Mike - Grass requires light from the entire spectrum (wavelength) - red (very long) wavelength for development of root growth required to sustain the plant and harvest nutrition from the soil & blue (very short) light wavelength for blade development to provide photosynthesis to produce the carbohydrates (food) required for plant growth. The cost of producing the intensity of light and amount of light would be huge. A heat lamp producing wavelengths in the red spectrum only would not facilitate blade development in grasses; you'd need to supplement additional blue spectrum wavelengths. You would have to plant an extremely shade tolerant variety of grass - either Fescue or Zoysia. If you want to spend every dollar you earn feeding the electric company to grow a small patch of grass (maybe 25' x 25') you might get several blades to grow.

 

Headed norte

Have a great weekend olds friends

 

Well....I was up to pee twice during those hours. I saw it but wasn't overly impressed. I expected more I guess.

 

Good morning guys,

Wow, what a difference a day makes. I don't know for sure how low it got last night, but it's still only 26° F at 0830, and that's with full sunshine. I slept in until 0730, very late for me, I don't know if getting the vaccine booster yesterday had anything to do with that or not? I do know it had alot to do with the fact that neither one of the dogs mauled me to get up and let them out.

I'm still not having any side effects from the booster other than minor arm sorenesss. I'm hoping I can work that soreness out when I go down to do my weightlifting a few hours from now. My wife said she thought she had some minor chills when she went to bed very late at 0200, but they didn't last long and she feels fine this morning, and she also has a sore arm.

No big plans for today other than basketball practice with my daughter and grandson this evening at 1730. Depending on how I feel after working out, I may go out and mow just the front yard to mulch up leaves.

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

I decided to make chicken salad for lunch. The super model likes hers finely minced, I like mine chunky. I made home made mayonnaise. It's not worth it for a ham sandwich but it makes wonderful chicken salad

 

In the beginning (same pic as I posted earlier, if you were wondering):



Around midnight when I woke up in my recliner, went out back with the dogs, snapped a pic, then went to bed for a few hours




2am. I actually woke up 5 minutes before my alarm sounded, and was back in bed in 10 minutes. It pays to have everything set up and ready beforehand.





Got up again at 3 am because I was hungry (shoulda eaten something at 2 am when I was already up), so I stepped outside and snapped this pic.

 

James - I love chicken salad sandwiches (on rye) and so does my wife. We have them fairly regularly. Sam's Club sells a 6-pack of 12.5 oz. cans of chicken breast chunks packed in water. Makes it very easy to whip up a batch and is very good.

Now for the great debate! I took notice of you whipping up a batch of homemade mayonnaise. Both of my Grandma's always used Hellman's Mayo. For whatever reason, my Mom never used real Mayo, she always used Miracle Whip in all her recipes, and it's what we ate on sandwiches. To this day, I don't like real Mayo, it tastes too greasy and rich to me. I much prefer Miracle Whip and so does my wife.

 

Kenneth those are really cool pictures. My neighbor gave me a telescope a few years ago, I've never set it up. No idea how to use it.

Work was okay today. Typical we don't give a damn attitude today, and I guess the lead wanted to leave early so he lowered the number, and we got out a little past 11. So I went to the Awful house and had a great time with my Friday lunch friends. Only stayed 3 hours.

Norm I've probably told you this before. I'm trying to come up with a room I can build off the house, where the dog can go in and out freely to open air and grass when I'm not home, but is enclosed by screen or whatever so bugs and/or other critters can't get in, and Tiger can't get out. I've also thought about one of those screen tents that the Floridians have over their outdoor pools, but I'd have to build a short wall to put it on, so he doesn't dig under it and get out.

I don't know what happened, I was in a good groove moving stuff over, and now for the past few days I haven't done squat. It's like I'm delirious and I don't know what to do. I think when I ran out of boxes it threw me for a loop. The next couple days I'm going to do some maintenance that's needed to be done around here. Clean out the gutters. Get up on the roof of the garage with the leaf blower and blow it clean. Maybe do some mowing to finish up for the season. Over at the other house I need to get up and clean out the chimney, finish putting the refrigerator back together, do some cleaning. And find more boxes.

