Earlier this afternoon we bit the proverbial bullet, and let the two older miscreant chickens out of their jail. Regular readers will recall that those birds were incarcerated a fortnight ago for serious crimes against their fellow younger flock mates. Acts of cannibalism have been known to outrage the population, and such was the case here. They were both implicated in attempting to eat alive two youthful chooks. The sensitive person would imagine that some time to cogitate upon the errors of their ways would be enough to dissuade them from further lapses of the social niceties. Apparently not. More pragmatic folks would recall that the fictional character Hannibal Lecter remained true to his core habits, right to the bitter end.
With the two youngster gaining in confidence, the older miscreant chickens were released from the slammer, and let out into the enclosure. Just to be on the safe side, a small spot of black spray paint was applied to the older troublemaker birds backs. There’d be no misidentification, or fourth chance. Over the course of the day, we observed many of the interactions. Towards mid-afternoon, one of the two young birds jumped up into the laying box to deliver an egg. In the past couple of weeks they’d both come on the lay which is great news because egg production had been reduced for obvious reasons. Her young friend accompanied her, maybe for company, but perhaps for defence. Who’s to know the mind of a hen?
At that moment, one of the offenders decided it would be a great time to begin relentlessly pecking the young productive birds. Being beaten up whilst trying to lay an egg was a step too far. It was all just so very unnecessary, and truly that act was the final straw for me. A net is a wonderful tool to catch birds, and one of the spray painted birds was nabbed. From the net, she was transferred into a large plastic bag, taken down the hill, and unceremoniously shot. Afterwards, the flock of chickens became a much calmer place, and the two younger birds are mingling with the rest of the hens and doing their chook like thing. That older bird had a bad energy about her. There yet remains one spray painted chicken, and the hen had better not slip up, or else.
I’m sure there are nicer ways to have handled this entire situation. On the other hand, the dead bird had been given three solid chances, and blew every one of them. Please excuse the pun, but she was a bad egg. I’m no fan of bullies and the situation maybe because of my childhood experiences. Dunno. When I was around the age of seven or maybe eight, my mother married a cliché of an angry bloke who had a problem with drink. My two older sisters made the choice: It was them, or me. Nowadays even as adults, it’s hardly surprising that we’re not close. The colour of their souls is clear to me. Whoa! That was heavy, and there’s probably enough material in there for an entire psychology conference… As a side story, when I was a young independent adult, I went and got help to deal with all that, and recommend the effort for anyone in a similar situation.
Unfortunately, you can’t rationalise with a chicken, and she’d had plenty of chances. In this instance, her future behaviour was utterly clear to me. The whole darned thing reminded me of the early days with the last serious job I worked in at the top end of town. I’d landed smack in the middle of a truly dysfunctional accounts team.
The very first meeting with the team was surprising in how some, but not all, of the staff were acting up. The usual expected words were delivered. It’s been remarked upon elsewhere that early impressions, can be lasting impressions. And the crew certainly delivered. So instead of rising to the bait, I sat back, listened and observed closely so as to try and get a clearer idea of what was going on. It soon became clear who the ring leader was. Obviously, that person stood to lose a lot of the old ‘pecking order’ gains made under the former boss. After a short while, I simply walked out of the meeting mid way through some meaningless diatribe.
One of the intriguing facts of new employment at such heady heights, is that early on, you can ask the higher-ups for all manner of outlandish requests. Usually they are obliged. In that case, my demand was that the ringleader be sacked, and then walked that day. Agreement was reached. Returned to the meeting, calmly announced my plans, dismissed the now shaken group, and ensured that events played out exactly as described.
There’s an old saying about how hurt people, hurt others and that’s my first thought when encountering mischief makers. There is compassion, sure, but need I put up with their nonsense? For some reason unbeknownst to me, the ring leader couldn’t make the leap of cognition that conditions had suddenly changed, or maybe just didn’t want to. It’s hard to really know the mind of another person. But it didn’t matter though. The behaviour on display that first day was simply below my minimum standards of acceptability. The future was totally clear at that moment for me sitting in the meeting watching the unfolding antics, and any other path would have required additional work, which exceeded my limits and capabilities.
It’s all no different to the chickens though and my rules with the birds are simple:
- Don’t eat eggs; and
- Don’t eat your mates.
They’re not complicated or difficult to comprehend limits. Long after the chook deed had been done this afternoon, a calm ruled. The chickens, both young, old, with one spray paint marked, were enjoying a dust bath in the warm sunshine as if nothing had happened. The ring leader simply brought a bad energy to the flock. And as to the accounts team, they ended up being a super awesome crew.
We had a very busy week of paid work, and so were unable to get much done around the property. However, with the dry year and bushfire risk, a day was spent cleaning up some forest mess and having a burn off.
It’s starting to look really neat in that area, and it’s been such a dry year which really means that the bushfire risk is far higher than usual. At the very least, the cleaned up areas will reduce the energy intensity of a bushfire, maybe.
The soil and vegetation in that area is surprisingly dry, but hopefully the chop and dropped organic matter will begin the long slow process of making top soil. It’ll take a few years to do so, but once that all gets established, a lot more moisture will be retained. There’s still a small area yet to clean up, and my gut feeling suggests that this is the last week of the year to conduct a burn off safely.
The clean up work in that area has produced several large piles of rocks. Those will all be useful for warmer weather projects. Every rock (excluding the super large Moby Rocks) has a use, and removing them from the soil is an investment in the future because the vegetation will be easier to maintain if that’s required.
Interestingly, way down below in the forest, we discovered this old glass beer bottle. Down under those particular sized bottles are described as a Stubby. The CUB logo looks old to me, and refers to the Carlton and United Breweries. Probably it was a stubby of Carlton Draught, although the label was paper and has long since disappeared. Do any readers have ideas about how to date this bottle?
The trusty fourteen year old Stihl 381 chainsaw has taken a bit of a beating this year. On Saturday, the carburettor was stripped down and given a deep clean. The machine itself enjoyed a full service, and a stretched spring on the clutch was replaced. Truly, I’d hate to imagine what the cost would be for sending this machine off to be repaired every single time it needed work done. The work consumed several hours of my time, but only about $25 of parts.
The other evening, it was a bit disturbing to have spied three deer hanging around and trying to work out how to get into the fenced off citrus enclosure. They didn’t manage that feat, and the large dog Ollie as well as myself, cleared them off and back into the forest. Despite the dry year, the sunny orchard is looking rather lush:
The shady orchard is looking equally nice:
The oldest fruit trees are located close to the chicken enclosure, and in the past few years I’ve truly been amazed by the speed of their growth.
With the slowly warming weather, the gardens are beginning to produce plenty of goodies to eat. Asparagus spears are growing thick and fast now. We’ll be consuming those tasty plants for months to come.
The earliest fruit of the season are the apricots, and the warmer and drier weather of late suits those trees perfectly. Each week, the fruit is gaining in size. They should be ready to harvest in about late December or early January, which isn’t far away.
We’ve somehow even managed to produce Almonds this year. Those fruits are actually a peach, although the kernel is consumed as a nut. But they’re incredibly frost sensitive. When sun ripened and fresh off the tree they are a real treat.
The many ferns here are beginning to wake up from their sluggish winter mode. A time lapse camera showing the fronds unravelling would be fascinating to see.
It’s always interesting to observe that an orchard if left to its own devices, will self replicate, although we may not appreciate the varieties and arrangement of the trees. Last year I planted one of the horse chestnut seeds, and it’s now produced a new tree in a good location.
Onto the flowers:
The temperature outside now at about 10am is 5’C (41’F). So far for this year there has been 607.0mm (23.9 inches) which is up from last weeks total of 595.4mm (23.4 inches)
Comments
39 responses to “In Motion”
Yo, Chris – I’m sorry your chickens have brought you so much grief. The parts they don’t tell you about. Will you post your two rules on the chicken run wall? Just so there won’t be any misunderstandings.
🙂
I can’t say I ever walked into a situation as you did, in my job history. Nothing comes to mind. Although I certainly worked with enough “bad eggs.” But was never in a position to show them the door. Although I could nudge them in that direction, when opportunities presented themselves. While keeping my hands clean. Machiavellian, I know. If nothing else, I could keep the off my back, by … instilling a certain amount of fear. “Gosh knows what he might do! He might run amok with an ax!” 🙂 That’s still in play. We have a certain number of poop stirrers, here at the Institution. Fear of me keeps then in line. I cultivate it.
As far as my management “style” went, my rule of thumb was to not expect my mob to do anything I wasn’t willing to do, myself. “Clean that bathroom? I’m up for that. Who’s next?”
Well, that is an interesting bottle. You know, people collect bottles. They even have bottle shows. Or, did. People go out and dig for them. So, I took a look down the rabbit hole. Of course, I could have sat through the five part (at least) U-Tub videos, “Australian Antique Bottles.” But dinner and a documentary await, so, I’m not going there. But I’m pretty sure, it’s a Carlton and United Breweries, Victoria Bitter bottle. If it had a windmill, impressed under the logo, it would be worth around A$45. But, this is what I found.
https://w.wiki/Ff8i
The innards of your chainsaw look like a well kept clock.
That’s a fine pile of rocks. I’m sure we’ll see them again, in some pleasing and useful configuration.
Once again, I’m suffering asparagus envy. Although I take cold comfort in the weed (edible, I’m sure), growing in the middle of the patch. The apricots look very promising. I hope none of you critters, develop a taste for them. So is the fruit of the almond, edible? And then the seed?
Ferns are endlessly fascinating. The bluebells and forget-me-nots very striking. And, they’re blue! 🙂 . The camellia is a real knock out. Gives the roses a run for their money. Lew
Hi Lewis,
That’s the thing isn’t it? Chickens are really complicated, and they don’t necessarily fit well within the system we’ve created for them. Then we have to deal with the awful question: What to do next? Been checking up on them today, and it’s really calm in there and everyone seems to be getting along nicely. Do you reckon the chickens could appreciate the finer points of symbology with a stylised drawing of those two chook rules and the awful consequences? They might be able to, you never know. 🙂
The work situation mentioned in the blog was pretty feral, and candidly I was unprepared for it and just sort of went with my gut feeling as to how best to respond. Certainly there was a moment of horror when the realisation dawned that if I didn’t do something, poop was going to escalate. A bit like what a drill Sergeant would have to do with raw recruits in order to establish himself as the alpha of the group. Not nice, but truly, they weren’t nice to begin with.
😉 We’ve all encountered bad eggs, yup, it happens. Possibly so, but that Machiavelli bloke just used the tools available to all people, and mostly employees nudged towards the door are on their way there anyway if it is a behavioural matter. Like your style there with the use of fear, and it’s interesting to me, but a modicum of respect is at the base of all human relationships. If people are damaged enough though, there’ll be no chance of mutual respect, after all they can’t apply that to themselves, so applying it to other folks is a step too far for them. Of course, that will always lead to problems, and then what you said about instilling fear is probably about the best that a person can implement so as to keep things more or less civil (or distant). Man, if there was a better way that doesn’t involve pouring heaps of energy into the folks in question to remedy the situation…
Exactly. That’s how I always worked too. Leadership by example. That must be part of basic human workings because authors have a saying about which, and no doubts you’ve already heard: “Don’t tell, show.” I reckon it’s the same sort of thing. What do you think about that?
Sad that the beer bottle doesn’t have the label, because I’d sell it to a collector for sure at that price. 🙂 Thanks, and I was wrong about the Carlton Draught guess – that’s a tap beer. Your guess is spot on: Victoria Bitter, which bizarrely is a larger. After a deeper dive, turns out the bottles have been made in that form since the late 1950’s, and glass is a pretty hardy material. Wonder what else we might find way down below in the wilds?
Thanks! I discovered a few years ago that keeping the insides of the chainsaw clean, means that problems are more readily identifiable. It was an easy enough fix, although given what we’ve been discussing about supply chains and logistics, I do wonder about future parts orders. Could be an issue there? Dunno.
Rocks are very useful items here, and as we get into warmer weather (and today was superb, sunny and cool at 64’F) all those piles of rocks will end up in various projects. If the ground is drier, there’s less soil damage hauling them uphill in the power wheelbarrows.
🙂 Your asparagus barrel will be producing next summer for sure, then the envy will be in reverse! It is indeed an edible weed. The fuzzy green peach bit of almonds is usually tougher than leather, but you’ve got me wondering. No way! Turns out that people do eat the outer coating. I’ll keep that in mind if ever we’re short on food. You might have noticed that people apply lot of salt to those err, treats?
Blue! 🙂 Yup, and the Camellia is a real ripper, and also gives me some hope that with a bit of plant selection techniques I can get some proper tea camellia plants growing. Have to work out where to get the seeds first…
Almost forgot to mention, but given the nice weather today, we moved two apple trees to new and better locations. Hope they do well. The soil was quite dry looking, and so they will require a bit of attention over the next few weeks and months.
