Saturday, August 23, 2008

Higher Ground


I was finally able to start on that side job I spoke about a few weeks ago; the one repairing the temple-like structure in Birmingham. Lightning blasted the crap out of this thing so I get to patch it up. This is the view from when I was standing on top. I'm tied off with a harness and safety cables so it's not a big deal. It's a little trouble to haul 10lbs. of non-shrink grout up there in a bucket but other than that not too big a thing. Great view of Red Mountain also. Fay has started making her presence know here so I was not able to work on the temple today and won't tomorrow. It was raining when I got up this morning and has been just a slow, drizzly day. I suspect the rain will get harder tomorrow and might stick around until Monday or Tuesday.

While I was at the temple I found this creature on the ground. Yes, it was dead! What is this thing? A hornet? I never imagined they were this big. This thing was huge! I held it so you could see the scale as compared to my fingers. Is this some new imported thing? I have never seen a hornet/wasp thing of this size here before.

This is a view from behind so you can see the markings there. It's wingspan was at least 2.5". Thankfully I did not see any more alive or dead. It gave me the willies. Can you imagine something like this coming after you?!

I received my bathroom light fixtures that I had ordered and installed the wall fixtures today. I would have installed the ceiling fixture but it was mixing one important part so I have to call the company Monday and get them to send me the part. Bummer; I was so wanting to get all that done but it's OK. The wall lights look great. I'll try to post a photo soon. If I would try just a little harder I could get the bathroom completely finished. Most of the items left to do would not cost hardly any money as I already have most of the materials etc. I just need to get my act together. I have been using long and hard work days as an excuse to lay around on the weekends. I have been tired lately and my regular job has been pretty rough for the past 3 months but I need to get a move on. I've just kinda lost my motivation a little or something. I'm distracted. Anyway, I'm going to make myself throw tomorrow and get some creative mojo going. Hope everyone in Florida is OK and not flooded.


*Stevie Wonder and later, Red Hot Chili Peppers. Either version of this classic is great!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did I miss a picture of the temple-like structure you're working on? Will you leave a time capsule in it?

Gin said...

The wasp-like creature is a cicada killer. I have some that "nest" in the bank of my flowerbed each year. Amazing creatures.

Elizabeth said...

LOL the first time that my daughter saw one of the cicada killer wasps I thought she was gonna die. They are huge aren't they.. I've heard that they rarely sting, are not aggressive. They just get the cicadas for their larva to eat. Nothing like fresh meat huh? Annie, thanks for asking about my jewelry. making jewelry with interesting wood and stones that I tumble is my passion. Right now I am a CPhT at a local pharmacy and I am hoping to quit shortly. Then I will have time to really get enough made to sell. I have mostly made commissioned pieces. Someone sees something they like or describe what they want and I make it. I don't have a blog sight yet.. but could email you a few pics if you like. Will the harder rain keep you off work? Enjoy the rest of your weekend anyway.

R.Powers said...

Yes, that's a Cicada Killer wasp. Somewhere, deep in the older posts of Pure Florida, I posted a picture of a Cicada Killer clasping a pair of Cicadas who were mating at the time.

MamaHen said...

Hey Pablo! Well, I think you commented on that post but maybe not. Go here to see, http://edificerex.blogspot.com/2008/07/roadhouse-blues.html

I probably won't leave anything in this one because I'm not sure I can come up with a spot to put it. Everything is solid!

Hey Gin! Thanks for the info! I was astounded by it!

Hey elizabeth! Well, I hope they are not aggresive! Man, that thing freaked me out.
I love to see your work; I have several friends who are jewelry makers too.! Email me at abeaird57@hotmail.com

Yes, it looks like we will miss one or two days of work due to the rain. It will be nice to have the time off but we will have to make it up over next weekend, which sucks.

MamaHen said...

Hey FC! OMG! What a way to go out! lol!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you need some Activia (ha ha ha)

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

Love the wasp. That variety does not come this far North.

A tropical storm is God's way of telling you to take a day off.

MamaHen said...

Hey Linda! Ha! I need something!

Hey Philip! Well, I'll just take your word on that and gladly take the day off and maybe tomorrow too!

R.Powers said...

Annie,
Here's the link to that post.

http://pureflorida.blogspot.com/2005/09/hornetus-interruptus.html

MamaHen said...

Hey FC! Thanks for the link! If I were a cicada, that would be my luck. :D