Comments Off on back

By Dave, September 18, 2004 10:29 pm

from the dark days caused by Ivan. No real damage here. A tree almost 2 miles from here went down and took out a block of poles and line ending in my parents front yard where the terminating pole was shattered and the drop to their house ripped loose from the transformer. Put several hundred (thousand?) people in the dark for about 2 days which isn't as bad as anticipated. And certainly nowhere as bad as we have had before.

We survived fairly well overall. Not even any trees down here. Or that I have seen so far. Lost a few limbs but nothing big even. I need to get out and start picking the limbs and such up but still trying to recover from the stress and rush of getting things tightened up and ready for Ivan. Spent a bit more than I wanted to on supplies and such but most will be used otherwise. The kerosine will get used this winter at the latest. The dual fuel one burner coleman stove will be a lifesaver when the power is out too. I suspect I will get another one or 2 of them for bigger meals too. With cast iron cookware it works fine. Will have to try some thinner stuff and see how it does there.

We moved to the 12 wide for yesterday and today till the power came back on around 4 this afternoon. Was different. Didn't want to come back here. Got to get the trees pushed over and the dirt moved and the 14 wide moved over here! Soon!

Got 8 blinds for the windows in the 12 wide at Big Lots. They had them for 2.99 where the ones at wally world were 3.89 and up. Still need 2 but can get them out of the 14 wide. Got one put up and 2 more out of their boxes before supper was hot. Frozen stuff that was thawing put in a frying pan and heated till done… Then the power came on and we spent an hour getting it all back over here and back settled.

Computer has taken most of my time catching up since. Am going to hit the sack in a bit. Will start on getting restarted on the multitude of projects, put on hold for Ivan, tomorrow.

Comments Off on an eventfull day

By Dave, September 14, 2004 9:47 pm

Or somewhat.

Went to jville to oreillys auto parts to get the filters. Asked about dist cap, rotor button, and plugs for the case d310g. They had them all in stock!

Went by the Coop and no top-link. No truck yet.

Went to Alexandria Tractor to see how much they wanted for one and an old friend is now working there. Shot the shit a bit and got one for less than the coop wanted for it. He can also get me the info on the John Deere dozer engine. Gonna get some casting numbers and take out to him and see what he can come up with.

Went to the dairy but the place was overrun with kids so I opted to leave rather than pitch a bitch in public (again).

Came back here and put the top link on and filters in. Had to cut a bit off the seal on the outer one but they both fit fine.

Cranked the massy up and took it to the parking area and started to load it but backed off when the trailer started into the air cause the front wasn't tied down.

Got the truck and unloaded the trash that was on it in the field for flamage later. The wood and bamboo came up and unloaded at the end of the 12 wide. Hooked up the trailer and then loaded the tractor. Located a tie-down and after locking the brakes strapped it down. Got Cat and over the hills and through the dale we went to the folks house.

Backed it into the front yard and unloaded the tractor. Unhooked the trailer. Moved the truck to the back yard and loaded the rest of the fire wood into it.

Talked a bit on the porch. Bill saw us and stopped by for a bit. Dad was about to fall asleep so we loaded up and headed back over here.

I unloaded the truckload of wood under the leaning oak up from the bus. Brought the truck to the back door of the greenhouse and Cat and I loaded it with furniture and crap from the greenhouse. Moved it to the 12 wide. Bill came by and helped us unload it.

Brought it back over here and got the parts to put in the case. Dist cap and button went in fine but the plugs are a different matter. they are not a standard size! first for me but they are larger than a standard plug so am going to have to go buy a new socket just for this. Pisses me off!!!

That was the end of being productive for me. Went on a search for deep well sockets and located some but am still missing a BUNCH! Guess will go and buy another set in the morning. Dark fell and I bowed out gracelessly…

Really tired. Guess I over did it again. Need to tank up on vitamins and herbs before going to bed. will have to eat a bit more to do so. An excuse for Ice Cream!

Comments Off on Cooking for Engineers

By Dave, September 13, 2004 10:28 am

http://www.cookingforengineers.com/

This is an interesting site on cooking. The recipe format is logical instead of the do this do that format of normal recipe layout. Hope it continues to grow. The guy has gotten so many hits since becoming geek-famous that he has had to move to a new server.

