New business, no it's a hobby

In April 2011 I started my new business.  I planted 51 Scotch pine seedlings.  The plan was to grow them into Christmas trees and reap big profits.  A $1 seedling, if it survives and is properly pruned, will sell for $20 in Mountain View.  Sounds good!

 However, there is a little more to the story.  After one year only 38 trees survived.  The remaining 38 are looking good.  They should be ready to sell in five more years. For a real business to work, I need to plant 50-60 trees each year and harvest about 40 per year. 

Then there are the other expenses.  After a year of record-keeping, I added up the cost of mower gasoline, irrigation water, herbicide, and tools.  Add in a few miscellaneous expenses, and I figure I can expect to clear about $235 per year on this so-called business. 
So..... I have decided to call this enterprise a "hobby".  (I'm retired.  I can have all the hobbies I want.)  If I make a couple hundred bucks some year, I'll file a Schedule C.  No big deal.  If 25% die, like they did last year, no big deal. 

 So this year I ordered more 75 Scotch pine seedlings to stock the David Pine Patch.  (I even registered my business name.)  On April 19 I planted 78 more seedlings.  About five have already died.  We need rain.  (That is increasing my irrigation expense.) 

Granddaughter Karis picked out this seedling on the left as her favorite baby Christmas tree last summer.  When we sell it Karis gets all the income from her favorite tree. 






The tree on the right is Granddaughter Olivia's favorite tree.  When we sell it Olivia gets the proceeds.  This offer is open to other grandchildren who might come and select a tree. 

Sorry, this offer applies only to grandchildren. 

Men's Legacy Retreat & Golf Tournament

On April 27-28 twelve men from Mountain View participated in the 14th Annual Men's Legacy Retreat & Golf Tournament at Mountain Ranch Golf Club at Fairfield Bay, Arkansas.

 Mountain Ranch is a beautiful course in the rolling hills adjacent to Greer's Ferry Lake.  Many holes are very challenging.  We played a practice round on Friday and the tournament on Saturday.

We took meals and lodging at Budd Creek Baptist Camp.  Friday evening included a challenging sermon for men from a young pastor.   

 The tournament is played as a 4-man scramble.  These are my three teammates, Bob Heller, Brad Jester, and James Chambers.  I let them know right off that the only reason I was on their team was to make it a legitimate foursome.  We shot a 9 under par 63 in the contest. 

This is the second team from Mountain View; John Dewick, Brian Denton, Gene Colter, and Jack Spencer.  Brian is our "organizer".  He is formerly from Arkansas and played in this tournament with his church there.  He started taking one team, then two, and this year he took three teams.  

The third team consisted of Glenn Miller, Mike McAfee, Bob Acklin, and Buddy Seibert.  Buddy won the longest drive contest.  Glenn got "my door prize".  I had won a door prize each of the three previous years.  Well.... I guess it was Glenn's turn.,  

There was a "log jam" at the turn.  Jack and Gene were relaxing as they waited for their turn to tee off on Number Ten.  I don't know what they scored, but all Jack could talk about was the fish fry that awaited at the end of the round. 







Only Buddy brought home a trophy.  Only Glenn won a door prize.  But we all brought home sore muscles and good memories. 

This is the link to the Men's Legacy Retreat and Golf website:   http://www.menslegacyretreat.com/