Still Cold

Well, the cold weather has returned and we collies and dad are tired of it.  So, we play hard in the cold to keep warm!  Dad put our pools out so that we have water again, but it gets hard on top so dad has to break the ice so we can get to the water…. Hoping it warms up this next week. 🙂

Read Full Post »

Snow BLues

The weather warmed up into the 30 degree range for two days, snowed and then is plunging down near zero again tonight.  But in two days it goes back up into the 30’s with a projected 40 with sunshine next Tuesday!  Nevertheless the collies and I played today and I then plowed snow, did some reading and then poured over listings for a tractor.

 

For those who read my blog and correspond with me do know I will pick back up on my email exchanges with you today.  My apologies to you all and thank you for your patience as I have endured this near three month illness I have had.  I am getting better by the day… and today with no snow plowing I know I will feel up to writing. 🙂

–

–

–

-Waiting to chase their toys!

–

-So, as some of you have noticed there have been a few days I have missed after years of not missing posts here.  My apologies we are not back on schedule to get back to our pace.  But, back to tractors.  As those who have read here for years know my littlest farm tractor, a 1944 Allis Chalmers B plows ours and the neighbors drives.  The tough 2,000 pound tractor gets it done and easily handles most of the snow dumps we get.  However, when we get a 20 mph west wind with 8 inches of snow our drive drifts the entire length from around 5 to 6 feet high.  Old Allis handles it, but she has to work a bit and while that is what she is made for I dont like using her like that for she is 71 years old and secondly I just do not want to put in a clutch or any other parts due to excessive hard work.  Plowing the light to medium snow she would probably never need another clutch in my life…. I hope… LOL…

 

-Um… is this going to take long?  If so I love the taste of Maple and I will chew up another stick….

–

–

–

–

-So, after much thought and consideration I’ve decided that I want a “monster” to handle the big dumps we get here. What is a monster? Well, Old Allis is a 23 hp 2,000 pound tractor which is small for a farm tractor.  I’ve decided to go to a 6,000 pound area size tractor with near 50 HP.  I am not fooling around.  Three old tractors come to mind in this class.  A Allis Chalmers WD45 is one. I have a WC which is a 29 HP early version of the WD45.  Great strong tractors.  However, the clutch pushes like a brick wall and it is too far forward for the average size guy.  Plus I do not want another version of a model I already have.

The next choice is a Farmall M.  Big, burly, tough and the flagship of Farmall for years she is a good choice.  Problem is I am not a Farmall guy. But, at 35-49 HP (depending on the year) she is a choice and one I like.

My top choice is the Case DC.  With the chain rear drive, more low end torque and with 35-49 HP depending upon the year) this is my top choice.  I drool every time I see one.  But, they can be hard to find so I’ve decided although I am a Case guy I am going to buy a DC or a M, whichever comes first.

–

–

–

–

–

-This a Farmall M…. my second choice…

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

I tried to find a film of a DC plowing snow, but couldn’t. But I did find this film of a a Farmall M plowing. Now, if they had it weighted down correctly it would’ve pushed a bit easier and it does have a bucket on the front which is harder to push snow with than a blade…. however this tractor is pushing 4-5 foot drifts and she is getting it done despite  having obstacles to overcome… watch her and look at that snow and listen to her… can you figure out why I call them monsters?

 

 

Read Full Post »

The Collies Demand!!

 

–

–

–

–

–

 

 

–When dad came home last night it was -22 here, when we woke up it had clouded over and was only -12

–

—

–

–

–

 

–

–

– We’ve Had It!!! WE WANT SPRING! WE WANT SPRING! WE WANT SPRING! WE WANT SPRING!!!

 

Read Full Post »

Some Never Listen

– Okay everybody you behave for dad is plowing snow again.. I Hallie have spoken….

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0Ball. ball, ball, ball, ball, ball, … er… what did she say?  Ball, ball, ball, ball,

 

 

Read Full Post »

Snow, Playing and the Reds!

We collies enjoyed Dad’s day off with him. It made it to 21 degrees F so we played outside with him, then he got all the tractors out, plowed the driveway, drove the tractors around and then came in and was going through the channels to see what was on TV when he found Liverpool live against Bolton in FA Cup action.  So, we watched the game and it was pretty silent for most of it.  The Officiating was pretty terrible and Bolton scored off a somewhat questionable call in the second half to take the lead.  A few shots off the post kept us interested but then Bolton was penalized and down to ten men and Liverpool began to threaten, but the movement that made them so dangerous last year just wasn;t there.  Dad was grumbling, we collies were sullen when all of a sudden very late in the game the “swirl” as dad calls it appeared. They began to move like they did last year and began to pound the goal. We all began to take notice and the Reds put the pressure on.  Then at the 86th minute Sterling kicked in a pass that scored and we collies roared our approval as dad cheered.  There hasn’t been a lot to cheer this year for while the Reds are now winning during the season they clearly won’t even get in this race, but they can make the top 5…..  Stoppage time began and the Reds were still pounding and dad was on his feet urging them on while we collies waited… then… in stoppage time with the game almost over Coutinho flipped one in and it was an excuse for us collies to bark our heads off in celebration as the Reds were moving on in the next round in the FA Cup!  This was the 700th appearance by Gerrard who will be leaving at the end of the year… so perhaps the Reds can capture the FA Cup to end his career at Anfield.  We shall see…..   a few pics from today….