Comments Off on Book Terminology

By Dave, September 12, 2004 9:49 pm

http://www.ioba.org/terms.html

Comments Off on Interesting sounding bread recipies

By Dave, September 9, 2004 9:06 pm

http://home.iprimus.com.au/vileletters/elhorno/recipesindex.htm

Also info about adobe oven building on this site.

Comments Off on Next?

By Dave, September 7, 2004 10:56 am

Last was the hurracane that wasn't (for us at least). Folks to our south and east got hammered but the worst that we got was wet and a bit of wind.

Got things done the day or so before that I had been meaning to get done for weeks (months!). Cars moved (dead ones and live ones). The 14 wide is now on blocks. Not enough for permanent but it has to be moved again after the dozer work is finished so enough for now. Cats old camper is on blocks and in a more or less permanent location over by the 12 wide. Wood moved from the Qhut to by the 14 wide. Saw and drill press over there too. Stuff that was under the tarp at the back of the greenhouse is moved over there too. Dozer worked long enough to get the area behind the greenhouse cleared but not ditched, then it lost the retaining nut on the left final drive gear. I found the nut but was nearly 9 pm and was working with a headlight so quit and we (cat and I) dug the ditch around the greenhouse with a shovel. Didn't take water that way this time so was a success! The final bit that night was rope on the greenhouse tarp to hold it down. So up goes the ladder and me. Cat on the bottom and me on the top. Minor knee dislocation when it moved but after a bit more cussing got it tied off and down. 3 hours later the rain hit but we remained mostly dry. Took a bit in both new trailers but that was expected. mainly walls. Got to get gutters on both of them.

After 13+ hours working monday (aptly named labor day) am still hurting today (thursday). Guess I (we) overdid it. Did a bit of clean up tuesday but not much of anything due to the rain. Wednesday saw some sun, so I got out and did a bit. Got the dozer jacked up and the gear and track back on. Nut was a different story. Got it back on, hand tight, and lowered that side, and ran the dozer back and forth and got the track back on the rollers and front front and top idlers. Went to grab a bite of dirt and noted a noise from that side. Stopped, got off and looked and the nut was loose again. Checked it and the threads were eat up inside. The ones on the shaft were ok so after a bit of thinking got a piece of brass stock about the thickness of a business card (or a touch thicker) a inch long and half as wide. Bent it to conform to the curviture of the shaft and placed it on the shaft and then got the threads of the nut engaged oppsite of the brass and then folded the nut over the brass. hammered it a bit (it being the nut) and moved it with pliers a bit till it seated properly in the threads (oppisite the brass) and then hammered on the side of the nut and seated it into the brass. Turned it a bit and repeated till threads were created in the brass on both sides and the nut was snug. Don't expect it to hold long. Just hoping for another 10 to 15 hours of work time from the dozer till I can put it down and fix it right. Hate the abuse I am putting it through but gotta keep going to get the area cleared and the 14 wide moved in…

Off to marvins for split nuts to run power to the 12 wide. Only need 600 feet or so of wire and the longest is maybe a hundred feet… gonna be intere

Comments Off on Upbeat country song?

By Dave, September 2, 2004 9:16 am

It's been a few days now since I have done anything here. Some of its been just downtime, some busy, and some, just getting through the day.
Sitting here fighting with iListen trying to get this typed. But it seems not to be. finishing this up days later. via keyboard.

What I had started this to say was that my life seems to be starting to sound like a good country song. got a new truck and a new dog. Kept the truck but sent the dog elsewhere. Hated cats and was very destructive. Ate 2 boxes of books and papers, a rug which I had just bought due to the pattern and age, and much foam and cardboard. 3 nights. And barked at everything. Last I saw him was when he was running down the road chasing us in Bertha as we went to get the trailer and a load of wood. Bill was supposed to come this way between 12 and 2 and get him but haven't heard from him. After getting the wood the truck wouldn't start. I thought it was just hot so we went and ate at Lee's BBQ. Came back and still wouldn't crank, so got Mark to jump us off and away we went back to here. 3 hours later. Ah well, such is life.

