Been a day. And some.
Started with up, shower, eat, get stuff needed list orginised and printed, and head for Jacksonville to the Coop.
Asked about the Universal Joint and was told that they weren’t in that business any more to try the tractor parts places. Dude was running wide open but was a bit out of line I think. Second time he has said something along those lines to me this week.

A quick stop at Warren Ace Hardware for a new chain for the Stihl Farm Boss MS 280 Chain Saw and 16 rubber feet for the kitchen chairs.

So to O’Relleys auto parts for plugs and to try for the u-joint. yes on plugs (autolite 65) no on the u-joint.

On to the John Deere place on 431. They had it but I had to find it. and then it cost $34 for what I would have thought would have been a $15 item at the most. Prices they are a changing.

Then to Lee’s Oriental Market for Chinese Noodles and Jasmine Tea.

Saks Hardware for Lopers and tried to buy a watering can but he wanted too much so will build one I guess.

Wright Dairy for 2 gallons of milk and a lb of CoJack.

Freds for cat food. Looked for watering can but no go.

And home. Unload. Put feet on chairs. Fix and eat lunch. I really love fresh home made bread.

To the barn for install time.

Press, beat, press, beat, press, beat. Insert retainer clip. Rinse and repeat. 4 times. That gets the u-joint in. About an hour. Taken longer. And a lot less. This was a medium hard one. Then installed back on the rotavator.

Had installed the tines yesterday and removed the u-joint then. Put 6 tines on. 3 on each end. A bunch more worn out but will use till they are nubs then replace.

Checked the fluid in the gear box and it was low. So added all I had which was a gallon or so and still needed more. So back to Jacksonville and O’Relley’s Auto for 5 gallons of Tractor Transmission Fluid. $26 with list of 40+… So back here and added another gallon and a half till it was at the top but still not showing on the stick. of course there is a internal shaft and bearings that it has to travel through to show so plug back in and…

Got the rotavator hooked up to the tractor. Started it up and it was quieter than I remember it being. Ever. But there is no telling how long the u-joint has been going bad.

Took it over and tilled the south garden. Then went and did the north one too. And as it was now dark put the tractor up.

Came to the house and cut a wheel barrow load of wood with the chain saw. Then after loading it and getting cat started unloading it I started cutting more log rounds about 2 to 3 inches thick for stepping stones above the mud. Got about 14 cut and then put out. got another 30 or so to have most of the way from building to building. Then will start paving the porch areas with them some creek gravel and a few bags of cement.

Then inside and cut up some chicken and bacon and in the skillet and on the wood burner. Likewise with a bag of frozen oriental veggies. A pan of water for the noodles finished off the needed vessels. 20 minutes later noodles in water and cooked chicken and bacon mixed with veggies and water added and left to steam. 5 more and drain water from noodles, add a bit of margarine and soy sauce and serve. Twas good.

And so the day ended. Came in here and surfed for a while and then got a bowl of banana split yoghurt and then so fueled started this missive… Am about to try the couch for size and check for light leaks in the eye lids…

Arms are telling me that I have over done it again. Surprise, Surprise, Surprise…

Goodnight Gracie!