Staining and Painting

I stripped the upper deck in preparation of re-staining it today. Meanwhile in the basement, W has finished patching up the floor and will be putting down the first coat of epoxy paint today

Spring Time on the Applegate

The Applegate Lake is full up and beautiful. We did our first paddle there this week. I had my new SeaEagle and Robin had her new Oru folding kayak.  A few JVille neighbors joined on paddle boards.
 

Pool Opens Today

 Ready for an afternoon plunge

Pool in Bloom

I was worried that I had pruned back the hot lips salvia too drastically last fall. But it has rebounded in spectacular fashion. Our dianthus always seem to be 4 weeks behind the neighborhood. But it’s finally opening up.
 

First Coat

 Everything got sanded and cleaned.  I put the first coat of paint on the new wall.

New Foot Print

My new three toed foot print.
 

More Pozo Blue Sage

I planted a few Pozo Blue sages out front this weekend. Hoping these will do better than the backyard versions.  They like more sun, less water. 

This one is in front of a marvelous cat mint.

Gaffer63: Pozo Blue
 

Bandage Off

No foot swelling or problems. Just a small bandage now. Sutures come out this week.
 

Restoration Day#2

Paul finished framing out the wall and made the cover for the pump. Drywall went up and you can see how wide the new window shelf is now.
 

Restoration Day#1

Handyman Paul came today and framed out the new wall. He's also building a box around the pump's cistern. It also means the narrow shelves around the window will now be 4" wider.
 

Bruce's Piñata

The big 71 for Bruce over the weekend. A bunch of friends got together and watched him bat aound a moose pinata. "Moose" is Lindsay's nickname for her husband.

 

Water Diversion

During the winter we had water pouring into one of the downstairs bedrooms. 

In between storms we had a french drain installed that regrettably did nothing to stop the onslaught.

The guys came yesterday and installed a drainage system to catch and pump out any invading waters. Jack hammering a canal and then installing a baseboard water capturing system. Not the prettiest of things but better than what we went through several times last winter.

On Monday the dry walling and framing take place.

Gaffer63: French Drain Install
 

Back to Galesville

A few weeks of good weather has meant an early start to the kayaking season. We welcomed back Robin after a year of heart issues. She did great on a full 2 1/2 hour paddle at Galesville.

 

Beyond Disgusting

 

Bad Emperor

My dad turned me onto Suetonius' The Twelve Caesars.  I still have his copy.  Great book you can open anywhere and be amazed.  It's too bad that 1950 years later, we are still dealing with the same bad people.
 

Smokey!

 

 

No tornadoes, hurricanes or polar vortexes but we do get a few weeks of smoke in the summer. It would be interesting to know only the last 3 years' data.  Since OR has begun to be proactive about fighting fires, smokey days have seemingly lessened in recent years.
 

Time's Up, Mr. Bond

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara recently made news by calling the new partners idiots.....Only Michael's son Gregg has been involved with the current productions. Maybe there wasn't a natural heir to the Broccoli throne. So they seem to be taking the money and moving on to other things. 

Truth be told, I have not liked the recent films so Iet's see what a massive conglomerate can do with the franchise. Goodbye, Mr. Bond.

Variety has the story

A billion dollars is a good price!
 

Sutures Out

The sutures came out on Monday.  Everything looking good.  Back in a shoe today.
 

Best Selling Volkswagen

While watching my favorite British quiz/comedy show QI, I learned the amazing fact that Volkswagen sells more sausages than cars each year. The Currywurst is an official part and can be ordered by requesting original part 199 398 500 A. While not available in the US because of importing regulations, the VW brand of ketchup was briefly available here.  I'm ready to book a destination trip to Mexico or Canada to try a real VW sausage

Learn more here or here

Feeding the Deer

It's bad enough that the turkeys come and forage for bird seed. Now an enterprising deer has figured out she can feast as well.  W spent yesterday figuring out how to rise the feeder.