April Coffee Pot. April 1. 17 years and still going. Enjoy any type of coffee that you like.

[wrmcclellan]

Afternoon folks!

A very slow start to the day - ugh...

Got the energy to go vote in local elections so that got me out of the house for 15 min.

A few weeks ago the swimming pool/spa heater quit. Took a bit of research to figure out how to pull the front cover. Yesterday I was able to see that the electronic spark ignition was producing a pilot flame - but the unit would not stop the 5 ignition sparking attempts followed by a few seconds rest and then repeat. So it was not sensing the pilot was lit. These electronic ignitors do not use a thermocouple and I have yet to understand how it senses the pilot is OK. Regardless - after we got back from voting I decided to use the instructions I found and pull the control circuit board to get the part number and order a replacement (ugh - $300 on sale - but hey(!) free shipping!). When I got the board out there was a small fried lizard with 2 marks on him that matched a couple of component solder pads on the PCB. Hmmmm - got the ohm meter out and the lizard roast caused two circuit traces to open up. Scraped the traces and soldered jumpers on them, took it out and tried it on the heater and Voila! It works! Cleaned and painted the exposed repairs (as this is an outdoor unit the circuits are coated with 'humiseal' to protect the PCB/components from moisture)with some good ol' Testers enamel. Buttoned it up & hopefully good for another season? Left the lizard carcass in the enclosure as a warning...

Going out for Italian tonight with a couple of neighbors (their first venture out) at a neighborhood spot that is still distancing the tables. Also BYOB which makes the Mrs happy - me - cannot have any alcohol (yet)...

Dennis - inspections here are annual - PITA!

[Flintlock76]

'Devil, I read your posts to Lady Firestorm, which caused her to do quite a bit of muttering.  You see, here father was a volunteer firefighter in our home town of Paramus from the day he and her mother moved there from Yonkers to the day he died, about thirty years.  Paramus was all-volunteer, and as far as professionalism goes was second to none.  They're still all-volunteer. There's been talk of going professional over the years but it hasn't been needed.

There are some towns in the eastern, more densly populated areas of Bergen County that have a small cadre of full-timers and the rest of the manning level is volunteer.  

Lady F is the one who found Paramus Company 3's parade rig, a 1940 Seagrave pumper, but I think I've mentioned that already.  A funny story! 

[fifedog]

Hey Chief, howzabout being a rover reporter and snapping a few shots of that train show. Maybe post of SPF tomorrow...?

[ChiefEagles]

62 up from 52 at 6 AM. Wifey's plant sell is under way. Always a mess to get set up.

Now shower and get on the road to Cary. Present the Black Female Citizen of the Year award for an organization. Stop back by Fairgrounds for a model train event.

Enjoy your day.

[fifedog]

Mornin' windbags. Man, was that some breeze yesterday. Yowza! Much more pleasant today, 51 and sunny along the Patterson Creek cut-off. Bear was here overnight (apparently impervious to tropical force winds) and made off with the Oriole feeder. Will scout the woodline when it warms up afterwhile.

On the train front, stopped by Michael's and picked up some pink and purple floral sprigs, and some new fan bristle brushes.  Their shelves are finally starting to get more stock in now.

Scooped up Alexis from Shepherdstown yesterday. Only took 10 minutes to fill the Dodge and head back west. She looked tired after finishing all of her classes and assignments this week. Stopped off at Oscar's (south Cumberland) for dinner, then home to unpack.  She will probably sleep 'til Thursday...

[anjdevil2]

Thanks, Kev.....

Yes, there are good and bad in every profession. 

He's a Pro Union guy and thinks I'm stealing his job. 

I've lived here pre and post Florida.  It's my home, and I take pride in protecting my home town. 42 years a member - yes I still get on the truck.

Our taxes are high enough. To put a paid department here, I'd literally have to move.  Even at $40k per year per firefighter, with bennies and all that you're looking at $50-60K per and you'll need at least 4, 5 days per week.

I have friends that are career and some that also volunteer.  We all get along just fine.  There is always the one guy.........

[KRM]

 

Sunny and 65 on The North Bluff. Cut the east end grass and along the lane.

