Bogieblog

You Should be Migrating

Last weekend I was going to pull the hummingbird feeder. I hadn't had any hits for several days so figured my summer residents had left

I use a test tube feeder so it is quite easy to see when it has been "hit". Sunday night I pulled the tubes in and cleaned them, and set them to dry in the dish drainer. Monday morning I decided to fill one test tube and put it back out. That evening, about 6pm, I saw that the tube had been hit, so I put out the other two. I then decided to take a picture of the partial tube so I would have record, and this happened. The phone was 12-18" away. (click on the pictures to see them right side up - I had enough problems getting Typepad to accept the uploads for this post and I'm not willing to mess up everything by rotating them). Pictures are in order taken.

I think it is a youngster from the pair that summers here and he just enjoyed being out of the rain to feed - there are still lots of flowers on the autumn clematis, turtleheads and New England asters. We had a lot of rainy days this week (only got 2", but that took almost 4 days). Then Friday was huge wind so I situated the feeder so it was closer to the house and less affected by the wind. I have seen a bird every day since and filled the tubes on a regular basis as only about 1/4 of the tube is actually accessible. I'm really unsure if it is the same bird or not since sometimes it looks like a young male and sometimes it looks like a young female.

And don't even go there on the red color. It is really barely pink (picks taken in near darkness) and is made by hibiscus, not red dye.

Odds and Ends Week of 9/18/2022

Okay, technically this on was on 9/17. Found this feather in the back yard. Not sure what it is from, maybe a hawk? Looks like it was a natural loss as the end is clean.

The tree by the shed (north side of house) turns pretty colors in fall. However, it only changes in sections and at such a slow rate, that it is never mostly turned at the same time. Interestingly the southwest side (full sun) is the first to turn and had already shed a lot of those leaves between the first and second pictures (first was 9/19, second was 9/23)

Friday afternoon I unpacked the P61a (basement pellet stove) from its summer nap. I would normally wait a little while, but I had replaced the ash pan door gasket at the beginning of the month and the adhesive needed to be heat cured within 30 days of application. Since it was super windy in the 40's, I figured I could fire up the stove and let it run for 1/2 an hour without overheating the basement (which was at 65*).

It started up fine and there was no whiff of smoke (as there had been during start up at the end of last season), so replacing the door gasket accomplished my goal. Oh, and I had forgotten how the smell of fall is the heated metal smell that arises during the first burn or two. I let it run for 30 minutes then reduced the set temp down to 65* until we get further into the season.

When the evening news said that the wind would continue thru the night and into Saturday, I decided to unpack the P43 (main floor stove) and get it going too. I had been using the mini split for the minor heating needs thus far, but with 100% increase in electric cost, the pellet stove is less costly to run. Add to that the house just feels warmer and the forgotten perk of using it as a hair dryer the next morning, and it was a win. Did have enough solar gain yesterday afternoon that the stove didn't turn itself on until after I had turned in for the night.

 

Solar Update September 2022

On 8/24 the solar company contacted me and indicated a tentative install date of 10/18/22. Originally it was to be by the end of September, but various market issues conspired to a pushout of the date.

On September 12, the company called and. I almost didn't want to take the call, figuring it was bad news (cancellation or pushed even further out). However, it turned out they had a cancellation, so were pulling in the date to October 7. Sure, not as soon as I would like, but a full 11 days before their estimated date, so I'll take it. I dropped off the payment required on Friday, and now it is just down to the waiting.

And lest you think that it is easy street at that point, that would not be the case. First, the town inspector has to come out and give his blessing. I have no idea how long that will take. Once the solar company gets the town's okey dokey, and assuming they don't have to make any changes, the utility company is notified. Then the utility has 20 working days to come out and change out the meter so electricity can flow both ways. And no, they don't let you know when they are coming out. I'm guessing they will pop in, and cut my power at the least convenient time (like a super important meeting with my boss or her boss in which I lose my internet unexpectedly).

So then, I have to notice when the utility changes out the meter, because they don't do something sensible like let you, or the install company, know that it has been completed. Then the last step is that I have to call the install company and they will walk me thru actually getting the system online.

So, it could be working before the end of October, but I would not be surprised if it was more like the middle of November.

Blooms from 9/9/2022

Earlier in the week, over a 2 day period, my area received around 1.5" of much needed rain. The plants have really responded.

