I appreciate efficiency. I strive for it. (It’s part of that whole TTAG thing.) So when I can “stack” my errands and make the most of a weekly trip to town, it’s a good day for me.
Today’s run — trash, propane, and mail — took me to the west side of Yellville. Those three stops, along with the feed mill, are the only reasons I travel out that way, making this morning’s circuit that much more satisfying.
We’ve gone through half of our supply of LP, so I had two 30-pound tanks to fill at Miller Hardware. While I was there, I bought a two-wheeled wheelbarrow.
I’d taken our collapsible soft-sided wagon for a spin before I left The Mountain today, and I evaluated its ability to handle the kind of loads I’ll be asking it to carry soon (large rocks, firewood, buckets of gravel). Sadly, it’s not up to the task. Though I hated to spend the money, the wheelbarrow was a wise purchase — I know it’ll be incredibly useful around the homestead to haul material to and from places that the Ranger can’t go. And I put it to use as soon as I got back to The Mountain.
Down by the shed was another pile of six-foot trunks and branches, produced and set aside when I cleaned up that area awhile back. As I had yesterday, I bucked that wood into lengths for the fire pit.
I loaded it all into the steel tub of my new wheelbarrow and trucked it over the driveway and through the woods, a trip covering 200 yards. This one load more than doubled the amount of wood I stacked there yesterday, bringing it to about a third of what I’d like to keep on-hand.
All wheelbarrows should have two wheels. What’s lost in maneuverability, in my opinion, is gained in stability. We had one at Second Chance Ranch, a poly-tubbed two-wheeler that we gave to one of our boys when we moved. I’ve missed it.
This one will meet our needs very well, I believe.
Deb worked only a half-day at the bank today. Despite returning Home a little later than she thought she would, she still got to spend most of the afternoon on The Mountain, and under absolutely gorgeous skies.
On this springlike Valentine’s Day, I gifted my Love with a handheld GMRS radio that she can keep in her Jeep. (If you think that’s unromantic, consider that in previous years we’ve exchanged knives, pistols and ammo on February 14th.) Later, at her suggestion, we drove into town for dinner and beers at Crooked Creek Pub.
Our time there today was warm and wonderful, a reflection of the atmosphere created by hosts LouAnn and Paul. We sat at the bar next to the owner of the local racetrack, who remembered Deb from the bank. Across from us was a guy we’d seen there last time, then cuddling a five-week-old Heeler. We learned that the woman who helps tend bar lives up on Hall Mountain.
On the pub TV, professional bull riding.
It was all validation, confirmation that we’re in the right place at last.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable
#LetsGoBrandon #FJB