Know when to quit...

HEN ONE THINGS LEADS TO ANOTHER?

Not me apparently!  So it was that the small fountain I made in a pot long ago was only to bring the sound of water into the area...trickling water.  When I sit out back and relax and just be still and quiet...I can hear the trickle....ahhh bliss.

That never happens, okay!!  I am not the sit still type when it's nice enough to be outside Im in motion. I rarely sit down during the day unless I am heavily depressed, not feeling well or just plain unable to move for some reason. 

The fountain does make a nice little sound of moving water, works very well...the pot is large and filled with various rocks I've accumulated over the years...so I enjoy hearing it while I WORK in the back yard. 

There is one little problem...the dogs think it's an artesian well or something so they drink out of it.  And every day I have to add water to the fountain. 

Over winter it got yukky in summer I over fill a few times to wash out accumulated gunk...but in winter I don't...So it's warm enough to unroll the  hose turn it on and wash out the fountain...I took all the rocks out scrubbed the pot, cleaned up all the rocks and during this time using the hose I noticed it had a leak  up near where the brass thing attaches, great.  It made a fine spray and I was getting soaked...So I have another hose...

This one tho is a very heavy no kink hose, the other is a cheap pos....but now it sprays me so I decided to take it off and put the other hose on, Unfortunately i noticed squirrels have damaged the other hose, it has a leak now too but farther away from the area where you have to hold it...so I took the old hose off the faucet and that's when I remembered the faucet has a pretty good drip...it's more of a fine continuous stream now, and with the old hose attached and the Sprayer attached to that there is no water escaping but NOW there will be...a leak in both hoses.  

So Its a sunny day I have some time, I turned the main water off and took the faucet off after fumbling with the large pipe wrench, and after a couple times of trying with all my might it finally moved.  I inspected and its the washer...no good--- so I  tried to find a larger rubber washer.  Didn't have one, so I attempted to fashion one using an O ring on top of the old washer,,,,and put it back on Still it drips...so turned it off again tried again and this time it was a slower drip..............................drip.....................drip.......................

So I can live with that.  I  decided to find a new faucet on my next trip to Lowes. 

 Meanwhile the little voice, the evil one, reminded me I have another leak in my bathroom.  It's coming from the supply line connection behind the  toilet.  It's a slow little bead of water forms around the connection and then it drips over the edge, and it makes a tiny puddle.  This old pipe under the floor that comes UP thru the floor and the supply line screws onto is the problem...its old galvanized iron pipe..and it's original to this OLD HOUSE.  

My other voice is the voice of reason, she said..."you don't want to worry with that today just one thing at a time, it's not that bad." 

BUT I did not listen to her...the evil voice is a very blunt very judgemental person who will nag me till I get things done....so to stop that witch from hassling me, I go inside and take a look.  

The threads have worn down and even tho I used Teflon tape last time I tried to solve this, still it leaks...So I took it loose, on  hands n knees head behind the toilet, and put more Teflon tape on...reconnected it, turned the water back on to see it beading up still.......darn.   I took the wrench  to make a half turn tighter...should not have----- NOW it began to flow out pretty good...tried to back it off to no avail and a good look showed me it's coming from the top of the nut where it attaches to the supply line...NOT under the lip as before and it's making a big puddle!!!!!!!!!OH MY HEAVENS.  

Run out of the house, turned the main back off, back inside mopped up all the water, then took the supply hose off and noticed the rubber inside there was all denigrated and no good...SO I cleaned myself up a little, grabbed the old line, my keys  and to Lowes I went...

Got a new supply line, a guy helped me figure out the right one, and looked for a new outside faucet it has to be a 1 inch screw on type...But they don't have that...So anyways I will try Ace for that on Monday they are closed on Saturday.  I also got some thread sealer...but back at home in my haste when I put the supply line on I forgot to add the thread sealer...Darn...anyways I tighten it up and turned the water back on. 

I starred at it using a flashlight to see it as best I could, and it took about 40 seconds for a small bead to began to form in the same old spot.  I turned the nut with the wrench a wee bit, it slowed the bead but it's still coming every so slowly.  It's like a nagging little itch that you can't reach just irritating you and spoiling  your inner peace of mind...each little bead began to look like a penny then a dime, and as I starred at it I swear I could see a dollar bill floating thru the cracks of the floor....as the bead formed on the edge of the nut right before it ever so slowly trickled down.....
DAMMMIT!

I've had enough by now to call it quits, pack up all the tools, clean up all the mess I made...I put a washcloth around the bottom of the supply line to catch the water as it gently beads up and then drips onto the floor!! 