First is the Sweet Autumn Clematis. I wish I could take better pictures (has nothing to do with the device, just I sux at capturing the scenes). First picture is from the east side (digital correction couldn't take all the sun beam interference out - looks way better in person). Second picture is from the north side, then 3rd picture is from the south side

The south side growth of the clematis ran over the turtle heads in the foreground, but one bloom is peeking out.

Along the drainage ditch on the south side of the property (behind me as I was taking the picture just above), the New England Asters and Jewelweed are keeping the insects happy. This is just a short section of the 20' or so of growth

In the shade garden (to the east of all the previous pictures) more turtleheads with tall phlox in the background. Oh, and way in back is the hydrangea tree.

Sedum in the roadside garden that the bees are enjoying

A couple of container roses. The first is Frida Kahlo. I got this from Heirloomroses on August 8th. When they ship live plants (as opposed to dormant), they strip all the leaves to reduce stress during the shipping process. I potted it up on the 10th and it has fully leafed out with this as its first bloom. It smells very nice and there are a couple more buds, but frost will hit soon so it won't be blooming much longer

Petite Knock Out Rose that I got in June at the local Agway. I don't remember what the red flowers behind it are, but they set each other off nicely. I may have to bring that plant in and see if I can overwinter it.

I'll have to figure out how to keep the roses alive over the winter. I can't even do that with roses I plant in the ground (technically they survive, they just decline steadily and are lucky to make it thru a 2nd winter), so this will be extra challenging.

Sometimes You Just Have to Fudge It

After the handyman did what he wanted (painting the house) he ghosted me on blocking in the two large foundation windows (no, he didn't get rest of money). Here is why I wanted the windows removed and blocked up. The first is the window into the basement (the heater room). Although the frame is good, the window obviously has problems (it has been that way since I bought the house).

The garage window frame is rotting out (this is new and from water running off the ramp). One of the window panes is also cracked (not in picture)

Foundation repair places, at least the one's that would come to my town, said they didn't do things like block in basement windows. Really? Isn't that pretty much like replacing foundation blocks that have deteriorated?

The window replacement company (again, the one that would come to my area) said sure, they would replace frames and windows. Took my money then 2 months later said they couldn't do it (returned said money).

So now, this late in the season, I said screw it and got a couple pieces of concrete backer board and temporarily boarded them up.

For the garage window, I first covered the window frame holes with composite pieces I have used for window trim inside the house. Since they aren't wood, they won't rot.

Then the concrete backer board - well, you will just have to imagine that since Typepad is giving me fits trying to add pictures to this post and absolutely refuses to upload the last pic (even after I created several new pictures). Update - once I posted live, as opposed to saving as a draft, I went back and tried and the pic finally uploaded. Not that you can see much thru the railings . . .

Maybe next year I can find a mason in this area who will do the work

One Smart Kitty

Spot is way too smart for my good. All summer she has been stymied from laying in the garden window in the bathroom by the double-cellular shade I installed. The shade is pretty stiff, so can't just be pushed aside and is the cordless lift type. I pull the shade in the morning to reduce solar heat gain but she really liked that window to lay in the sun.

On cooler / cloudy days I indulge her by lifting the shade about 1/3 of the way up to allow access. That leaves plenty of room for her to jump/walk in. The last several time I noticed her watching me intensely as I did so. Tuesday I saw her in the window and didn't remember pulling up the shade. But I figured I must have. Wednesday, I found her in there and KNEW I hadn't indulged her since there was just enough room for her to crawl under the shade.

Yesterday afternoon I was was changing out the trashcan liner in the bathroom, and Spot was sitting on the toilet (I leave the lid down), and she was looking intently at the shade. So I stood and watched. She pushed with a paw several times until the shade swung enough toward her to clear the window ledge (this is not easy, not like a regular shade, this one wants to stay in place). Then she stuck her nose under it and lifted gently and she kept nudging it until she had just enough room to get her body thru. The whole episode took a minute or maybe a minute and a half. Then she gave me a proud-as-punch look before crawling onto the ledge.

The little chit - so smart. But, she was so gentle with the shade, not using her claws or batting at it hard, so can't be mad. Plus, she left a minimal slot (not nearly as much room as I would have given her). Hopefully her sister doesn't catch her performing this trick. Rainey isn't one to think up antics, bu she sure as heck is happy to learn how after seeing Spot do it a few times.