Free speech is not a thing down here, so I’m not really in any position to make a comment upon the subject, although I would add a minor note that the concept is a moving target which can sway with the winds of time. Some of the things written in the public sphere of the interweb in the US, if penned down under, would see me slapped with legul actionz I could ill afford. Here’s an example locally I’ve been watching play out over a number of years: David Sharaz served bankruptcy papers by former WA Senator Linda Reynolds after defamation win. Do I need to be told a second time? Laws and freedoms are always but a moment in time kind of thing.
Oh yeah, egg production is doing OK given the extraordinary chicken circumstances. And, in a twist of good fortune, a lovely local lady made a decent swap of eggs for asparagus. Talk about good timing, or what? 🙂
Hehe! ‘Down the gurgler’ is a goodie, and needs to be retained as part of the language. Things are perhaps not all that rosy across the Tasman Sea. Melbourne probably has better coffee culture, thus the difference! It’s also a lot bigger than say, Auckland.
What? So the clever geese flew north, then south based upon habitat and food supply? Clever birds, and the sensitive person wonders if they once had both in one location?
Hehe! That’s so cool about the use by dates, and well, we all have differences of opinions in relation to such matters. 🙂 Please excuse my flippancy, but the Editor has a background in food microbiology and is very casual about such matters. But then! We had the awful incident of the failed batches of yeast for brewing a few years ago, and I may have mentioned this to you at the time that the newer batches suddenly had a shorter life span despite similar storage conditions. The Editor and I had a disagreement upon the matter, until I was proven right. Something had changed in relation to the quality, and brew batches were failing. So, in relation to your situation, well it all depends. My gut feeling suggests that the quality of a lot of stuff was way better in the past.
Hope the muffins were well received. Kenna is the chef? Talk about a challenging product tester! 😉
You know, your comment in relation to capital reminded me of the book on the Japanese Hotel we spoke about long ago. An excellent book too. Eventually what put an end to the long established business, was being bypassed. Yup, the rural areas be getting older. Not how I’d arrange matters given the importance of food production, but who listens to me?
Probably a bad idea for a religion to gut sucked into politics. When spirituality becomes a tool for the elite…
Cheers
Chris
Yo, Chris – That’s genius. Pictures to get the point across to the chickens. Cartoons. Maybe R. Crumb is available to do a little freelance job? 🙂
I’ve always had a problem with the author advice, “Don’t tell. Show.” I’ve read numerous books on writing, that explore the concept. Some, even with examples. And I just can’t quit grasp it. I suppose the grasping is in the doing. 🙂 Enlightenment will dawn, sooner or later.
The windmill bottle had no paper label. The windmill was impressed, right into the bottle. As with the logo.
Our high yesterday was 54F (12.22C). Our overnight low was 43F (6.11C). Our forecast high for today is 60F. The rain is over for a few days. Overnight temperatures will get into the 30s. Not quit low enough for there to be frost, but I think they’ll see frost, in the outlying areas. Then, toward the weekend, it’s back to rain and warmer temperatures.
There’s cyanide in bitter almonds, and also apricot pits. 8-32 bitter almonds is a lethal dose. I suppose it depends on underlying medical conditions, etc.. It sounds like the husk (?) of the almond, is starvation food. It (along with a lot of other things), might keep you from starving, but aren’t necessarily very tasty.
The eggs for asparagus swap sounds winning. Take that, chickens! You’re not the only game in town.
I’m sure Melbourne coffee culture beats NZ, hands down. What’s interesting about the Lucy Lawless character, in “My Life is Murder,” is that she has a sideline of selling bread to coffee shops. First in Melbourne, now in NZ.
Michael of Kenna and Michael is the chef. Things are a little rocky, there. Michael “fell off the wagon.” They’re still friends, but no benefits are on offer. 🙂 If you get my drift.
That’s an interesting court case. A lot of money involved. Again, an example of two tiers of justice and law. Who can afford to take such cases, to court? Recently, someone made the comment of an opponent, that they’d keep them in court until they were rendered homeless. Yes, “free speech” seems to be a moving target.
Odd you should mention “The Japanese Inn.” What with my friends daughter opening the hotel, in Idaho, I thought I’d send over a copy of Loft’s “The Wayside Inn.” And, a copy of “The Japanese Inn.” I have the Loft book. Nice hardback copies of “The Japanese Inn,” are available, for less than $10 on E-Buy. Including shipping.
Well, I have my truck appointment at 2, today. There’s a complication. During the night I was up several times with what I’ll just call “digestive problems.” I feel fine, but the floodgates were opened. Something I ate? I hope it wasn’t the banana muffins. I gave some to Carl. But I’m not canceling the appointment. I’ll take some precautions and muddle through, somehow. Lew
Hi, Chris!
Life is cruel, isn’t it, though luckily not always. Well, one lives and learns. I reckon that’s why we meet here. It will be interesting how “Bad Egg” #2 continues. Not to take away from your dreadful experience, but when you said that you shot the hen, I had a vision of Tom Good in The Good Life taking aim at one of his chickens – and missing (and thus giving up). It was supposed to be dinner.
You did very well for a young bloke in handling that situation with the accounts team. And what counts is that you ended up with a super awesome crew.
Doesn’t it sometimes seem like the forest cleanup is never going to end? That’s my feeling here. That’s a lot of rocks! Peak rocks, I laugh in your face!
That’s a nice beer bottle. Too bad the beer wasn’t still in it. No? I see that you have determined it was not a Carlton Draught. Would a Victoria Bitter have been worthwhile? Our property was used as a dump for the property next door for a bit over a hundred years. Every now and then something turns up, mostly glass or crockery, the odd horseshoe – and arrowhead!
Do all chainsaws have carburettors? I suspect my son’s needs cleaning. He is working it hard and it is about to get tougher. He has recently cut down 4 huge trees, one medium tree, and 4 smaller trees. These are all in our driveway area, which is being greatly enlarged, having been a narrow loop on the side of the mountain hill. Mr. Diggy the CAT is building a large, level area. The tougher part is that he has been using our pressure washer to wash away the soil around each tree, down almost 12 inches, so that he can reach below soil level with his chainsaw and so making it one of the dirtiest jobs I have ever seen. He is lucky that he inherited a yellow slicker and pants from a kind neighbor who moved away. He looks for all the world like a cod fisherman. What worries me is how dirty the stumps have gotten, though he says that he is going to wash them well before he starts cutting.
The sunny orchard does look very lush. And so does the shady orchard. Amazing. What a lovely view of the old, flowering fruit trees along the path.
When I have grown asparagus in the past (I don’t have any right now) it only produces for a couple of months. I suspect I didn’t feed it right.
I would say that your apricots are safe from frost, and hopefully the almonds, too. Yum! The ferns of Fernglade are back! That was very obliging of the horse chestnut.
Oh, the flowers are so beautiful. I am about out of flowers now. I have never planted any fall blooming ones in this newer garden. Does the camellia have a really strong heavy scent? I am trying to figure out if that was what our neighbor in the desert city of El Paso, Texas had; the shrubs and flowers looked like that. The scent used to just about knock me over it was so strong.
Thanks for the last response #33 last week.
Pam
Chris,
Just a brief note tonight. Will be more “myself” tomorrow, I think. Maybe.
First, the old Carlton Brewery bottle. First, if my research is correct, both Canada and Australia ceased production of stubby bottles in 1982. So the bottle is at least 43 years old. There might be a code of some sort on the bottom of the bottle that might provide clues as to when the bottle was made. Can you post a picture of the bottom of the bottle if there is anything imprinted on it?
Second, we got a “bit” of rain. It started raining Friday afternoon about 4:00. There were a few rain breaks, but the rain mostly continued until about 7:30 p.m. Sunday. We got 30mm or more in this neighborhood. Most of town got 27mm. The official weather station west of town? 15.5mm. It feels so nice after the rain. Supposed to get below freezing tonight for the first frost of the season, followed by an additional 2 or 3 mornings of frost. It’s nice not feeling hot and parched outdoors.
DJSpo
Hi Pam,
🙂 Exactly, and just like you I made the decision to keep on learnin’ and livin’, and see where all this stuff leads us. Much appreciated your description of the remaining spray painted chook. For your info, the hen is doing just fine today, and may have been implicated in the shenanigans in error. In fact, she studiously avoids the two youngsters, although the Boss Chicken happily gives them the ordinary: What For? Actually, I observed boss chook perched on the highest spot in the run earlier today as if she were delivering some sort of important lecture to the lesser birds, who were quietly going on about their business. Still, the flock is now calm again and that’s a small mercy.
Oh no! I can’t believe that Sir Tom missed, in an oversized semi-urban English backyard. Ook! Rest assured, I did not miss and the ending was quick. I’m almost embarrassed to admit that the use of the knife two weeks ago left me with occasional flashbacks, which I was a bit uncomfortable about. Oh well. Looks like the full episodes of the show are available at utoob. How good was that show? And no doubts it’s had its positive effect upon us all.
Pam, I took such an old school journey in my paid career. That’s the thing with studying part time at night and beginning work when 17 years of age. Trust me in this, nobody gives you the good jobs to do at that youthful age, and so you truly get to learn the world from the underside, so to speak. The team were thus unable to baffle me with rubbish, because I’d done all of their jobs at some point in the past. They actually got to benefit from that experience, and trust was built because they could come to me for help and guidance. An education is a good thing, but then so is on the ground experience. I believe that our society has lost the plot in that matter, and needs to return to some sort of useful middle ground.
I reckon the forest clean up work gets easier as time goes on, maybe… You’ve totally busted me, and truly I’d send you some excess rocks if the freight costs weren’t so darned high.
In a pinch, I’d consume that inoffensive beverage (a fresh version mind you), but there are certainly better options from some of the many local microbrewers. Blame economics, but it’s been ages since I’ve been to the local pub. Something had to be cut from expenditures, and that’s the future right there for you. Have you had any expenditures you’ve had to cut back on recently?
An arrowhead! Wow! That’s a find. It’s amazing to me that the iron in the horseshoe hadn’t returned into rust.
Not all chainsaws have carburettors. Some of the newer Sthil saws (the 500i) I believe, use fuel injection systems, which are probably great, but presumably require a diagnostic computer to work things out if they go wrong. Carby’s are simple to clean, repair and re-tune.
Ha! That’s ingenious using the pressure washer to clean the timber stumps. It’ll certainly make for longer lasting sharp chains. Far out. Go Mr Diggy the CAT and may the work proceed smoothly, and flat land is a wonderful thing – but I believe that you also don’t need to be convinced of that. 😉 Ah, a stump grinder can also do such work, probably cleaner if you ask me. Hope the rains hold off whilst the job is still a work in progress.
It’s been remarked upon elsewhere that a bloke gets good at sharpening chains and maintaining the machine when encountering dirty timber. Might help getting a semi-chisel toothed chain for that work rather than the US standard full-chisel chain. They’re the standard down under for all those reasons. If it’s bad enough, they’ve got chains with carbide teeth which I reckon are a throw-out item, because they’re hard to sharpen and may present some health hazards from doing so.
Avoid the Cod! 🙂 And thanks for the mental image.
It’s a really beautiful time of year, and the bees and other insects were buzzing around the many fruit trees in flower today. Should probably do a video on the flowers. Hmm. Could be an idea?
People get freaked out, but I add a small bag of sea rock salt across the three round asparagus beds each year, plus the more usual soil feed. They’re hungry, those plants.
The ferns send cordial frond waves to you and your family, particularly Mr Baby who’d enjoy a moments rest in the shade of a tree fern.
My brains drawing a blank, what sort of fall flowers would work in your area? The camellia is 100% looks, with no aroma to speak of. Do you know which variety of camellia it was which produces the heady aroma?
😉 Always a pleasure to have a chat with you.
Cheers
Chris
Hi DJ,
There are undercurrents in your words, and hope that you and your lady – and extended family – are doing OK.
Whoa! Just checked an online supplier and the humble Stubby continues even today. It is now described as a Lager Bottle 375mL, which looks sort-of just the same as the one we found way out in the forest. Admittedly, a lot could have happened there between the introduction of the glass packaging way back in 1958 and today! It’s a total shame that only the logo was stamped on the bottle, and we’ve now smashed the glass up as it gets used as fill in the gabions.
In a side story, there was some mention in the history that the alcohol percentage had been messed around with over the years. Something or other to do with taxes, which I didn’t really understand. But the formula has apparently since returned to the original ratio. People didn’t want the change.
Candidly I feel a bit guilty about using the glass as fill, but I’ve not been totally convinced that glass is such an easy product to recycle due to the many different compounds used in its production. Dunno.
That’s awesome news about the 30mm of rain! Great stuff. Does the garden smell differently after the rain? A person can get used to the dry dust and heat… Did the frost eventuate? Fingers crossed that we dodge a late frost here. Could you see that the plants perked up after the storm?