Chris we always had Miracle Whip around the house as well. I used to eat Miracle Whip sandwiches. Another Whip, my Grandma never got whipped cream or Cool Whip, she would get out a packet and mix up Dream Whip.

Well I better find something to do that's productive. It's beautiful out, if not a little cold. Have a good afternoon everyone.

 

Good afternoon guys,

Well, my weightlifting workout did work the soreness out of my arm, completely. I did get outside and mulch the leaves in the front yard with the mower, and did my daily chore of cleaning up the dogs' poop in the back yard. Next up, basketball practice. Because I don't get home until about 7:45, I have been picking up fast food for myself on the way home, but tonight my wife is going to have pot roast, potatoes, carrots, and onions ready when I get home, along with homemade rolls. Her homemade yeast rolls are incredible, I could make a meal just out of those!

Crap, County Tax statements came today! Here in Missouri we get taxed on our Real Estate, and what they term Personal Property (cars, motorcycles, atv's, boats, trailers, etc.), and they are two separate statements. My Real Estate went up $300, and my Personal Property went down $50. It makes sense the Personal Property went down a little because most vehicles depreciate in value. Why my Real Estate went up so much is somewhat of a mystery, since I didn't do any home improvements over the past year, unless they're taking into account the current housing market prices going up? I guarantee when the bubble finally bursts my taxes won't go down to where they were before! The curse of retirement and living on a fixed income, everything keeps going up, except your income! Like Dan said yesterday, sorry for the rant. What the hell am I saying, no I'm not!

 

Mike - Your Mom is a smart woman and raised you right! My Mom did use the Dream Whip packets too until they came out with Cool Whip, and then the convenience was too much for her to pass up. Now if my wife is making a special dessert, she will make Real whipped cream from heavy cream, but usually we just use Cool Whip.

 

The only time I ever use miracle whip is on Waldorf salad ( apples,peanuts, raisins)

 

James - I thought a traditional Waldorf salad has Walnuts, not Peanuts? Are Peanuts a local adaptation?

 

Must be. We sometimes had pecans, sometimes grapes were added

 

Well, though I loath extended warranty's , I got one for the new fridge. At the moment I am fuming due to the fact that the folks at my local walgreens are idiots. I went to register for the covid booster on Monday, online, at Walgreens, their website said "walk ins", hmm, well just to be sure, i called the pharmacy at the one nearest me, "Yep, you can walk in for the moderna booster" no appointment needed. So, I declined overtime for the weekend, just in case I had any side effects ( I did from the second Moderna booster). I go to that Walgreens, which is very busy, wait in line for 20 minutes, only to be told that I had to register online! *&#!! I said that I called earlier in the week to confirm that they were offering walk in booster shots, specifically this store, and I talked to a pharmacist. "Oh no, you called the national number, they, and we, aren't offering walk ins, you must schedule online. Yes, I called her an idiot. I scheduled online at the local hospital's pharmacy for next Friday afternoon. FUMING!

 

Mike - I like the idea of building a wall with the black bug netting/screen. I have several friends in Florida with pools who have the same wall & black see-through netting/mesh/screen attached to metal grid framework.

Kenneth - Those are great photos. You managed the timing of your captures coinciding with the lunar eclipse. Nice job.

Chris - Thanks for fuming. Since you've already ranted on your fuming event(s) I will save everyone from my nettled, peeved, riling, exasperated annoyances involving the F250 windshield. I refuse to relate my annoyances since I have no intentions of reliving them as I type - enough said.

Walked 18 holes in pleasant 19mph - 20mph winds with a temperature of 51°F. I don't know what the wind-chill was, I really wasn't cold, but I sure didn't like walking against the wind with a push cart for 6.5 miles, which felt more like 10 miles. No one plays well in those conditions, but it was still better than going to work or shopping at WalMart on a Saturday afternoon. Come to think of it, I haven't been in a WalMart store for at least 5 - 6 months, maybe longer. The only time I really go to WalMart is when I want to buy something in bulk and a good price. As an example, I buy those big Bounty paper towel rolls - something like 20 in a pack. And, I hate the 1/2 sheet select-a-size rolls - I want a full sheet if I'm using a paper towel. I buy whatever it is, 32 or 40 rolls of the Ultra Charmin toilet paper. Both of those in bulk are a significant savings over grocery store purchases. I'll need to make a run to WalMart rather soon as I have one roll of paper towels remaining. The davenport has a seat reserved with my name on it along with a comfortable pillow and blanket.

