We are going to redo the lighting in the Kitchen this winter. The ceiling is one of those "Hanging ceilings" that is suspended about four inches below the real ceiling.
Lighting is provided by three four foot long florescent fixtures that are just laying on top of the framing. Pretty cheap and cheesy.
The setup was already there when I bought the house, and it was never worth the amount of work required to switch them out.
Problem one is that they go through florescent bulbs like crazy. Way sooner than they should. It is because the fixtures themselves are the cheapest you can possibly buy.
And they are now failing. Two of the spots will now not work at all. So we have decided it is time to do something about them.
We went down to Lowes Hardware to check out the stock and look for new ideas. I found some oak cased lights with a wooden gridwork that will match the kitchen cabinets, and they take four florescent bulbs each, so they ought to provide plenty of light.
While we were wandering around the middle f the store looking at lights, I caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye.
There, on the cement floor, a hundred yards from any exit, was a tree frog.
He was covered in dust bunnies.
So I went and caught him, and cleaned him up by taking the dust bunnies off of him. A couple of employees were walking bu so I asked them "How much for the tree frogs?"
Of course they looked at me like I had lost my mind. "Huh?"
I cracked my hand open enough that they could see the frog. They were all fascinated. One announced that it was a Spring Peeper, but as spring peepers, also known as green tree frogs, live only in the southeastern U.S., that was pretty unlikely.
When I checking out I showed him to the clerk and she wanted to touch him, but couldn't quite bring herself to do so.
What to do?
I went to the (outdoor) Garden Center and asked them if the had a home for the frog, but they said they were in the process of shutting down for the winter. There were no woods near, only the planter strips in the parking lot. I didn't give him much chance of survival if I just dumped him off there. So I stored him temporarily in an old empty Cassette case. He rode in the storage area below the radio, peering out the whole way home.
I let him go in the Tibetan Magnolia in the front yard.
But how the hell does a tree frog get out in the middle of a warehouse hundreds of yards from the nearest tree?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Bravery
A while back I related the story of Earl Pleasant, and several people made the comment that what I had done was brave.
I disagree.
I did what was necessary to save someones life. I did not at any time consider what I was doing or why I was doing it, or the possible consequences.
To me, Bravery is when you are scared as hell, and go ahead and do the right thing, fully knowing it might have severe consequences.
Which brings up the following:
We had a patient in the Psychiatric ward at Camp Kue. He was Paranoid Schizophrenic. He was in the Air Force. Because he was a troubled person, he caused a lot of problems in his unit. The answer for this was to give him a weapon and have him patrol the perimeter of the base at night. He ended up unloading a clip in the jungle at imaginary people.
He came to visit us, and was still suffering from paranoid delusions.
He decided that he wanted to go play pool in the open part of the hospital, and was told that he was not ready to go out among the general population.
His reply was to go get a chair and throw it through the window. He then loudly asked "Can I go play pool NOW?
Same answer, so he threw another piece of furniture. Same answer.
Then he ran back to his bunk and pulled out a 12" diving knife and asked "CAN I GO TO THE DAY ROOM AND PLAY POOL NOW?.
Same answer.
We called down to the Emergency room for the "Goon Squad" who were supposed to take care of any such situations.
They came up to the ward, Looked into the common area where the patient was menacing the other patient and staff with his knife, took one look and said "Hell no", turned around and left. That left a couple of us enlisted guys.
We looked at each other, and someone said "Well. we got this to do before he hurts someone. Who's got a plan?"
We decided on our plan. We would slide around the outside of the common area and get a mattress of of the nearest bed, then rush him and keep pushing until we had him pinned against the wall. One of us would go for the knife and another other would get him in a choke hold. We could control him until until a nurse or doctor could get in and give him a shot.
Knowing fully well that if things did not go well, these might be our last moments alive, or that we could be permanently maimed, we grabbed the mattress and went for it.
The plan was executed perfectly. The one guy got the patient in a choke hold, and cut off the blood supply to his brain, while I immobilized the knife hand.
We choked him until he passed out, then yelled for the doc to get in here. We would let up until he began to struggle, then put him back under. After all we didn't want to harm him, just control him until he could be sedated. Eventually a doctor gave him a tranquilizer and he went under.
This was a defining moment for me. A lot of people wonder how they would hold up in a situation when they are faced with possible death or injury, and most. thankfully never have to find out.
If I have ever done anything brave in my life it was that moment.
But I was still just doing what was necessary even though I was scared to death.
I disagree.
I did what was necessary to save someones life. I did not at any time consider what I was doing or why I was doing it, or the possible consequences.
To me, Bravery is when you are scared as hell, and go ahead and do the right thing, fully knowing it might have severe consequences.
Which brings up the following:
We had a patient in the Psychiatric ward at Camp Kue. He was Paranoid Schizophrenic. He was in the Air Force. Because he was a troubled person, he caused a lot of problems in his unit. The answer for this was to give him a weapon and have him patrol the perimeter of the base at night. He ended up unloading a clip in the jungle at imaginary people.