Back here and unloaded the wood. Had unloaded over a hundred 4 inch solid blocks and 8 inch finish block before leaving out. Cat and I are both about exhausted. Did a bit more on the dozer after reattaching the blade. Had removed it yesterday prior to moving Cats old camper to the other side with the dozer.

Almost got the 12×60 leveled. Still got another inch or 2 to come up on the lower end. Hope to get that done tomorrow. Really need to get some anchors too but don't expect to get that done before the storms hit. I just hope the winds abate a bit before it gets to us. Going to try to get the 14×66 and the old camper on piers tomorrow also. Even if just 4 on each building.

The truck is a 87 Ford Ranger. Silver with a white camper shell. 4 cylinder fuel injected 2.3 with automatic transmission. AC, power steering, and has the tow package. Seems to be a good truck. The only problem I have had with it so far was the other day with about 8 hundred to 1000 pounds of books in the back it didn't want to back up properly. I guess it could be just me. Will have to put a load on it again and see how it does. Everywhere else it has done a fine job. Guess we will see. Got it cheap enough I would put a transmission in it if necessary.

Now to clean the Lincoln up a bit and see what we can get for it. Insurance on 4 if just too much… Course I may trade it in on a van instead. I think we still need one for large buying trips. The truck holds a good bit but not like a 3/4 ton van will. But the ranger should get a LOT better gas milage.

Comments Off on The morality of selling used books

By Dave, August 21, 2004 10:25 pm

Is a book IP?
Does the author deserve to get their pence (pay?) when a book is read and enjoyed?
Are libraries ethical institutions?
Should used book stores exist in the guise they do today?

We are opening a used book store. Or at least we're working toward this goal. At present count there are somewhere between 8 and 12 thousand books in boxes, shelves, and in piles in the qhut, trailer, and other buildings. We have a trailer (old construction office trailer 12×60) in place and somewhat level. Only 4 piers under it right now but we got enough block to build the rest yesterday (friday) along with a 20 ton bottle jack to do the leveling with. I had been using an old 80 ton house moving jack but one side has broken completely though and I am not comfortable with using it any more. Would rather spend the money on a new jack than on hospital bills…

We have gotten 4 truckloads of chert in for the parking lot and drive. I'm going to go to the Coop today or tomorrow and get a couple of gates and posts for the front entry. Or not. I keep waffling on that one so will let it ride for now. Maybe I want to build my own gate and posts. Or something. Anyway back to the chase.

The point I am trying to make with this longwinded intro is, that we have invested a fair amount of time and energy in this enterprise. But I am not sure that selling used books is a "Good" thing. The author is deprived of the income of selling a new book. The existing new book stores and publishing houses suffer the same way.

But in the grand scheme of things do these things actually matter?
Should the search for knowledge carry a price tag?
How many people have to be put out of a job before something is considered "bad"?
Or do used book stores serve a purpose?
Should they be allowed to only sell out of print books?
Should they send part of the sale price of each book to the author?
Is there a place for this type of approval feedback system in the business of selling used books?
Is the publishing industry doomed due to the internet?
Do new bookstores have a future?
Or will the bookstore of the future be a terminal with printer/binder attached if you want the hardcopy edition?
Or is this whole thought stream just sophmoronic musings?

While I do wonder about these things I still like and haunt used bookstores and stores that sell used books. I would like them better if the (still living) authors got a small % of each sale.

But is this where it would stop?
Would the heirs continue to receive these moneys or should the payments stop when the original author dies?

The preceding rambles are bits and pieces of thoughts and musings I have had over the years. If anyone is interested in writing/modifying software that would allow independent used booksellers to list their products and handle the sales and that could be set up to automatically take a few % from each sale and send it to the author, I would be more than happy to sell through it!

