Big dogs aren't long lived so you've got that going for you. Our last one died of heart failure at nine. And these breeds don't shed nearly as much as they slobber. Our biggest concern is having the strength and coordination to manage them as we age. Unless you're in very good shape physically, 66 is probably too old to start with dogs this big. It does sound like a woman may be a smaller problem for you.

 

I know, hard to imagine. For any young single guys who might stumble on this thread and think that a woman could solve their problems too...don't do that. It's only possible in my case because I can barely hear.

The physicality thing is part of my problem too. Even as I talk about getting another dog, I know it can never be the same again. I can't hike the 13000 miles again that Brody and I hiked. I can't climb the steep hills, travel in a bus for weeks at a time, really do any of the things we did all the time. It's true about everything in my life. Brody's death is forcing me to confront that. I had been hiding from it, running from it.

Lord knows we've all had our hearts broken. I've found the difference is that I've always recovered from those in the past with a hopeful outlook for better days ahead. Now, it's all too apparent that my better days are over. There's no getting better from here. Combined with the heartbreak, and guilt, it's a bitter pill to swallow.

But, that's why they call it life. And without the worst of it, we wouldn't appreciate the best of it. By any standard, Brody had a life that every dog would envy. Not just the worldly travels, the leash-free lifestyle, and creature comforts that would rival Paris Hilton's chihuahua's. Mostly, he had me, all the time, every day, which is all any dog really wants. I wouldn't be exaggerating too much to say that there wasn't 15 minutes go by in all our years together without us looking each other in the eyes, making sure each of us was happy. Even running/playing in a field, every minute or so, he was looking back for me. I miss those eyes so much.

 

Have I ever posted this? My plan is to turn it into a "chuckwagon" that I tow behind my camper. Made by the Astoria Company many years ago (I forget) as a lineman's trailer. It's got a single 7000lb axle and all steel floor and insides. I pulled off the brackets where the reel spun cable out the back door. It was pretty rusty, so I'cleaned it up all over, under about as well as can be done without taking it off the frame. Acid washed and painted all the metal.

The only problem with it is a couple of missing doors. One of the big back doors and one up front. I could get a fiberglass shop to replicate and replace, but I might customize it and outfit it a different way. I want to work on this after I get my ambulance running. Sleep in the ambulance and create an outdoor bar/kitchen/hang out space around the chuckwagon. Bad pics, but maybe you can see the potential. I paid $400 for it.

 

warning: video does have cussing
Not too many others watch this guy but he does seem to know his stuff. He puts out limited content-seems like when something makes him angry. I don't know if he knows how funny he is when he gets things off his chest.

 

Other than working on the farm and repairing the farmhouse damage from the kids, replacing the front columns in front of our home has been delayed for too long.

The original posts were boxed 1x12 pine. They don't hold up the roof; the roof structure does that. When neighbors had them replaced, the contractors removed them before installing the new columns. I didn't; I lifted the roof slightly with the 4x4 so there would be some load. The originals were never fastened to the concrete. I also removed an existing plant. The second column was already being cut and removed from the bottom up, in 18" sections. Good wood up top nailed well.




While it would be expected to use a 6x6, at least around here, they seem to bow no matter how well you choose. So I boxed with 2x4 and 2x6, positioning the boards so any bow was opposing, and clamping to align everything. The pressure-treated boards were stickered to dry for three weeks before the installation to get the moisture down to under 10%. They were rotated every day.

I used a come-a-long and straps to hoist them up by myself.







I used a Simpson composite lift plate to keep the boards off the concrete. Boards screwed and nailed with 3 1/2" stainless ring shank. Since it's a box, I vented at the top and bottom. The lower PVC trim boards will be drilled for the vent screen. 2x4s gapped inward to have a vent channel.



We could not find PVC wraps the size or style we wanted to match the stairs I made years ago, so I used FJ pine, mitered, glued, and routed flutes. I could have made them from Azek, but I'd be in tears if I screwed them up during routing. And there's the microplastic...






These wraps are staying well up from the concrete. Everything down below will be PCV. There is also a venting gap between the actual posts and the wrap. Blocks are there to hold during the installation, but I will put other blocking there later. The wrap is tied to the post at the top and bottom, so if the PT post warps, it should not affect the wrap.





Still have work to do....

 

Prime those puppies with Kilz Premium 3. It is literally waterproof.

 

They were primed, did the Kilz 3 inside and out, and had the first topcoat before they went up. Glued with Titebond III. They'll get another topcoat before I'm done.

 

Oh man I feel this lol.

My truck has a remote start that doesn't work and this is the mess I have to clean up one day

 

A good You Tube watch is South Main Auto https://www.youtube.com/@SouthMainAuto
Eric is constantly complaining about the hack install jobs and problems remote start systems cause.

 

Yeah I think I'm just going to figure out how to do the high idle mod and leave everything else be for now as this spring I'm planning on putting on a rust free cab from.down south so I'll just buy one without a rats nest of electrical and not have to deal with my current situation lol.

 

Making the lower PVC box section today.

 

Table saw, dude... table saw.

 

I have a smaller portable from decades ago but hardly use it. I've been using track saws for over two decades, building cabinets and everything else, using the tracks with saws and routers.

Have you ever used a track saw?

 

Track saw seems extremely accurate. I’ve never used one, though I’ve used various guides.

 

Nice work table, great idea.