Nostr notes by Y⃒̸̷̝̜̙ͥͥͥngmar

Got some little beams out of the too large chunk I cut off the ...

2026-10-30T17:35:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…wau5
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Got some little beams out of the too large chunk I cut off the top of this log. Recovered!

Did I mention this is fun?

#Sawmilling #Woodworking #Lumber

Sawmilling practice. In the dark, as we're experiencing an ...

2026-10-30T16:01:03Z

Sawmilling practice. In the dark, as we're experiencing an acute daylight shortage. Should've built up a larger reserve in that daylight savings account, I guess.

Couple boards from one of the very eager maples that popped up in the garden between two sheds.

Getting used to measuring upside down and lining up logs. Small logs are great for practice, lots of lining up and if you get it wrong you have nothing usable left, but also not wasted any good material. The other side of this had a bunch of knots and sproinged into banana shape.

I can make some birdhouses from these or small boxes or something.

Also cut a few stickers first, as you do. There's a nice ventilated drying area on the rest of the concrete beams.

#Sawmilling #DIY #Homestead #Saw #Woodworking

Major milestone I've worked up to for almost two years 😆 ...

2026-10-29T18:52:22Z

Major milestone I've worked up to for almost two years 😆

Getting this huge grain delivery trailer out of the garbarn. I didn't want to leave it outside, being made of wood, and I didn't have another roofed space for it.

Hauled it to the now cleared meadow barn after using up the firewood stored there last winter.

It is too big for our little tractor and difficult to manoeuvre with the wheels so far back. That's how the other drawbar got bent last time.

The wheels are not quite matching either. Nor inflatable.

I don't have any grain to haul but it has a nice strong frame from an old truck and maybe it'll be good for building a dump trailer from some day.

Now there is a lot more space in the garbarn to turn into a workshop.

#Homestead #Cleanup #Trailer #Tractor #Wheel #Workshop

Woodchipping mostly done. The parking lot got a refresh before ...

2026-10-29T13:00:12Z

Woodchipping mostly done.

The parking lot got a refresh before winter. Keeps the mud at bay and the wheels from spinning, great stuff.

Last pile was down in the valley and got chipped onto the tractor path where last years chips had mostly disappeared due to some excavator work. That's the other great thing about woodchips - you don't need to remove them, they just get dug under and become soil, eventually. No problems.

Also picked up some old sawmill offcuts from the crappy shack down there and cut it up for sauna fuel.

#Homestead #Woodchips #Firewood #Tractor #Cleanup

What a glorious autumn day for chipping away the branch ...

2026-10-27T13:10:40Z

What a glorious autumn day for chipping away the branch mountains.

#Iseki #MiniTractor #Tractor #Woodchipper #Trailer #Homestead #Farm

Gathered up some of the more intact apples and then raked up and ...

2026-10-26T11:02:40Z

Gathered up some of the more intact apples and then raked up and dumped the rest outside the fence so the badger maybe won't have to repeatedly smash its way through the fence to get at them this winter.

Maybe.

#Apple #Garden #Fruit #Homestead #Harvest #Badger

Managed to clog up the woodchipper chute for the first time ever ...

2026-10-24T20:24:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…c9xz
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Managed to clog up the woodchipper chute for the first time ever today.

Some of that branch pile was laying there since spring so it was quite wet and overgrown with grass, which it didn't like I guess.

No big deal, there's one bolt to undo and the case hinges open. The flywheel was turning fine but the chute was blocked up where it rotates. Easy to fix. Added a 19mm spanner to the new tractor toolbox :)

#WoodChipper #Homestead #Blocked

Was idly thinking about a long lever log splitter today. Looked ...

2026-10-24T19:49:57Z

Was idly thinking about a long lever log splitter today. Looked if anyone made something like that but only found small ones for wimpy logs or kindling.

Wimpy logs I can split by axe. I need something for the ones that are refusing to split by axe and I don't really want a motorized one.

Found this, which looks pretty promising and I should have much of the scrap laying around. Doesn't even need wheels since I have made the pallet forks and won't be moving it around a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yp_N-u1AEY

#LogSplitter #DIY #Firewood #Homestead

Evidently chipper time. #Chipper #WoodChipper #Homestead #Tractor ...

2026-10-24T13:12:05Z

Evidently chipper time.

#Chipper #WoodChipper #Homestead #Tractor #MiniTractor #Garden

I've got a gravestone 😝 Nice and flat!

2026-10-24T13:03:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…7n7e
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I've got a gravestone 😝

Nice and flat!

Apfelstrudel (with apples from the garden) and a slice of ice ...

2026-10-23T17:21:38Z

Apfelstrudel (with apples from the garden) and a slice of ice cream sausage*

thanks vaviurka (npub1yzj…50qq)!

#Food #Icecream #Apfelstrudel #Dessert #NomNomNom #Apple

* Something my German relatives seem to be unaware of: Decent quality vanilla ice cream packaged in a plastic tube like a sausage.

Google illegally chopping down a massive forest in Finland and ...

2026-10-22T21:55:35Z

Google illegally chopping down a massive forest in Finland and even removing the topsoil so nothing can grow again.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2026/oct/22/finland-google-felling-trees-datacentre

Makes sense. If copyright no longer applies to big corporations, as LLMs have shown, then why should any other regulation?

I'm not sure an appropriate fine is even possible for this. And you can't put that forest back.

I predict we'll be having angry people burning down datacenters in the next couple years.

#Google #Deforestation #Datacenter #Finland

Shirt and tie fixed, now to find something to whittle into a ...

2026-10-21T08:34:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…h27h
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Shirt and tie fixed, now to find something to whittle into a chanter for the bagpipes. Preferably something washable.

Looking better already.

#Haggis #Bear #Plush #Repair #Mending #DIY

Watching Ants Pants while mending Haggis, the bagpiper bear from ...