Did paid work today, and late this afternoon took the dogs out and let them run around like crazy. It’s meant to be 31’C and windy on Thursday, before a late storm. We’ll see how it goes. Any sun and warmer weather in your immediate future?
Cheers
Chris
Hi Lewis,
Mr Crumb would surely love such work, and who else would have the panache to send-up the entire flock! The cartoon symbolism would certainly make a positive impression on the chooks and be comprehensible. The thing is, if Fritz is a cat, what would be a good name for a Boss Hen? But I do wonder if the request may be invading upon Mr Crumb’s well earned slack? 😉
We’re diving into deep philosophical waters tonight, and hey although these days may be counted in some corners as ‘enlightened’, I make no claims as to my own status there. Like, it’s a big call for a dude who’s enjoying life as a wannabe hermit! There’s benefits to life in the less fashionable part of the range, you know. Hmm. You’ve raised an interesting point there, and it’s one that has bothered me as well. Books on how to write are fascinating, and certainly I’ve learned a lot, but there’s this pesky streak which worries me that if a person gets too serious about the art, they may end up looking inwards, rather than outwards to see what there is to be seen. Hope that makes sense, but then I could be rambling.
On that note, might have to change tack again with the utoob stuff and do something different again. Nobody wants to hear me rambling on, and two people whom I don’t even know have unfriended me, whatever that means. Had a thought that we would be better maybe just doing the utoob on the flowers, plants and edible stuff? Dunno. It’s not my natural hunting ground that medium, so like you said: grasp by doing. Good advice, thanks!
Oh well, total poop about the bottle! Another get rich quick scheme foiled. I was hoping some collector would pay me big bucks for that stubby. 🙂 Oh well, back to planning and scheming again.
It was a pleasant 68’F here today, yet alas I spent it mostly indoors doing paid work – not that I’m grumbling about that, work is a fact of life. Far out, it’s getting colder now for you. 30’F-ish weather is definitely a time for more wool, maybe an extra dog or three and some heater action. On Monday morning, it was 36’F with the lightest dusting of ice over the grass. Not quite enough to be called a frost, but close.
Yeah, I’m aware of the cyanide risk with almonds, but not realised that the dose was so potentially low. Not good news for those whom consume the entire fruit. And you’re probably right that much depends on a whole bunch of unknowns. The green leathery skin of an almond looks and feels unappealing to me. I’d go for roast dandelion roots first. Insect protein anyone? I’ve seen plenty of cooked insects in Asia. Probably tasted like chicken?
It was a great swap that, and the lady has an extensive and well cared for vegetable garden. Nice to know people with such skills in the area.
Selling high end bread is a fine art form and the Editor loves that series too.
Oh, these things happen and commercial kitchens are notoriously high pressure work environments. Hope Michael does OK and comes around soon. Thanks for the explanation, and yeah I get that choice of Kenna’s.
That series of court cases down here goes from one strange lurch to another. There’s been a frightening new twist today: Linda Reynolds launches bankruptcy proceedings against Brittany Higgins after defamation win. At some point, the mad cash runs out for such things.
Got a hardback version of Norah Loft’s book. It was an ex-library edition, and really nicely bound. Hope your friends appreciate the gift.
Cheers
Chris
Yo, Chris – I saw an article this morning, about people striking back against data centers. And, it seems to be one of the few non-partisan issues that everyone can rally behind.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/electricity-bills-rise-candidates-both-223640550.html
You probably saw that the actress Diane Keaton, died. I can’t say I was a big fan, but she had a great sense of comedic timing. I figured that the library might order in a lot of her films. I checked the catalog, and they already have a great many of them.
I envisioned a cartoon Chris, hair standing on end, with a “Yikes!” expression on his face. 🙂 When you discover the chickens are taking a stroll down the cannibal path.
Oh, I don’t think it’s so much philosophical, but more the nuts and bolts end of the craft. “Art” comes into it later. Or, along the way. The choices in presenting what you’re trying to get across. “…looking inward, rather than outward.” There’s a phrase for that. Navel gazing. 🙂
Our high yesterday was 59F (15C). The overnight low was 34F (1.11C). The forecast high for today is 63F. The forecast low for tonight is 32F (-0-C.) We’ll see. I should get out and pick the last of the cherry tomatoes. There’s not very many.
I have a hardback of the Lofts book, and ordered a hardback copy of “Japanese Inn,” yesterday. $11, including postage. The dust jackets on both are a little tatty, but I’ll do some repairs and slap transparent plastic jackets, on both of them.
My Trip to the Mechanic, by Lew Hamburg. 🙂 Well, I was still having those digestive problems. First off, I’d switched to boxer shorts, a few years back. But, I had some old clean jockeys, in my dusting rag bag. I had a pack of puppy pee pads, that I kept, from the stuff I got from Elenor. Not that H has ever needed them. Secured one of those, in place, with the tighty whitey’s. Tucked a folded plastic garbage bag in my coat pocket, to put on the truck seat, if necessary.
Not knowing what to expect, I had moved a large chunk of cash, from my savings to my checking. So, off I went. There was very little that needed to be done, to my truck. A change of oil and a new filter. A lube oil filter. And, that was it. Total cost, just under $50. I went home and moved the money, back to my savings account. 🙂 Only took about an hour. Most importantly, I think, I have now established a “relationship” with a new mechanic.
As far as the digestive problems go, they’re still ongoing, but seem to be slowing up, a bit. I consulted Dr. Internet, and as recommended, had the BART (not to be confused with the Simpsons), diet, for dinner, last night. Banana, Applesauce, Rice and Toast. My Idaho friend also recommended some over the counter stuff, that I’ll give a whirl.
The drug store chain store, two blocks down the hill, has gone out of business. But, another chain picked up the facilities, and I’ve been meaning to check them out. The opportunity presents itself. Lew
Chris:
What a wonderful image of the boss chook giving a lecture. Worth a big smile! Calm, at last.
Did he really become Sir Tom? Like Dame Patricia Routledge, who passed away last week, who was the star of one of my all time favorite BBC sitcoms – “Keeping Up Appearances”. They both deserved the honor. His and hers, that is.
“Have you had any expenditures you’ve had to cut back on recently?” Umm – everything. Except maybe books and seeds. And maybe the highest quality food I can afford. What else is important? Ah – Mr. Baby!
Yes, native Americans tromped through here once upon a time. The horseshoes are usually a bit rusty; not much, though. We have one over a back door that is nailed up as a U, so the luck won’t fall out.
The pressure washer worked a treat, washing a whole lot of dirt away from the stumps and their roots. Today my son cut one of the largest stumps off below soil level. He only had to sharpen his chainsaw once and it only took about 20 minutes. This is apparently a good way to go about it. NOW for the stump grinder: He is going to rent one once all the stumps are cut lower. He already has that set up.
Thank you for the chain suggestions!
I like cod. Tasty! Makes me think of fish and chips.
I remember that you said that about salt and asparagus, but I never had a chance to try it. I probably won’t forget.
Ha! It was not a camellia. I finally remembered that it was a gardenia. Well, they both end in “ia” . . .
I planted the garlic today. Twenty-four feet with 36 cloves. I remembered something that grows well here both spring and fall, and not so badly in the summer: Bok Choy. I favor the “baby” ones, that stay small, kind of a one serving size. I’m not sure if it’s the same thing, but Tatsoi does well, too.
I was emptying the water today from a very small bottle that I have that I use as a vase and I thought of your beer bottle. I found it on our property some years ago. It is 2.25 inches (5.7cm) tall and cobalt blue and says Vicks VapoRub on the bottom with a symbol. I finally looked it up. It is from the 1940s. You can still buy Vicks VapoRub. I’ll bet the formula has changed, though; all the other ones have.
Okay, it is October 14. Windohs 11 is here. Except not here. I kind of expected my laptop to explode this morning when I turned it on, but not so far. Maybe it’s going to get me later.
Pam
Chris,
All is good here. Simply ran out of time to write much.
Crushed glass in the gabions? Sounds smart to me. Sad for that old bottle, though.
I’m never sure about the recycling thing with glass and plastics. I’m also not certain how energy intensive it is, especially for glass. I do know that, at least locally, ma lot of the plastics sent in for recycling get incinerated in the big “waste to energy” facility near the airport.
The garden smells better. Everything smells better after the rain. Most plants perked right up and look energetic enough to run a marathon. Well, except for the hens and chicks I had overwatered. They were starting to recover then the big rain hit. I think they’ll be okay eventually by next August.
With all that rain, I’m glad I got those few shingles tacked down. Probably wouldn’t have been a problem but why take the risk. And the frost didn’t happen Monday night, at least not here. Still might happen these next two nights. Daytime temps are expected between 12C and 15C with sun. Very pleasant for working and walking.
I was sad to read that the Chook Cannibalism Catastrophe continued once the two surviving miscreants had been released. Good that you had marked them and kept a close eye on things. Sadly, as you said, some critters are just plain bad eggs. You never want an arbitrary and capricious animal at the top of the pecking order, whether it’s the chickens, a pack of wolves or even the 2 or 3 family dogs.
I like your rules for the chickens. The Princess suggested that you get that copyrighted. Maybe put it on decals or something. And seriously, the two rules of
Don’t eat eggs; and
Don’t eat your mates.
Well, those are pretty universal rules as far as I’m concerned. Just depends on how you need to redefine “eating eggs” and “eating your mates”. You know how it is: what goes around comes around. Or, in the current chook situation: Eat not your mates lest you get eaten.
You’ve gotten a lot of understory cleanup done this winter. The Princess was amazed at some of the photos of your handiwork. It looks very good.
And more piles of previously hidden rocks. Cool! With the added bonus that some rockpiles have ferns growing in them. What more could you ask for? Ferny Rocks are more enjoyable than Moby Rocks.
DJSpo
Hi Pam,
Tis been suggested that the boss chook takes the highest perch. Need us humans argue with such logic? The sudden calm has made the extraordinary efforts worthwhile.
Well, I was joking about that, however both Tom and Felicity have received high civic honours, although not quite reaching the titles. Still, an impressive achievement all the same, no?
We all know that the word ‘bucket’ sounds like what you’d imagine it may. Some folks do take on board airs, much to our collective amusement and dismay. Truly Pam, I’d run a mile to avoid Hyacinth, call it a personal weakness if you must. 🙂 Fortunately I’m safe from such personalities, and hope you can say the same. Although I’d imagine you’d keep such a person on their toes.
Yum! Yes, life is very much similar here with the books, seeds, good food and of course the other household members. 🙂 Spare a thought for poor Dame Plum who encountered an Echidna (think spiky ant eater) today and yelped in fright. Those spikes are super sharp. Has the dog learned a good lesson? I’d like to think so, yeah.
I was wondering if the traditional lore in relation to horseshoes was the same in your part of the world. Haven’t found any here randomly in the forest, but it’s still early days on that front…
Nice work with the chainsaw and pressure washer, and I have nothing but respect for that. It’s hard, and the sharpening process would be quicker here too because the bar length is shorter (i.e. less drive links). I know about small-ish stump grinders, and if there are any questions, please do ask.
🙂 Oh yeah, you’re on the Atlantic side of things, so cod would be sort of known of. Never tasted it myself, although, there was that awful ‘cod liver oil’ business from way back in the day. A good way to stop people from complaining about feeling ill if you ask me. 😉
Ah, gardenia of course. They’re much flashier plants.
The old timers here used to say about garlic to: Plant the cloves on the shortest day, and harvest on the longest day. But the timing is a bit off, and like you, I’d plant the cloves in the fall too.
Honestly, Bok Choy and Tatsoi look and taste pretty similar to me. There are easier greens to grow here than those two which I reckon like humidity and heat. Too many cabbage moths around here for such tasty treats.
On that note, it was a really nice sunny day today, although I spent it inside working until late. Not grumbling and happy to do the work, but the outdoors looked enticing. The bees were all over the flowers on the Japanese maple. Might try and record the sound as it’s quite loud.
Yeah, I remember Vicks VapoRub and it smelled quite nice. One of the key ingredients I believe is eucalyptus oil, and there are times on warm days when this entire area has that aroma as a background smell.
🙂 Stay strong and it’ll probably be fine. Time will tell on that front.
Cheers
Chris
Hi DJ,
That’s good news, actually more correctly, no news, and it has been said before, that could be great news – a day where not much happened. Far out, my mind is now muddled. What were we talking about again? 🙂 Always nice to chat.
Today was a good solid work day until quite late actually. Always good to feel popular. This of course may be a delusion of a grand sort on my part – the popularity bit, not the work, although reality could be totally different again! But alas, much work was done today. 🙂 It was 24’C outdoors and sunny and calm. The weather did look nice, and from time to time, the fluffs and I did a boundary patrol check which is helpful to clear the mind – a bit like your office walks which focused your mind upon a particular issue. I don’t charge for such breaks which is a reasonable process, and usually use those moments to reset the ol’ brain between one client and another. I find I have to get into a different mindset with each business.
