Well it’s almost 2 weeks ago now since the big b-day (June 30), but I haven’t written anything since I just don’t like working on the computer when it’s hot out (being hot, sweaty and typing indoors is one of my least favorite things to do), and these last 2 weeks have had record-breaking temps (90’s and 100’s) here in Southern Wisconsin.

Now, if it’s outside manual labor under a hot sun and temps into the 100’s, well that’s a different story. It’s great exercise, feels good, and you’re accomplishing something. So, to prove to myself that I’m not really that old, I decided it was a good weekend to sharpen up the machetes and chop down the thistles and clear brush in the pig pasture, and also trim trees and clear out brush around the chicken yards. We’ve been having terrible trouble with skunks, raccoons, possums, etc. and one of the best deterrents is to eliminate hiding places and clearing overgrowth from outside spaces. The pig pasture was a sea of thistles and weeds…

As you can see, only the top of the pig hut is showing (click to enlarge and experience the overgrowth yourself!). This is going to be a big job…

After a couple of days, most of it was done. It was very tiring working in the heat (over 100° with sun beating overhead), and just drinking water doesn’t really cool you off when the sun’s beating down–just a belly-full of water. Ugh. I needed a pool! So, dragged an old stock tank out from the weeds, hosed it out, and filled it up with ice cold well water. After it warmed up a little (this is toe-numbing cold), I took the plunge and instantly the body temp went down. Man, that’s refreshing!

Check out my new pool! Great for lowering body temps.

Go ahead and laugh. Check out the view:

Pool with a view.

It took about 3 full days to finish. In the meantime, George was displaying his gorgeousness throughout the day–a little bit of heat wasn’t going to stop him.

Gorgeous George.

Finally, I finished. Here I am, in the pasture, a few feet inside the gate (that you see in the top pic), with the pasture pretty much done. Some clumps are left here and there for shade, but much cleared out for good cross breezes for the pigs. Hog heaven.

Done. For now. Happy day.