All Decked Out!

Our decks have been completed!

The contractor did a great job on both.  They're super solid and look terrific. The hog wire siding and extra wide steps, and their placements, we requested really make them stand out.

Front Deck 10'x20' -

Back Deck 8'x25' -

We had to have them redo the front stairs railing.  Seems they forgot what we wanted and what we had originally discussed.  They installed with the hog wire running downhill, tsk tsk tsk, it looked just awful.

Before -

They happily redid them and it looks fantastic now, makes a BIG difference.

After -

Having the two big decks is SO much better than having (3) separate smaller decks, one for each door, which is the standard with this manufactured home - (2) 4'x4' and (1) 8'x8'.  Glad we opted to upgrade now!

We're Officially A Gated Community!

We've successfully install two (12') galvanized farm gates at the entrances to our farm!

The first gate is at the main entrance. We also added some attractive curb appeal eye candy fencing too -

Here are a couple before pictures of what the same main entrance looked like before we began any work on the property.  As you can see it was WELL overgrown and inaccessible -

We installed the second twelve-footer off the Oakdale lot -

Here are a couple before pictures of what the Oakdale entrance looked like before we began any work on the property.  As you can see it was too was overgrown.  However, this entrance was used as the main access point onto the main property the last dozen or two dozen years, which you can tell by the worn tire ruts -

Surely, this will keep the rift-raft out...

A Mole In A Hole

We found, and rescued, this Eastern Mole yesterday in one of the post hole holes we dug last week -

There's no mistaken this dude with it's velvety gray fur, tiny, tiny eyes, pointed snout and almost invisible ears.

They spend almost their entire lives underground, tunneling and feeding on insects and earthworms, so us seeing this one was pretty unusual.

Kinda cute for a rodent.

Can I Get An Amen!

They don't call this area the "Bible Belt" for nutt'n!

Churches galore, all denomination these days, dot the landscape here in East Tennessee.  From major cities and on major roads, to tiny obscure buildings off the beaten path on windy and twisty back roads. Their signage can be seen all over, along roadways, at intersections, even at the ends of driveways.

Remember, Jesus loves you -

Here are just a handful of signage samples that I stopped and captured when out exploring.  Some are pretty creative too -

Although, I couldn't find a bible reference to this one below, nor on the Google machine, I'm fairly certain this is a VERY important one from Jesus Himself -

Have a "Blessed Day"!

Is This Considered A Fake Smile, Hmmm

You're looking at quite an investment of money in that x-ray below, as well as many visits to the ole dentist and a lot time spent in a dental chair!

Or perhaps, just a money pit...

Either way you look at it, it's all been necessary -

Seven crowns, of which most have already been replaced at least once, UGH, and two root canals which you cannot see but trust me I've had them! 

Smack dab in the center of that x-ray is my newest investment, the "post" that was drilled into my jaw bone back on March 3rd, that will eventually hold my new tooth\crown, which is another pending expense.

Here's a closer view of said post -

Hoping to have my new front tooth in place before East Tennessee corn on the cob comes ripe!

Gotta set goals.

A Couple Hens Live Here!

"What's the deal with" "The Chicken Coop"?

There are no chickens in it! There are no roosts! There's no chicken wire to be found! So, why's it called a coop?

Ah, that's because this is a convert garage, turned into a lovely backyard bar!  With a couch and chairs, instead of roosts, games to be played, karaoke to be sung 

No nest boxes, rather a refrigerator full of frosty cold wobbly pops!  Whatever you do, just do NOT drink the Miller Lite beers.  Seems they came with the fridge many years ago, EWWWW

I've not yet been invited when the place is a rock'n but it's definitely a coop of some sort, so I'll still give it two thumbs up 👍👍!

Can You Dig It?!

Oh, Snap, Literally!

Have a look at who paid us a visit yesterday afternoon, a gorgeous snapping turtle!

It was underneath the lone tree we having close to the back of our house, which is a good 400+ feet from our pond.  We were standing nearby the tree talking when this dude decided to lumber out and make a run (I use the term run loosely) in the direction of the pond -

The timing was perfect, as my second cousin once removed (thank you Google for clarifying), Ms. Emma, was with us.  She wasn't as impressed as I, and a bit scared of this prehistoric looking creature - 

It behaved as snapping turtles typically do once they feel threatened and began acting tough with it's mouth open, while lunging and snapping.  However, I know the act and wasn't swayed in the slightest -

Against my better judgement I put her back under the tree and left her alone.  Really should have relocated her far away from our pond.  As much as I adore turtle, these snapping turtles are really an environmental hazard!  They can disrupt small ornamental ponds by eating fish and vegetation.

