Monday, June 30, 2008

California Fires


Northern California Wildfires Map







View Larger Map


This live maps courtesy of CBS5

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Chevy Malibu LS Rear Wheel Cylinder Re-build


The 2002 Chevy Malibu LS was making a terrible grinding noise on the driver's side rear break for a number of weeks. Figured is was the rear brake shoes but after removing the rear wheel saw fluid was on the break shoes. Resulted in a second trip to the Autozone for a wheel cylinder rebuild kit and had the brakes working noise free again. Inspected all four tires and brakes/shoes on the other three wheels looked good. Bleed the brakes, added air to all four tires, and power washed the motor to sparkly clean and the job was complete. Mileage 61,642.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Wasp Trap Update


Starting to fill-up.

Monday, June 23, 2008

New Airconditioner


Dad's going to keep cool. New vs. old air conditioners.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Spa Full


After 3-5 years the spa is finally filled up. Great little pool when the temperature was 107 degrees today.

Deer Block for Squirrels




The 6-7 baby squirrels are growing up fast and mowing the lawn (front & back). Got the deer block to try a stop them from eating all the plants in the yard.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Protecting the Garden Boxes

Guarding the veggies from squirrels, rabbits and hippies!

via videosift.com

Monday, June 9, 2008

New Porta Potty


The backyard neighbors installed a new building against the fence. It's the first thing you see when you walk in the living room or look at the backyard. The building is 10'x12' with 7' walls and a 9' peak. The city says it doesn't need permit and must be 60' from the fence on Camden. It just barley made it past that part of the building code. So we'll let the hedges grow higher and possibly add an arbor with vine to hide this eyesore.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Fresno Chili Plant


Squirrel protection for this 'hot' Fresno chili plant.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Garden Box Frame


Additional support for the second vegetable garden box that includes door. Not sure why this picture looks slightly askew.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Second Garden Box Update


Chicken wire fence added. Planted potato, eggplant, green squash and hot green New Mexico Chili seeds. Will frame the wire fence later this week.

Bob Cat in the Backyard


Seen in the backyard around 3:30am-ish.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Second Garden Box


Second garden box that's half the height of box one. Plus squirrel fence is framed on box one.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Old Gold Juniper


Juniperus x media 'Old Gold' planted to fill in the juniper space. We'll track 'Junior's' progress over the coming months.

Garden Box Zucchini


Green and yellow zucchini added to the garden box.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Planter Box Fence


Witnessed a squirrel snagging a tomato leaf in the morning. After further inspection of the plant quiet a number of leaves have been chomped off the plant. Surrounded the garden box with wire fence and will will add more framing for support.

Digital Slot Cars

Read the WSJ article here...

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Liquid Amber Box


Stacked the stove size liquid amber pieces into a square stack. Want to find out if more air will circulate because of the chimney effect and dry the wood faster. So far it's been a couple of weeks and at worst the wood is much more organized.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Rose Trellis


6' tall redwood rose trellis.

Bougainvillea


Planted a bougainvillea brasiliensis with redwood trellis. Suppose to produce "vigorous vine features large clusters of flower bracts in summer", "fast-growing tropical vine", "Grows to 5' tall and 10' wide" and doesn't need much water (water when soil is dry to touch).