Author Archives: Jim Muller

Blueberry Weekend

Many, many years ago I asked Dad if he could make a replacement handle for one of my slip scoops.  He might have even still been living at Route 30.  I know the last time I used the slip scoop Ed was living with us and he drove our little Ford tractor and I manned the slip scoop. At the time Dad was fading and the handle he made was very ‘roughed in’.  When Dad gave it to me you mentioned you had some tools that we could use to shape it more like the other handle.  This past week I finally shaped the handle, got new bolts for fastening the handles, wire brushed the scoop and painted it with old motor oil.  Of course, I have 3 slip scoops and I am not sure when I will use it, but it is the only scoop I have that drags and doesn’t attach to 3 point hitch.

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Eric and I raked a truckload of pine needles from Elements of Style parking lot and mulched our blue berry bushes today.

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I cleaned up the garden and hoed everything in preparation for Rick’s Leaves.

IF THERE IS RAKING, THEN I’M LEAVIN’

(With apologies to Denny, John, Michelle and Mama Cass.)

All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray,
The leaves begun to fall and they won’t blow away
They fall and stay in my neighbor’s yard,
Getting rid of leaves, is a task that’s hard.
They say that winter’s coming, and it’s on its way
Kincaids don’t like the cold, you know they go away.
But leaves are left behind, you know they’re going to stay
Garden and the pasture – that’s where they’ll decay
You can use my truck, or your own John Deere
Dump six on the garden and the rest real near.
In between the trees they will make good mulch.
Just drive careful, don’t get stuck in the gulch.
All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray,
The leaves begun to fall and they won’t blow away
They fall and stay in my neighbor’s yard,
Getting rid of leaves, is a task that’s hard

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5+ cord of word for the 2016-17 heating season.

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Pumpkin Patch Mud Run

Kathryn, Eric and Stone ran in the 5k Pumpkin Patch Mud Run. Notice Stone’s white shorts (not to be white ever again).

Pre-race

On the take off Eric and Stone ran to an early lead up the slight hill.

Take off

While the runners were out on the course Dakota and I hung out and tried to get out of the wind and stay warm.  We checked out the pumpkin dolls, sat in the witch’s mouth, ate cider donuts, looked at the animals, and Dakota tried out the hay bale maze.

Hanging with Dakota

While we were moseying towards the cargo net we saw Eric and Stone approaching.

Cargo net 1

About 10 minutes behind Kathryn approached the cargo net.

Cargo net 2

After the cargo net Kathryn shed her sweatshirt and plunged into the cold water pool at the finish line.

Water Slide

After a 30 minute break, Stone, Eric, Kathryn and Dakota ran the shorter 2K.

Family Run

Everyone was cold and quickly changed into dry clothes.  We went to Jeanne’s for hot soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

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Last September Weekend

We couldn’t have asked for better weather this weekend. Eric’s soccer game Friday was versus Frankfort – a team that they lost to on Monday.  This time they won 2-1 and controlled the game flow.  Afterwards Eric went to the middle school dance while we played pitch with friends Steve/Linda and Bonnie/Cindy. Saturday I completed my defensive driving class.  Every three years for the insurance discount.  But it was a crime to sit inside on such a nice day. Kathryn canned pears and made applesauce for the winter.  We cut another cord of firewood for next year as we opened up our trail in back of Kincaids so that my tractor and brush hog will fit through.  I climbed up on our roof and cleaned our wood stove chimney.  Our chimney was quite clean. Eric has soccer games on Monday and Tuesday.  Kathryn and I watched the full lunar eclipse before crashing for the night.

2015-09-27 Lunar Eclipse

HPMS vs Canastota

In their 2nd game in a row HP Modified Soccer team faced a big (20 player) and experienced Remsen team. Once again playing against a team comprised of 7-9th graders, HPMS was challenged to control the ball.  The team didn’t space as well as their opening game, seemed flat to start and did a lot of kicking versus passing of the ball.  Remsen was not only big, but also as fast as HPMS.  They lost 4-1 but played better the last 10 minutes of the game.

Wednesday night HPMS traveled to Canastota (another 7-9th grade team).  Canastota had 14 players with a couple of good players, but also some holes; they were not able to match HPMS’s speed across all positions.  HPMS won 5-2 with goals by Luke, Eric and Jack;  in all 7 players took shots on goal.  Below HPMS listens to Coach Parson’s prior to the game.

