Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The "Glendora Garage"

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ok, so I got two new Load Range D, 8 ply trailer tires this morning. Mounted one on each side and the "old" (only 2 yrs) tire is now mounted as the spare. Needed to get this done right away as we're taking the boat out again in about a week plus to Lake Isabella, if any of you are familiar with it. As a family we've been going there/Kernville, CA since I was an infant and my parents couldn't take me because I was too young!



Now I need to straighten the trailer fender a little more and repaint it. I'm surprised I got it as straight as I did using only a large pipe wrench to bend & hammer it! No one will ever notice but I'll go for a little straighter with some rattle can primer and gloss black and I'll call it good.

We should have a whole thread on JUST rattle can paint jobs. I think we'd all be surprised how good some can come out. Not very durable but at least presentable.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Mowed lawns today before it got hot so I took an in-process pic to prove it. Otherwise it looks like nothing happened. Also spent a couple hours on hands & knees pulling dead brown daylily strap leaves, deadheading them and pulling the relatively few weeds that have already come up from the newly mulched beds. Probably 10x what shows in the pic.

Had the ficus tree hedges trimmed today. I've mentioned before that I still want to/think I can do it but the girlfriend thinks I'll end up a bag of broken sticks if I fall, so.......

 

[PugetDude]

She's a wise woman, Dan.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Before

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

She's a wise woman, Dan.

True.....BUT.....having this done about twice a year is pricey. The concrete has steps in it so they have to prop up their super tall ladders - which of course is the reason I'd probably fall!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

After: (Yeah, you're right. It doesn't look all that different but they took a ton of cuttings off.

 

[kaymccampbell]

It's pretty n all, but why'd you let it grow so tall? I've got a couple of big arborvitae that I make sure they never get taller than I can reach with the hedge trimmer on the Kombi, about 8'.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

It's pretty n all, but why'd you let it grow so tall? I've got a couple of big arborvitae that I make sure they never get taller than I can reach with the hedge trimmer on the Kombi, about 8'.

It was very tall when we moved in 4-1/2 years ago. If I go back and look at pics it probably WAS a bit shorter but it was still very tall.

 

[don long]

Looks good Dan and gives great privacy too

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Looks good Dan and gives great privacy too

Privacy is the reason we’ve not topped the hedges. The house in the corner behind us is two story and their bedroom window overlooks our master bedroom.

 

[PugetDude]

Privacy is the reason we’ve not topped the hedges. The house in the corner behind us is two story and their bedroom window overlooks our master bedroom.

And that's something they would never be able to unsee....

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

And that's something they would never be able to unsee....

True but there's not as much to unsee these days as there was 25 years ago! Lol

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

New sneakers arrived today. I'm not one to spend a lot on shoes but I find I like sneakers since retirement. I wasn't allowed to wear them before. The price dropped 44% so I went for it. Don't truly need any right now but I like them.

Yes, before you say it they ARE bright though not any brighter than my current electric yellow/green ones. Those have been through the washing machine a good 4 or 5 time and are holding up fine.

Someone on another thread commented about "LOOK AT ME" sneakers and I suppose they are. I don't care. Better than the standard old man white sneakers I used to wear. Plus they wash up better. I like 'em and I'm gonna wear 'em! If people point and laugh I doubt I'll care.

 

[PugetDude]

If people point and laugh I doubt I'll care.

.........................

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

.........................

 

[Bob Heine]

Dan, I would be thrilled if people only laughed at my footwear!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Dan, I would be thrilled if people only laughed at my footwear!

I'm certain people don't laugh at you for anything, Bob.

But I've wondered how people missing a limb deal with children or rude people who may stare? My reaction has pretty much been curiosity about how it may have happened.

When I see men (in particular) who have lost legs I am always reminded of a friend's father who had diabetes and basically wouldn't take seriously his doctors dietary advice. He ended up losing a leg but in stages: He lost toes, then a foot, then to the knee and ultimately the entire leg all because he was stubborn. I would have thought amputations would have motivated anyone!

 

[xtremek]

Shows you're getting old, that you don't care what other people think any more. Good for you. Are they comfortable? Then who cares. Besides, from what I've seen at the track and in the gym, you're trendy now.

 

[Bob Heine]

I'm certain people don't laugh at you for anything, Bob.

But I've wondered how people missing a limb deal with children or rude people who may stare? My reaction has pretty much been curiosity about how it may have happened.

When I see men (in particular) who have lost legs I am always reminded of a friend's father who had diabetes and basically wouldn't take seriously his doctors dietary advice. He ended up losing a leg but in stages: He lost toes, then a foot, then to the knee and ultimately the entire leg all because he was stubborn. I would have thought amputations would have motivated anyone!

Dan, mostly family. Most of my great grandchildren fold their left arm up inside their T-shirt with the elbow sticking out and tell their parents "Look, I'm Grandpa Bob!" It's possible I've encouraged that. Even the one-year-olds know what a "Gimme one" means. I don't want them to be afraid and it's OK to have fun with me.

