I agree with the Grouse…consider need vs want. I live rural but keep a good 2-3 full cords split and stacked. I’m about due to rent a splitter to process another cord or so in the next week or two. We burn but only a few days/week and we do not heat by wood, just like a fire every few days. I’m a lover of machinery and tools but a splitter just doesn’t make sense for me. I can rent a top notch unit for under $100 and split at least a years worth of wood in a few hours. If you need one or it makes sense, by all means but machinery sitting outside that isn’t used very often is silly to me. Just my 2 cents.

After many attempts with Access trail seal kits and X-tangs seal, I am of the opinion nothing really works all that well. I just got a new F-150 with the pro access tailgate and it’s really bad! I love the tailgate but the dust it allows in is the worst I’ve ever experienced.

Best part of the day was Cousins performance…

FYI…found out the House of Gloor at Neisens in Savage is no longer there. Last I checked they plan to find another location. Too bad cuz I really liked their stuff.

I just bought a new F150 Supercrew/6’7″ bed and took a train up to Grand Forks to get it. I searched dealers through MN, WI,Iowa and the Dakotas. I found one in Medford WI that was on order and put a deposit on it but then found the one in GF that I liked better. I wanted the EB engine, rapid red and the bigger bed which was very hard to find. I had considered ordering but two dealers told me 2024 orders are 4-6 months out and orders stop in September. They both said tho it was very possible I’d get an email stating they’d no longer do a 2024 build and I’d get stuck paying the upcharge on a 2025. Been driving Dodge/Rams since the mid 90s but decided on the Ford this time…

Politically, many of us (myself for sure) liked driving in the center lane of the highway. These parties have done away with that possibility. There’s only left and right lanes now. In fact, it’s gotten to the point that there’s really only the left and right shoulders, what’s next…driving in the ditch I guess? Really beyond sad. My poor grandkids and their kids…

Good call Mr. Spackler…

I’ve had two colonoscopies and the last one showed some “inconclusive” results that have me on the 5 year plan for my next one. I just had a physical in May. My doc still does the “bend over and assume the dreaded position” which he says the younger docs are getting away from. He told me the week before, a guy came in for a physical with a recent clean PSA. My doc did his old school finger in the keester and felt something amiss. Sure enough, after further testing the guy has prostate cancer. See your doctor and get your testing done…

Wonder who gets the Bronco?

Tried the House of Gloor at Neisens yesterday with 2 buddies. We all had the classic. Holy crap that was good. I don’t have a masters degree in burgerology like a lot of you on here but I’d say it’s the best burger I’ve ever paid for. Told the wife we’re heading there again next week. I might even put on my big boy pants and try one of their more creative choices.

We’re in the process of doing this right now. We are doing revocable trusts with “disclaimer” provisions. The disclaimer allows you to split your assets so that your beneficiaries avoid the estate tax penalty that comes after 3 million in total assets. When done this way (as I understand it) the estate is basically divided in half…I will own my 1/2 and my wife the other. Whoever dies first, their 1/2 goes into a seperate trust that the surviving spouse can still access but it’s technically not in “their” trust. In our case, we are basically at 3 million +/- right now and we assume this is going to go up. Everything above that 3 million gets taxed by MN at 15%. For example, if we end up around 3.5 million in total assets when the last of us dies, our heirs would be paying about $75K in taxes on that extra half million! That’s at todays figures…I doubt it will go down in the future. I’m sure I’m explaining it poorly but it made sense when the attorney explained it.

We live on the Mn River bluffs and have a nice Leica spotting scope set up. Years ago there was a red tailed hawk perched about 15′ up on an oak at the egde of our hill. I didn’t know he was even there until he spread his wings and simply hopped off the limb he was on and kind of “parachuted” down. I lost sight of him for a second and then he reappeared and flew back up the the limb. He had a field mouse in this talons. I watched through the scope as he de-skinned the little critter with his beak…it was like watching a gifted surgeon. He discarded the skin and had a nice lunch…it was like watching a nuture documentary in 4K. Lots of baldies down here too. Mom and pop really hate it when I hike under their nests this time of year! Never been pooped on but wouldn’t surprise me.

