Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Bob Heine's Auto Emporium

[Squankum]

Impressive pool project, Driftpin! Love the happy dog, too!

 

[Squankum]

Like you, my blood is a lot thinner after 49 years in the Florida weather. When we visited Yosemite National Park in 1955 there were no showers close to our campsite so dad thought it was a good idea to take a dip in the Merced River. I don't know the actual temperature of the water but a small chunk of snow passed by (it was 5 AM so the sun hadn't hit it yet). Years later (circa 1968) we vacationed in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. It was 4th of July and the posted water temperature was 48° F. Getting into the ocean was a long drawn-out process, waiting for feet, calves and thighs to become numb. From there it was a tipping over process. It was a hot day so the contrast was unbelievable. My water skiing tradition helped a lot. The rule was to ski for the first time each year on Easter weekend. When that happened in March, it was shortly after the ice cleared. I never tested the water, just throw the skis in the water while standing on the transom and jump off. I only screamed the first time -- a mouthful of Hudson River water was not healthy in 1972.

Bob, I've been to Maine in what outsiders would consider late spring, and noticed the weather reports from the NWS warning people that yes, the air has now become warm and the sun is shining, but please, don't go diving into any ponds or lakes, they're colder than you would think.

 

[Bob Heine]

Bob amazed at the way you were able to use your foot to assist.
Might be time for a pedicure though!!

Dennis, it's one of those "Where there's a will, there's a way" things. Actually, it was an armless person (thalidomide victim) I met shortly after I lost my arm. The woman did a lot with her stumps but relied on her feet to do amazing things. She changed my attitude from bemoaning the things I couldn't do to delight for the things I could.

Liane has suggested a pedicure several times. My feet have become frightening things to behold and I don't want to be the cause of a manicurist seeking a new career.

 

[Bob Heine]

Impressive pool project, Driftpin! Love the happy dog, too!

Bob, I've been to Maine in what outsiders would consider late spring, and noticed the weather reports from the NWS warning people that yes, the air has now become warm and the sun is shining, but please, don't go diving into any ponds or lakes, they're colder than you would think.

@Squankum, Philip has transformed that pool area into an oasis. The way we use our pool it could be turned into a 4-inch deep reflecting pond and it would serve it's principle purpose. Of course we won't do that on the chance (a pretty good chance) we're going to need the depth for physical therapy.

I think the coldest water I've ever been in was the Hudson River when one of the floating docks at the New Hamburg Yacht Club got loose and started floating away during the spring re-opening. There was still ice at the shoreline but I jumped in knowing how long it took to build a new floating dock section. Our annual dues ($40) were cut in half if we helped build/repair/install/remove the docks. I failed to recognize I was working for less than 50¢ an hour when I dove in but it explains why no one else did.

Liane's brother swims in a pond near his home in Maine but won't go in until it hits 60°F. I told him we don't go in anything colder than 80°F so he was welcome to swim in our pool any time between October and March. Before we gave up rotisserie time at the beach we would see winter swimmers and argue over their home being in either Minneapolis or Saint Paul. I've given up my Polar Bear club membership and will go without a shower if anything goes wrong with our water heater.

 

[Squankum]

@Squankum, Philip has transformed that pool area into an oasis. The way we use our pool it could be turned into a 4-inch deep reflecting pond and it would serve it's principle purpose. Of course we won't do that on the chance (a pretty good chance) we're going to need the depth for physical therapy.

I think the coldest water I've ever been in was the Hudson River when one of the floating docks at the New Hamburg Yacht Club got loose and started floating away during the spring re-opening. There was still ice at the shoreline but I jumped in knowing how long it took to build a new floating dock section. Our annual dues ($40) were cut in half if we helped build/repair/install/remove the docks. I failed to recognize I was working for less than 50¢ an hour when I dove in but it explains why no one else did.

Liane's brother swims in a pond near his home in Maine but won't go in until it hits 60°F. I told him we don't go in anything colder than 80°F so he was welcome to swim in our pool any time between October and March. Before we gave up rotisserie time at the beach we would see winter swimmers and argue over their home being in either Minneapolis or Saint Paul. I've given up my Polar Bear club membership and will go without a shower if anything goes wrong with our water heater.

