11/12/19
(Above: Like grasping alien tentacles, these strange salsify seedlings emerge from the loam of Jacobhouse’s garden. )
Active Summary: Today began with a beef pasture check-up followed by an investigation into an odd smell that had arisen in Jacobhouse during the night. The smell was reminiscent of cabbage and it seemed to be emanating from the bathroom closet. Seeing as the site was home to Jacobhouse’s sole 3″ air-admittance valve, I was suspicious of the fixture and tested it with the nitrile glove experiment*. I soon found out that my suspicions were accurate and made to test the fitting and see if it was faulty. During testing, I discovered that I had neglected to glue the fitting’s housing to the 3″ stack on which it sits. I ended up fixing it (more in TIL), and since then, the smell has been drastically reduced and perhaps eliminated**.
This bit of repair was followed by deck work where I planted / leveled the second stair-railing post, assembled the handrail for that post, and then via some trial and error, fastened both the left and right railings in place. The addition of a third post on either side has sturdied up the entire deck railing, but I still believe that additional support would be ideal. That way, there will be absolutely no give or wobbliness.
(6:30 PM Update:) This afternoon consisted primarily of cattle work and of covering up the grain with a plastic tarpaulin before rain arrived. Other than that, I stepped into the garden for a little while to take pictures and to do a minor bit of weeding.
TIL: Today I learned the proper way to install 3″ Air Admittance Valves. First off, the fitting into which the AAV screws must be glued to the 3″ pipe. Secondly, teflon plumber’s tape must be wrapped around the AAV’s threads in clockwise direction. The glue on of the fitting will ensure a seal for the pipe-to-fitting connection, and the teflon tape will ensure a seal for the fitting-to-air admittance valve connection. If all goes well (which it should if these steps were followed), no sewer gas will seep out of the fitting.
Commentary: As has been the way of the weather lately, it was quite anomalous today. To give a brief explanation, the high for today was 86 degrees Fahrenheit, while the low is projected to be 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I would rather experience the former temperatures, but at least the impending cold shall prove beneficial to the garden. Half of the plants I sowed require cold weather to thrive (spinach and broccoli), and all the others will be positively benefited by the cool weather’s accompanying lack of insects.
As for a highlight, I will simply state that I am very glad my new weanling neighbors did not invade the garden earlier when the east gate had been blown wide open by the wind. Padre and Wag procured some springs from Sparr Farm Supply today that will be implemented quite soon.
A frontal look at the handrails leading up the deck of Jacobhouse. 
Looking down at the newly installed hand rails leading up to Jacobhouse’s deck. 
The camera was having trouble focusing on the oddly-colored salsify seedling, so I put a finger behind it (unintentionally granting a scale for size). 
A sweet pea sprout physically pushing its way out of the earth. 
A spinach plant sneaking its way up between some cowmposted shavings. 
New springs for the Jacobhouse garden doors.
Final Note: Tomorrow is going to be a frigid morning, so I’m not entirely certain what I will be working on aside from a daily delving into creative writing. If I do brave the outdoors, I will begin by adding springs to the garden doors and will then proceed to cut brace boards for the base of the four 6″x6″ porch posts.
*Placing one or two nitrile / latex gloves over the fixture to see if the smell disappears.
** Will know more tomorrow.