Back To The Grindstone

Okay folks! I swear, no more photos of vacation, talk of vacation or reminiscing of vacation! I shall not inflict any more of my travelocities on you lest I start losing readers!

Anyway, things are pretty much back to normal here. Just working around the house. I have been on a major cleaning spree since returning home and have already taken yet another load of stuff to Goodwill. I reorganized and added shelving to my one existing closet so that it is easier to access. Now, to just put a door on the thing. I really need to hang the interior doors but when you live by yourself that just doesn't seem like much of a priority.
I seem to have a fair amount of motivation since returning and am eager to get some projects finished around here. Like the siding. Geez! I must finish that crap, painting and all!
So, when I have a few pics of my projects I'll be back, which will hopefully be soon. I know none of this stuff is particularly exciting so I'm not going to foist my caulking expertise on you either! lol!

Oh yeah, I know several of you have left comments of late concerning Lika. Here's the deal. Lika doesn't live here anymore. He got real bad about wanting to wander off and I felt he was bored and lonely here by himself because of how much I work. At first, he just went over to the next door neighbors to play with their dogs and they didn't mind, so it was okay. But then he started to go further and I can't afford to install a fence of any kind. Plus, to me that is kinda cruel, to make him live alone; dogs are very social creatures. I also refuse to keep a dog in the house; which again, is keeping him alone. I know this will probably get me some ugly comments but dogs are meant to live outside in my world and Lika did have a nice doggie door for the basement with a nice bed. So, I let him go live with a couple in town that have a fenced yard and another dog. He just wasn't happy here and I was not able to spend enough time with him.

I Love My Dog

A good buddy of mine has a crap load of oak firewood, already split, at his house that he said I should go get, seeing as how he is working out of state and wouldn't use it anyway. So, yesterday before the rain came, I went over and got this truckload. When I got home Lika was waiting there in the yard and watched me as I backed up to the bank, where I could unload the wood easily. We designed this parking spot in this cut to allow me to back my truck up, with the tailgate down, and easily load or unload clay or whatever. You just walk right into the bed of the truck. Anyway, I went a little too far and hit that rock you see sticking up there. (unfinished retaining wall) Well, after I hit the rock, Lika starts barking like crazy. I knew what I had done but I got out anyway, after pulling up just a little, to see. 'You damn dawg! (and I said it just like that too) you ain't worth a crap at flagging me! You're suppose to bark before I hit something. I know I've hit it by now.' He just sighed heavily and went to lay down.
Now, ya'll know I was just teasing him and so then he tries to work on my sympathies by being cute. Funny how a lot of males tend to use this technique. They just offer their underside up to you and think you'll just forget all about everything. What's bad, is it usually works on me.

*Cat Stevens

Boom Boom

I guess after this, I can't ever rag FloridaCracker about his crazy-ass ladder stunts. Now, it is secure. Everything is clamped and braced off but I don't recommend or advocate standing a ladder on anything but the ground or actual building structure, like a deck or so. I've just got a little painting to do up there and then I can take all this down and be done with all this really high stuff. I would like to finish this before Allen leaves on Tuesday, just in case I, in a fit of clumsiness, decide to fling myself off this structure.
I was woken late last night by some really strong lightning strikes (thus the Boom, Boom) and the first thought to hit my groggy mind was, 'oh Lord, don't let that lightning hit all that metal sticking up in the air, leaning against the outside of my bedroom wall.' Wouldn't that be a pisser?