I guess tomorrow I will turn it off and try putting the thread sealer on.  And as I do that I have to wonder, what will THAT lead to??  Will I begin to rip up the floor to get at that pipe?  Will I decide having indoor plumbing is a luxury I can't afford? Will I sell this house and move into town like my X did?  All that remains to be seen, as one thing leads to another. 

So because the dogs drank the fountain dry I spent my whole day trouble shooting these damn plumbing issues!! I'm really almost too old now to do a lot of these DIY projects I used to tackle with no issue, just kneeling on my knees made them bruise and hurt, and my back was aching from trying to bend over the fountain to wash  the rocks, and I almost could not turn that wrench on the outdoor faucet to get it off.  

This is exactly why MY X decided in the end to sell out and move out of the house, he was much older than me...so I may have 5 more years where I can do these DIY projects or less.  WHAT needs to happen is when I had the floor open I should have had a plumber come and cut out the galvanized pipe and put in copper or Pex or whatever they call it, because that is the issue...all the joints are rusty and corroded.  

Anyways when one things leads to someplace you don't want to go, Turn Around.  Lately I've been ignoring my little voice, and I think she has a point...

"Now be a smart cookie, and just let it go." 

Tired

IMPY DAY...

I got up feeling tired like I didn't even sleep but I did...maybe it's the Hashimoto's?  At least a couple times a month I feel like I have no energy at all.  Today was that day so I went to Lee county to check the Eagle nest, and a couple other spots I keep a check on. 

The Eaglet is ready to fledge and I don't know he may have already been out of the nest, but at least one parent was hanging out in the nest tree watching over the young fellow.  Such a wonderful sight to see...how protective they are of their young.  You can feel the love as you watch them.  They don't force the young out of the nest, they just stop coming with food...that hurts. 

It must be good to have someone watch over you...the young one may have taken  a maiden voyage out of the nest but right back into it, not ready to hunt yet.  Once they had 2 young.  One stayed in the nest into summer, I felt really sorry for that bird, he seemed so alone.  

So I will go back and check again in a couple weeks see how he is doing.  The wetland is getting dryer now that the beaver dam has been destroyed and the beaver there killed...MADE me sick.  There is nothing more beautiful than a beaver created pond..

I actually came across another beaver pond today on a road now closed.  I will keep checking one day I hope to find a pond that they DONT kill the Beaver and he/she is allowed to live in peace.  

The air all around stinks like chicken S**t...this time of year the farmers put loads and loads of it on the surrounding fields.  With all the chicken and turkey farms around here there is an ample supply of it...Every part of the Bird including his poop is SOLD for profit...Sick 

But it really stinks up the whole area for miles..

Tomorrow I hope to make myself stay in bed and rest as late as I can to try and feel rested. 

Happy weekend. 

Question...

ILL YOU TAKE THE SHOT?

I heard some people died and had blood clots after taking the AstraZeneca vaccine so I don't t think I would want to take that one.  Im not crazy about Johnson n Johnson either, they knew about the asbestos in the talcum powder and did nothing about it...sooooo

Anyways no open appointments here some can book their second shot.  So I will wait...

Today was sunny and warm after a chilly start.  I had to do some errands, and I stopped at 3 different birding spots around my errands, it was good...Saw more waterfowl at Goodale than ever I was there at 7:30 am so that may have made the difference.  

I woke up at 5 got up at 6 I just cant sleep in most mornings...even if I want to.  Things change as  you get older I can say.    Last evening  I had some raw veggies for dinner, and tonight Im going to have Onion rings...yeah crazy right?  I am just too tired to cook anything so I stuck that in the oven and the dinger just went off...so let them cool off some.  

I got some bones for the dogs to chew on, it cleans their teeth and freshens up their breath, Annie smelled the bones in the bag when I came in the gate and she didnt let me out of her sight till she got her bone...I made sure they ate their dinner first so I fed them early so they could have their bones to chew on after dinner.  

So they are happy girls. What day is it?

FRIDAY Again...are you keeping up with this?

US Senators,

OULD YOU LIKE SOME CHEESE WITH  YOUR WHINE?

That's for the Republican Senators...OMG they are carrying on like the Stimulus Bill is not for Stimulus relief?? HOW SO? Money for restaurants, money for unemployment, money for states to set up and support vaccine clinics, money for child care (people have to work) money for Individuals, What about that list is not about the Pandemic?  They said its the worst partisan bill ever passed...UH NO  Trumps Tax CUTS was the worst ever, it costs this country trillions of dollars. 

