So I was at work yesterday when the weather turned warm, and Tom tried to cut grass for hay with our sickle bar mower. I got a text that it “just self destructed”. I feared the worst. I had a rough night, but I when talked to him this morning it looked like our hay making plans were dashed. But I expressed my disappointment and went to bed while Tom had all of the chores to do. When I woke up at 5:00 there was some good news.
He had fixed the “reciprocating assembly” and the “keyway”. These are all new terms to me, but impressively Tom knew how to fix them. Here is a view of the back of the sickle bar.
We (as in he) will need to but in a tension cord for the pulley, but then we are hopefully back in action. Here is a view of the end of the sickle bar. 
And a top view. The baler is currently stuck, but hopefully we can get it loosened up very soon for haying.
But this is the least of our struggles. My father is in the hospital with a bad hip fracture. And I am struggling with fatigue and shortness of breath trying to work while wearing a mask and face shield. And COVID-19 is killing people in our little country and throughout the world. PLEASE, PLEASE wear your masks and stay 6 feet apart. Any hope of a recovery depends on it.
On a nicer note, our garden is still growing despite my lack of weeding due to my illness.
It is a nice respite from the cares of the human world but still a lot of work. 
Stay safe.
Oh, my goodness! Y’all didn’t really need that trouble!! It amazes me when guys are able to fix things like that. Pretty neat!
I know what you mean, about having to wear a mask, and feeling short of breath. But I do it, even though it’s difficult.
I’m very sorry about your dad, having a badly broken hip. Do you know how it happened?
Tom is the magician that fixes everything. I am just the audience.
I feel like I am whining but wearing a mask when you are already short of breath is difficult
My dad feel off of the tailgate of his truck. It is pretty bad but he had a surgical repair. We can’t visit him but we can still talk to him.
so sorry to hear about your dad’s fall. sending good thoughts and hopes that he recovers well and quickly.
Thanks Denise! Your thoughts and hopes are appreciated.
Donna, I’m very sorry about your dad’s fall. I pray for perfect healing. How old is he?
Thank you Jeanne. He is 75.