Where were you?

So yesterday was the big NASCAR race at Bristol, the loudest mile in the states.
So I knew where my pal Mark Martin was, I knew where Jimmy Johnson was.......

BUT WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE LONGROOF AND BBB??????????????????????????????????

They sure weren't at the best party going down on the East Coast!!!!!!!!!!!

Well maybe there were some wilder parties up north in "Irene" territory, but not down here in sunny silver haired florida land.

Three of the Lee boys got together, with their wives and one neice, sans the Private RN (but she was memoralized during the day, and we had a grand time.

Day started out slow for this old Horsefarmer. The body just didn't want to get up and move. So in true Gentleman Farmer fashion, I rolled out of the sack around 10:30am and headed for the coffee pot (EMPTY)... oh this isn't going to be a good day.

But the Barngoddess1 came through and we had coffee on our new deck.

Then it was off to Ormond Beach .... home of the famous Jeep and Longroof........sans the longroof who is out working somewhere.

We arrived early and the Jeep and his daughter Taylor (who just happens to be the catcher on a fast pitch womans softball team) and I went down to this really nice pasture to play catch. As they warmed up, I warmed up too, except I was sitting on the bench watching them. Pretty soon it was time for the Jeep to hit a few to Taylor out in that nice pasture, so this old man came to the field to catch the throw backs. Now the last time I played any kind of softball (other than toss catch with my Noble Assistant a couple times) was in 1984 in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory. I must admit I didn't miss too many thrown back at me.
But then came time for Taylor to hit, and this old Horsefarmer went out into the field (mind you it was a perfect pasture gone to waste.... but that is another story), and Taylor would hit the balls. In no time short, and I mean about four or five balls coming out there into that pasture, well I realized I AIN'T NO SPRING STUD ANYMORE.

Had a great time though, it was fun to get out and run around a pasture again .... AND NOT WORRY ABOUT STEPPING IN COW PADDIES...

Then back to the Jeep's house to recouperate..... it looked like I had jumped in the pond I was that wet.

Then the Bus arrived. He had been down at BBB's house in Tampa and spent the night over at the vacant Longroof hacienda. I guess he had a heck of a time down Tampa way, cause he slept most of the day away.

But the three of us boys, with Viola and Cheryl and Taylor had a great time. Alas BBB and Longroof weren't here, but they were toasted several times. Yeah those kinds of toasts "Where the heck is........"

So a couple pics of Jeep, Horsefarmer and Bus, tkaen 8/27/11 in Ormond Beach Florida at the post Irene Hurricane Party.






And one of the Barngoddess1 and I at the famous Ormond Beach Garage.




So that's how we celebrated life yesterday. It was great to sit back and visit with the Bus and Jeep at the same time, and be able to hear what they were saying. Sometimes on the phone I can't understand a thing they are saying. But down here yesterday, didn't miss a thing........... except something about a concrete elephant being left at a hacienda (or something like that)

Celebrate Life friends and family, we sure did...........

Tom and Viola
Winter Floridians

1,138 miles later, it's done

So those of you who have been aware of the circumstances, we finally made it.

Yep, the Barngoddess1 and I have made the 1,138 miles journey from the farm to the new homestead in beautiful, sunny, hurricane threatened St Augustine Beach, Florida

Yep, trip was kind of uneventful, except for the awning over the slide tearing and not being connected correctly. Thanks to the Store Manager at Camping World here in St Augustine, the slide awning is now correctly connected, the tarp replaced (as it was under warranty) and we are set up.

Email address is still the same, mailing address is still the same. Farm is being taken care of by Sharks angel and my noble assistant, so no worry there.

Trying to get a Florida Driver's license is going to be a bear, thanks to Homeland security, you now need several forms of identification, a Missouri driver's license not being one of the needed forms.

How the heck do they expect you to get a driver's license in 10 days if you have to write and get a certified - sealed imprinted - copy of your birth certificate?????

We will eventually comply, but not within ten days... just hope some of the brown clad uniformed employees of this great state (those guys who visit the Jeep for auto repairs and tires) don't visit me asking too many questions.

