It seems all I do is mow

  I work all day and then come home and mow every day.I hardly have time to enjoy what I have.
  I am starting to see a lot more fruit this year on the apples and pears but I am  also seeing a large amount of randomly dead branches on some trees.Its as if one side of the tree dies out.I have sprayed for beetles and I have sprayed for blight but It keeps happening.I am starting to think it is from last years drought.I have also fertilized one lot and have notice a huge difference in tree growth so I need to get on to fertilizing the other lots.I did the walnut trees already and some of the hazelnut and paw paw trees.I* am hoping that someday soon I can have more time in the orchards,but for now I will try to take what I can form this and "slow down" to reflect on the process  and why it is taking place.
 I will try to get some pics up..

nothing

 I have nothing to report! I have just been mowing every night and maintaining the land and trees.I have been busy catching up on neglected things and getting equipment in working order.I am having a hard time making money and keeping ahold of it at my current job as I seem to be wearing out my welcome(loosing out on OT).I guess time will tell but I doubt I will be turning down any offers for work.I love painting but do not like how the paint trade is conducted,nor am I all that fond of painters.
   I have faith in the BHCO project and know that while the labor demand has dwindled for now,it may change at any moment.I am excited to report the trees are doing well and the beetles arent nearly as devastating as they were last year.I have a little issue with blight and will try to spray a copper type spray on the one orchard to solve the problem.
  I have decided to sell one property and keep twelve(eleven which are mostly planted). The tree service will be hopefully removing trees from the area soon so that it can be planted with North star cherries on both sides of the creek.
   I still havent sold my equipment  and may actually have an upcoming dig job from the buyer that fell through.Just when I think I had it figured,BAM! I can honestly say "I am the dumbest guy I know" but I can say it with a smile!So I have no desire to expand at the moment and no demanding push in any direction other than to "get collected".It still seems as if a milestone was achieved and not that a goal was missed.I feel better and sleep better with that very feeling.

Like it was planned!

  This morning bright and early a knock on the door from an interested party to purchase the backhoe and then another offer later to trade it for a skid loader.It always seems that an option presents itself at such times.Both thoughts will be entertained as I move forward in the tidying up of the Kewanee BHCO project site.I am unsure if this means I will be done with promoting and expanding BHCO for good or time has run out to complete the project or whatever.I am certain of one thing alone,a milestone has been reached of some significance that will probably only be understood when it is looked back upon.I am nervously excited to see what the future will bring.It seems as if a choice is too be made and soon. I shall rest Saturday and see what becomes of this very day.

and just like that

   The remaining two properties I purchased this year will be placed for sale,one being pretty much sold already.I am certain this will leave questions for many of you and I dont want you to feel alone in this.I too  am a bit surprised at the decision and will certainly be awaiting guidance as the days pass by.There are many loose ends to tie up and still much too do so my work is far from over but a new chapter is too be written.I only know for now that which I still have yet too digest myself.
  The final debts of monies that were gifted to me for use if needed will soon be returned and tidying up will begin.
   I am very happy that I was able to accomplish as much as I did physically and believe that without the help of my friends that this miracle could not have happened the way it has happened.I again am uncertain of the future events that I will be embarking upon but I am certain they will be interesting. I hope to finish the projects that are currently underway while keeping you  informed as things progress and hope you will all join me as the future presents itself for Black Horse Cherry Orchard.
  May God bless what has been created through me and my supporters and may he look upon his creation and be proud.
  It is at this point where I feel compelled to ask you give thanks in prayer for what has been done,not to me but to our Heavenly father.

so I have an on going problem with neighbor

  I have been quietly collecting data on a neighbor that is harassing me,the latest events include spinning tires through my orchard while handing out phrases like you cant prove its me  as well as bending conduit and tree tubes and even throwing wire and now metal into my orchard that normally isnt found until it gets wrapped up in the mower..I have put up what I called the naughty neighbor fence that is quite ugly to prove a point and protect my property.I also added some signs that will be available for viewing on you tube as well as facebook.I have voiced my concerns to the police chief and the city manager as well as some of the council members .I have also  begun the process of dealing with the states attorney and have been interviewing attorneys for a future battle to have this person brought to justice  as it is now evident the damage and harassment will most likely continue as it has been ongoing for nearly one and a half years.I feel the whole thing very unnecessary and do not understand why a 20 foot city buffer isnt enough to keep this person from entering and damaging both mine and city property.I guess we will certainly have the attention of the public as the naughty neighbor fence and signs are quite visible.I again ask persons to kindly get involved by contacting Luke Derue on facebook and asking him politely to stop as well as contact our local city manager,chief of police ,Henry county states attorney and or kewanee city council members to kindly voice concerns . As a human I will tolerate no more bullying from this Luke DeRue or his family.
 I leave you with all of this to digest and will post some things to youtube soon that will allow all the evidence to be viewed by the public.I have nothing to hide as usual .The truth is my greatest weapon and it is how I show the measure of my faith in the Lord.the latest incident involving the neighbors has cost me the use of my left foot for a while due to my frustration getting the best of me and now several days lost wages which I am not without blame as I kicked the slide that was blocking the city alley-way after Luke DeRue drove through my property,this caused the first damage to the foot unleashing a series of unfortunate events that eventually led to the foot being ran over by the new mower causing some more extensive damage.The appendage is currently being repaired and will be quite tender for days if not weeks but it will most certainly be fully functional!

new mower

  So thanks to birkeys in galesburg I got a zero turn for a grat price! I ran over a tree almost instantly and put the thing in the ditch within an hour,no injuries to anything but my sense of humor which was short lived!I was saved by a groundhog whole!
 I have a new found appreciation for what Chad does for me and I will certainly make it right with him at the end of the year.I also have been forced to notice a few upcoming orchard issues that will be the focus of my evenings from now on! I have zero experience with nearly all this stuff,I am only following or doing what I am supposed too, but I am enjoying and learning as I go.
  I have noticed that several trees are leaning and have holes wollowed out nearly exposing the roots so I guess I need to stake them.I have researched a few techniques and have developed a theory of my own that says they should be staked with something malleable so they develop a strong trunk.I believe flexible fiberglass rods should do the trick,now I need to find them and very inexpensively.I will post some pics soon,I need to scoot so I can get 35 minutes or so of r&r before I go into stasis for 7 hours!
  I* have saved a few bucks from working and was hoping to get one of those JD 1025r tractors by trading in everything I have.I have high hopes that I will be getting good info in a few days!If not I  it is not meant to be.
  I have noticed that several of the trees are going to be producing this year as if the Fibonacci scale has presented itself true to is theoretical self.I hope to have enough to maybe even peddle.

made the paper

• - Deeds of conveyance for five Kewanee lots were unanimously approved. The owner, Black Horse Cherry Orchard, will clean the lots and plant cherry trees. 

  Does this mean I get 5 more lots free ! I doubt it ,I am sure it is something to do with the lots I purchased earlier in the year. This was a statement released to the paper by the city council whom voted on the matter.I just dont understand the process and cannot find any info on the basics of how it works.I will try to call the city to be able to understand the process better and offer a thank you for their approval.