2026-10-20T20:37:36Z

Watching Ants Pants while mending Haggis, the bagpiper bear from Scotland I found in the tractor parts shed (along with Pik Nik the weird string cheese mascot, who got dumped at the communal sharing station).

#AntsPants #Plush #Bear #Mending #Repair #DIY

Don't worry, the first to break in will usually patch it for ...

2026-10-20T20:12:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…5jqe
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Don't worry, the first to break in will usually patch it for you.

That should be enough room for the next step. #Barn #Cleanup ...

2026-10-20T18:41:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…qc5k
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That should be enough room for the next step.

#Barn #Cleanup #Homestead #Dog

Clearing out the meadow barn to rearrange some things. And to ...

2026-10-20T12:21:07Z

Clearing out the meadow barn to rearrange some things. And to have a break from fucking car repair.

Mostly lumber in there and some offcuts from the house roof.

Also an old carpenters workbench. The bottom was too far gone and got scrapped, the top isn't in great shape either, but has some nice wood screws, so I'm keeping it for now.

For some reason also two hydraulic pistons that were shoved into a metal pipe used to hold up a stack of firewood.

Oh, and part of a door with house number 10 on it. Not even our address. Perhaps it was Neville Chamberlain's?

#Homestead #Cleanup #Treasure #Workbench #Woodworking

I sometimes bypass the lawnmower safety switch and mow without ...

2026-10-19T21:20:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…h8fg
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I sometimes bypass the lawnmower safety switch and mow without the collector bag. The grass is shooting out of the back in a 6m long arc, hence me calling it "jetski mowde".

Good fun and disperses it nicely, plus its less likely to clog the chute. Probably not suitable for suburban gardens 😁

Just gotta watch the wind or it all lands back in my face.

Long/tall flange nut. But hard to find and you'll probably ...

2026-10-19T15:58:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…4x7d
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Long/tall flange nut. But hard to find and you'll probably have to copper plate it yourself :)

Closest I can find is this and that's in Oz: https://damclassicracing.com.au/30510167-4-nut-m8-copper-coated-steel-flange-tall-for-13mm-spanner-sold-individually/

Or you can just stack a normal nut on top of flange nut if you need the extra thread engangement.

As for your exhaust leak (I've scrolled to see what the nut is even for), I'd just get a tube of Holts Firegum and that'll sort it :)

Braided dog leash made from some discarded sailboat rescue rope. ...

2026-10-17T16:59:46Z

Braided dog leash made from some discarded sailboat rescue rope.

Added a small stainless carabiner and terminated with a figure-8.

#Dog #Leash #DIY #Rope #Braid #Craft

Peace. Or if you believe Peter Venkman it goes with mass hysteria ...

2026-10-17T15:29:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…rnhs
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Peace.

Or if you believe Peter Venkman it goes with mass hysteria and human sacrifice 🤷

Murzina was even purring :)

I guess the negotiations were successful.

#Cat #Dog #Peace #Roxy #Murzina #Homestead #Animals

Murzina is a very sly cat. Not only does she catch plenty of ...

2026-10-16T20:10:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…rnhs
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Murzina is a very sly cat. Not only does she catch plenty of rodents, she then brings them to me, loudly meowing despite a mouse in her fangs.

Or she parades with them past the window in a slow stroll to make sure we see what a good catcher she is.

After some praise, I did have to ask her to take that away and she promptly munched it down completely. Makes you wonder what a digestive system cats must have.

#Cat #Mouse #Hunting #Murzina #BarnCat

Negotiations. #Cat #Dog #Murzina #Roxy #Homestead ...

2026-10-16T18:59:13Z

Negotiations.

#Cat #Dog #Murzina #Roxy #Homestead

Newly repaired tractor went and fetched the rotavator and then ...

2026-10-16T16:11:06Z

Newly repaired tractor went and fetched the rotavator and then dragged a row of whirling knives through the garden.

Then marked a small area and planted the garlic. Just in time for first frost.

Only half the area as last year because that was far too much garlic and we already gave away a bunch and still have more than enough.

#Garlic #Garden #Homestead #Gardening

Pumpkin price check 😆 Ours don't come with little ...

2026-10-16T16:01:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…xd67
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Pumpkin price check 😆

Ours don't come with little banderoles though and aren't of uniform size.

Also didn't grown in plasticulture, so they have some dirt on them. Which I washed off.

Hey, these are worth a lot more than potatoes. I guess they needed to be picked by hand and even Moroccan immigrants won't work for free. 🤷

#Pumpkin #Price #Homestead #Bio

Bob did a good job keeping the birds out and deserves winter ...

2026-10-15T17:08:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…xd67
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Bob did a good job keeping the birds out and deserves winter hibernation in the barn.

Maybe we can even find a new hat by spring. This one is falling apart.

Ivan (the fur coat) is still going strong though.

#Bob #HeadOnAStick #Homestead #Garden

DPD still holding our exhaust hostage, so I did some gardening ...

2026-10-15T16:56:44Z

DPD still holding our exhaust hostage, so I did some gardening work instead.

Cleared away the bean supports and overgrown garden, piling the compost mountain even higher.

Finished processing the onions. They cured nicely, only a handful bad.

Since it looks like first night frost in a few days, I harvested all the pumpkins as well. Quite a haul. A few have been "sampled" by some rodents and went into the EatSoon basket. The rest is stored in the barn for now as I need to make space in the house first.

Hope the cat does her job protecting them.

Also gave the storm damaged apple tree a severe pruning. Should recover and be more able to withstand the next storm, but may not bear fruit next year. I picked up the good ones first.

#Pumpkin #Harvest #Garden #Homestead #GrowYourOwn #Onion

Calling someone on the phone at 8am. #Phone #Morning

2026-10-15T08:15:43Z

Calling someone on the phone at 8am.

#Phone #Morning

A whole bunch of nuts and bolts tightened down, many checks, some ...

2026-10-14T17:51:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…udmh
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A whole bunch of nuts and bolts tightened down, many checks, some adjustments and then filling various fluids.