–

–

–

–

–time to go in yet?

–

–

–

–

-Dad taking Annie down the road for a spin….

 

Read Full Post »

SUPER SUNDAY!!!

As you all know we love English Footy here and with Liverpool sucking this season there hasn’t been much to celebrate.  However, today we turn on the tellie and what do we see? The Semi-finals of the Scottish Cup!!!!  Now you all know the collies are Ccottish and in the past we have had near riots with the Celtic-Rangers rivalry. Well, lo and behold who is playing… Celtic vs. Rangers and the Celtic are home!  The near riot is on and the passions running high for the collies and with Celtic just scoring and leading 1-0 the passions are running high!  The question isn’t who will win but will we survive…..

-CELTIC!!! RANGERS!!!! CELTIC!!! RANGERS!!!! CELTIC!!!!! RANGERS!!!!

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

-CELTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

–

–

–

–

–

–

—

–

–

-RANGERS!!!!!!!

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 

–

–

–

–

-This is getting ugly! Run dad!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

A Memory

This was written a few years ago.... when Trevor was in his prime......

Trevor will be napping when the other younger collies begin to
wrestle, growling, barking and whining as they do so. After several
minutes Trevor sits up with a annoyed, grumpy look on his face. As
the ruckus continues he grows more disgusted and finally, not being
able to take it anymore he rises to his feet. Then he rumbles over
to the frolicking collies and barking and throwing his weight against
them he makes them stop and separates them making them lay down. When
he does so it reminds me of that big huge dog on Tom and Jerry called
Butch.  

Then, Trevor lays down in front of them all, looks at them with great
disgust for a minute or two daring them to make a move. When they
don't he sighs, grunts and falls over on his side and goes back to
sleep, enjoying the enforced quiet. The Man swears that sometime he
can see Trevor smile as he drifts off to sleep. Then, slowly one by 
one they sneak past Trevor to the other end of the house to play.
 Yes, Trevor rules
the roost at Niamh's Misty Meadow, a role he thrives in and enjoys
immensely never letting on he has a soft side to the collies, but the
Man smiles for he knows better. Trevor has a heart of gold and loves
unconditionally the Man who he adopted and saved from the dark days
of despair through his love for him. Through it all he became the
Man's Trevor Forever.

Read Full Post »

Winter Night

As I write this tonight we are sinking rapidly in temperature. 1 above zero fahrenheit.  It will go much lower tonight.  As I take the collies out I can hear dogs in the neighborhood outside barking.  Come on……  do you really think those dogs can stay warm?  Don’t give me the bullcrap line that they are descended from Wolves and they stay warm.  If you knew anything about wolves you would realize they live in packs and have dens where they hole up in bad weather and stay warm. Your single dog cannot do the same…. sorry….But, if you do have a neighbor who leaves their dog out throw the dog a blanket… give it some warm water in its bowl and whatever else you can do.

Today, in the backyard as I ushered the collies in from some hard playing in the very bitter cold weather.  As is usual they all made a mad rush for the door with Rutherford causing havoc behind me barking up a storm and then, for the third time ever, it happened.  Mick has the dishonor of knocking me down twice… the only two times ever with all our collies I have been knocked down.  This time as I neared the back door Rutherford smucked me from behind going right under my legs and as I fell I could only think of how I can;t wait to get up and tell him what I thought…. I got up and he slunk away.. he knew.. he knew…

So, it was another mostly typical day at the Meadow. Squirrel chasing, ball chasing, bat chasing, barking, running, fun and love.  Hope you all had a Merry Christmas… a Happy New Year and that your lives are full of happiness and love!

–

We hope your babies are warm and you enjoy their love!!! 🙂

–

–

–

—

–

Read Full Post »

Working On It

Unfortunately Mick the snow has to be deeper for us to blend in… but it will happen and when it does… muwahahahahahahah

Read Full Post »

Fun in the Snow

I’m Lad catch me if you can…

–

–

 

–

–

–

-wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

 

Read Full Post »