ADD Tuesday - Garden, Singer, HIKE!, 03/16/2021

 Good morning all! It's a rainy Tuesday morning here. A little frustrated, looked at the weather for this week and showed little chance of rain today and tomorrow. I have soooo much I need to get done outside to prep for planting. We went to see my in-laws this past weekend (always good to go visit for a couple of days!). Stopped at Menards and picked up the 4 additional garden boxes I needed. Now, I just need to get the compost pile cleaned and put in the wheelbarrow and get the boxes set up. Also will need to get some more soil for the boxes too. When I get them all set up, I will measure to see how much hose I need for the watering system and the bubbler pegs as well. And I got seeds while I was there! They had a special price on them, plus the 11% rebate program going on, so was excited for that. I purchased Walla Walla onions, Dark Green zucchini, All Seasons cabbage, Pick-a-Bushel hybrid cucumbers and Iceberg lettuce, all Burpee brand. I've not done onions by seed nor have I planted the type of cukes or lettuce before. There's 55 days until Mother's Day, which is when I plant my garden. That's just over 7 weeks, so should be enough time to get the seeds started. In the past I have been, I don't know, cheap? Lazy? to get the smaller seeds starter trays. The smaller ones all added up have cost more than one big one. But this year I purchased them instead of sabotaging myself with the starts. I will probably get the seeds started this week. I should still have plenty of other seeds from last year's growing season. I try to keep a few of the seeds when I use them so I can save some money.

I was able to get the bottom of the Singer 7050 done yesterday. The gear package I got from Amazon fit perfectly. Today I am going to try to figure out how to get the handwheel off and get the upper gear replaced and the new belt on. Figured I would go ahead and replace the gear belt since I was taking the shaft assemblies apart, plus the belt was a little worn. And it didn't hurt that one came with the upper gear. I still need to figure out the motor base cover. One didn't come with the machine and I haven't been able to find one for sale. Been debating on wood, metal and plastic. Wood is cheaper and easier to work with but as thin as it needs to be can splinter and the paint can chip. Metal is a little more costly, a little more challenging to work with if you don't have the right tools but will last longer. I am not as familiar with plastic. My experiences are that you have to be mindful of your drill and cutting speeds as the plastic can crack. I've also been kicking around the idea of using resin. Making the mold should be easy, insert dowels for the screw holes and resin can be colored to match the machine. Hoping I have a decision soon.

Just got back from a nice hike. Finishing this post to add the pictures. Have a great day and God Bless!