Good News. Bad News

Below is a brief update on the bird nest in my garage:

The eggs have hatched and there are hungry little birds in our garage.

It's a miracle that Hunter has not climbed the walls to knock this nest down.  He goes CRAZY when a bird gets stuck in our garage.

I had to get on a ladder to shoot these photos.  This is about as good a shot as I could get without disturbing the nest. 

This is the female that laid the eggs.  She is watching me take pictures of her little ones.  I think it's safe to say that she does not like me.  So the good news is that all 5 eggs have hatched.  The bad news is that when I walked by the nest tonight, 2 of the young ones had been kicked out of the nest.  It was cold last night and I assume they died in the nest and the adult female pushed them out.  Let's hope the other 3 make it....

HEADS UP to all.  I have never been one to talk much publicly about my political viewpoints.  I think I have finally come to the realization that if  you and I don't start getting more involved and more vocal about our political views, we will never get back on the track that lead our country to greatness.  So, in future blogs I will begin to post a few comments that I hope you will like, or at least consider as we head into a critical election period.  I promise not to get on a soap box or ramble on.  Just basic stuff, short and sweet.  just sayin'........ 

I hope I don't lose all 3 of my loyal followers for this.  LOL!

CLOSE 2 PROJECTS!

I am posting these two pics just so you know that I CAN actually complete a project from time to time.  Rarely do I finish as fast as "some" people would like me to, but I DO finish. 

 This is the upstairs bunk room.  Carpet was installed about a month ago. slowly buying furniture and wall decorations for this room.  So, although the major work is done, still heed to get some things to hang on the walls to finish it off.  4 beds waiting for visitors! 

This is where the "Bradford Bird" used to be. It's also the site where some serious stump grinding took place.  Planted 3 Holly trees in this spot that will eventually provide some shade and privacy.  Some flowers for the deer to eat later this spring.

So that's it, a short post to wrap up some unfinished business! More on Nick's visit and other random things later today. 

It's been a while.....

Well howdy gang!  It's been a while since I've lured you here to read my stuff.  This first story is really a continuation of an earlier blog.  You might remember the Bradford pear that I cut down and the nice lawn sculpture that I created with my chainsaw.  If not, you may want to scroll back a month or two. Well, this is part 2 of that story; the eventual clean up of the Bradford stump. 

So, My blogging is a bit rusty and my humor might not be up to snuff, so grab a beverage, sit back and prepare to be underwhelmed.

 This is the stump.  Like most stumps it is DEAD.  I poured gasoline on it a couple months ago to REALLY kill it down to the roots.  I didn't want any saplings shooting up through the eventual landscaping.

Like most stumps, this stump had roots.  Long roots that were more like underground branches.  This is just one of the long roots I had to cut out.

Are you feeling like you're getting a grade school lesson on rootology?  Hang in there.  It gets better, just not a lot better.

This is the same root above, partially exposed.  As you can see these aren't your typical little sissy roots.  These are studly ROOTS.  And they grew from all sides of that stump.  Many Manly Roots.

This little gem is a Bluebird Stump Grinder.  This puppy is heavy, noisy and ugly.  But it does a nice job on stumps.  Because I am already deaf in one ear, I decided that my shooting ear muffs might be a wise choice to protect the good ear.....After 53 years I've gained some sense.....

This is the business end of the Bluebird above.  It has multiple "teeth" like the ones shown.  They don't look too aggressive, but when they are spinning 187 miles per hour, they can tear up some junk.

This is me getting a load of dirt to fill the gigantic hole that was left when the stump and roots disappeared.  I have since filled the hole, leveled it off and prepared it for planting.  I will finish this story in a couple weeks when I finish the job.  Glad I got this part done before the heat sets in.

As is customary, I have to end the blog with a random note.

Took these pics tonight in our garage.  Seems like our ladder is an excellent spot to build a nest.

A Carolina Wren built this thing and I just can't find the nerve to move it out of the garage.  You can see she used all types of twigs, pine straw, moss and leaves to make her home.

The first time I checked there was 1 egg in the nest.  Last night there were 3. Tonight there were 4.  I am hoping to get a picture of Mama Wren one of these days and eventually have shots of my grandbirds.  I will share them when I get them.  update.....now there are 5 eggs.

This is a Carolina Wren! The little bugger is cute! ....and fast!!

A Little Winter Work.....Update #2

I spent most of today working on the guest room or wandering around Lowe's buying lumber and materials for this project.  Since it was cool and rainy all day today.....I didn't mind.  Fishing is HOT on Lake Murray and I WILL be on the lake if and when the weather breaks.  I need to wrap this project up soon!

All the trim, doors and windows are now painted the same shade of white.

Do you like the carpet?  I hope not because it's about to be HISTORY!  The boys show up on Monday to take measurements.

I replaced all of the electric outlets with new white outlets and cover plates.  I think it makes sense since all the trim is white.  Don't worry, I only got sh sh sh sh sh shocked twice while changing them.  Felt kinda good actually.  JK!  

After the window trim dried, I hung the blinds.  Shortly afterwards, Theresa rehung them the RIGHT way.  I'm not much of a blind guy.  Don't think I want to be either.  I am kind of a deaf guy though.  Really!

Now that all the painting is done, it's time to start on phase 2.  We are building two new twin beds and doing a little rework to the original two (above example)  As I was paying for the lumber and materials I said to myself, "Self, wouldn't it make more sense just to go buy 4 beds at Walmart?"  At that exact moment I felt sort of Forrest Gumpish.......kinda dumb but kinda smart too.

