The never ending hay season, fireworks, making repairs

The fourth of July was my goal to finish up with hay this summer.  We now have more unsold mediocre quality hay then I have made in 20 years. It is a little depressing.

I picked up the last of the second cutting annual ryegrass, oats, orchard grass, dog fennel hay yesterday. I thought I could tell which was good and which was mostly dog fennel but it all looked the same to me. I would pick up a nice annual bale and the see a big flake of green dog fennel. Apparently, it has beneficial uses, but there is not much demand for 140lb bales of the crap.

The fourth of July was eventful. We were invited to two picnics. My neighbor is making a bit of a new start in life and decided to celebrate his freedom with a $1000 package of fireworks. I was able to convincing him into saving half for New Years as I figured that it was going to take three or four hours to launch the whole extravaganza.

I had a few really large mortars left from last year so we made a bit of a display. I nailed six launchers to a 2"x12" board and tied the fuzes together. We did salvos. His were less powerful but much more colorful so I set of five of his and one of my giants and it made a nice display. No one called the cops or posted angry comments on facebook so I guess it was all good.

There were young folks around to cheer so it was not weird that two old dudes were lighting fuses and running away, laughing like maniacs.

The field was surprisingly dry so we all got to run around and stomp out embers. Fortunately, I had the Gator Sprayer and a adjustable fire nozzle. 

I have been putting in the hours making hay, but there were several major failures that had me waiting on parts. There was a certain level of stress as I really don't like to leave hay in the field overnight, let alone a week.

I have been trying to get my motorcycles running so I can either ride or sell. Changed the oil in the Honda Ascot and put in a new battery. Trying to fix the oil leaks. The Triumph  started on the first kick.

(I gave her a good tickle first.)

Honda was harder to start. Required a new battery.