Comments Off on gravitational anomalies anyone

By Dave, August 21, 2004 3:29 pm

http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3104321

Comments Off on and for those who were born in a month

By Dave, August 21, 2004 3:25 pm

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002011657_birthmonth21.html

Comments Off on Quote of the day

By Dave, August 21, 2004 9:25 am

"There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him."
Robert Heinlein

Comments Off on Quote of the day

By Dave, August 20, 2004 7:55 pm

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. 13 Ralph Waldo Emerson

Comments Off on life, the universe, and weaver

By Dave, August 18, 2004 9:41 am

find myself falling back into the old pattern of leaving the iBook hooked up at the computer center and working on it there only. Last night was lying on the couch and wanted to put something down but cause I would have to sit up didn't do it. now it's gone with the wafting breeze. Life goes on but some of the things that I want to put down, don't…

Joints are aching rather badly this morning. Already had to take something for them. Wonder if the intense use of the dozer has had anything to do with the increased level of pain? Probably. Also the long days I have been putting in. But can't slow down much as I need to get this done!

Gonna go and call about rock for the drive…

And the day got gone. Tis evening now and I've bought about 80 cubic yards of chert and spread about 60 out. May need another 40 before its over but will wait till after the rain friday and see how things sink then. I suspect that I will need another 50 to 60 cubic yards of #5 limestone on top of the once it packs in. Got another half a day out there with the dozer then am going to try to get the field cleared, filled and packed around the point of woods so I can move the 14×66 to its final resting place. Would really like to get it moved before this coming rain but I suspect that ain't gonna happen. Will get as much done before before it hits anyway.

Worked on the blade control today. Added a piece of brass in the hole in the control piston end. It needs to be plugged with weld and re-drilled but the brass works good enough for now. Gets it so it'll go down properly. Still needs more work but tis good enough to get me by for a bit longer.

Need to check the Northern Hydraulics website for controller and pump prices. Guess I can do that now…

Comments Off on linux today gets rss feed!

By Dave, August 17, 2004 10:13 am

So no more Micro$loth adds to get my linux today fix! Course they have 2 of the links (rss and xml buttons) screwed up. But the "feed" link works: http://linuxtoday.com/biglt.rss with Shr

Comments Off on Monday all day

By Dave, August 16, 2004 10:11 pm

Didn't do a whole lot today. Went over and measured the gap. Looks like 2 16 foot gates will fill the gap. Got to decide if we are going to use phone poles or buy poles for the posts. Want it to be permanent but also want to get the posts and gates in and the fence reattached as soon as possible. Coop has the gates I want. 120 + tax each. They have lighter gates but they are 90 and about half the weight and thickness. Guess I empty the truck in the morning and go get a pair and some posts too.

Got locks for the standard doors on both trailers and got them installed. There is one door that needs replacing on the 14×66 I have one that is up at Mcauto that I think will work. Will get it when I get the wood and trailer. May try to do that tomorrow too. Or not. If I am no more rested than I was today I may take the day off and rest.

Carried a load of block over to the 12×60 and set some of them up as temp steps. That trailer is going to take 6 piers per side. Some of them will only be 2 blocks high but some on the lower end will be 4 or 5 high. Guess I will be buying a couple of pallets of block soon. Need to call and see how much they are per pallet. Will get to see how much bertha can handle…

So lets do a quick calc on how many block I do need…

6 piers per side = 12 piers
each pier starts off with 2 4" solid block – 12 x 2 = 24 4" solid block
all piers will be at least 1 8" block high – first row 12 8" block
second row all but one will have 8" block – second row 10 8" block
third row 3 will have 8" block – third row 6 8" block
4th row 2 will have 8" block – fourth row 4 8" block

as this is just a rough guess i will round it up and figure that I will need 36 4" block and 60 8" block. also need a truckload of gravel. need to see what a load or two will cost me.

looks like an area 30 x 100 and another 100 x 100 both filled 2 inches deep will take up about 80 yards and weigh about 112 tons. At a price of $10 a ton that's $1120.00 for gravel for the parking lot and entry. And that's if I can find it that cheap. Will try to call around tomorrow and see what prices are locally.

Refilled the transmission and rear end/final drives this afternoon. took nearly 3/4 gallon. Guess I need to check it more often. Got two rollers on the right side that are shot. Bearings are totally gone. Got to get to Mumford and see if that fellow has any used idlers. need two uppers and at least 3 lowers. Best price I have heard was about $50 each. Guess I will find out. And figure out how to get the old ones off and the new ones on.

