Randy Ingle » Home and Garden

Taking a Day Trip

Randy — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:28:24 +0000

Thanks for the guest post by Kristofer Bartlett

The American tradition began after World War II and the building of the transcontinental highway system in the United States- the day trip. The time when the family gets together and drives off to some exciting destination for a day of fun, thrills, and relaxation. We live in a nation where work is the mainstay of life and we are expected to keep our noses to the grindstone five days a week anxious for Friday when the whistle blows at five o’clock signaling that work is done.

The family prepares for the Saturday day trip or maybe it is the Sunday day trip. Regardless, the day trip is as American as apple pie. Packing the car with food and water, extra clothes, perhaps a first-aid kit, and the absolutely necessary sunscreen. The last thing to do is to set the home alarm system before leaving the house. It’s a good thing we found such an inexpensive home security system.

I remember growing up in Southern California the wonderful day trips my dad would take us on. One of the more memorable was the time we went to Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake nestled in the mountains above the Los Angeles basin away from the smog and endless traffic jams. The clear mountain pine air filled my nostrils and the sun glistening across the lake gave it a surreal look. The two lakes sit side-by-side and are as different as night and day. Arrowhead is more untouched and beautiful than Big Bear Lake. But both lakes have appeal in their own right. I remember seeing a wild wolf for the first time crossing the road in front of us and realized how natural and unspoiled nature is amidst the sprawling mecca of modern society.

Mild winter coming up

Randy — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:24:28 +0000

Last year I noticed that the bees were building their nests really high up in the trees. My father had taught me that meant that a winter was coming that would have a ton of snow. And boy, last year we really DID have a ton of snow!

This year the nests are very low to the ground. I’m going to predict that we will have a winter with much less snow than last year. It will be interesting to see if that is the case. Right now, with the temperatures in the triple digits, I’m trying to stay cool by thinking about snow! How crazy is that?!

Security Systems Are Now A Must

Randy — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 02:38:13 +0000

OK, I’ve decided that it is time to check into getting a decent security video camera and one of the security systems that I’ve seen online with ADT. They have been around for a very long time and have a good reputation, they must be doing something right considering all of their little yard signs that I see dotting the lawns around the neighborhoods.

Times are not getting any better for people. The crime rates are still on the rise, with folks getting very desperate in order to survive. Druggies are even getting bolder with their thieving in order to keep up with their habits. Home break ins are becoming an every day occurrence and making the headlines more and more. It just ain’t right. More people are buying dogs and purchasing large dogs as well in an effort to protect their home, property and their loved ones. But I’m more of a security systems type of guy at this point.

ADT offers a backup battery and equipment guide features. We are always losing power out here so having a battery backup is a must. Some times we are without power for days and that could turn into a nightmare, considering the circumstances. Crooks would and could take advantage of a long time power outage and people could get hurt. So I’m glad that I did my research online and found ADT. They have a variety of packages available according to your needs and wants, it’s all good as far as I’m concerned.

Let It Rain

Randy — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 02:07:11 +0000

We finally have had a couple of days that we can call rainy days. We have been so hot and dry for so long, it has been totally refreshing. Instead of temperatures in the high 90’s we have enjoyed a few days in the 70’s and now the garden is looking better and better.

Sewage Pump Issues

Randy — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:42:37 +0000

I’m pretty handy around the place and I can do a variety of jobs myself in order to save money rather than calling in a professional. But this morning when the basement flooded with raw sewage, it was time to call a plumber. The sewage pump that I had only purchased less than a year ago stopped working and what a nasty mess I had to deal with!

Night and day

Randy — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:38:40 +0000

My wife and I are at the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to our decorating tastes. When we talk about redecorating, I’m always suggesting going with modern designs such as Minka Aire Ceiling Fans and lights by Hubbardton Forge or Artemide. I really love the clean and modern feel of their designs. My wife, however, prefers what she calls the “traditional” look.

Ever since I brought home and installed the super-modern ceiling fan in her studio, I don’t think she will ever let me shop for lights for our house again. She tried to act pleased, but I could tell that she was biting her tongue hard when she saw what I bought. I tell her that she just needs to think of our house as eclectic.

Stepping in gum

Randy — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 01:39:56 +0000

I’ll never understand why people are so thoughtless that they will throw used bubble gum on the ground. I think that people that do that must have a mean streak in them. I normally don’t step in gum; I tend to be observant enough to avoid them. But in the last week I’ve stepped in gum TWICE! Very irritating; that stuff just does not want to come off! I guess I should just be glad that I noticed it before getting into the truck, or walking into the house. Getting gum out of carpet is not something I want to have to deal with! And, I guess I should be grateful that it wasn’t some animal’s scat that I stepped in!

A constant challenge

Randy — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 05:33:08 +0000

One of the challenges of living here in Maine is maintaining our rural mailboxes. In the winter, many mail boxes are struck by snow plows as the plows are clearing the roads of snow and ice. And when that happens, the boxes don’t just lean over a little bit, they are usually completely knocked down. When that happens, the rural mail carrier cannot deliver the mail to those Residential Mailboxes. So then the poor sap has to go to the Post Office to pick up their mail.

There have been times when I’ve gone to a Fair and seen a few vendors who try to sell snow-plow proof mailboxes. Their products do look like they could withstand the snow plow, but they are expensive. I have not seen any of them on any of the roads that I drive down yet. I think that most folks around here would rather gamble on their boxes not getting hit than spend the extra money on a plow-proof box.

Keep the youngsters safe

Randy — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:50:55 +0000

Now that the weather is getting warmer, I notice a lot more young mothers out with their babies in tow. I have to say that it really bothers me how many of them are using strollers to walk with their infants on country roads that are don’t have sidewalks.

What bothers me about it is that most of them are walking on the wrong side of the road. If a passing car or truck kicks up some gravel as they pass, the poor infant is going to get a face full of gravel. That is asking for trouble!

I understand the desire to get some fresh air and enjoy the all-too brief warm summer weather, but if these folks can’t learn to walk on the correct side of the road (facing traffic) then I think that they should just stay in their yards and let the babies play with some baby toys to enjoy the fresh air. They’d be much safer that way.

Black flies out, mosquitoes in

Randy — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:39:50 +0000

June 1st is here. Black fly month is officially over, and the mosquitoes are taking over. There is about a two week overlap where both of the pests are intolerable, but for now it is mosquito season. I really dearly love living in the countryside in New England, but I think that I would enjoy it more if there were fewer biting insects!

One thing is for sure, the bats and the dragonflies will not be starving to death anytime soon! There are plenty of mosquitoes to support their families for a long time to come. And I have plenty of Deep Woods Off to help me survive out there!