I got to thinking about that last post and I hope no one got the idea that I just go around blasting animals. Now, I have no problem with hunting if done legally, responsibly and conservatively. In fact, in many situations, such as this area, the deer must be harvested or they will become over populated and suffer. Since we have screwed with the natural balance of things and removed so many natural predators, we must now manage these species.
The guys at work have encouraged me to hunt and my father often took me hunting when I was younger and taught me how to use a variety of guns but I have never really gotten into it myself. And yes, I keep a couple of guns and a recurve bow, which I really enjoy shooting but wouldn't use to hunt with.
I had been working outside all day, with Lika there with me, when he heard some other dogs in the distance and ran to see what was going on. They got really close and I heard Lika's bark, very urgent. I knew something was up and walked up the hill just a short distance to where Allen had cleared an area for a pole barn. There was a group of dogs on the hill, in the brush, and when they saw me they all took off. All except Lika who stood there looking at something and barking occasionally. He wanted me to come look. When I got there I saw a large 6-point buck on the ground and actually wedged between the forks of a small twin tree. It didn't' respond at all when I walked up and one of my buddies told me later this probably indicated that the deer was already in shock. I could see blood on the ground leading up to the deer and assumed someone had got a bad shot off and only wounded the deer, it having run over to my land. I told Lika to hush and stay with it, to which he laid down next to the deer and put his head on it's rump. It didn't respond to that either. So, I walked back to the house, got the .38 my daddy gave me and called Allen to ask him to come down and help me get the animal out of the brush and hung up. I wasn't going to waste the poor thing. Lika was still laying quietly next to the buck when I got back and I had to make him move away; I didn't want to risk him jumping in front of me or something like that. I only tried to think that the animal was suffering and to hurry so I just quickly placed one shot to the back of it's head and after a few seconds it laid it's head down and died. About that time Allen arrived and we drug it out and down to a clearing where we could hang it. I called Daddy Rabbit in a panic; this thing was Big and I had never dismantled an animal this large. He talked me through it though and Allen helped hold, so I guess in about an hour I had it quartered and ready to go in the fridge. I'm not going to go into details but I think I did very well; I didn't split any internal parts I wasn't supposed to and I didn't barf. I realized the deer had not been shot but the stump of a leg was where the blood was coming from as the deer had apparently fell numerous times on it. It showed no signs of infection or anything of the sort but I did discard most of that area anyway.
I washed everything really well and stored in the fridge until the next day when I packed the quarters in ice and salt for 5 days before cutting everything up the way I wanted it. Now, several guys told me that the state of the deer (of having been run by the dogs) could affect the taste of the meat but I couldn't bear the thought of wasting this animal so I was willing to try. It came out fine and the meat is wonderful; no gamey taste at all. So, I thanked the deer for his gift and tried to be efficient and careful with him. He will come in very handy to me since I'm out of work and things are looking really slim right now. As one of the older carpenters, I could ask that I be put back to work as soon as something is available but knowing that we have young men with children out of work, I told the personnel director to take them first. I can fend for myself until work picks up. And by the way, deer tacos are really good.

*Big Head Todd and The Monsters

Closer

During the recent bouts of rain, and in between face bashings and finger loss, I have managed to work on the window a little more. I have completed the hardest parts I believe, so it should start going a little faster.
You can see the textures in the clear glass a little better in this pic than in the one above. Here you can see where I've had to shim up the copper foil pieces to be level when one end is in the lead came and the other edges are not.
Of course, it helps when you have a good studio buddy to talk to while you are working. He's kinda quiet but is real easy-going. It was cold enough last weekend that I actually had a fire going in the heater for a couple of days. That makes the basement very comfy but Lika actually doesn't like it so I had to move his bed all the way to the other side of the basement in order to entice him to come back in. I don't know if he doesn't like the smell or something or if it just gets too warm for him.

*Nine Inch Nails

Who'll Stop The Rain?