One last update: Randy-1, Squirrels-0  My bird feeders are a little safer today!

A Little Winter Work....update

A quick update on the spare bedroom remodel.  Although it may not look like much, I've been working on a lot of little things.  Take a look below.

I added this baseboad over the weekend.  When I ripped out the old shelving unit, there was no, none, zero baseboad behind it.  So  I had to add some along this wall, as well as the adjacent wall.  Theresa wanted to know if I could do this without any seams.  Ummmm, unless they make baseboard in 18' lengths,......I think NOT.  But, especially for you (a potential guest), I've tried to make the seams as bearable as possible. 

I also added this moulding where the walls meet the ceiling.  The jokers that built this place didn't create a very straight line where the two meet.  So, to clean up the look, we added a simple piece of trim.  Again, WITH seams. I don't think seams can wake you up at night.......you'll be fine. 

 Not sure why I included this picture.  The outside temps have been fairly warm and I have been able to work with the windows open.  Also, this is your fire escape should someone set the lower part of the house on fire......which is a possibility with all the candles Theresa like to burn.  I will train you on how to use the rope ladder when you arrive. 

So as you might have guessed we are going to paint the room blue.  Makes sense for a "lake themed" room, doesn't it?  Well, now is your chance to vote.  Since you will probably be spending more time in this room than I will, you need to speak now or forever hold your anchor.  Otherwise, BLUE is the color.
We are keeping the white trim no matter WHAT you say.  Ha! Ha!

Hope all of you are well.  I'll post again once we've made a bit more progress.

A Little Winter Work

Hey there!  Just another quick post to let you know what's been going on in my garage the past few weekends.  Yes, I do some things other than fishing.....Really!   I recently cleaned out my garage, built a work bench and organized my tools so that I'm ready to tackle some projects.  See below.

Tire tracks from a vehicle that veered off the driveway and into my yard.   The tire tracks lead directly to my mailbox.  To protect the guilty, I will not name names. 

When I heard all the "book club" ladies out in my yard laughing, I had to go see what all the cackling was about.  I had my suspicions and I was right.  So this little episode was the biginning of some overdue winter projects.  Project #1?  Build a new mailbox.  Built, painted, installed......consider it done! 

While I had all the tools out I decided to dig into project #2.  To build a headboad out of a solid wood antique door.  I think it turned out ok.  Done!!

This idea came from our friend Mary.  She provided the wood doors and Theresa offered my limited woodwoking skills.  Now that I know how to do this, I need to make a duplicate for Mary.  Thanks for the doors, Mary...I think. 

Project #3...just started.  I'm sure most of you have never seen our spare bedroom upstairs.  Well now that we don't have a house full of kids, we are taking some time to dress up this room for future visitors.  On the right side you can see where we tore out a bunch of built-in shelves.  We plan to turn this into some sort of bunk room with a lake theme.  The walls and moulding need serious repair, the carpet has to go, the ceilling needs paint and I need to make some bed frames.  We can fit 6 twin beds in here but we'll probably keep it at 4.  I'll post more pics later as the room takes shape. 
So, the plan is to get a lot of this "indoor work" done before it get's really nice outside.  I have some serious yard plans for this spring so I need to get this room done in the next few weeks.  Plus......it'll be FISHIN' time too!!  

Seems like I always have an "oh by the way" at the end of each post.  So this terse ending is a reminder that tennis league starts next week.  I'll keep you posted on any torn tendons, twisted ankles, and sore muscles as the season progresses.  I need to stock up on BenGay and Aspirin.  Wish me luck!  Later!

Yaking in February

Hi there!  It's been a while since my last post so I have a couple topics to catch up on.  As most of you know, I crave the outdoors.  I find nature very interesting as well as a great stress reliever.  When I'm in the woods or on the water I'm not thinking about much else.  So, when we got a break in the February weather (sunny and hovering around 70 degrees) I decided it was time for a little fishing trip.  Normally in the spring, as the water temperatures begin to rise, fish start to move into the shallow water.  They do this for two reasons, 1. They are hungry and they are looking for a good meal.  2. A bit later in the spring they will spawn (have babies, um, actually lay eggs) in the warmer shallow water.  So below are a few shots from the trip.  Didn't catch much but as I said above, that's not the entire objective. 





I paddled up in this shallow cove.  Great places for fish to hide and most boats can't get to these shallow spots.  I think I had a "Little Debby" while I was out of the boat!  Yum!!





Caught this small yellow perch at the end of the day.  I always admire the coloration on fish.  Mostly natures camoflage.  The top fin (dorsal fin) on a fish keeps it from rolling over.  The tail fin propells the fish and the other lower fins are for turning, hovering or swiming backwards.



Theresa gave me a new camera for Christmas that takes underwater photos.  This is my FIRST underwater photo.  I was scared to death to put that camera under the water.  I hope to share better stuff later.

 

I was trying to drift up close to these turtles.  They were enjoying the sun too.  You know when their heads come out like this they are seconds away from taking a swim.  They didn't seem to care for my big green kayak. Note turtle on far right is missing from photo below.



I think the turtle on the far left was the largest and oldest (and most wise).  He was the last one off the log as I got close.  I'm sure he's seen his fair share of dumb kayakers that think they can catch a turtle.





This has nothing to do with my fishing trip.  These are for "my little frens" called squirrels.  They are tearing up my "squirrel proof" birdfeeders.  I am not happy about that!  I like birds.  Squirrels are rats with big tails!

Thanks for reading my stuff.  Hope you enjoyed.  More later today!