Modern Facilities

Although we are living close to town, we have been able to maintain a somewhat simple lifestyle at least in regards to Facilities. This is because of what is known as a Grandfather Clause.
One of the Kinfolks once joked that we were the only people he knew with a mac computer and an outhouse.

But in moving out to the woods, we will ironically lose this Grandfather status. This means plumbing, and as Murphy's Law is still in effect, plumbing problems.
One of these involved the feed line to some of the new "facilities". Now The Fuzz has actually had to deal with plumbing in a somewhat under the radar manner, but he prefers to work with that PVC stuff that one simply cuts and glues together.
But the plumbing in trailers, it seems, is of a different type. You may have noticed, if you are the observant type, that the plumbing in question, is secured by some sort of crimped things.
Now The Fuzz had never had to deal with this sort of thing, but the Son-in-law knew just how to handle this situation. So it was off to the Home Improvement Store*. There they found all the things necessary for this important repair. There was this nifty white hose-thing that simply screws onto the tank inlet. And since the cut-off valve was not quite cutting anything off, we got one of those too. And to attach all this great stuff to the existing plumbing, this special tool** and the little rings for crimping it all together.
And so we put it all together and we are pleased to report that there are no leaks (at least here) and the floor is now quite dry. It would be nice if this were the end to our plumbing adventures but now we have to tackle the kitchen sink. But with all this experience, it should be a piece of cake.



*The Home Improvement Store was only a few minutes drive from the old place, but many miles from the "Woods".

**Very expensive

Coming Up In The World

Here is our new "hill".

This is at the "Landfill". And it has been pretty well "Filled". What we are looking at used to be a rather large hole in the ground. As you can see, it is nothing like a hole now.
We thought we'd check up on the Garbage Business, and got The Fuzz to sneak his camera into the landfill. (These things used to be called dumps and were good places to find stuff and shoot rats.)
This is a view from up on top. At one time this spot was actually lower than that pond down there. The Fuzz made this picture from a truck while making a deposit. You can get some idea of the scale from the utility pole down there. Anyway, that's a lot of trash.
Some years ago, they built a Dog Pound on top of one of the older "Landfills". It didn't work out. After a while, one end of the building started to sink into the earth. Eventually, they had to tear it down and build a new one in a different place.
This is a look in another direction. You can see the trestle over there, in fact you could say "Down there". That pile of stuff in front is a bunch of well composted wood chips. They use these to dry out the mud so the trucks can get in (and get out) in wet weather. In dry weather it makes a nasty dust that clogs the truck radiators and makes them run hot. Sometimes, like today, they must be cleaned out twice a day.
The Fuzz wonders just how high this will be before it's over. Already there's a pretty good view from the top. Maybe someday it will be a tourist attraction, and a great boon to the pitiful local economy.

Roofing & Shingles 3

Did we mention they were calling for rain?

This is the sky we woke to. At this point the roof is not finished yet. But first we needed to get things moving.
In situations like that, the traditional method works pretty well. Of course there were also stacks of pancakes, sausage and that local delicacy, Livermush.
And then, it was back to the task at hand. There were a few sprinkles, but we got a break, and the rain held off 'till the shingles were all installed. As folks began to hit the road, we finished up all but some chimney flashing.
And here is a look at the final product. Another job, well done!

And so we headed for home and a well earned rest.

Roofing & Shingles 2

About midnight more help began to trickle in, and in the morning we were back on the job. The edge boards were finished and some drip guards were installed. As more and more help arrived, the old shingles were stripped. This reveled a few more rotten spots which were then replaced. Here's a look at the "Naked Roof".

And here's an "Inside Look".

This is trippy to look at, but would not be much good under some rain. Rain was in fact being predicted.

All this hard and thirsty work could build up a good appetite. Fortunately, we had been well supplied with suitable refreshment.
Fortunately, those hard workers kept their beer consumption within "Up On The Roof" limits, and the entire roof was tarpapered before dark. There was also a good start on the shingles.
Finally it was kickback time.
Everyone had brought a contribution to the feast, and our host grilled some BIG FAT burgers. After a few of those beverages, The Fuzz risked his life, and climbed back to the roof for this shot of the neighborhood.

I am happy to report that he survived this foolishness.