Engine fired up well, needed some idle adjustment to stop the clutch from ringing, the blade guides were so far off they were sparking so that needed adjusting and then I cut a first test log.

A little piece of spam maple from the garden got turned into a beam and wow, this is fun! It cut that little log like butter.

The byproducts are firewood and sawdust (still need to hang a chicken food sack on the chute to capture that). No waste.

Before I cut some proper logs I need to think what I actually need :)

#DIY #Sawmill #WoodlandMills #Sawmilling #Homestead #Woodworking

Had a drizzly afternoon to finally get this thing out of the ...

2026-10-13T18:22:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…nn7h
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Had a drizzly afternoon to finally get this thing out of the barn.

Apparently lifting the head onto the tracks is the critical part of the installation (and the manual insists on "at least two people"), but with the help of my rear forks and some careful manoeuvering it got shifted on fairly easily, on my own.

It rolls smoothly, which means the track may still be aligned.

Bunch of adjustments and tightening left to do.

#Sawmill #WoodlandMills #Homestead #DIY

Murzina says MRRReeow. Often and loudly. She has been seen around ...

2026-10-11T19:33:55Z

Murzina says MRRReeow. Often and loudly.

She has been seen around a few times lately, but over the last two days she has apparently moved into our big barn and claimed it for herself, making a blue sack of mysterious contents her throne.

She's been loudly demanding attention. Unlike Chicken, Murzina is not shy and lets me stroke her and comes rubbing around my boots.

She also likes to poop in the part of the barn with the garden tools 😫

#Cat #Murzina #Homestead

The instructions and parts diagrams are entirely in Japanese so I ...

2026-10-06T20:08:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…6cmf
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The instructions and parts diagrams are entirely in Japanese so I have to use Google Lens to look up what's what.

Can't copypaste either because its from 1984 and therefore a scanned paper booklet.

#Iseki #Japanese #Tractor

That just left the wheel shaft, bearings and seal. The housing ...

2026-10-06T18:08:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…gmxd
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That just left the wheel shaft, bearings and seal. The housing was extremely muddy inside but cleaned up alright, none of the gearwheels had more than surface rust which brushed off easy.

Reassembled with RTV gunk and then installed back on the tractor. That's the right side completely rebuilt.

No more play, everything is firm and tight and hopefully not leaking, but I'll find out about that when I fill it.

Alas, the left side still needs doing and I'm out of light and time and spoons for today.

There I've done the wheel shaft already but the other parts also need doing as the bearings will be just as bad. At least I know how to get the vertical shaft out now :)

#DIY #Tractor #Repair #Iseki #Mechanic #Homestead #Mud #Rust

Vertical shaft didn't wanna come out because the drawing I ...

2026-10-06T17:51:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…aq5u
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Vertical shaft didn't wanna come out because the drawing I have is different from the tractor. In the end I had to pry off a weird bottom cap and found two circlips inside, while the drawing had one on top that I don't have.

After that the shaft came out, I replaced the bottom bearing, a very worn thrust bearing and the steering seal.

Quite a bit of gunk in here to clean. And the bearings were due.

#DIY #Tractor #Repair #Iseki #Mechanic #Circlip #Bearing #Homestead

Pried off the old cassette seals with some effort. Then extracted ...

2026-10-06T12:57:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…9e8t
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Pried off the old cassette seals with some effort.

Then extracted the broken bolt with a set of left-handed drill bits, which I've had mixed success with in extremely salt-water rusted boat stuff, but this time they worked a charm.

Probably also because it was steel in steel, not steel bolts in cast aluminium with salt water corrosion, which is absolutely horrible.

New seal sleeve on the steering, new bearings on the bevel gears and onto the next part, the vertical shaft.

#Tractor #Repair #DIY #Iseki #Mechanic #Homestead #Bearing #Rebuild

Deliveries arrived. This is turning into a full front axle ...

2026-10-06T12:51:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…xkrn
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Deliveries arrived. This is turning into a full front axle rebuild.

Things came apart well but I found a broken bolt that had just been glued in with RTV sealant, thanks for that Litechnija! :old_man_yells_at:

The differential up top looked ok but some crud needed cleaning out.

Then a lot of removing rusty bearings. The gears are fine and cleaned up ok.

This time I ordered all the bearings so I should have everything for this job.

#Tractor #Repair #DIY #Iseki #Axle #Mechanic #Homestead

The grey goo on the foundation isn't dry yet (the ...

2026-10-03T18:26:37Z

The grey goo on the foundation isn't dry yet (the instructions just say "several days") and we're actually having some nice autumn weather, so I got to do some gardening.

Threshed the seeds out of the sunflower heads. The stripey ones are supposed to be better for eating and the black ones for making oil but I can't really tell much difference taste or oil wise.

The stalks got cut and limbed and thrown in the barn. The internet claims they will dry into tough woody material suitable for plant supports. But the internet is full of disinformation now, so we'll dry and see.

Friend came by to pluck some raspberries, got given some fresh garlic and left us with a celery plant, so that was a bad deal (wife likes celery though, so I planted it anyways).

#Gardening #Homestead #Sunflower #Seed

These are starting to look ready. In fact we already ate one that ...

2026-10-03T15:13:09Z

These are starting to look ready. In fact we already ate one that had a little pruning accident and it was nice.

Butternut squash grown from seed found in a supermarket butternut squash :)

#Garden #Gardening #Pumpking #Squash #Butternut #Pumpkin #King

Late night car repair, because #Knirps brought the front axle and ...

2026-10-02T19:12:30Z

Late night car repair, because #Knirps brought the front axle and then the rest of the car.

Luckily the missing screw seems to have arrived on my table a few days ago and now I know where it came from.

#Toy #Car #Repair #DIY #Volkswagen #Käfer #Beetle

Neighbour still working the field. It's finally been a dry ...

2026-10-01T19:20:19Z

Neighbour still working the field. It's finally been a dry few days so the tractors are busy day and night.