Most adults who ask are doctors or nurses. The kids in Muslim countries like Egypt did point me out to their friends with wide eyes, probably wondering what I stole to lose my whole forearm. For American kids who look shocked or afraid I tell them it's OK and doesn't hurt anymore. That seems to satisfy them.

Missing one arm should make me hyper careful but sadly I still do stupid things, like trying to skateboard. Sometimes I've tried things after someone suggested it would be impossible for me. First time it happened at my first artificial arm training. PT person unbuttoned the cuff on my dress shirt so it would be easier to get off. I later put it back on but didn't ask for help re-buttoning it. I think she was a little pissed off when I showed her I could reach the button by flexing my wrist as far as possible. I have never repeated the process because it's stupid simple to button the cuff before I put the shirt on (my hand is the one part of my body that is still slim).

 

[kaymccampbell]

Shows you're getting old, that you don't care what other people think any more. Good for you. Are they comfortable? Then who cares. Besides, from what I've seen at the track and in the gym, you're trendy now.

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple,
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves,
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired,
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells,
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain,
And pick flowers in other people’s gardens,
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat,
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go,
Or only bread and pickle for a week,
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry,
And pay our rent and not swear in the street,
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised,
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

-Jenny Joseph

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I find the comments about my sneaker color choice interesting. I think I'm about halfway in between, "...you don't care what people think anymore" and what seems to be the point of Kay's poem about what I will do as I age. Maybe I am wrong but it SEEMS to mean, I have somehow earned the right to do things I wouldn't have done when I was younger.

I REALLY don't like it that some people (too many to me) feel they are "owed" something when they get older. That they can be rude, inappropriate or just plain wrong and no one has the right to challenge them simply because they have reached a certain number age. I totally disagree with farting in public, saying rude or hurtful things to strangers and especially to loved ones or spouses of loved ones.

On the other hand I apparently DO care what others think or I wouldn't have a problem with what I described above^^^. But my dismissal of others possible disapproval of my sneaker color isn't attitud-y, "Well screw them if they don't like them!". It's more like it doesnt occur to me to be concerned with a possible reaction.

Shows you're getting old, that you don't care what other people think any more....

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple,
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves,
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired,
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells,
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain,
And pick flowers in other people’s gardens,
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat,
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go,
Or only bread and pickle for a week,
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry,
And pay our rent and not swear in the street,
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised,
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

-Jenny Joseph

 

[bugnut]

@kaymccampbell thanks for posting, read years ago and forgotten till I read the first line. I'll hit 70 sooner than later, I may just be old enough!

 

[kaymccampbell]

I find the comments about my sneaker color choice interesting. I think I'm about halfway in between, "...you don't care what people think anymore" and what seems to be the point of Kay's poem about what I will do as I age. Maybe I am wrong but it SEEMS to mean, I have somehow earned the right to do things I wouldn't have done when I was younger.

The poem is saying, to me,
Take the stick out of your *** Clem. Stop sweating the silly little things. Enjoy your life a bit more. And be a cheeky old lady when you get there. Maybe even before you get there.

I read it when it first came out. Maybe 1960-ish? Those were tight-assed times. It kinda inspired me to not totally let go of my childish side, even during my 'adult' years. Now that I've 'misbehaved' all these years, I didn't think anyone will realize when I'm in my dotage. I'm probably already there.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Frickin HOT up here in Kernville, CA. Thought we’d had the worst of it on the drive up - 114* between the towns of Rosamond and Mojave then dropped back to 107 or 108.

Then got to Kernville yesterday and it was 111*! 113 today coming back from the lake side. I heard Palm Springs broke their all time heat record of 123* but article didn’t say the number.

 

[Jayman17]

I think I heard it was 128*!

 

[don long]

I see we share the same taste in music lol
It's been a bit warm here at home too

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I see we share the same taste in music lol
It's been a bit warm here at home too

I couldn't think of what you were referring to for a minute til I went back to the picture. Yeah, I have a lot of stations saved on Sirius but I seem to default to 70's and Bridge or Classic Vinyl. Just another indicator of age I guess.

It's SO dam hot here we're gonna leave tomorrow @ 5am to get through the desert before it's above 90* - well, we hope anyway!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I think I heard it was 128*!

I read in the news about a man who died as result of heat illness while riding motorcycles with 5 more buddies through Death Valley. The other guys were in bad shape too, one hospitalized but it was SO hot that helicopters couldn't fly in that air. This article if you can open it:

Motorcycle tour of Death Valley turns fatal as thermometer cracks 128 degrees

As the temperature climbed to a record 128 degrees in Death Valley National Park, a group of motorcyclists was sickened by the heat, and one died.

www.latimes.com

I was off by a day when I said yesterday we are leaving "tomorrow". NOW we are leaving tomorrow and it will be really early. I hear there is a severe heat warming at home in Glendora too. But that's "only" 97*! STILL well over 110* here in the high desert. My truck thermometer was probably off but it registered 118* this afternoon. But I figure even if it's waay off it's still hot as hell here. I love it here, been coming every summer since I was a little kid but I'm glad to be headed home.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Well we made it home uneventfully! On the road before 5AM. Crested Walker’s Pass on Hwy 178 before 6AM with the temperature about 65* but it went over 85* five minutes later as we descended into the Mojave desert. All’s well that ends well.

