Well....Haven't made a lot of progress clearing things off the "To Do" list this past week. I did, however, find someone who makes house calls for riding lawn mowers. Made calls to several lawn mower repair places, unfortunately, all required me to deliver the mower to their facility. Which wouldn't be too difficult if the mower would start or move into neutral so I could, possibly, push it up a ramp into the bed of my pickup.
No, Beans, you're right. I'd have to bribe the two teenaged boys that live close by to come and help push.
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| In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle, who knows what sleeps tonight! |
Anyhow, just because I like the sound of rejection and the jungle was closing in, I called one final person. I explained that the mower wouldn't start. It made a click and then nothing. I told him that I'd replaced the battery when I first encountered the issue, but that hadn't fixed the problem. It merely went from no reaction whatsoever when the key was turned to a click with the new battery. I couldn't open the hood to see if I could see anything wrong, because the last operator (She shall remain nameless, since she HAD mowed the lawn) parked it right against the house. Since the hood is hinged at the bottom front, the house interfered with opening. Since I couldn't get it into neutral/disengage the brake, rolling it backward wasn't possible either. I then asked if he, by chance, made house calls. Surprisingly, he did. For a mere $70, he'd come take a look. He suggested a few things I could check vis a vis the transmission and brakes. None of which were in my skill set. So, Saturday arrives as does he. He mounts the beast, turns the key...and...
No, Beans, it didn't start. It just clicked.
I felt vindicated. He popped the seat up, checked the connection to the battery. (Which I had done). Disconnected it and took a wire brush to the ends of the connecting wires. Hooked it back up, got back on, turned the key...And...
Yes, Beans, it started right up.
I rationalized the visit expense by thinking that the cost of back surgery trying to get the mower into the truck, even with two strapping teenage boys to assist, would undoubtedly be more than that $75 bucks.
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| My job will be to use the push mower to finish the yard. Yay! |
We've also made some progress on refinishing the dining furniture on what will be a second guest house on the property. DIL is currently living in it and will until she leaves with Tex, the Wonder Dog. for their next assignment. She's been very patient, but the finish on the chairs has been peeling off and the cane in the seat back has failed in one. So, this operation (as yet unnamed, suggestions always gratefully accepted) has several phases. (Yes, Beans, just like all my Operations.) Phase One ( now underway) is to repair, re-stain, recover the seat cushion, and re-cane the back of two of the four chairs.
Progress was made in that, the old finish has been sanded (and sanded, and sanded, and...) and re-stained. The seat cushions have been recovered, quite nicely I might add, through no real skill of my own. (No, Beans, handling a staple gun does not require great skill. Folding the fabric around curves, pulling it tight while maintaining the pattern alignment with the front of the chair, on the other hand...).
This only leaves the re-installation of the cane. Which is our project for this week. According to the YouTube videos, this should only take about 2 minutes. YouTube videos are filmed in real time, Right????
We shall see how this turns out, then debrief for lessons learned and start on the last two. But, right now, it's looking pretty nice.
Personal projects? I read a post on Instapundit about this pamphlet "Before I go". After the episode at Dead Man's Curve last week, I figured it would be worth it to take a look at what we've got in place and make any needed changes. While the subject is difficult to address, I'm about halfway through it and already it's proven its worth in pointing out things I need to change/add/or update. Highly recommended.
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| Those are "To Do" slips sticking out the top and side. |
Mrs J has decided to learn to paint using water color. Been at it a few weeks now. Frankly, I think she's doing great.
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| Our new House (with two imaginary trees) |
Finally, Mrs J, the Dogs, and the Chauffer are planning to take a vacation the end of May. We've decided on visiting Palo Duro Canyon, near Amarillo. The plan is to rent an RV, pick up a rental vehicle when we get near and scope out the area. We've never visited there, so any suggestions on must see/do things would be appreciated.
Peace out, y'all! Remember, we ain't getting any younger. Besides...I've got a date with a push mower.
If you need any instruction on how to cane, I understand that Singapore does a good job on that. Although DIL might not appreciate THEIR technique...
ReplyDeleteBy the way, how did the biplane flight go? Or is that still on hold?
Mark,
DeleteFunny how the crime rate in Singapore seems much lower than in the States, doesn't it? Maybe we should follow their lead.
Biplane is still on hold, if for no other reason, than I keep forgetting to give them a call. Thanks for the reminder.
