I had a dual temperature glue gun (60 watts on high) that the feed mechanism failed in, so I converted it to a “hot nail” punch. B4 that I used to use a soldering iron whose tip got worn AND locked in, but, that was too hot and many of the plastics made some nasty fumes.
Whatever did I do with that glue gun punch, anyway? I cut “pots” (and funnels) out of 2 qt. Diet Sundrop bottles, and have been drilling them out...
I have a glue gun - that’s a great idea for adding drainage to plastic. Thanks!
Got the jacks and jack stands out and rotated the tires on our '09 Outback. Need to get driver's side front alignment checked - the wear pattern is favoring the inside portion of the tread (more wear). The other 3 tires look better / are holding up nicely.
The "separated" Orange Jubilee tomato plants from the 4" (Menards) pots (now in 2L soda bottle "pots") are all looking good. Yay! I prolly should take the 2 biggest (including the one already flowering) outside to harden them. I've been keeping some plants "in" in not so much due to frost worries as cool weather slowing them down. But, it looks like we are past that. I need to get some of the plants have been "out" in the ground, but, this week looks rainy. Today is dry and 20 deg. warmer than yesterday (87 deg. forecast!) but mostly tied up (other plans already set.)
Almost all my other "separations" are looking good too. Even the 2 weaker lettuce plants look better - I think the mostly cool weather helped them. Hopefully this warm week won't ruin that effort.
I picked up this light @ Menards:
https://www.menards.com/main/p-1642874298745568.htm?utm_campaign=18A_AO-2025&utm_content=11-Rebate-Sale&utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=flyer_network
The heat sinking looks good (considerable) and gets warm immediately after turn-on - a sign the heat transfer from the LEDs is good. IMO, the 20k lumens is over-rated, but, this thing is still pretty bright. I may give lettuce in the basement another try. However, I'm not sure if the cost of the electricity in warm weather is "worth it". (Warming things up when it's cold is a "better plan", I think...) :-)
I'm investigating another 20k lumen light too - that one's brighter and dis-assemblable" but has (possibly correctable) heat sinking "inadequacies". It could be "interesting". Will get into discussion of that one later.
Wally World had fairly decent looking $27 hooded windbreakers on clearance for $5. They look at least partially rain repellent. Fit is generous: I picked up a "medium" for regular wear, and a "large" to throw over heavier clothing on cold wet days. My old hooded windbreaker just became "work outside clothes". :-)
Aldi has a fairly decent 4-way hose splitter with good looking flow-through (largish ball valves) for $10. I can't make one that cheap, so, I picked one up. Supposedly has a 5 year warranty. We shall see...
Aleene's "Super Fabric Adhesive" appears to be the same stuff as "Shoe Goop" ("Plumber's Goop", etc.) which appears to be the same stuff as "Through The Roof" roof repair adhesive....
"Spring Valley" "Fish, Flax, and Borage Oil" vitamins disappeared from Wal Mart for a little while, and are now back as "Spring Valley" "Triple Omega" vitamins. Same bottle, same quantity, same ingredients (I think), pretty close to same price...
Replaced dining room light switch (was becoming intermittent - 60+ y/o switch). Then climbed up to pull down and clean the fixture -- that was a bigger project!
Went up to Mom's and mowed. Half done - at least the front looks better now. (That, including the trip, took most of a day.)
Fought this computer for a few hours. I won't detail that. Seems ok now.
One of the roosters tore through the poultry netting separating him from another rooster. That wasn't good, but both seem to have survived despite some serious bloodshed... Put up stronger material. :-(
Sorted a bunch of my socks. How did I ever get so many unmatched sock half-pairs? Where are the missing? :-(
My 2x 6.5 lb. bags of "Triple Phosphate" came in. A bit got distributed last Friday. This seems to be a nutrient that takes a while for plants to use, so, I hope it's not too late for the already flower-budding Iris? But, mainly I got it for the veggie plants. :-)
So, I waited to post today - I’m in a really cr@ppy mood and I’ll explain in a bit. ;)
First of all, or Surprise Party for Benny went really well, yesterday. Close to 50 people showed up for his award ceremony. Benny is the original founder of our Bear Hunters Club and Beau put him in for a Lifetime Achievement Award. Benny is well into his 80’s and has every conceivable ‘Old Guy Ailment’ wrong with him - we put this together in a weeks time because time is of the essence where Benny is concerned!
Anyhow, he was very pleased and happy and SEEMED to get the gist of what was going on. His dear brother cares for him, so he was explaining things as we went along.
Food was fantastic - so many good Wisconsin Cooks, and my burgers were a big hit - none left over - hot dogs, either - but the kids gobbled those up.
The setting was at the farm of one of our hunting friends. They have a large garage that we used for the food, and could have needed it if the weather was bad, but the day was perfect - sunny and breezy, in the 60’s. They have a beautiful setting with two ponds at the front of the property, lots of domestic and wild ducks and the kids had great fun pestering the ducks and playing around the edges of the ponds. Someone brought their new Plott Hound puppy, so he made the rounds and got a LOT of ‘socialization.’
It was great to see everyone, and after all this time I’m finally remembering everyone’s names, and they seem to remember me, though I am usually ‘behind the scenes’ as I just raise the dogs they use for hunting. I got to see one of the pups (I called her ‘Joker’ but her name now is ‘Sugar’) and she is just as sweet as she always was - though she likes to bark too much, so she was sporting her no-bark collar. ;)
So, the reason I’m in a bad mood is that we’re having water well pump issues. Beau and I kept hearing a funny noise - but each if us thought the other was just running a fan or it was the dehumidifier in the basement. Turns out we have a leak somewhere between the wellhead and the house. We still have water, we’re just shutting if off most of the day and overnight. So, this entails hauling out 300’ of hosepipe to get to the pump to see what’s what. Ugh! HOPEFULLY, the leak isn’t that far down, so we don’t have to haul all that pipe up out of the ground! No soppy spots in the yard as far as we can see/feel - and we looked! Beau is super-handy so I’m sure he can fix it - it’s just one more problem that no one ever needs.
So HAPPY I stashed 10 gallons of water in milk jugs. I’ve learned that I can make it through a day on 3 gallons for ‘flushing, brushing and taking a Bird Bath’ at the end of the day! Always have water stashed if you have a well. Well pumps will seemingly work for-ever - but when they don’t they DON’T - all of a sudden!
And then I cut my right index finger on a newly sharpened knife this morning. I’m still bleeding a bit, but it’s not big enough for stitches. Typing has broken it open again - time for a fresh wrap!
Tonight we are in for some bad storms, but most is SUPPOSED to go north of us. Large hail, rain, bad winds, tornadoes - the whole mixed bag. Double UGH!
I’m taking a jug of water with me and I’m going to bed early tonight, LOL!
Thanks for listening! :)