Meanwhile, the self-improvement fad types in recent years are following the teachings of Wim Hoff, a professor doctor motivational speaker from the Netherlands who preaches deep breathing exercises and cold exposure. It's all based on... uh... stunts he has done.

The Highly Effective Madness of Wim Hof

Wim Hof's teachings about breath work and the health benefits of cold plunges have attracted millions of followers who swear it has cured everything from depression to diabetes and makes them happier and stronger. Our writer traveled to Iceland (naturally) for a deep dive with the man and his...

www.outsideonline.com

I'm a big fan of hot showers, myself.

 

[PugetDude]

Bob amazed at the way you were able to use your foot to assist.
Might be time for a pedicure though!!

If I posted pictures of my bare feet, Ryan would perma-ban me.

 

[Bob Heine]

I am my own worst enemy. When the new 1 hp pump motor start capacitor arrived I decided to test the new one and the old one to see if there was a big difference. My Chinese multimeter indicated the new capacitor was 30.2 micro Farads and the old one was 29.4uF. My immediate reaction was the capacitor isn't the problem and I need a $250 motor.

I located the correct motor on Amazon but I had a premonition I wouldn't be able to remove the pump impeller from the motor shaft. If I couldn't get the impeller off, I would need to buy a new pump and motor for $600. I paused the order and checked for fasteners on the pump. There's one 3/8 hex/slotted screw on the nose of the impeller so I grab a 3/8" 3/8 drive socket and my M12 Fuel impact.

The locking screw is in a pocket on the nose of the impeller so the socket only grabs a small portion of the screw head. I set the impact for 'lefty loosey' and give it a blast. It doesn't loosen but the impeller spins so I lock the other end of the motor shaft with a pair of Vice-Grips. Gave it another blast and the socket spins on the screw head. OH ****, maybe this is a left-handed thread screw. Reset the impact to 'righty tighty' and go at it again. Socket spins but screw stays put. I've completely rounded off the exposed head of the screw.

Time to try to loosen it with a straight screwdriver. Wimpy hand won't break it loose so I get out a square shank screwdriver and the right size wrench to turn the screwdriver. Still no go but the square shank screwdriver has successfully buggered the slot on the screw. Now I am convinced I'll have to buy a new $600 motor and pump. The little person on my shoulder says "Don't give up" so I get out a small drill bit and start a pilot hole in the screw head. The third step up in bit size results in the screw flying out of the hole. Sure enough, it's a 'righty loosey' screw.

I decide not to re-use the locking screw and ordered a new locking screw ($5.76). It won't be here for a few days so I take a deep breath and let my whirling dervish brain slow down.

It now occurs to me the issue with the motor wasn't a solid failure. The motor stopped working but then started working again a few days later. It did that at least three times so getting that reading on the old capacitor means nothing. To prove I'm not a total idiot I hooked up the motor temporarily and turned it on. It spun up instantly and ran fine. When it arrives, I'm going to put the new screw in and re-assemble the pump and motor. It would be nice if it is actually fixed.

 

[Bob Heine]

Meanwhile, the self-improvement fad types in recent years are following the teachings of Wim Hoff, a professor doctor motivational speaker from the Netherlands who preaches deep breathing exercises and cold exposure. It's all based on... uh... stunts he has done.

The Highly Effective Madness of Wim Hof

Wim Hof's teachings about breath work and the health benefits of cold plunges have attracted millions of followers who swear it has cured everything from depression to diabetes and makes them happier and stronger. Our writer traveled to Iceland (naturally) for a deep dive with the man and his...

www.outsideonline.com

I'm a big fan of hot showers, myself.

@Squankum, like the runners who die young, I wonder how many young people who do the cold exposure thing don't make it out alive.

Unless you are a frustrated young single male, cold showers are a punishment, not a reward.

If I posted pictures of my bare feet, Ryan would perma-ban me.

Scott, I chose the blurry picture with the least visible foot for just that reason. I never go out in public barefoot and because my family has seen me in a bathing suit they get the family discount on PEBD (Post Exposure to Bob Disorder) treatment.

 

[gman007]

Liane has suggested a pedicure several times. My feet have become frightening things to behold and I don't want to be the cause of a manicurist seeking a new career.