Funny how Singapore doesn't give one moldy fig for the whining and mewling of Americans and their parents when caught doing something that earns one of them (should be the parents, too) a good stiff caning.
DeleteDon't do the crime if you can't do the time! That's pretty well gone by the wayside nowadays, hasn't it?
DeletePalo Duro Canyon is a beautiful spot, kinda surprises you as you come upon it from the flatness of west Texas. Been quite a while since I was there, so afraid I can't help in the suggestions for places to go and things to do. Other than combining Mark's comment on a biplane ride, I would think one over Palo Duro would be awesome...But I'm looking forward to your report about the trip and the RV rental experience. And thanks for the reminder about Before I Go, also saw that on Glenn's blog, and know I need to do a lot of those things. I'm starting to realize I'm not immortal!
ReplyDeleteTom,
DeleteI[m pretty sure that Palo Duro Canyon is well beyond the biplane's range, in general, as well as the one hour limit of my gift. We've been doing a bit of research on the canyon and there are some pretty good youtubes of it. One of my first impressions of it was "I'd REALLY like to fly a fighter through it". I did just that in the "Biggest Canyon in the US", but didn't get the opportunity for #2.
Ah Well...
Thanks
Good point on the range, but I was thinking someone in the vicinity of PD Canyon must own a biplane... But a jet through it would be pretty dang cool as well!
DeleteEspecially, if I was driving! Hey, a guys gotta dream doesn't he?
DeleteI see that there's a science fiction jet engine pod parked next to the chair. That should work perfectly well to power the flying belt.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that will be a future post.
Sooner or later I have to learn to do a better job of finish when we do woodworking projects.
The saga of the sprayer nozzles is a prelude to dipping my toes into HVLP spraying. (not literally dipping my toes!)
The flat tire on our mower was a lot easier to deal with than what you ran into with yours.
Coulda, shoulda, woulda. None of them matter, it's done and it runs. You can bank the knowledge for the future.
I have a lot of skills, but I take my hat off to those who can create art like those watercolors.
I already had the book you suggested parked on my wishlist, I had not immediately bought it because I have a similar book in hand.
I bought, "Wait - Don't Die Yet!" by Annette Kam and it's available as an Ebook on Amazon.
She tells of her experience with aging family, and she also makes available a checklist of things to do.
It doesn't matter what book you buy, it really does matter that you do something to prepare for life changes.
Toirdhealbheach Beucail has writing of his experiences with elderly family, and I suggest you set aside time to read what he has written.
https://thefortyfive.blogspot.com/p/moving-tb-elder-and-mom.html
My wife and I learned, and are still learning a lot during the process of dealing with the physical and mental decline of her parents, and we have applied what we learned to our own affairs.
I will simply say that those who write of the joys and closeness they find in dealing with their elderly family aren't going through what we are going through.
To sum up.
We didn't have nearly enough ready, and nor did the in-laws.
We prioritized and got the major administrative things done for both the in-laws and for us.
We have no children. That means that my family would have to deal with our deaths or our incapacitation, and you don't just tell them to do that. That is a legal process.
We found that we both qualified for a long term care policy. That process is a story in itself.
We aren't yet done with the process.
Getting started is a big step.
John,
DeleteYeah, we've got a lot of stuff in place already, but that was done a while ago when the kids were still young and living with us. We need to do some updating on who's doing what to whom issues to reflect changes in their lives. Mrs J and I have been through the process as Executors for both our Dad's passing. Both had their "you know what" together, but even then there were a few "oh crap, wadda we do about that" moments. Officially, "No Fun!" We'd like to try and do a better job. That having been said, there will be a few "oh crap, wadda we do about that" moments, I'm sure.
Good luck with a rental vehicle, might be tight from what I saw in the news recently, trip sounds like a good stress reducer. Those watercolors, not too shabby. Thanks for posting the pamphlet, off to search to see what I've missed. Oh that mower....learned a lesson parking the beast eh? At least it didn't require major repairs.
ReplyDeleteNylon, Thanks for the warning. We'll look into a reservation soon.
DeleteYeah, I'm continually (even after ~40 years) impressed with the Lady's capabilities. Think I'll keep her! :-)
Ouch, regarding the mower.
ReplyDeleteTell Mrs. J nice work on the watercolors, she has a nice, delicate hand.
Sarge,
DeleteAs John mentioned above, in paying for the house call, I not only got the mower fixed, I gained the knowledge of how to fix that problem also....while still avoiding back surgery.
