October 11-12, 2013

It is official, the farm is for sale. We posted a CraigsList ad Monday evening and had three inquiries by Friday. I had also put together a Word flyer with pictures, printed a color copy, had 40 copies made, and purchased a brochure box. We took our For Sale By Owner sign (from when we sold the Elm Street house) with us and stuck it out on Hwy 221. Actually, I could not get the sign into the rocky ground. I had to come back up with a fence post and sledge hammer and drive the post into the ground, and then wire the sign to it.

Brush Hogged

Larry had just finished brush hogging the week before. He said it didn't clean up very well up top, but I didn't think any of it looked particularly good. Maybe he needed to sharpen his blades. But, he has never raised the price ($500).

Garden

We had 4 inches in the rain gauge and the barrels were full. We received another quarter inch of rain early Saturday. The butternut squash are about spent. I think they were overcome by the squash beetles. We took a few home but threw out several, leaving only a few in the garden. Sally got some green beans, some chard, and move kale. She pulled up most of the dead plants.

Hang Window

With people coming to see the place I was very anxious to get the plywood out of the window and get the new sash in. It went really well, and was much easier than getting the old one out. Sally staid on the inside and helped me align things and then put screws back until it was secure. Even screwing in the crank connection to the sash went well, not blooding any knuckles on the reinstall. The only think left is to scrap off little bits of duct tape that stuck to the outside of the frame.

Weed Eat

We were expecting someone to come out Friday afternoon, so Sally would not let me mow. I finally just grabbed the weed eater and did some clean up all around the house. No one showed Friday.

Burn

Since there was an accumulation of limbs and scrap wood piled out by the fire ring, I decided to go ahead and burn it all to clean up for our visitors. I had to add some cedar limbs to keep it going good, but I got it all taken care of by the time I went in for the evening. In spite of the rain, it was still smoldering the next morning.

Lookers

Two of the CraigsList inquiries were from Eureka Springs residents. They both showed up up at exactly the same time Saturday morning. It was a little confusing with both of them there at the same time, but it was fun showing them around.

Linda and her two boys were from just up Rock House Road. (Pictured with her permission.) The boys hoofed it down to the pond and back by the time we were through showing her around the house, barn, and spring. I think they really liked the property, but the house was too small, the road was to steep, and the neighbors were ... well, they need to do some outdoor work. Oh well, the price you pay for paradise.

Tara and her two young ones were the other group. She seemed interested, but has not made arrangements to come back out. It was fun interacting with her toddler, who was adorable and a true free spirit.

The other inquiry was from a fellow in Rogers that wanted to build a remote retreat. We have the remote part. I talked to him about the idea of building on top of the hill to avoid the road. He didn't show and never called back.

Late Saturday two of our neighbors wondered down, David and Julie. I had never met Julie and only met David once. We showed them around. David was very interested and excited about the place, especially the barn. But he doesn't have any money. Said his plan was to win the lottery and had bought two tickets. He was feeling lucky because the drawing date was on his birthday. I guess he didn't hit it.

I am beginning to realize that this is going to be a long process. That is okay.

Mow

I did some mowing later Saturday: around the house, down to the pond, around the spring, and in front of the barn. Next week I will do the rest and probably be done for the season.