They have had free rein too long and they can't believe their ride is OVER,,,they never allowed Obama to do a damned thing, I say get used to it.  

There is an issue on the border, that could become a really big issue and a problem, they must get a handle on that.  The Nationalists will do all they can to make this look bad...but WE are a nation of immigrants, I say give them a social security number and put them to work...We need an immigration policy like Canada's.  They make it harder for LEGAL immigration, and that means there is more room for refugees, and illegals.  It makes more sense to me.  

Heck I've checked the legal standards to be illegible...it's a staggering array of financials you must measure up to, I was not even in the running. Anyways ...

Today more chores...I worked on my bicycle.  I want it to be in shape so I can take it along on certain trips since some of the birding spots have a  long approach trail...if I could bike the approaches, it would make the day a little easier for me...Im no spring chicken.. And my  joints and feet are not in great shape, and Im out of shape.  So If I could cut say 2 miles off that walk it would make life easier and I could spend more time birding once I get there..

So I took off  front and back tires, I need new ones, I oiled it up and greased the Wheel bearings, and I probably need a new chain...I will check Walmart but I did find what I need on ebay in case Walmart  doesn't have it...I don't know what size chain to buy...but I got the tire size...I'd like to have new handle bars, ones that are  up and I don't have to lean forward to reach, IN fact Im going to (before I buy parts) check the price of a girls bike!  I need easy.  3 speed would do me..the one I have is 7 I don't need all that. IN fact the place I have in mind Im sure I could do without gears.  

So we'll see.  It won't happen right away I have a balloon payment I've got to have paid by May 6th sooooo Must concentrate on that.  It took me a lot of time to get the rear wheel off because I did not know how to do it...so I had to come in and watch a youtube to see what I was doing wrong...I was not holding the do hickey the right way.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A joyful day..

ALT WHITMAN America's first Democratic Poet...
His words reminded us that we are each tied to the fate of the other...I think the GOP has forgotten that with the way they are wiggling like pigs stuck in a cave over the stimulus because they are so off base...saying the Bill is NOTHING but Democratic Pork...

Did  you know republicans want the 3 martini lunch to be tax deductible? They want that in the Stimulus Bill......AND they don't want any money to go directly to states to help get thru the pandemic,,,,this is what they call PORK, the Feds giving money Back to the states who will put it to good use helping the people...they are SO fascist and I really could care less what they want...because they are only for the rich. They oppose child tax credits...WTH is their problem...why shouldn't families with children be getting assistance?  They gave a huge tax cut to the WEALTHY, yet they don't want the poor to get the same???
Another thing the GOP Is trying to do in this state is to protect Patriotic Monuments...actually Racists from the past...by passing a bill called the Story of America.  And the teaching of this Propaganda, that was part of the perpetrating of SLAVERY. 
I would love to move out of this State of Hate. 

The leaders of our state house are debating the "hate crime bill" we do not have ONE...they are so afraid to let go of their hate...Even Walt Whitman, is viewed as a racists NOW but when he was alive and writing his words were not considered odd...so things change, we need to change as well...one leader was using words spoken in the past that would be considered Hate if spoken today He was quoting some scripture...THE thing is this is not about the Past it's about going forward from here.

SO today I got some seeds in pots to hopefully get some seedlings to put in my flower pots, and I also put some herbs in seed starter pots too.  They are in the laundry room till the frost threat is gone Mid April..

I went to Goodale SP today and took a walk and did a little birding in the afternoon..it was nice and warm and sunny.  I went inside had  chat with the assistant Ranger a very nice young fella, and I got my 2021 Parks Pass.  He said he is up for a Promotion,,,and if he gets it he will be moving to Dreher Island State Park, it's on Lake Murray and has a Campground, hope he gets it.

Another house fire to cover up a murder in our town..NOT connected but damn. 

Anyways it was an easy simple day I tried to make an appointment for the shot and each site I went to said Booking is currently Full...
and now Im having black beans and salsa for dinner...

I worked on getting more  photos restored for an hour and now it's time for the evening news..

“Do anything, but let it produce joy.”
― Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

found time to

ORK AT HOME...

I did and didn't want to go out today so I stayed home and went out....into the yard! There is an endless list of "need to do's" so I tackled a couple of them.  My back gate the one I come and go thru had sagged and it has a spring on it so it will slam shut...since the dogs could go out that gate, although they know better, If it's left open a stray dog could come in, so it's important it be closed.  So this latch will lock the gate, when it slams shut...it was not working right so I got that put back right the screws were loose and the gate was dragging the ground, so I raised it up an inch and tightened up all the screws, and oiled the latch and now it slams shut again. 

