Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 19, 2014, 02:57:32 PM
THINK before you post!
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 19, 2014, 03:42:47 PM
Looks like it...I'll start the ball rolling with a link to a Google map. This is NOT my house! It's not the house for a dozen other families that could all live in it, either! It's about a mile away and has been under construction for over a year. Looks like the exterior is almost finished! Haven't been inside; afraid I might get lost!!
Depending on the zoom level the link gives you, it is obvious that it is the most expensive house in the neighborhood... and any neighborhood within two (five?) miles! I once commented to some other "lookey-lues" that I wasn't aware that the area was zoned for hotels! 
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 20, 2014, 10:23:44 AM
I think we could put about ten of our street's families in this 'thing'!
So, how are things in your "neighborhood"?
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 20, 2014, 03:21:53 PM
This was in late Spring of 2013. Porch was still covered by pollen. We knew there would be lots of that around here, so we built the house tilted slightly to aid the run off after a rain. Unfortunately, we had not yet seen a good rain that year...
We didn't read the description on those 'receptacles' too well, only years later did we read that one should not place living plants in them.
Post by: gunug on August 21, 2014, 08:50:13 AM
Later, I edited the previous picture so it appears with flocked Christmas tree!
Post by: kimmer on August 23, 2014, 12:06:56 AM
Our neighborhood deer are increasing. We have mom, her oldest daughter and now 2 baby fawns. Hard to snap a pic of the babies as they are people shy (good thing), but we got mom watching us as she ate the neighbors shrubs (also a good thing).
Mom Deer and baby by MrsMac1974, on Flickr
Post by: krissel on August 23, 2014, 01:09:34 AM
[attachment=3042:small5wildlife.jpg]
but wait a few months when the rest show up:
[attachment=3043:small4wildlife.jpg]
[attachment=3044:small6wildlife.jpg]
[attachment=3045:small2wildlife.jpg]
then they will leave you with shrubs like:
[attachment=3046:small3wildlife.jpg] (who says deer don't eat rhododendron?)
I much prefer this guy, er gal, who is a frequent visitor at Dad's house:
[attachment=3047:small1wildlife.jpg]
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 23, 2014, 09:45:31 AM
QUOTE
who says deer don't eat rhododendron?
Well, what do you expect them to eat when you cover their 'hay' with so much white stuff?! Most farmers place bales of hay out on their frozen fields during bad weather!! Where is your compassion?! 
I was just talking to our new neighbors and he mentioned seeing seven deer crossing the entrance to our dead-end street. I was a little surprised since the lot on that end of the street has a house under construction. But the deer almost have a path to get from the 200+ acres north of us to the golf course on the south. Or they may be going about a mile further south to a great hamburger joint...
Post by: jwboyd on August 23, 2014, 10:36:46 AM
Probably a gal. Don't the females eat the males?
Post by: kimmer on August 23, 2014, 01:42:40 PM
However, I'm not that compassionate when it comes to the coyote that wanders this neighborhood. And now, here's today's offering of some local wildlife of a different form. We watched them while we had a picnic lunch at the levee.
PS: I used Sneakers fantastic Canon camera with the grand zoom lens to get this photo. If we'd had a tripod with us, I could have gotten a clear shot that showed their whiskers, but I can't stand that still.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 23, 2014, 04:19:39 PM
Second, just have him sit down, hold his head in both hands and you can then use his head/body as a tripod!
Granted, it won't be as easy to adjust... Just don't leave the camera sitting there if you walk away...You're welcome!
Post by: kimmer on August 23, 2014, 04:26:18 PM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 23 2014, 02:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Second, just have him sit down, hold his head in both hands and you can then use his head/body as a tripod! Granted, it won't be as easy to adjust... Just don't leave the camera sitting there if you walk away...
You're welcome!
Granted, it won't be as easy to adjust... Just don't leave the camera sitting there if you walk away...You're welcome!
Post by: kimmer on August 24, 2014, 02:11:33 PM
BessieAugust by MrsMac1974, on FlickrPS: Yes, I stop in the road (I make sure no traffic coming and I watch) and take photos of this cow. I moo at her
and sometimes she moos back at me. Sneakers sit in the passengers seat of the car and laughs. I'm sure he's laughing at Bessie, not me.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 24, 2014, 04:02:40 PM
Post by: krissel on August 24, 2014, 10:00:45 PM
JW, yes, we, er they do.
Post by: kimmer on August 26, 2014, 10:56:57 PM
Here's an offering from my last bridge walk. Haven't had a chance to walk it this year. 
bridgepillar by MrsMac1974, on FlickrPS: Doesn't anyone else live in a neighborhood?
