Once Again

It's good to reread old books - you always discover something you missed. I overlooked this in Olav Hauge's "Selected Poems."

Everyday

You've left the big storms
behind you now.
You didn't ask then
why you were born,
where you came from, where you were going to,
you were just there in the storm,
in the fire.
But it's possible to live
in the everyday as well,
in the grey quiet day,
set potatoes, rake leaves,
carry brushwood.
There's so much to think about here in the world,
one life is not enough for it all.
After work you can fry pork
and read Chinese poems.
Old Laertes cut briars,
dug round his fig trees,
and let the heroes fight on at Troy.

1934 Truck Odyssey

My 1934 Ford flatbed truck finally made it to Mariposa a couple months ago and is getting fixed up a bit to make it drivable.
For many years it has languished in Isleton while I was busy with other things. Over the years, the bed and stake sides have rotted away, and the generator quit working.

I rebuilt the bed last year while the truck was in Isleton, before my marriage to Melina and my move to our new home in Mariposa. This included using pressure treated wood for the 3x cross beams (green PT) and the 2x6 bed itself (brown PT). Stainless screws secure the bed. I also replaced the dead generator with a new alternator, but didn't have the time to make sure it was really working

I rented a big U-Haul car carrier to bring the truck to Mariposa, but it turned out to be a couple feet too short for the wheelbase - I got most of the truck on, but the rear wheels only made it halfway up the ramps. Yeah, I know, I should have measured somewhere along the way...but I was so sure!

We wound up using the rented carrier to haul the 1954 Chrysler to its buyer Stockton. The gentleman who bought it is a roving junkman and, as fortune would have it, he had a long bed tow truck. Hhe offered to haul the flatbed to Mariposa. That cost me a few hundred bucks, but was worth it to get the truck there in one piece.

It sat here for a while, but just lately, before the last rain, I put a coat of sealer on the bed.

For fun, I drove Melina and Zane around our 6 acres. Zane took a real liking to the cab and enjoying just sitting and taking in the view. Melina had to coax him out.

I also read up on the alternator conversion and finally got that working. No, that isn't the original flathead V8 engine. I had that one rebuilt soon after I bought the truck, but was quite disappointed in its power...it was OK on the flats, but pretty gutless on grades. Well, it is a heavy truck. Back in early seventies I swapped that for a 1957 283 CID Chevy engine and Hurst bell housing adapter - shoe-horned it in without having to cut a thing. It's a little klugey and ugly, but has run just fine all these years (it got me to the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico and back in '74) and has hauled satellite dishes, chicken manure and all manner of household goods around CA since then).

I got some 2 x 4 lumber for the stakes and the 1 x 4 lumber for the sides, and sealed them wit a nice translucent yellow stain. I've just started to get the sides attached and will probably finish it next weekend (we've got another trip to Isleton planned for the next few days - the house is in escrow and I've finally got to get all my stuff (omg!) out of there)

For now, I'm just happy it is getting back together. Can't wait to drive it into town and see if.anyone remembers it from the old days (we lived in Mariposa from about 1984 to 1994).

Surprise

...looked out the window this morning and thought for a moment that the oaks were blooming!

But No. It's snow!

 We go out to take it all in and take a few pictures...

I don't think Melina was ready to have my camera pointed at her (she was still working on her morning coffee).

 
But Zane, as usual, was so happy to have a visit with his old friend Snow (actually, only his second encounter, but he welcomed it with the same enthusiasm) Ah, snow! ...keeps the belly cool.

 The house and trees looked gorgeous; the sky so blue...

On the other side of the hose, the grape vines are just staring to leaf out on the patio


One of the first things I noticed was the cherry tree - blossoms under snow; white on white..

Then, the new garden plots that Melina dug up a couple days ago.

The row cover over the older plot tunnels are sagging under the snow, but protecting the greens, garlic and onions.

The snow even made the mill office (and all the stuff aroundd it look picturesque.

The new water tank, dusted with snow.

We walked around the upper acreage...

One oak tree up on the hill had lost a big limb. Hmmmm, oh no! Looks like some chainsaw work and more firewood for next year.

Isn't it amazing how a simple change like rain or snow can open your eyes to the beauty around you?

Black Walnut

Redbud

Chapparall

Runes of the wild turkey

 Patterns

New Grass

 Melting snow leaves its own patterns...

  Mill office steps

 

 

 Iris

 and a hint of what Spring will bring...

Along the way, Melina sneaks a few pictures of me.

 ...and I get even!

Even Zane demands a shot.

That's it - the start of a fine day. So long for now from Triangle Road, Mariposa!