BM and SF do other disturbing things too, such as telling Maysie to keep all interactions secret from DSIL2 and DD2. Worrying. If they cannot get a move away order, they say they will move anyway without Maysie but really want her with them. She wants to live with them full time (they have her 50% now) but at only 5- 6 years old the judge won't take her wishes into consideration yet. With DSIL working as a truck driver on big rigs he can work anywhere, and CA is getting too expensive for them. We will see how it plays out.

 

[Ridgetop]

No plywood?? What’s this world coming to? Used elsewhere? Horrible.

I think DS2 used it for DD1's doghouse. Palatial structure for young Sirius.

 

[SageHill]

But that might not actually apply to the west coastal cities, because they had ports and access to shipped materials. So I could be way off as far as that’s concerned. I was told this theory by a real estate agent in Minnesota when we were considering relocating there.

What I've been told when I went on the tours of the area when we first moved here in the 80s is that anything that was brought in on ships was considered high luxury. Bricks were $$$ so most things were built with what was around. There were not a lot of trees either -- mostly scrub brush. Adobe was the king - but even that wasn't easy.

 

[Bruce]

One thing that contributes to this (from my understanding) is that in the East, more buildings were made with stone and brick, which lasts, but out West, the settlers used a lot of clapboard, which didn’t last well. So their original towns had to be repaired and rebuilt more often.

True though if you watch the video you will see a lot of very nice stone buildings along with the wood ones. L.A. wasn't a wild west saloon town like we see in the old westerns. I imagine some of them could have been lost to earthquakes, not something a lot of the country doesn't have to deal with. But my guess is $$$! Rip down the old buildings and put up taller "modern" ones.

Also, as towns were abandoned, people would take any good lumber for new buildings. Lumber was expensive.

Way back, when people were moving west, they would burn the house so they could get the nails out. That was when all nails were hand forged and pricey, not something most people could do but they could cut trees to make new structures.

 

[murphysranch]

My DD got full custody of GD when the bio father went to jail! Years later, just three years ago, SIL adopted Miss S.

Bio father is still a loser and a convicted felon.

Lets hope that is the scenario for your GD, so she settles with them, instead of her horrible mom.

 

[Ridgetop]

Hope so. The BM's parents used to take care of the child for the first 3 years. The BM did not work or go to school, just lived at home and had fun. Their other daughter was married and had a baby 2 years ago and they decided to move back east to be with her. They sold their house and told BM that she was on her own. Up to that point they had paid for attorney's fees to fight DSIL2 for custody. I think they got tired of BM and her attitude. We will have to see.

The tree trimmers are here today trimming the palm tree, trimming the tree over the roof to 24" above roofline (as per fire code), removing/trimming broken branches and dead wood, and hauling off all the tree rubbish from the field.

This evening DS1 and DH have decided they will go pick up that freezer from Costco. I will go down to the milk shed and start bringing up some of the metal trash to clear a spot for it. This freezer is 15.7 cubic feet while the one we already have is 21.7 cf. This one should fit in the Yantis laundry room better. I will have to move the dryer over to put this one crosswise across the end of the room since the area that is open for a refrigerator/freezer is near the door. This freezer is still $200 cheaper than at Lowes and is garage rated with a power loss alarm just like the larger one we have in the milkshed. We will take this one back to Texas with a bunch of frozen meat packed in it. Then the second one can go back after Christmas with the rest of our meat. If we end up splitting the steer with DS3, we will have enough room. We should have enough room with 2 freezers for meat for 3 people. Or should I reserve this new freezer for Blue Bell?

Update on Ozel. DH has been taking her out in the am on a leash to keep her from chasing sheep as they gallop from their night pen to what is left of the forage. This morning he eft her in the other yard and went to release the sheep. She came through the upper area and into the sheep pen. He made her sit next to him as he opened the gate. She didn't move. Neither did the sheep! LOL He went in to chase them out and they still wouldn't leave the pen. He Ozel was still sitting there quietly so he called her over to him and chased the sheep out. Oel remained sitting quietly. Once he left the pen she walked sedately next to him. NO chasing! We will keep an eye on her in case she breaks training, but this was BIG for DH.

Ozel follows the older LGDs around and mimics their behavior. Se s becoming particularly close with Angel. Rika is showing her age more and more. DH is worried about her. She is not eating well. I told DH to decrease her kibble. Now I am wondering if she has sore teeth, and we might want to soak her kibble before feeding. He wants to take her to the vet. All 3 dogs are due for rabies vax so I might make an appointment for her. No appointment needed for vaccinations so hate to do an appointment for $125 office visit if there is nothing wrong except old age.

Nicholas had a high fever 102.7 all day yesterday. DDIL2 kept giving him Tylenol but he would vomit immediately so couldn't get fever down. Finally, took him to emergency room at 9:00pm. They got home at 6:00am! Doctor diagnosis - bad cold. However, they did give DDIL2 suppositories for fever reduction. Robert woke up about an hour after parents left. Wouldn't go back down. DH kept him on his lap and finally brought him to sleep with us. No go! Not interested! Cried for his mom. Uncle DS1 came in and Robert held put his arms pitifully. DS1 took him away and we went to sleep. Robert finally dozed off and DS1 put him back to bed. An hour later he was up again. He and DS1 watched cartoons till 1:00 am when they went to bed. Up at 7:00 am. Watched cartoons on my lap for a couple hours till mom came out of room. Now they are all taking a nap. The rest of us > .

 

[Ridgetop]

Changed our minds about buying the freezer just yet. Instead, I will go through the freezers and sort out what is in them. Might be able to use up the food and repack items to save space. Freezers will go on sale for Labor Day and again around Christmas so no need to rush into spending almost $1000 right now. In fact, might be better to buy an upright freezer for Yantis, although I don't like uprights - stuff tends to fall out on my feet!

Heading down to start bringing up metal for metal yard. Tree people are finished and gone.

 

[Baymule]

I put plastic tubs in my upright freezers. I measured the shelves and went to Walmart.