Yesterday we had snow and a brutal north wind, very uncomfortable outside.
This morning the temperature dropped to 14 degrees F (I saw 13.9 degrees F).
Morgan county schools were closed yesterday and are on a 2 hour delay today.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Saturday, November 9, 2019
25 degrees F Saturday November 9, 2019
Morning low temp of 25 degrees F (24.7 actually) November 9, 2019.
Monday, November 4, 2019
Upper pond is full, 28 degrees F November 4, 2019
Pups and meows took me on an adventure hike yesterday, using my ski poles I climbed up to a swiss mountain pasture and found a magical lake, aka upper pasture / pond.
The magical lake was full but not overflowing. The larger two pups could not resist going into the magical lake, and when they emerged from the lake they were very happy.
On the other side of the magical lake were three unicorns, aka Morgan, Spirit, and Aida.
Several reindeer were observed in the pasture, or perhaps they were white tail deer.
Very bright sunny clear conditions, but a little cool.
Low temps this weekend were 29 degrees F, 29 degrees F, and 28 degrees F this morning.
The magical lake was full but not overflowing. The larger two pups could not resist going into the magical lake, and when they emerged from the lake they were very happy.
On the other side of the magical lake were three unicorns, aka Morgan, Spirit, and Aida.
Several reindeer were observed in the pasture, or perhaps they were white tail deer.
Very bright sunny clear conditions, but a little cool.
Low temps this weekend were 29 degrees F, 29 degrees F, and 28 degrees F this morning.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Frozen water hose and ice on windshield October 14, 2019
Another cold morning, temperature showed 34 degrees F, but the water hose was frozen, there was ice on my windshield, and frost on the grass.
Actually, in the distance it looked like ice fog over the pasture, pretty neat.
It is interesting how a water hose, on a night with low temp above 32 degrees F, can manage to freeze to the point that no water will flow.
Beautiful day yesterday, did some bush hogging / mowing work on a neighbors farm. Beautiful morning today.
Actually, in the distance it looked like ice fog over the pasture, pretty neat.
It is interesting how a water hose, on a night with low temp above 32 degrees F, can manage to freeze to the point that no water will flow.
Beautiful day yesterday, did some bush hogging / mowing work on a neighbors farm. Beautiful morning today.
Sunday, October 13, 2019
33 degrees F and frost October 13, 2019
Coldest temp so far of the season, 33 degrees F low temp and frost this morning.
Beautiful clear night last night along with a bright moon, looks to be close to a full moon.
Beautiful clear night last night along with a bright moon, looks to be close to a full moon.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Dry weather, springs have stopped flowing
I can't remember when we last had rain here.
Many areas in East TN have announced bans on burning until we receive significant rain.
Springs on the farm stopped flowing for the first time this year a couple of weeks ago.
The 10 day weather forecast shows low chances for precipitation.
However, the grass is green and appears to be growing, I am still behind on mowing chores.
Many areas in East TN have announced bans on burning until we receive significant rain.
Springs on the farm stopped flowing for the first time this year a couple of weeks ago.
The 10 day weather forecast shows low chances for precipitation.
However, the grass is green and appears to be growing, I am still behind on mowing chores.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
cool dry air, beautiful night sky 53 degrees F August 29, 2019
Beautiful night sky last night and tonight, morning low temp 53 degrees F today.
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Pasture mowing
I have been working on mowing the pastures recently. I hope to have the pasture mowing completed by labor day weekend. I have a few downed trees at the pasture edges that I will work on cleaning up in the fall.
I mowed over a couple of bald faced hornet nests and understandably they were not happy about it. Bald faced hornets are black and white, and they make paper nests above the ground in tall pastures that have not been mowed in a while.
I had to go to the house and put on my bee suit to finish mowing the area where I encountered the bald faced hornets. Wearing a bee suit is hot and the visibility is not very good.
I looked them up online and found out that they are not actual hornets but they are wasps, they kill and eat flies, and I think they also kill yellow jackets, so they are considered to be beneficial.
I can attest to the fact that they kill flies, I see them everday near the entrances of the pigeon lofts killing flies, and so far they have left me alone, not one sting yet knock on wood.
I think they might also help to keep the flies down for the horses, I noticed that the horses do not have a lot of flies this year, and the horses have chosen to hang out near the pigeon loft entrances when they have the opportunity.
Last weekend I saw two fawns in the upper pasture while mowing, they were good size, not little newborns, and they watched me for a bit from the edge of the pasture before going into the woods. I typically try not to mow tall pastures in May or June because I'm afraid I will mow over baby fawns or wild turkeys hiding in the grass.
A couple of years ago I hiked with the dogs through some pasture grass that was just a little over a foot high, and there was a fawn hiding in the grass about four feet from me and I did not see it. The dogs did not detect the fawn as we walked past it, but when we got about 50 or 100 feet away one of the dogs caught the scent and doubled back and found the fawn, which then ran away.