So our first stop was Van Buren MO on the current river, copy pics of Barngoddess1 on the river bank





We ate at a place named after one of my former coworkers.... sorry to say that the meal was terrible, not an indication of his work, just the opposite.



Brother Jim came in and dropped off the Barngoddess's Taurus, so she now has wheels.



Typical Lee fashion, we argued about the best way to get there from here..........
then found out the bad news, both of us were right....... all roads lead to the Jeep's shop......

So here is a pic of the homestead...




And that friends, is exactly how we came to be in Florida.

$456.05 for diesel fuel, 121.72 gallons, 1,138 miles.
So average price per gallon $3.75
Average miles per gallon 9.34

Not bad towing that fancy home of ours.

So celebrate life knowing that we are now in Florida, making sure that Hurrican Irene stays off the coast.

tom and viola

Another day in paradise........

The Barngoddess1, Steph and my noble assistant decided to have a

'FARM MOVING SALE' this weekend. Put up signs, ads in Craig's List.

etc etc

They are selling a lot of stuff I would have bet wouldn't sell. But then the stuff I thought would sell is still for sale.

The best of the day was late this afternoon a couple from Marionville came by to say hi...... Friends of Steph and Jaycee.

Anyway to make it short.....

here is their vehicle



Yep,,,,,
a 1967 VW camper van.



So I couldn't help but inquire....

Seems was bought in Germany new by some servicemember. Later upgraded to US standards and shipped to USA.

Inside is mostly original, or made to match original.

Front windows opened up from bottom.

Just a cool old VW long roof.

Bus you might remember these from your Germany days.

Longroof is probably drooling by now.

So enjoy looking. No I forgot to get more pictures.

Oh it's getting so difficult............

Well the other day, the Bus and I were talking. When we got done, I realized we have reached THAT STAGE....... yep, we are there.

Don't know what I'm talking about...... you're too young and you will understand when you get to be our age.


Yep, we talked for ten minutes......

his med problems, my med problems, what we're doing about it.....

standing around talking about our medical conditions.... that's another sign of old age...............

LOL

It's always good when I have the opportunity to talk with the Bus, means we are both still alive and kicking.............

Got get em

and celebrate life

tom

Why is she mad at me???

So the Barngoddess1 is mad at me this evening. I haven't figured out why yet.

Maybe has something to do with the ads I have on Craig's List and my response to emails sent in reply to the ads.

So I let everyone out there in never-never land decide.......
was I wrong, or just having fun, or whatever.


Here is the ad from Craig's List.

springfield craigslist > for sale / wanted > farm & garden
please flag with care: [?]


miscategorized


prohibited


spam/overpost


best of craigslist

Avoid scams and fraud by dealing locally! Beware any deal involving Western Union, Moneygram, wire transfer, cashier check, money order, shipping, escrow, or any promise of transaction protection/certification/guarantee. More info
Stagecoach - $3500 (Marionville, MO)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2011-06-10, 11:36AM CDT
Reply to: sale-zsbaq-2432322465@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A 5/8 scale WORKING stagecoach, set up for miniature horses or mules in the range of 35 to 37 inches tall.

Can be pulled with a team of two, or add two more for a four up hitch.

Has the works:
Hydraulic brakes on rear wheels
Two team poles, with eveners
Window flaps that roll down
Back boot with cover

Has taken first every time it was in a parade or show.

This ad is for the stagecoach only, the team and harness have been sold.

Email to take a look at it.

Due to scammers, I am hesitant to spend time on the phone or the computer describing it or sending a "whole bunch of photos". Come take a look.

Scammers, if you want to sell for me, give me $5000 and you can sell it for me. All others interested, price is $3,500.00

Located just west of Marionville MO. If you don't know where Marionville is, go to Mapquest.com and search for it.





Location: Marionville, MO
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So the email I get today has just this in the text
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Where is it"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So being the good kind person I am, and being of the Gentleman Farmers blood, I answered with this:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's in the garage.

Too nice to leave in the hay barn or stable.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So why am I in the dog house, I answered his question and gave him more info than he asked for.


NOW IT GETS BETTER.