Post by: gunug on August 27, 2014, 08:46:49 AM
Post by: Frances144 on August 28, 2014, 01:18:50 PM
Post by: RNKIII on August 28, 2014, 01:39:14 PM
and this is the South side of our home.[attachment=3050:IMG_0112.JPG] (disregard the lump in the plum shirt)
We live in between!!
Bob K. rnkiii
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 28, 2014, 01:56:29 PM
I just hope you were able to get up from there without dialing 911!!
Post by: RNKIII on August 28, 2014, 04:37:33 PM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 28, 2014, 06:23:24 PM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on September 01, 2014, 06:57:44 PM
This one was brave enough to watch me for a few minutes! I'll post his picture on some "Most Wanted (jail) Bird" sites...
Post by: kimmer on September 14, 2014, 10:54:54 PM
We headed out for a "short" drive today. "Let's take this drive to the falls. It's not far", said Sneakers the passenger. Some 3 hours and 81+ miles later (via a twisty-turny one lane road that climbed a small mountain) we stopped in the big city for dinner!
Sneakers then took the wheel (not far) and drove us home (2 hours and 65+ miles). Some short drive! We saw some beautiful sites and came home to this sunset:
sunset914 by MrsMac1974, on Flickr
Post by: gunug on September 15, 2014, 08:21:52 AM
[attachment=3057:Balloon_Football.jpg]
Post by: Xairbusdriver on September 15, 2014, 10:07:38 AM
Good to hear/read that he's getting back to 'normal' life! Just about any 'sunset' is beautiful, right?! gunug: First, very nice 'pano'! Did you 'stitch' several images together or crop the original?
Second, until I spotted the soccer ball, I was wondering how they selected one of the 'players' to be the 'ball'! Either way, looks like a great way to keep the hands off the ball!
I believe that's a Santa Fe 2-6-2 (pilot wheels, drivers, trailing wheels [under the firebox & cab]) freight steam engine, BTW. It's a bit short to be called a "train"! 
Post by: gunug on September 15, 2014, 01:03:34 PM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on September 15, 2014, 02:21:54 PM
Post by: kimmer on September 15, 2014, 06:56:46 PM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Sep 15 2014, 08:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
kimmer: How come Mac can make the trip 15 miles and an hour shorter! I suppose his drive was mostly downhill... I guess that explains it!
Think about a triangle. I drove 2 sides, and Sneakers drove the short side.
QUOTE
Good to hear/read that he's getting back to 'normal' life! Just about any 'sunset' is beautiful, right?!
Just about any 'sunset' is beautiful, right?! I wish he was getting back to a normal life.
We're doing the best we can with what the Lord sends our way. Yes, God always paints a beautiful sunset.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on September 15, 2014, 10:33:03 PM
Unlike most "modern" transportation systems, weight (and lots of it) was required to follow two of Newton's laws about objects at rest and those in motion.
Post by: gunug on September 16, 2014, 08:27:00 AM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on September 23, 2014, 05:58:14 PM
How 'bout some Fall colors from you Yankees!
The moss is still doing well but the miniature water lilies probably won't bloom again until next Spring! ;(
Edited to reduce the screen stretching mess! Sorry 'bout that!
Post by: kimmer on September 24, 2014, 12:36:43 AM
Post by: krissel on October 02, 2014, 01:45:54 AM
[attachment=3065:welsh_road.jpg][attachment=3066:two_punks.jpg][attachment=3067:
unk_sky.jpg][attachment=3068:punk_cow.jpg][attachment=3069:road_sign_cows.jpg] [attachment=3070:flag_two_cows.jpg] [attachment=3072:cow_barn.jpg] [attachment=3071:two_cows_house.jpg] [attachment=3073:two_cows_fence.jpg]
Post by: gunug on October 02, 2014, 10:28:03 AM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on October 02, 2014, 07:24:46 PM
QUOTE
don't know how to comfort a cow
Sure you do...eat mor chickin
Post by: Jack W on October 02, 2014, 07:45:45 PM
I got an error when I clicked on your link.
Using the following link worked fine:
http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Cows/Campaign-History
I've always liked their ad campaign.
Jack
Post by: kimmer on October 02, 2014, 08:08:17 PM
QUOTE(Jack W @ Oct 2 2014, 05:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Jim,
I got an error when I clicked on your link.
I got an error when I clicked on your link.
Link fixed.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on October 02, 2014, 11:45:45 PM
Post by: gunug on October 03, 2014, 09:28:25 AM
http://www2.ljworld.com/photos/galleries/2...02/zombie-walk/
I didn't take any pictures, I just want to get her appearance out of my head!