Bob
I am very surprised that a great, super skilled and talented do it yourself like you would need a pedicurist !

furthermore you have all the necessary tools and in particular wire cutters and all the mini belt sanders to give yourself the best pedicure .

And as a bonus you would in the process further justify owning all these mini belt sanders.

I strongly believe you can start a new paradigm in the pedicure world using wire cutters and power mini belt sanders to cut down the pedicure time to fraction of time it takes currently

 

[Finallygotit]

Liane has suggested a pedicure several times. My feet have become frightening things to behold and I don't want to be the cause of a manicurist seeking a new career.

You have Dremel, don't you? Problem solved!

 

[kaymccampbell]

Liane has suggested a pedicure several times. My feet have become frightening things to behold and I don't want to be the cause of a manicurist seeking a new career.

Some podiatrists will do a rough trim n grind. IIRC, Dedicare covers it. You'll need to ask. Maybe your pet GP will do the rough work. Then you take your *** to the same place Liane goes and get them done nice. They'll even clearcoat them if you don't want a color.

 

[Mr.zippy]

They look fine to me Bob....those are working feet, doing many odd jobs!

 

[rharman]

Tom, birthday wishes don't have 'best by' dates. I just wish they weren't so close together now. I clearly remember birthdays being lifetimes apart.

The fans are like my battery chargers. Depending on me to turn them off is a bad idea so the chargers are all on push button timers. I figure the cooling fans turning on and off with the computer is the least I can do to avoid another fire hazard or destroyed PC.

The old HP machine is too tall for the workbench (blocks the upper cabinet doors) so rather than re-cycle it I put it under the workbench. I have gotten so lazy I felt the need to have a computer in the garage to look things up rather than walk the 30 feet to the office.

I can top that lazy.... Mid 2021, my work replaced my Lenovo laptop with a new Dell. I loved that Lenovo but it was going on 8 years old although upgraded memory and SSD kept it running fine.

I kept the Lenovo as it was just going to go to the recycler. My plan was to use it in my garage after a Linux Mint install.

So, mid-2021 I have the laptop. I retired at the end of 2021. That Lenovo still sits on a shelf in our home office waiting for its resurrection. Of course, I first have to get to a point where I can see my workbench surface so it will have a home. Another long-delayed project/process....

 

[rharman]

@kaymccampbell beat me to it. I was going to suggest a podiatrist as well.

 

[Bob Heine]

Bob
I am very surprised that a great, super skilled and talented do it yourself like you would need a pedicurist !

furthermore you have all the necessary tools and in particular wire cutters and all the mini belt sanders to give yours the best pedicure .

And as a bonus you would in the process further justify owning all these mini belt sanders.

I strongly believe you can start a new paradigm in the pedicure world using wire cutters and power mini belt sanders to cut down the pedicure time to fraction of time it takes currently

@gman007, the funny thing is I have paper thin nails on my hand that tear doing nothing but the nails on my feet are more like claws. I use a fine ******* file to trim my fingernails and a pair of serrated scissors for my toenails. Eight of my ten toenails hide in skin folds so the belt sander would be trimming flesh before they trim the nails. I do have light- and heavy-duty nail clippers but each nail requires three or four clips. The serrated scissors grab the nail and let me follow the curve so there are no sharp corners sticking out.

You have Dremel, don't you? Problem solved!

Dan, I have a couple of Dremel brand and Wen brand rotary tools. The most appropriate Dremel is the one that has a flex shaft attached. I could probably do a pretty good job with that one but I hang the motor from a hook on a stick and the stick held in one of the vices. The only counter I can get my foot on is the low one in the bathroom but there's no vise in there. I'll have to do some pondering. A decorative hook in the bathroom ceiling and a decorative chain might solve the Dremel hanger problem....

Some podiatrists will do a rough trim n grind. IIRC, Dedicare covers it. You'll need to ask. Maybe your pet GP will do the rough work. Then you take your *** to the same place Liane goes and get them done nice. They'll even clearcoat them if you don't want a color.

Kay, my mother used to spend time at a local senior center where a podiatrist made weekly visits. Feels like I already spend way too much time waiting for doctors to poke and prod me. I refuse to go to Liane's nail place because they wouldn't give me a 50% discount on a manicure. Now that you mention it I may have to mix up a shot of SPI Universal Clear.

