On a working farm, as with life in general, jobs and tasks and plans have to be adjusted to the ‘but first’ scenario.
- The barn needs to be cleaned, but first the tractor needs to be fixed.
- A load of logs needs to be hauled from the landing, but first the haul road has to be smoothed before the loader can get in.
- I would like to go shopping for something other than leftovers for dinner, but first I have to get gas since I forgot the last time I was in town.
- The laundry needs to be washed, but first I have to empty the dryer from the load I did a couple of days ago.
I’m sure you get the idea.
Today I am elbow-deep in 30 foot long willowy hazelnut limbs, trying to keep a fire going so that I can burn them all up. A little walk down to the river for a break seemed like a good idea and down the path I went. When I got down to the river, I found my next chore staring me in the face.
My next task during this season of cleanup will be to clean up the two alder trees that fell down across the rock bar and out above the Nehalem River. It’s not a good idea to leave these logs as habitat because high water would wash them off the rock bar and through the cattle fences.
BUT FIRST, I have to build up the path that leads down from the rock road over an irrigation line. To keep from smashing the line a small bridge of sorts will enable vehicles to drive over. Two large fence posts dug down half-way on either side of the irrigation with a beam secured across the top should do the trick.
BUT FIRST, I’m going to finish up with this old hazelnut tree.
Advertisements Share this:
