Although, I haven’t been knocking off jobs on a daily basis (or even weekly) of late, I did accomplish a few things today!!!
1. Repaired/Re-Aligned front drive gates. I built these gates probably about 15 years ago and they had deteriorated and sagged and consequently were difficult to open and close. It is a double hinged gated entrance with each gate about 3-1/2’h x 5’w. I would like to build new gates, but that would require additional planning, time and $$$, none of which I have alot of at the moment. Therefore, the repair/re-alignment will suffice for now.
2. Pressure washed the front porch floor, in prep for re-painting. As I mentioned in previous posts, I am extremely happy with the “Husky” electric pressure washer I bought from Home Depot. As I also mentioned in previous posts, I would avoid Karcher brand at all costs. I will pressure wash one more time, and then let dry overnight. Then, on Monday I will paint with TrueValue Gray polyurethane Enamel. I have used this stuff on several occasions over the years and have been very happy with it. It comes in several stock colors and also can be tinted additional colors. I don’t know if it is available this way at big box stores, but TrueValue Hardware stores have it.
3. Been plagued with Japanese beetles this year. Bought a couple bag trap kits and have been catching a bag worth daily (in each) for the last 2 weeks. Each bag supposedly holds well over a thousand. I then place the full bag in a bucket (with lid) and then put a new bag on the holder. The bait has natural pheremones which immediately draw them. Before I can even get the replacement bags re-installed the beetles are swarming around me. Presently I have about 40 lbs. of dead Japanese beetles in the lid covered buckets(and they stink like a dead animal). I will probably try to burn them in the next few days when we burn some other debris.
4. Finally got around to replacing the socket in the front yard lamp post. The bulb contacts in the old socket had finally corroded away (we live in the rust belt state of Ohio). Ohio: Bad for metal (it will rust away), bad for people (the govt will tax you to death; property tax, income tax, gas tax, sales tax, workers comp tax, unemployment tax, death tax…, not to mention all the state licenses & fees for various things; permits for this, permits for that…). I suppose other states are very similar: some better, some worse.
5. Finally got high speed internet (on a radio signal). This is in contrast to cable or satellite. A few glitches, but it is night and day difference from dial-up. With dial-up I could have probably gotten alot of jobs done just while waiting for stuff to download. Next cost cutting step will be to eliminate one of my landline phone lines (I have 3), and one of my two dial-up servers (either AOL or Netscape). Just doing those 2 things will pretty much pay for the new high speed.
That gate looks ( and works!) so much better now. I love the more efficient internet speed ( thanks for all the hard work it took to investigate the options and tenaciously get it going !!! yes, that deserves three exclamation marks :)
Ohio has some very good things about it… I just can’t think of them at the moment.
I’m glad we went out as a family instead of getting the porch painted. I know you will “git-er-done” this fall.. and that is “good enough”. Plus we had fun Monday, didn’t we?
and as for Japanese beetles…grrrr. I’m just glad you take delight in doing away with them.
Ohio: a place to avoid, especially if driving. I think Ohio has more cops on the roads issuing traffic tickets than all other states combined. Part of Ohio’s “revenue enhancement” strategy. You will pass more police in 100 miles in Ohio than the next 1000 miles combined in several other states.
but you don’t have to worry:) so far you are a law-abiding citizen!
…but I know you like to grumble about the government … and taxes. I guess that makes you a typical male American-Ha!