with God all things are possible...

Mark 10:23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

the ties that bind...

Finished preplacing all the hurricane ties I had installed with larger ones over the past couple of days.  80 ties - 800 hand driven nails.  Still have some L-angle to install to reinforce the post/beam connections.  69,93,84,0,B

a friday night film

personal shade...

Finished getting all the rafters back in place and trimmed the ends this morning.  Ended up having to cut 11 new ones.  My friend Joe Blumentritt bought me a big hat to keep me out of the sun until I get all the shade put back together.  86,95,70,0,B

Tomato plants

The tomato plants are hanging in through the heat.  

Just picked tomatoes 17 - 21.  

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Yearly kill....

In 11 years at TFL, I have averaged one rattlesnake kill per year.  Was last night's the only one for 2019?  And FYI - if you tell me I shouldn't kill them because they keep down the rodent population - you have no idea what you are talking about.  69,96,71,0,B

a monday matinee...

WIND

Lawman

Had a visit from a new deputy yesterday.  Officer Christian Montoya has been on the job out here just two weeks and stopped by while he was out exploring the ranch roads.  Always a good idea to develop a personal relationship with local law enforcement...and for them to know exactly where you are located.  Ben approved the visit too... 89,98,68,0,B

a friday night film

main rafters back up...

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started the repairs...

That must have been quite a wind...found roof parts 100 yards from the site.  Two 4x6 porch beams ( 8' and 9' long) were 60 yards away.  I figure the catastrophic failure happened because I had yet to finish fully securing the porch beams to the porch posts.  Fortunately, I can reuse the beams and most of the rafters and sheathing.  Collected all the parts and reinstalled the east and middle gables and the bathroom beam this morning.  Didn't find any other damage.  The plan is to get all the repairs (and extra securing) done by the end of the weekend.  90,99,75,0,B

Storm Damage...

The severe thunderstorms have been relentless this week but I have dodged most of them.  Lots of people on the ranch have had a lot of damage.  Had another cell pass this afternoon that wasn't in the forecast that had very high winds.  The Casita lost the south half of the roof in this one.  It could have been a whole lot worse... 87,91.73,0,B

a monday matinee...

The cross I bear this year...

Matthew 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

last night's storm...

This cell missed me by about 5 miles...but I ended up getting three tenths of an inch out of another cell that I just caught the edge of.  I like lighting...when it is far away.  This photo is pretty grainy because it is a still from some video I was shooting during the storm.  86,95,74,0,B

a friday night film

Got Shade?

video tomarrow...

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roof sheathing

Had a couple of rain days off.  Got the roof sheathing up over the living area today...porches tomorrow. 84,91,66,0,C

The Field Lab Rain Gauge

Are you a true off-gridder? Here is a test. My "rain gauge" has 150 gallons of rainwater in it after the last 24 hours. This was caught off a roof surface that is 352 square feet. How much rain actually fell? 80,86,63,?,B

a monday matinee...

The will of God

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

BCSTFLTMCPB

The Field Lab version of the classic BLT:  bacon, cole slaw, field lab tomato, melted muenster cheese, course ground pepper, on pita bread. 91,103,73,0,C

a friday night film

Down Time

I made good use of construction down time waiting for storms to pass by clearing the front of the greenhouse.  The inside is a whole other matter I am just beginning to attend to (again).  In other news - the doves have left the nest.  89,98,63,0,B

Sheathing...

Started sheathing the casita now that the threat of severe afternoon thunderstorms has passed... 64,98,87,0,B

State Of The Water Supply

Well it looks like the dry season is finally over.  Got an inch of rain over the past two nights.  Up until last week, TFL got only a half inch of rain over the past 6 months.  My total storage capacity is 20,000 gallons and I was down to 9,225 gallons as of Saturday.  All my catchment surfaces combined yield 2,000 gallons per inch of rain - and if the arroyo runs, I can pump an additional 3,000 gallons after a good rain event.  Sunday night I got 1/2" of rain and caught 1,000 gallons off my roofs and pumped 2,500 gallons out of the arroyo.  Monday night I got another 1/2" of rain - so another 1,000 gallons off my roofs...but it was too late to pump the arroyo again.  As of today, I now have 13,725 gallons on tap.  Chance of more rain tonight so this might get updated.  83,91,66,0,B

a monday matinee...

temptation...

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

new doves update...

All feathered out now...ready to leave the nest in about a week.

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