I’d not appreciated that the old bottle may have had value to a collector. Oh well, the material was put to a good use all the same.
Yeah, plastics to energy is a good use for the stuff. Someone knowledgeable in the subject told me that there are so many different plastic compounds floating around, that that alone makes the product difficult to recycle. And then, many of the materials can only be re-used once before the end product becomes brittle anyway. Metal on the other hand is highly recyclable.
The hens and chicks will be fine, maybe. 🙂 That’s great that the garden is perking right back up after the decent rainfall. Your weather sounds very pleasant indeed, and hope you and the husky Dame got outdoors for some decent walks. Are you still doing dog obedience classes?
Exactly! The recent chicken dramas have hung over the household like a bad psychic stink. The Editor feels worse about the entire thing than I do, mostly because she set this big old wheel in motion with the purchase of the two young hens in the first place. Man, I’ve just tried to be supportive and deal with unfolding events. I get the impression after our many long conversations that you would appreciate my perspective there. What else do you do?
And you’re absolutely right, all animals can go feral.
I’m seriously chuffed that your lady appreciated the simple chook rules for better living. 🙂 And that’s it, it really is the Golden Rule applied to some of the more extreme avian behaviour. They did used to be dinosaurs ruling the planet once long ago, whilst our lot were probably small rodent like creatures performing subtle experiments and observations upon the saurians. 😉 Thought you’d appreciate that last bit ripped straight out of Hitchhikers!
Thanks and the really big old trees are worthy of the care and effort. My one concern with all that is, have we done enough work? Fingers crossed on that front.
Hehe! Lot’s of ferns around ‘ere. Despite the dry season, those plants are really growing fast now. A few minutes ago there was a monster sized wombat near to the tree fern at the front of the house. Always a lot going on around here. The dogs startled an eagle (and retreated hastily in turn) late this afternoon. Was too busy working to go and investigate and see what the large bird was up to.
Cheers
Chris
Hi Lewis,
The issue does appear to be non partisan, yeah. The article got me wondering, and it appears that on average when measured right across your country, electricity prices per hour are up around 40% in five years. That’s a lot, but still cheaper, even now, than down here. Turns out, there’s only so much of the stuff to go around, and it is neither cheap, not quick to construct large fossil fuel, or other massive generators.
Yes, I’d read that the actress Dianne Keaton had died. Ah, Annie Hall was the big film from the early 70’s. Watched it a long while back, and the film held up well, and the actress was the more relatable character. Woody Allen on the other hand, was a touch neurotic as a protagonist for my film watching enjoyment. It seems to be a thing with narratives originating in that big city of New York. Dunno why. And yes, it is my belief that the lady did the heavy lifting.
Yikes is the word for sure! 🙂 Those rascally birds, and thanks for the mental image. In bird news, the dogs were staring off into the forest early this afternoon, but hesitant to venture into the wilds (which is a good thing). Anyway, after a brief moment a huge wedge tail eagle took off. A big wing span. I was too busy today with paid work to see what the eagle was up to. Hope it ate a big brush tail possum – I’d vote for that!
Navel gazing, yes of course. Thanks! And agreed, the nuts and bolts of the craft are in need of respect, and perhaps more importantly, appropriate usage. That’s such a lovely description too in relation to the gazing, which you don’t hear used much these days, sadly. Too much rushing around I’m guessing, although I’ve been guilty of that myself today. 🙂 It may also be that the language itself is atrophying.
Oh far out, those are some cold over night temperatures. Won’t mention that it was a delightful sunny 24’C / 75’F today. All very nice, albeit, it looked nice through the windows. Actually, I’m not grumbling, I get plenty of outdoor opportunities. It’s a busy time of year for paid work, but we’re doing OK on that front managing the workflow. I’ve stepped in and am helping out the Editors side of the business tomorrow. All very necessary for household harmony.
Both are truly lovely books, and such a fun and fascinating way to recount history. Well worth the expense. On that Asian note, the Japanese maple trees are in flower, and the bees are all over them in the warmer weather today. Honestly the hum is quite impressively loud, and I might see if we can record that sound with the next video.
Oh that is a total poop about your gut issues, and respect for doing what needed to be done. Glad to hear that you survived the adventure unscathed, but were prepared for the very worst. It’s not a bad strategy is it? That’s exceptional value, and would be around $350 down here, the land where inflation forgot time – or something like that.
Yes, good to try some stuff to settle the guts, and hope you are feeling better today? Well, yeah the universe is definitely pointing you in that direction of trying out the new pharmacy. Did you know that down here, we don’t call them: Drug Stores, but rather either a: Chemist, or a Pharmacy? Sorry to be flippant in your moment of distress, and hope you see the lighter side of this whole naming situation. If I said to someone that I was going to the Drug Store, they’d think I was off to see the local dealer… It’s funny the different descriptions we have for much the same thing. Anyway, did the folks at the new store help you out?
Cheers
Chris
Yo, Chris – Here, we have a “solid waste transfer station.” Formerly known as “land-fill”. Transferred to where, I know not. Probably best not to inquire too closely. But they do have these big, truckable bins, for glass. One sorts by color.
Even here in Hydro-land, our electricity bills are on the up. I’m lucky to live in a Public Utility District (PUD). They don’t have to show a profit, and don’t have shareholders to answer to. But, there are costs that constantly increase.
Well, there are 1.5 million + people crammed onto the island of Manhattan. Back in 1958 – 62, there was a TV series called “Naked City.” A cop show, as I remember. The tag line was, “There are 8 million stories in the Naked City.” They must have been taking in the populations of the outlying boroughs. You may remember the experiments with overcrowding rats. They manifested all kinds of bizarre behavior. Woody Allen once said, “The trick will be to avoid the pitfalls, seize the opportunities, and get back home by six o’clock.”
The wedge tailed hawk gets my vote, as long as he leaves the Koala alone. 🙂 I didn’t realize you had Echidna around your place. What other bizarre animal will you be pulling out of your hat? 🙂
Our high yesterday was 61F (16.11C). And, yes, our overnight low was 32F (-0-C). Our forecast high for today is 64F. We didn’t seem to get a frost, “up here.” I didn’t see any frost, when I took H for a walk, this morning. Not even in the shady areas. I don’t know if to record it on the calendar, as the “first frost.” Everything in the garden, looks fine. Though things are definitely winding down. I picked the tomatoes, yesterday. Not all that many. Also, the Cayenne peppers (mostly green) and a couple of yellow zucchini. I might just record on the calendar that it was a “one off, light frost.”
Here’s something interesting about the mechanics invoice. I don’t see anything on it for labor. Just parts. Introductory offer? Oversight?
I slipped up. Usually, when I’m creating something for Australian consumption, I say “chemist.” 🙂 I’m quit fond of that old term. One hears “pharmacy”, here. But if I used it in random conversation, people would think I was getting above my station. 🙂
Well, anyway, I gave the dog a bath, and then preceded to wash blankets and towels. As they were drying, I ran down to, first, a hardware store nearby. No joy. The Font of All Wisdom said they were open until 8:00. At 7:30, they were closed up tight. So, onto the chemist.
The old chemist chain, went out of business, but another chain picked up their facilities. They are clearly still stocking the store, but I did get my stomach discomfort medicine, that my Idaho friend recommended. And, some rubbing alcohol that I was running low on. A couple of other things, no. But they had all kinds of pumpkin pie spice stuff! 🙂 I picked up two kinds of cereal, two kinds of biscuits, and some caramels. One of the biscuits and one of the cereals were disappointing. Oh, well, live and learn.
Before I retrieved my stuff from the dryer, I checked out the food swap table. There was a small can of salmon, and a nice pack of English muffins. I had a brainstorm, for dinner. I mixed up the salmon with some diced celery, garlic, and green onion. Some kind of mayo product and mustard, provided the mortar, to hold the whole thing, together. Topped with some cherry tomatoes from the garden, and Swiss cheese. Heated the whole thing up in the nuker.
Without getting too graphic, while making dinner, what I thought was gas, wasn’t. 🙁 There was a good deal of clean up. After that, I took the first dose of the medicine I picked up.
Late this afternoon, H and I will be off to the library, to drop off and pick up. Mostly books, by the look of it. Then off to the Club to chat with Jane. The weather is glorious. Lew
Chris:
Well, I’d run a mile to avoid Hyacinth, too, but I figure she’s safely behind the almighty screen.
Wow – you don’t often mention the Echidnas. Hopefully, they are rarely sighted. That’s something else that you have that I am supremely glad that we don’t have.
Every planting schedule I looked at said to plant garlic here between October 15 and November 15. I was a day early, but what the heck. Though November 15 would have been getting close to the shortest day and I usually harvest in mid June, near the longest day. Hmm, that’s something to ponder. Too late for this year ’cause I’m not a’gonna dig them up and replant later!
I believe I mentioned something that happened with a yellow onion this past summer. In the spring I had one in the fridge that had sprouted. I decided to plant it outside and hope that it would flower; bees love onion flowers. It never did make a flower, but it somehow grew into 4 smaller onions in a cluster. When it started getting hot outside, I took those 4 smaller onions inside and stuck them in the fridge. A few weeks a go I took them back out and planted them in the garden and they all have tall leaves now. So, we shall see if they turn into mature onions, or just get frozen out at some point.
Pam
Chris,
You’re fortunate that you can change your mindset between customers. When I was working, I didn’t have that luxury always during my busy season. Once I was in charge of that particular program, I simply instructed the front desk to send all my calls to voicemail. That allowed me to have a minute or two between customers, as well as knowing in advance what each return call I made would entail. Made a good bit of difference.
A collector’s bottle? Sort of a hassle if you only have one, ain’t it? Now if you had an entire set, the economics might make it worthwhile to try to sell them. Otherwise, add them to the gabion, unless the single bottle might be an untouched fifth of 1932 single malt Scotch or something. That might be worth something.
You mentioned some of the other aspects about recycling plastics. Thanks. At least the science of recycling metal I can understand better than plastics.
Walks? You know it. Not too hot. No ice. Perfect weather. Almost needed gloves this morning, though. Then we ran into Killian and his human, so the 4 of us had a good walk and visit.
No more obedience classes for Dame Avalanche. That last set was too much. She wanted so badly to play with the other dogs that she actually regressed in her second class. Then, about 16 months ago when she turned 3, it was like a switch got flipped. Suddenly, it all began to make sense for here. Now at four years plus, she is pretty obedient and easy to work with. Usually. But don’t we all of those days? 😉
Yes, you’ve got me pegged. Be supportive. Respond appropriately to events. An example with me is something that happened when I was training a junior technician to do part of my job. I used an old school card file to sort what needed to be done month by month for normal moving permits. I handed the system to her, suggested she organize what we needed to do for the day, and started chatting with Killian’s human. Within a minute, the junior tech interrupted us, almost in tears, because she had dropped the box of cards and they had scattered and gotten all mixed up. What can you do? It just made sense to help her gather them together while saying, “Hmmm, I know there are several in here that are no longer in business. I guess this gives me a good opportunity to weed those out. Let’s go through this together.” In other words, as you said, stay calm and deal with it. No yelling, no judgement, use it as a learning process.
Great reference to the Hitchhiker’s Guide! I caught it without your saying it, too. It was cleverly done.
All you can do is what you can get done. Is it enough? Probably, for most “normal” conditions and wildfires. It falls under “By definition, it is impossible to prepare for the worst.” In addition to the cleaned up forest understory, the cleaned up bits are near your meadows and trees. In other words, you have a fairly large “green space” around your living area, what with the fields and then the orchards and the gardens. With that transition zone of cleaned understory, then the green zone, you’re in about the best condition you could be in.
Your mention of the dogs and the eagle reminded me. Our walking foursome saw a bald eagle when walking today. They are always magnificent to see.
After our walk and a bite to eat, I tackled the hedge. Pruning with the me powered shears. I got a lot done, actually. What needs to be done in the future with the hedge is starting to become clear. After I got done with that, I had a relaxing afternoon.
Well, it WAS relaxing until I washed the dishes. The sink was extremely slow draining. I thought I’d taken care of that earlier this week. An hour later and it is much better. For now. Until it isn’t. Time will tell.
DJSpo
Hi Pam,
🙂 That you know about… Cue evil genius chuckle from some B-grade movie! From time to time we all come across the shade of such folks as Hyacinth, and dunno about you, they test my patience. There used to be a local bloke who had a big personality, which probably matched his super deep wallet, and I was always very careful to studiously avoid him – like some of the characters in that series choose to do. Then one day, he was loudly talking up his importance on a mobile phone, and blithely stood in my way. Pam, I’m embarrassed to admit it, and my actions were very ungracious, but an opportunity presented itself. So I says to him in a condescendingly with deferential tone: “Excuse me Sir. Can I get past you? And far out, he knew my game right away, and retorted with some even more pointed and rather ungentlemanly words. Truly I blushed and put on best embarrassed and humble face number two, but was secretly rather pleased with my efforts.