They look fine to me Bob....those are working feet, doing many odd jobs!

Thanks Fred, I'm going to treat my feet to a good scrub next time I take a shower.

 

[Bob Heine]

I can top that lazy.... Mid 2021, my work replaced my Lenovo laptop with a new Dell. I loved that Lenovo but it was going on 8 years old although upgraded memory and SSD kept it running fine.

I kept the Lenovo as it was just going to go to the recycler. My plan was to use it in my garage after a Linux Mint install.

So, mid-2021 I have the laptop. I retired at the end of 2021. That Lenovo still sits on a shelf in our home office waiting for its resurrection. Of course, I first have to get to a point where I can see my workbench surface so it will have a home. Another long-delayed project/process....

Roger, best I can tell my HP Compaq 8100 convertible minitower was manufactured around 2010. I doubt I bought it new so it has probably been 12 years. It was originally an i5 processor with Windows 7 but upgraded to i7 and Windows 10 Home edition.

@kaymccampbell beat me to it. I was going to suggest a podiatrist as well.

We celebrate weeks that have no doctor appointments and I'd hate for the celebrations to end. I fear a podiatrist would take one look at my feet and have me in compression socks and orthopedic shoes and weekly follow-up visits.

 

[rharman]

Roger, best I can tell my HP Compaq 8100 convertible minitower was manufactured around 2010. I doubt I bought it new so it has probably been 12 years. It was originally an i5 processor with Windows 7 but upgraded to i7 and Windows 10 Home edition.

We celebrate weeks that have no doctor appointments and I'd hate for the celebrations to end. I fear a podiatrist would take one look at my feet and have me in compression socks and orthopedic shoes and weekly follow-up visits.

I hear you. Lately, we've had a number of prescriptions come up for refill and a couple of new ones. Our dog has had some as well. And, we had Flu & Covid shots. We've been quite the regulars at Costco Pharmacy the last few weeks.

 

[kaymccampbell]

refuse to go to Liane's nail place because they wouldn't give me a 50% discount on a manicure.

So? Get your hands done, too, if it's the other 50%. They'll trim n file and clear them. It's an amazing feeling, having someone else do your nails. I go occasionally. Though usually I do my own. Since I was sick, all my nails have been ripply. One day, a couple weeks in, my nails just arched, and popped my ANC finish right off. They're just starting to even out again.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I fear a podiatrist would take one look at my feet and have me in compression socks and orthopedic shoes and weekly follow-up visits.

Not if you control the interaction. Tell him what you're there for. Period. If he goes on say no, just this. If he refuses, then walk. It's not hard. Once the doc does his thing, then the manicure place can maintain it.

 

[driftpin]

One of my co-workers from FL fire/rescue, like me, a FF/paramedic, both of us now retired, had been having health issues. I went to the hospital when I spoke with his wife and she informed me that he was there.

When I saw him, he was in a bad way. One of the things I noticed was that his feet were in serious need of a pedicure. It looked like he had snails perched on his toes. I don't know if he was able to fit a pair of shoes onto his feet, I doubt it. I told his wife she could have a podiatrist take care of that, and that it probably would improve his mobility, and make him more-comfortable. She told me that he didn't want to go to a podiatrist for a nail trimming. It surely appeared uncomfortable.

I stayed in touch with her about his condition, and he was in and out of the hospital, and he eventually checked-out horizontally. A shame. He was in the very-first group of state of FL licensed paramedics, and I'm not far behind him.

I agree that the Dremel flex-shaft attachment would make easy work of your nails. I expect that one of the barrel-shaped stones would work well, and provide nail-filing with a minimum of opportunity for incidental trauma.

 

[Geoff289]

Bit blowy there Bob? Looks like Helene is pretty bad with a number of lives lost.

I know you're on the other side of the peninsula but hope you have the hatches suitably battened down etc.

Take care.

 

[gman007]

Bob
This is a wellness check!