Rich sorry someone is jacking with you on the firefighter thing. Here is my story on Volunteer Firefighters. We had them in Plainfield almost all my life, most just partied at the fire house. When the town hit 5,000 people, they had to go full time.  In 1994 one January, night it was -22 degrees. I smelled gas and called the fire department and told them I was smelling gas. They came to the house and what did they do????? They rang the doorbell!!!!! Could have blown themselves and us to kingdom come. The best firefighter, volunteer or full time is only as good as the dumbest one he is working with. The guy from the gas company told me the only reason we did not get blown up was because the gas was at over 30% in the house and that it to high to blow up. The main had broken in the street and all that gas was coming through our crawl space. I think he said gas blows between 3 and 18% concentration? We lucked out that night.

RT, I hear you on the maybe barred. 

Better log off and clear my history and cache.

[wrmcclellan]

Good morning from N Texess....presently 62 and drizzling....the yard is a swamp...

Received a rebuilt AIR (smog) pump from an Ebay rebuilder. Looks really good. This is the last major piece to complete the El Cam emissions stuff rebuild. Will be inspection ready by August renewal. Once the windshield is out I will replace the dash (easier to do with windshield out) after I complete the windshield channel repaint. Also have a new headliner to install and then all the interior trim can be reinstalled. After August I can focus on appearance and a few other minor things like new valve cover gaskets - and maybe the oil pan gasket. 

It is the time of the year to prepare for de-winterizing the boat. Ordered a new water pump impeller/gasket, fuel filter, and oil filter.

Banks - bummer about the hot tub valve. I have done similar - get caught up in completing a repair and then...part in wrong orientation or in wrong sequence...

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys. Sunny and breeeeeezy along the Allegany front range. Headed  east to bring the youngest princess home from college.

Hummingbirds. We have lots of flowers to keep them busy. Besides, can't put those feeders up until bears move along. They luuuuvvvv that sugar water stuff...

[ChiefEagles]

73 and WINDY. Think some have wind warnings. On up into NY.

 

Errands and help Wifey get ready for her plant sale.

 

Wifey finally put up hummingbird feeder. Told her some around. She saw one this AM.

 

Flintlock, will do.  Thanks for the info. -

 

Have a good one.

 

[anjdevil2]

TGIF!!!

Good morning - 

I have some idiot keyboard warrior busting my stone about career vs volunteer firefighters.  He'll hide behind his keyboard - it's fine, just an annoyance.

Finished the grande life story last night as Jenni completed portrait #1 and started portrait #2.  So I just need to clean up the paperwork I have left and submit it next week.

Rain has made way for high winds - up to 50MPH today - so we're on a high wind warning until tonight.

Sunny and 60s - better tomorrow and even better on Sunday.

Well, off to work, then to Jenni's 

[MartyE]

Morning everybody.

Cooled off last night and it looks like the rain with move out but cloudy.  Green tea in the mug.

Not much going on here.  Getting rid of junk and trying to clean up still.  Heading up to "The Curve" tomorrow to watch some trains.  Just need to get away for a day.

Hope everyone stays safe.

[Banks]

Hello there,

There was a shortage of labor before the craziness. Not sure what they were thinking by making unemployment pay so well. When asked last year PA governor said that employers need to raise wages enough to get them back to work. A workaround to raise minimum wage?????

Roy.....good deal on the windshield.

Joe.....glad your son is improving.

Uneventful week so far.

Struggling with the hot tub repair. Thought I had it today until I realized I'd glued one of the new valves 180 degrees off. Big brain fart. Ended up destroying the valve but the rest of the assembly is ok. Probably get the new one by Tuesday.

Son did most of his plowing last weekend. The ground is really dry for the end of April. Hay is behind barley is way behind. We did get some showers last night and today but we need a couple of day soaker.

Pulled the trigger on a mini split. Bought it on Amazon $450 less than my HVAC tech cousin could get from his suppliers. He checked it out and said the seller is a reputable national wholesaler.

Bed is calling.

Prayers for those in need and the end of this pandemic.  