From time to time I mention to Sandra that the bloke (who for various reasons can no longer reply) shouldn’t have messed with me. And how’s this for a response? I’m told to: Stop it! Oh well, and the core of the story is that Hyacinth can use words to manipulate, but does that really assist the fictional character achieve her aims?
It’s truly awful, but the Echidna dug up part of Toothy, so we’ve had to perform an emergency re-internment. The horror, and the poor tree planted over his grave has had a minor setback. Oh well, nature, and here I point to your groundhogs, has all been sent to test our mettle.
They’re like little armoured vehicles and can ignore the dogs with a casual abandon. A while back utoob was promoting a video of a Husky which had a face full of porcupine spears and in a vehicle on its way to the vet… Dame Plum met the force, and rapidly acknowledged defeat with a solid girlie yelp of pain. Brave Dame Plum ran away, which was the correct choice in this instance.
Ignore what the old timers down here say in relation to garlic cloves. What do they know about your part of the world anyhoo? It’d be too late to plant the cloves in cold damp soil at around the 21st of June here. I only mentioned that old lore because a lovely old bloke I used to know around these parts had that wisdom about garlic as a saying and wasn’t afraid of repeating it to me. I liked the guy, and no doubts one day in the future will be equally mystifying newcomers to the area. Think of it as practice… 😉
The old timers used to also say something about folks who ‘knew their onions’! 🙂 Hope your experiment works out, and it ain’t just you, I do that trick with the tasty bulbs as well. Sooner or later, it’ll work out just fine is my (and probably yours as well) gut feeling.
Mostly did paid work today, although it was rather warm outside. Means we don’t have to run the wood heater this evening.
Cheers
Chris
Hi DJ,
Man, it’s taken a lot of practice to learn how to jump between one mindset (or expressed in a different way, a set of individual and personal concerns) to another. My background was in business, so although there were many different personalities, the core thrust of the entity was usually in one direction. Now I deal with the public, it’s all over the shop and that’s a difficult process and juggling act for all the reasons you mentioned.
Exactly too. Sending the calls to voice mail to provide an allowance of time between each interaction is a stroke of genius. Gives a bloke time to cogitate upon the latest circumstances. Nice work. I’ve had to learn not to provide opinions on the hop without all of the factual circumstances laid out before me.
Metal recycling actually happens. The rest of the materials our society uses is a perhaps something of a shadowy country.
It’s unseasonably warm here tonight at 23’C although there is a thunder storm rapidly approaching. Many breaks were enjoyed today, although the vast majority of the warm day was spent indoors on paid work. Brr! Gloves sounds to me like almost, but not quite frosty fall weather. 🙂 Dame Avalanche would have been in her element on that walk because of the now colder conditions. And glad to hear that you all enjoyed a delightful walk.
It’s crazy windy outside. The storm approacheth (whatever that means!) Sounds like the title of a heavy metal track.
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too in dogs growing up and suddenly getting with the program. We were all once pesky and troublesome adolescents. 🙂 Dame Plum is doing very well on that front, and continues to show the other fluffs what is demanded of them as a minimum expectation. Although, dog training is 80% a human issue, I believe. What’s your take on that?
🙂 Takes one to know one! Being supportive, and yeah responding to events, is all any of us can really do. My take on the world these days is that trouble sometimes arrives at our door whether we like it or no. It’s up to us to learn how to deal with that in a constructive manner. And that’s entirely it: Treat failure as a learning experience.
Ooo, I’d not considered your perspective about: ” it is impossible to prepare for the worst”, but see what you mean there. Certainly very difficult and no getting around that. Now that the loggers mess is mostly done, future years will be easier on that work front. And as to learning, I’ve absorbed more information about chainsaws than I’d ever imagined! They’re really complicated machines.
Go the Bald Eagle, and I reckon that would be because of your sort-of proximity to the river. Wedge Tail Eagles here are very commonly sighted.
Very little rain has fallen, although the temperature has dropped to 13’C and the winds are buffeting the side of the house at 31km/h at ground level. It’s noisy outside, as you can imagine.
Hang on, what food are we talking about here with your casual drop of ‘bite to eat’? You set us on an enchilada path after all, and much appreciated too for the most excellent idea. What’s next I wonder! 😉
Nice to take some time out to relax. Ah, plumbing problems never sleep, and! It may not been in your system, but a fatberg in the sewerage pipes. Yup, time will tell.
Cheers
Chris
Hi Lewis,
Yeah, in this council area there are only ‘waste transfer stations’ as well. Fortunately not too far from the council boundary, is a proper tip (about 20 minutes drive from here), which I rarely use and only take down the metal scraps for recycling – which is at no cost (they make money from selling the scrap). Turns out tips are another of those scarce resources that few people think about, or want near to their backyards. Last I checked, glass was being put into landfill, although I freely admit that I may have misunderstood that process.
You’re super lucky with having that hydro resource in your part of the world. It is hard to ignore that the authoritas tend to frown upon pre-industrial lifestyles for their citizens. Or at least that is the case down here. All those electricity systems need to be maintained and eventually replaced which is not cheap. One of the fascinating titbits of information gleaned in the study of Accounting Theory at uni, was that apparently depreciation was introduced as a concept with the railroads in your country. Speaking of water, you know how I get that weird bill for water – with no connections and stuff. Well, haven’t seen a bill for a year or so, and did I ever mention that allegedly the authorita has spent over $100m (that’s million) on a new billing system and apparently hasn’t been able to issue plenty of bills for about a year and a half now. Like how does that even work? Surely the billing system couldn’t be that difficult. A real mystery, and so they’ve missed billing us this year. Gone, but perhaps not forgotten…
Hehe! So they’re at 59km2-ish on that small island and the local council area here is 1,748km2 with somewhere between 50,000 and 60,000 people. Proving that we do things bigger here, with more space per capita! Nuff said really. Probably why they’re all prone to neuroses. Yes, I do recall that notable experiment with the rats in the box. Once we tried 17 chickens in the enclosure. Not a good idea.
Powerful Owls can hunt Koala Bears as well. Echidnas are fairly common in these parts. Unfortunately the cheeky scamp dug up the resting place of Toothy the dog. Candidly, he’d not aged well in the soil. Oh well, wildlife, and we re-interred the bones earlier today. Yes, it’s all very raw out in the bush. Hmm.
Frosty alert, if not in actuality! It’s getting cooler now in your part of the world, although it’s 13’C / 55’F here now tonight after a warm day. So same, same, but different. A late storm cooled off the whole area about an hour ago and provided a little bit of much needed rain. The warmth felt nice, and most of the day was spent indoors doing paid work. I reckon a light frost is the correct description too for your date. How does it compare to previous years first frosts?
Hard to know what was going on with the invoice, and I don’t know your prices, but I did wonder how the work was performed. Maybe it is an introductory offer to attract new business, and more importantly, referrals. Did the place look busy to you?
Hehe! No worries at all, and I’m fine with whatever description you use knowing full well what you mean. My intention was to display the amusing difference, because your country’s description would really raise some eyebrows down here. I also get the impression that your pharmacy’s sell a lot of other products as well. Actually some of them down here also have attached, what do they call it when compounds are mixed up from raw materials? I forget the correct name for that, but a few can make compounds from scratch.
On the youth radio this morning they had the science hour, like they have for the past many decades, and there was a discussion about Arty-Fish-al computer stuff, and the observation was made, that just like you found out, sometimes it’s wrong. Hmm. As more wrong notes are struck (like the hours of opening being wrong), the audience may eventually ignore the performers. That’s my prediction.
Good to hear that you got some serious assistance with the gut issues. And rubbing alcohol is an awesome cleaner for first aid. I use that stuff on wounds, and nary an infection is experienced. There’s a lot to go wrong here on that front, so it pays to be careful with injuries.
Presumably the other cereal and biscuits were OK?
Sounds like a choice dinner, and respect for just getting on with life after the awful shart incident. It’s a rather descriptive word for what you went through, and truly I hope you’re feeling better today. Sometimes my friend, one needs a bit of assistance and has to reach for the medicine, so glad you had it ready to hand.
Got any idea what you ate or came into contact with to produce the gut issues?
You’re having such pleasant and cool fall weather from the description. It takes me months before I get sick of winter, and only one seriously hot day to produce the same feelings with summer. Yup.
Hope Jane appreciates the pork.
Cheers
Chris
Yo, Chris – Navel gazing. Has nothing to do with oranges. 🙂 Unless you’re into spending long periods of time, contemplating oranges.
In the evening, I put a small fan in the window, to suck some fresh air in here. I couldn’t do it for long, last night, as someone (or someones) had fired up their wood heater, somewhere in the neighborhood. No worries. I can always fire up the A/C for a short period, as it filters out the smoke.
Well, let’s just hope you don’t get the water bill, all at once. With interest, of course. I dropped off my electric bill, at the PUD, yesterday. It was up, a bit. But then, I was using a lot of A/C last month, and, doing a lot of dehydrating. It will soon drop to its winter lows.
I got curious about population densities, and cities. I always thought Hong Kong, was the worst. Doesn’t even make the top 100, unless I overlooked it.
https://w.wiki/8APx
Oh, that’s bad news about the Echidna and the desecration of Toothy’s grave. Shades of “Pet Sematary.” You might want to put a layer to two or rocks, over the grave. Small dog, probably wouldn’t take too many. Or, maybe you did.
Our high yesterday was 63F (17.22C). Our overnight low (for a hot 15 minutes), was 32F (-0-C). The forecast high for today is 61F. It’s been breezy, from time to time. But nothing like what you’re experiencing. We might see some rain, tonight, then nice again tomorrow. Possible rain over the weekend.
The mechanic was, hmm, not exactly busy, but a steady stream of people picking up their vehicles and settling up. LOL. I waited for my vehicle, which may be a problem, in future. All they have for seating, in the office, is two beat to heck old armchairs. At least there was not TV or radio, blaring. The mechanic also took a lot of calls, while running back and forth. To schedule people in.
Mixing up their own medicines: alchemy? 🙂 Yes, our chain chemists are pretty much what is called, variety stores. I think some of the inmates, here at the Institution, meet most of their needs, just from the chemists.
Besides the infrequent wound, I use alcohol for a quick clean up of my face. I also use it, if I get a DVD from the library that’s already been circulated. Some of them can be pretty grungy. I wipe them down with a tissue soaked in alcohol, and then wipe them down with a dry tissue. They go back cleaner, than I got them.
The pumpkin spice stuff that was good, I already knew from previous years. But anything new, I always give a whirl. You never know when something might be a winner.
I can’t think of anything unusual, that I have eaten that would upset my stomach. Although, I thought the Shiitake mushrooms smelled a bit “funny.” Not that they were in a Beef Wellington. 🙂 I think I’d best trash the rest of them.
Oh, I don’t feel sick, at all. It’s just these startling “events.” I went down to the Club, last night, to visit with Jane. I’m holding off taking down the pork, until I see what’s in a food box we’re supposed to get on Friday. I didn’t stay as long as I usually do, as my stomach gave a little rumble, and I headed for home. Barely made it. But, I made it. I wanted to go shopping at Winco, tonight. But I think I’d best put that off until things get a bit more “predictable.” I can fill in from the yuppie discount store, in the meantime. It’s a lot closer to home.
For dinner, last night, I had the remainder of the English muffins, with green onions, garlic and tomatoes. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, and dollops of yoghurt. Cheese is good for the problems I have, unless you’re lactose intolerant. Which I’m not. If you are, it has the opposite effect. Lew
Chris:
Aye, just serfs we be. Ha, Ha! (that’s the last laugh).
Gracious me! I knew Toothy had a tree planted over him (I always want to call it a Toothyquat, but that’s not right). How did anything move the tree? Don’t you worry about Toothy; he doesn’t need those old bones anymore.
Dame Plum is just showing those smarts that got her the title.
Everything is practice. As soon as I think that I have gotten something down pat, whoops!, have to practice some more.
I had another monstrous onion in the fridge from a couple of months ago. It was supposed to be added to the sweet pickle relish that I had been canning from that overabundance of cucumbers, but I got tired of making it (I have plenty now) and there it sat. So I planted it today to see if it does the same trick that the other onion did, of subdividing itself, though it’s a different variety.
I found a feral asparagus in the woods today. Somebody (not me) must have dug it up and tossed it over the fence. It was sitting on top of the soil and had some little green fronds. The roots all appeared to be dead (I pruned them), but there must be some somewhere keeping it alive. Of course, I rescued it and planted it in the garden. I am not giving it salt until I see if it will live.
