Well! I've been wait'n on this day for the better part of about 5 months. Warm-sunshine and about 60 degrees. I felt so good that I started drag'n stuff from the fencerow and get'n ready to junk it. My old pride and joy--a 1975 Gentleman Jim, 1/2 ton pickup is fix'n to go. I'ts a collector edition-only made 2500 of'm in 75 alone. I'll never restore it so--to the junkyard it goes! Had the old Troy Bilt rider out also. Burned the road bank east of the house, started clean'n out the shop and burn'n some lumber pieces. Spent most of the day doin this hard work and tonite I'm 'TARD'! Tomorrow , if it don't rain, I think I'll do some more clean'n up. The grass is grow'n and green as --well--green as grass! Shortly I'll be "sweat'n to the hum of the Briggs V-twin on the Troy Bilt! Staked out my garden for ole jeep to plow and located my garden tools. I'm ready to do some work in the dirt! Mite even plant some ham bones---I LOVE homegrown ham!! Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), March 22, 2001

Answers

Amen, Hoot! Wasn't today just the most glorious day! Shirt sleeve weather all day, and even did chores tonight at 8 o'clock without a coat. (Here in the high desert nights are almost always cold, even in July!) I felt just like you, been waiting FOREVER for a day like this. I even got to go visit another Countrysider this afternoon, delivered some ducks to her and got to say hello to her new donkey. : )

It's still a bit cold yet to go planting much of anything, we've got another 2 months to wait. When it's time, I hope you'll mail me a few of those ham seeds. I'd like to raise a few this year.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), March 23, 2001.

Sounds like you had a good day. We had nice bright sunshine as well giving us a high temperature of 66 degrees, accompanied with about a 10 mph breeze. Kansas, for a reminder of where I'm at.

Now speaking of those hams--I have checked out of the library, a reprint of a Sears 1897 catalog. What great prices. If I could buy for those prices now I'd be as fat as a tick from over eating.

Here are some examples. Picnic hams 7 cents per pound if you buy at least 100 pounds. Shoulers--7, larger hams--11, the best sugar cured--11 1/4. Pig's feet were $2.90 for an 80 pound 1/2 barrel. Has anyone bought mincemeat lately? Back then 1/4 barrels of 100 pounds went for 6 cents per pound. You pay more than that for a quart jarful now.

On a different note, jeans were called overalls and cost 35 cents. What we call overalls were called overalls with aprons. They cost 40 cents.

What fun it is to shop in a world of 100 years ago. BTW Hoot, I'll order ya' a new double bitted ax up for 75 cents.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), March 23, 2001.

Hoot, I hope yer plant'n them hams next to the fire pit. I hear they come up smoked and them's best.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), March 23, 2001.

Hoot,,homegrown Hams in the garden?,,,I learn something new everytime I get on the Forum,,LOL,,,you keep me smiling...good laugh a day keeps the doldrums away...

-- Patsy, MT (cozyhollow-gal@care2.com), March 24, 2001.

Hi Hoot, dont you just love spring? I just got planting fever and transplanted my tomatos into the garden, flour corn is coming up. I decided that when I die[ hopfuly 40 or more years from now]I will only die between january and mide march, as to much going on before and after that I dont want to miss.Enjoy the sun just dont over do it around the place or your stuffing will start to come out again.[ breastbone].

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), March 24, 2001.

+Hoot - bout them hams.... Do you plant 'em round side up???

Glad you guys finally got some spring weather!!! Ain't it grand??!!

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), March 26, 2001.