Now, back to car, truck, garage and yard work…..after I take a nap and watch the Dodgers game! Yup, rough life lol

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Damn, my backyard is St. Augustine and with the prolonged heat and regular watering it grows like a weed.....which it IS more or less I suppose.

I mowed it Tuesday this week when we got home from our boating trip, again on Friday and I would have mowed it again Sunday but we had people over all day so it had to be today, Monday. In-process photo just so you can see how much it grew in 72 hours. Crazy!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I am in process on a few fixes to the boat and boat trailer.

I posted about the flat tire that beat the fender. I need to complete that has best my nonexistent body work skills can, then rattle can it black. While on it the right side marker light was yanked out by the flapping tire remnant. I found a replacement, have to find/repair the wiring for it.

I also noticed driver side storage compartment door had come completely loose. Screws had pulled out. I tried the "match-stick-in-the-screw-hole" fix but no bueno - they all yanked out when I closed the door. So I drilled out where the hinge screws go (undoubtedly plywood under the upholstery) and used Titebond III glue to install 1/4" dowels. I'll let them dry overnight then CAREFULLY replace the hinge. There is vinyl to cover the hinge. I'll use 3M spray adhesive to re-secure it. Best I can do. I don't think it'll be noticeable.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I also noticed the latches that hold the door down have lost the flat bar that used to be there (No idea where it went, probably into the "drink"). I'm thinking of fabbing replacements out of these mending plates I found at Home Cheapo. I don't remember how the originals were held on there (obviously, not so well) so thinking of either drilling a square hole OR notching them then securing with either JB Weld or a spot weld. Opinions? Should I drop all that and just find replacement latches?

 

[PugetDude]

Dan, I would be afraid of nasty rust stains if you use those mending plates- even worse if you tack weld them.
Replacement SS latches shouldn't be that hard to find.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Dan, I would be afraid of nasty rust stains if you use those mending plates- even worse if you tack weld them.
Replacement SS latches shouldn't be that hard to find.

I hadn't really thought of that. It IS possible it would rust though that area doesn't get much water. Not sure where I'd find these unique sort of latches though. I'll look before proceeding.

 

[rharman]

You can easily get SS mending plates from Amazon. I have them in several sizes/configurations. I just got tired of the plain ones getting all gunky over time. Just used two the other day to repair a belt guard on my lawn edger. They are a bit of a pain to drill though.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

You can easily get SS mending plates from Amazon. I have them in several sizes/configurations. I just got tired of the plain ones getting all gunky over time. Just used two the other day to repair a belt guard on my lawn edger. They are a bit of a pain to drill though.

Thanks.

The thing about spot welding is I have only regular .023" wire in my MIG welder. I'm sure that is not the right wire to weld it so I don't know if it will work at all or not? Plus, if it DOES work it will rust - though of course I will paint them with something to ward it off. That's why I am considering JB Weld because if I need to adjust their location or something they will be easier to re-position. On the other hand the JB Weld may break after repeated use and they could get lost like the originals!

 

[PugetDude]

Thanks.

The thing about spot welding is I have only regular .023" wire in my MIG welder. I'm sure that is not the right wire to weld it so I don't know if it will work at all or not? Plus, if it DOES work it will rust - though of course I will paint them with something to ward it off. That's why I am considering JB Weld because if I need to adjust their location or something they will be easier to re-position. On the other hand the JB Weld may break after repeated use and they could get lost like the originals!

Pop rivets

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Pop rivets

Nope, that wouldn't work. The "thing" coming out of the latch assembly is solid square stock. It's stainless and a bit more than 1/4" square. The meaning plate has to slide onto it. I know the original had a matching square hole but I just can't remember how it attached? It was a piece of flat stainless plate for certain but I don't remember it having a set screw - though it must have I guess.

So you may be right that the correct fix is just to replace the entire latch assembly.....damn!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Remounted the piano hinge on the door today - screws held great in the newly glued-in dowels. Then I glued down the vinyl cover with this spray adhesive I already had. I don't remember on what project I used it? I'm almost surprised the can still worked! Letting it fully dry over night then I will remount the door on the boat. I'll be shopping for replacement latches soon.

 

[PugetDude]

Remounted the piano hinge on the door today - screws held great in the newly glued-in dowels. Then I glued down the vinyl cover with this spray adhesive I already had. I don't remember on what project I used it? I'm almost surprised the can still worked! Letting it fully dry over night then I will remount the door on the boat. I'll be shopping for replacement latches soon.

I have a 19 year old can of 3M Spray adhesive that still works perfectly. Contrast that to 1-2 year old cans of Rust-Oleum that are complete garbage. Sputter out blobs or won't spray at all.