I have the round pen on Craigs List also, just got an email with the same question from a different person

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Where is it?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So my reply is:


It's in the middle field between the hay barn and the stable.



If someone sends me an email asking if it is still for sale, I think I will reply "yes" and leave it at that.


good by and have a good laugh on people out there.

I've been too busy

Yeah, I hear all about the Bus complaining that he is busy....
yeah he has a role in life that I don't want....
He has to find ole pictures of the two of us when we were younger and full of vim and vigor ready to track lifes problems:


he has to keep track of Bozo,

he has to enjoy the water,


he has to keep on top of what is happening in the Ozarks (so guys like me don't have to)....
yeah the Bus has been busy.

But heck, I've been busy toooooo............ It ain't easy being the only one in our family that is 61 years old!!!

It ain't easy having younger family members telephone me and ask if "the old man" is there.

It ain't easy supervising this motley crew:


It ain't easy being on Longroof's blog, and him showing me sitting down.... yeah the first time I sit down all day, and he takes my picture...... LOL


It sure ain't easy being upstaged by this blonde bombshell, who has the same birthdate as I, but is a lot younger... Happy birthday Carri



It ain't easy trying to play Mario when I have these two telling me to watch out for that tree...........


It ain't easy spending the day with the youngest sibling, enjoying just walking around and talking, looking at this and that, and of course .... sitting and resting


It ain't easy selling stuff, nope it ain't easy when you are kind of emotionally attached..... but all good things must come to an end....
So like Bozo, I can say 'SOLD, SOLD, SOLD, SOLD'




Yes that is correct, Saturday brought a young family from Crane to our farm. Just wanting to look at the team they have heard so much about. So the Barngoddess1 got to say 'SOLD, SOLD, SOLD, SOLD'.

ALAS, poor little Joan, Walker and Aidan were left high and dry, with no help in sight.....

No horses to pull the stage coach.....
CAUSE THEY ARE 'SOLD, SOLD, SOLD, SOLD'

Hey I bet I could have her run and get elected to Congress, afterall she is getting good at the SOLD, SOLD, SOLD, SOLD, thing........

Yep, the Barngoddess1 sold the team (all four of them) and the harness to that young family.

But the hardest job I've been tasked with this weekend, is working with city folk putting up fencing...... yeah.... city folks ain't too bad.... they are easier to work with than Bozo, because they worked and didn't stand around with their hands in their pockets tgrying to get face time on the T and V,
yep here they are......

pictures taken from a moving tractor are never in focus...... duh

So a better shot of the two city folk working........



And a pick of their final product...



pretty good job of fence building....
and to think they were coming by to pick up a lawn roller......
Thanks Greg and Joan, you both saved me a couple hours of work. Hear tell the hardest part of fence building is putting clips on the wire. Heck, I bought a new clip setter, but guess they couldn't figure out how to use it...... LOL

Again, a great weekend was spend celebrating life with friends.

Also: Please keep in your prayers the Jeep's mother in law, she had a cerebral bleed this morning at the airport in Orlando and is presently in intensive care at one of the best Hospital there. She is doing ok, but keep her in mind.

So that ends my day...... time to sit back and play Mario on the big screen.

Aloha
tom

Saturday VS Sunday Weather

Saturday was a perfect day. AS the Longroof would say - A perfect Chamber Day.

Sunday was great until around 5 pm, then all hell broke loose. We spent a hour in the tornado shelter as the storm that nailed Joplin passed overhead and went off to the southwest.

St John's Hospital in Joplin took almost a direct hit, and judging from the pictures on the Weather Channel, the whole area around St John's has been devastated. Joplin is calling for all Doctors, Nurses, Fireman and Medics to come and help out.

We are staying here to help out the mid Ozarks if needed. As I type this, more tornadoes are breaking out along the MO Ark line heading east.

The Bus is in Rockaway, hope the storms go south of him.

After exiting the shelter, I grabbed the camera and shot a few pics of the weather.
Here they are>

IGNORE THE DATE IN THE PICS, IT IS 5/22/2011, I HAVEN'T LEARNED HOW TO CHANGE DATE ON CAMERA.

looking northwest:

Same group northwest:

these are all looking southeast, notice the rainbow?