Big Blue Tub

For some time I've been looking for a better solution to washing dishes at the barbecue patio. I've been using a big stew pot that holds maybe 2 or 3 gallons but it really isn't wide enough.

Today we stopped at Dick's Sporting Goods on the Carlisle Pike and I found a big blue tub that should work perfectly. It's wide enough so my spatulas will fit, and deep enough to cover even my dutch ovens. I'm pleased with the purchase, although T thinks that the bright blue color is a bit much.

She thinks dish washing accessories should be more understated, I guess.

T Finished The Deck!

For the record, T wants it known that she is the one that actually finished the deck. I was not able to go the distance and collapsed just yards from the finish line.

T finished screwing down the deck boards, about 500 screws in all. For each one she had to drill a pilot hole plus drive in the 2 1/2 inch screws. I played a limited role consisting mainly of keeping the batteries for the cordless drill charged.

I can claim some of the credit for the lovely deck, but T did much of the work and provided all of the inspiration.

East Brunswick, NJ

The challenge driving in New Jersey is making left-hand turns. You have to get in the right-hand lane and watch for an "all turns" sign. Then you exit and quickly loop around to a traffic light. To turn left you must turn right.

This week I am staying at a Best Western Inn, about 15 minutes from the bank where I'm working. Looks like I'll have four full days' of work and won't get home till late Friday night. It happens sometimes.

But there are three restaurants within walking distance, so I don't have to drive anywhere in the evenings. The weather has been nice -- not too hot in the day, low humidity, and cool in the evenings. No ranch chores, so all I have to do is hang around in the evenings with a clear conscience -- surf the Internet, post on the blog and listen to my audio books. I can even "Sling" local TV over the Internet to my little netbook. Almost like lounging in the WR!

It's a wonderful life!

River Trip #2 - Howe Township Park to Amity Hall

It rained last night, pretty hard. The river (Juniata) popped up about 6 inches overnight -- a total of about 4.2 feet at Newport. It wasn't too muddy, though, so I talked T into taking me to the river. I got in at Howe Township Park about 2:15 pm, got organized and was on the river by 2:25.

It was a smooth float, peaceful till I hit the rapids about 3 miles above the Amity Hall access. You can see these from Rt. 322 - just before the Midway exit. Since the water was high I wasn't too worried about getting hung up, but I did get a little wet going through the fastest section. No harm done, though. I pulled the front scupper plugs to drain the water from the cockpit. The rest of me dried out quickly.

Below the biggest drop is is a series of smaller rapids, not too scary but I got hung up on a rock and for a while though I might pitch it. I rocked back and forth and worked myself loose, then went through the rest of the rapids backwards.

I probably was a sight. An old fat guy wearing a safari shirt, an explorer hat (Lindsay got it for me), an XXL blue life vest, Teva sandals and wet shorts -- ricocheting down through the rapids backwards, trying to pretend I meant to do it that way.

Good thing there are no pictures of that part.

Anyway, I was off the river by 5:30 pm -- a good trip, all considered.

Finishing Touches

The deck trim is done. All I have to do now is fill some cracks with wood filler. Most of the cracks are small gaps between the top of the spindle and the bottom of the top rail. There are lots of gaps in the fist two sections, then fewer in each subsequent section until virtually none at the end.

Reason: I acquired rail-building skills as I progressed.

The filler should be easy -- I can sit on the step-stool and work the putty knife with one hand. I can even switch hands if I want to. And I will want to!

Depending on how the wood filler goes on I might have to do a little finish sanding, but that's it!

Lindsay In London

Lindsay made it safely to London. You can follow her adventures here, provided she can find enough time between work and fun to keep us updated!

She'll be doing intern work with Crimestoppers, UK. I'm interested to know just what kind of crimes she'll be stopping and how, but I guess we'll all learn that shortly.

Meanwhile, you can feel a tad bit safer now since Lindsay is on the job!

Bonzi Hates Cats

Hate might not be the right word, but he sure screeches whenever he spies one. He's figured out that Freak is usually hiding under the deck or the big shed. When we go out he makes a point to snuffle at all the deck/shed openings. If he catches a whiff of the Freak he starts to holler, no doubt scaring her out of a couple more lives.

He has the stray cats in a state of panic, too. In the evenings they creep along the treeline next to the deck in the hope of getting a shot at Freak's cat food. If Bonzi happens to be on the barbecue patio and spots one he lets out a ferocious squawl. It scares the crap out of the little buggers.

The barn cats are wary, too. We rarely see the ugly black one that used to saunter in an out like she owned the place. The kittens cleared out a couple of weeks ago, too.

We keep Bonzi on a leash, or course, so he won't actually hurt any of these interlopers. We don't want to be picketed by animal rights activists.

Screwing Down Boards

OK, major deck construction is done!

Now for some finish carpentry. I have to go back over each piece of decking and put the missing screws in. After that I have to do the finish trim. I will make quarter round stock out of decking material and frame around the bottom of each post. A few of the deck ends need filler pieces -- I can do this as I trim.

Finally I have to fill various cracks and gaps with wood dough.

If I can stay on task I'll be rewarded with another river trip on Saturday!

Driving To The Hoop

T is headed north for a combination birthday party (Eric) and 4th of July weekend while I assume Acting Ranch Manager status. I have absolute power and complete freedom to do exactly as I please.

Provided, of course, that the deck is finished by the time T returns on Sunday.

Oh, and critter duty, of course. And general landscape maintenance. And T asked me to drag the riding ring. And I have to hang curtain rods in Lindsay's room.

But other than that I'm free!