What better way to embrace Spring, longer days and warmer weather than with a delicious Sam Adams Cold Snap, MMM MMM GOOD!
Friday, March 29, 2019
Home Improvement Ideas
Last Saturday I took in the New England Home Show, in Foxboro, at the Empower Field House, where our Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots practice.
Got some good information on a number of products for the home and contact information for local providers and installers.
Friday, March 22, 2019
RedCrossBlood.org
I made an appointment and attempted to donate platelets last Saturday. Drove all the way from Franklin to the American Red Cross center in Dedham specifically to donate platelets.
Unfortunately, during the check-in process my iron count check came up high at 17.5 (20 being the max). Although, I could have still donated, if I insisted, I was told that being that high the already 2+ hour process of platelet donation could go as high as 3+ hours as a result. I was instead encouraged to donate whole blood, so I did 1-pint. I'm now in the 5-Gallon Donor club!
The good news is I don't need to wait to donate platelets with my above 1-pint donation, so I'll be looking to schedule and try this once again.
25 Feet of Yuck!
Before -
After -
Still needs more attention for an even cleaner finish but not too bad for a first pass.
I'm not sure what the renters did to some of the tools in Charlie's Place these past several years but it's clear, with this example here and others not shown, that there wasn't too much concerns for being neat and respecting of others property.
Then again I have OCD type issues...
Black Ice Bad
Route 495 north came to an abrupt stop about 3 miles into my commute. The next 1.5 miles took me approximately 1 hour. It was 6:30ish and it was an icy morning. We had rain the day before and the temperatures dropped below freezing over night, so perfect condition for dangerous conditions. The side roads were particularly bad, most untreated, so speeds were way down for me. The highway appeared to be in better condition, which could have contributed to this accident.
I counted 10 Massachusetts police cars and 2 tow trucks pass by as we waited, so you knew it wasn't good. I was frustrated, have to be honest, but since I was headed to the office I was more tolerant.
A I made way forward and closer to the accident all traffic was being funneled into a single lane to get by. As I neared the scene I readied my camera and snapped this picture - a rollover in the fast lane, YIKES!
It was only later that night did I learn the driver, a 23-year-young-man was killed.
Sad for sure and helps puts things more into perspective. I would have happily sat in the traffic longer if the outcome could have been better.
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Telescoping I Was...
I used my new (new to me) snow roof rake yesterday. It worked like a charm. Of course easier to handle on the lower roofs and still easy on the large roof, although, more cumbersome due to it's length. Easy to put together, take a part and store! Solid, held up just fine. I was so excited using it that I went across the street and used it on my neighbors roof.
Saturday, March 09, 2019
Being Safe and Prepared!
Completed another of my to-do list items today!
I replaced all four of our hardwired smoke detectors. The ones I replaced were installed when the house was built and before we even owned the house. I was skeptical that they even worked any more, even though the self-tests worked, so it was time.
I did my homework and knew what replacement alarms I needed. Bought the same brand so install was a piece of cake.
Original FireX alarm -
New FireX four-pack -
Original wiring and adapter -
Replacement wiring and adapter -
New FireX alarm installed and working -
Complete!
Joe. Mud. Java. Dirt. Brew. Jitter Juice. Liquid Energy.
The company I work for recently installed six new industrial type self serve coffee stations throughout the building. These machines offer everything from coffee to espresso to latte to hot chocolate and various flavor shots. All in all very nice and very addictive!
They followed that up with providing each employee with a 14oz Yeti stainless steel mug, including the company name and logo! Seems they were going through oodles and oodles of paper cups and were having a hard time keeping each station stocked, so problem solved.
Seems I've become addicted to double-lattes with a shot of vanilla, YUM!
Tuesday, March 05, 2019
Someone Isn't Feeling Too Well
You know Trixie-dog isn't feeling well when she voluntarily joins Oliver in her crate. They get along very well but not so much in close confined spaces.
Yup, there's something off with ole Trixie-dog. She's having a hard time getting up from a laying position. She cannot jump up on the sofa or even up on her hind legs.
Perhaps, it was the ride she took down the snow covered deck stairs yesterday. According to one witness it didn't look too bad. However, I'm thinking otherwise. We'll keep an eye on her for the next couple of days. Hoping she'll heal up on her own. I would hate to sell Emilie's car to pay a vet extortion bill...
Monday, March 04, 2019
Will Wonders Never Cease?!
Good thing I was prepared for this otherwise I'm fairly certain I would have had the BIG one!
Emilie actually shoveled our back deck today! And all on her own too, without being asked or told.
Thank you Emilie!!
Let It Snow...
Our March 3 into 4 snow storm.
Looks like Franklin got about 10" or so of heavy wet snow last night. Perfect for making snowmen and breaking ones back to shovel. We're in March now and with the longer days I'm hopeful this new white stuff won't last too long.
Sunday, March 03, 2019
Confusing To Most But We Understand
To the average Joe this looks like a panda squeaky chew toy. In fact, IT is a panda squeaky chew toy. However, it's referred to, and Trixie-dog knows it as, her "chicken". If I tell her to get her chicken, this is what she fetches. I don't recall why or how this wrong reference began but it stuck and now it is what it is.
It's Trixie-dogs favorite, go-to, squeaky chew toy hands down, and as you can see it's seen better days.
Baby Got Back!!
Um yeah, so I've been told by like everyone, DAH!!
The way things work today, some snowflake is going to be offend by this. They'll take to social media with it where it will pick up support and a mountain out of a mole hill will be made. Sadly in the end Dixie will cave, pull this "offensive" cup and offer an apology.
UGH, this is what we have to look forward to these days...
Took A Little Off The Bottom
Banged out another winter chore today. This one has been on my list for quite some time now. Since it really wasn't bothering anyone but me, and it wasn't a break-fix kinda thing, it's lingered.
The fix is not the unevenness of the before picture. Although, in hindsight I should have fixed that before taking the picture. Anyway, ever since these blinds were installed, like most, they've been too long for the window. The extra slats all bunched up on the bottom looking unsightly.
These wooden blinds are installed in three windows; two in the dining room and one in the bathroom. So, today I removed (8) slates from each, shortening the blinds by approximately 8".
Not a difficult project at all, just takes time and some patients.
Before -
After -
Going Into The Wayback Machine
Vintage NFL mini helmet pencil sharpeners, circa 1970.
If I'm not mistaken these were available via gumball machines.
I only have three and thankfully one of them is the New England Patriots!
Saturday, March 02, 2019
Keyboard Hero's (In their minds)
The below was posted to Facebook this morning as a PSA. Tell me folks is this really necessary?
Two things come to mind -
(1) Are people that naive to think that coyotes, and most other wild animals, are only a concern when seen? Do folks not realize that wild animals are out and about ALL the time - in backyard, walkways, patios etc., and that most of the time they're seldom seen.
(2) Correct me if i'm wrong but if you're a responsible pet owner are you not ALWAYS keeping your pet safe? Are you not ALWAYS vigilant, concerned and watchful?
Everyone is looking for atta-boys these days.
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