So—I’m out with the weedwhacker getting the weeds that grow between curb and street, and it’s rough, and chewing up string like it’s going out of style. Thank goodness I took a break and got the ones in the walk all the way to the porch, before I continued—and ran out of string. I know I have 2 extra spools, and that buying weedwhacker spools is like buying doll clothes and model trains—model matters, and it’s a pita getting new ones. Can the spools be found? Nay, of course not.
So…at least I got that. Changed Ari’s water. Daily. I hope I’m not delusional, but the wound looks just a tiny bit smaller. Perhaps it’s that the inflamation has gone. Or not. I’m not sure. But she eats like a horse. Just has a hole in her head the size of a quarter. Which may be trending smaller. Fish have amazing recuperative powers if you handle them with clean water and appropriate meds.
No more from the raccoon. But the water’s trending colder, too, and the fish are only active in high sunlight.
We’re making headway on the cleanup. I shredded some sunsetted records yesterday, several bags full: I’ll tell you, of household appliances, a good crosscut shredder that doesn’t overheat is an asset, in these days of identity theft.
The waterlilies are trying to bloom again: Jane waded in and fed them little tablets. This is a good thing.
And we can’t believe this weather. The 70’s, in mid-August. Winter may be interesting.
And would you believe small acorn nuts (bolt caps, so you don’t rip your clothes or hands on the bolts that hold the wood on—for the Chinese-made patio chairs–could not be had for under .50 each, and we needed 40 of them? The guy at Lowe’s was kind and aimed me at a Fastenal franchise, which has such things in bulk, for far cheaper. The problem with acorn nuts is that unless you shoot a little Elmers into them, they drop off and get lost. So I got 10 extra, for replacements. These are such great chairs—they’re wood gliders with a little attached drink perch and wooden arm rests, and we’ve had them for 12 years, so I suppose 5.00 worth of stain and 30 dollars worth of acorn nuts is worth it. Very, very comfy with no padding at all, and with the new dark stain, they look better than new.
Jane’s getting the drapery rods up for the long window. That’ll be nice. We’ve been kind of patchwork all summer, since the rod broke.
I’m celebrating a new decade tomorrow, with pizza tonight. Houseguests coming in Monday, hence the big cleanup. And I struck early, getting Jane’s prezzies for HER new-decade birthday a little early (we’re ten years apart.) I think she’ll like them.
Happy new decade to both of you. Long may you wave!
About not being able to buy the strimmer spools, I have a Eureka Mity Mite vacuum cleaner I’ve had probably 15 years. It uses the type N bags, which I have to buy on line, as no store here stocks them any more. Last time I ordered them, I ordered 10 packs — 20 of them. That ought to hold me for a while.
Happy natal anniversary and new decade to you and Jane!!! You are an inspiration in so many ways.
(And thinking healing thoughts at Ari.)
Trying to find the landscaping staples a few days ago, but wouldn’t be able to do anything right now, since I’m about 400 miles away.
Happy Birthday, Carolyn. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Would you happen to remember Juanita Coulter? She asked you to replay one of your songs for her in the middle of a busy area (you weren’t blocking anyone at all), and you went ahead and played it, she said you never seemed to notice the people around you walking by that stopped and watched, since you had your back turned, and was concentrating on the song. Once you’d finished, they picked up their bags and moved on. Juanita described that incident to me today at the Songwriter’s workshop here at WorldCon. She now lives in Ohio, about 60 miles from me, and when I had mentioned my commitment to writing a song for Jane’s “Rings” series, Juanita made it a point to tell me how impressed she was with you for having 1) bought a guitar and 2) learning how to play it so quickly, and 3) having written so many great songs in such a short time.
I like Juanita a lot. Say hi to her for me! I have, oddly enough, no talent with lyrics, but I did pretty well with making tunes.
Ah, landscaping pins. I finally despaired of getting anything done the 20 pins they give you with 50 feet of the fabric, the store was always ‘out’, so I ordered 500 online. WHich do keep us well supplied. Weighs a ton. Much better to buy them at the hardware—IF you can figure out what season they stock them. Spring and summer don’t seem to work!
I live only about 15 miles from A. M. Leonard.
I will let Juanita know you said “Hi”. I’m trying to remember the song she mentioned, I asked her about it, and she told me, but the name didn’t come clearly to my ears and I was embarrassed to have to ask her to repeat it, so I figured I’d look it up and see if it’s in the book of songs we got from you in Spokane.
Embarrassingly enough, I gave you the incorrect surname. It’s Juanita Coulson. I’ve left her a message on the “voodoo boards”, as well as asked one of the other panel members from yesterday to relay if she sees Juanita.