#Tractor #Farm #Field #Agriculture #Night

Ok, new seal installed, new bearings, all put together with some ...

2026-09-30T11:09:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…g40l
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Ok, new seal installed, new bearings, all put together with some grey goo, wonderful.

Fill in some diesel to flush out the mud and expectedly, the side I fixed is fine but its gushing out the other wheel now. The filler happens to be on this side, so for oil (or the diesel I'm flushing with) to reach the other side, it needed to be fixed this end first.

Should've ordered both sides, in hindsight. And the bearings need replacing anyways, the play on the outer end of the rim has gone from 5 mm to under 1mm.

Also getting the steering seals and bearings, just in case. The differential is hopefully ok.

Another €45 in bearings and €93 for the other cassette seals. 😭

#DIY #Tractor #Repair #Homestead #Iseki #Mechanic

Pakidge! Bearing puller finally came. Bit late in the day, but ...

2026-09-29T18:24:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…fmc7
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Pakidge!

Bearing puller finally came. Bit late in the day, but we're in a hurry, so it got put to work and while it did not fit inside the concave gear (har!) it worked anyways with some sandal squat mechanic inspiration.

The gushing seal is busted of course but it looks like eons of normal wear rather than anything special like grass damage. Certainly hasn't been replaced in a long time, if ever. Of course now I worry about the others.

The outer bearing is also worn out, but that's normal, the inner bearing is still ok but will get replaced too.

I'll put it back together tomorrow and we'll see if there's any more leaks on the front axle.

#Homestead #Tractor #Repair #Iseki #DIY #Seal #Leak

A belated and very overdue pruning of the pumpkin jungle. Mostly ...

2026-09-28T15:36:32Z

A belated and very overdue pruning of the pumpkin jungle.

Mostly because I had no idea that was a thing. But it makes every sense.

#Pumpkin #Gardening #Pruning #Garden #Homestead

Parcels are arriving, but as usual when you order from three ...

2026-09-24T17:01:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…wv4z
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Parcels are arriving, but as usual when you order from three suppliers, one always comes late.

In this case the one with the gear puller.

The Japanese bearings came from Lytagra and were quite affordable, unlike the original Iseki part up there 😬

#Tractor #DIY #Repair

Feeling a bit shite since last night, not sure what's got me. ...

2026-09-24T11:18:07Z

Feeling a bit shite since last night, not sure what's got me. Been lurching around the garden half dead and noticed a swarm of tits (black head, no yellow, marsh tits perhaps) feasting on our sunflowers, ignoring the fact that they're hanging upside down and shouldn't be accessible.

The sunflowers were supposed to dry before harvest but with this weather they were rotting instead, so I got a knife and chopped off the heads, saved what I could, sliced all the juicy bits off and threw the rest into the sauna for lack of a better space.

They were mostly ripe but not dried enough for threshing. Gotta get them dry somehow without turning mouldy.

The questions remains what to do with the huge stalks. Compost or woodchipper?

#Homestead #Harvest #Sunflower #Gardening

Bunch of parts ordered, including one of the pricey cassette ...

2026-09-22T12:53:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…3wzz
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Bunch of parts ordered, including one of the pricey cassette seals, because Iseki has work to do and can't be lazing around in the barn forever.

Yoinks, cassette seals, €64 for one. (Or €2.50 from Alibaba ...

2026-09-21T19:26:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…khj4
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Yoinks, cassette seals, €64 for one.

(Or €2.50 from Alibaba with a rather large minimum order and 4-5 month delivery)

Opened the front axle drain plugs and out came a liter of mud and ...

2026-09-21T16:42:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…gx63
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Opened the front axle drain plugs and out came a liter of mud and a bit of water where there should've been 5 liters of hypoid gear oil.

Not good. Firstly why so little and secondly why water.

The water was quickly explained by the filler plug having a small hole at the top, so whenever it rained or I washed the tractor, some water would've gotten in. According to diagrams there should be some metal breather springy thingy on top that I never noticed missing.

Should be easy to fix, somehow.

I decided to flush the mud out with some diesel, which promptly sprinkled back out from behind the left wheel, meaning the shaft seal was shot.

Wheel off, final drive open, yup, I'm gonna need a bigger gear puller, a seal and a bearing or two.

#Tractor #Iseki #Maintenance #DIY #Homestead #Gear

Iseki bottom service. Rear axle and transmission oil (which ...

2026-09-21T16:22:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…s6mn
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Iseki bottom service.

Rear axle and transmission oil (which doubles as hydraulic fluid) got drained, inspected and filled back in as it was ok.

The filter needed a clean (washable steel mesh) and the magnet therein had collected some stuff, but then this is a 40 year old machine with 2000 hours on the clock. No bigger chunks = all good.

But then things took a turn for the worse...

#Tractor #Maintenance #DIY #Homestead #Farm #Service

Service time. The little generator that helped us a lot during ...

2026-09-21T13:28:00Z

Service time.

The little generator that helped us a lot during our week-long power outage got an oil change and general check-up.

Even though we bought it before and occasionally used it for farm work, we did buy it mainly in case of just such an outage, which proved a good idea as everyone else was driving far across the country to empty store shelves after the storm hit.

We put about 30 hours on it during that week, most of it in "Eco mode" (low on-demand governed rpm) and the spark plug looked clean, oil barely dirty, so that's good.

Also it is really a lot quieter than the really cheap open frame contraptions.

#Generator #Service #DIY #Maintenance #Homestead #OilChange

Some more firewood, this time without the rain. My new ...

2026-09-18T12:48:42Z

Some more firewood, this time without the rain.

My new sawing/splitting area is much nicer than the muddy ditch I had it in before :)

The garden cart is great by the way, very happy with it. I've hauled it heaped with wet soil and it managed that, although I could barely pull it.

#Firewood #Homestead #Cart

My pile of bulldozer parts grows. Found a few more under the old ...

2026-09-17T10:39:28Z

My pile of bulldozer parts grows. Found a few more under the old plough.