Post by: Jack W on October 03, 2014, 09:54:12 AM
Jack
Post by: gunug on October 03, 2014, 08:07:55 PM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on October 07, 2014, 11:41:10 AM
You can also see a portion of a center-pivot irrigation system. It is not for the cotton but the field of soybeans (the darker green area). Cotton was once "King" in the south. Now there are two other crops fighting for dominance; soybeans and rice. We also see lots of corn and wheat. Agriculture is still the principle "industry" down here and it's a very fickle master!
As you might guess, all this mechanical equipment is very expensive. Few young farmers can stay in the business unless they have access to their fathers successes. Small land owners generally rent or sell their land to those with money enough to invest in enough equipment and land to make a profit (meaning: pay for the equipment).
Post by: kimmer on October 09, 2014, 11:36:13 PM
road2fallsa by MrsMac1974, on Flickr
Post by: Highmac on October 10, 2014, 01:00:14 AM
Sent from iPad.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on October 10, 2014, 11:04:16 AM
Fortunately, I had all the help I needed! Ivan was more than happy to collect and then unload the new limbs and move some others from the old burn pile to the new one.
Gathering the hands full! Note there are some sticks almost as big around as his wrists!
Dumping the load!
Also note the lack of minimal safety equipment: gloves, steel toed shoes, goggles...
Also note the energy!!
Ivan is just over 2 y/o and lives with his parents in the old house just behind the new one Judy helped build for Mom and Dad several years ago. He is a joy to work/play with and probably thinks Judy's Dad is his grandfather! I'm sure Ivan has shoes, but I can't remember seeing them...
Post by: kimmer on October 10, 2014, 12:16:34 PM
QUOTE(Highmac @ Oct 9 2014, 11:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That road surface looks better than many we have in our towns. On the other hand it's probably a lot less busy. Did you actually meet any other vehicles? Looks like a beautiful area though.
Sent from iPad.
Sent from iPad.
That's because I only took a photo of the nice road surface. LOL It is a very busy road, and we met a LOT of traffic, which meant pulling to the side or backing up. Definite adventure.
xABD, love the photos of little Ivan.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on October 10, 2014, 12:34:20 PM
The newer method requires only the picker and one tractor. Of course, the picker is slightly more expensive! It can easily cost $725,000(us). The tractor is larger and can run over $130,000 plus another ~$10,ooo for the lift mechanism. Again, farming is an expensive gamble not for the faint of heart! While the minimum equipment will run over a million dollars, you won't know exactly what your crop will pay, assuming you didn't lose any of it to bad weather before you could get it out of the field!
This machine eliminates the need for the tractor pulling the hydraulic bin and the tractor pulling the cart transferring the picked cotton to it.
Those two tractors, the bin and the cart are replaced by one slightly larger tractor and the 'lift'.
That one tractor moves the rolls to a location for the gin's truck to pick up later (four at a time).
The left over cotton plants serve as a breeding ground for parasitic nematodes, so the stalks need to be throughly chopped up to make sure they don't keep growing and feeding the parasites. This farmer uses another tractor to do the job at the same day of harvest, but he could easily have used the same tractor that was moving the rolls, saving $130,000?
I made a video with my iPhone, but it is even worse than the still images above. I found a fairly short YouTube vid that does a great job of showing <this kind of cotton picker in action>. It shows how much faster things happen when the picker no longer needs to stop to dump its load in the cart that would then take it to the hydraulic bin in my first images. And it drives through the field at an astounding 5+ miles an hour! Its really not just a 'cotton' picker any more! And I've been told there are several mini-computers in these things monitoring so many functions/conditions/operations.
Post by: gunug on October 23, 2014, 11:23:38 AM
Post by: kimmer on December 10, 2014, 02:37:41 PM
gutter by MrsMac1974, on Flickr
Post by: Xairbusdriver on December 10, 2014, 05:32:20 PM
If you have electricity, why do you need windows?
First you cut a hole in the wall and now you complain about leaks?!
Post by: kimmer on December 29, 2014, 09:38:27 PM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on December 30, 2014, 03:09:06 PM
Not sure about that yellow egg, however. You might want to watch out for what hatches from that!!
Post by: krissel on January 16, 2015, 01:44:42 AM
It is (was) a peaceful town for the most part and there are many areas of quiet country living. If only the local gendarmes would care about the speeders. :sigh:
OH, the church in one of the last pictures is where my sister got married. The photo after that one which shows a blue car turning the corner, is where my Mom was rear-ended by the son of a local big shot. Her car was totaled. Luckily she wasn't seriously hurt. He got off with a slap on the wrist.
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/...ities/21698705/