So good to hear from so many of our old friends. Been a long time Reese with many memories and shared Emails over the years. Good to see "Uncle Vito" still around and offering his sage advice. He has helped countless fellow vaporists in so many ways.
Been a long time since we have visited FC. We kept busy through October with farm deliveries which was a month longer than past years. Our 20x48 store-bought hi tunnel sure did help extend our growing season and should even do a better job this coming year. It also was helpful that some of our restaurants are getting more into greens than in the past as most greens do well with a little frost and cooler weather.
We are really enjoying our 'retired year'. This is the first time we have ever been able to just lay back and do nothing if we feel like it. If there is something that needs doing like feeding animals or bringing in the wood, sure, it gets done but as for the un-essential stuff, it gets done only if we feel like it and with the cold weather we often stay in the warm house and watch an old movie or visit with neighbors or take a nap. Fun to be here and be happy with just being rather than always doing.
I am still on supervised probation but have been "due" to be taken off for several months now. The wheels of justice turn very slow when working in our favor. My paperwork has been turned in to the prosecutor and then goes to the judge so maybe we will get a nice Christmas present soon. Last year we got a nice one as some of you may remember when we received word that the State of Idaho moved to drop all charges in the civil case which gave us our home and property back. They had attempted to take our property through forfeiture proceedings because manufacture of paraphernalia carried a civil forfeiture clause in Idaho. That was the sweetest news ever as our place, home for close to 40 years, is about all we have. The good news in the criminal case is I am in the cherished random UA group #17 now and have been for a couple months. Group 17 tests only one time a month, still random but just once. I have been MJ clear for over a year now and still doing fine with it. I do miss my old friend though and might dabble with it a bit when I am free to do so. I do know I will never go back to the heavy all day recreational use of the old days. I enjoy the natural high offered by my unaltered brain. Pat does too. She is using a MJ infused salve for her aching knees offered to us by a long term FC friend and it is helping. We also think some light MJ use may help with sleep by easing the aches of an old body which keep us awake at times. Pat will be 71 soon and I am 68 now. It is exciting to see the laws change for recreational use. I honestly never thought I would live to see the day. In any event, I will be able to go back to court this spring to motion for my withheld judgement to be fulfilled. All criminal charges will be dismissed and my record will be sealed. That is how it is supposed to work anyway.
As for fixing that shorted CRZ, Akwardsause and others, remember to keep the two small brass tubes going up to the heater separated also. As I recall, we used glass beads on one of the leads to keep the two leads from touching. If the input power plug does come loose and twist, there will be trouble because the wires leading from it will touch and short from the twisting causing no power to the heater and possible damage to the wall wort(transformer). Also, as many have mentioned, Underdog Dave can help with any needed Zap repair work. He and Underdogette have been very good to us during our post bust period.
That is about it for now in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. We do have all three grandsons at our sons place across the draw from our house now which is a major blessing for us. They love the country and the same small school their Dad and uncle Ben attended. We get to see them and feed them often. Their Dad, Mike, also has a very good job now in a close small town. He is driving big trucks and doing different mechanical/logging work for a local guy that pays very good wages for our otherwise low paying Idaho. Thanks again for all the good words. You all bring back wonderful memories from our 10 plus years at FC.
Light's at the end of tunnel.