Beating the Quarantined Blues

[BIGNASTY]

Quarantined? and FEELING UGLY?

What are you doing to beat the Quarantine Blues?

Gail suggested that I NOT do this but since when have I listened to him? (Not really we talk out ideas ALL THE TIME) as long as they are the way I want them he doesn't get too upset and NEVER says much when we re-do things his way grumbles a little

We've taken this quarantined time as sort of a Blessing, time with family is sometimes taken for granted but when its kind of forced upon us it's actually nice to really get to know how we as a family think. Gail has been the anchor for us, his ability to see the humor in almost everything is a remarkable gift very evident by the amount of calls he's received from people as far back as his Military buddies remembering that he had a way to make them think about other things and laugh off hard times.

We've been playing games, cooking, singing (good OR bad) puzzles, shooting & lots of fun times together. Todays plan is to work outside its cold but we'll have a fire and warm drinks.

We hope all are in good health and stay that way, Stay open to others thoughts, take ideas and questions with an open mind and most of all DONT take for granted that others know you Love them TELLING THEM EVERYDAY is Very Nice to Hear

Penny

 

[GCroyle]

Penny,

We have the Grandkids and this helps their parents, one less concern as they both have to go to offices for work.

Riley spotted my post it note project collection and asked what's paint and assemble a lantern?

I have a modest collection of Coleman lanterns and a few high pressure German lanterns. The lantern in question is a 1965 228F a bit rough but worthy of adoption. Riley got the last of the old paint off, polished some brass and watched as I assembled it. He saw wrench work, testing and final results.

When we were done, I put a new Coleman sticker on it and gave it to Riley. He wrote his name on a fridge magnet.

Linda is doing the home school work and I'm trying to not get into trouble.

Basement shop is my refuge. Tinkering with stuff and cleaning up a bit. Our daughters wedding is rescheduled, and a campout to SC and one to NC cancelled. Weather is a bit meh right now so no outdoor stuff to get excited about.

Gary

 

[Jim W]

We are both busy at home, I am in my wood shop building a new wood tool cabinet. My wife is in her sewing room making items that she has put off. Since my daughter and two daughter in laws are home, they are with the grand kids. We do face time them almost every day to talk to the grand kids. She has sent some craft gifts from Amazon to help keep them busy.

We will all get thru this trying times! Keep safe and stay safe!
Jim

 

[KATOOM]

I've been outside taking care of yard work...now that I dont have an excuse to get things done. I feel like cheap labor...

 

[BIGNASTY]

Gail went to the rental yard to pick up a trencher, he's going to run a trench from the Wood heating Boiler to the new barn site for a hot water line and electrical to heat a portion of it so he can produce Bio Diesel to get us even less dependent of outside services.

As a County we haven't heard of any illnesses within it, hopefully that will continue. It sounds like several of you have taken this as we have in spending time with Family.

Stay Safe & Healthy

Penny & Gail

 

[jgillott]

My work is transitioning to working from home. We did some meetings yesterday online and I did some independent work all day today from home. I need to set up a temporary office away from the kids though. They have been fine, but I can't keep asking them to be quiet for hours on end so that I can run these meetings.

I'm actually thinking of setting up out in our camper in the driveway.

 

[BIGNASTY]

My work is transitioning to working from home. We did some meetings yesterday online and I did some independent work all day today from home. I need to set up a temporary office away from the kids though. They have been fine, but I can't keep asking them to be quiet for hours on end so that I can run these meetings.

I'm actually thinking of setting up out in our camper in the driveway.

Luckily Gail has a den to work from, he gets up in the wee-hours when there's not as much demand on our rural internet (we think) and it works much better for the internet & him with no distractions. Its not often he needs to talk with anyone most of his work is statistical in nature making choices as to which way to best direct product and use of pipeline time. Lots of things with flow rates, pressures, pipe diameter and other stuff I have no idea of what he's talking about so I listen and shake my head like a bobblehead figure when he's telling me about it.

 

[Wiredawg]

Performed Spring maintenance on the zero turn yesterday and installed mulch kit on it. Then cut the grass.

Yesterday I donated and delivered air hockey, fusball, and ping pong table to local youth center.

Rearranged mancave ans cleaning it... got a duster kit with 15 foot extension to clean up high hard to reach areas. Gonna clean the ribbed roll up doors that have lots of dust.

Jeep Wrangler is 5 years old and 40K miles, so time to put on jack stands, lube brake caliper slides, and replace brake fluid.