Grendal is getting so desperate to go outside she is willing to endure the humiliation of sitting under an umbrella. The rain has not been terribly heavy, just never-ending it seems, so there is a space under the eaves that stays somewhat dry and she stays smushed up against the side of the house. I put my umbrella outside the door to wash off and she thought it was a good place to sit for some fresh air. She didn't want her picture taken but, ever mindful of my faithful readers, I convinced her this was for the greater good.
This morning it had stopped for a while so I thought I'd jump on the chance to go for a walk. Lika was a little impatient with me. What are you waiting on?! Walk! We go for walk!
you can see in the foreground one of my dying lavender plants. Don't know if this is due to so much rain lately but many of my other flowers in this bed have turned black. Must be some kind of fungus or mold. I hope they survive.
Despite so much rain, the creek is really not up very much. It has been such a slow rain that it is soaking in I guess. The soil here is very sandy and allows that I suppose. The large plant on the upper right is that beautiful 'kiss me over the garden gate', which was just getting ready to bloom when the rains came and washed all the blossoms off.
What's left of my flower bed by the drive. Many of the plants have gotten sickly this year. The very tall plant there is a Maximilian Sunflower. I have been waiting all summer for this thing to bloom. It is well over 7' tall and covered with buds. Hopefully, the sun will return soon and let them all open.
Thanks for all the well wishes for Mom! She got out of the hospital Saturday and is doing better. Any subsequent tests will be done in Birmingham.

I think I mentioned that I am laid off again and hope to stay that way for a while. I asked my last boss and personnel director to keep it kinda quiet that I am out of work! I hate to say that but I really must get this siding finished before winter. I had hoped to do a couple of art shows this fall but work has all but screwed that up completely. All deadlines are past or shows just too close to be able to produce any work. Now, if it will just stop raining! I am determined though, to work on it, even if I have to do some in the rain. My eaves are wide enough to keep most of the rain off of me! I hope everyone else is dry (not parched) and not being washed away!


*CCR

Work In Progress

Not much going on around here due to work and rain but I thought I would post a little something. I have planted a few new things above my new retaining wall, as I think it has about settled in. We have gotten so much rain lately that I think it is all washed in well. It should be anyway! Mostly I just transplanted some native ferns, hydrangeas and some flowers over to the wall. I did buy a few junipers and found a beautiful white rose that I might buy later. It's name is "Popcorn" because of the abundance of small, white blossoms.
I also did a little more work placing rocks this weekend but am trying to focus on the house. I have gotten some more work done on siding also.
Work has been rough; didn't get home until about 7:00 p.m. tonight. We are about finished with our part though, so hopefully I will be laid off again soon. I hate to say that but I really need the time!
Lika got bit by a snake on his snout but he is okay. He got a dose of Benadryl for the swelling and round of antibiotics. He seems just fine. They say the bite itself can get infected so that is why the antibiotics. He looked so pitiful with his head swelled up.
Well, sorry for the boring post but maybe something new soon. One update: that butthole plumber came in Monday mouthing off and the electricians jumped on him with all fours! It was so funny. He hasn't said much since. Fortunately, we don't get many guys like that.


*Mary J. Blige

Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey

I've been waiting a couple of years to use that song title, lol! Sheesh, I need to get out more! We are actually working a little overtime this week so in lieu of writing much I give you this tag a friend of mine sent me on Facebook. I'm not much into FB but this was kinda fun. I edited it just a tad to include a little more info.

3's of Me:

1. Three names that I'm known by

Annie
Queen Of the Universe
Miss Ann

2. Three jobs I have had in my life:

Pipe organ repair
carpenter
pizza cook

3. Three places I have lived:

Raleigh, NC
Birmingham, AL
Alexander City, AL

4. Three favorite drinks : (as in alcohol?)

whiskey
beer
rum and coke

5. Three TV Shows that I watch:

CBS Sunday Morning
Antiques Roadshow
Big Bang

6. Three places I have been and enjoyed:

Washington DC
Chicago
Oregon

7. People who text me regularly:

Don't text. At all.

