Trail Cam and Updated Walk Pictures

Due to random piles of poop and unusual snow tracks we decided some time ago to buy an inexpensive trail camera to see what interesting creatures would inhabit our back yard when we weren't around.  I just have it strapped to the back stairs right now, you can catch a glimpse of where it is at the end of the Eeyore video I posted the other day.  It has captured trees waving in the breeze and my wife or I doing yardwork, grilling or just walking around back there.  But so far the most interesting thing it's captured is this gathering of local fauna performing a native fire ritual on Friday night.

It also took several before the night vision took over, but the black and white looks more dramatic here.  This is the only night vision pic (not video) that everyone was clearly present and could be seen.  I'm still figuring out what the best settings would be, and at the same time I'm hoping I do and don't capture something interesting or unusual in our yard.

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Five weeks ago I posted pictures of a nearby greenway before the plants, grasses and trees began to grow and fill in.  At the time, it was noted how the views would not be visible when that happened and also that it would be interesting to compare.  Today we walked that way again so I actually remembered and got some similar pictures to show that difference.  All those are after the break!

Drop Ceiling and Clean Glass

I caved and started up the furnace yesterday afternoon.  It was pretty chilly in the house and I do like to be comfortable, and just a few degrees made a world of difference.  The heat was turned off again first thing this morning, hopefully for at least 5 or 6 months this time.

So today being a much nicer day and windows open again, it was time to get back to work on the drop ceiling in the porch.  They had been there for a long time and, especially the full-size tiles, had quite a sag in the middle, not to mention cracks and old water stains.  I removed all the old full size tiles last weekend so I could get them in the garbage, but the old tiles around the edges that will need to be cut to size remained.  As the 128-second video starts you'll see me remove them before going to the garage to cut the new piece.  To do the room would take 15 tiles so I bought 17, just in case since they were pretty cheap.  Toward the end you'll see me doubling up a couple so they're stashed up there in case anything happens and one is needed in the future.  

All in all, it went pretty smooth and quicker than I thought it would.  And too bad the camera was just a little too high to catch Hamish, who watched me do most of it from the top of the cat tree.

After the tiles I had to try to get that glass door clearer.  Thanks for the suggestions, we always have a good supply of vinegar here.  One other thing I forgot is that over winter we had one of those humidifiers that creates a fine mist but also creates a fine film on everything.  I cleaned all the other windows in the house as soon as the weather allowed, but did not do the sliding glass door at that time.  

The first picture is the 'before,' with two panes of glass on the left, one in the middle and none on the right.

This second picture is the 'after,' cleaned twice with vinegar and newspaper.  Much more clear than they were, yet still a bit cloudy.

Up close in the third pic you can see the spots still on the cleaned windows, one kind or side of the glass spots is visible more along the top and the other kind/side below, but throughout the picture and all over the glass.  It was like this when we bought the house and I still can't clean it off, but it's better than it was so I probably won't think about it again until fall when it is time to clean them again.

Eeyore In The Rain

My wife is an Eeyore fan and acquired this stuffed singing version many years ago.  Seemed an appropriate thing to do today.

 

Plant Day and Vacation

Slightly cooler weather has made us have the windows shut for several days now and maybe until the weekend, but that didn't stop us from the spring ritual of getting some decorative plants to put around the house yesterday.  We put two hanging plants out front to go along with the big pot, just a few for the stump area since the stump is rotting away, and a couple more plants for the garden.

We always used to put a hanging plant on a shepherd's hook by the back stairs, but that area is full sun all day and was pretty harsh on most things we put there.  We talked about putting it by the garage door, but at the bottom of the front steps seemed like a better idea and nice to add more color there.

Only 3 pots on the stump this year.  My wife also floated the idea of just sprinkling seeds on the decaying stump, and that might still happen.  I'm okay with less pots here this year, was less plants to have to pick out and hopefully less issues with squirrels digging them up.  I checked for that first thing this morning.

And my wife added basil and parsley to the garden, where she's already planted a tomato, pepper and a couple other plants and rows of seeds.  Only two garlic survived the winter, and we're pretty sure that's due to the the constant freezing and thawing last fall and early winter, so the rest just rot in the ground.  Meanwhile, we got a fence around the strawberry plants a bit late to keep many from getting eaten, and the raspberries are starting out well.

Saturday began a stretch of 10 days off work for me, and sorely needed.  I don't talk here about work much, and for a reason, but I can say that I've really not been happy for some time now.  Change may happen soon, by my choice or maybe even theirs the way things have been going.  But this is my vacation now, so I wish I could get it out of my head.