I tell her that frequently.
Thanks
You got knowledge to fix that particular problem...
DeleteExactly!
Delete(Don McCollor)...Add the price of the new (probably unneeded) battery in. One of the first things is to check battery connections (jack knife works just fine for kind of cleaning posts and cable connections [mine has opened too many cans and stripped too much electrical wire to worry about damaging it])..
DeleteFair point, although we've had the mower for a while and I've only replaced it once. The knowledge gained wasn't specifically about batteries, rather that it's not necessarily the transmission or brakes. Which is where I jumped when the new battery went in but still didn't start. Not being able to move the mower led me to the false conclusion. He gave it a big pull and got it rolling again. That's when he went for the brush.
DeleteAs has been mentioned in dispatches above, that's when the learning started.
I don't know if they still do the TEXAS! musical in the canyon or not, but that is worth watching.
ReplyDeleteThere is a great firearms museum up there. Or a museum with a great firearms display. They've been featured in the TSRA calendar before.
The Ranching Heritage museum in LBB is pretty cool.
I really like the area around Snyder up into Post. Holley's in Post (south side of town) was a good place to get a greasy cheese burger and fries. Oh baby..... After you top the cap rock, turn around and behold the beauty of the hills you just went through.
I won't recommend heading up 70 to Amarillo since you are in an RV. That is a winding, beautiful drive, especially where you cross the river... Red River? Pease river? I don't remember. But I do remember the striations of blue gray clay and red clay on the hills around there.
The opening and closing of that Tom Hanks movie was filmed out near Pampa. And south of there is Turkey, where Bob Wills is from. I love the wind in the grass out near Shamrock. I could sit out there for years just watching the breeze ripple the grass...
Too many memories.... Been too long since I've been there. I need to visit a couple cemeteries and pay respects to my people.
Glad you got the mower fixed. All that rain, you oughtta get some fainting goats.
STxAR,
DeleteThey do indeed still perform TEXAS! and we're going to try to work it in. I'm a big fan of museums so thanks for those two tips.
You're absolutely right about Snyder to Post, I've driven that route many times while at Tech. I intend to take it on the way up so that Mrs J gets to experience that view change. Getting to the top, the "see 'em coming distance" goes from a mile or so to infinite (or so it seems).
I'll look into 70, maybe we can do a sightsee drive in the rental one of the days. Thanks for the tips.
If your route goes up through Ballinger and Sweetwater, take a short detour over to Bronte - there is another partially restored frontier fort there, Fort Chadbourne. They also have a very nice museum with a really nice firearms display that is a combination of two private collections. Very much worth the trip.
DeleteTom, that IS the planned route for going, Thanks for the heads up. I have visited Fort Chadbourne as a Boy Scout back in the day. Let's just say, it wasn't any state of restored at that time. That should make a nice mid-day stop to walk the dogs and stretch our legs. Again, Thanks!
DeleteOh, and when you head north on I27, get off at Avtech's exit and say hi to the C-47 on static display at the old terminal. Tell her I miss her terribly, and I think about her often... usually with tears in my eyes.... like now. Tell her I'll be along sometime to renew our acquaintance....
DeleteYou do know I worked at AvTech when it first started up in the mid-70's, don't you? Didn't have a C-47 out there that I remember though. We're going to pick the rental up at the airport, so I'll be sure and say hi.
DeleteI worked there the year after you did. I figured you'd know the way. ;)
Deletehey Juvat,
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain with the riding lawnmower, LOL....Mine was a bad battery, Plus loose wires at the starter relay and solenoid..Yes after 2 days, I was considering tannonite, LOL But it is cheaper than buying a new one. The "Before you go" is a good idea, the spousal unit and I updated a bunch of our stuff a few weeks ago including our will when our prior will preceded the birth of our 18 year old son (Ruh Roh Shaggy). We had to move on this because my wife was/is the executer on her moms estate and she passed several years ago with no will and it has been a circus. My dad passed away last week and he had everything prepared in advanced down to the burial plots after his lung surgery a few years ago, made things way easier on my step mom. It can't be overstated. The pictures look good, now with the picture of your house, maybe you can talk Mrs J onto "Camo Netting"? :)
Mr G,
DeleteThanks. Sorry for your loss, been through it myself. But, reading your post was the catalyst for me to get off my dead "donkey" (Family blog doncha' know) and get started of updating things. Glad your Dad had it together and hopefully there won't be too many "Surprises" and that they won't be too big. Hang in there, you are in our Prayers.
