Closer

Closer was Originally Posted on September 13, 2008 by lavarock

I got a call from the Lerror (Bishop Trust / Kamehameha Schools) that they want to inspect my property this month. That inspection is due Tuesday. They will be looking at the land and crops. Uh Oh! I was hoping to have a few acres of coffee in by now. I have the land cleared (500 macadamia nut trees cut down), most of the weeds gone (cost me another $1000 for mowing) and I have $35,000 worth of new water tanks installed.

I have 1500 holes ready for coffee trees, but need to get the water lines run, but the company I am buying the water pipes and sprinklers has not yet ordered the ite,ms for me. It will be another $17,000 I figure. Just the drip line is $7,000 and $1,000 for a pump, and then there is installation costs, although I can run a lot of the pipes myself. I may hire someone to glue them all together and make the supports to kep the plastic pipes from creeping.

If I plant parchment or green, the crops will be a bit later and a bit smaller in a couple years, but it saves me $5,000. Grown trees are about $5 each. Parchemnt or green is free. I’m told the difference is about a foot of tree height in two years. Not enough to worry about.

I could plant today but need the water from my tanks to irrigate. The problem beomes that if I don’t get enough rain while the crops are new, they die. Having irrigation in first eliminates the worry of daily rain. The trouble is that I’m weeks away from having the pipes in. Just waiting on delivery could be 6 weeks…

Nobody said farming was easy. It is a hurry up and wait situation.they may be cloed until Monday.

I swear I’ll have my new plants in the ground this year. I’ve been hoping that for years and have had many slowdowns.

This planting will give me a big influx of coffee to sell and I can begin real marketing. When I get the next planting in I’ll be in full production. With just a few more things falling into place (and a few more spare dollars) I could have the whole property planted this year. Somehow I just doubt that will happen though

On another tangent, I seem to be seeing some flashes of light when I twist my head. It may be nothing but a pinched nerve, but I need to schedule a appointment with Kaiser. If they need to do extensive testing, I’ll be able to test drive their procedure that flies me to Oahu for tests! Their office here in Kona is very small and they prefer to pay to fly you to Oahu for tests and procedures.

Koa is doing well, although the other day he jumped up while I was holding a ball and I was afraid he poked his eye on my thumb. I think it just missed his eye becaus ehe seems fine now, but it was a very long few hours before he would let me look at his face. I saw no redness in his eye and he is catching fine. I have to schedule a vet visit for him soon and I’ll have them check that out. At least I know HE doesn’t have to go to Oahu for it!

I have been to training again to be a polling place worker and the Primary is coming up fast. I have to have my boss work for me on that saturday, but for Election day I’m usually off anyway on Tuesdays.