DT-75 drive sprockets, I think. Which is actually a tracked tractor with three point hitch in the back and dozer blade in the front.

Example:

#Bulldozer #Parts #Sprocket

Been browsing old photos to remind myself when I planted the ...

2026-09-16T22:08:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…pnjx
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Been browsing old photos to remind myself when I planted the garlic last year (mid October).

Always seems like there is too little progress on the homestead until you look at old photos and go "huh, last year it still looked like this."

This is the same potato field exactly one year ago. An overgrown goat pen full of thorny fuckers, 2m tall weeds and an ingrown fence.

Now it has yielded a basement full of potatoes, a bunch of huge beetroots and some still growing pumpkins. Guess there was some progress after all. :blobcatgoogly:

#Homestead #Farm

The field mushrooms are sprouting again. After we've ...

2026-09-16T09:16:07Z

The field mushrooms are sprouting again. After we've identified them last time as almost certainly agaricus campestris, I ate one yesterday and am not dead or have bloody intestines gushing out of my ears, so we can conclude they're food.

It was also really nice. Compared to the portobello from the shop, firmer and juicier but that may well be due to having been eaten within an hour of plucking instead of knocking around various warehouses, trucks and supermarket shelves.

#Mushroom #Garden #Harvest #Homestead

Another thing that was in the crooked shack (the one with the ...

2026-09-09T19:09:23Z

Another thing that was in the crooked shack (the one with the useful beams) was this pile of dried bundles of reeds.

No idea what these were collected for here. Don't think I've seen many thatched roofs around. No, I don't want to build one either.

What to do with this? Someone spent a lot of effort gathering and bundling them.

#Homestead #Treasure #Reeds

A garden pond has established itself. #Rain #Lithuania ...

2026-09-05T17:44:11Z

A garden pond has established itself.

#Rain #Lithuania

Beans did great this year, we ate loads, froze some and they just ...

2026-09-05T07:51:54Z

Beans did great this year, we ate loads, froze some and they just kept coming.

Peas are done, we let some dry for seeds and tore out the plants and supports.

The last two surviving sweetcorn cobs were the largest and so got plucked and peeled to dry for seeds.

Also got seeds from the two tobacco plants that popped up randomly after we dug over the former greenhouse for the first time. Nobody here smokes, but I'm kinda curious to experiment with them.

Cucumbers are done too.

Even managed to save a few hazelnuts from the mad squirrels this year.

Just pumpkins, sunflowers and apples left now. And the apples are pretty sour still. Not enough sun. Endless rain.

#Homestead #Harvest #Garden #Beans #Peas #Sweetcorn #Tobacco #Pumpkin #Cucumber #Hazelnuts #SeedSaving

Fallen apple tree processed and the big branch of the other tree ...

2026-09-03T18:01:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…hu90
_________________________

Fallen apple tree processed and the big branch of the other tree as well. It was that branch which stopped the apple tree from destroying the fence, so I'm grateful.

This isn't even all of the branches, there is another pile I had to drag out of the way because I couldn't get past anymore.

There's going to be a LOT of woodchipping this autumn, but first this stuff can lay here awhile until the leaves drop off. Makes for better woodchips without them.

I tried some of the little red apples. They look nice but are really tart. I assume they were used for pig food in the past.

I'm ready for a calm, dry autumn 😠

#Homestead #Storm #Damage #Tree

Tackling the big fallen apple tree. The trunk was hollow with rot ...

2026-09-03T12:57:27Z

Tackling the big fallen apple tree.

The trunk was hollow with rot inside and yet it made all those (small and sour) apples.

In between, a lot of chainsaw problems. Oiler blocked because some wood chips got in there somehow and then when I fixed that the next pull the stupid double-recoil starter broke.

Luckily its a standard Zenoah clone and lookit, the entire recoil assembly from a donor body fit right on it. Style upgrade, too! 😁

And it has normal pull start now. I hated that double recoil "feature".

The tree had a load of branches and fell on another two trees breaking another big branch, so its a mess to clear out and a lot of branches to drag out to the now huge piles.

#Tree #Storm #Damage #Homestead #Chainsaw #Repair #DIY #Firewood

My attempt at capturing some free phosphate fertilizer: Throw ...

2026-09-02T18:56:47Z

My attempt at capturing some free phosphate fertilizer: Throw grass clippings under the storks nest and let them poop on it all summer. When the storks leave, collect the enriched clippings and throw them on top of the compost heap.

Alternatively we could just plant root veggies under there 🤔

They poop a lot, being forced to grow from egg to adult in just a few months and they learn how to do it over the side of the nest early on. Unless its storming it all lands in a 3m radius :)

#Stork #Nest #Compost #Garden #Homestead #Fertilizer #Free

"Wow, everything is so green in your photos" people tell ...

2026-09-02T18:46:53Z

"Wow, everything is so green in your photos" people tell me.

Yes, and there's a reason for that.

#Rain #Weather #Wet #Homestead #Green

Now those pumpkins on the left can take over the world. Which ...

2026-08-31T18:34:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…pnjx
_________________________

Now those pumpkins on the left can take over the world. Which they seem keen on. They already claimed most of the (harvested) beetroot row, crossed into the potatoes and are encroaching on the hazelnut bush on the other side.

Note to self for next year: Give the pumpkins three times as much space even if it seems ridiculous.

Potato harvest day, after being rudely interrupted by various ...

2026-08-31T18:22:03Z

Potato harvest day, after being rudely interrupted by various roofs and trees flying around.

First I decapitated everything and pitchforked it into some big piles.

Iseki got the DIY potato digger attached. Hung some more junk onto it for extra down pressure and invited the troops for picking.

The soil was still too wet, but it will never be drier, tomorrow brings rain again. The digger did ok, it bounced off some gloopy parts but I just ran it two or even three times through a row and out came the taters.

The row by the beetroots had huge potatoes!

A lot of picking, some dirt removal (wet dirt sucks) and distributing them in airy crates in the barn (now without skylight) to cure.