Then I took off my windshield wipers, and painted the metal arm, cleaned up the windshield as best I could...and then replaced the wipers one is a 20 inch and one is a 19 inch, soooo One is wrong, I think the 19 is wrong.  I also put my little toiletry pack in the van so I wont be stuck without a toothbrush again, and I checked the engine oil.  It was good. 

Then I dug up the planting bed by the screen porch and planted my knock out rose bushes in the ground...they have been in pots for 6 yrs so Im going to try them in the ground...I dug it up good put them in and that's as far as I got I need to mulch the bed, and tidy it up a bit...hope they will grow now they generally bloom all year so I expect them to do as well at least.  

I did a repair to the broken bird feeder, it seems to be working, and other little things, brushed one side of Flossie she wouldn't roll over to let me do the other side and I didn't want to force her, she is having a really hard time with her legs...

I meant to trim Annie's nails but forgot...so tomorrow.  

And I found more photos on my CD's to put back into some photo-less posts, did one really big one...it was a lot..but now that one is done its a 2018 post...

2011 12, 13, 14, 15, gonna be very difficult...but Im gonna try to do as many as I can. 

And that was a busy day, and Im beat and my back hurts from the digging.  It was sunny and beautiful a little cold this morning, and tonight it will be 35F.   

Its always good to get some things done.  

I ate left overs on the front deck in the warm sun...felt so good. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and a 1/2

What does it mean

HEN DOVES CRY...
I don't know Im asking you,...lol

Its a catchy line in a Prince Song, why do we scream at each other, this is what it sounds like when doves cry. 

I had a so so day yesterday it was cold...and it continues to be cold...last night we had a low of 30F...I never got around to blogging yesterday the day was long and then I collapsed, tired.  Son showed up for movies, so I just called it a day and sat down with him for a couple hours then off to bed when he left.  

I had to grocery shop, something I do not like doing...if I had extra cash I'd just let them do it for me as so many now do...but I have no budget for being pampered.  I hit 2 ponds afterwards for drive by birding, not much out the cold wind had everyone laying low. 

I am staying out of the political arena just keeping one eye open for red flags, this one caught my eye, McConnell may not finish his term...GOOD...don't let the door hit you and all that.  The problem is now adays the worry is we will get someone MUCH WORSE, and to think just  a few years ago we thought there was no worse...think again eh? Of course McConnell is doing a hand job on the whole process...meaning Normally the Governor of the state Picks a successor in this case, but McConnell is brokering some deal with the GOP so he can hand pick who takes his spot.  SO in a way he is going OVER the HEAD of the people of KY...and putting who HE wants in there...someone he can continue to control and influence...WHAT A WIPE  he is...this is what he is up to,.

Under Kentucky law, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear would have the power to pick McConnell's successor if he steps down from office, so McConnell is backing new legislation that would enable the state GOP to choose a replacement.

Senate Bill 228, which The Intercept reported had been informally called the "Daniel Cameron Election Bill," would strip the governor from independently picking a replacement and empower the executive committee of the same political party of the previously elected senator to put forward three potential replacements and the governor would choose from that list. 

NOT only that but the GOP trying to change voting rules in all the States, such as AZ, from the LA Times"

One point of agreement across the political spectrum is that the state-level focus on voting procedures has reached unprecedented heights, with more than 165 bills nationwide to restrict voting, according to the Brennan Center analysis. Many also agree that this showdown is the inevitable result of last year’s presidential election, which Trump has falsely described as rife with fraud.
“If 2020 was the year that the Republican Party decided to try to use the courts to shut down voting rights, 2021 will be the one they are going to try to use the legislatures to do the same thing,” said Marc Elias, a Washington-based attorney who has become Democrats’ go-to elections lawyer.

And Trump has told the GOP to Cease and Desist using his likeness to raise money because some of those people voted to Impeach him. According to Politico...

He wants to control the MONEY see, that's all it was ever about from him and all it ever will be about the money the power, not what can be accomplished but what can be TORN DOWN...torn apart, how much havoc can he reep and get paid to do it...what can he Destroy and make money and gain power...like all his other failed attempts at greatness Never HAPPENED...Even his precious Trump Tower in NYC is probably going to be taken from him...BUT if he gets control of all the GOP MONEY he could use it to shore up his personal holding which is to me what his aim was in the very beginning. 

I think I hear some Doves Crying, and they should be crying FOWL..."foul"
DANGER ---->the future is NOT set...