Good for you, keeping up with the paid work. We are supposed to have our coldest night of the season tonight, maybe 40F (4.4C). We’re still warmer than “normal”. Some of the most special figs are being brought inside today for the winter.
The rented stump grinder did a great job. All that area is nice and smooth now, until more trees come down and it is rented again. My son says that it was very strenuous, especially working on this slope. I don’t know if he had ever used one before. It was only $100 for a 24 hour rental. I thought that was very fair.
A neighbor that we don’t often see dropped by today to see what Charles was up to. He’s an architect, so I’m surprised that he hadn’t come by sooner. Anyway, he had some news: One of our next door neighbors has put his farm up for sale. It actually borders our humble log cabin; we sit up above it. Don’t try to look at all this; there’s a lot of stuff:
https://search.loringwoodriff.com/idx/details/listing/c238/668818/3365-Stony-Point-Rd-Charlottesville-VA-22911?widgetReferer=true
Pam
@ Pam,
I had to look at your neighbor’s farm. Nice little bungalow there. 🙂 I was talking with my sister and read some of the building’s highlights to her. Her responses are not repeatable. We’re merely simple peasants.
DJSpo
Chris,
My little operation became more efficient when I started getting everything sent to voicemail. Before then, I’d have to answer the call, talk to the caller, then buy time to do some research. After that, get the okay from the micromanaging boss and call them back. The voicemail way often allowed me to bypass one phone call, get directly to the research and then return the call with at least knowledge of the situation, if not an answer. And the micromanaging bosses had retired. More efficient and not as exhausting.
Twas +5C when Dame Avalanche and I walked this morning. A thin pair of leather gloves was needed. Cool, but sunny. The sun felt good.
Agreed, dog training is 80% for the human, 20% for the dog. My experience is that the dog understands that the human is learning something for the dog. The dog then responds because the human has taken the time to be as doglike as a human can be.
It won’t frost overnight tonight. It clouded over and will be too “warm”. Maybe +3C. Typical for October.
Oof! 13C with 31 km/h winds. Pretty stiff breeze, that. Noisy. And the wind chill had to be uncomfortable. With those conditions I prefer to stay indoors.
You got it. The bald eagle was inland from the river a couple miles. Not an everyday thing, but not entirely rare either. I grew up a few hundred feet from the river, 2 miles from here. I saw bald eagles and other large raptors regularly. They nested near the river and many stayed there through the winter.
Oh, the casual “bite to eat”. Nothing as exciting as enchiladas. Both yesterday and today it was a large bowl of, well, Calvin and Hobbes called it (and other things) “vile glop”, as in “Die vile glop!” while hacking at it with a spoon. A friend often referred to it as “bloatmeal”. I call it oatmeal. With a bit of sweetener, two tablespoons of peanut butter and a dash of milk.
No, the kitchen plumbing wasn’t a fatberg somewheres down the line. It was a clog that occurs every two or three years at about the first bend after the trap under the sink. Old iron plumbing, except under the sink was all stainless steel pipes when I bought this place. Some of the stainless has been converted to plastic. The nasty thing is that joint where the stainless and iron join. When water stands at that joint, it tends to seep onto the bottom of that cabinet. The sealant I use there lasts for about three clogs…6 or 8 years. It needs reworking this time. Ugh. Killian’s owner recently redid that very joint in her kitchen, says she will help with a different rework than I’ve done in the past.
DJSpo
Hi Pam,
Ah, keeping up appearances would wear me out, dunno about you? It is notably easier being a serf, and you get to fly below notice most of the time. Your neighbours place is very impressive, and neater than anything I could ever achieve. Respect. Even the lawns were mowed in straight lines. The thought of cleaning so many rooms though frankly gave me an attack of the vapours! Thanks for the photos, and your part of the world is stunningly beautiful. The view of the mountains from some of those drone shots look really similar to this range, just greener where you are. Really, truly, lovely.
Yes, alas poor Toothy I knew him well, and have by sheer monotreme activities, got to say hello again. Not something I’d ordinarily want to do, but the wildlife cares not a whit for my sensibilities. And agreed, old Toothy doesn’t need them bones no more, the tree will make much better use of them. All is now corrected, thankfully.
Incidentally, I relocated the Poopyquat a year ago because the plant just wasn’t getting enough sun – you’d appreciate that problem. Anyhoo, the little citrus tree has done really well in its new spot.
Dame Plum being best dog, knows when a forest critter is bad news, maybe… 🙂 Although, the Kelpie has encountered the third deadliest snake on the planet a few years ago (as did Ollie) and left it well alone, which is about the best that could be asked for. Ruby would be the dark horse with that, and all we can do is but cross our fingers and hope for the best.
I’m so with you about practice, and it’s truly awful when we get some new activity right the first time around, and don’t know it. Oh well, life is very much in the learning. 😉
Worth trialling in the garden, and I do that with all of the bulb forming onions which have sprouted. Eventually, we’ll create through sheer dumb luck, the perfect onion for the area we live. 🙂 A true achievement don’t you reckon? My understanding is that they are super sensitive to daylight hours and local conditions. The seed does not last long for those plants for some reason which is unknown to me.
Go the feral asparagus, and your experience brings to mind the song of the Teddy Bears Picnic. 🙂 I’m with you, the roots must be alive for the crown to be sprouting some fronds. Plant, feed, wait. And yes, don’t waste the rock salt until you know for sure that the asparagus survived. Good luck!
Thanks, and if people want me to work, I’ll happily oblige and provide solid service at reasonable rates.
I forget, was your greenhouse repaired and now ready for the winter months? Incidentally, which are the most special of figs? I’m quite fond of the purple figs as they have such a sweet taste.
Hehe! Yes, strenuous is the word I’d use as well. 🙂 Out of sheer curiosity, was the stump grinder a Toro machine? $100 rental charge is not a bad price at all. For your interest, mine uses 3 commercial US made teeth which would cost around $50 delivered (US Toro machines have different cutting teeth due to softer timbers).
Pam, you said don’t look at all the photos, but it was a true voyage of indulgence, and I checked out every single one. My only gripe, which is quite minor really, was that the kitchen did not have enough bench space. We have a country kitchen, and by contrast, that baby works hard.
Spent most of the day digging and hauling soil. We’re making a new path up above the house overflow water tank. It’s looking good, and I may finish the digging activities on that project tomorrow. Then rocks will be hauled back up the hill so as to retain the soil.
Cheers
Chris
Hi DJ,
Whoa! You experienced the worst of the worst – the dreaded micromanager. They’re like my worst nightmare, and fortunately I’ve not fallen under such a person’s ungentle tutelage. Mind you, long ago maybe a quarter century or so, I had a ba#l breaker boss. I left as the guy’s demands were never ending, and the hoops necessary to jump kept getting lifted. Had to laugh when I saw them mentioned in the papers over the past year or so as having received a multi million mad cash fine for allegedly bad corporate behaviour. The taste of victory is sweet sometimes… You know, I’ve always wondered whether such folks as your micromanager didn’t have enough of their own work to do? That situation would exhaust me as well.
Brr! That’s cold, although I’d have gone with a woollen hat and scarf as well. Yeah, the sun has some good energy even in winter (although maybe only briefly around lunchtime on those days). Bet Dame Avalanche is relishing the recent cool?
That’s what I’m learning as well. Dogs will trust humans, but only when they prove that they are worthy of trust. The Editor has learned some seriously good life lessons with dog training. And even more interesting, is that she is now able to observe how the various dogs respond to their humans.
Had all of the canines out with me today in the cool spring sunshine. I was digging and hauling soil for the path project up above the house overflow water tank. They, on the other hand, were all up to various acts of dog mischief. I called them back every two minutes, so they were never out of sight. Although, Ollie, who is now eight, was simply enjoying the sun’s warmth and reclining at his ease. They’re all sound asleep now and truly wiped out. Might dig some more soil tomorrow. Then thar’ll be rock work! Oooo, where did that pirate voice come from? 🙂
3’C would be typical for mid to late April here too. Cold enough to feel the need to rug up, but not bone chillingly so.
Tough birds to over winter in your part of the world, although did the river ever ice over? Wedge tail eagles are a daily occurrence here. Way down at the forest edge this morning, Ollie and I discovered a broken egg, so I’d wondered if one bird had raided another’s nest? Dunno.
Bring out the gruel! 🙂 Actually, I really like oats, must be in the blood, or something like that… I’d imagine you’d have some vague ancestral memory of oats? Probably why you’re enjoying them today.
Isn’t that interesting? Way, way, back in the day, plumbing pipes down under used to be either clay or galvanised steel. Now they’re mostly either concrete for really large mains, and plastic for the rest. The seals are pretty good, and I’ve noticed that the big civil works often use the same kind of connectors as the rural agricultural pipe connectors, just biggerer. I’ve got nothing bad to say about them, they simply work and have longevity.
I have seen a sink drain act like what you described, and obviously I have no idea what yours looks like, but one of the pipes was on the wrong angle – and they’re all gravity powered – and that allowed gunk to build up. But usually they just work, and work, then work some more. Unless there is a fatberg! Good to hear that you’re onto the fix at your place. Another of life’s chores!
Cheers
Chris
Hi Lewis,
All very true, and hey, we grew our first orange this year, so surely this qualifies as proper navel gazing? 🙂 Admittedly I was uncertain what variety it was and yeah, that happens when you lose the plant tags to the weather. What do you mean that people don’t ordinarily spend lots of time contemplating citrus?
Just took the dogs out to do their mid-evening ablutions, and the air is calm, so there was a chorus of a thousand and one pobblebonk frogs. The dogs are wiped out tonight. Had them running around outside in the cool spring weather all day whilst I was digging and hauling soil. We’re constructing flat land, and using the excavated soil to create a new path which runs on the uphill side of the house overflow water tank. It’s looking good, and the soil part of the job might be finished tomorrow with another day of digging. The dogs will be happy about that.
Unfortunately in the city, the quality of fuel burnt in wood heaters is probably on the low side. Firewood sold to undiscerning city folks, well, who knows how long the stuff has been aged for, or what the moisture content is, and very likely they’ll chucking rubbish into the heater as well. There’s a lot to go wrong, so I get that about the fan and lack of fresh air. Oh well.
That’s my worry too about the water bill. We called them about the lack of a bill before learning about the sheer scale of the problem. Honestly, I’ve never seen this happen before, so we’re in uncharted territory. Adding interest would be outrageous, but stranger things have been known to occur.
As you’d imagine, we’re used to having lots of physical space so can’t really say for sure how I’d cope with a packed in urban environment. Hmm. Interesting, Hong Kong did turn up in the list of ‘world’s largest cities’, but compared to most in the list you linked to, the land space was quite large.
Oh it is, isn’t it? Yup very Pet Sematary. Honestly, I’d not be keen to experience the company of the undead, even one’s who were previously on good terms. At the very least a living person would be in need of some fresh air, and the worry for the safety of your brains would never get go away. Honestly, to sum up the entire argument: The undead make for poor company. The rocks idea is a goodie, and I will do that if this happens again. Never happened before. Always something new, isn’t there?
Not quite giving it’s all, is it, that brief foray into zero Celsius weather? Did you get any rain? A bit fell here last night, and today was cool and sunny. Quite pleasant really.
Really? Well that’s interesting, and a variety store down here would be similar to an old fashioned department store, but on a much smaller scale. Groceries and chemists are separate businesses down under, although you can get basic stuff, like aspirin and band aids etc. at the supermarkets.
Strong ethanol is a great cleaner, although as a fuel additive in small engines it can leave oily residue which can gum up and cause all sorts of issues. Eucalyptus oil is a pretty intense cleaner too. Quite the strong stink though. Always nice to show respect for loaned items by sending them back in better condition than when they arrived in your possession. Mind you, I’ve had some experiences of lending items to people which ended badly. Sadly, I no longer loan items to anyone. Probably the easier path. Have you ever had an item you’ve loaned by mistreated?
Exactly, you’ve gotta be in it to win it. 🙂 And new items might be better.
Some cooks have a poor reputation, and in that particular case it would be wise if kept out of the kitchen altogether. Probably best for everyone involved. Can you imagine if the person in question ended up working in the prison kitchen? Some things are unthinkable… Probably wise to trash the rest of them, and some mushroom species can cause the effects you’re having for sure.
Yes, you did mention that about holding off until the food box arrived. Apologies, my brain is perhaps not the sharp tool it once was! 😉 Oh my! What a horror story you recounted, and just making it is a frightening experience. Sometimes the body knows, and the urgency gets worse, the closer you get. Hmm.