We got enough for a year this time, I think.

#Harvest #Homestead #Potato #PotatoDigger #Garden

A lot of the sunflowers have somehow survived or recovered, even ...

2026-08-28T21:21:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…spkl
_________________________

A lot of the sunflowers have somehow survived or recovered, even if they got twisted half off their stems.

The sweetcorn got flattened but the two biggest cobs that we were keeping for next years seeds are still there. Lucky!

Most apples got knocked off the big tree, a few still on there though. One tree in the back broke many branches full of apples. The other with the nice red apples survived intact.

The most sorry I am about the big spruce losing its top. That was a nice tree and we relocated the entire kitchen garden to let it live. I guess we'll find out if spruces can survive without their tip or not.

It crashed into the raspberries but those grow back like weeds anyway.

We lost a week as well so now we're even more behind on everything 🙀

#Homestead #Garden #Storm #Damage

Now that we have power and internet again I can post some photos ...

2026-08-28T21:02:19Z

Now that we have power and internet again I can post some photos from the aftermath of the storm.

This was the cherry-plum tree that got twisted until it split lengthwise. All the fruit got dumped as well, I had to rake that out of the way before I could safely work on the house as I didn't want to slip around on squishy fruit while working with a ladder. Plus it does attract rodents (they stash the cores for winter).

Tractor assisted felling to keep the fence intact. Turns out the tree was hollow with an ant nest inside. The fruit was never any good anyways, so I'm not sorry except now there is a big hole where everyone can look in from the street. Will have to find some spruces to replant.

#Homestead #Storm #Tree #Felling #Fruit #Tractor

Barn roof fixed! 😀 I've put on my social media asbestos ...

2026-08-28T14:56:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…teak
_________________________

Barn roof fixed! 😀

I've put on my social media asbestos advice-proof gear and scrounged for some relatively intact roof panels in the old man's stash. Found a few that looked almost new.

The big oak had to loose a branch that was not only in the way but possibly related to the damage.

The next part was hard. Hauling the panels up the ladder in one hand, impact driver dangling off my trousers, pocket full of screws was still ok, but jamming the replacement panels underneath the old panels without falling off the ladder or dropping anything was rather tricky.

One cracked under my weight (weird, I can't be much more than the pine marten, can I) and got a professional grade fix with some PU foam and a piece of old panel.

Ready for rain! 😌

#Homestead #Barn #Roof #Storm #Repair #DIY

Started on the barn roof repair. The barn is huge and therefore ...

2026-08-27T18:01:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…3a6z
_________________________

Started on the barn roof repair. The barn is huge and therefore the roof is also.

The 10m ladder only reaches 5/8th up there, so I fashioned some ridge hooks for the telescoping aluminium ladder from wood. Makes it bloody heavy though.

I've put away my general purpose farm safety clogs for this and some climbing boots on and then with great effort hauled the second ladder up the first in one hand and then hooked it over the ridge, the pesky lightning arrestor cable there not helping at all.

The actual repair on that side was easy, just a panel to slide back into place, poke around for the batten and put some screws in. Then screw down all others in range so they don't get any ideas next storm.

The other side is going to be more work.

#Homestead #Storm #Repair #Barn #Roof #DIY #Ladder

Power still out by the way, since Saturday evening. The local ...

2026-08-26T18:37:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…ty4w
_________________________

Power still out by the way, since Saturday evening. The local cell tower just came back, so we have internet without having to put the phone into special yoga positions.

Weather has been better and the flu is relenting, just some snot and a persistent cough.

Our region has just declared a state of emergency. Not sure what that does. I've seen a truck with a water tank and some barrier fences drive by. Yesterday a green helicopter was flying low over the forest, perhaps checking for trees on the power lines?

You hear generators everywhere now. Cars pass by with trailers hauling supplies to fix things or transport fresh firewood. Also an old lady on the side of the road collecting dry sticks, probably for cooking. Old houses still have wood fired cookers.

#Homestead #Storm #Lithuania

House roof siding fixed. Including the parts that did not fly off ...

2026-08-26T10:56:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…jh3e
_________________________

House roof siding fixed. Including the parts that did not fly off but were about to.

Who needs a drone when you can just buy a rickety 10m long ladder and wobble your way up and down it 12 times on decrepit old knees!

Look what a nice view it is. Perfect for giving a middlefinger to the departing rainclouds. Also can see the whole yard from up here.

Power still out. Apparently we can get some compensation later as it's been over 72 hours now.

Good, because this storm is getting expensive, and not just in days lost.

#Homestead #Storm #Repair

Fabric dye? I've had good success with the boat cushions, ...

2026-08-25T15:22:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…6fly
_________________________

Fabric dye? I've had good success with the boat cushions, which were also very faded but fabric still ok.

Went to town to get roofing screws and petrol and make some phone ...

2026-08-25T14:57:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…papa
_________________________

Went to town to get roofing screws and petrol and make some phone calls. Got screws, big ladders are sold out.

I bet petrol generators are too, I've been hearing scalpers have been asking €1000 for a lousy petrol generator worth €300.

So off to the big city. Damage on the way varied a lot. One village had barely anything, another looked like the battle of the Bulge, exploded trees everywhere, snapped off street lights, power lines dangling on the ground between, one house had a giant tree embedded in the middle of the roof.

The rain is subsiding, tomorrow should be dry so I can tackle some roof work. Still feeling a bit sick and couldn't stop sneezing after yesterdays work.

#Homestead #Storm

Got a bit of reception with a stainless kitchen bowl as reflector ...

2026-08-24T17:02:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…2752
_________________________

Got a bit of reception with a stainless kitchen bowl as reflector dish. Of course the distant tower is overloaded, but there is trickle of internet instead of a blip now.

Still no power. Got an email from ESO saying it will be restored by the 29th 😬

Running the generator sometimes to keep the freezer alive and charge batteries. Some rewiring and we even have running water.