Graded the road by the qhut after refilling the trans. works better. removed the part of the root that was causing damage (Steve 😉 )… Tough root. Only shaved it off. Tried to cut it out but embedded in the drive the way it is I was only able to scrape the top off. And that was with the dozer on the rear wheels and blade only. But its out of the way. Till things wash more. Gonna try to get a couple of loads of chert in soon and rebuild the road all the way to the creek. May change the path of the road and build a bridge across the creek. Still thinking on that one.

the count on the block above needs to be doubled as I gotta do the 14×66 too. So that will be 120 8" and 72 4". Also gonna need block for the shop. Figure I can build a wall on the low side with block and backfill a bit with gravel then pour. But I may just level it all off and build on flat ground. Gonna take some doing but started a bit today. Going to terrace things a bit more extremely than I had figured but will be able to get a lot more usable land this way.

and on those ponderous cognations I am calling it a night…

Comments Off on Sunday riding the dozer

By Dave, August 15, 2004 10:37 pm

Spent most of the day either working on or working on the dozer. Spent the first hour or so cleaning the plugs, distributor and cap, and general crap out of the engine and wiring. Got to get the hood on soon… As soon as I get the time to secure the hydraulic lines and replace the temperature sensor and gauge I'll take a few minutes and get the hood back on. Yea right…

Replaced the mounting bolt on the voltage regulator /air filter and sealed the valve cover mount for the air filter. Did a bit of tweaking on the carb and finely got to where it would run at least fair. Got to pull the carb and clean it up and out. I really want to figure another mount for the air filter too but may just settle for moving it and the voltage regulator and making new mounts for them. But as I am going to change the generator for a Delco alternator with internal regulator guess I don't need the regulator. Need to look at the the rest of the wiring on it too but the alternator is the next nonessential thing I want to put on it. Charging an extra battery and swapping them out every couple of days is ok but would rather not have to.

Anyway… Got the machine running and came up to eat breakfast (cup of yogurt and banana) and then went to work clearing west of the 12 wide. Cleared another 20 feet or so into the brush from the garden to the gully. Then went to the other side of the gully and started down the fence. Got another 100+ feet cleared over there, 40 to 50 feet wide, so made a bit of headway today. After getting a stick hung around the drive shaft and replacing the fuel pump wire which it pulled out when we removed it I elected to try to move the 12 wide into its final resting place instead of clearing any more. So pulled the blade off and put a ball in one of the holes used for the blade retaining pins. Moved up to the trailer hitch and raised the ball under the hitch. After revving the engine up the hydraulics finely picked the trailer up enough to move it. The back end of the dozer was up in air most of the time. Sometimes as much as 16 inches off the ground. Was interesting but I moved it about 25 to 30 feet from where it was. That got it from under the phone line and I think far enough to be out of all right of ways. Bill wants it moved another 30 feet or so west but I don't see the need. This way its about in the middle of the parking area.

Will start leveling and blocking it up tomorrow (monday) or thats my plan tonight. Guess it depends on how bad I feel after putting in a 11 hour day today after a 12 hour one yesterday.

Heading back to the qhut tonight I worked until dark on a road I have started several times to connect the back of the qhut to the other field. Got the gully filled and started getting things leveled out a bit more. Still got more of the gully to fill but there is a lot of dirt uphill from there that I am going to dig out anyway… As thats the area I want to build an underground house in.

Guess I am gonna call it a night..

Comments Off on trailers are here

By Dave, August 14, 2004 10:34 pm

Ron called at 8 and was here by 20 after. Told me I needed to remove one tree from the gap and clear as much as I could around the point of woods that he was going to have to drive around to get them in place.

