St. Patrick’s Day
An excellent day to be at the Stump Ranch. I have not been out this way since January, so it feels great to be here. Tonight, the moon is full, we still have a foot of 
snow, and the temperatures the last couple of days have been in the 40s and 50s. I guess we are beyond the suicide weeks and—just maybe— spring is on the way. In Minnesota, the last week in February and the first few weeks in March have most folks looking for a bullet. I believe we invented alcohol rehab centers in this state (i.e. Hazelton); anyone that has tried to hang on during a year when winter just won’t let go fully understands what would drive a person to drink, drugs, or simply tossing one’s body from a bridge directly into the path of an oncoming tractor trailer. Yes, we do so, love this time of year.
However, eventually, the winter-she-bitch, she finally let go. We rolled the clocks ahead, the weather warmed up a little, and I was able to duck out of work early and head for the ranch on a Thursday afternoon. Life doesn’t get much better than that. Or does it?
I arrived at the minimum maintenance road thinking that I could drive back to the outpost. When I got there,the two feet of snow blocking my path indicated that driving my pickup on the maintenance road was clearly a pipe dream. So, I 
unloaded the four-wheeler, installed the chains on the rear wheels, loaded up my supplies, and headed for the cabin. Slipping, sliding on 12 –24 inches of wet snow, sun beating down on me through the trees—I was giddy—smiling from ear to ear, man, I felt great!. The snow chains were digging, the ATV was rocking and rolling and slipping and sliding, and the White Tail Deer were cocking their heads and looking at me. I am sure they were thinking, “WTF?”
I arrived at The Stump Ranch and there was no evidence of any man or beast finding our cabin, which is exactly how I like things. I unloaded my equipment, fired up the stove, and managed to cook up a little dinner. Days like today, remind me that I for sure, enjoy my own company.
Just for kicks, I looked over at the Oliver and thought, I should try and fire her up. I was certain that the battery would be dead and I would have to
spend half the day tomorrow dicking with charging batteries and trying to start the tractor. Well, she fired up with one turn of the key; I was psyched up. And, after she fired, there was no external coolant leaks. Those following the blog know that I let Oliver freeze up over the winter and I may have to deal with a cracked head. However, no external leaks means no blown freeze plugs, which is a good sign. Tomorrow, I will fire up the Oliver 880 and let her run for a while to determine if I am getting water into the oil. Water in the oil would indicate a cracked block (internal) or blown head gasket. Keep y0ur fingers crossed!
It is 10 p.m. and I am heading outside to spend a few minutes before bed time looking up at the fat, full, moon and enjoying the moonlight reflecting off the snow surrounding the ranch.
in my garage, I’ve been working on the posts for my 10’ x 12’ timber framed shed project. I would like to see things warm up so we can get the melt-off over with. After things melt, the Stump Ranch could be used as a mud-fest location. Then, when we have some time so things dry out, I can haul my materials into and out from the Stump Ranch. 
and haul some mover timbers from the ranch back to the house. I need material to start work on tie beams, king posts, plates, ridges, girts, and knee braces. Once I get a warm weekend, I can fire up the TimberKing 1220, cut the beams I need and haul them back to the house.