Been taking down the mousefruit tree piece by piece. The wind had twisted its branches so far the trunk just burst lengthwise.

Cleared the forest road. Early firewood! Its not bad down there, the valley was sheltered, fallen trees mostly up on the edge.

Been to town to get some meds. Looks like our area got hit hard. Many trees fallen on and by the road and in gardens. Town has power.

Photos tbd.

#Homestead #Storm

First blip of Internet since Saturday. Storm did a lot of damage, ...

2026-08-24T01:51:47Z

First blip of Internet since Saturday. Storm did a lot of damage, power and cell towers are still out.

Had to board up a smashed attic window during the storm. Some roof siding blew off the house and the big barn has a big hole in the roof ☹️

Lots of trees down or become dangerous, been busy making the near ones safe.

Garden got beat up, most fruits fell off trees but some sunflowers survived.

Forest road is blocked by fallen trees so not sure there but I see lots of firewood to be hauled.

Bonus: All three of us got the flu 🤧

#Homestead #Storm #Lithuania

Stuff I found while rummaging for those potato digger clamps. ...

2026-08-22T09:29:27Z

Stuff I found while rummaging for those potato digger clamps.

I'm not sure what I found more of here, axes or pitchforks.

#Homestead #Cleanup #Treasure #Axe #Tools

Haggis looks surprised to find himself clean and hanging from a ...

2026-08-22T08:35:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…enjr
_________________________

Haggis looks surprised to find himself clean and hanging from a laundry line. Better than a musty drawer in an old shack, he thinks.

He could use a hairbrush though, although the wet and wind blown look is appropriate for today's weather forecast.

#Plush #Teddy #BarnFind

Snacks from the garden. Some did not grow very big, but the last ...

2026-08-20T20:03:34Z

Snacks from the garden.

Some did not grow very big, but the last two that aren't ripe yet are much bigger for some reason. Perhaps they did like the extra rain. But they're all tasty :)

#Sweetcorn #Snack #Food #Fresh #Homestead #Garden

Haven't had treasure in a while but today I was hiding from ...

2026-08-19T18:16:13Z

Haven't had treasure in a while but today I was hiding from rain showers and had time to rummage in a yet unexplored place.

Look what an amazing wonder healing device I've found! From Switzerland (doubt it). Wait, it's actually just a regular old incandescent light bulb in a sci-fi shaped plastic handle. What a scam.

Next another locker full of old clothes, handbags, etc. I'll sort these in winter. The flannel shirts might get used.

And in the drawer below, a Scottish bear, far from home. Quite dirty and the mice had a nibble but didn't like his stuffing. I think his name might be Haggis. He's even got bagpipes.

Also Pik-Nik the weird processed cheese guy. Both in need of a wash.

#Homestead #Cleanup #Treasure #Plush #TeddyBear

It's really nice to just go out in the garden, break a piece ...

2026-08-17T17:57:20Z

It's really nice to just go out in the garden, break a piece off some plant and eat it.

In this case sweetcorn. Ok, I had to peel that first.

Log stops and clamps installed as well. The log stops also needed ...

2026-08-17T17:38:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…vv09
_________________________

Log stops and clamps installed as well. The log stops also needed squaring but that was quick and easy.

I've also moved it over to one side of the concrete beams so the log stops can drop down in the space between instead of hitting the concrete. Glad I didn't bolt it down yet :)

#Sawmill #DIY #Homestead

Looks exactly the same as before, but after half a day of work it ...

2026-08-17T12:20:54Z

Looks exactly the same as before, but after half a day of work it is aligned and levelled and bolted together.

Sighting over the bunks looks nice now instead of bumpy like an old concrete slab highway.

The sawmill head is ready to be lifted on. But first some more digging around the house.

#Sawmill #Homestead #Assembly #DIY

Spiked! A few designs have the spikes bent upwards at the ends ...

2026-08-15T16:36:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…3ysd
_________________________

Spiked!

A few designs have the spikes bent upwards at the ends but I don't see what that is supposed to achieve.

The spikes are for guiding the potatoes up while the soil falls between them and then drop them on top for easy picking. Any upward bend will just get them stuck.

So that's basically it. The angle of attack looks too steep now, before it looked too shallow. But since it goes on a three-point hitch, I can adjust it some by tilting the frame.

Next for some clamps to attach it to said frame.

#PotatoDigger #TractorAttachment #DIY #Welding #Metalworking #Homestead #SalvagePunk

Progress on the actual potato digger part. Some scribbling on the ...

2026-08-15T11:46:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…0ggw
_________________________

Progress on the actual potato digger part.

Some scribbling on the workbench, two old plough blades (tough to cut but welded easily) and a double spring from a harrow for a neck.

The spring steel is difficult to weld. If it doesn't hold, I'll replace it with something else, but the curve was just too perfect not to try. Added a reinforcement piece to help.

Everything on the front got a visit from the grinder to smooth it over. Not to hide my welds but to protect the potato skins from damage.

Lots of guesswork here. V-angle, diving angle, width, etc.

It's a prototype :)

#PotatoDigger #TractorAttachment #DIY #Welding #Metalworking #Homestead #Recycling

Cut, cut, grind, grind, sparkle, sparkle. Frame for tractor ...

2026-08-14T17:58:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…nz5n
_________________________

Cut, cut, grind, grind, sparkle, sparkle. Frame for tractor attachment slapped together in a hurry.

Part is recycled from the old drawbar I bent last year. The bar itself is a massively thick chunk of steel and has the lower pins already on it. I cleaned off the welds where the bent, flimsy frame was welded on, recycled the hitch into a top link fitting (no drilling holes, yay) and built the rest from C-channels that used to be somewhat overly sturdy fenceposts.

The top link fitting is also bent from its previous life but I'm hopeful if I throw it in the sauna-forge tomorrow I can straighten it out.

Yes, the top bar is super wide and there's a good reason for that.

#DIY #Welding #Metalworking #TractorAttachment #PotatoDigger #Homestead

The thinking phase. Scrapmetal aided design and a lot of going ...