Ah, wire brush. How I do love thee ...
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty funny, but $75 got you off pretty chep.
Thanks BP.
DeleteA wire brush is on my Lowes list. They aren't more than $75 are they? ;-)
BTW, Keep the Dad jokes coming. I send them off to my Daughter and Mrs J. They both Groan. Keep up the good work!
I second the Dad jokes, a great source for material for the grandkids as well!
DeleteOne must keep one's multigenerational image intact. Constant interaction and goofy humor are important!
DeleteAnd that's only half in jest.
I have to say I was surprised at how much everyone likes them.
DeleteThey lighten the mood, which is invaluable nowadays!
DeleteThe Watercolors are marvelous! Lots of talent there, particularly if she's just getting started. Imagine what several hundreds of dollars worth of art supplies will do!!
ReplyDeleteWe still live in a capitalistic society as proven by your riding mower. We all have something to contribute, the trick is finding someone who needs our services.
So glad the place is taking shape for you, my digital friend.
Thanks Fuzz, I think so also. We were talking last night and I asked her if she'd taken art classes while in school. She had not, which makes the product even more impressive.
DeleteThank the Lord for Capitalism, may we keep it long after I'm gone.
My parents did/have done us a great favor by doing the whole pre-planned funeral (down to the music, what will be said, and such at the funeral mass.) Worked out very well when Dad dropped from sudden heart attack. Mom keeps updating hers. Lawyer and the will all ready to go, to. Just a plug-n-play end-of-life thing.
ReplyDeleteBleh. SMOD is much cleaner...
As to the lawnmower, it sounded like a starter solenoid or a bad bendix on the starter, so you made out lucky with just bad connections. Did he do a cleanup on all the battery cables from the battery to the starter and the generator? If not, well, when you get your battery terminal brush, get a regular wire brush and brush away and make sure all your connections are tight. It's a good thing to do at start of mowing season and at the end of mowing season, too (along with checking the oil and changing it when needed, yada yada.)
Ah, the RV life. Mrs. Andrew and I have had a succession of stealth RVs (basically your van, with a bed in the back and coolers of food, totes with stoves and such) and the mighty Pop-Up (until the cables that made it pop-up popped and no more popping up.) Fun way to spend time, just driving and looking.
Though the last vacation we took before life so rudely interrupted was a post-Christmas trip to the Smokies, where we rented a cabin for a week and used it as a base station for futzing around in Cades Cove, driving the beautiful but windy and scary (for this flat-lander) mountain roads and messing around in Townsend (on the east edge of the Smokies, near Cades Cove) and Pigeon Forge area (on the top - Dollywood area.)
Kind of nice to just drive and set up home away from home and then have the schedule be "Well, today, feel like doing nothing" and then doing nothing.
As I mentioned before, Mrs J and my Dad did a pretty good job. Her Dad had pretty specific instructions for the funeral. Mine didn't, so I had to wing it. The Mass was a no brainer. MBD did a great job singing the hymns with a couple of her friends. Afterwards, we went to the clubhouse at the gated community he had lived in. I put out the case of Maker's Mark that I'd found in his closet marked "Just in Case". I think he probably was looking down happily.
DeleteThat was in 2012, miss him still.
-Recommend Fredericksburg,Eden, San Angelo, Big Spring, La Mesa, Lubbock, then Amarillo route.
ReplyDelete-Cabins available on Palo Duro rim if you would prefer that to the RV. Ziplining is available at the canyon if you like that sort of thing.
-Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon; great firearms collection (referred to by STxAR) and often described by Jim Curtis and Peter Grant.
-Sixth Street (old Route 66 historic district between Georgia Street and Western Street). Visit "The Nat" (the old natatorium) which is now a flea market. Trivia; Little Richard was banned from performing there by the then-City Fathers. More trivia, on satellite photos, you can see where the original Route 66 crossed what used to be Amarillo AFB.
-Big Texan steakhouse.
-Downtown close by the convention center is an old *large* steam locomotive on display.
-Amarillo Historical Museum is also downtown.
-Cadillac Ranch. You always need a photo there.
My better half was born and raised there so the above are her recommendations.
Regards, Barry.
