A journey with my boys- The Elf Barn as I call it.

[LDowney]

Drowning rats was the most effective solution that I have seen and it was by chance. To ensure that calves were not born too early in the spring, we confined the bull to a pen in the barn that was only used for him. The rest of the year the pen was empty. The next winter when I was forking manure out of the barn I went ahead forked the bull's pen too. In the pen was a 55 gallon barrel that had ben cut down as the water bucket for the bull and the water level was about foot down from the top. Since I was cleaning, I dumped the barrel over with the intent of rinsing it out and refilling it. Once dumped, bodies of several dozen rats sloshed out with the water. Disposed of the rat remains, rinsed out the barrel, then set it back up with the water level about a foot down from the lip. From then on, I made sure that the water in the barrel was always down enough from the lip that the rats with have to lean way in to get a drink.

Good luck wit your water traps

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Drowning rats was the most effective solution that I have seen and it was by chance. To ensure that calves were not born too early in the spring, we confined the bull to a pen in the barn that was only used for him. The rest of the year the pen was empty. The next winter when I was forking manure out of the barn I went ahead forked the bull's pen too. In the pen was a 55 gallon barrel that had ben cut down as the water bucket for the bull and the water level was about foot down from the top. Since I was cleaning, I dumped the barrel over with the intent of rinsing it out and refilling it. Once dumped, bodies of several dozen rats sloshed out with the water. Disposed of the rat remains, rinsed out the barrel, then set it back up with the water level about a foot down from the lip. From then on, I made sure that the water in the barrel was always down enough from the lip that the rats with have to lean way in to get a drink.

Good luck wit your water traps

Good to know. All my bucket traps have water. Oddly, I have a bucket half full with radiator fluid for over a year, but they dont fall in it!!! I heard they are gnawing at my radiator hoses to grind down their front teeth as they grow fast.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

We got another family member on Sat. Her name is Aggie. A play pal for Lonestar. Pure bred Golden Retriever 6 weeks old. Smart cookie!

 

[Broski]

Very cute

 

[TRDdrew]

Adorable congratulations on the new family member

 

[RevISK]

I'm calling her Longhorn when I'm around.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

The elves came home to spend time with Aggie. Very proud of them!!! Precious moments are better than any other metrics in life. We enjoyed the weekend with great moments with Aggie, at the dinner table, and lounging in conversation about the elves next steps in life.

The rat damage fixes, builds, heavy equipment baselining, chicken coop honey dos, and the myriad of other chores took a distant second seat.

 

[JLawson]

Awesome! There is no better nap than one with a puppy snoozing on your chest!!

 

[JLawson]

Awesome! There is no better nap than one with a puppy snoozing on your chest!!

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

This does not hold a candle to Meade Hall of @Chungas Revenge but it’s happening. @thatcabledude needs a home away from home as he swings by. We might do some marathon wrenching and is a good pad to rest the bruised knuckles. Also a place should cruiser friends need to crash for a good meal and a night. The elves can use it when home. It can be run on gas generator via main panel of our regular home in case that is needed. Smaller crash pad if we keep getting snowmageddons.

 

[Broski]

Looks like someones already passed out in there in the 5th picture

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Looks like someones already passed out in there in the 5th picture

Blanket to cover the shower pan. I dont know about the body drag marks on the last pic!.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

That’s going to be (is) awesome What’s the story on the structure?

 

[RevISK]

Always wondered what was in there.

 

[thatcabledude]

My snoring is so bad he’s moving me out and away from the house.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

My snoring is so bad he’s moving me out and away from the house.

You will hear me snore at SAS! If only it was an olympic sport! I would be the most decorated!

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

That’s going to be (is) awesome What’s the story on the structure?

Structure shell arrived on a truck! Not board by board like yours!

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

On the elves last visit cradling Aggie, conversation ebbed and flowed about the attributes of what a life partner should have. Some of the highlights included:
1) Kind
2) Grit
3) Faded jeans and t-shirt over make up by circadian
4) 1+1=3, never 1-1=0
5) journey of hard knocks over pampered “how do you pump gas/ change oil/ change a tire” types
6) Love of old cars, pickups and dirt roads. Can handle No AC. No G-wagons.
7) Nature is church
8) Loves good food and music
9) Paying it forward
10) Loves cruising

Thoughts are welcome…

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Chemistry, lots of chemistry. That's a great list but without chemistry that's a good friend checklist.

 

[LDowney]

Kudos that your sons are open to having such a conversation with you. Our daughters would never consider having such a conversation with me or my bride. If your sons will have a realistic conversation with you, open communication appears to be an attribute that they are embracing and it may help lead them to others that may complete or complement this list. Good luck to your sons.

For possible consideration for the list ... An attribute of my bride's that I have appreciated from the beginning was her independent honesty. She has never put on airs or told me what I might want to hear. I didn't realize how much I would appreciate this until I got to see this in her.

Enough from the peanut gallery ... back to the original discussion