Loger , Happy New year Bro ! I agree 100% with Steves advice. As for your Moisture and moss or fungus issues I have a suggestion. I have found over 40 yrs of fire would cutting / splitting and storing that the 12 inch thru 16 inch logs are the best in the long haul . As you I quarter my 16 to 18 inch long butts , but suggest you stagger the stacking face to face and bark to face and bark to bark to ensure better air circulation . I also place the last top row with bark up for water and snow protection . Usually stack my face cords double row . I like to separately stack dirty old knotty 20 inch or larger unsplit butt ends for the garage and utility shed and smaller knotty 16 to 18 inch for the house use. As for selection of mesquite wood you have the best overall wood available in the world other than perhaps Iron Wood for efficient burning. I have Maple and Oak and on occasion , when I travel deep into my back acreage by the Red Ceder Swamps I will fell a few Ironwood with 12 to 14 inch sizing . These species due not grow to the 20 inch range as they mature very slowly , but what a dense &hot burning tree. I wish they grew in more abundance however the ceder seem to rule more abundant within this area lol. I have finished my annually cutting with my New Dolmar and Echo saws and split the remanents of the ironwood just prior to Xmas. So I will have plenty of wood for the next 2 yrs . I season for 2 yrs and normally ensure that I begin early in the fall each yr prior to Bow Deer Season . The Cedar I do last for kindling usage in the late fall early winter since the swamps have firmed up by then. I agree as we get older the 8=10 cord wood processing get a little more challenging , but with the price of Heating Oil I have an incentive , since I have plenty of wood resources on my property and selective harvest passionately. All the Best to You and yours during this festive season !

No easy answer here. Once a car is large enough and well engineered enough, statistics say it has parity with the heavier truck/SUVs in keeping you safe. You probably are safer in the SUV in the accident that took your DD's friend's life, but probably are less safe if you have to swerve to avoid a deer or another driver doing something stupid. That type of manuever can lead to fatal accidents too. The mix of accident types determines the probabilities and perceived level of safety. I think the truck/SUVs would be safer if people drove them like the trucks they are and slowed down relative to car speeds, but people drive them like they are cars. Then the high CG and handling compromises involved in 4WD and weight plus weight distribution make them less safe handling at a given speed. I am always amazed when I back off on a curve or going over a hill because I can't see and need the stopping distance - and get passed by someone with a feeling of invincibility in a truck or SUV. (I drive a sports car that I think has better brakes and handling than any SUV or truck.) Its the person behind the wheel who determines the accident statistics. If your DD will drive like she's in a car regardless of whether its a truck, then I'd choose the car. chuckR

RE: Ford vs Dodge full size pickups Posted by: earthworm (My Page) on Mon, May 30, 05 at 12:29 """ But the true reason for the Diesel is economy - 20 to 30 % greater MPG""" $5,000 extra is also for a true heavy duty truck engine. But this high price should become more reasonable down the road...Volkswagen charges about $1,000 more - this pays off in 3 to 5 years - and is good for those who drive over 20,000 miles per year.. Gary, as far as the extra oil goes - 2 or 3 times is, IMO, an exaggeration.. 20 to 40% more is closer.. 2005 and still no "light duty" Diesel made in America - a disgrace !! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Another EARTHWORM-ISM ! The main reason for buying a Diesel is "FUEL ECONOMY" ?? Most people I know,myself included, Bought thier trucks with the Diesel option for PULLING POWER,ie TOWING. Fuel economy was even a consideration. And as far as the amount of oil, Gary is pretty close to right on. He IS NOT referring to a V.W. , as you always do, or a Slaab, oops I mean Saab.

Have a 2013 Ford Escape, Eco Boost (love it), actually love the entire vehicle. Formerly purchased a first year of the Ford Explorer model (was pregnant with DD), lived rurally and have always had labradors. Was a great SUV for loading lots of kids, dogs, luggage, etc. Good for running around town, long drives, or for vacation destinations that didn't require air travel. For OBX & other similar beach locations, 4WD is great since you can take your vehicle onto the beach. Taking small children to the beach takes alot of effort, along with many cumbersome necessities that are easier driven to the beach, than hauled over large dunes wilst walking with the little ones. I do not have the 4WD on my new Escape. Don't currently have the need for off road driving, although I considered continuing with the 4WD option for driving in the snow. Depends on your lifestyle. I've had 2 Explorers, then went with the "mini van". HATED every minute of driving that, and returned to the Escape, purchased the hybrid model which I loved, and is currently driven by my college-aged DD. When DD went off to college, I purchased the Ford Edge, Loved it, but DH hated it and never drove it because there were alot of blind spots. I adjusted to the blind spots, but not DH. It had a big (by today's standards) engine, but I liked the pick-up. I don't like 4 cylinder (the smallest?) engine vehicles since I just feel like they take too long to get from 0-60 mph. FF to January, 2013, and I am back to an Escape. Looked around from October 2012 until January, and nothing else really thrilled me among my options. So, once again I am driving the Ford Escape. I would suggest purchasing the Eco Boost if your budge allows. An absolute pleasure to drive. Haven't calculated the mileage, but I believe it is on par with the Honda CRV (DH vehicle). Seems that all of the new model vehicles offer the computer screen which I thought would be hard for me to get used to, but in reality, it took all of a week to have it down pat. I opted for leather interior (dogs) and remote start (love getting into a warm car when it's cold outside). The model is a bit smaller than the other Escapes I've owned. Less cargo space, etc., but from what I looked at over a few months before deciding on the Escape, the cargo area isn't any smaller than the back of the CRV or other manufacturers' comps. I am completely satisfied. Until I buy my BMW 7 series, I will continue to be a loyal Ford customer, lol. Happy shopping!