He came to visit us, and was still suffering from paranoid delusions.
He decided that he wanted to go play pool in the open part of the hospital, and was told that he was not ready to go out among the general population.
His reply was to go get a chair and throw it through the window. He then loudly asked "Can I go play pool NOW?
Same answer, so he threw another piece of furniture. Same answer.
Then he ran back to his bunk and pulled out a 12" diving knife and asked "CAN I GO TO THE DAY ROOM AND PLAY POOL NOW?.
Same answer.
We called down to the Emergency room for the "Goon Squad" who were supposed to take care of any such situations.
They came up to the ward, Looked into the common area where the patient was menacing the other patient and staff with his knife, took one look and said "Hell no", turned around and left. That left a couple of us enlisted guys.
We looked at each other, and someone said "Well. we got this to do before he hurts someone. Who's got a plan?"
We decided on our plan. We would slide around the outside of the common area and get a mattress of of the nearest bed, then rush him and keep pushing until we had him pinned against the wall. One of us would go for the knife and another other would get him in a choke hold. We could control him until until a nurse or doctor could get in and give him a shot.
Knowing fully well that if things did not go well, these might be our last moments alive, or that we could be permanently maimed, we grabbed the mattress and went for it.
The plan was executed perfectly. The one guy got the patient in a choke hold, and cut off the blood supply to his brain, while I immobilized the knife hand.
We choked him until he passed out, then yelled for the doc to get in here. We would let up until he began to struggle, then put him back under. After all we didn't want to harm him, just control him until he could be sedated. Eventually a doctor gave him a tranquilizer and he went under.
This was a defining moment for me. A lot of people wonder how they would hold up in a situation when they are faced with possible death or injury, and most. thankfully never have to find out.
If I have ever done anything brave in my life it was that moment.
But I was still just doing what was necessary even though I was scared to death.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Updates
When I went in to renew the tabs for the Westy, the clerk said that they couldn't do it because it had been sold.
Huh?
It seems it had been reported as sold. As I was standing there with the registration showing myself as the legal owner, as well as a current insurance card and drivers license, they let me fill out an affidavit stating I had never sold the car. I guess that was why I never received notification that the tabs were expired.
Oh well, it's taken care of now.
The new locking gas cap came in and works just fine.
I ordered a new drivers side rear view mirror, but haven't gotten it in yet, despite a couple of e-mails to the vendor, despite the fact that I TYPED IN CAPITOL LETTERS.
What a joke.
We took the Westy out for a drive up Snoqualmie Pass last Saturday to look at the fall leaves and stomp around in the woods looking for mushrooms. The fall leaves at the falls on Box Canyon were magnificent. I really regretted not bringing along the camera.
I paid off the car and the Visa bill this week, so we are going out tomorrow and splurge on dinner. The Red Lobster beckons.
Huh?
It seems it had been reported as sold. As I was standing there with the registration showing myself as the legal owner, as well as a current insurance card and drivers license, they let me fill out an affidavit stating I had never sold the car. I guess that was why I never received notification that the tabs were expired.
Oh well, it's taken care of now.
The new locking gas cap came in and works just fine.
I ordered a new drivers side rear view mirror, but haven't gotten it in yet, despite a couple of e-mails to the vendor, despite the fact that I TYPED IN CAPITOL LETTERS.
What a joke.
We took the Westy out for a drive up Snoqualmie Pass last Saturday to look at the fall leaves and stomp around in the woods looking for mushrooms. The fall leaves at the falls on Box Canyon were magnificent. I really regretted not bringing along the camera.
I paid off the car and the Visa bill this week, so we are going out tomorrow and splurge on dinner. The Red Lobster beckons.
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
OOPS!
When we got home from our trip, I was unloading and straightening out the Westy. I went to close the back hatch, I glanced down and saw that the license tabs expired last March!
That's right, over six months ago.
A good bit of that time it was in the shop, but still. Five states, six National Parks, and about 3500 miles, and no one noticed that the tabs were expired.
Guess I'd better take care of that.
That's right, over six months ago.
A good bit of that time it was in the shop, but still. Five states, six National Parks, and about 3500 miles, and no one noticed that the tabs were expired.
Guess I'd better take care of that.
Sunday, October 02, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
3417 Miles
We just rolled in last night from our trip. 3417 Miles in 15 days.
It was a wonderful trip, we went so many places and saw so many wonderful things. The only thing bad was that we didn't have enough time. We would have to have taken at least a month to cram everything in. The itinerary was like this:
First day, a short trip just to get used to being on the road. First night at Paradise Point State park. It may have been a Paradise at some time, but not recently. The park is maybe 30 yards from the freeway, so all night it was listening to semi's putting on the jake brakes. It would have been a nice place except for the traffic noises. The other thing was that Mrs A got stung by a hornet withing five minutes of our arrival. For some reason, hornets like to sting her. But she isn't allergic or anything, so it wasn't too bad. Got our first chance to use the on-board air conditioning, and it was great. The temperature outside was in the 90s, so it was great.
