99% chance of rain early tomorrow morning. Only 7 rows of hay around the field cut, the 2 I did on Thursday were dry, and Herbie raked them all early today, the 5 he mowed on Monday afternoon, still too fresh. Pretty and green though.
When he was mowing the haybine threw the arm again with the replacement spring that went AWOL when I mowed. This time it mangled the spring and bent the one sprocket totally out of alignment. Off to town to find another one. Stopped at Mikes to pick up the balance of my corn and another bale of hay, and asked if he knew anything about haybines. He'd come and look at it later, possibly some bearing is shot. Herbie had it working again when he arrived, but he also thought there was too much play on the bottom sprocket thingy :). Herbie was hoping to get through at least one season without the haybine conking out. At least we have the 2nd one for parts and as an example for what and where.
Had to go back to town twice today for sheer pins for the haybine too. Not sure why they are popping off so quickly, I broke 3 tonight, not sure how many Herbie broke this afternoon. Also got another big tarp. Will leave the hay on the trailer and just cover it so it doesn't get drenched tonight and for the next few days.
Bottled my "Claasen knock-off" pickles today. 5 ½ large jars. They're crisp and delicious, with a bit of a kick. Think Andre, my brother-in-law, would approve.
Didn't text Betsi that her milk was ready as we were working out in the hayfield. Saw at about 10pm when we came in that she hadn't collected it. She goes to bed fairly early so I didn't want to text late.
Pammy from Tractor Supply will come around on Friday so I can go concord grape picking with her again at another friend of hers' house. Got tons last time - we're still drinking the grape juice I made. Missed a call from Jackie, and couldn't reach her when I tried.
Didn't get to collect more than the 2 eggs I found this morning due to being busy with other stuff. Yesterday I found a dozen. Good, seeing as Melissa wants up to 3 doz on a Wednesday when she collects their milk, and Teri is coming to Saranac this week-end and she always likes to have as many extras I have.
Had a little fire in the oven today. Was making bacon and 'Tator tots for breakfast, and it was a squeeze to fit both pans in the oven. Think the bacon one was tilted slightly, so the fat pooled in the bottom of the oven and caught fire. I rushed in and turned the gas off, and it extinguished, but had to put all 4 ceiling fans on, open doors and windows to get the smoke out the house ! The bacon was burnt ! And then I didn't feel like eating, queasy tummy, so served Herbie smoked sausage, the tator tots (horrrible ingredient list - frozen potatoes with a lot of yucky stuff), a zesty salsa I canned last year and scrambled eggs that stuck in the cast iron pan. I had tea.