We are all sincerely hoping that you are not seriously affected by Helene. And while I do not want to impose on you for a reply, if possible, a quick response letting us know how you are fairing (needless to say the answer we are hoping for is that you are doing well) is greatly appreciated!
Cheers

 

[Bob Heine]

I hear you. Lately, we've had a number of prescriptions come up for refill and a couple of new ones. Our dog has had some as well. And, we had Flu & Covid shots. We've been quite the regulars at Costco Pharmacy the last few weeks.

Roger, I used to go pick up each prescription when it was filled. These days I wait until several are ready while making sure Walgreens doesn't put the prescription back in stock. I have one prescription at Publix (local grocery store) because it's a fraction of the price Walgreens charges. Now that Jasmine is on Vetoryl I have to include a stop at the Vet in my schedule.

So? Get your hands done, too, if it's the other 50%. They'll trim n file and clear them. It's an amazing feeling, having someone else do your nails. I go occasionally. Though usually I do my own. Since I was sick, all my nails have been ripply. One day, a couple weeks in, my nails just arched, and popped my ANC finish right off. They're just starting to even out again.

Kay, if Liane didn't drag me to her hairdresser I would have waist length hair. If I cave on the nails, another chunk of my life will be out of my control (I know, I know I have control issues).

Not if you control the interaction. Tell him what you're there for. Period. If he goes on say no, just this. If he refuses, then walk. It's not hard. Once the doc does his thing, then the manicure place can maintain it.

Kay, I am a pushover. The biggest criticism my 70 person team brought up in the annual Opinion Survey at IBM was that I was too nice. Florida doctors have mastered the art of return visits. Whatever Medicare covers, that's what they schedule.

One of my co-workers from FL fire/rescue, like me, a FF/paramedic, both of us now retired, had been having health issues. I went to the hospital when I spoke with his wife and she informed me that he was there.

When I saw him, he was in a bad way. One of the things I noticed was that his feet were in serious need of a pedicure. It looked like he had snails perched on his toes. I don't know if he was able to fit a pair of shoes onto his feet, I doubt it. I told his wife she could have a podiatrist take care of that, and that it probably would improve his mobility, and make him more-comfortable. She told me that he didn't want to go to a podiatrist for a nail trimming. It surely appeared uncomfortable.

I stayed in touch with her about his condition, and he was in and out of the hospital, and he eventually checked-out horizontally. A shame. He was in the very-first group of state of FL licensed paramedics, and I'm not far behind him.

I agree that the Dremel flex-shaft attachment would make easy work of your nails. I expect that one of the barrel-shaped stones would work well, and provide nail-filing with a minimum of opportunity for incidental trauma.

Philip, I will definitely see a podiatrist when I am no longer able to get my feet up on the bathroom counter. Aside from one puncture wound in my right leg, my lower extremities escaped injury during my train dive. I also feel blessed that all of my current health issues are being controlled through preventive and corrective procedures.

Bit blowy there Bob? Looks like Helene is pretty bad with a number of lives lost.

I know you're on the other side of the peninsula but hope you have the hatches suitably battened down etc.

Take care.

Geoff, we were extremely fortunate to escape damage free from Helene. I watched the forecasts and track constantly during the hurricane's movement through the Gulf of Mexico. We had a couple of thunderstorms the week before that caused more concern. I didn't even take down the fabric on the Wedding Chapel (the wind wasn't strong enough to blow the wet pile of leaves off the Chapel.

Bob
This is a wellness check!

We are all sincerely hoping that you are not seriously affected by Helene. And while I do not want to impose on you for a reply, if possible, a quick response letting us know how you are fairing (needless to say the answer we are hoping for is that you are doing well) is greatly appreciated!
Cheers

@gman007, thank you for checking in. As I mentioned to Geoff, it was a non-event. I've lost track of how many hurricanes we've dealt with over the years. Two summers in the 1970s we rode out hurricanes camping on islands in Lake George in upstate New York.

Liane walks the manse every day so I am made aware of every twig, frond and leaf injury on a daily basis. We're doing great for a couple of Octogenarians.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Kay, if Liane didn't drag me to her hairdresser I would have waist length hair. If I cave on the nails, another chunk of my life will be out of my control (I know, I know I have control issues).

Kay, I am a pushover. The biggest criticism my 70 person team brought up in the annual Opinion Survey at IBM was that I was too nice. Florida doctors have mastered the art of return visits. Whatever Medicare covers, that's what they schedule.

