Neighbors come a-calling

I started the day backward today. I went out to work on the cabin first, then went to work. 

I noticed tracks on the cattle guard when I got to the first gate.

 Granted, I do have a Clementine sized foot (leather boxes without topses, sandals were for Clementine) but even so those are big paw prints. Either we have a very large raccoon as a neighbor or a very small, talented child walked across that guard on its hands! 

Headed on around the bend and there was company waiting for me.

Lots of calves out there, along with their mamas. Not nary a one was afraid of me or my car, either. Just watched me drive by like they see 683 year old women every day. 

And that wasn't all the company, either. When I got to the cabin, this fine fella was waiting for me. 

He has a very sore leg, but wouldn't let me near enough to see what's wrong with it. No collar, looks like he's been on the road for some time. If anyone knows who he is, let me know and I will return him to his home. Meanwhile, he seems right at home here with all the other animals that live out here, with no fighting with dogs or cats or cows or (so far as I know) raccoons. I have temporarily named him H.H., as in Hopalong Hobo. Poor fella, he is welcome to stay as long as he wants. 

After refilling water bowls and feeders it was time to roll up the ol' shirt sleeves and get to work. 

I brought more weapons for my arsenal. 

An hour and about a third of a bottle of Sanivac later , I decided to declare the bathtub done. Would you care to see it? Drumroll, please.....

I even got the side of it cleaned up. The outside does need painting, but that is an old song at this cabin. 

On to the kitchen. Do you remember where we were? I'll show you.

I really felt depressed looking at this. I was sure all that mold and mildew would not come up. It took lots of scrubbing, I will admit. I got to scrubbing so hard at one point that my mud flaps (the loose skin under a gal's arm, after she reaches a certain age) got to swinging around so much I thought I was going to black my own eye! Sloshing cleaning water everywhere! It is tough being 683. Usually I just duct tape that skin down so it won't move around when I am in public, but went free style since I would be all by myself out in the country. Bad call. We live and learn!

And this was the result of about two hours of knuckle scrapping, elbow-grease using, back breaking, hard scrubbing. Getting around all those pipes and water lines was a real yoga experience! Paint - no, I am not even going to say it again. You know. P.S. - These cabinets were originally blue and had been painted white over it. All the blue spots are where I scrubbed the white paint completely off. And I still want to spray bleach on that one spot at the back so it will eventually become white (or blue). But it is guaranteed clean under there.

Now then, what is next? Oh, yes, the cabinet over the refrigerator. Remember it? 

I packed up the dishes, except for the blue speckled enamel ware I keep finding. The landlady said I can use it, so I set it aside to wash with the next dishwasher load.

Did a mighty large amount of stretching to reach the back walls, and got every speck that would come up. There are lots of nail holes in this cabinet, so I will have to putty them in before I paint, if I ever get to that point in this project. It is clean enough to feel comfortable storing dishes and such in, so I am satisfied for now. 

It was at this point that I got a call from work. I had to wait for supplies to come in, which was why I went to the cabin first today. The supplies had arrived so it was time to straighten up and head to the office. I took just a couple more photos before I left.

What do you think? Better? I think so, too. Until I turn to the opposite wall....

Ladies and gentlemen, the kitchen is NOT finished! I am not positive, but am fairly sure this will all still be waiting for me when I get back out here. 

While I was working I noticed the electric company was out and about. They are checking the other transformers along the line past the one that caused our grass fire last week. I was proud to see them on the job! Sparks and dry grass do not get along well. Come on, rain! We really need you right now!

Check back with me Saturday evening. I am going to waltz around Texas for a bit during the next few days, but will be back on the job by Saturday afternoon! Leave a comment if you know who H.H. belongs to, please!

And to my friends who are veterans, tomorrow is your day! Many thanks for the job you did! 

Barb, Jason, Big Al, Steve, Bev, and all the ones I know are veterans but names are escaping me at the moment, with my apologies for that. Many thanks to you all!

Now, I am betting a quarter I sleep with my back on a heating pad tonight. 'Til we meet again, folks!