[dougdagrump]

ChiefEagles

 

Work? Who does that. Was in McDonalds in Wilson. Nice black manager offered us a job instantly. Said she can not hire workers. Has a special hiring station inside. All BoJangles in Wilson closed to inside dinning. Not due to virus. No workers. [different franchise owner than my buddy who owns most in NC and VA] Teenagers running McDonalds Rolesville. Government paying folks not to work. Just print more money. Wars and policing the world cost money. 

 

 

Frank, That is a major problem country wide. Why work when uncle Joe is willing to pay you more to stay home than if you actually went to work. 

[Flintlock76]

ChiefEagles

Wanted to Clorox vinyl on building but super windy. Go wash out rain barrel as empty. Needs it bad I'm sure.

Chief, if you've got mold or skuzz or whatever on your vinyl siding try what I used.

It's called "Mold Armor" and it's available at Lowes and I'm sure other hardware stores.  It runs about $9.95 a jug and I used it on the house last year.  Worked great and took the crud right off.  It's made for siding and decks and it took 5 jugs to take care of the house, which is a heck of a lot cheaper than paying someone $200 to do a power wash. I did have to scrub the front railings a bit but that's all. 

[ChiefEagles]

86 and partly cloudy [guessers said sunny by noon, missed it again]. Windy as all get out.

 

Back from PT.

 

Food for thought.  Friend Fred says dollar will disappear. Worthless. New currency will be made. Europe and China will refuse to take the dollar.

 

Work? Who does that. Was in McDonalds in Wilson. Nice black manager offered us a job instantly. Said she can not hire workers. Has a special hiring station inside. All BoJangles in Wilson closed to inside dinning. Not due to virus. No workers. [different franchise owner than my buddy who owns most in NC and VA] Teenagers running McDonalds Rolesville. Government paying folks not to work. Just print more money. Wars and policing the world cost money. 

 

Wanted to Clorox vinyl on building but super windy. Go wash out rain barrel as empty. Needs it bad I'm sure.

 

Maybe plant but suppose to hit 90. No rain until possibly tomorrow afternoon.

 

Later.

[fifedog]

anjdevil - What sacrifice for glory.

[wrmcclellan]

Morning folks!

Cloudy and we musta got 2 in of rain last night. Light rain predicted on and off through Sun...all good!

The windshield company is scheduled for Mon to come out and pull the El Cam (cracked) windshield. They will remove the windshield, remove the 37 yr old butyl rubber adhesive (it is extremely tough/hard), and the rear view mirror mount (glued to windshield). I will sand down the channel, prime and put a coat of paint on it. Then they will come back and install the new windshield. All in about $300 for the new windshield. It will probably be June before I have them come back at my present working speed. I toyed with removing it myself - not realistic...for $75 to remove (with the appropriate tools), well worth it.

Today my son gets his associates degree (diploma pending final grade on one class). Since he split between a college and Univ TX Dallas (UTD), decided to grab the college Assoc degree along the way. May help for a summer job he is thinking about. We have a time slot for a graduation celebration photo session at their McKinney TX campus. No auditorium events yet.

DJ - the blade/throat plate on my table saw was made of pot metal and disintegrated. I nade a replacment from plywood with some washers to level with the table top (mine screws to the table with 4 #8 machine screws). I then slowly raised the blade through the plywood for the slot. For tilting and dadoes, I made another plywood 'plate' used my "wobble" dado blade and again slowly raised the blade - in small wobble increments to carve the side slot. Doing this with a regular dado may be too risky since the increments with the chipper blades are large (1/8"+) - so I think you could make a second narrow slot as on the first plate and use a jigsaw to widen the slot. Good luck!

[Flintlock76]

Going up to 92 degrees today in the Richmond area, so they say.

No, no, not now, not yet!  Please, I'm not ready!  

[anjdevil2]

Good Morning - it's Friday Eve!!!

Blew through lunch and snuck out of work at 5:40 PM, made the game, started at 2nd base.  Went 2 for 4, a fielder's choice and scored 3 times.  Turned a double play and made a SportsCenter highlight catch fading back to short right, held the ball in my glove while falling backwards.  22-8 winners for our first game.  Aleve and dinner afterwards Better today, I expect pain in the morning.