Oy, you're a conflicted little puppy. So, for the nails, be a pushover and your feet will feel better. You will be amazed how having a Mani-Pedi feels. Let Liane drag you in and get you pampered. After one visit, you'll look forward to the next one.

As for the docs. After you get the rough trim n grind, just call and cancel any next appts.

 

[Squankum]

Not if you control the interaction. Tell him what you're there for. Period. If he goes on say no, just this. If he refuses, then walk. It's not hard.

 

[Squankum]

Bob! I'm glad to hear you have toes and toenails on that foot. When I saw that pic I feared that they got ground off when the train dragged you! The rest of the foot just was a reminder of what I have to look forward to. (Somewhere around the age of 50 it slowly dawned on me that I was going to die someday...)

 

[gman007]

(Somewhere around the age of 50 it slowly dawned on me that I was going to die someday...)

@Squankum

Well the perception of really how old is old and when one should die is all relative to how old one is!

In my early twenties, I had $15k to my name (and I must add that I had worked very hard to save this much). A childhood friend who is also my age and I had a brain fart that we were going to buy a house and flip it (what disaster that was but that is a story for another time).

But between us we had only about $30k which was not enough for the down payment of about $45k that we needed. So one day my friend came and said , he has found a third partner and together we can put together the required down payment.

I asked him, who is this guy and my friend said that this guy is a family friend but much older than us and that he is 38 years old and therefore a dinosaur !! I guess for a 20 something 38 is a dinosaur.

But now fast forward, in our early 60s (I guess by the above definition having way past the dinosaur stage, we must be fossils ), when I tell my friend so and so at 65 years old died from heart attack or something, my friend says, omg that is so young to die!

 

[kaymccampbell]

Bob! I'm glad to hear you have toes and toenails on that foot. When I saw that pic I feared that they got ground off when the train dragged you! The rest of the foot just was a reminder of what I have to look forward to. (Somewhere around the age of 50 it slowly dawned on me that I was going to die someday...)

When I died at 19, I kinda got the drift. At least it makes doing it again a non issue.

 

[madison069]

Below is the answer to your dremel hook needs in the bathroom.


Or you can use those cheap harbor freight suction cup handle and just put a hook on it to hang the dremel on.


I use the suction cup lifter from harbor freight to close windows that disconnected from their arms that pulls the windows in. So I know it’s strong enough to hold a dremel.

My Dad’s and Grandpa’s feet is why I do my best to take care of my feet. They had fungus crusted toenails that were things of nightmare. I know my dad’s case was due to being on the oil rig 24/7 wearing his boots that got wet often. My grandpa had sores due to being diabetic and I was also repulsed by them.

So I change my socks often when they are wet and I bleach my socks to kill the fungus and bateria. Wear flip flops in public showers, and find comfortable well fitting boots and shoes. Knock on wood, the 42years I’ve had these feet they show to be in good shape. Minus the planter fasciitis of course.

Glad to hear you were outside the path of the hurricane!

 

[Squankum]

When I died at 19, I kinda got the drift. At least it makes doing it again a non issue.

Wait, did you have a medical event? Or are you bragging about reincarnation?

Monk Gloats Over Yoga Championship

‘I am the serenest!’ he says

theonion.com

 

[Modern Garage]

All this talk of Dremel vs Toes sorta scares me, but then I thought of the thingy the doc uses to saw off a cast without cutting skin. What we need is a pedicure attachment for the Oscillating Multi Tool!!!
Or maybe refer back a bit to the discussion of the Harbor Freight air file... I wonder how many blades you can get for one of them?
I have a trip to the big city planned next week so I guess I'll have to stop in to HF and have a look 'round. The Mani-Pedi tools are just past the welding stuff, right?
Joe

 

[Bob Heine]

Oy, you're a conflicted little puppy. So, for the nails, be a pushover and your feet will feel better. You will be amazed how having a Mani-Pedi feels. Let Liane drag you in and get you pampered. After one visit, you'll look forward to the next one.

As for the docs. After you get the rough trim n grind, just call and cancel any next appts.