I'll never run out of things to keep busy.

Cheers and stay busy

Ron

 

[TFucili]

I wish now that I hadn't delayed building a shop/RV garage. Easier to undertake a project without the pressure of having to be out of the way tomorrow.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Went out and tried out the Trencher a little before breakfast WOW!!! GALD WE DON'T HAVE A ROCKY SOIL

This thing will make quick work of the trenching to our new barn build site

 

[BIGNASTY]

What a time saving machine a trencher is. Not one rock in 150 yards of 8" wide x 40" deep, some SERIOUS clay though. I think if a guy was too build a foundation and was good enough with a backhoe forms wouldn't be needed.

 

[Wiredawg]

What a time saving machine a trencher is. Not one rock in 150 yards of 8" wide x 40" deep, some SERIOUS clay though. I think if a guy was too build a foundation and was good enough with a backhoe forms wouldn't be needed.

Even though I have a backhoe, I usually opt to rent a trencher for electric and water... did my own sprinkler system, added some sprinklers to the aerobic sewer system, ran several underground electric feeds, and replaced approximately 800 feet of waterline. We do have rock. so you can have a bouncy ride.

Have fun with your trencher, Ron

 

[BIGNASTY]

Im done with my part of the barn build. While the Amish crew are building the barn, I've got chores in the garden to get after. I LIKE OUR FRESH VEGGIES

 

[BIGNASTY]

Watching news it amazes me that people find it so hard, to find something to stay occupied with while being told to stay home. I know I harp about being rural but the ones on TV bellyaching about this are the city people. What did they do when the school children were off on summer vacation? its only going to be about 2 weeks more until they would have been off for spring break anyway. Driving through Indy in the past cleaning up the house & yard is my first thought. Whats going to happen with the rest of the stay home order time?

 

[Wiredawg]

Watching news it amazes me that people find it so hard, to find something to stay occupied with while being told to stay home. I know I harp about being rural but the ones on TV bellyaching about this are the city people. What did they do when the school children were off on summer vacation? its only going to be about 2 weeks more until they would have been off for spring break anyway. Driving through Indy in the past cleaning up the house & yard is my first thought. Whats going to happen with the rest of the stay home order time?

A lot of folks really don't have a relationship with thier kids... give em electronics so they won't be bothered. When grandkids, nephews and nieces come over, we don't let them have thier electronics... we do actiities...Activity isn't a norm. though for many folks. Maybe this emergency will bring parents and kids together. Got my 20 YO nephew into exercising, coming over everyday... great young man.

Another thing a lot of folks have a problem with... relaxing... being able to sit and enjoy a view or just chilling. It's a learned art and offers me a real balance in life.

Pulled my 35 ton log splitter into the shop... with my past two years of med issues, hasn't been started. Gonna change fluids, clean carb and gas tank and gitr going again.

Got to 90° here yesterday... I like it and so does my arthritis. Praying warmer weather helps bring the virus under control and folks keep to the restrictions.

Anyhoo, time for the Labs to take me for a walk.

Cheers, Ron

 

[BSeyler]

We have a 10,000 gallon pool and my wife swims every day that she can. Unfortunately, it's going to be awhile before it's warm enough to use if we wait on warm weather. A solar cover helps, but not enough, yet. I looked at buying a heater. Big dollars! So, I'm building one that I hope will do the job. I made a heat exchanger from 3/4" copper and an enclosure from 1/8" plate. My plan is to use an old pump I have to circulate the water and will use my weed burner for heat. If it all works out, I will install a pair of burners in place of the weed burner. I feel very lucky to have shop to work in. Wish me luck!

 

[BSeyler]

I just need to make or buy some hinges for the end panel. Taking it over to hook it up and see if it works.

 

[BIGNASTY]

https://alfaheating.com/collections/heat-exchangers

I use one for the house hot water & one for the hot tub they work very well with the outside wood boiler don't know if you could adapt to your application. Of course both of these for me at least are only used during the winter burn season.

 

[BSeyler]

That looks pretty good. I didn’t want to spend much on this and had most of what I needed already. We have some friends who heat with an outside boiler and that’s what they use for the pool. Who knows where this will all lead. It’s perking away right now.

 

[BSeyler]

Well, positive and negative. I could raise the discharge temperature to about 92°. But, with pool temperature of 55° and total volume being 10,000 gallons, not feasible at this time. Will try again when air temperature is higher.