8. Three of my favorite foods:

Japanese
Southern
Mexican

10. Three Things I am looking forward to:

the rest of my life
the next man I'll spend part of it with
getting to work solely on my house when I get laid off

11. Three physical things about me:

I'm left-handed
I have a 3" scar down my left forearm
I have each ear pierced 3 times


* The Beatles

Rock Lobster

I haven't been able to come up with any new, interesting thing to photograph lately so ya'll are just going to have to endure more of the rock wall. This angle shows a little better view of the wall and the emerging pattern. I had Allen take the photo just so I could be in there for scale. The fact that he was taking the pics might also somewhat explain the previous post's photo. It's either that or he wants to photograph me from behind every time. Sheesh... lol! Some of the rocks are fairly large and I had to rig them with a lifting strap in order to set them in place. Allen did help me place one or two of the bigger ones. It helps greatly if someone can flag you. I didn't realize until I saw these photos that Lika is almost the exact color of the soil here.
I had a great idea last night that I am going to incorporate other materials, like copper wire, chunks of glass, metal etc. into the wall to fill some of the gaps between the big stones. I think it is going to look really cool. I'll need to get the stones all set first, in case they come get the machine, and then go back with a little mortar and the other objects. That will give me time to continue collecting really neat artifacts to stick in there. Big shells, broken pottery, railroad spikes, anything like that! I want these objects to blend in somewhat so that you don't really notice them right at first but then, after looking at the wall a bit, say hey! that's a seashell, or a bunch of copper or whatever.
I came up with another idea also lately. I'm going to find out how to establish my land as a nature preserve and sculpture garden so that it cannot be sold after I die and maybe people can enjoy what I build as sort of a park. People could come here to hike and picnic and enjoy the art and gardens around the place. That gives me something to strive for. I have no family that cares anything about this place but this might be something I could do that would benefit others. I have several sculptures waiting to be put up but need quite a few more. And it would be others work also, not just mine! But I need to do a bit of research into this.

It's raining here now and I think it's going to continue so don't know if I'll get to do much work on the wall this weekend. If so, I guess I'll work on my window.


*The B-52's

Rock And A Hard Place

OK Pablo, here's your slightly racy photo... :D

Completely unintentional, let me add!


*The Rolling Stones.....ah! I slay me!

Silent Sunday

Lean On Me

I haven't shown Lika lately so I thought I would try my new camera out on him. I had in mind that he would be a bigger dog but I think he has gotten about as big as he is going to. That's okay though. He's very sweet and loving and rarely ever barks. Just the kind of dog I like.
What a sweet face! Lika's that is. I guess I should get him a buddy though, since I work so much.
I've been trying to carve out some time in order to post something a little longer but it hasn't worked so far. Just as well probably, as I have also been rather depressed these past 2 weeks and what I write would not be very good. As ya'll can probably guess, that's something I wrestle with a lot at times. Unfortunately, along with my artistic abilities, I apparently have the ****ed up brain that so many creative people seem to be afflicted with. But I'm working to get better and maybe if I come up with something I can relate it to ya'll. I know a lot of people suffer from similar problems so maybe I can help somebody else.
So, I'll try to show the retaining wall I'm working on and the beginning of the stained glass window. We actually got some rain Sunday night! Quiet a bit I think.

Lovely Day

Hey People! No, I have not abandoned or forgotten you all; I'm still here! Sorry for my lack of posting lately. I've just, well, always suspected that there was something more to life than work and I believe I'm just beginning to see what that is. I will try not to effuse about things too much but let's just say it has been a very lovely weekend. The weather has been absolutely wonderful and warm, things are blooming and sprouting. I spent the better part of yesterday cruising the open roads on the back of a motorcycle, just enjoying the countryside and not worrying about anything.

This look on Lika's face kinda says it all, lol! What you can't see is that I am scratching his side for him. He has been recovering from a little surgery (something the Man From 12 Years jokes Lika will never forgive me for) and from getting all his shots and such.

I have actually gotten some stuff done around the house. The pantry is ready to set cabinets in, if I can ever get them ordered. I completed the patch in the bathroom and repainted, hung the mirror etc. The weather is so great here today that I may work in the garden putting in some leeks and new cabbage and finishing a strawberry bed. Work on the stained glass window has not gone very far though and I have got to get that restarted.

So, hope that everyone is having a good weekend and I have not forgotten about the remaining questions that ya'll wanted me to post about. I'll try to get to the next one soon.