Roofing & Shingles

We had a Family Gathering at The Son's House this weekend.

This is the house. You may notice what appears to be a bare strip at the edge of the roof. This is , in fact, the case. This "Gathering" was not strictly for fun and games, it was our way to assemble the Labor necessary for Roof Repair. This was not the first time for this sort of thing, and is one of the advantages to a large family.
The Fuzz got off of work a bit early Friday and drove over there to help get a jump on things. As the Son had removed some of the shingles at the edge, he had discovered some rotten wood. He determined that the best course was to replace this lowest strip all the way around. So after removing this, he and The Fuzz made the first of many trips to the Home Improvement Store. There, the appropriate wood was purchased. He decided to go with that "Treated" stuff because of the dampness.
Next, they went about installing these replacement boards. This was no simple task as the boards had to be first ripped to the right width, and then trimmed to the (uneven) lengths required.
Fortunately, this Son is well equipped for this sort of thing with a Table Saw which made all this ripping a (almost) simple task. They worked at this 'till dark, and then broke off for the evening, and a Delicious Dinner.
The next part of the job would have to wait for another day, and a lot more helpers.
These are some of those heavy shingles that would have to be carried up the rickety ladder on the morrow.

Cell Phone

Another Windmill Looking Thing

This is the local vineyard & winery mentioned in the last post. The Fuzz was passing by on his way out to do some work at the trailer and made a picture, just for all the loyal readers of this blog. Below is a closer look at this Fan Looking Thing. As you can see it was a cloudy day, and we were expecting rain, which we received a short time afterwards.

And here's a look at the rainy woods, looking out from the warm and dry interior of the The Fuzz's pitiful little truck.

That Windmill Thing

While the Air Force Daughter was here, the "Girls" got together for a "Girls Gone Wine" winery tour.

The Fuzz, not being a "Girl" was left out of this adventure. But his Sweetie did bring him some pix. This is one of the vineyards visited. Note that windmill looking thing out there. There is actually a winery here on the edge of town. We pass it often on our way up the country to work on the new place. There is a similar "windmill looking" thing there. The Fuzz has often wondered why it was never turning, even in a good breeze. But now, His Sweetie has found out the TRUTH! It seems that this is not actually a windmill, as in that green energy stuff, but a giant fan to be used when Jack Frost is in town. This is supposed to maybe save the crop under marginal conditions.

And so now, thanks to The Fuzz's Sweetie, this mystery has been finally cleared up.

Reclaiming Positions

"Reclaiming positions"

What is this "reclaiming positions" thing? Apparently, in this case, it means that teachers will be losing their jobs. "Reclaiming positions" is the local school board's terminology for lay-offs. And The Fuzz wonders why he gets confused about these things. But we thought we'd mention this so if any of our loyal readers runs into this terminology, they won't be as confused as we were around here. So beware if you boss mentions "reclaiming your position".


And now, here is the latest progress on our new trailer. In order to get approved by the county, we have to have porches (or the appropriate steps) by each of the (at least two) "Points of Egress" (doors) and underpinning.
So here is a look at one of our "Points of Egress" complete with a new porch and steps! The Fuzz took great pains to level everything up as you can see to the right. Of course, we'll still need one at the other "Point of Egress" but, one thing at a time. And there is still that underpinning as well. And we haven't even mentioned the extensive inside work. The Fuzz's Sweetie has been busy tearing out carpet and cleaning and scrubbing to get ready for painting and all that. But as we say around here, "One foot up, and one foot down".

Iguana's Chicken

I thought I'd give it a shot.

This is for that Lazy Iguana.

A Morning on the Road

The Fuzz went to pick up the Air Force Daughter.
It was a fairly long drive, so to avoid traffic, he left out pretty early that morning, well before dawn.

Around Sunrise, he found himself at this lake.
He had been just driving along, intent on the destination. It was a beautiful morning with the mist over the farm ponds and all. Several times he thought how "this would be a great picture". Yet despite having a camera, he foolishly drove on, thinking there was some reason to hurry. Finally, he came to himself and thought, "What am I doing? What's the big rush here? Why shouldn't I slow down and enjoy this beautiful morning?"
Shortly after, around sunrise, he came by this lake. And this time he did have enough sense to stop the car and make a few pictures.
Here's one.