July 17th, 2010
Just ahead of the really hot weather we managed to get some shades hung in the studio. Using a rail and panel design from IKEA it was pretty easy to set up a layer of three panels across the east end of the studio, which is pretty much solid window. If you look closely at the photo there is a red lazer line … that little tool has been worth every cent.
As with any IKEA project there are lots of parts to sift through and just about as many left over as you used to assemble the thing in the first place … plus the directions are all in picture, oh don’t get me started ……
The difference in studio temp has been noticable … and the panels look great in the space.
The next ‘project’ is to get some stairs under the front door so it is safer getting to the porch and front veranda. Arond here there is never a shortage of projects … js
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July 15th, 2010
This the first time I,ve had a chance to work on an iPad and still getting all my settings loaded. The college gave me a 16gig WiFi version to work on with the idea that we could find cleaver ways to incorporate it into our class and teaching. Day two and I’ve managed a blog post
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July 14th, 2010
sitting outside Pearl Bakery this morning waiting on the Mini to get serviced. Have book store plans to help pass the time.
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July 9th, 2010
Was a bit surprised by the date of the last post. Has it really been nearly 40 days since the last update, sorry about that. I’ve been playing with Twitter and thinking about building another page to BDH aimed at the technology and training stuff.
On Red Alder Hill we’ve lived through a very wet June and a scorching start to July since that last post. One thing we did manage to get done was plant the garden and install an irrigation system install … quite a bit of mess’n before it watered all beds evenly. All that fiddling came in handy when I helped some friends with their system.
The other challenge is to post, the stuff directed at what is happening on RedAlderHill and it’s inhabitants, a bit more frequently than once a month. I’m also working on getting a new page up and running, which I’ll post a link for so if there are any readers interested in my technical wanderings they can read that as well.
Looks like we are though the worst of the heat wave which means we can get back to the chores around here. Plus attempting to make regular posts and hopefully you won’t find yourself asking where you been … js
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May 30th, 2010
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May 23rd, 2010
There have been enough breaks in the rain to get some of my tasks marked off the list.
Even managed a trip to BackYard Bird shop to acquire some feeding stations. I’d put out the one still functional from Troutdale and to our suprises it got discovered rather quickly. Over run with Blackheaded Grossbeaks we figured to capitalize on this popularity.
About 30 yards from the front door is a new fly through and then right up on the veranda is the old station with a seed try under … making a very nice double decker bird feeder.
Between the two we have great bird watching. Besides the Grossbeaks there has been Junkos, brown headed cowbird and a crow stop on today. We have also had early, too early for ang good pix, visits by a herd of about a ndozen elk. And yesterday a coyote padded by the front windows. Rain has stopped again so I need to get back at the wekend chores … Js
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May 15th, 2010
We have taken advantage of the weather spending all Saturtday in the garden.Some plants got nipped off … I’m assuming a rabbit or some small rodentia. It is mostly my fault for not finishing the lower part of the fence that will be remedied today. Also spread ground cloth around all the berry bushes, which were starting to get overtaken by grass. This should help, plus it looks like there might even be a small berry crop this first year.
The alders are filling out and everything is growing … including scotch broom and blackberry so there is also a weed abatement job on calendar. The good news is we have all this space the bad news is we have all this land.
Spring has also brought out the wild iris … there are several patches of these with ten or twelve in each … summer is approaching finally … js
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May 6th, 2010
Meant to get this up yesterday day … There was snow falling as we got up Wed.
Looking like a change for the better is on the way. JQ can uncover her plants and get back to gardening. Really, snow in may …
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April 26th, 2010
I’ve been fighting this lung virus for what seems like ages … this weekend it got mean and spent most of my time coughing. Have a doctor appointment this afternoon to get some answers. Of course last night an this morning I’m feeling much better.
We’ve been planting fools up here on RedAlderHill … two weeks ago filled up Gisela’s Honda with trees and plants. You can get quite a lot in the Pilot …
JQ has been working on landscaping the rounded slope that sits just in front of the Studio … Flowers and shrubs as well as quite a few edible varieties. We also have a small garden with garlic and lettuce right outside the studio. Then this weekend we kick started the garden with some vegtable starts as well as more seeds.
There are peppers, tomatoes, cukes among other vegies all tucked in to freshly turned beds. Sunday was a perfect day for digging around in the dirt … js
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April 11th, 2010
I’m 57 years old, which doesn’t seem old from this side of 60. I guess it’s a matter of perspective and lately mine has been narrowed. Nothing like a chest x-ray to focus one’s prospective.
Had Family April birthday gathering last weekend, because it was Easter we had ham but there was also chocolate cake. Then Friday JQ cooked a great pasta dish, tons of garlic, pepper flakes and grated cheese. Two excellent dinners for one birthday.
Spring has started to re-emerge in Oregon and we actually had a couple of dry days. JQ got a bunch of stuff planted … and I managed to get my drill press [ via, Nan & Jay via Steve Berg ] rewired and afixed to the work bench. One of my bday presents was a bench vice which was also mounted this weekend.
I also got an RC helicopter … it’s the rule that you get toys for at least one of your birthday presents … still learning to fly this little bugger.
so … thanks for the birthday wishes, it was a good day to be 57 … js
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