Kay, my toenails have taken a backseat because Uncle Milty may or may not pay us a visit. During a tree trimming festival yesterday the 6-foot (steel) stepladder got knocked over and landed on my left foot. I was wearing shoes but not the steel-toed kind so I have a couple of bruised and swollen toes. My Left Foot won't be starring in any movies and probably won't be up to any manhandling by doctors or manicurists for a while.

Looked at and cursed the freekin bilious green pool.

I'm running the pool filter continuously on the off-chance Hurricane Milton knocks out power and our pool joins yours in the green soup festival. I don't know if it's a New York pool thing or a diatomaceous earth filter thing but I waged a constant battle with our 24x4 above ground pool in Wappingers Falls. The cartridge filter and chlorine tablet regimen for our Florida pool is a whole lot less work.

@Squankum, a true classic. Igor's hump, especially when it changes sides, is one of my favorites, along with Doctor Frankenstein's offer.

Bob! I'm glad to hear you have toes and toenails on that foot. When I saw that pic I feared that they got ground off when the train dragged you! The rest of the foot just was a reminder of what I have to look forward to. (Somewhere around the age of 50 it slowly dawned on me that I was going to die someday...)

@Squankum, my excursion under the train was focused on my upper extremities so the mangling of my feet is all on me. My first mortality clue came when I was 20. My demise doesn't frighten me but at the same time I am doing what I can to postpone it.

@Squankum

Well the perception of really how old is old and when one should die is all relative to how old one is!

In my early twenties, I had $15k to my name (and I must add that I had worked very hard to save this much). A childhood friend who is also my age and I had a brain fart that we were going to buy a house and flip it (what disaster that was but that is a story for another time).

But between us we had only about $30k which was not enough for the down payment of about $45k that we needed. So one day my friend came and said , he has found a third partner and together we can put together the required down payment.

I asked him, who is this guy and my friend said that this guy is a family friend but much older than us and that he is 38 years old and therefore a dinosaur !! I guess for a 20 something 38 is a dinosaur.

But now fast forward, in our early 60s (I guess by the above definition having way past the dinosaur stage, we must be fossils ), when I tell my friend so and so at 65 years old died from heart attack or something, my friend says, omg that is so young to die!

@gman007, I didn't have $15k when we bought our first house in 1966. My parents gifted us a $4k down payment to make it possible. They had expected to pay for my education but I had disappointed them on that score (IBM ended up paying for it through their tuition refund benefit). I was rolling dough (not money) in 1966 -- IBM had increased my pay to $2.75 an hour so I was able to afford a $110 a month mortgage. I did manage to pay cash for a new GTO in 1968 by selling my four shares of IBM stock (stock purchase plan was another benefit).

Like you, I thought of 'old' relative to my age. I was 24 I thought my father was old when he dies at 55. As I approached that milestone I thought one was struck down in the prime of life if they died in their 60s. Given the opportunity, I retired at 50. I had worked for IBM for 30 years and was therefore eligible to retire. Rumblings of the demise of IBM's pension plan helped with that decision. October 13, 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of my hiring so I will have collected a pension for as long as I collected a paycheck.

When I died at 19, I kinda got the drift. At least it makes doing it again a non issue.

Kay, I'm with you. I take each day as a gift, even the flaming bag of poop days. I like the Game of Thrones quote: "What do we say to Death? Not today!"

Below is the answer to your dremel hook needs in the bathroom.


Or you can use those cheap harbor freight suction cup handle and just put a hook on it to hang the dremel on.


I use the suction cup lifter from harbor freight to close windows that disconnected from their arms that pulls the windows in. So I know it’s strong enough to hold a dremel.

My Dad’s and Grandpa’s feet is why I do my best to take care of my feet. They had fungus crusted toenails that were things of nightmare. I know my dad’s case was due to being on the oil rig 24/7 wearing his boots that got wet often. My grandpa had sores due to being diabetic and I was also repulsed by them.

So I change my socks often when they are wet and I bleach my socks to kill the fungus and bateria. Wear flip flops in public showers, and find comfortable well fitting boots and shoes. Knock on wood, the 42years I’ve had these feet they show to be in good shape. Minus the planter fasciitis of course.

Glad to hear you were outside the path of the hurricane!

Cody, I bought a stainless steel funnel that came with a fine mesh filter and a couple of those suction cup hooks so I won't have to spend any additional money.