2026-08-13T17:13:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…a9ev
_________________________

The thinking phase. Scrapmetal aided design and a lot of going "hmm".

A plan is forming.

Need a frame, this time I'll make a square one and general purpose because I've been wanting to do that for a while and then it can carry any number of simple tools like this potato digger, a furrower and maybe even pallet forks 2.0. 💡

I think I might also manage to get drawbar functionality out of it, for both types of hitch. The goal here is to reduce the time spent swapping attachments around. Especially changing between drawbar and pallet fork wastes a lot of time.

#DIY #TractorAttachment #Metalworking #Welding #Homestead #PotatoDigger

Choices, choices. #Plough #DIY #PotatoDigger #TractorAttachment ...

2026-08-13T11:59:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…ff9a
_________________________

Choices, choices.

#Plough #DIY #PotatoDigger #TractorAttachment #Welding #Homestead

I hate podcasts.

2026-08-13T11:43:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…ut03
_________________________

I hate podcasts.

Next up, potato harvest. Since nobody wants to dig a small field ...

2026-08-13T10:20:14Z

Next up, potato harvest. Since nobody wants to dig a small field of loamy soil by hand, that means welding something like this tractor attachment together from the scrap metal pile.

I've spotted some plough blades that might suit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msUxgeHe_pI

#PotatoDigger #TractorAttachment #DIY #Homestead

Rest of the garlic harvest done. 🧄 Definitely won't have ...

2026-08-13T10:05:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…fv7l
_________________________

Rest of the garlic harvest done.

🧄

Definitely won't have any vampires around the house tonight.

#Garlic #Harvest #Garden #Homestead

It looks like you can spin the bottom part like a slot machine to ...

2026-08-12T07:00:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…tqra
_________________________

It looks like you can spin the bottom part like a slot machine to determine whether the road is impassable. I wonder what the odds are!

Found me some sawmill junk and with a bit of tablesaw work and a ...

2026-08-10T17:50:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…qaum
_________________________

Found me some sawmill junk and with a bit of tablesaw work and a few screws turned it into two more frames for drying racks.

Then some fence maples got a draft letter and before long were chopped up and nailed to the frame on one end. Green maple doesn't split when nailing, unlike dry sticks. And they do grow fast and furious here.

Can dig more garlic now.

#Garlic #Harvest #Drying #Curing #Rack #DIY #Homestead #Garden

Garlic harvest. Only half of it because all the drying racks are ...

2026-08-10T14:17:01Z

Garlic harvest. Only half of it because all the drying racks are full, even the Volkswagen one.

Yes, the garden is weedy as fuck. That doesn't matter and may even be beneficial. I strimmed the weeds down to the level of the garlic leaves so I could see it and went digging.

This is winter garlic, planted in October. Volves dug tunnels under the snow and mulch all over this bed but didn't touch a single garlic bulb.

Need to build more drying racks before I can get the rest out. And next year plant less of it :)

#Garlic #Harvest #Homestead #Garden #Volkswagen

The Great Giana Sisters soundtrack and plastic dust coming out of ...

2026-08-09T18:36:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…ssta
_________________________

The Great Giana Sisters soundtrack and plastic dust coming out of the joystick from those stupid summer games.

Spinach seeds are easy to get. Simply wait until the plant has ...

2026-08-09T12:15:35Z

Spinach seeds are easy to get. Simply wait until the plant has dried out and looks thoroughly dead, then strip the seeds off with your fingers into a container.

Optionally sift the small particles out and winnow (blow out) any leaves that got in.

Put somewhere warm and dry for a while to finish drying out and then store in a paper bag.

#Seed #Spinach #Gardening #Homestead

So many Youtube DIYers don't know about concrete vibrators ...

2026-08-09T08:20:42Z

So many Youtube DIYers don't know about concrete vibrators and do shitty concrete pours or add excessive water to make it more "flowy".

Mine was €60 from Ali and has done a fantastic job so far. Especially with casting against the old foundation it really gets the concrete flowing into the gaps between the stones to lock them in place. I see the air bubbles pop out of them when getting the tip near one and the concrete level drops as it flows in.

Same for making sure it flows into the extended footing and fills it.

It'll also make sure the rebar and anchor bolts are completely surrounded, which is essential for them to grip well.

Here's an example of the effect:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Puk4RorDo

#Foundation #DIY #Renovation #Concrete #Vibrator #Tools #AliExpress

Renata lives in a tiny, ticking box of gears and only comes out ...

2026-08-07T07:33:19Z

Renata lives in a tiny, ticking box of gears and only comes out to see the light every 2-3 years.

#Renata #Watch #Battery #DIY

Yum, free solar panels.

2026-08-05T21:22:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…fz5p
_________________________

Yum, free solar panels.

Chilling in the shade. #Funcik #Dog #DogsOfMastodon #DogsOfFedi ...

2026-08-03T07:24:56Z

Chilling in the shade.

#Funcik #Dog #DogsOfMastodon #DogsOfFedi #Garden #Well #Shade #Summer

Visited this guy. #Funcik #Dog #DogsOfMastodon #DogsOfFedi ...

2026-08-02T14:53:57Z

Visited this guy.

#Funcik #Dog #DogsOfMastodon #DogsOfFedi

Underway, #Knirps spotted this tractor and demanded we rescue it, ...

2026-08-02T11:31:16Z

Underway, #Knirps spotted this tractor and demanded we rescue it, so I pulled it out and chucked it in the trunk.

Going to need some cleanup and repairs, I think.

#Tractor #Toy #DumpsterDiving #Recycling

Sunflowers now ~2.5m tall, that photo was taken with me holding ...

2026-07-30T20:47:03Z

Sunflowers now ~2.5m tall, that photo was taken with me holding the phone as high as I can.

Sweetcorn has grown silks and is pollinating 🥳

#Garden #Homestead #Corn #Sweetcorn #Sunflower #Growing