A week or so ago I was discussing painting the porch with my wife, and that project got lowered to the bottom of the list.  We decided to just replace the ceiling tiles for now, and I picked those up this morning.  Later in the week I'll do more with those as most will require cutting to size.  

So on Saturday morning we got started on the computer room.  We had a television that wasn't being used, so I got a wall mount and put it up above the computer desk.  This will be used for watching sports, concerts and other programs while I work or otherwise use the computer.  We then proceeded to move most everything out of the room, turned the rug, then cleaned and rearranged a bit as we put it all back.  The result is a bit more space in the room, and a computer desk that even more resembles a cockpit or some sort of command center with now three 32-inch screens.  I also have some decorative baskets ordered that will arrive today to make some areas look more organized.

So aside from ceiling tiles I have a few more small projects and chores to get done this week.  Should be just enough to keep me busy when I want to be with plenty of time to rest, relax and pursue whatever else I may fancy that day.

I do have one question to pose.  Our sliding glass door is very old and cleaning it with regular glass cleaner just doesn't get it very clear.  Does anyone have any hints on how to get old glass clear again?

Spring Yard Work

Since the last post, trees are filling out nicely and the flowerbed plants are getting fuller.  We had a stretch of very high temperatures so we went from having the heat on to the air conditioning in just a day or two, but now things appear they will remain seasonable.  Comfortable temperatures and open windows, I hope it lasts for as long as it can.

On a recent walk I noticed one lone tulip sticking up out of an empty lot.  A year or two ago I posted a picture of a sign on a house that was about to be torn down, this is that lot now.

Been a productive weekend but productivity is almost done at this early hour on Sunday.  I got a lot done yesterday - no mow May is now one mow May so far for me now - and went to bed late and very tired.  Woke up at 10:00 (!) and had to run and get a grocery pickup order, then cleaned up and got to work on half the front yard.  Thatching is hard work, so only half as I want to see how this grass seed and fertilizer works to improve that lawn.  It looks okay from the street, but when I see it out the window the thatch and bare spots were very noticeable.

After writing this I may get out the chainsaw and cut up some wood from neighbor Dave, a black walnut branch that fell and a dead lilac bush he cut down, as he was kind enough to save them for my fire pit.  Then at 2:30 the Bucks have a game 7 playoff game to watch and that will be the end of my productivity for the weekend.

As I was writing this a local restaurant showed up with a food order that I hadn't ordered.  We did order from them last night and got it last night, but the exact same order came today.  I discussed with the driver, verified I didn't get charged again, he said 'enjoy!' and handed it off.  So I guess I'll have something to eat during the game now, but I will continue to monitor that I don't get charged twice or else I'll have to make a phone call.

Last night I had a fire for just the second time so far this Spring.  I didn't really plan on it ahead of time, but the conditions were good so I went ahead.  I don't have the same compulsion to have a fire as I used to.  In 2020 I had nothing else, we were newly holed up at home day and night and not going out at all so I turned to the firepit.  I went through a whole lot of wood that year.  In 2021 it was better in that there were times we did go out and about, so I still had fires but not as often.  This year it's back to normal, I guess, so lifestyle and just being able to go out more freely again has lessened my need for this escape.

The game starts in an hour so I'm going to get some wood cut before settling in for the game and relaxing the rest of the day.  Cheers, everyone.

New Couch

At last! 258 days after we bought it, our new sleeper sofa and ottoman arrived this afternoon.

We've had the rug repositioned and ready for a week or two now.  This couch is about 8 inches longer than the old one and, straight across from the couch, the newer buffet table we got a while ago is smaller than the old tv stand we had, so the rug fits the space better now.

The old couch was moved to the porch yesterday.  I thought we'd have to take it out the front door, carry it down the driveway and bring it in to the porch that way, but the length was just short enough to fit through the doors and hallway vertically, turning it through the doorways (with the legs removed).  My spring vacation project will likely be painting the porch so I'll get pictures of that area to share in a few weeks.

Well, I'm glad we didn't cancel the order a few months ago.  The color is pretty good, the cushions firm and the fabric is the best we could find for having cats.  The sleeper pulls out easily and the ottoman has storage in it.  Finding something else we liked would have been difficult, and this set now goes for a couple hundred dollars more than we paid for it on August 24 last year than if we bought it today.

For today's weather report:  Sunny but very windy, and nice - currently 82ºF (about 26ºC).  I've not gone for a walk today due to an appointment after work and then many trips downstairs and to the garage for cleaning stuff out of the porch, but will get back to that this week.  And we have the windows open for the second time so far this year!  The goal is to not have to close them again until overnight temperatures make it necessary, but getting through a couple days this week without having to start the air conditioner might be difficult.  That was my fear, going pretty much straight from heating to air conditioning, and I really hope we don't.