I got to thinking yesterday while watching the press conference. Reporters were asking the typical questions you expect them to ask like how long will this rebuild take? How long until construction begins blah, blah, blah. I know they’re doing their jobs but there’s no way any of that was answerable at this time. I started wondering if there is any type of federal “pre planning” on critical infrastructure like this bridge is? I mean, could (or should) there be design and engineering done that could jumpstart reconstruction on disasters like this? Whether human error, equipment malfunction, terrorism or natural disaster, would it be prudent to have specific “pre planning” in place? I know, I know…money would of course be the big obstacle but I guarantee, scrambling to get this bridge up and running properly is going to cost a bundle as well. Hopefully they will get it rebuilt in a timely manner and my thoughts go out to the victims.

Wish I could give you specifics but we bought a Minnetonka home in the early 90s that needed RM installed before closing. Wish I could tell you what it cost but the seller was forced to do it so no clue. My daughters home in Minnetonka also has it and it was there when she bought it. It’s fairly straightforward, it needs to be constantly exhausted 24/7. My guess is you may be forced to do it at some point if you intend to sell. I haven’t been involved in a home purchase since the 90s and I do know I’ve heard a lot about “buying as-is” lately. Maybe you’d avoid having to do it, maybe not but I do believe it’s a legit concern long term. Guess I’d look into it for your own health. You’re right though, there’s no end to the cash flowing the wrong way in regard to home ownership!

Lots of good advice here. I agree that I’d be looking into legal action 1st, before proceeding with any more fixes or repairs. Don’t assume your not entitled to any action against the seller, even if it’s a bank that took the property over. Playing lawyer, which I’m not, I could see where you might have hurt your chances for financial help by adding in the reinforcemnet. I could see this as showing that you were aware of the problem and didn’t address it at that time. Just saying… Regardless, the final solution is bite the bullett and do it right. Shortcuts are usually a recipie for disaster. Don’t hire “XYZ Excavating” just to save a buck (my apologies if that’s an actual business)! I also worked commercial construction all my life and this 99% sounds like a backfill issue that has blown into a disastrous problem. Good luck…keep us posted on your situation.

There’s an old saying…”once you retire it’s 6 Saturday’s and a Sunday”. One can amend this to include “everyday can be a snow day”. I’m still in my jammies at 3:04 PM. Not sayin I’m proud of it but just sayin…

Don Meier wrote:

Just recovering from covid , then a round of Norovirus , have zero intensions’ of doing any snow removal

I called this weeks ago!! First Busters ordeal, then Don’s buddy goes thru the ice and now this. I told Don then he should reexamine his life! There’s some bad JUJU afoot me thinks! Maybe a voodoo curse?

Here in south Carver County near Belle Plaine we’re getting “snizzle” right now. Apparently it was mainly rain/snow overnight. My driveway appears to have just a coating over it…you can see its outline so I’d guess there’s maybe 1/2″ on it if that. Snow cover on the lawn looks like its barely covering the grass but you an tell its very wet. Basically, it was a swing and a miss prediction wise for our area. Yesterday morning they were perdicting I think 6-8″ of snow. Then again, who knows how mnany inches of “precip” we got in this area?

I’m in the 6-1/2′ bed club myself. I’d never own a short box but the 6-1/2s are hard to find in stock. That’s one reason I’ve never bought a vehicle from the same place…ever. I search dealer inventory and go where what I want is on the lot. Last time I bought a truck, I tried to have a transfer done to get the one I wanted brought in from a different local dealer. Of course in that case the dealer with the truck refused to give it up. I’m planning on a new one this summer and I’m thinking I’ll just have to order it.

