It is now 4 1/2 weeks out from rotator cuff and slapp surgery. In less than two weeks I should be able to toss the awkward cushioned sling and return to sleeping in a bed. In the meantime, I am trying to get ready for next weekend.
As my McCulloch friends know every year a 10th grade class from Boca Raton, Florida take their spring break here to do community projects and I always put them to work lugging firewood out of the woods somewhere rough on their first Saturday. Being out of commission, others put things together for this year. Today I checked out the venue - a power line ROW. Trees were down and limbed, but in some places the ground was a little too steep and wet to get pickups with trailers within a reasonable distance. So I went to ready the old deuce only to find one completely flat tire and two on their way. No big deal as I air them off one of the trailer hook ups, but of course when I hit the starter I just get clicking. It was raining so I will wait until tomorrow afternoon to try to jump it (auto tranny). Next, I readied my little tractor so we can drag out some of the logs - nothing big most only 12" or so. It has zero hydraulics so I had to steer it with the wheel brakes to get it into the garage. Trying to drain the fluid, remove the pump screen and replace the filter with one arm proved to be quite challenging for me but I got it done. The screen was completely clogged with gunk and aluminum drill shavings that Deere apparently left. Six gallons of oil later everything works fine. I Gorilla taped the hood back together so all I have left is to see if I can get my skidding boom attached one armed. May try that tomorrow if the truck cranks. If it rains, I'll tape the grill back together just to do something other than sit in a chair.
This year's event could be real interesting as I am told that a local Mennonite church youth group is also coming. Picture in your mind a group of teenagers from one of the wealthiest cities in Florida wearing work gloves possibly for the first time meeting up with a group of labor hardened teens who bring their own chainsaws. Other than my brother and I as teens, I have never been around teens with saws. Sure hope no one gets hurt. If I get to go, I'll try to get some pictures.
Ron
BTW Our little granddaughter went through a series of tests at Vanderbilt last week. The doctors said her heart, both lungs and adrenal gland are now perfectly normal. Absolutely amazing. And humbling, as half of the CDH babies with her died and the two other survivors have serious issues to overcome. I appreciate you guys and wanted you to know.