I had a couple of bouts of Athlete's Foot when I was a kid. First bout was on the first trip out west when I was 10. I'm certain I picked it up in the communal shower at one of the campgrounds we stayed at. Second bout was in high school when I was 16. Not sure which teammate brought it into the team shower room but I wasn't the only one to acquire the fungus. Once those bouts were cured, I never had a relapse. As you can see in the above photo, my toes are beaten up but my barefoot lifestyle has kept the toenails free of the nail fungus.

Helene kinda missed us but Milton is probably going to affect us a bit more. They just upgraded it to a Category 5 hurricane.

 

[Squankum]

OMG! Bob got hit by a falling branch!

 

[Bob Heine]

Doing the usual hurricane prep: fresh gas for the generator, swap butane tank for the grille, batteries for flashlights and a visual check for flying projectile candidates. Our biggest issue is the Florida Mahogany in the front yard. I trimmed a bunch of small branches back in April.

Six month's growth has added several feet to the branches I left alone. One rather large branch has extended well beyond the edge of the roof. Its many branches cover the roof from the left side of the house, across the front entrance and all the way to the edge ofthe garage. When it stopped raining yesterday, I got out the M18 pole chainsaw and a regular Corona pole saw. I cut the branch part way through about 10 feet from the gutter. Once the chainsaw cut half way through, I used the hand saw to slowly cut a little deeper. When I heard the first popping sound I backed off and waited. The cut side of the branch slowly drooped onto the roof. No drama and nothing came crashing down.

Unfortunately I needed to cut the branches that were resting on the roof, the gutter and the Rubellini palm in the above photo. Got out my 6-foot stepladder and Milwaukee M12 Hachet 6-inch pruning chain saw. Each branch dropped off the roof and I cut them up four-foot sections. When I started cutting the last branch, the main branch started moving. I quickly got off the ladder and stepped away. The whole mess fell off the roof and one branch hit the ladder, folding it up and knocking it over. My safe spot turned out to be the perfect cleaver to fall on my foot. The foot is still attached to my leg so I carried on. I achieved my goal of opening up the canopy so the wind (or a cat) could blow through unimpeded.

Hobbled a bit for the rest of the afternoon but got the area cleared out and deposited at the end of the driveway.

The April pruning involved the small branch on the bottom of the larger one. Yesterday I took care of the larger one. Based on the ability of the M12 Hatchet to cut through that branch when it was on the ground, the branch was about 6" in diameter. As seen above, the branches were soaking wet so extra heavy.

I had planned to cut more branches but two octogenarians have to know their limits. My body is reminding me today that I may have exceeded those limits.

 

[Bob Heine]

OMG! Bob got hit by a falling branch!

@Squankum, it's quite possible a branch hit me in the head but my brain was only accepting pain signals from my left foot.

 

[scooterbum46]

Or maybe refer back a bit to the discussion of the Harbor Freight air file... I wonder how many blades you can get for one of them?

The air file comes with several shaped files, held in by a set screw. The air saw (my favorite for CAD) comes with a pack of blades, IIRC you can buy refills for both. - CAD as in Cardboard Aided Design - quick fabrication modeling with corrugated cardboard and a hot melt glue gun..

 

[scooterbum46]

Bob - my sometimes winter home is 30 miles NNE of Tampa, they say directly in the path, Haven't been there in two years, with the wind forces predicted I'm hoping it's still there when we are able to get down there again. I've got a guy that we pay to check on a regular basis, he'll report if there is damage.

Wishing the best for you and all the others in the state, please be safe!

 

[Mr.zippy]

Damn Bob, you need to start acting your age!
I really hate trimming trees...

 

[gman007]

Bob
Great job trimming the tree. Sorry to hear about the mishap with your foot. Thank God that you got away with just some bruises.

Wishing you the best and hope that the wrath of the hurricane will miss you.

Stay safe!

Ps
Only transplants from South Africa (aka Grizz) are allowed to wear safety flip flops and get away with it , so you need to wear your steel toed boots from now on!

Ps ps
And a hard hat as well!

 

[Ford52PU]

Stay safe down there in the Sunshine state! That includes storms, branch removal and ladder climbing.