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Clearing the loop trail, prepping for raised garden and more

Time for the riding mower to have its yearly check-up and blade sharpening. Pick up and delivery is free if you have it done in winter!
There were a total of four fallen tree blockages on the loop trail.
Bluebells are blooming already.
Good upper body workout.
Bianca and I can easily handle these fallen trees (not).
Sid and Bill select long lumber to use for Sid’s raised veggie bed.
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Rainy day in February

The weather is warm and rainy, but it doesn’t hurt to have firewood in anticipation of a cold snap.
Loading firewood in the gentle Oregon rain
Using a tool to drain standing water from the forest trail.
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Sid and Dee Big Winners!

Sid, Dee and Bill went to the annual meeting of the Benton County Chapter of the Oregon Small Woodlands Association. There was a drawing … Sid won these clippers and a holster for them.
Diana won a hat, forest marking tape, and suspenders.
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January in the woods

Tree loving fungi … couldn’t i.d. it.
Another cool “coral” like I found a while ago. Different color, still no i.d.
Swimming hole is high water now
The rough-skinned newt loves the rain.
The Creek trail is wet, wet , wet. Bill is channelling some of the water away from the road.
Fair amount of fallen wood on the forest roads
Some of it is pretty big.
Our baby Doug-fir trees are doing well.
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Woods, insulation and how to avoid an attack!

This MAY be what these are: Hydnum umbilicatum, commonly known as the depressed hedgehog, is a species of tooth fungus in the family Hydnaceae. It was scientifically described in 1902 by American mycologist Charles Horton Peck. It is found in North America and in Europe. It is edible. Wikipedia
Insulation arrived and …
Sid, virtually single handedly, moved the piles into the garage. Kay gives Sid advice.
Sid may not have wanted that advice!
Nobody can mess with me, however.
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Ranger gone? Creativity rules.

While his usual helpers were gone, and the Ranger was still hospitalized, Sid drove the pickup to the firewood stash in the woods, drove the tractor there as well, loaded the pickup with the tractor, and drove the pickup back to the house. Thereafter, Bill and I helped with the very last step.
Then a walk in the woods to watch Sid pound in a metal stake that will activate Bianca’s electric fence.
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Last days of December

Mere days before Christmas, the old stove ceased working … not an emergency except Sid and Sandra were expecting local family members over for a Christmas Eve feast! On the same day, the wood stove folks who were expected out … cancelled! In one day, Sid managed to buy a new farm stove, install it, buy parts for the wood stove, and fix it himself! All with NO HELP whatsoever from the Blakneys who were on their way to Mercer Island at the time.
Nice job, Sid.
So nicely aligned.
A temporary stop to firewood loading via the Ranger … it died.
Bert (our transport guy), Sid, Bill and Bianca push the Ranger into position for loading.
The Ranger’s winch pulled the Ranger up and onto the flatbed.
The Ranger’s temporary demise did not slow the forest warriors.
Unk’s pickup to the rescue.
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Radio interview

As part of Giving Tuesday, a Eugene radio station featured several non-profits in a one-hour program. Marys River Watershed Council (Bill is a board member) was featured. The executive director (seated to my left) asked if I would represent landowners who have benefitted from the Watershed’s efforts. Shiver River’s large wood placements, riparian plantings, invasive weed eradication, and nice new culvert all resulted from Watershed efforts. Holly (the executive director) did most of the talking, thankfully!