Bogieblog

How's that Forcast Working Out for You?

I find this somewhat funny. I'm not a climate change denier. I just happen to think that climate changes all the time all by itself. There are a lot of factors involved, including those outside of Earth's atmosphere - and most of those factors we don't even understand on an individual scope. I don't doubt that mankind affects the climate to a degree, but to what degree and how we would go about reversing it (or if it is worth it in socio/economic sense) is a different animal.

So anyway, this post isn't to debate climate change (and I won't, so please don't bother commenting if you just want to argue your position). This post is about how difficult it is to actually predict what is going to happen in the near term (relatively speaking). The other day the local weather guy was telling us how NH has had a fairly cool summer. One point in case is that we haven't had a day over 90 yet this August, which is unusual (sorry, you have to watch a short ad to see the video).

We have had a very wet, dark summer. that has kept the solar gain to a minimum (ask my solar array - the peak performance was in May, before this weather pattern got stuck in place). Anyway, I happened to run into this forecast put out by NOAA (thru NPR) in May

 

They completely missed the mark for New England (or at least northern New England - IDK about the southern portion). They may have expected the jet stream to act one way, and it acted differently. They may have been going off of ocean temperatures at the time - IIRC, the coastal waters off NH were way warmer than normal in May (average is in high 40's and I think it was in the high 50's at the time).

Although production from my solar arrays has not been as good as expected after seeing May's numbers, I am happy that NOAAs prediction for this area was off. I haven't run the mini split much, which offsets the reduction in energy production. I am still exporting plenty of power - except this past Friday, I actually used more than I made because I had to use the clothes drier a couple of times.

Goodbye Sweet Rita 8/23/2023

You were always ready to immediately forgive my transgressions such as giving you baths or making you take meds. You talked a good game and would growl mightily, or would try to push away whatever was bothering you with your paws, but never ever used your claws or teeth. You hung on for as long as you could and I'm glad I could give you a final release from your pain, although it hurt my heart to do so. Play free my good kitty.

The story of Rita's Adoption

Rita settles in with Fuzzy

Rita's introduction to the kittens

 

Getting Paid for Solar Production

Two weeks ago I got an email that was pleasing, I was getting paid $27 for just doing what I have been doing.

When I had the solar array installed, I had no clue about RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates). Fortunately, my install company applied for entry in a REC program for me. The installing company let me know I would be hearing from the REC company at the end of last year. I did not have to accept, indeed, had to actively pursue the opportunity once the REC company provided the info to me.

RECs are a method of tracking each MWh produced by solar/wind (or other renewable source) and pushed to the grid. Some areas have requirement for the grid to provide x percent of renewable energy thru their grid (an over simplification). That also means the producer (me) has to be vetted and tracked by the government, so if you aren't good with that, then the program is not for you. I had to apply for and become a certified solar facility, with a cert from the Department of Energy. The REC company I am going thru did everything but sign the paperwork that they submitted. It also means that if I make any changes, even put in a grid tied battery backup, or add to the system I have to notify the DOE.

Tracking by the REC company is done thru my solar monitoring company, which I had to give authorization for the REC company to have access to. But once all the paperwork is done, it is totally hands off for me. Payments (in increments of whole MWhs) are made each quarter and I will have to pay taxes on the payments received. But since I can't see making more than $100/year (if that), the taxes won't be onerous.

Robbers and Sweetness in the Gardens

Thursday evening I was out watering the roadside garden in the late afternoon when a robber (or assassin) fly landed on the wand to eat its meal. I watched until it suddenly dropped the husk and took off to find its next victim

Was out in the yard yesterday cutting back shrubs and smelled something sweet. Summer sweet is appropriately named!

It fascinates me how fast sumac grows (Cop Car knows this well). I didn't get a before picture, this is after cutting back a bunch of limbs/stalks on the right hand side so I can mow in between it and the lilac 3-4' away (out of picture) without being attacked. The sumac and a smallish maple right next to it were cut completely down over the winter by the power company. There wasn't a twig or leaf in sight after they were done. The base of the clump is at the bottom of the rock on the right. When I stand at that level, the top of the flag is about chin height (lets call it 4.5' ). I thought I had gotten the entire sumac in the picture, but evidently I didn't but the sumac has to be 9-10' tall anyway. Doesn't grow as fast as the Japanese knotweed that I am battling next door to keep it from crossing over onto my land, but still impressive.

Along with the sumac, I trimmed back several other areas, including the burning bush (not pictured) and the chokeberry bush that is in the northern drainage area (before and after pics).

Yes, it looks like crap because I used a trimmer instead of hand trimming (I'd still be out there trying to finish it up ;)), but it will bounce back nicely.

Also, on that same side but above the drainage area, I attacked the wild mix of vegetation next to the neighboring properties shed (it had encroached well into my yard. It is a mix of sumac, Virginia creeper, pokeberries and tall wildflowers. Forgot to take a before picture, but I cut back a couple of feet and now I'll be able to weed wack the grass and such next to the stone wall.

Other shrubs that got trimmed by hand include some stray Nine Bark branches that I was mowing over as well as the weeping laceleaf Japanese maple.

I was pleased with the progress I made yesterday on taming some of the areas in the yard. Still need to mow, but since I've gotten very little rain in the last two weeks, it may wait until next week.

How can Siding on Another House Make Me so Happy?

I was a very happy gal when they started putting on the vinyl siding  on the house next door yesterday.

The soft green really helps it fade into the background. Even from the sitting area, it isn't obtrusive. I had thought about replacing the 3' high picket fence on that side with a 6' fence to help screen out the sight, but it doesn't look like I'll have to now.

As for the house across the street, they started siding in the middle of the week. They just put up the vinyl siding over the old light yellow siding. It is a nice soft gray that is unobtrusive. Obviously I took the picture on the sly

Now my house sticks out like a sore thumb - LOL. It used to be the best looking house in the immediate area and with all the greenery in the swamp, the light yellow and dark brown paint contrasted nicely. Now it just looks like an old house with bygone paint colors. Since I've been here I've been trying to think of a color scheme that would work well with the contrasting siding (upper and lower). At this point, it would also have to work with the green roof and almond frames of the windows (all of which were installed with the existing siding color in mind). However, I just can't envision anything better. But it would be nice to figure out a way to make it tie in with the blue shed better.

Reds and Pinks in the Garden

This time of year, the driveway garden and sout side gardens don't have anything really going on. Sure, there are a few black-eyed suzies and daylilies still blooming, but they are sporadic. The roadside garden has some things going on though.

There are echinaceas, purple coneflowers and tall phlox putting out their beauty and lovely scents

The lone daylily being right next to the echinacea makes it more noticable amongst all the green of the peony foliage

In the back yard, I'm unsure what this shrub is, but it has started to turn yellowish. It might have been there before, but kept small by being in the shade of the trees that I had taken down last year. I'm not fond of this particular color, but it does stand out from the surrounding green.

This interesting chart popped up on FB the other day. I believe that a couple of days ago was the last day that sunset occurrs after 8pm around these parts.

And lastly: yesterday I got part way into mowing when it felt like a piece of cardboard had got stuck on the bottom of my boot and was flapping around. That would not be the case :D. I had to stop and change into a pair of riding boots to complete the other 45 minutes, or so, of mowing.

Guess I'll be heading out today and see if I can find a pair of work or hiking boots to use for yard work. I hate shopping for any clothing type stuff, but footwear in particular because I have a hard time finding something that doesn't hurt my feet (too high of arch, causes calluses on the bottom of my feet etc). And, what may feel fine in the store, once broken in, may not be so fine after a time or two of use.