Author: doug

Fence permit?

No, you cannot install that fence because…

…well, depending where you live, you might think the statement continues, because you don’t have a proper permit.

The passageway for cows and machinery, in which I planted fruit trees that will have to move, included a gate only on the road, leaving the back open. To prevent the cows in the back from destroying the fruit trees, I cut out a section of (useless) fence elsewhere, and dragged it to the offending gap, but I could not install it.

Because immediately two neighbors showed up, and next thing I know they had done it for me.

Ahh, the little fashionistas…

Tienda Inglesa student uniform ad, Uruguay

In this back-to-school season a couple years ago, a friend of our son went to Tienda Inglesa with him, and apparently got a brief look at a ubiquitous Uruguay tradition through a newcomer’s eyes.

I’ve never thought of it before, but the uniforms we wore in primary school really do look kind of stupid, he confided to us afterward.

The car that isn’t there

Taken some time ago, this would be impossible tonight because the car is in the shop where they’re fixing the problem they said they had fixed a week ago. At that time, they were going to clean or replace the acceleration sensor to fix the hesitation the car has had for a couple years. Instead they replaced the ignition coil, which helped. For a few days.

Evening now approaches on day two. I hope they know what they’re doing this time. If last time is a clue, they’ll probably call at 7:30 PM or so to tell me it’s ready so I can jump on my bike and ride to get it AT THAT MOMENT.

I said ‘planting,’ not ‘planning’

We’re installing some new fencing. At the neighbor’s suggestion, we’re making an ‘alley’ through which machines and cattle can pass to the back of the property without disturbing our yard or garden. The other side of the property is too steep (from the road) and sometimes too wet.

The alley lies, of course, presactly where I planted fruit trees. Those that survive summer will now need to be transplanted in fall – meaning May. To the other side of the property.

Let’s just skip that bit of bone-headed non-planning and admire the wire work.

Well, how about that?

After several hours of weed-eating in the hot sun yesterday, clearing a line for the fence people, I arrived this morning only to find that my neighbor had brought over his tractor and mowed the back yard. About an acre.

Just because it needed doing. As soon as the fence is done, he can again turn his cows loose beyond it on our property, so it’s a nice informal trade.

Cat energy returns

After burying cats Zeus and Mr Peepers (and dog Karma) in the last ten months, we’ve had just two dogs, and while I’d like to say the house has been quiet, when one of them is a Shih Tzu, that possibility simply does not exist.

Meanwhile, it was inevitable that cat energy would return to the house, and here it is. Did nothing but sleep yesterday afternoon. He’s rested now.

No name yet.