Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Wednesday, July 15, 2009
This morning looks promising and the bright sunny sky seems to be showing a much different day from yesterday. By 10:00 O’clock, it is 67 degrees in the direct sun, but feeling cooler in the wind that has been blowing at a constant10 mph.
I spent the morning doing my usual research and answering emails while enjoying my coffee and then a light brunch of an egg on a large biscuit with orange juice. As noon approached, I played with Zack and then changed into my work clothes to go outside and take advantage of the nice weather. I had spotted several thistles that were either missed when I sprayed before, or newly emerged. Even though the wind was still blowing, it had calmed down enough that I could treat the weeds. I contact spray, rather than spraying the weed and area, meaning I only put the solution on the weed and not the surrounding area and therefore don’t worry about overspray or having it blown onto myself.
Lugging the 5-gallon sprayer around, I pulled a muscle in my back, even though I only fill the container with 2 ½ gallons at a time. I managed to spray every weed I could find and put the rig away. I noticed that one of my propane bottles was empty, so I switched it out for a full one. While doing that, I took a good look at the wind damage to the door hinges and determined that I will have to remove all of the log exterior to get to hinges, and then replace them on both doors.
Meanwhile, I decided to finish insulating the battery box and put it back together. I had to remove the log siding and front panel to remove and replace the house batteries, and because I wasn’t sure I was completely done moving the batteries around, hadn’t put it back together. I added the blue board insulation and then refastened the panel and siding, re-securing the lid hinges and finally finishing by 7 PM.
It is taking me much longer to do jobs like this, and I am not sure if I am just out of shape, or the new blood pressure medicine has something to do with it. I could barely lift the full 100-pound propane bottle into the shed, whereas last year, I could lift it in without much strain. Maybe it’s just me getting older, but I feel like I have no strength or stamina.
I gave Zack one last play period for the day and then feed him. I needed to shower to get any spray and all of the Deep Woods Off washed from my skin. After the shower, I had a drink and relaxed before having a crab salad for my dinner. Some television and rest filled out the remainder of the evening.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Tuesday, July 14, 2009
This morning is cool and overcast, with light rain. Between last night and this morning, I have received another ¼ of an inch. It is cold enough (50 degrees) to have a fire and Zack is happy to stay inside and lay by the fire, while I continue to work on the computer.
This is the wettest summer in several years, but closer to normal before the drought hit, so I guess we should be grateful instead of complaining.
I spent most of the day cleaning and organizing the sunroom, plus working on the computer. I am narrowing down which solar panels I should purchase through my online research. All of them are still more expensive than you would think, after this many years of research and manufacturing, but it is what it is. To think that the solar chips they are currently producing are only about 6% efficient, leaves me thinking that monies to produce and use solar power, to lessen our need for fossil fuels, is either misspent or doesn’t even make it to the producers. The prices have come down since last year, as the demand is up because of the energy rebate offered by the government.
The day continued as it began until about 4:30, when the clouds parted long enough to let some sunshine in. Zack and I played and enjoyed the warmth as a change from the colder morning. By 6 PM, the clouds closed in and it began sprinkling again.
Some dinner for Zack and Zoey made them sleepy and they napped while I showered and then fixed myself dinner, relaxing for the rest of the evening.