The second day we went up the gorge of the Columbia, with our main stop at Maryhill Mansion. It is this incredible Art Museum out in the middle of nowhere. After the museum we stopped off at Stonehenge, a scaled down model for the original, which was built as a memorial to the seventeen young men from Kittitas County who lost their lives in the First World War. The drive from there up the Columbia Gorge was nice, but it was incredibly hot. That night we stayed in the campground at Immigrant Springs in Oregon, a stopoff on the old Oregon Trail.
The next day we went up to Craters of the Moon in Idaho. Craters is the biggest lava flow in the contiguous United States. It was very bleak and fascinating. Splatter cones, lava tubes and all sorts of lava formations. That night Mother Nature put on quite a light show, in the form of a lightning storm. Lots of cloud-to-cloud lightning, It didn't rain very much, but was real entertaining.
The next day we just went as far as Twin Falls Idaho, grabbed lunch and booked a room at Shilo Inn. The room was incredible. We wanted to get cleaned up because the next day we were stopping in at Brigham City to see our son Rick and his wife and their kids.
The visit was nice. We took them all out for dinner at a BBQ place. It was supposed to be great, but I wasn't impressed. I do better ribs at home.
Next it was off to Zion National Park. We had two nights and days there. It was a great couple of days, other than the fact that the thunderstorms followed us, and we dodged them both days. We never got caught in one, but we couldn't take the hike up the Virgin River. The canyon is so narrow that you have to hike right up the river, and it was in flash flood status. But we saw some beautiful country and went on a couple of very nice short hikes. We went into town for dinner and had some very good pizza and split a bottle of wine. So far we could not have a campfire because of the dry conditions.
The following morning it was off to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The campground was great, and they allowed camp fires, so we got to grill some burgers over the fire for dinner. Nothing like food grilled over the campfire. We hiked about a mile out to Bright Angel point. The view was 3,000 feet straight down and ten miles across to the other side, and the hike back was right along the rim of the canyon. It was cool there temperature wise, but I had packed some warm clothes, so we were OK.
Next it was off to Bryce canyon for a couple of days. We stayed at the Best Western Hotel in Bryce city. We got a room with a Jacuzzi in it, right next to the pool. Very nice, but the food was marginal at best. We caught the shuttle out to Bryce Point, elevation 8300 feet. We hiked the trail down to the bottom. The down part was fine. The back up part was a little more challenging. I was surprise at how well we managed the hike back up, but there were a lot of stops. "We will make it to the next switchback, and then take a rest." Lots of rests, but we never got really winded. Some very incredible scenery.
Off the next morning to Capitol Reef. We weren't able to get a camping spot, so we had to backtrack and get a room at Best Western. I was not impressed with the room, and they wanted to charge us $7.95 for breakfast. No thank you. After we checked in, we drove up Capitol Wash, which was about 20 miles. The drive was well worth it. The walls of the canyon slowly closed it until they shut the road down. Back in the 20's the road went all the way through, but it is closed off now. For dinner we went to a restaurant right across the road from the Motel, and it was a real surprise. I had a steak with a cranberry demi-glaze. It was Divine. The best steak I have had in a long time. The dressing for the salad had never seen the inside of a bottle. Out here in the middle of nowhere was a world class chef. I would like to take a couple of days just to explore the menu.
The last stop on this portion of the trip was Arches National Park. When I was making the reservations for the trip, the campground was booked full, but I kept checking back a couple of times a day, and eventually got a one night reservation. I really wish we could have stayed longer. The campsite was really great, and a trail took off from right next to the campsite. We took a real nice hike off into the desert, but there were a couple of other hikes I would have loved to take, but we just didn't have the time, because it was time to head back home.
Next day, it was back to Brigham City for the night.
Then get up and head for home We made it as far as Baker City for the night. An average place. Then the final push for home. One note: Do not ever go to The Hungry Redneck Cafe. As a counterpoint to the best steak I have had in years, they had the worst. So tough I could not even cut through the gristle with a steak knife. Amazingly, the soup of the day was clam chowder, and it was very good. The final push home was long and tiring, but it was good to pull up in front of the place and get out. It was so good to sleep in our own bed.
As a little aside, I managed to lose the gas cap to the Westy along the way. At first I made a make-shift one out of a Coke can, but when I tightened it up, one of the tabs off, so I used a piece of plastic wrap and a couple of zip-ties, and it worked great. Of course the Westy has a very unusual size of cap, so they didn't even list a cap at the local NAPA stores. Hope I don't have to get stuck using plastic wrap for too long.
So the trip was a complete success. Too short, but long enough that we were really glad to get back home.
And tomorrow I have to go to work.
