The scurs and companion Weather Eye finally broke on through the below-normal temperature regime, giving us a weekend treat. Is this the beginning or just another false hope? Starting Wednesday, sunny with highs in the upper teens and lows near zero. Thursday, Washington’s real birthday, partly sunny with an increasing chance of snow by evening. Highs in the upper 20’s with lows near 20. Partly sunny on Friday with highs in the upper 20’s and lows in the low teens. Saturday, partly sunny with a moderate chance of snow. Highs in the low 30’s with lows in the upper teens. Mostly sunny and warmer for Sunday with highs in the low 30’s and lows in the upper teens. Monday, partly sunny with a modest chance of snow. Highs in the low 30’s with lows in the upper teens. Partly sunny Tuesday with highs in the upper 30’s and lows in the upper teens. A real smorgasbord of time and day length related trivia this week: On the 23rd we will have gained 2 full hours of daylight since the winter solstice on December 21st. The sun will rise at 7 a.m. on the 24th and on the 25th, we see 11 hours of daylight, the most since last October 15th. And last but not least, the sun will set at 6 p.m. on the 27th. The normal high for February 27th is 32 and the normal low is 15. If the scurs watch their P’s and Q’s they should have enough chocolate stashed to survive until Easter. If not they’ll always think they should have.
The winter precip and temperatures have been a hot or not so hot topic depending upon your point of view. We saw more explaining away of the temperatures this past week and even though it hasn’t been record setting cold or duration, February remains below normal. It’s doubtful at this point we’ll end up above normal at least out here in the hinterlands where the only heat islands are the odd moldboard plowed fields. With the corn price where it was last fall, those are few and far between. Snowfall has been about normal for December through February although as Assistant State Climatologist Pete Boulay pointed out in a recent presentation at the SROC, the snow on the ground at any given time can be deceiving. For several winters now we’ve tended to get snowfall totals that are substantial yet melt when we experience the numerous thaws. Case in point: Normal snowfall for the SROC is 13.0” for December, 9.5” in January and 9” in February for an average of 31.5” for those three months. This winter in New Richland we’ve had 11.7”, 16.7” and 5.” with an average of 33.5” in that timeframe. At the ranch we measured 8.6”, 19.4” and 5.5” also with an average of 33.5” for that same period. On the ground right now we have roughly only 4” or so. Our freezer defroster appears working well. That may change.
The ewes at the ranch suddenly picked up the lambing pace over the weekend, coming in just in time for the recent ice age. Most of the lambs and ewes are doing well, although there are always a few that need a little extra attention. A pleasant surprise was the triplets that the ewe so far has taken care of. That isn’t always the case. It’s not unusual to supplement one of them. This is a big, broody type of ewe however. If she keeps eating and drinking as she is, it won’t surprise us if she keeps pace until the lambs can start on solid feed. Also not unusual for Cheviot triplets to do just that and rather quickly
The birds also were trying to get their feeding in before and during parts of the inclemency. The yard was full of goldfinches, nuthatches, chickadees, downies, hairies, red-bellies, blue jays and the cardinals. Pheasant numbers and sexes vary with the day. One day it’ll be all roosters, the next a mix and others nearly all hens. They know where the corn is and judging by the variety, they must be spreading the word. Wild turkeys were foraging about a half-mile from the house upon the return from procuring feed at Hope. So far this year they have yet to make it to the backyard. It wouldn’t be the first time. The tinkling song of horned larks tells me that spring is just around the corner. Experience tells me horned larks lie a lot.
One of my Dad’s dreams was to someday put a cab on his 656. Unfortunately, someday never came, but thanks to several people, as of last week it became a reality. I have always said when I grow up someday I’d like to have a tractor with a cab. Spreading manure in the late fall and moving snow have chilled me to the bone. I’m getting too old for that nonsense. At some point it goes beyond being tough and demonstrates stubborn foolishness. Brother Roger as you may recall was instrumental in locating a cab on craigslist last fall. After inquiring about it, it appeared the sun, moon and stars suddenly aligned. The 656 International didn’t come with factory cabs so outfits like Hiniker and Year-A-Round in Mankato specialized in manufacturing aftermarket models. That was many moons ago however, so finding a used one in relatively good condition not in use is rare. And there is a strong demand for them, so striking when the iron is hot is essential once you’ve located one near your price.
Then came the matter of getting it installed on the tractor once back to the ranch. With the weather being cold, no shop or working knowledge of how to attempt the project given the tools and equipment available, I needed to seek professional help. Fortunately I know a guy. I’ve known Jon since he was a three-footer and his Mom used to bring him over to trick or treat. It didn’t take him long to get it figured out and make some other necessary repairs. He also equipped the cab with LED lighting which should really be nice for the last load of the day in the fall or when it’s prudent to move snow in the dark. At least I’ll be able to see what I broke or ran over! It isn’t a modern cab. Not into style points; just trying to stay warm. There were leaks and gaps to fill, which Jon did. He made sure the heater and the fan worked. I was amazed as the fellow who had the cab said they’d never used them.
And work it did. I got the tractor home from his shop and sat inside the cab to get out of the wind. I played with the heater and fan. It felt so good to feel the warm air wafting from the vents on me. Then all the sudden the fan began making a loud buzzing sound. Oh no I thought, the fan’s going to croak. Visions of taking it back to Jon with my tail tucked between my legs, asking him to find a new fan crossed my mind. All the sudden the noise stopped and it spit a small wad of something out of the bottom vent. I picked it up and after examining it, determined it was a mummified baby mouse. I laughed about the subtle reminder that this was a used cab and the potential it held for live (or dead) entertainment in the years to come. Pretty sure my Dad was laughing too.
See you next week…real good then.