Down here near Belle Plaine I’m looking out and my asphalt driveway is near 90% melted off already. Have not ventured out but guessing there’s 3″ of wet slop on top of the “grass”. Bet it’s nearly gone this afternoon. In fact, it looks like the snow is “riding” on top of the grass so it’s not 3″

You wouldn’t know what he’s been through by that pic. What a great story with an unexpected happy ending! Just the best thing I’ve heard in years. Go Buster…and have fun on the new boat.

I got a 7 at Fleet Farm year before last with just sonar. It was a Gen 3. I use that on the bow on the TM. Same feeling as you, just didn’t need the extra “stuff”. They are available…

Just an update on ours… I did cave and got quotes from 3 other agents. Our 2024 HO, Auto, Umbrella and a travel trailer will total $3934. State Farm quoted
$4218, Am Family was $4944 and Farmers $5100. Interestingly, State Farm had our two vehicles at $567/year! He told me that when he called or I’d have figured he had made a mistake. I feel the SF quote was the old “get us in the door” rate and then we’d get bent over next year. Another independent agency I solicited quotes from, carried the same carriers as who we’re with now so there was no point in them quoting. We’re with Auto Owners and we were told they are among, if not the cheapest quoting in Minnesota right now. Guess we’re staying put…

FWIW Tom Brady made $333M in career earnings in 23 seasons, 35 playoff wins and 7 Super Bowl wins. Kirk Cousins $412m career earnings in 16 season and 1 playoff win.
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Great point Werm…more proof that when it comes to contracts/salesmanship, Cousins is the real GOAT!

Yup…I feel your pain. Ours went up like 40% I think. We’d been with them only 1 year. Our HO, auto and umbrella all went up but somehow it averaged a 25% increase. Not sure how that works but that’s what all the premiums combined went up. Our agent said the same thing. Our financial advisor told us a few weeks ago that some carriers were not even taking on new clients and will not quote new policies. She said she’d heard of 75% increases on some carriers/policies. Unbelievable. Now my wife is mad at me because I just want to pay it and not waste time getting quotes again! Marriage is great…

I feel your pain… I’m on my 6th Dodge/Ram also a 2017. 174K on mine. I tow similar stuff to yours and mine is my daily driver. Previous posts are all valid. In 2006, I bought a Dodge 2500 with the 5.7. All I had was a slightly heavier duty chassis but a poor ride…everyday. In 2011 went back to a 1500 and again in 2017. There’s no way I’d get a 3/4 ton again as a daily driver…way too uncomfortable when not loaded down. The hemi is gone as stated before. They are already peddling the 24s out as the 25s are due anytime. The new standard engine is the inline 6 “Hurricane” turbo. Jeep GC and Cherokees have had them for a few years. Frankly, I’m doubtful I’ll buy a Ram again this summer since I’m uncomfortable being a first model “guinea pig”. Not a GM fan either which leaves Ford. Tundra is out as I cannot stand to look at them…just an ugly truck IMO. Not a clue what I’ll end up with but all the 1/2 tons are more than capable.

Gotta add another vote for Rigid. I have two now and before I retired, we used to buy them for our commercial construction projects. I bet over the years I bought at least 30 of them. They are great units for the money and believe me, you’d be amazed what we’d put them through. Too bad it’s not the holiday season…you can get some great deals on them around christmas but you’ll have a hell of a mess if you wait that long!

Truly great news Don. Can’t wait to tell my wife how well he’s doing.

JJ is right on the Golden Malrin but I’ll add my 2 cents to be VERY CAREFUL in how you use it. First, there is lots of info on this stuff on the web and I’d recommend doing a bit of research on it as it’s highly toxic. Dogs will drink this stuff which will likely kill them so its use requires a lot of risk and therefore responsibility. I have some experience using it for “off label” nusciance control but I’ll leave it at that. Just be careful and consider all the possible ways this can go south like neighbors animals etc. But…it does work!

Thanks for the replies…talking with him yesterday, he mentioned a ratchet strap on the rear as his plan. He’s calling Canvas Craft this week.