It was a wonderful trip, we went so many places and saw so many wonderful things. The only thing bad was that we didn't have enough time. We would have to have taken at least a month to cram everything in. The itinerary was like this:
First day, a short trip just to get used to being on the road. First night at Paradise Point State park. It may have been a Paradise at some time, but not recently. The park is maybe 30 yards from the freeway, so all night it was listening to semi's putting on the jake brakes. It would have been a nice place except for the traffic noises. The other thing was that Mrs A got stung by a hornet withing five minutes of our arrival. For some reason, hornets like to sting her. But she isn't allergic or anything, so it wasn't too bad. Got our first chance to use the on-board air conditioning, and it was great. The temperature outside was in the 90s, so it was great.
The second day we went up the gorge of the Columbia, with our main stop at Maryhill Mansion. It is this incredible Art Museum out in the middle of nowhere. After the museum we stopped off at Stonehenge, a scaled down model for the original, which was built as a memorial to the seventeen young men from Kittitas County who lost their lives in the First World War. The drive from there up the Columbia Gorge was nice, but it was incredibly hot. That night we stayed in the campground at Immigrant Springs in Oregon, a stopoff on the old Oregon Trail.
The next day we went up to Craters of the Moon in Idaho. Craters is the biggest lava flow in the contiguous United States. It was very bleak and fascinating. Splatter cones, lava tubes and all sorts of lava formations. That night Mother Nature put on quite a light show, in the form of a lightning storm. Lots of cloud-to-cloud lightning, It didn't rain very much, but was real entertaining.
The next day we just went as far as Twin Falls Idaho, grabbed lunch and booked a room at Shilo Inn. The room was incredible. We wanted to get cleaned up because the next day we were stopping in at Brigham City to see our son Rick and his wife and their kids.
The visit was nice. We took them all out for dinner at a BBQ place. It was supposed to be great, but I wasn't impressed. I do better ribs at home.
Next it was off to Zion National Park. We had two nights and days there. It was a great couple of days, other than the fact that the thunderstorms followed us, and we dodged them both days. We never got caught in one, but we couldn't take the hike up the Virgin River. The canyon is so narrow that you have to hike right up the river, and it was in flash flood status. But we saw some beautiful country and went on a couple of very nice short hikes. We went into town for dinner and had some very good pizza and split a bottle of wine. So far we could not have a campfire because of the dry conditions.
The following morning it was off to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The campground was great, and they allowed camp fires, so we got to grill some burgers over the fire for dinner. Nothing like food grilled over the campfire. We hiked about a mile out to Bright Angel point. The view was 3,000 feet straight down and ten miles across to the other side, and the hike back was right along the rim of the canyon. It was cool there temperature wise, but I had packed some warm clothes, so we were OK.
Next it was off to Bryce canyon for a couple of days. We stayed at the Best Western Hotel in Bryce city. We got a room with a Jacuzzi in it, right next to the pool. Very nice, but the food was marginal at best. We caught the shuttle out to Bryce Point, elevation 8300 feet. We hiked the trail down to the bottom. The down part was fine. The back up part was a little more challenging. I was surprise at how well we managed the hike back up, but there were a lot of stops. "We will make it to the next switchback, and then take a rest." Lots of rests, but we never got really winded. Some very incredible scenery.
Off the next morning to Capitol Reef. We weren't able to get a camping spot, so we had to backtrack and get a room at Best Western. I was not impressed with the room, and they wanted to charge us $7.95 for breakfast. No thank you. After we checked in, we drove up Capitol Wash, which was about 20 miles. The drive was well worth it. The walls of the canyon slowly closed it until they shut the road down. Back in the 20's the road went all the way through, but it is closed off now. For dinner we went to a restaurant right across the road from the Motel, and it was a real surprise. I had a steak with a cranberry demi-glaze. It was Divine. The best steak I have had in a long time. The dressing for the salad had never seen the inside of a bottle. Out here in the middle of nowhere was a world class chef. I would like to take a couple of days just to explore the menu.
The last stop on this portion of the trip was Arches National Park. When I was making the reservations for the trip, the campground was booked full, but I kept checking back a couple of times a day, and eventually got a one night reservation. I really wish we could have stayed longer. The campsite was really great, and a trail took off from right next to the campsite. We took a real nice hike off into the desert, but there were a couple of other hikes I would have loved to take, but we just didn't have the time, because it was time to head back home.
Next day, it was back to Brigham City for the night.
Then get up and head for home We made it as far as Baker City for the night. An average place. Then the final push for home. One note: Do not ever go to The Hungry Redneck Cafe. As a counterpoint to the best steak I have had in years, they had the worst. So tough I could not even cut through the gristle with a steak knife. Amazingly, the soup of the day was clam chowder, and it was very good. The final push home was long and tiring, but it was good to pull up in front of the place and get out. It was so good to sleep in our own bed.
As a little aside, I managed to lose the gas cap to the Westy along the way. At first I made a make-shift one out of a Coke can, but when I tightened it up, one of the tabs off, so I used a piece of plastic wrap and a couple of zip-ties, and it worked great. Of course the Westy has a very unusual size of cap, so they didn't even list a cap at the local NAPA stores. Hope I don't have to get stuck using plastic wrap for too long.
So the trip was a complete success. Too short, but long enough that we were really glad to get back home.
And tomorrow I have to go to work.