Spring Pictures

A month and a half after Spring officially began it will be a nice, seasonable weekend, finally.  In the meantime, plants have grown as we cowered inside, away from the cool and wet.  Leaves are starting to open on the trees.  And jackets are being left on the hook more often.

The big comforter has been washed and stored and a thinner blanket on the bed in its place.  Windows have not been opened just yet (except once) but that time will be very soon now.  And the grass is getting a bit long around the edges.  

Speaking of grass; we'll see if I can do this No Mow May thing until the end of the month, though it may get strimmed in areas at the very least.  The current fad sweeping the nation, it is to help the pollinators.

A few other pictures from today after the break.

Vaccinated, Again

Yesterday after work I went and got my second Covid booster shot.  It was recommended for people over 50 a few weeks ago, and now they're talking about shots for kids as young as six months, so I thought I'd beat the rush.  Also, while having lunch with a friend a couple weeks ago he discussed his mother and the issues she's had with shingles, and he gently reminded me that I'm over 50 and should get that vaccination, as well.  So I did that, too.  Same arm, I figured why have two sore arms?

The last time I had a Covid shot I remember feeling crappy the next day and as it was a slower day I wound up taking a half day off.  Today, after my fourth Covid shot and first (of two) shingles shots, I expected my arm to be sore and it is.  What I didn't expect is to feel like I have all-out flu.  I feel so terribly bad right now.  After contacting my boss early I went back to bed, just got up recently and feel no better at all so will end up there again very shortly.

Still, I think it's worth it to feel bad in the short term rather than risk health issues in the long term.  But that does not make me feel better right now.

As for today's weather report: It will be rainy all day again today with highs eventually getting to the upper 40's ºF, so still much below average.  But I saw on the news this morning that we are no longer officially in a mild drought, but officially dry, still.  I didn't know dry was an official term.  The plants don't care and have been coming up as normal, and (they say) we should get more seasonable in a week.

Seems like we've been waiting forever this spring.  I'm going back to bed.

Yesterday's Walk

It was another fairly busy day on the bike path since the weather was so nice, but still a good walk and refreshing to be comfortable outdoors again.  The grass is turning green and a few plants are coming up, but most everything is still brown from winter but will burst forth in greenery soon enough.

This picture is similar to one I posted from the first day of spring.  The ice cream shop is a popular place just to the right of the bike path here, while the community gardens are getting cleaned up and planting started with hay bales and fresh soil provided for the gardeners.

After the break are a few other pictures I decided to share because once the flora grows in earnest the views will be harder to see.

Nice Spring Day... Finally!

The first thing I noticed when I looked out the window this morning was how green the grass was.  It was still wet out from yesterday's and last night's rain, and it seems to have done wonders.  Temperatures rose steadily overnight and it's expected to get to the upper 70's ºF (about 22ºC) this afternoon for our nicest day of the year so far and since the first day of spring, a whole 5 weeks ago now.  The trees continue budding and plants have continued to come up despite the cool temperatures and rainy/snowy weather.

I've complained quite a bit this year, and while it has definitely been cooler and snowier than recent springs Google Pictures often reminds me that we do get this weather in April so we're not that far off from average, after all.  Well, I guess you could just say I've really had spring fever this year.  I'm so very tired of being cooped up in the house all day almost every day due to cold, snow or rain.  Soon it will be time for outdoor chores, and I even started already with some lawn patch the other day and a bit of weed pulling.

The plan for the day is normal chores and Saturday relaxing this morning, mostly over by now, then I'm going out to lunch with a friend to a Greek restaurant I've not been to before but I think will be good.  Early this afternoon my wife will be getting home from taking care of her Dad, so then we'll go for a walk, probably down to the Atwood area for maybe a drink and a snack.  There will likely be lots of people out and about today so we'll see how crowded the bike path and businesses are, but I expect everywhere to be busy as many people like us will be eager to get outside and enjoy the weather today.

This evening I'll be grilling out for the first time of the season; natural casing hot dogs that I got from the butcher when I picked up our last quarter cow.  And maybe, possibly, could there be a fire tonight?  The weather will be good for it but it may depend on how tired I am by then.  Today should be a good day to lift my spirits, and sorely needed.  Have a great weekend, everyone!

(Edit: It's going to get way too windy this afternoon for a fire, but I think I'll manage with the grill.  Windy like last post so I'll have to check out that wind map again.)