*Bill Withers

Atomic Dog

The title of this post doesn't really mean anything, I just like it. And I like reggae. 'Course, I like about any type music but you probably figured that. We have been having just wonderful weather lately so Lika and I went for a walk down the creek the other day. He loves, loves, loves to go to the creek. Doesn't he look so sporty?!

Lika is a pretty good ol' dog. Doesn't get into much and rarely barks. He does get into these wild playing sessions on the deck in the evenings that sound like he is tearing the place down but he doesn't actually mess anything up. Sometimes I think he believes if he makes enough noise I will come out and play with him. And I do when I can. Since the weather has been so warm he brings his day bed up onto the deck and camps out by the door. He has a big, plush bed in my studio but also has a smaller 'tote' bed that he carries around to nap on. It's really funny.

Just wanted to send a note to my Aussie readers: Hope ya'll are all safe from the fires and flooding there. I know Molly is OK but not sure where the others live. I'm ashamed to say I don't know all the geography of Aussie. My heart goes out to ya'll and your countrymen though. I hope things are under control soon. I would also encourage us "Yanks", if you are able, to make a small donation to the Australian Red Cross.

Well, tomorrow is Friday and let me tell you I am glad! This week wasn't too bad but this warm weather has got me wanting some time off something fierce. Oh, to be working in the garden and on the house! Or just lounging on the deck a little. Even Grendal has been braving the threat of Lika trying to lick her face to go out and sun on the deck. They still don't know what to do with each other.

I'll try to have something about the house this weekend!

*George Clinton

Like The Weather

Well, the creek is pretty much back to normal. Flowing along as if nothing ever happened.

One good thing about flooding is that it cleans all the leaves and debris from the banks and makes everything look better. A little trash washed up but I can go pick that up easily now that there is not a foot of leaves on the bank to dig through.

We had some stretches of very cold weather at the beginning of winter here but the last two weeks have been in the 50's and 60's. It's nice but now all the little flowers and trees are beginning to think it is spring and I'm afraid they are going to be in for a harsh surprise next week. These daffodils are popping up all over the place. I hope the coming cold weather doesn't kill them. Funny thing though; these sprouting now are some a friend gave me last spring. The ones I brought here with me a few years ago are still snuggled down. Not a sign of them sprouting up at all. I guess they know better than these newcomers.

Speaking of sprouting....Lika is getting big! He's turning into quite the handsome dog. We took a walk down to the mailbox and I got him to sit still for just a little while. Actually, he was intent on a big buzzard flying just above the treetops. He seems like a pretty smart dog and has settled in here well. We've had some 'No!, No!" sessions because he likes to pilfer through my tools and drag stuff out. He doesn't chew stuff up but likes to take it out in the yard. I also have to watch where I set the laundry down (the washing machine is in the basement). He thinks it is great fun to grab a pair of my panties or bra and take out across the yard as fast as he can. Why do I always get guys like that? Oh well...

And hey! Look! Brussel sprouts! Well, sort of. I think I planted these and the cabbage a little late but I got them just as soon as they came out at the market. It seems that they should have matured by now though. I believe these are still too small to pick and they are loose, you know, not like tight, little, teeny cabbages. Does anybody have any experience with these things? I fertilized them after planting and re-amended the soil but haven't done much since. Should I keep fertilizing even in the cold weather?

I'm not sure what I will be working on this weekend. Ugh! It's supposed to rain again. I wanted to work on exterior stuff but don't know if I'll be able. I'm patching the drywall in the bathroom where the light was moved so I'll show that soon. I know ya'll just can't wait for that! Oooh, what excitement!

I'm going to try to update my blog and rearrange stuff so that all parts of the house are categorized etc. So that if someone wanted to see all posts on say, tile work or concrete, it will all be on the side there. This may take awhile. I did not start labeling posts until about a year ago so, God only knows how long this may take me.

*10,000 Maniacs