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Labor Day Weekend

We cut firewood to complete Angle Trail from the pasture to North Trail. We ended up cutting live trees; most were ash but a few cherry which were all stacked under the shed to dry for next winter.

Saturday we went to see Bill Nye. He was entertaining, if you were a grown up. But since he lectured, the kids were bored to the point of distraction. It was too bad; I think many people expected the Bill Nye the Science Guy from tv. He has a good sense of humor so his lecture was OK. His basic points: global climate change is happening at an alarming rate; we need to do something to lessen human beings’ impact on climate change; space exploration is good. I think he was preaching to the choir, though. Based on the level of applause, I think there were few people there that didn’t already believe those points.

Then we went to Applebee’s for a snack and had just a terrible experience. It took them so long to get our food, we were there 2 hours. They offered us free dessert to make up for it, but by that time we wanted just to get the heck out of there.  Sunday evening we met Helmers at Recovery Sports Bar in Verona, and had a good time.

Kathryn canned 14 jars of  tomatoes.

Labor Day Weekend, 7th Grade, Woodpile and Cider Press

Labor Day weekend. The end of summer. We are having absolutely gorgeous weather, hot (80s), dry and sunny. We didn’t do anything interesting this weekend. Eric went gone off for an overnight at JD’s  house (who has a pool). We have cut firewood around the pasture and one elm tree for Billie Jo & Joel.  It is really dry so I hooked up the brush hog and gave the trails one last mow.  Since Eric was off for an overnight we had a meal that he usually won’t eat; beef stroganoff with mushrooms.

Eric was ready for 1st day of school and waiting for the bus equipped with head phones, soccer gear (for practice after school) and school supplies.  Cullen and Kathryn waited with him (as did our trash and recyclables for ‘trash day’).  Also shown is Kathryn’s cider press (a loaner) and a picture of our shed with wood piles, camper and truck.

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Rock Lake Fishing Derby

We planned an overnight canoe camping trip for 4; with Eric inviting his buddy Trevor.  The last minute Trevor bailed on the trip, so we unloaded one of the canoes, cut down on our food and decided to continue. The weather was perfect.

Kathryn and Eric had guided fly fishing trips while we were canoe camping. Eric won Day 1 by virtue of the shear number of Sunfish he caught. Kathryn clearly won Day 2 by catching 3 bass; a nice small mouth bass and two large mouth bass; one of which was a hefty 18″. Kathryn mistook it for being caught in the weeds at first.

We fished at night with a bright half moon, beaver swimming and splashing around us.  Eric had a strike on the lure he found at one of the campsites, but wasn’t able to catch anything.

2015-08-22 Rock Lake

Volley Llamas Season Wrap Up

I didn’t play much as a Volley Llamas this summer; ~3 nights and not at all as a Sand Flea.  However, two of those nights Eric played on our team and did well.  He was on our roster and by virtue of those games he was ‘qualified’ to play in the playoffs.  We had lots of substitutes help out during the summer and everyone contributed during the season.  This was a fun group of people to play with and I appreciated everyone’s positive attitude and support of one another.  I know for me, it was fun being able to play games not only with Kathryn, but with  BillieJo and Eric.  I anticipate Rich / Jason and Ron / Andy had similar appreciation of their experience.

We entered the playoffs as the 2nd seeded team about 6 games behind Dig Pink and 8 games ahead of The Scrappers (Jack, John, Andy, Jess, Billy and Cathy).  Volley Llamas took two quick games from The Minions – the 7th ranked team who won their opening round game vs. 10th ranked Balls Deep.  Our 2nd match was versus 3rd ranked The Scrappers who vanquished 5th ranked Finndale Farms in their earlier playoff match.  Game 1 we jumped out to an over powering lead and coasted to a win.  Game 2 was close through the mid-teens before gaining our 2nd win. In the championship game we faced Dig Pink losing a close game 1 and not close game 2.

I anticipate changes for next season as regulars Rich indicated he would like to be a sub and Jason likely moving to the Syracuse area.  So we will be looking for full time replacements, as well as, individuals willing to help as subs.  I am proud of our accomplishment as a team and very thankful to have had the opportunity for a fun season of volleyball.