We'll meet again I'm sure, at which time we'll address her living arrangements.

Find The Critter

Can you find the critter in the below photo?

This is an easy one for you to start the week -

Ah-Chooooooooo!

DOH!

When someone screws, or rather unscrews, the top to the pepper shaker and completely ruins your first bite of the mouth watering slice of pizza that you've been thinking about and aching for all day -

The consolation prize was the waitress comping us two deserts - a slice of key lime pie, the pie that made Cootie Browns famous, and a slice of Raspberry Fusion Pie!  Both BIG hearty slices too, and both delicious, BURP!

A Hole In Thirty, UGH!

This is a towable gas powered Ground Hog post hole digger, NOT to be confused with the rodent ground hog otherwise known as a whistle pig.

We rented this device and dug (30), YES thirty, holes, each approximately 26" deep.  Twenty three of the hole are for the fenced enclosure we're in the process of building for Wisteria, my nieces wild Mustang, as well as a covered run-in for her.  The other six holes are for farm gates we'll be installing at our front entrances to our property -

Although, we didn't hit or have any issues with rocks, this East Tennessee red clay is an entirely different animal for sure, and equally as challenging.  It might as well be rocks, as it adds a different level of frustration all together -

We used a 6" auger bit -

We had all (30) holes dug in just over three hours!

Sure beat digging our holes with an "old fashioned" handheld post hole digger that for sure but still challenging.

Here's a sneak peak at the enclosure and run-in -

Stay tuned for the finished product...

A Soccer Bird?!

I spotted my first ever Killdeer, on the soccer field at ETSU of all places.

I initially thought it was a Piping Plover, as they're similar looking but these birds live and are found along costal sand and gravel beaches.

Either way I was a bit baffled, as both birds are considered "shore birds", and East Tennessee isn't near the shore.  However, as I've learned, Killdeer are shore birds you can see without needing to go to the beach -

Seems they prefer open, dry, flat areas, including pastures, cultivated fields, gravel lawns, parking lots, and golf courses. These birds prefer open landscapes with sparse vegetation, often nesting on the ground. 

They're highly adaptable and often thrive in habitats modified by humans, frequently nesting on gravel rather than near water.

Learn something new every day...

Grooming Tails And More

Ms. Trixie had her first East Tennessee spa day at Grooming Tails Pet Spa in JC.

We're both pleased with the results!

She's clean, smells nice and her nails are trimmed.

You can really see and appreciate her unique markings when her fur is cut short and tight.

True Story!

So sue me...

Here Are Some Petite Charmers!

Here's some little petunia's in you eyes -

Ain't they just lovely?!

Here's a random useless fact for you all -

"Little Petunia" is also the subject of the 1947 novelty song "I'm a Lonely Little Petunia in an Onion Patch", sung by the one and only Dick "Two Ton" Baker And His Music Makers.  The lyrics describe a lonely flower in an onion patch who cries all day because the scent is too strong.

I think we'd all cry if we found ourselves in such a predicament, I know I sure would! 

Click the above link and have a listen to this classic -

Ribbit RIP

Spotted this unique sight in our pond the other day, a BIG beautiful water snake with a frog in it's mouth -

I suppose feeding on frogs and tadpole is a sure fire way to bulk up and get some size, which is what I'm guessing this slithering Nerodia sipedon (the scientific name for the common/northern water snake.) has been doing.

The epitome of a "croaking" frog, literally...

"Tennessee—America at Its Best"

Enjoying lunch on the Nolichucky river -

She's a beauty!  So, calm and peaceful. Listening to the water in the rapids, the geese on the water, cows mooing in the distance and the birds singing away. I understand Uncle Joe's decision.

The Nolichucky River is a 115-mile river that flows through western North Carolina and East Tennessee in the southeastern United States.

Kinda Crazy 'Bout My Farmer's Tan...

Like Kenny sings - She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy!

Oh no, we didn't!  Did we?!

Not John Deere green, but Kubota orange looks better on us anyway - 

Over up our driveway, lordy, here she comes -

She likes the way it's pullin' while we're bushhogg'n up our land -

Open up a throttle and stir a little dust!

We already have over twelve hours on her and she's a beauty!