Success right through failure.

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I had my alarm set for 6:00. And I heard it, got up, hit snooze a couple of times. Then I had to reset it as I just wasn't ready. A few more snoozes, another reset, then a bit more snoozing, and I was up! Heh. It was a quarter to 8:00, give or take. Still, I wanted to get a shower in, dress, and see if I would get the chance to see the show. It turns out I got lucky on two counts. They would have finished last night but they ran short on seed. And finally, perhaps like me, and with the clouds and cool rather than a bright sunny morning, they were running just a little later. Or, maybe, they were stalling to see if this dolt would get off his hump and be there? Could be. In any case, I made it there before the Mr. returned with the grain. The Mrs. talked for just a bit, then she had things to do.

Those horses are big, plugs they might be called. A bit more than a ton apiece. I led one of the critters to the harness post, cautiously. They aren't boisterous girls, or too much so, it's just that they have really big feet and the weight to match. I helped harness, to a degree. It's not that I helped all that much, probably took more time to tell me than to just do it, but... And harnessing them takes a weird sort of upper body strength. I don't have it, but I made do. Both the farmer and I are in the six foot or taller range. I could only imagine a 5'6" man hooking them up! Must have used a small ladder and some bodacious muscle. Yeah, I know there is a trick to it, but that only eases things.

I road on the body of the planter as he finished the last few rows and the corners. Quite a deal, I'll tell you. And I did a bit of rein work off the plow. That is some serious horsepower, boys and girls. I suggested, while he was plowing, that I had gone into digital hoping to find something more... sure?... than analog, human, or animal. What I found was sorely lacking compared to my expectations, or hopes really. While I don't completely deny that digital and electronics have a place, and I am still interested, I have come more full circle in many ways. Respecting, and even enjoying, analog, animal, and more importantly human interfaces. I did have a few questions too. But I tried to keep chat brief and more pointed. He might well have thought I was talking full speed though? I... can talk if nothing else.

So, I did it. And I am quite grateful for it. Who knows how much time I really have left, though I think plenty. Still, that is one thing on my checklist. One I never really thought would get checked. Oh, and I realize I probably don't need a plug to ride. Though a typical horse won't do either. We'll see if that one ever gets checked. You never know. It is good to know what my grandfather did for so many years, and to see how it is done, and all. Yeah, it is impressive. I couldn't love him more, but I... can add levels of respect.

I shouldn't need a break, but I do. A few hours of tinkering until I can get going on the soldering. Oh, right, I will get the fire extinguisher out and read the directions (to make sure I remember) before beginning the brazing as well. I don't expect that taking off the valve will take all that long. Nor will making sure the water is out of the tank and getting that out. I have decided to put a union where the valve is, then adding a ball valve, then another union, then a cap, for now. Oh, but I need to return the too large valve for the right sized one, and take the cap in for return, and buy a couple of elbows. I need to decide where I might want the tankless water heater. In any case I will need elbows. My neighbor, the one that helped last night, seems to agree with my assessment that the ball valve is better than the standard valves for water shut-off and such. Good to have backup on notions, that's all.

The good thing about this is, if I can get this done rightly I have a shot and shoring up any plumbing problems I might find in my forays under the house this summer. Electrical is a whole other animal, but as I do the simple things with switches, figure out what goes where, and maybe do some minor electrical work with this water heater, I might be better in line to begin addressing some of that, too. This is a whole new world for me. A good one. Some people who have only known this world must look at my take on it and wonder why I would choose it. I hope some of them understand.

Have a great day.