 

I have seen grapes many times, and pecans seem like a reasonable substitute for walnuts, but the peanuts really threw me, because they're a very different flavor.

 

Dan - They deserved everything they got, and more! That is total BS!

 

Good evening guys,

Well, the Pot Roast and fixens never happened. My wife came up from working in the basement all day about 4:30, about 15-minutes before I had to leave for basketball practice. She looked really beat. I said honey, you really don't have to fix that Pot Roast tonight if you're wiped out. She said, do you mind if I don't? I said no, I'll just get take out on my way home again, if you don't mind fending for yourself. She said she'll make it on Sunday. Why not fix it tomorrow, well you'll have to wait until tomorrow morning for the answer to that one, I'm gonna keep you in suspense!

Hope everyone has a great evening!

 

Speaking of grandmothers and peanuts.

Back in the ole days ( before drying houses) they used to stack peanuts on a wooden stake in the field to dry, after they were dug. My grandmother would go out into relatives field. Get some off the stake, take shells off and " parch " them in the oven.
the toasted skins would slide right off when you squeezed them and shot them into your mouth

The other "snacks " that were always present were pecans in a bowl with a cracker and picks and a plastic tub of " Bob's " soft peppermint candy sticks

She also kept a bowl of wild plums picked by the road side in the fridge

Never saw a single bag of potato chips

Indeed a simpler life

 

Chris, reading up on miracle whip. It contains sugar and less oil than mayo. It was invented during the depression and was cheaper

Never knew that

If you want to start a real food fight Hellman's vs.Dukes

 

Funny the discussion on Miracle Whip vs. Mayonnaise, My Dad, family used Mayo, My Mom's- Miracle Whip. So we had both around when I was growing up, so I like them both. Dad used to LOVE Mayo, He would put a big glob of it in pork and beans from a can along with crushed up saltine crackers- made a weird mess, I did eat it but really wasn't a fan. He also would make a chili type stuff with Hamburger and beans, tomatoes but no chili pepper. Then at table add the same glob of mayo and crushed crackers! And or course ne loved it on a sandwich. Mom on the other hand loved the sweetness of Miracle whip. She would use it in Tuna salad sandwiches and other sandwiches and salads. I like 'em both. A friend of mine thinks wifey and I are crazy- that there is no difference between the 2- there sure is!! This reminds me, Have you guys ever had Pineapple and Cheese salad? I think it has chunks of pineapple and cheddar cheese in Miracle Whip, I don't like it much but my Dad loved it. Another dish I am reminded of is Pea and Peanut salad- I do love that. I think it is peas an peanuts in a Mayo and maybe cream cheese type sauce. Ooh Now I'm hungry for some of that!! Well, bright and early tomorrow morn 2 buddies and I are going down to the MCAN (not right-whatever it's called) meet near Chicago. That should be a good time.

 

Greg,

Growing up we had pineapple ( or pear halfs) topped with miracle whip and a cherry often as a salad

 

Greg,

Growing up we had pineapple ( or pear halfs) topped with miracle whip grated cheddar cheese and a cherry often as a salad

 

Good morning everyone.

No 3 hours at Awful house this morning. Got there a little early, sat with a couple guys and then they left, so I was sitting there by myself and another guy drove up who is nice, but I don't like talking to him very much. So I high tailed it out of there. So look how early I got home. Got the whole day ahead of me I hope I don't waste it.

My Dad liked some weird things as well. Brown sugar on rice. He would have saltines with jelly and then put chili on it. I asked my Mom why he did that and she didn't know. I have a feeling he was being a wiseguy when he was a kid and it just stuck. Even today, though, when my Mom makes chili for a meal she always puts jelly on the table, I still eat chili like that. Oh another one, chocolate ice cream on apple pie. Everyone thinks that sounds gross. I say, don't knock it till you try it. Yes I still put brown sugar on rice.