Cheese does have that reputation, and a long time ago I heard a story about someone the Editor knew who over indulged with that product. Hmm. A hospital visit ensued and some rather awkward gut cleaning took place. Yikes! Man, I eat so much fibre in my diet, that such matters are not an issue, although maybe three years I picked up a bug like what you’re experiencing. Went for the medicine too. No lactose intolerance here. Quite common in Asia from what I’ve seen.
Cheers
Chris
Yo, Chris – If I’d grown a first orange, I’d spend a lot of time contemplating it, too.
I thought Mr. Greer’s post this week, was quit interesting. Although I think the cause of the world’s problems is not the ego, but the id. And I didn’t have to take LSD or “….wallow in abstruse philosophies.” I just watched 1956’s “Forbidden Planet.” 🙂 I thought about pointing this out to Mr. Greer, but sometimes, he doesn’t “get” abstruse humor.
https://w.wiki/Fimb
If you’re hearing frogs, spring can’t be far behind. We used to have quit a chorus, in the ditch up behind the Institution. Then the city did a lot of drainage work, and I haven’t heard much from up there. I’ll see how it goes, next spring. There might have been some habitat loss. It’s either that, or flooded streets.
Yup. New path, Japanese maples. It’s going to be another nifty corner of Fern Glade Farm.
I don’t mind the local wood smoke, so much. Another sign that winter is on the way. And, folks have to keep warm. For less money than using electricity. But, yes, they could pay more attention to what they burn.
I’ve lived in big cities, and never realized how stressful they can be, until I moved here. And, since I haven’t lived up close and personal, to other people since 1983, well, it was a big adjustment moving in here. Cram 42 old people in a building, and there can be a lot of friction.
Our high yesterday was 61F (16.11C). Our overnight low was 52F (11.11C). Our forecast high for today is 62F. We got some rain, early this morning. But now it’s fairly nice. Rain will return, early tomorrow morning. Then on and off for a few days.
Yes, our chemists can try to be all things to all people. Probably has its roots in the idea of the “general store.” Ohhh! There’s a couple of pictures from Australia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_store
The alcohol I use is Isopropyl alcohol. Doesn’t seem to leave a residue. Well, as Willie Wiggle Sword said, “Neither a borrower or lender be.” (Hamlet.) I’d say, the biggest problem with not getting things back, is media. Books, DVDs, CDs. So, for quit awhile now, when asked to lend something like that, it’s a flat “No.” on my part. Even to people I know quit well. If I can’t give something freely, with no expectation of getting it back, it’s a no go.
Oh, I’m sure the mushrooms I got were Shiitake. But, they were old, and may have “gone off” a bit. Of course, my problems could be from something entirely different. I haven’t had an “episode” since yesterday morning. On the mend? Fingers crossed.
I went down to the Club, last night. But, I did my shopping first, rather than later, in case I had to make a run for it.
We got a food box, this morning. No pizza, this month 🙁 . We got one frozen pound each, of ground beef and hotdogs / franks. A dozen eggs. An individual, frozen pasta / bacon salad of some kind. A snack tray of cheese and boiled eggs. (I’m gong to toss those. I wouldn’t even inflict them on the Inmates.) An individual cherry pie. A clamshell of spinach and Arugula. A smashed pack of hamburger buns. A bag of six or seven weird deli or coffee shop sandwiches.
A one pound box of butter “product.” A squeeze bottle of some kind of mayo “product.” A one pound bag of pancake mix. Beef ramen. A pound each of spaghetti and quick oats. A box of chicken Rice a Roni. A 1.5 pint of Italian dressing. A box of Mac & cheese. A jar of peanut butter.
Tins: 2 each of chicken and 8oz. tomato sauce. One each of chicken noodle soup, sloppy Joe sauce, refried beans, mixed veg, corn, green beans and peaches. Not a bad lot, but most is either going to Jane, or down to the swap table. Lew
Chris,
Yes, Dame Avalanche is much happier without the summer heat. The happiness will increase as the weather continues to get cooler. She’ll be in Husky Heaven when it snows.
Learning how to observe the way dogs respond to different humans is important. And very interesting.
Rock work in the time of peak rocks. At least you found some good piles of rocks during the forest cleanup projects. Of course, peak rocks being real, those rocks must be hauled a goodly distance. Dig dirt, haul rocks, enlightenment will come. Not too different form chop wood, carry water. 😉
The Spokane River has never completely frozen over to my knowledge. Ice on the edges, yes. We don’t get those Arctic freezes for 6 months like in the Yukon or Alaskan interior. However, ice fishing is a thing here on many of the smaller lakes. Just needs a cold snap of several nights below -15C and the smaller lakes will freeze over. Takes a few weeks of subfreezing temperatures to get the ice thick enough to support an adult male. Dad and I tried it once. It is COLD work!
Grew up eating a lot of oatmeal during the winter. I like it. Not everybody does, but it’s so healthy and filling. Almost anything can be added to it, too.
Your piping history is similar to ours. The old stuff in this neighborhood between the house and the sewer main is often clay. I know several people whose clay pipes have failed. It’s a rather expensive project to get them replaced. In every case that I know of, the current and/or previous owners parked cars in the sandy yards above the clay sewer pipes. Sandy soil, saturated from melting snow and spring rains, cars moving around on top. Hmmmm, what could possibly go wrong?
The kitchen sink problem is usually rather near the sink, but in the pipes in the wall. Having snaked this out several times, I can surmise a layout of that area. Of course, right beneath the sink is the vertical elbow, the trap. Then there’s a nearly horizontal stretch of stainless steel and iron pipe going into the wall. Then there appears to be a horizontal 90 degree turn before the pipe goes vertical to connect up with the other drainage pipes in the basement. Having a horizontal 90 in a relatively flat run is a stupid design to my mind, and that is where the crud buildup usually occurs. Low speed, big bend, sediment builds up. I’ve never had to run the snake more thana few feet under the kitchen sink.
I also have to snake out the main drain from the basement every few years. It’s a much easier access. Again, it appears that after the line has turned mostly horizontal with a low downward gradient to the alley, there is a bend in the pipe. Again, lower speed with a turn. Poor design. Fortunately, I don’t mind running 20 or 30 feet of snake down the line once every few years.
DJSpo
Hi DJ,
Only Husky’s truly know their own business, and yeah, in the long distant past I’ve observed Sir Poopy the Swedish Lapphund frolic in the snow. 🙂 To my summer soft brain, the conditions were beautiful, but very deeply cold.
It is interesting isn’t it? People yell at, or beat their dogs, and dominance from my perspective is not leadership. I’m of the belief that the Golden Rule of do unto others applies here as elsewhere.
Well, five large and heavy rocks were placed onto the new path project today. Then, as sometimes happens, we had a second look at one of the rocks which demarcated the entrance to the uphill side of the path and knew it had to move about half a foot and slightly change the angle. You can quote me here, but it sure takes a lot of effort to produce an artless effect! 😉
It’s the same, yeah. Man, I like such work because you get into the zone and it frees up the mind to cogitate upon other matters. Slack in life is important, but hard to grasp.
Far out, -15’C and sub freezing temperatures for weeks leaves me quailing in fright. Did you catch anything during the ice fishing expedition? Dunno about you, but I still recall that awful scene from the Damien Omen film where the unfortunate person got stuck beneath the ice. Proving also that a person has to be careful in regards to watching horror films…
What do you mean not everyone likes oats? What a total travesty, and surely they’ve not tasted my home made toasted muesli or Anzac biscuit recipe? Hey, all the more for us! Nah, don’t worry about the oats, you’re not going to like them. 🙂 And I grew up eating them as well, sometime in porridge form.
Yep, clay pipes weren’t meant to support the weight of a vehicle. Nope. Also tree roots can get into the joins between one pipe section and another, and truly, seals were not as good way back in the day. In fact, from what I’ve seen over the years, the word ‘non-existent’ would properly describe the situation. Few people worried about a bit of sewage leakage into the groundwater in those days.
Ah, you use a plumbing snake! Cool, and they make the job easy. Presumably it is a hand powered wind up device? Never used one, but have seen them. Yes, the 90 degree elbow is the weak point from my perspective as well. And as the old timers cheekily suggested: Built to fail.
Oh well, you’ve got the equipment and time to fix the plumbing issues, so no big deal. When you mentioned the basement drain issue, my mind baulked at the potential spend. Some jobs are simply uneconomic.
Cheers
Chris
Hi Lewis,
🙂 That first orange was amazing tasting, and we picked it a bit green because the poor young tree needed a break. The fruit size relative to the tree was you know, not good, and the branches were hanging low with the weight of the monster citrus. The horticultural assistance was rewarded by tasty (if slightly un-ripe) fruit!
The citrus enclosure has troubled me this week because the wallabies have been taking advantage of the wombat entrances. The wombats don’t cause trouble, but wallabies are like having goats in your orchard and lots of damage ensues. Two plum trees in the citrus enclosure have been smashed during the past few days. Needless to say, late this evening as the sun was setting, I blocked up the wombat entrances with heavy chunks of timber. It’ll be interesting to see what happens from this point onwards. Who will win?
It is an interesting topic, which I’m enjoying. Frankly speaking I’d not understood Mr Yeats words in the previous essay (abstruse can be applied here as well), and sought clarification. Now the topic makes more sense. Always worth the attempt with the humour, Mr Greer is spreading his wings which is a good thing given the trauma he’s had to deal with recently – and I’ve said that publicly on his blog too. I’m happy for him.
Alas my education is sadly lacking. Lewis, what do they teach young people these days? The poster for the film Forbidden Planet looked perfect. Leslie Nielsen is so young in the trailer. Hey, is it my imagination, or that big sci-fi – you know the one – released in 1977 with the petulant youth set upon the heroes journey, completely ripped the introduction to the trailer with the writing floating up the screen? And did I see the words floating ‘Far Away’…
Oh no! The Trek-monsters ripped plenty of ideas from the film as well. Look at the costumes and ships bridge. If I may say so, good old Captain Kirk would have jumped into the water to assist the young barely clothed Anne Francis. It’s the only honourable thing to do, truly. And did I notice some effects ripped by 2001 a Space Odyssey? How have I missed this film? Thanks for mentioning it. Must see what can be done about this appalling lack.
The pobblebonk frogs were chorusing in the daylight too this afternoon. Got a bit of a fright though, we were at the forest edge preparing to haul some large rocks back uphill (five were eventually installed on the new path project) when we heard voices. Not something you’d expect. Turns out it was the PA system at the local Pony Club blasting away. The still air is clearly moving noise in weird ways today.
Hopefully the frogs return next spring (which isn’t all that far away for you), and my gut feeling suggests that they might, unless it’s all been concreted over. What did that Big Old Yellow Taxi song have to say about that?
The path is going to look pretty cool, yeah. Doesn’t seem to be anyway to speed up the growth in the Japanese maples, so it’ll need some time. It’s on the next video anyway, so judge for yourself. Looks like we might (or might not) be getting some rain next week, maybe. So glad that the soil work for that job is nearing completion and the rocks can get installed. Of course, one large rock is in the wrong spot and the angle and needs to be realigned. Might do that tomorrow. Meant to be 86’F then rain, but we’ll see. Takes a lot of work to produce such an artless effect! 🙂
I get that about people not comprehending firewood, and was forced to take a deep dive on the subject after burning out the steel on the first wood heater. Sad, and a truly expensive way to learn a good lesson. Still better now than later.
I bought a small engine testing machine from your country the other day. Six months ago it was maybe $80. Now it’s $120. Wish I’d moved on it earlier. Oh well. Prices…
True, and it’s not flattering to think of the issue in terms of overstocking the chicken enclosure, but that was the vision which leapt to mind. Sorry. Long ago I discovered the limits as to just how many chooks could happily co-exist within the enclosure, and now will not repeat that mistake. When you had more space, there was that kid with the stock whip, who would have driven me nuts. See, merely a question of perspective. 😉 Actually I’m impressed you can navigate and thrive in your environment. There are times when it wouldn’t be easy.
The local post office here is a ‘general store’ and I’m favourably disposed towards the business and support it in both good times and quiet times. Doesn’t look all that different from the one’s in the photos (two of which are also located within this state). One of the interesting things about this mountain range, is that there aren’t too many absentee owners, or weekenders. Dunno whether it is because of the distance to the CBD or the train line, or whatever. A mystery.
Ah, Isopropyl, right. There’s lots of different chemicals released in fractional distillation, and that one is at the higher temperature end. Probably less oily as a result. I wonder… … Interesting. We tend to use high percentage ethanol as a cleaner for the same reasons you do, but maybe isoropyl is the better choice? Might mention this to the Editor, she has the science brain, not I.
Exactly, and oh yeah, that is my path with lending as well. Man, it was a hard road of disappointment to get to that choice, but what do you do? Lend, only if you don’t expect to see it again. And when I was a kid I learned some hard lessons on that front, and was once to my shame, not the innocent party, yup. The lesson from Hamlet is absolutely correct, if you want to be an upright kind of dude / dudette that is.
