Pumpkin is still in the shop! I called about it yesterday and they were just taking the transmission out - supposedly. So, it might be ready tomorrow, but we can't pick it up until Thursday now. We've GOT to meet Stephen and give him his two "sweet" little dogs back that we've been doggie sitting. Oh, they haven't been too bad except they certainly are intrigued with Joyce's chickens. In fact, we've got a couple running around missing most of their tail feathers.
Ha! I went up to check the chickens last night after dark and Betty (one of the dogs) went with me. We have an electric fence charger set up on a timer to come on just about dark and then go off at dawn. It charges wire encircling both the "chicken door" into the wire coop and the "chicken door" on into the chicken house. So, for any varmint to get at the hens, it must run the gamut of two charged doorways. Betty turned back at the first one. She probably won't mess with it again.
This Pumpkin transmission delay is putting me behind schedule. I need to overhaul the front brakes, add a transmission temp gauge, add some means of securing the step stool and two folding TV trays up under the new counter top, put in a new emergency flasher and see why the generator won't stay running while driving. I'm sure there will be more. It's sure a good thing I can do most of this stuff myself. The current plan is to make a trip out to Custer State Park and The Badlands this September and I really need to get to work on this stuff. Oh yes, Julie and the girls are expected back through here Friday. I'm not sure how long they'll be staying, though. Well, I'll welcome a break for them, but as soon as they are gone, it's back to work.
Oh yes, I finished the add-on table top for the new counter. I made a 24" x 20" top like the main counter - luan plywood with framing in between, similar to a hollow core door. I used the folding leg off the old dinette top. I put two wooden dowels in the edge that mates with the counter top. These get inserted in the edge of the counter, the leg gets dropped and locked into place then a window sash lock underneath secures the add-on to the counter. Now, we'll have a good place to play Scrabble or if we're feeling friendly, face each other while we eat. It is easily removed and stored on the wall under the counter. Oh, clever me. I'll post a picture of the finished product if I ever get Pumpkin back home.