Friday, September 09, 2011
I BE Trippin'
In my spare time the last couple of days, I have been figuring out our trip. The plan is:
Day 1 Home to Paradise Point State Park
Day 2 Paradise Point to Emigrant Springs
Day 3 Emigrant Springs to Craters of the Moon
Day 4 Craters of the moon to Brigham City to see family
Day 5 Brigham City
Day 6 Brigham City to Zion National Park
Day 7 Zion National Park
Day 8 Zion National Park to North Rim, Grand Canyon
Day 9 North Rim to Bryce Canyon
Day 10 Bryce Canyon
Day 11 Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef National Park
Day 12 Capitol Reef to Arches
Day 13 Arches to Brigham City
Day 14 Brigham City
Day 15 Brigham city to somewhere
Day 16 Home
With no side trips, that is 2889 miles.
We do not have reservations at several of out destinations, but that's OK. We'll figure something out.
I pick up the Westfalia tonight. I am anxious to see how all the improvements turned out. Added heat, air conditioning and refrigeration. Updated electrical system, new pop top canvas and headliner, new batteries. new windshield, new rear bumper, new antenna. This will be a heck of a break-in trip.
I can't wait.
Day 1 Home to Paradise Point State Park
Day 2 Paradise Point to Emigrant Springs
Day 3 Emigrant Springs to Craters of the Moon
Day 4 Craters of the moon to Brigham City to see family
Day 5 Brigham City
Day 6 Brigham City to Zion National Park
Day 7 Zion National Park
Day 8 Zion National Park to North Rim, Grand Canyon
Day 9 North Rim to Bryce Canyon
Day 10 Bryce Canyon
Day 11 Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef National Park
Day 12 Capitol Reef to Arches
Day 13 Arches to Brigham City
Day 14 Brigham City
Day 15 Brigham city to somewhere
Day 16 Home
With no side trips, that is 2889 miles.
We do not have reservations at several of out destinations, but that's OK. We'll figure something out.
I pick up the Westfalia tonight. I am anxious to see how all the improvements turned out. Added heat, air conditioning and refrigeration. Updated electrical system, new pop top canvas and headliner, new batteries. new windshield, new rear bumper, new antenna. This will be a heck of a break-in trip.
I can't wait.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Car Show & Stuff
I managed to make it to the annual Boeing Employees Car Show. Even better, I made it home again without a disaster. The car did divest itself of some coolant after going up the big hill on Renton Ave. I think it is more that the radiator cap is worn out that it is overheating.
I didn't win any trophies this year, but that's not what it is all about.
To me it is about participating, and getting a chance to talk cars with people who understand the language.
When I try to talk cars around home, I get a blank look and a "That's nice dear".
I actually had one guy in his thirties come up. He was from England and was extremely surprised to see a Jensen Healey. Double surprised when he saw the "Before" picture.
Best of show was won by a 1953 Dodge Power Wagon Pick-up, military version. It was incredible. I swear there was not a speck of dirt on it anywhere, and of course the power was updated by Modern Mopar. I have always wanted one of those. Almost bought one a couple of years ago, but rebuilt and updated my S10 pickup right before I saw the Power Wagon. Been sorry ever since.
I visited the Westfalia in the shop last Friday, and things are coming together. The material for the replacement canvas came in today, and things look OK for it being ready for the 9th when we pack up to hit the road. The new refrigerator/freezer is in, the top is off getting new seals and headliner, and the luggage rack has the new stainless steel tie-downs installed. Oh, and they were putting in the new defroster fan switch and rewiring the radio (there are limits to what duct tape can do).
Still to go: new windshield and rear bumper and end caps. The only thing that may not get done is, I have asked that they figure out a way to mount and vent my Honda Super Silent generator inside the car, but that is something that doesn't have to get done right away.
When we get back from the trip I will have to look into getting it painted.
I didn't win any trophies this year, but that's not what it is all about.
To me it is about participating, and getting a chance to talk cars with people who understand the language.
When I try to talk cars around home, I get a blank look and a "That's nice dear".
I actually had one guy in his thirties come up. He was from England and was extremely surprised to see a Jensen Healey. Double surprised when he saw the "Before" picture.
Best of show was won by a 1953 Dodge Power Wagon Pick-up, military version. It was incredible. I swear there was not a speck of dirt on it anywhere, and of course the power was updated by Modern Mopar. I have always wanted one of those. Almost bought one a couple of years ago, but rebuilt and updated my S10 pickup right before I saw the Power Wagon. Been sorry ever since.
I visited the Westfalia in the shop last Friday, and things are coming together. The material for the replacement canvas came in today, and things look OK for it being ready for the 9th when we pack up to hit the road. The new refrigerator/freezer is in, the top is off getting new seals and headliner, and the luggage rack has the new stainless steel tie-downs installed. Oh, and they were putting in the new defroster fan switch and rewiring the radio (there are limits to what duct tape can do).
