25 below this morning
and, as is usual on a cold morning like this
something breaks just because it is so darn cold
silo unloader, ugh
in a way it wouldnt be so bad, but having so much clothing on makes it diffucult just to get up there and get all the tools up there and in.
Picks, bar, hammer, screw driver, wrenches
then the dim light and the cold
lying in the frozen silage hoping no one down below gets antsy and hits the switch
or for some reason that cable decides to give out
unlikely for sure, but it crosses ones mind up there in that cold tomb
it took Jim and i about an hour to fix it
we were plenty cold; a little relieved
i think its about the best one can hope for on a morning like this

this is Christ the King church over in Edina
we supply them with the birch and balsam and help set them up
they do a nice job and are great to work with

today was the last delivery of the season
i can hardly believe it's over
it was a good year
thank you to all who make it possible

finally the tree season has slowed down enough that i can get out for a ski and wouldn't you know it's 10 below. my theory was to wear my work clothes and they did indeed keep me warm but then i began to sweat and it felt like i was wearing a full body straight jacket.
still, it was lovely getting out in the woods. they are wonderfull anytime of year. in a few months we'll be tapping maple trees in this very spot.

i'm beginning to suspect that the universe is conspiring on my behalf
the albert eisentraut came up for sale and it is plenty used, but its in my size and price range
i had all the parts, except bottom bracket, to build it out; including old campy hubs and derailleur which probably would have come with this bike
i'm hoping for a bit of warm weather so i can try it on a nice long ride

albert eisentraut frame