I knew. 😉 There can be only one Juanita. 😉
CJ, I apologize, I told Juanita I would look for the song you played for her in the filk book we got from you and Jane at ShejiCon3. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what the topic of the song was, so can’t even begin to figure out the title.
I don’t think it was “Ladyhawke”, it sounds more like it would have been “The Bitch Song”, but again, I don’t remember what she told me about it, except that she really liked it, and you were most gracious and played it for her. If I recall correctly what she told me, you used her guitar, too. I don’t know if it was in Oklahoma (sounds right), but if I can spark your memory, perhaps you can help us out?
Thank you.
The Bitch Song, yes, is one of mine, lyrics AND music: it starts
When’s my discharge from this war?
Well it’s neverneverwhen, my friend… and runs through several complaints, down to:
When’s this hole we’re digging end?
Well, it’s never never done, my friend.
So why’s it warm at the other end?
‘Cause hell’s never never far, my friend.
And the chorus is:
And time’s what we’ve got most of
And time is what we spend
And time is what we’ve got to do
In never never land…
Is that the one you sang for her? I have it in the FILK book. I promised her I’d try to get her the words and music.
Thanks again.
Seems every few years we have a summer that wasn’t here (southern oregon coast) and looks like this is one of those years. I think we hit 80 once so far this summer,so all bets are off for winter… We could freeze or have 70s in January.
Not in the “Banana Belt”, i.e. Brookings, then? In “the big city” area we’ve had a handful of 90’s, may get another one or two next week. But so far much less than the typical 13. Lots of 80’s though. (looking both ways) We tied a record handful of Augusts with no more than a trace of precipitation.
Ah, but I AM in Brookings! However, I’m working right on the beach, so even when town hits 90, I’m standing on a ladder in the 70s if its not foggy so I miss it. Makes for a summer that wasn’t! A few years back we had one summer that was GORGEOUS… 80s (well, close!), sunny, the whole shebang… just it happened to be JANUARY… I’m crossing my fingers for 80s next week though!
Hi,
completely OT, I just want to send my best wishes for your birthday.
Maybe a bit early, but birthdaywise I’m nine hours ahead 😉
So the very best, may your body keep up to your demanding spirit!
S.
Happy, Happy Day! It sounds like a week-end celebration is planned!
Keep on dancing round the sun!
Happy Birthday, aiji-ma, from Kroyd, and sister Witchy-g. We wish you the best of days, and many more to come!
Oh, so good to hear from you all. I hope that everyone at a convention is having a marvelous time. I am spending the morning attempting to match Jane’s mahjong level, now that she’s told me the secret. Jane is over there swearing at the drapery (installation) but will not let me help. 😉
Happy next decade, and many more to follow!
Perhaps they’ll invent rejuv.
😀
Hippo Birdie Two Ewe! And continued hope for Ari.
About the weedwhacker, it’s a natural law, a corollary of Murphy’s Law. As stated by my friend Kevin Gallimore: “When desired, it cannot be obtained; when no longer needed, it becomes an impediment to progress.”
1) I just buy string of the right gauge and rewind my old spool. Just be careful to wind it tidily, side by side in layers, each on top of the one below–no criscrossing.
2) “Locktite” makes a couple different thread “dressings”. One for nuts you never expect to have to take off, and another for those you do, but never on their own. Any good hardware store should have both.
3) Paper shreddings can be worked into your compost piles. Consider it “brown” stuff when you’re balancing the composition. It’s just more cellulose.
Happy birthday, CJ. All of Shejidan is fêting in your honor. Thanks again for the universes you’ve created.
Concerning the spools – to find them, you just have to buy a new one. Works perfect, I have now an amazing number of 13mm wrenches and 6mm hex nuts . . .
How about the dishwasher hose clamp under the ^&%!! sink in the ^&%!! most inaccessible corner that drips, and NONE of the ^&%! box wrenches or ^&%!! ratchets fit, neither metric nor English, and it’s just a tad awkward for the appropriate crescent wrench… A short throw screwdriver barely did it, and I reinvented cursing — at 9:00 p.m. I threw out in a fit of pique the cheesy little tiny crescent wrench that could fit, but was so poorly made it kept slipping open. It was probably for the best; bad tools are pointless.
Lol— been there, got the teeshirt. For larger applications I like the strap wrench, and Steve gave us a Knipex adjustable pliers he swears will outlast the heat death of the universe. It’s a wonderful thing, and we keep it very carefully.
It’s light hammers and dull knives that will hurt you.
Happy Birthday CJ. Hope your day is going very well. (Our evaporative cooler developed a leak yesterday while we were out of town, and the ceiling over my bathroom vanity got soaked and collapsed to the floor, and into the sink, and drenched some of the stuff I had on the vanity counter….)
Oh, noes!
Ack! An excessively literal-minded swamp cooler indeed!
Happy Birthday from one Virgo to another.