Still to go: new windshield and rear bumper and end caps. The only thing that may not get done is, I have asked that they figure out a way to mount and vent my Honda Super Silent generator inside the car, but that is something that doesn't have to get done right away.
When we get back from the trip I will have to look into getting it painted.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Been a while
Since I posted anything here.
Part of the reason is that Kelly's death hit me real hard. He was a year younger than me, and we were in the process of putting together a visit.
I am still bummed.
At least I have some nice artwork to remember him by, and some great memories of the stuff we did together.
Tomorrow is the annual Boeing Employees car show, and I have been persuaded to bring Framkenhealey to the show. It is still not complete, mainly wiring problems, but I have no turn signals or wipers. I finally got the headlights working, but one only works on high beam. Shouldn't be too terribly difficult to track down a junction that has a loose connection. I need to go home tonight and clean it up and get it ready to drive tomorrow. I drove it around for several miles on Saturday, finally have the idle set properly, and the mixture seems right. It is only about 4 miles to work, so it is not a big deal.
But I will have my fingers crossed anyway.
Part of the reason is that Kelly's death hit me real hard. He was a year younger than me, and we were in the process of putting together a visit.
I am still bummed.
At least I have some nice artwork to remember him by, and some great memories of the stuff we did together.
Tomorrow is the annual Boeing Employees car show, and I have been persuaded to bring Framkenhealey to the show. It is still not complete, mainly wiring problems, but I have no turn signals or wipers. I finally got the headlights working, but one only works on high beam. Shouldn't be too terribly difficult to track down a junction that has a loose connection. I need to go home tonight and clean it up and get it ready to drive tomorrow. I drove it around for several miles on Saturday, finally have the idle set properly, and the mixture seems right. It is only about 4 miles to work, so it is not a big deal.
But I will have my fingers crossed anyway.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Monday, August 01, 2011
Kelly Smith (Mulford) 11/22/1949 - 07/27/2011 RIP
Kelly was my cousin. We were very close when we were growing up. He came very close to being my brother, and I have lots of wonderful memories of the stuff we did together.
For my 15Th birthday, I asked my parents to take us up into the Cascades and drop us off at Scatter Creek Campground above Salmon La Sac in Eastern Washington for two weeks. We packed a Boy Scout pup tent a couple of sleeping bags and enough provisions to keep us alive. I made sure to pack butter, corn meal and salt and pepper and a skillet to fry fish in. We survived on oatmeal, dried apples, fish fried up fresh out of the river, and a few scavenged berries. We hiked all over the area, which is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
Kelly's dad was a world War II Vet. He had been shot through the jaw. They managed to patch his face back together but he was missing part of his tongue, which made his speech slurred. He was a very smart and talented man. He was fiddle-footed, so they moved up and down the coast. Kelly said he could claim no home town, as he had never stayed in one place long enough. One December 10 days before Christmas, Uncle Steve put a 30.06 under his chin and blew his brains all over the wall and ceiling. He left a wife and six kids behind.
Kelly was the second. He was a very talented artist and had started selling his art in his teens. He and I would get together on the weekend and do Beattle Portraits in black and white and sell them for $5 apiece. It kept us in spending money.
When he was a junior in high school, his mother had a massive heart attack and died. I think she was 41.
Six kids orphaned. We spread them out among the family, but my Aunt on Vashon was their legal guardian. Kelly came to live with us. My parents had agreed to adopt Kelly, so he became my almost brother. I clearly remember that Kelly and I and my dad were partitioning off a section of the basement for a bedroom for the two of us when the call came that Kelly would not be joining out family. My Aunt had found a couple that wanted to adopt the kids, but only if they got all six. All or nothing. While on one point this was incredibly generous, the other condition was not. There was to be no contact between then and their relatives. Just like that, he was gone from my life.
After High school, he wandered or several years It was about 10 years later that he got in touch with my Aunt and Uncle on Vashon, and I got his phone number.
He landed in Bellingham, Wa, and became a pivotal figure in the scrimshaw community there. He made his living doing scrimshaw, and was known all over for his incredibly detailed work.
I included a picture of one of my favorite pieces.
We visited back and forth for several years, but eventually he got tired of scrimshaw, and moved to Texas to manage some properties for his step-parents. He did well, bought a house and was involved in the local old-timey music scene. He was a talented fiddle player, also played harmonica, guitar and squeeze box.
When he moved to Texas, we lost contact, but when I set up a Facebook page, I searched for him, and found him. We started corresponding again by e-mail and phone. When he was up here the last time he spent a couple of days with us. We had a great time. I organized a small family reunion on Vashon, and a bunch of us cousins went over there and had a potluck and told outrageous lies.
The last words he said to me in person were "I had a great time. It was like we were all teenagers again."
Last Wednesday he was doing some maintenance on a rental property. He decided to take a smoke break. He went out to his truck and lit up. He had a massive coronary and died on the spot.
So long old friend. I loved you and will remember you for the rest of my life.
Every time I visit Salmon La Sac I will think of you and smile.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Westy in the shop
Not for anything that HAS to be done, but for some upgrades and improvements.
