Sunday Go 'Round The Farm -- Barn Update Overdue

[George McGovern]

Laurie stood, looking out the kitchen window recently, thinking how she was supposed to have had a barn well before now.

Recalling work she'd done inside the structure, like renting a flat-plate compactor to even out the barn floor. (Our puppy-niece Pepper "helped".)

Barn inside after floor compacting and drilling post holes.

The new contractor, call him C, has been inconsistent. He had unreliable help.
So C worked alone. Here, looking at what still needs to be done.

And, by himself, getting it done.





Shadow saw no need for supervision, so she had a good roll instead.



That same day Laurie took delivery of two pallets of "mud grids" for the
barn floor and paddocks.


Screenshot from an online mud grid manufacturer showing how horses benefit
from standing out of the mud. That's what Laurie plans for Maddie and Pete.

And so, friends, that's as far as we've gotten. C is back on the job.
We've not given up hope.

[Diamond_Dog]

1. Thanks for the update, George.

Your poor contractor. He looks like a hard working fellow. I hope he can find some help soon.

Those mud grids are a fabulous idea.

Sophie says Shadow has the right idea!

I hope things progress more smoothly very soon!

[George McGovern]

2. You're welcome Diamond_Dog. We like progress. Thank You!

[brer cat]

3. Thanks, Allan. It is good to see progress!

[George McGovern]

6. Yes it is, you're welcome brer cat! Thank You!

[3Hotdogs]

4. Mr. C is quite skilled. I volunteer and build boardwalks at a local swamp wildlife preserve.

None of our tasks require that much carpentry skill. We have two retired engineers and one retired math teacher and me with no skills.

We get our stuff done but not to the level and quality of this guy's work.

[George McGovern]

7. Thank You 3hotdogs. He knows what he's doing. That's cool you volunteer! Despite no skills,

you bring heart and soul to the project. As long as stuff gets done, that's the main thing. Sounds like a good crew.

[3Hotdogs]

9. Actually, to brag on myself, I've been volunteering for 8 years now. Corporations donate money to us and

give their employees days off to build or repair boardwalk. I am now assigned to supervise those crews, so I guess I have some skills.

My focus with these people is on safety. I start the day by making them hold up their hands so's I can count their fingers. The point being, they came in here with 10 fingers and I want them to leave with 10 fingers. The saws, drivers and staple guns are quite safe.But then I get then to focus on the safety glasses and hearing protection which we provide. There is frequently resistance to this.

One guy ---- I'm pointing out the need for hearing protection.

Our Hero: "Why do I need this? The saws are only being used for a few minutes at a time?

Me: "I spent 38 hours in the O.S.H.A. safety course. Hearing damage is progressive but not recognizable as it is happening. Lost hearing ability cannot be recovered once it is gone."

Our Hero: "I took the OSHA safety course."

Me:" Then why are you asking why you need hearing protection?"

O.H.: ------ No answer. He put the ear plugs in.

[LoisB]

5. That's a danged shame about the barn. Hopefully, completion won't be much longer.

[George McGovern]

8. Thanks Lois. It's weird how things have turned out. But Laurie will do what she can and make the best of it.

[LoisB]

10. I have no doubt that she will make a way.