(no subject)
* House67's townhouse lot is now past the demolition and fence-off stage. A dump truck came in and dumped gravel. It looks like the gravel is used to line the base of the foundation which they are digging to around 4 feet deep. I saw only a couple of workers on the project. The vegetation in front is still there, so all access is through the alley, so I have to watch that so they don't block our back driveway (especially on Tuesday).
* Ask This Old House had some interesting tips:
- protecting outdoor wood:
-- worn outside wood need to be inspected for rot by tapping with a flat metal object.
-- cover everything not being treated...tape around adjacent objects (bright green is best for exterior projects)
-- flat areas can be sanded with a random orbital sander: 150 grit, then 100 grit.
-- detailed objects should be sanded by hand with 150 grit then 100 grit sand paper.
-- fill with exterior wood putty for nail holes.
-- wipe off with a slightly moist rag
-- you then need 2 dry days before applying stain.
-- stain comes in mostly transparent, somewhat transparent and fully opaque. Not suprisingly, the transparent needs to be reapplied every 2-3 years, the somewhat-t every 3-4 years and the opaque every 4-5 years.
-- stain should be applied with a 2 1/2 inch brush.
-- excess should be wiped with a rag.
-- the rag should go into a bucket filled with water and the bucket sealed and be disposed of as hazardous waste.
- smoke detectors:
-- generally last 10 years now and can come with a built-in battery that lasts as long.
-- some units also can serve as a wireless device that can be reached by the internet!
-- they can be wired to AC which also lets them talk to each other with only a backup battery
-- co+ionization smoke for bedrooms
-- co+photo-electric smoke for areas within 20 feet of water vapor (kitchen, bathroom)
-- heat detector for garage (not co, not smoke).
-- bottom line: when re-wiring the house, put in a wire and interface to smoke detector locations.
- hydrangias:
-- generally all zones except in Alaska and North Dakota can grow them.
-- each blooms at different times.
-- pruning is needed. Some varieties can be completely cut to the ground, others to just above the leaves a couple of leave clusters down from the flower. Some need to be pruned right after the flowering, others right before the leaves come out.
* To-day: pills; news; ebay/emovieposter.com; breakfast; process mail; internet (get new Linden 78s); shower; dress with fresh shorts, socks and shirt;outdoors photos; spaghetti primavera leftovers with leftover bread; write PGE check; add new mp3s to Linden playlist; walk to bank and deposit check and withdraw grocery money; walk around the block; take more pictures; put out recycling; put out returnables; soak more cans/containers; bring bags to office to send stuff to garbage or recycling; write this (most of this while Marisa is sleeping).
* Later to-day: remove cat poop from dining room carpet; bring cat poop box and litter upstairs to get upstairs cat poop; clean upstairs cat litter; clean cat litter downstairs; put out cat poop; clean dishes and rinse recycling.
* Ask This Old House had some interesting tips:
- protecting outdoor wood:
-- worn outside wood need to be inspected for rot by tapping with a flat metal object.
-- cover everything not being treated...tape around adjacent objects (bright green is best for exterior projects)
-- flat areas can be sanded with a random orbital sander: 150 grit, then 100 grit.
-- detailed objects should be sanded by hand with 150 grit then 100 grit sand paper.
-- fill with exterior wood putty for nail holes.
-- wipe off with a slightly moist rag
-- you then need 2 dry days before applying stain.
-- stain comes in mostly transparent, somewhat transparent and fully opaque. Not suprisingly, the transparent needs to be reapplied every 2-3 years, the somewhat-t every 3-4 years and the opaque every 4-5 years.
-- stain should be applied with a 2 1/2 inch brush.
-- excess should be wiped with a rag.
-- the rag should go into a bucket filled with water and the bucket sealed and be disposed of as hazardous waste.
- smoke detectors:
-- generally last 10 years now and can come with a built-in battery that lasts as long.
-- some units also can serve as a wireless device that can be reached by the internet!
-- they can be wired to AC which also lets them talk to each other with only a backup battery
-- co+ionization smoke for bedrooms
-- co+photo-electric smoke for areas within 20 feet of water vapor (kitchen, bathroom)
-- heat detector for garage (not co, not smoke).
-- bottom line: when re-wiring the house, put in a wire and interface to smoke detector locations.
- hydrangias:
-- generally all zones except in Alaska and North Dakota can grow them.
-- each blooms at different times.
-- pruning is needed. Some varieties can be completely cut to the ground, others to just above the leaves a couple of leave clusters down from the flower. Some need to be pruned right after the flowering, others right before the leaves come out.
* To-day: pills; news; ebay/emovieposter.com; breakfast; process mail; internet (get new Linden 78s); shower; dress with fresh shorts, socks and shirt;outdoors photos; spaghetti primavera leftovers with leftover bread; write PGE check; add new mp3s to Linden playlist; walk to bank and deposit check and withdraw grocery money; walk around the block; take more pictures; put out recycling; put out returnables; soak more cans/containers; bring bags to office to send stuff to garbage or recycling; write this (most of this while Marisa is sleeping).
* Later to-day: remove cat poop from dining room carpet; bring cat poop box and litter upstairs to get upstairs cat poop; clean upstairs cat litter; clean cat litter downstairs; put out cat poop; clean dishes and rinse recycling.