One night at work a fellow brought in stuff for pineapple sandwiches. Mayo on bread and then pineapple rings. It was good, a little sloppy. Another time, the tool room lady was telling me about onion sandwiches. She said, you should try one. So I did. She asked me how I liked it. I said, I'm glad I tried it. I think she understood that was code for, I didn't like it in the least.

Very pretty out, and cold. Got a bunch of things to do today, like always. Best get to it. Hope everyone has a good Saturday.

 

Saga of the Leaking Windshield.

The windshield was replaced w/in the first two years after I purchased the truck. I bought the truck new in 2003. On a road trip to Boston a rock hit the bottom of the windshield and cracked the windshield all along the bottom (~24" long crack). SafeLite came to my home & installed a new windshield (Ford OEM Carlite Solar Tint). They essentially make two windshields for these trucks - the Ford OEM Carlite Solar Tint has "Super Duty" embossed within the top of the windshield and contained w/in the Solar Tint - less expensive windshields do not have the embossed "Super Duty" Carlite Solar Tint and are significantly less expensive.

I have no windshield replacement separate insurance policy (this is not going to be an issue) therefore my normal deductible ($500) applies - that's fine, I need to address/fix the issue of the leaking windshield.

The driver side of the windshield has significantly lifted from its seal at the top corner. Upon further evaluation I can see the actual windshield seal itself has become loose and is separating from the windshield at the bottom of this driver side - right where the windshield meets the cowling, I removed the windshield cowling and it appears that is the exact point of water entry. There are a couple places where I can see water has accumulated and rusting has accelerated but those rust areas are NOT near the windshield seal. I should point out two things: (1) This windshield has a solid rubber surrounding "seal" with an embedded metal insert (exactly the size of the width of the windshield) which "holds" (secures) the solid rubber surrounding "seal" to the windshield along the entire top and down both sides of the windshield - terminating at the bottom of the windshield along both sides of the windshield. I believe the entire windshield is manufactured with that solid rubber surrounding seal; (2) the windshield (with the surrounding solid rubber metal insert seal) is then placed onto a large bead of windshield "sealant" to secure the windshield to the truck - at least that is my belief.

The windshield itself is fine - it's the integrity of the seal which is causing the leaking issue.

You CANNOT talk ANYONE at SAFELITE - ABSOLUTELY no person will answer the phone for any of three telephone numbers I repeatedly tried all day yesterday; and, all three telephone numbers state all windshield appointments MUST be set up on-line at their website. They ask several questions regarding fixing/repairing cracks, chips and replacement of entire windshield. The thing is, I don't know if I need an entire windshield replaced or whether they can removed my current windshield and reseal the windshield to the truck. There is no method of repair other than fixing/repairing cracks and/or chips outside of an entire windshield replacement. I can't talk to anyone to determine if resealing a windshield is even possible. A new Ford OEM Carlite Solar Tint windshield is ~$550 and the website clearly states they can't get them and they are not in stock and don't know when they can get them (argh); the less expensive windshield is ~$325 - evidently those are in stock (and at this point I think I'd be fine with that windshield if that's what it takes to fix the leak); finally, since I can't talk to a human being, I scheduled an appointment for a chip/crack repair so I can at the very least get SOMEONE to evaluate what is needed to repair the leaking windshield (~$139). My thought is when the technician arrives he can evaluate the integrity of the windshield and between the two of us make an informed decision regarding what the next steps are to resolve the issue. He'll probably arrive expecting to perform a crack/chip repair but tough cookies. It states these cracks/chips repairs require ~45' time and they're billing me at the rate of ~$100/hour with only $8.00 of materials - the rest is eaten up in taxes (~$139). HOPEFULLY the technician has more than one year of experience under his belt and HOPEFULLY he has done one of several F250 series trucks to help make an informed decision - as opposed to the new guy on the block who just started last month.

And, realize I still have to resolve the buzzer/alarm going off which I suspect may be water intrusion into the GEM module - that requires my further attention. I might remove the fuse box today and maybe the GEM module.