Good to hear that you’re on the mend, or at least have dodged uncomfortable situations. Fingers crossed is my thinking as well.
You have gourmet’d up the pizza in the past, so I get that. Now you’re left reaching for it though. 🙂 My mind began considering how boiled eggs, and then no, wise to chuck them. The worms are less fussy about such potentially dodgy egg matters. Agreed, the rest of the stuff is lots of processed stuff, it’ll get consumed just fine.
Cheers
Chris
Hi Pam,
Managed to install five large rocks on the new path project today. The weather was just perfect for the work, although it is on the dry side. How are you doing?
Cheers
Chris
Yo, Chris – “…artless effect.” Well, as Dolly Parton has often said, “It costs a lot to look this cheap.” 🙂 It’s either figure it out on your own, or hire in a Japanese gardener. You’ll do fine. Everything looks so harmonious, around your place.
Interesting news from the new hotel, in Idaho. “You’ll never guess what ….. Cheyenne is renting out a block of 4 rooms to part of an Australian surveying crew for the mines…. from October 22 to November 7th to start. The gal wanted more but sis said no. Told her she was keeping the other three, some of which are already reserved, for locals and hunters and her well drillers that stay. Like she said, she needs to depend on locals after these guys are gone. I guess the Australians might be here for 2 years.” I sent her a short glossary of Australian terms. 🙂 I wonder what they’ll think when they see “biscuits and gravy,” on a restaurant menu? I told her they need to change the name to “Council Inn – International.”
Oh, my gosh, the wallabies and wombats have formed an alliance against you!
One of the comments on the “Forbidden Planet” trailer, was, “George Lucas really liked this trailer.” 🙂 Oh, the tropes of science fiction movies go way back. The old Buck Rogers serials. Even the original “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” is a precursor. I noticed the library is getting a Blue Ray copy of “Mars Attacks.” I’ve seen it, but I think I’m ready for another look. It’s funnier than heck.
It was a popcorn night, last night. Can’t say I didn’t get enough fibre. I watched “40 Acres.” It’s a post apocalyptic film. Fungus wipes out something like 90 some percent of all plants. Here’s a good synopsis.
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/40-acres-danielle-deadwyler-film-review-2025
You’ll have to suspend disbelief, though, if you watch it. I thought the landscape looked pretty lush, given the premise. And, where did they get all their power, to run their elaborate surveillance system and electric fences? Still, a pretty good watch. What’s not to like about hordes of marauding cannibals?
Maybe the absentee owners and weekenders, eventually retired to the mountains? You might be seeing just one part of a cycle.
I don’t think I kept one thing out of the box, for me. Just some stuff for Jane.
Our high yesterday was 61F (16.11C). Our overnight low was 39F (3.88C). Our forecast high for today is 56F. Prof. Mass has an interesting post, about the Blob. I think the articles I saw might have had a lot of hype to them. Late tonight, we have a 100% chance of rain. Tomorrow’s forecast if for a 100% chance of rain. I think it’s going to rain. Lew
Chris:
They have a cleaning lady – or two – and a gardener to care for the landscaping, so I doubt they had an attack of the vapours – unless the cleaning lady or gardener did not show up when required. Even the rich have their troubles. There is also a farm manager and hired help for the rest of the farm. Theirs were the cows that used to escape. The fences are now all right and tight and we know why – the place is for sale.
Oh – it was a Poopyquat, not a Toothyquat – a different variety. I was right it was the Quat family.
Ahh – for the perfect onion.
The greenhouse is not ready for the winter yet (there is no freezing in the forecast for the next two weeks) (ha) because it only has plastic on the outside and that is taken off for the summer. I think there are going to be three greenhouses this winter. There were two last year.
No, the stump grinder was a Kohler. Most of these trees are hardwood, except for a few poplars.
Hmm, I wonder if their cook has complained about the lack of bench space?
Today there was a true ggggggggreat grandson of Charlene the White Squirrel in the newly cleared driveway area. It is all dirt right now as everything has to be perfect before gravel can be brought in. He was doing just what Charlene used to do when she got hold of a nut (and some things that weren’t nuts . . . ): She would furiously dig a nice deep hole, and then she would spend forever patting the dirt down over it with her little hands. Sometimes she would pat on it for 5 minutes. Maybe she thought this disguised it? Some squirrels dig about an inch, shove the nut in, and slap a bit of dirt over it. I bet it’s not there when they come back.
Pam
Chris:
Howdy. I am fine. Yesterday my laptop went kaput; it was having trouble before W11. My son got it going again, but it is only a matter of time, so we have ordered a new one. And it comes with – guess what?
I’ll bet by “large” rocks you mean giganticus . . .
Pam
@ DJSpo:
Aye – peasants, we be. I do like to think of all of us here as “educated peasants”, as we know about a whole lot of different subjects – and what real life is.
When I was growing up we always had Beagles. When my parents moved from El Paso, Texas in 1975 (I was in college at UTEP, though I grew up in Dallas) to Colorado they switched to Huskies after the last Beagle died. What a difference! Those Huskies were so smart. They talked, too. The Beagles seemed to be kind of on the bottom of the Totem pole when it came to brains, though I know that is not true of all of them because I have met some very smart ones.
Pam
Hi Pam,
Hey, there comes a time when all good computers cease to function properly. They were never made to last, like I dunno, say an old and still running Toyota pickup truck. Nice to hear that you got the issues sorted out, and now have a plan B on its way. And I so hear you about that with the new system, but what do we do? Dunno about you, but I’m not yet annoyed enough to change over to Linux, or the fruit factory stuff.
The big power wheelbarrow can haul 300kg / 660 pounds uphill, and when there’s a big enough rock in the bucket, I generally stick to a single monster. I’ll be curious to hear what you have to say about the developing path.
As a general observation, occasionally people footing the bills are not always nice to the folks that do the more practical work which keeps life smoothly sailing along. Oh well. Given we’re discussing impressive housing, thought you might be interested in this article: Iconic house for sale for only second time in 193-year history. Built with convict labour. I’d love to have those Scotch ovens.
My casual opinion is that raising cows for market is an activity which struggles to pay for the upkeep.
Absolutely, and the Quat is doing very well in it’s new sunnier location. Plus a minor update on Toothy, the Echidna has gone off and done something else with it’s time. They have a very large brain to body mass ratio, and so are super clever creatures.
Yes, indeedy! One day, we may know our onions as the old timers used to say. It’s a grand plan, isn’t it?
Nice work and having three greenhouses spreads the risk as well, although may up the occasional heating requirement by 50%. Mind you, the way the climate is warming, heating may be the least of our troubles…
Ooo, interesting. I’ve seen Kohler engines, but those grinder machines are not available down here. Mind you, the Toro unit here is about the same specification, but with a heavier flywheel and commercial teeth just at rough glance. I’d read recently that the east coast has more hardwood tree species than the west coast.
🙂 Pam, we have a farm kitchen which needs heaps of bench space. Have to laugh, as a well educated peasant (is there a finer thing I ask you?) I like to eat well, which needs a big kitchen.
Go the spirit of Charlene the Great White Squirrel! 🙂 Agreed, a bit of up front work, saves a whole bunch of tears later in the season when food’s a bit thin on the ground. That’s why her progeny survive to this day.
Cheers and better get writing!
Chris
Hi Lewis,
🙂 That’s very funny, and thanks for the laughs. Thanks also for saying that. Truthfully, the minor rock movements so that they can sit just so, are the hardest of the lot to do. That’s when the big six foot steel house wrecking bar gets hauled out to provide enough leverage. Mostly it’s the Editor making suggestions as to the aesthetic considerations with the rocks, but this time it was my idea. Anyhoo, that’s a job for a few days time. By the way, I’m soliciting funds for the Japanese gardener… 🙂 Years ago the realisation dawned that we’re trying to create a sort of whimsical and effortless vibe to the place, whilst at the same time being productive. It was the author/farmer Gene Logsdon who mentioned in a book that long ago farms were more pleasing on the eye than when he penned that opinion, and it got the ol’ brain cogitating upon the subject.
You’re on fire today! That’s a fine name for the Inn, and absolutely, the locals must be catered for, because long after the blow-ins are gone, the locals will remain – and memories in rural areas can sometimes be long indeed.
Ollie and I dealt to a breeding pair of Wallabies not all that long ago, the buck being one of the largest I’ve seen in many a year. Healthy looking thing. I’m beginning to get this uncomfortable feeling that all of the soil fertility we’ve imported during the past two decades may be breeding some sort of mega fauna! The largest wombat is very pleasant, but a monster sized marsupial. Think of a pig roaming the orchards and gardens at night. Anyway, they all know not to be bouncing around the property during the daylight hours. But, like the Terminator, they’ll be back.
Hehe! Truly, I thought exactly the same thing when watching the Forbidden Planet trailer with the word scrolling up the screen in the days before computers. Some of the comments on utoob are first rate comedy. Mars Attacks! is a real rollicking odd sci-fi just crazy enough to be a whole bunch of fun. I’ll be very curious to hear your film review. It’s just so wrong, it’s right, like Ash and the undead. We come in peace, shoot to kill!
The review mentioned several moments of disbelief, such as surviving stab and bullet wounds, which is notably a chancy prospect. And yeah, the electricity is a dubious proposition. Marauding cannibals are much like the undead – poor company and best avoided if you ask me.
Interesting, and it’s funny you say that because I’m not sure whether it is merely the effect of spring, but a number of local properties were just put up for sale. Dunno. The population up here is ageing, no getting around that. Haven’t met the new neighbours yet either, which is interesting itself. Hmm. Hey, I spotted this article on a council approved earthship build in a climate way, way to the south of here on the island state, but probably due to elevation differences is not all that different: Matt and Kate built an earthship house with recycled bottles and the help of strangers.
No disrespect intended, but $880k is not a cheap house. On the other hand, it looks amazing and very conventional for an earthship house. Honestly, I’d be really curious to hear how the claim: “negating the need for any other heating or cooling system” works out in reality over a number of years. Let’s just say that I have some doubts about that claim. The claim ‘minimal’ would probably be more appropriate, but I’m guessing that there is an image to uphold. But then I’m a brutal pragmatist on such matters, and when you dig hard enough, the truth often comes out about such bragging.
Yeah, a lot of processed stuff in that box. It happens, and a little bit in the diet is hardly going to matter, but I’d have done the same as you. I’m guessing that Jane’s cost base is higher than yours with the extra mouths to feed.
I’ve been wondering about the Blob, because you haven’t mentioned earth shattering rainfall recently. Maybe it’s weirder than the models can account for? Oh my! Professor Mass’s essay was very funny, although I wouldn’t want to be out at sea in that big Pacific NW storm. Rough sailing for sure.
Looks like a storm is rolling in here.
Cheers and better get writing!
Chris
Yo, Chris – That was a really interesting article about the Rainham estate. And there it is! The second picture, “parlor room.” The Victorian chaise lounge I’ve been looking for, most of my life.
Sort of like Dolly Parton. I think it takes a lot of effort and sweat to get to “whimsical and effortless.” 🙂
I pumped my Idaho friend about all the Australians in Idaho. It’s all a bit mysterious. This is what she had to say: “Don’t really know what the Aussies are looking for. Do know there’s lots of them. They rent the old feed store across the highway from the Inn and are testing core samples there. Ron saw a couple in the mountains when he went hunting this week. There’s an older mine re-opening up near McCall. Will mine gold, silver and another mineral I think for electronic chips? Can’t remember what it is called. Have reserved 4 rooms for 4 weeks to start. They’ve booked air n’ bs all over town and are renting rooms in Cambridge. It all makes a guy wonder. Guess they have lots of money from what Cheyenne’s realtor friend said.” Or rather, large expense accounts. 🙂
It doesn’t sound like an inexpensive house, to me either. And one wonders how “folk singers” managed to raise the loot. I’d guess, as they said in the old days, that one or both of them are “from money.”It is a lovely looking house, and, in a way, has the same “vibe” as your friend’s big shed. One phrase that caught my eye was “planning approval challenge.” You know all about that, don’t you?
🙂
Our high yesterday was 57F (13.88C). Our overnight low was 50F (10C). Our forecast high for today is 58F. H and I got pretty wet, on our last two walks. We might hit a clearing space, this morning. Maybe. We’re headed down to the Club to gas with Carl the retired nurseryman.
I saw an interesting article, yesterday, on the rise and fall of certain “collectibles.” I can’t say I bought into any of this stuff, but did have a ringside seat to observe the rise and fall.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/people-sharing-collectibles-thought-worth-231602071.html
I’ve read whole books about the rise and crash, of some of these things. It’s all sad, really. People thought they’d be financing their kid’s college education, or, their retirement. But most of these things were issued in “limited” editions, of hundreds of thousands. Not exactly rare items. Lew