He left and I started clearing. Right off kicked a track off. Went and got the tractor and chain. Pulled it up and back after loosing the tensioner and managed to get it hooked on a tooth of the sprocket. Started the engine and put it in reverse and walked the track back in place. Tightened the tensioner as much as I could and then hooked the chain to the tractor and the end of the front track wheel and pulled it as far out as it would go. Tightened more and repeat till as tight as I can get it. Go at the clearing again. Tore the sweetgum tree out by the roots. Opened the entry up quite a bit and cleared the point of the woods and leveled a gully out. Leveled as much as I could. He called after moving another trailer and brought the 14 wide in and was gone to get the other one by 12. Pulled the 14 wide in the drive and one of the wheels fell off, brake hub and all. But it was here. Backed it into the prepared area. Sunk a bit more than I liked but is a temporary setup.

I went to the Qhut and ate a quick sandwich and talked to Bill and Rob via phone. Told Bill that one was here and another on the way if he wanted to watch it come in. Rob called to tell me he had fixed the car and driven it around a few blocks and it seems fine.

Back at the mess, I started clearing the woods next to Fairs fence. Got all the way to the fence without any trouble. Clear as far back toward the fence as is needed to be able to clear more after the 12 wide is in place. He got back a bit quicker than I had figrued on but said he would wait for 20 minutes or so if I wanted to try to finish enough to get it in place. So I go full tilt. Got it almost there when the dozer threw the track again. He pulled it in anyway. Then hooked up to and moved the other one to flatter land. I paid and he left.

Gonna go over to his place some sunday and look at the sawmills he has for sale. One round blade on a 40 foot trailer and a portable bandsaw mill that he had someone build for him. Gonna go and take some pix at the very least.

So I fixed the track again. Was easier and harder this time. I knew what to expect but was in the brush. Got it on a tooth and managed to walk it back on again. Fixed the retaining nut on the sprocket this time too and after it was adjusted is much better now. So started clearing again. Bill showed up and we looked at the trailers. Both are gonna need work but will work fine for us. Gonna take some getting used to but will do the job I think…

I worked till almost dark and am about done in. Decided to get it down before forgetting things. Got 11 hours on the dozer now. About 3 hours yesterday and I guess 5 or 6 today which with several breakdowns and maintenance stops for oil and fuel isn't too bad.

But its done. Now I got to clear the all the stuff from around the back of the qhut. Move the trim saw. And remove several trees. The pines are next. Gonna remove the island just east of the qhut. May try to do that tomorrow. Really want to get this done so we can start moving things in and setting up house keeping again. Closer and closer. And more to do to get there. But the circles seem to be getting smaller, just more energy intensive.

Say "Goodnight Gracie."
Goodnight gracie…

Comments Off on friday the 13th

By Dave, August 13, 2004 11:28 pm

actually was a fairly good day. got the entry by bills garden cleared and an area roughed in to put the mobile homes in for a short while. then called a guy after coming in that pulls them. He's coming by in the morning and gonna look and see if they can get them in where I've been working. If so he's going to try to get one and possibly both in here tomorrow! 700 for the pair on a straight pull with no problems. so I'm hoping for no problems.

also got 2 truck loads (toyota) of plywood and particle board shelving today from the merc. some is 24 x 48, some 32 x 48 and some 48 x 48. Some water damaged and all dirty. but should clean up okay. can trim the damaged part off. second load had the equivalent of 12.5 sheets. fairly heavy stuff. have 5 12 foot by 4 x 4 foot shelving units to get from up there too. gonna be a busy weekend it looks like.

gonna hit the sack. supposed to be up and waiting on a call by 8 so need a few hours sleep anyway.

Comments Off on Mortar Sprayer

By Dave, August 7, 2004 10:58 pm

http://store.yahoo.com/mortarsprayer/index.html

Comments Off on Political correctness has gone WAY too far

By Dave, August 7, 2004 9:26 am

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/strange/080504_ap_sn_pork.html

Fired for eating a BLT at work… They have a NO pork rule because of the Muslims that work there. Okay, but she didn't make one of them eat it. So I wanna know – If they had vegetarians working there would they not allow meat at all?

This kind of total stupidity is so rampant today it makes me want to build a fence (or a higher fence), with patrols around the parameter and not allow anyone in unless they could pass a test showing that they were NOT politically correct at least 99.9% of the time!

Rude, Crude, Socially Unacceptable, and Politically INCORRECT – Thats ME!