 

F-250 Ignition Lock Cylinder

As with anything, repairs become inevitable with usage. I've managed to keep an 18 year old F250 diesel hobbling along with only 200K miles on it. I tell everyone I should be able to get 500K out of this thing - maybe not, I don't know. But a replacement vehicle with the same features is ~$80K (or more) and I'm neither at that level of income where I can afford a new truck nor am I of the age where I can justify further usage of this size truck based upon any workloads in the future.

I replaced the Ignition Lock Cylinder ~7 years ago with a STANDARD manufacture Ignition Lock Cylinder and it hasn't held up very well - it came with a new key, also. So, I ordered up a FORD OEM Ignition Lock Cylinder (of course for about twice the price) - but, I have experienced very good results for other truck parts using FORD OEM replacement equipment. Well, the new FORD OEM Ignition Lock Cylinder doesn't come with a new key - that's fine. But, I have to insert the correct tumblers into the lock cylinder to get the new ignition lock cylinder to function with my current key. Argh. I've never done this before. I'm reviewing the instructions (which are written pretty clearly for an automotive service technician to follow), but I'm not that person. So, this is going to take some brain power. I think I'll be OK. There are several methods to determine which tumblers I need (the new ignition lock cylinder comes with a complete new set of tumblers, springs, etc.). I think I'll remove the tumblers from the current ignition lock cylinder and hopefully the currently tumblers will have a number on each of them.

 

Norm - I sure hope the SafeLite guy can just pull and reseal your existing windshield, and that you eventually isolate the specific cause of the buzzer/alarm going off! Good luck!

 

Chris - Thanks, me too. Time will tell. My 71 CS convertible has now become my daily driver. Life is getting to the point where I may need to make more informed decisions regarding transportation priorities. I love my Indian motorcycle, an absolute pleasure to ride & own, but I haven't been riding it as much in the past three years. I used to take trips to Canada, out West, down to Florida, many short-term rides into the Smoky Mountains, etc. But, as of late (past three years) I find myself mostly meandering about the coastline within a 250 miles range from home. I'm getting older and honestly I don't really enjoy having to drive everyone else car while riding the motorcycle. IOW, being very vigilant/diligent of monitoring other driver's intentions - drivers today it's all about ME, ME, ME! I don't really have a need for a large diesel work truck any longer I don't believe. I don't plan to renovate another house, build another man-cave, haul tons of concrete, pull a 26' boat & trailer, etc. I enjoy sporting about in the 71 CS convertible but I mostly drive it 4-5 times/week to golf and back and grocery shopping. It's sort of a daily driver, but it gets babied for sure. It runs great (I've spent considerable effort and $$ bringing it up par) but it's something which is certainly a mere luxury and not a necessity. It all comes down to want versus need.

 

Good morning guys,

All the food talk was very interesting. James - I have heard about the Hellmanns vs. Dukes debate, I'm half surprised another Civil War has not broken out on that one down there.
Mike - Your Dad sure had some odd ones! My Dad loved to make what he called "$hit on a Shingle". Armor Meat Company used to sell a very thinly sliced dried beef that was rolled up and stuffed into a glass jar. They may still make it, but I haven't looked for it. Dad would mix that beef in some type of gravy(the $hit) and serve it over what was called "Rusk Toast" (the Shingle), which was a store bought toasted bread of some type. It was alright, not my favorite, but I was always hungry as a child and we ate what was put in front of us or we didn't eat.

Well, the last thing I put on here last night was that I'd provide an explanation for why my wife was waiting until Sunday to make the Pot Roast, instead of today. As much as I hate to acknowledge it, this old man turns 62 today. We're going to my youngest daughter's house for pizza and cake at 1500 this afternoon. Can't think of a better way to spend my B-day than getting to spend it with my wife, kids, and grandkids! Just really happy I'm still around to enjoy them all!

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

Norm why don't you call someone else to fix the windshield? Or take it to a local place? Apparently there's no warranty on the job you had done if you're going to have to pay for a fix. You can't get them on the phone to ask any questions. Why persist with this company when they are falling short of expectations?