Barry,
DeleteThat's going to be our return route. Gotta take Mrs J through Big Spring where I (mostly) grew up, but I do want her to see the coming over the top view of US84 that STxAR mentioned above.
Good suggestions on the rest, might have to try the zipline thing. I always like museums, but we're bringing the Dogs (Mrs J's orders) so we'll have to check the pet friendly option.
Thank you and your better half for the recommendations.
If you have the time, it is three hours North to Liberal, KS and a great aircraft museum. Note, free admission to veterans.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kansastravel.org/airmuseum.htm
Being ranch raised, I usually put new battery cable on when I put in a new battery. Lesson learned from my elders.
And a lesson that has just been added to my "learned" repertoire. Thanks
DeleteI'd love to go to the museum, but it's an out on Monday, back on Friday (by noon) for the RV, so probably not going to make that one. Something to put on the "To Do" list though.
Sitting in my front porch reading the comments and, lo and behold, a flight of four T-38s fly overhead heading west. A lovely sight to see!
ReplyDeleteDang, aren't you lucky. Had one fly over while on the nearby low level route, that was kinda cool, even if he wasn't actually in the low level airspace. I've never done that, not ever, never ever.
DeleteRIIIIIGGGGGGHHHHHHHTTTTTTT!
Uhhh... the above comment was mine. - Barry
ReplyDeleteNo Worries, Barry
DeleteJuvat, The Ravishing Mrs. TB has recently returned from Palo Duro. She loved it. She did a fair amount of hiking, and the views seemed really beautiful. I would heartily recommend the reservations.
ReplyDeleteThanks to John for the kind call out. My parents had things planned out - Trust, Advanced Directive, Long Term Care Insurance - and honestly, it has still been a struggle, mostly because what happened (Alzheimer's for my mother, either dementia or a series of small strokes for my father) were not what we or they had planned for. It has taken us some time to come up to speed and get them ultimately where is best for them. Biggest advice (beyond the usual stuff): If you have or are going to have Long Term Care Insurance, clearly understand what the requirements are to invoke it and what the facility will need send. Even better, get the insurance company to pre-approve the facility if possible.
The watercolors are amazing. I am always impressed by people that paint well (all my daughters do) because I cannot do so at all.
ThBB,
DeleteThanks for the Palo Duro update. Everything I've heard so far has been exciting and we're looking forward to it.
We've got, and have had, the Trust and Advanced Directives in hand. Long Term Care Insurance is the next thing I'm checking on. To be honest, I'm not sure whether we have it or not. Got to look into that most skosh!
As to the last, you and I are a matched set then. My painting skills are limited to what is shown in the third picture above.
Instead of a car rental at/near your intended destination, inquire with the RV people if it can pull a toad. If so, a tow dolly for your own car may be an option to consider. FWD works best with a dolly, as it gets the drive wheels off the ground easily. Doing it with a RWD gets a bit more involved.
ReplyDeleteMy truck is indeed RWD, and my last RV experience was a story in and of itself, so I think I'll go with the simple solution rather than tempt fate. However, I appreciate learning about options available, Will, so thanks.
DeleteStrongly recommend visiting Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon too!
ReplyDeleteWill do. Thanks.
DeleteRE: Riding lawn mowers.
ReplyDeleteA utility trailer is a good investment. I've had mine about 10 years and it is low enough that you might actually be able to push a dead mower aboard without having to worry about it coming back at you and doing serious damage.
A come-a-long or some other method of being able to pull a mower. I used to get mine stuck in the mud on a regular basis. I eventually bought a heavy ATV with a winch and a snow plow. But whichever way you go, there is will be a need to move it, not under its own power. And depending on the age there might be an easy way to disconnect the transmission. Which is a good thing to know about.
RE: replacing cane on a chair...
Two minutes? Good luck with that. People say the sheet cane is easier than weaving the cane when the chair has holes, and not the groove for the spline. Good luck with that.
ZD,
DeleteYour probably right on the utility trailer. Just to move crap around on the property would probably pay for itself. A come-a-long is now on the shopping list, Thanks
Got the cane in the first chair this afternoon. Turned out great! Took us a bit longer than two minutes (which was sarcasm), but we got it done by lunch. Elected to do only one chair today and let it completely dry to see if we'd screwed anything up, but we're cautiously optimistic at this point.
Thanks
$75 was worth the price of avoiding additional diagnoses that might have been found when you dropped it off at the repair facility too.
ReplyDelete