Happenings and Squirrels

Not many updates about anything other than flying these days.

So, what’s up?!?

Well… my job is keeping me busy.

I haven’t done much of anything on Missy’s conversion. Of course, the to do list is still VERY long. I had planned to get the ceiling finished so I could make some progress on walls. I guess I’m stilling planning that… 🙂

The bus boys and I may have reached the end of our roommate agreement. I posted them on Craigslist a week ago. No takers so far. I generally enjoy them but all the hair – EVERYWHERE – is driving me nuts. I’ve also been called on to travel for work a number of times recently and having to find a caretaker for them is a huge nuisance. Finally, they seem like they would be happier if they got more outdoors time. So, time for a better home.

I’ve been spending my time near Truth or Consequences, NM of late. That is where the airplane is hangared and that makes it a nice place to be! Several good camping/parking opportunities here.

If I was a user of alcohol or illicit drugs, I could explain the following. I’m not so I really can’t explain what I was thinking…

A couple months ago, I was notified of a house for sale in the airpark in which I previously lived. It was being sold as-is, was a bit of a mess, and needed a lot of TLC. It appeared to be pretty solid and had a hangar – just needed a good thorough remodel.

So, in a fit of… something… drunken stupor?? I put an offer on the place.

The offer was accepted and the long process began. It has been an ordeal as the place needs work – namely a new septic system. That creates all sorts of complexities – at least here in New Mexico. A convention mortgage would not work so I had to use a special “FHA 203k” loan that allows some “improvements” (replace the septic system) to be made as part of the process. Of course, bringing the FHA into the picture creates all kinds of other complexities. It has NOT been fun.

The house buying process is still dragging on. Remember that Carrie Underwood song “Jesus, Take the wheel”? That’s what I’ve done. I am excited about living near some very dear friends again and having a home base for the RV-4. The whole concept of home ownership?? Bleh! I’d much rather have a big hangar – ONLY – at the airpark. I’d just pull the airplane and Missy inside. Yard?? That’s why concrete was invented! I think I would be just as happy if the deal fell apart as I would be if it worked out.

I’ve done a lot of traveling over the last six months (Far East Trip and two trips to Sweden) so I’m very tired of that. That means I’m staying home for a while.

The winters months are always tough – not sure why. All the goofy holidays certainly DO NOT help my mental health. Sure wish my TV and radio had a way to filter out all the lovey-dovey silliness. I know the advertisers, writers, show/movie makers are trying to make a buck but I often wonder if they know how much pain they cause. They probably don’t care. I think maybe I have a minimum amount of sun that I require… or something. In any case, it is very easy to fall into an ugly funk this time of year. Gotta get busy and avoid that!

The recent flight operations at the Hacienda – now Bendit – have been VERY encouraging and my enthusiasm for doing more work there is at a high! Maybe spring will come early and I can get moved up there without fear of the overnight low temperatures.

The tractor recently started having issues. After being gone for several months this past summer, I fired her up and attempted to lift the box blade. It wouldn’t move. After explaining the behavior to some tractor guys, the electrical system was suspect. This past weekend I flew up with the intention of tracking down the problem.

The first thing I did was start a campfire to take the chill off the morning air.

I can’t seem to get enough of the sights and sounds of this type of outdoors. There is not any man made noise and I find that spectacular!

Eventually, I had to go to work. Out of dumb luck, the first panel on the side console of the tractor revealed a huge squirrels nest. This photo does not do justice to all the junk I removed.

The chewed wires were then obvious.

This is actually good news. I know how to fix wires! Hydraulics is another matter. So, I’m pretty pleased that the problem was obvious and fairly easy to repair.

My love for squirrels has not increased.

I wasn’t prepared for a repair such as this. I took stock of what was needed – I will be ready for the next trip.

I should probably note that this is not entirely unexpected as this same squirrel (???) attempted the same thing in my Jeep.  Way back last spring, I found the beginnings of a nest under the hood and one wire chewed thru. So, I guess I should have reacted more strongly then…

Live and learn!!