First of all, because we want to use it year round, I am having a propane heater installed.
The fridge was about worn out, so I am having a different one installed (used).
Since the tent portion of the pop top has a couple of holes and tears, I am having that redone. New rear bumper (no I did not run into anything, it was that way when I bought it).
New windshield.
Some wiring improvements.
The defrost fan switch is missing, so I am having that installed.
Nothing as pricey as the motor conversion, but I will still be into it for a couple of grand.
Then all there is left is to get it painted and a couple of dents pounded out.
Well, there is the idea of making it four wheel drive..........
First of all, because we want to use it year round, I am having a propane heater installed.
The fridge was about worn out, so I am having a different one installed (used).
Since the tent portion of the pop top has a couple of holes and tears, I am having that redone. New rear bumper (no I did not run into anything, it was that way when I bought it).
New windshield.
Some wiring improvements.
The defrost fan switch is missing, so I am having that installed.
Nothing as pricey as the motor conversion, but I will still be into it for a couple of grand.
Then all there is left is to get it painted and a couple of dents pounded out.
Well, there is the idea of making it four wheel drive..........
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Camping Outing
The camping trip in the Westy was a complete success, which means it did not pour rain on us. It did rain during the night one time, but none of it made its way inside with us. To have a three day camping trip on the coast of Washington in June and not get rained on is a statistical anomaly.
The kids loaded up the back of the truck with firewood, so er had a campfire going all three days all day long. We did all out cooking over the campfire, even though I had filled up the propane tanks in the Westphalia. I guess there is something about camping that demands wood ash in your bacon and eggs.
The sleeping are downstairs is adequate for two if they are friendly, and the upstairs is reasonable comfortable if they are not. It is a lot nicer in that regard than the Airstream was. Lots of clearance for sitting up and getting in and out. The upstairs sleeping area under the pop top could use a little more padding, but is good enough.
The west got about 18 miles to the gallon with the Subaru engine in it. I probably could have done better if I kept my foot out of the accelerator. After all, pushing a big box down the road at 75 mph pushes a lot of air.
The kids loaded up the back of the truck with firewood, so er had a campfire going all three days all day long. We did all out cooking over the campfire, even though I had filled up the propane tanks in the Westphalia. I guess there is something about camping that demands wood ash in your bacon and eggs.
The sleeping are downstairs is adequate for two if they are friendly, and the upstairs is reasonable comfortable if they are not. It is a lot nicer in that regard than the Airstream was. Lots of clearance for sitting up and getting in and out. The upstairs sleeping area under the pop top could use a little more padding, but is good enough.
The west got about 18 miles to the gallon with the Subaru engine in it. I probably could have done better if I kept my foot out of the accelerator. After all, pushing a big box down the road at 75 mph pushes a lot of air.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Vanaru/Subagon
We are going camping next weekend in the Westfalia. This will be the first overnighter for the Westy since I had the Subaru motor transplanted. We have taken it out on a couple of day trips and it has performed very well. Now comes the first real test of how comfortable it is to use for multi-day outings.
There are a few bugs to work out yet.
If you are going down the road with the radio on and turn on the turn signal, the radio turns off. When the turn signal finishes flashing, the radio comes back on. As long as you know it is going to happen, it's no big deal. It has to be a bad ground in one of the circuits. I suspect the radio, since it is an aftermarket stereo, and the instl is kinda funky. It won't hold the channel presets, and turns itself off sometimes. I probably need to pull the radio out and figure out how they have it wired. Probably not wired to an always on circuit, to keep the clock and presets working.
There are a few bugs to work out yet.
If you are going down the road with the radio on and turn on the turn signal, the radio turns off. When the turn signal finishes flashing, the radio comes back on. As long as you know it is going to happen, it's no big deal. It has to be a bad ground in one of the circuits. I suspect the radio, since it is an aftermarket stereo, and the instl is kinda funky. It won't hold the channel presets, and turns itself off sometimes. I probably need to pull the radio out and figure out how they have it wired. Probably not wired to an always on circuit, to keep the clock and presets working.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Still Here
I haven't been around much lately. Lots going on.
First is the fact that I am finally back on first shift, after nine months on second. I am due to be on first shift until the end of October. I am thinking of jumping ship to a different group before I am supposed to go back to second.I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens in the next few months.
I finally got the last of R's stuff moved out. I need to take some time and reorganize the basement. I also need to start cleaning up the library. I need to prune the dead stuff to make room for more books.
I need to get out and start getting the Westfalia ready for it's first camping trip the end of this month. First I need to get rid of a bunch of junk, then start figuring out EXACTLY what I will need for a couple of weeks on the road. It takes some time and planning.
It's all good.
First is the fact that I am finally back on first shift, after nine months on second. I am due to be on first shift until the end of October. I am thinking of jumping ship to a different group before I am supposed to go back to second.I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens in the next few months.
I finally got the last of R's stuff moved out. I need to take some time and reorganize the basement. I also need to start cleaning up the library. I need to prune the dead stuff to make room for more books.