I seem to have a good crop of butterflies in the upper pasture, the butterflies, and other insects really like some of the wildflowers and "weeds" that are blooming now, especially a taller plant with bright yellow flowers.
There are quite a few black swallow tails, and yellow swallow tails, and just a few monarch butterflies. The monarchs are dark orange, with black, and white spots.
Also, there are a lot of praying mantis insects, they like the tall growth in the pasture.
The colors of the wildflowers are quite beautiful and intense.
I mowed over a couple of bald faced hornet nests and understandably they were not happy about it. Bald faced hornets are black and white, and they make paper nests above the ground in tall pastures that have not been mowed in a while.
I had to go to the house and put on my bee suit to finish mowing the area where I encountered the bald faced hornets. Wearing a bee suit is hot and the visibility is not very good.
I looked them up online and found out that they are not actual hornets but they are wasps, they kill and eat flies, and I think they also kill yellow jackets, so they are considered to be beneficial.
I can attest to the fact that they kill flies, I see them everday near the entrances of the pigeon lofts killing flies, and so far they have left me alone, not one sting yet knock on wood.
I think they might also help to keep the flies down for the horses, I noticed that the horses do not have a lot of flies this year, and the horses have chosen to hang out near the pigeon loft entrances when they have the opportunity.
Last weekend I saw two fawns in the upper pasture while mowing, they were good size, not little newborns, and they watched me for a bit from the edge of the pasture before going into the woods. I typically try not to mow tall pastures in May or June because I'm afraid I will mow over baby fawns or wild turkeys hiding in the grass.
A couple of years ago I hiked with the dogs through some pasture grass that was just a little over a foot high, and there was a fawn hiding in the grass about four feet from me and I did not see it. The dogs did not detect the fawn as we walked past it, but when we got about 50 or 100 feet away one of the dogs caught the scent and doubled back and found the fawn, which then ran away.
I seem to have a good crop of butterflies in the upper pasture, the butterflies, and other insects really like some of the wildflowers and "weeds" that are blooming now, especially a taller plant with bright yellow flowers.
There are quite a few black swallow tails, and yellow swallow tails, and just a few monarch butterflies. The monarchs are dark orange, with black, and white spots.
Also, there are a lot of praying mantis insects, they like the tall growth in the pasture.
The colors of the wildflowers are quite beautiful and intense.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Dry Cool weather July 25, 2019, 53 degrees F
After big rains came through earlier this week the weather has been beautiful and sunny with low humidity. The morning low temp yesterday was 54 degrees F and this morning it was 53 degrees F.
The springs and creeks are all flowing nicely, last week I mowed around the upper pond and was surprised to see that not only was the pond full but that the overflow pipe was spilling excess water as well and I don't see that too often in the middle of summer, and this was after several days with no rain.
The springs and creeks are all flowing nicely, last week I mowed around the upper pond and was surprised to see that not only was the pond full but that the overflow pipe was spilling excess water as well and I don't see that too often in the middle of summer, and this was after several days with no rain.
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Bears in the area!
Black bears have been spotted all over east TN this spring, including here in Oakdale, TN. Apparently last night a bear visited our neighbors farm, also yesterday a bear was spotted in Harriman, and in Kingston.
We have not seen any bears here on our farm, but with four outdoor dogs we probably won't see any bears near the house.
There is a good crop of wild berries right now, all in all fairly good bear habitat.
The horses showed up at the house this morning, I wonder if they might have seen a bear, I'll have to ask them.
We have not seen any bears here on our farm, but with four outdoor dogs we probably won't see any bears near the house.
There is a good crop of wild berries right now, all in all fairly good bear habitat.
The horses showed up at the house this morning, I wonder if they might have seen a bear, I'll have to ask them.
Friday, June 14, 2019
45 degrees F June 14, 2019
Gorgeous night with bright moon and stars, cool morning with a low of 45 degrees F. Did not expect this low temp and pleasant dry air but will definitely enjoy it, the heat and humidity will return soon. One week until summer solstice so lot's of daylight also.
Our happy free range chicken egg production is very good, also related to the amount of daylight.
We did finally get some rain in the last week or so which was nice.
Our happy free range chicken egg production is very good, also related to the amount of daylight.
We did finally get some rain in the last week or so which was nice.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
48 degrees F on June 4, 2019, no rain in a while
This morning it was 48 degrees F at the farm, it will probably be a while before the temp is that low again. Very pleasant weather however!
We have not had any rain in a few weeks now, springs and creeks are down, small seep of water persists at the bottom of the driveway.
We had some hot days here last week, about 15 degrees warmer than normal, with temps reaching the low 90's in Knoxville. I think the high temp at the farm was 88.
