Bobcat

If I were to say that I played with worked on a Bobcat for 12 hours today, would this image come to mind?

Bobcat in a Tree

Even if you know that the Bobcat I used looked like this?:

Bobcat in a Field

Of course, if you have ever used a Bobcat (and remember your first day at the controls) this image probably comes to mind:

Bucking Bobcat

And all I wanted to do was remove some excess dirt from the garage floor so I can get it ready for fill sand, then concrete.

The soil here is interesting; with each scoop, we get a different kind. We have a sand/clay mix; a brown or white clay; and a black, nutrient-rich looking soil with a clay-like texture; to name a few. Bobcat and I purr right along as we move the sand/clay by the bucket load. But, Ol' Bucko has a cockle burr under the saddle for one thing, and them me an' him found chawin' on rawhide to be more productive than trying to move that thar clay.

Oh, for a nice long, warm soak in a deep tub!

References:

 Bobcat in a Tree: Commons.wikimedia.org: Retrieved 21 July 2013 from https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=Szdtvbq_SUXUcM&tbnid=-KS1AZTZ178PwM:&ved=0CAMQjhw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3ABobcat-Texas-9123.jpg&ei=MoDsUfzALojCrgG-yYCAAg&bvm=bv.49478099,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNE9SZF18AanaO3JZdPuopDlttgvDA&ust=1374539921751583 

Bobcat in a Field: The World's Best Photos by Dave Dugdale retrieved 21 July 2013 from https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=NKZeC1vdcnpCCM&tbnid=xERk192pWsIm-M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflickrhivemind.net%2FUser%2FDave%2520Dugdale%2FInteresting&ei=vYHsUe3AJoSyqgHlvYCQAQ&psig=AFQjCNElW6swkdMaAdk_n7wwxjkRaDxrnQ&ust=1374540597397563

Bucking Bobcat: Shiloh Musings: November 2012 shilomusings.blogspot.com. Retrieved 21 July 2013 from thttps://www.google.com/search?as_q=bobcat&tbs=sur:fm&biw=1280&bih=923&sei=NIHsUYS-H83FqQG7kYAY&tbm=isch#safe=active&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=bucking+bronco&oq=bucking+&gs_l=img.1.0.0l10.582041.583042.2.586668.8.6.0.2.2.0.202.698.3j2j1.6.0....0.0..1c.1.20.img.ctCBU8GPpM8&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=8f0cf167ac1e6a39&biw=1280&bih=923&bvm=pv.xjs.s.en_US.c75bKy5EQ0A.O%2Cpv.xjs.s.en_US.c75bKy5EQ0A.O&facrc=_&imgdii=90Xdb3XX2fOHDM%3A%3BvSIF0G51MFPn1M%3B90Xdb3XX2fOHDM%3A&imgrc=90Xdb3XX2fOHDM%3A%3BqZhlc53mEdpB1M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.artistsuk.co.uk%252Facatalog%252FBucking_Broncho_Frank_Frazetta.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.artistsuk.co.uk%252Facatalog%252FFRANK_FRAZETTA_PRINTS_AND_POSTERS.html%3B412%3B600

Polystyrene

Under the concrete floor will be heat pipes, under the pipes will be two inches of extruded polystyrene. After years of calling this stuff styrofoam, I learn that Styrofoam is Dow Chemicals' brand name for their blue polystyrene. For this project, I am using Owens Corning's polystyrene, Foamular, which is pink.

                                                      Of course, these two piles came on a truck and were dropped here...

  but need to be there:

  This time, though, foam is light so two people can pick up each of the piles.

So, the sand has been leveled and the foam placed. Next will be the plumber with the heat pipes followed by the concrete, and then, we will have a basement floor.

Owens Corning Foamular

Notice the pattern--some people like patterns and symmetry. However, one area has the pattern at 90 degrees to the rest and a few smaller pieces follow no pattern at all because symmetry hidden under 5" of concrete is not worth $30 per sheet.

Nature is alive and well out here. Wood ticks join us any time we step too close to tall grass--wet spring tends to bring them out in force. The deer wander through frequently. Sometimes I think they're inspecting the project.

To keep us entertained, we have

our resident woodpecker.

In this case, checking out the old Allis Chalmers.

This is an interesting bird. But, what does pecking on the metal hood of a tractor do?  After leaving the tractor, I hear the tapping on an empty fuel barrel, then a metal building and finally a tree in the woods. Musical bird.

Incidentally, the weather has been mostly hot and dry. Working in 85 degree weather isn't bad if the humidity is low and there is a slight breeze, which is what we have been having. However, working in a white basement is another matter.

No breeze. The sun reflects off the white walls, raising the temp quite a bit. "Not to worry", he thinks, "the dirt floor absorbs a lot of that excess heat."

All I can say about that is it's a good thing I had help. A hired hand worked with me a couple days, then my sister came through for two more days. Couldn't have finished without them.

But, pink polystyrene reflects it all back to anyone in the oven basement...me! 

Some of Grandma's flowers are blooming:

And, I have a tomato:

Next, I hope to have a floor in the basement, and maybe the garage.

More Stub Walls and Sand to Move

Busy week (or two, or so). Working on the final four stub walls. When that is finished, the last of the back fill can be done.

Drain tile are in, sump bucket is placed, water and geothermal lines are run.

Now I need to order another yard or two of sand...

                                                                                                         ...actually ten yards, and here it is!...

...but, but, but...it needs to be here!






I have two good arms, but only one shovel! Oh well, so it will take a while.

As it turns out, my concrete guy, plumbing guy, and sand and gravel guy, are all retired (teaching, plumbing, sand and gravel). They see this retired solder and teacher in need of a little help, so they send a second  shovel. They even said I could drive it tonight if I want.

We might have concrete by the end of the week or early next week--Lord willing and the creek don't rise, that is.

I've been in touch with the floor joist folks. They are working up the order and cost for the next step. Electricity has been here and once the floor is poured and the basement capped, he will run electricity and internet to the house. Progress?