I need to get out and start getting the Westfalia ready for it's first camping trip the end of this month. First I need to get rid of a bunch of junk, then start figuring out EXACTLY what I will need for a couple of weeks on the road. It takes some time and planning.
It's all good.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Ivan Doig
I am re-reading some of my collection of Ivan Doig novels. Nothing I like better than curling up with a good book after work.
And his works are better than just good books. Believe me I can tell the difference, having read several thousand books. Most popular books are like hotrods. A lot of flash and sound and motion that hold your attention as long as they are in your immediate view, then soon gone.
The wordsmanship in an Ivan Doig book is like a stained glass window, Each sentence is a little jewel, polished up and placed just to in the framework of the whole, each complimenting the next, but making the whole so much better than a bunch of words herded together in one place.
I can not only get lost in the stories themselves, but am always aware of the craftsmanship. These sentences did not get assembled in this inner and outer order by chance, but every bit by intent.
I think maybe they are better the second and third time around, because you know the shape and content of the book, so you can mentally step back at any point and look at what you have just read in relation to the whole. Studying on the one piece wile holding the shape of the whole in your mind gives you a greater appreciation for the hand and mind that guides you along on your way.
And his works are better than just good books. Believe me I can tell the difference, having read several thousand books. Most popular books are like hotrods. A lot of flash and sound and motion that hold your attention as long as they are in your immediate view, then soon gone.
The wordsmanship in an Ivan Doig book is like a stained glass window, Each sentence is a little jewel, polished up and placed just to in the framework of the whole, each complimenting the next, but making the whole so much better than a bunch of words herded together in one place.
I can not only get lost in the stories themselves, but am always aware of the craftsmanship. These sentences did not get assembled in this inner and outer order by chance, but every bit by intent.
I think maybe they are better the second and third time around, because you know the shape and content of the book, so you can mentally step back at any point and look at what you have just read in relation to the whole. Studying on the one piece wile holding the shape of the whole in your mind gives you a greater appreciation for the hand and mind that guides you along on your way.
Friday, May 06, 2011
Just Wondering....
I worked both days last weekend, so I am a little deagged out at the moment.
The lovely Mrs A brought me home a 5 hour energy drink to take to work today.
When I look at it to open it up, there on the seal it very plainly says: "Do not drink if seal is broken"
So how am I supposed to get at the contents without breaking the seal?
Just asking.
The lovely Mrs A brought me home a 5 hour energy drink to take to work today.
When I look at it to open it up, there on the seal it very plainly says: "Do not drink if seal is broken"
So how am I supposed to get at the contents without breaking the seal?
Just asking.
Monday, May 02, 2011
Osama Bin Hidin'
Last night I removed the black stud ear ring that I have worn in my left ear for almost ten years.
I put it in shortly after 9/11 in memorian of the over three thousand innocent people who lost their lives in the despicable terrorist attack on this country.
I put it in with the goal that it would stay there until the cowardly insane bastard that was responsible was dead.
That day changed the world in a terrible way. Our lives changed for the worse. Everyone's lives. Rich, poor, black, white, Christian, Muslim, all thrown into chaos by the twisted sinister machinations of one sick individual.
My measure of a man in this world is : Was the world a better place for his having lived? In this case the man was a waste of skin. The world would have been a better place if he had never been born.
I do not celebrate his death, for it diminishes us all if we celebrate even his death. I am glad he is dead. But I will not celebrate his death any more than I would celebrate the end of any other odeous chore, like cleaning out the crap in the chicken coupe. It was a nasty chore that needed to be done, and now it is over, and while there is a certain sense of satisfaction in his passing, I don't feel compelled to celebrate.
His death will not bring back the innocent dead, or even begin to repair the great holes he ripped in the world community. He was a twisted, evil, bitter monomaniac.
And I'm glad he is dead
I put it in shortly after 9/11 in memorian of the over three thousand innocent people who lost their lives in the despicable terrorist attack on this country.
I put it in with the goal that it would stay there until the cowardly insane bastard that was responsible was dead.
That day changed the world in a terrible way. Our lives changed for the worse. Everyone's lives. Rich, poor, black, white, Christian, Muslim, all thrown into chaos by the twisted sinister machinations of one sick individual.
My measure of a man in this world is : Was the world a better place for his having lived? In this case the man was a waste of skin. The world would have been a better place if he had never been born.
I do not celebrate his death, for it diminishes us all if we celebrate even his death. I am glad he is dead. But I will not celebrate his death any more than I would celebrate the end of any other odeous chore, like cleaning out the crap in the chicken coupe. It was a nasty chore that needed to be done, and now it is over, and while there is a certain sense of satisfaction in his passing, I don't feel compelled to celebrate.
His death will not bring back the innocent dead, or even begin to repair the great holes he ripped in the world community. He was a twisted, evil, bitter monomaniac.
And I'm glad he is dead
Monday, April 25, 2011
Easter Bunny
For those of you who were wondering what happened to The Easter Bunny.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but.......
Sorry
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