MIGHT hit fire drill tonight or go to Jenni's....last Thursday of the month is optional drill or we'll see.

Jenni is finishing up portrait #1 of 6.  June 1st is looming large....

Sunday we'll head over to my house, do yard clean up with the kids.  A nice opportunity to hang with the Princess and her consort is always a good time!!!

70s today, already cloudy and occasional drizzle/rain.

Off to work - will check back later!!

[ChiefEagles]

Well, had to be a monster bear. You've seen big ones on camera shaking feeders. Look what this one did.

Probably this one taken the week before. Strange, only feeder hit.

Camera should have a photo or two of the raider. That is thick wall 3/4 inch conduit over 1/2 inch conduit driven in the ground.

All else was well. Clover plots sprayed with Arrest. Kills grasses and etc. and not clover.

Rest up now.

[anjdevil2]

Mid week, today

I'll try to blow out of here early, Softball game tonight......then off to Jenni's to try to complete my paperwork - yeah, right......I'm on page 3 and more to come....

'Supposed to hit 80 today, I have the windows open, which may be a mistake due to the pollen, but it is what it is......

I think Friday, I'm dropping the Fiesta off at Ford, at 34K miles, the check engine light is on ---- no, I'm not scanning or diagnosing it....I can't be bothered with this.  My Magnum, however......

We'll be home Sunday the 30th hosting a Hemi Owner's Picnic, so I think we'll have the 500 on the big screen

That's all from here - already had an email to fix something - so off I go - back later

[wrmcclellan]

ChiefEagles

Headed east.

Must be going for a dip in the Atlantic?

Cloudy and trying to rain. Lotsa rain predicted for tonight. We'll see...

Vet visit went OK - health/stats good.

Today more sorting/cleaning in the garage. Have a new script for eyeglasses, so may run that down to the optician.

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys. Cloudy and 76 in the Potomac Highlands. Orioles showed up today, so I'm headed to Tractor Supply for their treats. Might get in a little fishing later, too.

Yesterday, Wifey had me up on the ladder scouring downspouts. We use Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom spray, with good results. Was supposed to finish cleaning track in train room, but I was too whooped. Her front porch is all ready for Southern Living cover.

[ChiefEagles]

60 and fair. To be close to 90 today. 

Headed east.

Enjoy your day.

[KRM]

MartyE

I don't know if I'd be bragging if you are getting another seat in congress.  It just means a lot of loonies moved from their state into yours and will be trying to tell you how to live your life.

 

Spot on Marty! 

 Glad then nuts are leaving here, we were not happy when they came here in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s  and the CEOs will keep playing the shell game to get it for free. Glad NC and those other soon to be sad states will get their chance to pay huge taxes for BIG business and free stuff for their people who came here and are are now going home. The next rust belt? You can have them all.

 A lot of the NC guys like Lindsey better go shoping for Blue Suits. I think their days are short. Keep moving people, like Flintlock said voteing with their feet. All okay with me. JMHO. Enough said.

Man, hot today for us today. Hope it gets cold and runs more people south.

 They say rain tonight, not sure that will happen.

 

[Demay]

Happy Tuesday all.  

Please keep your loonies in your own states.  No one needs to move here; Tennessee is awful.  

[wrmcclellan]

Afternoon all!

Hey MikeC!!!! Glad you got back in!

Cloudy and some sprinkles today - 80ish. Rain for Wed & Thurs.

Vet appt made for for BIL's dog (Radar!) we inherited. Getting him a checkup. It looks like the BIL will not be getting out of assisted/skilled nursing so the dog will stay with us unless BIL makes a miracle recovery. Luckily we were able to find the vet the BIL used in Denton, so records are being transferred to the vet we used to use when we last had a dog. Luckily Radar is current for shots but tags are lost.

Today was spent with a trip to DFW airport and USCBP face-to-face interview for the renewal of our Global Entry/TSA Precheck card/credentials. Went smooth - most time involved the trip to the airport and parking. Took quite a while to get the appt as the program/renewals were suspended much of last year due to the COVID.

[MartyE]

I don't know if I'd be bragging if you are getting another seat in congress.  It just means a lot of loonies moved from their state into yours and will be trying to tell you how to live your life.