Bogieblog

Youngster Shenanigans

Had to go into the office a couple of weeks ago for computer issues. When I got back home, Rainey was in the bedroom window

Then last Monday the kitchen faucet suddenly developed a leak under the cabinet so I called a plumber to take care of it (after turning off the water lines). It turned out to be a simple fix that I could have done myself if it had happened over the weekend, but I was working so didn't have time to investigate and fiddle with it. While the plumber was here, I had the two youngsters in the cat pen. I'm unsure what Rainey was trying to accomplish on the floor of the pen. Maybe she was trying to hide, or maybe she was trying to use it as a blanket (she loves to sleep under blankets).

 

Spring Blooms

Just a few blooms from the roadside garden

While I was looking at those, I noticed some burned limbs on the Coppertina Ninebark. Unfortunately I didn't have my phone with me so removed a lot of them before going to grab it to take pictures. I'm guessing this happened when the transformer blew since the ninebark is close to the pole (not touching - I'm assuming the charge came thru the roots and out thru the limb ends, thus crisping them).

As can be seen in the top picture, other parts of the shrub are doing well, even just below the burns, so it should recover nicely.

Changes are Coming to a TV Near Me

After 10 years of having the same TV/DVR box, Xfinity is making me upgrade my cable TV equipment to X1. I got an email this morning about it and wondered if it was a scam since I haven't had any notices pop up when I check my email thru my account website. At the same time, the originating email address looked correct, but I wasn't convinced. Went to my account (never ever click on those email links) and looked around. Nope, no notice. So then I googled and found the article about older equipment that would not longer be supported and not function correctly at the end of May. The article gave me the way to check and sure enough, I've got to give in and get chit I don't need to replace equipment that is working totally fine for my simple needs.

I don't need voice command, I don't need streaming, and I'm not even sure that my old TV (2010 I believe) will work well with it. Dollars to donuts the X1 remote won't work with the TV - my current Comcast remote has only ever worked to shut the TV down, not to turn it on.

The only good thing is they "say" that there is no additional cost from what I'm paying to rent my old TV box. Not sure I believe that, but we'll see.

First Flowers of 2023

Spring is finally sproinging with daffodils and hyacinth starting to show their colors. In order: backyard daffodils, shrub garden hyacinth, roadside garden dafs

These were taken earlier last week. I should have gotten some updated pictures yesterday as more have come up - but I didn't, so this is what you get. It is raining today, so they will either be flattened or  at least not be in the mood to be photographed until it dries out again.

Shortening - Not the Kitchen Type Though

The chimney for the boiler and water heater has been a PITA lately.

1. I've been watching it because it seemed like the top couple of layers of block were showing signs of damage.
2. It didn't have a covering so any rain/snow came right into the building envelop. The moisture did not seep out of the cleanout in the basement - but it was going somewhere, and I wouldn't doubt that it contributed to the moisture that seeps up thru the basement floor.
3. Since I put in the solar array, it has been very evident that on sunny days one panel is really affected by the shadow it cast, and another is somewhat affected.

I contacted a local mason (the town FB page is very handy for finding the local people that don't really advertise and go by word-of-mouth), he came and looked at it last Sunday.

Now, in my dreams, I would have had the chimney removed. It is in the middle of the house and takes up valuable kitchen space, and then more space in the basement (not so valuable, but  still). Plus I would have been able to close up the roof and block off any air infiltration from the attic into the house. BUT, that would have taken major work, in a fairly inaccessible location (the attic access is thru a closet in the office). Additionally, with the standing seam roof, and the solar array, even more complications are introduced (shingles would have been a straightforward project even with the array). I wasn't sure I was willing to go thru such a major project to gain a couple of square feet in the kitchen. The mason also pointed out that leaving the chimney there just in case it was ever needed again would not be a bad thing. So, we agreed upon it being shortened and capped.

Tuesday he came out and did the work

Is it pretty? No, but it is functional (or non-functional - LOL) and really, you have to stand on my back property line to get a good view of it - and I don't care what the people in the apartments back there see :)

Rehoming a Building

Finally got rid of the old metal shed that I wasn't sure would make it thru the winter. I wasn't sure if I would be able to give it away. I figures I would end up advertising it for someone who wanted the metal for scrapping and then I would have to take care of the base. A local guy was looking for a shed to hold his mowers and such as he was converting his old metal shed into a chicken coop. He came and looked, was super happy when I confirmed the base would go with it (but not the ramps), and said he would take it. A week ago Saturday he had a tow company show up at 10 am with a flatbed. They winched it onto the bed and headed off with it in 30-45 minutes.

At 11:45 the guy texted me this picture of the shed at its new home

He placed it in a combination garage foundation / retaining wall. They bought a house that had been partially restored from a fire, but the garage has not been rebuilt. It is a win/win!

No Fun the Last 5 Days

I've been fighting with gastritis since last week. Thursday morning I had my normal breakfast, oatmeal and a banana (at 6 am) and everything was fine. By 10 am I was in agony. Of course that was a day that I had to work extra long - until nearly 6pm (I start at 6am).

The next day was my off-Friday and I spent half the day at urgent care. where they gave me fluids (I had been vomiting all liquids, even just saliva, back up) and some IV meds. Gave me a scrip for nausea meds and told me other OTC meds to get, gave me diet restrictions and sent me on my way. Saturday I was somewhat better. Sunday not so much. Yesterday was more like Saturday, with waves of pain instead of constant, although shifting pain. I did start my workday but only put in a little over an hour. When my boss got online I asked him if I could have the day off. I had to burn some PTO anyway, so 2 birds and all that.

Throughout, sleeping was in small bites - as the pain would continuously wake me up. I did nothing but lay around all those days, I couldn't even concentrate enough to read (I did make a dump run Saturday and made the grocery run for my neighbor on Sunday).

Since Thursday's breakfast, I've had 2 cups of rice, 1 banana and a couple of cups of mashed potatoes (all forced down because I haven't been hungry). I've had a couple of bottles of pedialyte, a bit of chicken broth and lots of water.

This morning I'm feeling better and last night's sleep was the best I've had since this started. I do still have the "heavy" feeling throughout my digestive track which tells me at least some inflammation is still there, and a bit of acid reflux, but I think I have turned the corner.

Corralled

I overwintered the mandevilla that I had out in the yard last summer (which apparently I never took pictures of). I placed it in the bedroom bay window hoping that it didn't get too cold there. After all, with the drapes closed, it can easily get, and stay, in the low 50's - maybe even lower. The plant has been fine there, then in the last couple of weeks it has had a tremendous growth spurt and it got out of control. Picture is after I had tidied up - but before putting in a control system. Just Imagine shoots growing on the wrong side of the shade to the top of the window and others flopping down into that plant at the bottom right.

Yesterday morning I went to Agway and got a tall scroll trellis and weaved as many shoots into it as I could. I also added solar lights from TSC (also bought yesterday morning on a whim - they were on sale, I saved money LOL)

Yesterday afternoon I noticed that I had some green shoots showing up outside. First pic is of daffodil shots in the back yard. Second pic is of hyacinth shoots in the shrub garden -behind the new shed.

This coming week is supposed to be warm and sunny, so things should start greening up fast. I'll need to grab the pots of roses that are behind the shed and place them so I remember to keep them watered.