On some years we get summer temps in the 90's here, some years we don't hit 90. Very rarely I think will it hit 100+ degrees in the valley.
On two consecutive afternoons last week, my vehicle said that the outside temp was in the low 90's in the Harriman area, however after driving over Walden ridge into Oakdale and then to the farm the outside temp dropped a full 10 degrees F. Normally I see the temp drop a couple of degrees, this was very unusual.
The next day however was cool and cloudy and the temp in the valley / Harriman area was the same as at the farm.
We have not had any rain in a few weeks now, springs and creeks are down, small seep of water persists at the bottom of the driveway.
We had some hot days here last week, about 15 degrees warmer than normal, with temps reaching the low 90's in Knoxville. I think the high temp at the farm was 88.
On some years we get summer temps in the 90's here, some years we don't hit 90. Very rarely I think will it hit 100+ degrees in the valley.
On two consecutive afternoons last week, my vehicle said that the outside temp was in the low 90's in the Harriman area, however after driving over Walden ridge into Oakdale and then to the farm the outside temp dropped a full 10 degrees F. Normally I see the temp drop a couple of degrees, this was very unusual.
The next day however was cool and cloudy and the temp in the valley / Harriman area was the same as at the farm.
Monday, April 1, 2019
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
25 degrees F March 19, 2019
This morning the temp dropped below 25 degrees F for a bit, I saw 24.7, my truck said 24 degrees. Very clear beautiful sky, bluebird sky today.
Saturday, March 9, 2019
16 degrees F on Wednesday morning March 6, 2019
The temp dropped below 17 degrees F here on Wednesday morning as expected, probably the last temp in the teens for the season but who knows?
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
19 degrees F March 5, 2019, peach blossoms bye bye
We have four peach trees, this week they started to bloom, plenty of pretty pink blossoms, and of course this morning it was 19 degrees F at the farm, and it might be colder tomorrow morning.
It seem like this happens almost every year, the peach trees bloom early and then we get hard freezes and end up with no peaches.
It seem like this happens almost every year, the peach trees bloom early and then we get hard freezes and end up with no peaches.
February 2019, rain, flooding, slide, swimming cows, channel 10 news, kayakers
We had a lot of rain here in February.
A slide covered one lane of Clifty Creek road, again.
There have been several small slides next to Riggs Chapel road.
We went to town on a saturday and had lunch, a family came in and sat at the table next to us, we overheard them say that they watched as their cows swam over the fence and out of the pasture, and then a little later they saw the cows swim back into the pasture. Not exactly something you hear every day ...
When we drove down the driveway to head to town, there was a channel 10 news crew at the bottom of our driveway getting footage of the creek that goes around our farm, the creek was was really roaring. There were also several of our kayaker friends there, they were waiting to see if the creek would settle down a bit, they wanted to do some plateau micro creeking down to the Emory river, I don't think that anyone actually got in the creek that day, although we did see kayakers in the Emory at the bottom of the cliff.
Good news is that the drainage improvements I made on the driveway actually worked very well, I just have one small washout near the bottom of the driveway where the ditch filled up with debris.
The area is still recovering from all of the rain and cold temperatures.
The bridge over clifty creek was underwater last weekend when the Emory river hit flood stage, I think it was over 28 feet, Riggs Chapel road was also underwater at the low point near the railroad bridge.
A slide covered one lane of Clifty Creek road, again.
There have been several small slides next to Riggs Chapel road.
We went to town on a saturday and had lunch, a family came in and sat at the table next to us, we overheard them say that they watched as their cows swam over the fence and out of the pasture, and then a little later they saw the cows swim back into the pasture. Not exactly something you hear every day ...
When we drove down the driveway to head to town, there was a channel 10 news crew at the bottom of our driveway getting footage of the creek that goes around our farm, the creek was was really roaring. There were also several of our kayaker friends there, they were waiting to see if the creek would settle down a bit, they wanted to do some plateau micro creeking down to the Emory river, I don't think that anyone actually got in the creek that day, although we did see kayakers in the Emory at the bottom of the cliff.
Good news is that the drainage improvements I made on the driveway actually worked very well, I just have one small washout near the bottom of the driveway where the ditch filled up with debris.
The area is still recovering from all of the rain and cold temperatures.
The bridge over clifty creek was underwater last weekend when the Emory river hit flood stage, I think it was over 28 feet, Riggs Chapel road was also underwater at the low point near the railroad bridge.
Monday, January 21, 2019
12 degrees F January 21, 2019
Lots of wind and cold the last couple of days, this morning the temp dropped below 12 degrees F for a bit, the coldest air so far for the season.
Beautiful sky accompanied the cold overnight, this morning the moon was like a spotlight over the western horizon, with bright planets visible to the southeast.
Beautiful sky accompanied the cold overnight, this morning the moon was like a spotlight over the western horizon, with bright planets visible to the southeast.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)