You should rekey the new lock to the original key. Are you currently carrying two keys, one for the door and one for the ignition?

 

Well Happy Birthday Chris! Sixty-two ain't nuthin' . Hope your day is a success!

 

Thanks Mike! Hope you have a great weekend too!

 

Mike - Why are you asking me intelligent questions?

Yeah, well to address the first question requires just a little discussion. Number 1, I don't have the original SAFELITE receipt from 16 or 17 years ago; although, SAFELITE does provide a lifetime warranty for both material and workmanship, but again I don't have the original receipt; but one of my first questions I'd like to find out is if they can locate (look up) my original work order with them in 2004 or 2005. Honestly, that sounds like a fight I'm not particularly interested in entertaining to be honest. I don't know how much time I want to become involve in with researching a receipt I do not have to provide evidence they performed an initial unsatisfactory job 16 years ago. I'm also mildly suspect they would replace the windshield. Hey, they may - I just don't know, but I'll bet they'll be hell bent on me providing a receipt for the transaction. Some things are what they are and I don't mean to slight the fact they offer a lifetime warranty. But, I park my truck outdoors daily for the past 18 years. There is enormous amounts of sunlight which strikes the truck 24x7x365; just how much a truck can take I don't know. Yet, again, if they offer a lifetime warranty, you'd think I should be entitled to a new windshield (if I only had the receipt!).

Regarding the second question. Yes, in fact, I'd like to re-key the new ignition lock cylinder to the original key. Can I do it? That's another question I have yet to find out. I do not have the original ignition lock cylinder, I do have the original keys and as you correctly suspected, I currently carry two keys - original for the door locks and a newer key for the lock cylinder I replaced ~7 years ago. This brand new ignition lock cylinder I think I'll have no issues with re-keying it with the new tumblers provided (actually why couldn't I use the tumblers from the currently ignition lock cylinder? I probably can) but I'd like to use new tumblers as long as they're provided. My thought is to remove the current ignition lock cylinder tumblers, get the numbers off each one, then use the new provided tumblers of the same number for each tumbler in sequence. I'll see how that goes with my very limited experience (actually that would be no experience). If I can get this to work and the ignition lock cylinder works just fine, I may perform the other method of determining the correct tumblers by measuring the flat points long the original key and setting the new ignition lock cylinder with (hopefully) the correct tumblers so I can use just one - the original key. First, though, I'd better see if I'm capable of re-keying this new ignition lock cylinder correctly. If I win with this, I'll attempt to try re-keying with the original key.

Have you done this before, Mike?

 

Chris - HBD! You're just a young punk. One thing I'm learning - this aging thing is not for sissies. Have a great day.

 

Happy B day, Ralph!
-- Norm, I also would take truck to a regular body shop, hopefully you can find a old school shop that has experience with windshields. After all the Ford truck is pretty common.... They should be able to advise and be able to repair any metal work if needed. A couple years ago a rock hit the windshield on the Cutlass and got a chip. I called Hagerty and they said no problem, take it to whoever I want, including Safelite or where ever. I know of the very thin metal on those cars and didn't want someone just filling a rusty part with silicone or something as a guy in a truck would do. So I have a friend who has a late model body shop. I set up a appointment with them and they ordered the new windshield. When it came in I left car and a few days later I picked up car- metal was ok so that was good. I was confident it was done right, and if metal work was needed they would do it- I know- apples to oranges but a similar deal I'm sure could be arranged if you can find someone local you trust, I don't see any reason why they would have to replace the windshield- just remove it and properly install it.

 

Thanks Norm! I'm just starting to find out about "the aging thing is not for sissies" thing, I'm fighting it kicking and screaming, mostly screaming!

 

Thanks Greg! . Post us some pics from the Muscle Car Nationals and have fun!

 

Greg - Yes, your advice is well received. My issue would be to find a good place I can trust to perform this operation. I reside in the boonies with many automotive service technicians who I am HIGHLY suspicious don't have the brain power necessary to accommodate that level of critical thinking.

 

Chris ( and former Ralph) hippie bath day

Young whippersnapper

 

Thanks James!