Wednesday, July 28, 2021

And it's a BABY!!!!!

 It was a work-your-butt-off day ..... as even MORE rain fell in the afternoon.  First thing, Mr. Chance and I went to order rock from the sand and gravel business.  Back in prehistoric times, I weighed out and sold  thousands of tons of rock.  1-1/2 inch sold for $3.50 a ton.  The same size crushed concrete now sells for $8 a ton (at least that's what I think they said since my brain got overheated a little later).  Trucking which used to cost $55 an hour is now $90.  Our drivers were paid $10-12 an hour.  That's inflation in 25 years.

While waiting for the rock to be delivered, Dan worked on the washout.  We wrangled some concrete and moved a little dirt in 92 degree weather.  I'm sure we were out there two days, because I was exhausted and HOT.  I hate getting old!!  

At last it was done until the rock arrives today.  I cleaned up some dead branches here and there before plopping on the couch.  In spit of Cooper's pleas to come play, I just couldn't do it.  It's pretty disheartening to know you used to run 26 mile marathons and now need to sit on the couch after only two hours of work.


Just after lunch, the thunder started talking to me.  Rumble rumble grumble!!  A couple big cells were swinging around the neighborhood.


Luckily, this missed us as it headed west.  I could hear the river rushing again this morning, although not near as loud as previously.


Having defrosted some baby back ribs, it was time to set up the smoker.  Actually, two hours PAST time.  I rushed them a little and eventually had to move the smoker since rain and smoking don't mix well.  I'll report on those tomorrow.


In the meantime, I walked around surveying the rain damage here and there.  This poor bush got smashed by a chair in that last big wind storm, but it's certainly happy now!!  In two days it has bloomed magnificently.  


That's when I spotted THIS!!  I'm so very excited.  I saw Momma Hummingbird on her nest, looking like she was feeding.  That could only mean one thing!!  I waited patiently until she flew off, ran up with my phone camera and stuck it over the nest.  

Sure enough ..... WE HAVE A BABY!!  Now to see if the other one will hatch.  Hopefully this year the darn roadrunner will stay away.  From now on if I see him, I'm chasing him off!!

The rock should arrive this morning, so I better get to it.  With company coming, I actually have to get dressed in something presentable ... you know without big holes in the shirt.

8 comments:

  1. OK here’s a lesson in Household electrical engineering for beginners 101
    A ground faults Switch which is better known as GFS when electrician gets the blueprints for a house the architect/designer will tell him where he needs to put a GFS
    Usually as a rule you have one in the garage
    Another one in the kitchen
    one in each bathroom
    and in some cases one on the rear of the building outside patio
    as well as the front outside foyer
    His blueprint dictate he run one wire from the master fuse panel to the garage as a rule this will be for the 20a plug-ins that are waist high in the garage
    he’ll run a second wire 15a from the Master fuse panel to the kitchen As a rule they will be for the counter tops
    A third 15a wire will go from The master fuse panel to the bathroom Nearest the sink (
    Each bathroom will get a separate 15a wire if you have more than one)
    If code requires one on the exterior outlets you will have one 15 or 20a wire from the master fuse panel to the rear of the house Porch. you’ll have another wire from the master fuse panel to the outside foyer In most cases these GFS can be 18 + inches off the ground
    Now this is where the fun begins
    You don’t have a house you have a mobile home they do not hire an electrician to come in and Wire your Mobile house they usually have a low paid funky and the supervisor usually tells them to wire it this way which saves a lot of money for the manufacture
    This is how it’s usually done
    You run one wire from the master fuse panel to the garage GFS.
    you run one wire from the master fuse panel to the kitchen you put a GFS there, you bridge off of that GFS in the kitchen and run it to the bathroom with another GFS can you see how much wire they just save
    Oh and by the way let’s put a bridged GFS outside by the porch they just saved more money so without rewiring the whole house you kind of have to live with it but know where your GFS switches are.
    Now here’s what you need to do you go to the master fuse panel when I fuse trips it does not go all the way to the bottom they only move about a quarter of an inch So if you physically look at it it looks like it’s in the upper right position. what you need to do is Shut off and turn on each switch individually so that they are all in the upright position
    Check with Mr C And see if he has a Kobalt Analog 50-1000-Volt Non-contact Voltage Tester Voltage Meter (Battery Included)
    It’s a neat little toy not very expensive under $15 when you put it up close to a plug if the plug has electricity it automatically beeps or lights up it’s made of plastic so we don’t have to worry about it… it won’t shock you
    After you’re done with the fuse panel go to the nearest CFS wave that little device right next to it and see if it lights up or beeps if it does you have power.
    Trip and reset the GFS and plug something into it if it doesn’t work it’s the GFS plug
    Have it replaced that should give you back the three plugs that you have no power to.
    Now because you have a mobile home you need to find all you’d GFS
    Start with your garage and see if you have one there Do the same thing to your kitchen … now the tricky little buggers they may have put one outside on your patio GFS do not like moisture. ( you’ve had a lot of heavy rain)look at each switch all around outside the house
    Sidenote
    Most wires do not go underneath the house most wires go through The attic or the wall studs so having a electrician crawl under your house is more likely not necessary
    What I just suggested is exactly what the electrician is going to do first started with a fuse panel
    There u have beginners electrician 101

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    1. Whew!!! That's a lot to digest. I think I even understand most of it, which is surprising! I'll put on my electricians hat and see what I can come up with. Thank you!!

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  2. Awww..hopefully the baby stays safe! Your plant is gorgeous!

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    1. That is one of only two things that flower in my yard!

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  3. My knee has been giving me problems since we left home...know exactly how you feel.

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    1. I just find it extremely hard to admit I'm old. LOL

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  4. Thanks for the picture of the baby hummingbird. Beautiful! Nothing like moving rocks around. Don't overdo.

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    1. What doesn't kill me, makes me stronger Doug!

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