It was time to drain and replace the water and filters in my outdoor Jacuzzi tub so that was the chore this past weekend. I keep the hot tub running year-round, even during the winter, so it is important to keep it in top shape at all times. Nothing like sitting in there and having frosty, icy hair.
Driveway Refurbish
I had a tar-and-chip driveway that was installed over 9 years ago. It was showing its age, and I’ve lost my constant battle with weeds that seem to find a way to grow back in sections every year. So today, I had a new one installed.
It started with the crew from Keystone Tar & Chip Paving first removing all visible vegetation, re-defining the edges along the lawn, leveling and grading the entire length of the driveway, then compacting the graded surface using a 5-ton vibratory combo set of rollers. They then applied a vegetation preventative on the compacted surface, and proceeded with the main job: two individual layers of chip seal consisting of first, hot liquid asphalt (or tar) at the rate of 1/2 gallon per square yard, followed by crushed limestone gravel (or chips) at the rate of 1 ton per 500 square feet. After each coating, the 5-ton vibratory combo rollers went over the newly applied layer for further compaction while workers manually fine-raked and brushed for an even surface. All these in about 5 hours.
They also gave me tips on what herbicides to use to prevent weed growth, and further enjoy the new driveway for at least the next decade.
Ominous Weather
These ominous-looking clouds appeared this past weekend just before the summer thunderstorm rolled in. Shortly after, the downpour began.
Ominous clouds before the thunderstorm.
Mindless Task Calms the Mind
With a podcast on the AirPods, bucket hat and sunglasses on, and lots of sunblock, mowing the yard (all two and a half acres of it), can take over two hours of a mindless task. But it can also be calming, and the time outside in the sun is always time well spent.
"Expanding" an Area Rug
I did some furniture re-arranging in the living room, largely repositioning the sofa and the Eames lounge chair/ottoman. That threw off the overall symmetry and placement of the pieces relative to the “area rug” under them, and the overall space in general.
The solution was to “expand” the rug by placing five additional FLOR tiles to one end of it. That’s the beauty of FLOR tiles arranged as area rugs — flexible enough in terms of size and placement, and compatible enough in terms of style and color even if you didn’t plan for a larger one (with different-style tiles) in the beginning. I’m pretty happy with the result.
Blue Hour at the Homestead
… and a freshly mowed lawn. Favorite time of the day.
New Clock
Just recently got this new two-sided classic-style analog wall clock from Dulton, a well-known Japanese homewares manufacturer and seller. It would be the latest addition to my growing collection of iconic and interesting timepieces. In case you couldn’t tell, I am fascinated with unique and oversized clocks. Big time!
More House Projects
Several other outdoor housekeeping projects were completed this month, in addition to the rock bed replenishment and re-leveling earlier in the spring. Early in July, I started re-staining the cedar canopies over the front doors, as well as the side garage door. In mid-July, I hired a company to do a professional wash and clean of all glass window and door exteriors, something that I used to do myself once a year. I was so pleased with their work that I will continue to hire them every year from now on.
I also solicited quotes for a pressure wash cleaning of all the ground concrete surfaces: front walkway, driveway pad, and the courtyard perimeter walkways. But the quotes came in so high that I decided to just buy a gas-powered pressure washer and do it myself. I completed this project over a few days in mid-August.
Visitors from Michigan
[6-8 June, 2024]
94-year old Aunt Nora and cousin Kay came down from Michigan for their annual spring-time visit to Ohio. Of course, get-togethers with lots of Filipino food.
Total Solar Eclipse
[8 April, 2024]
Today’s solar eclipse in which my home falls in the path of totality was one of the most amazing nature experiences I have ever had. The 15 minutes before totality was uniquely eerie, almost like the anxiety felt in the approach of a powerful thunderstorm. And totality itself was really something else — a dark, foreboding sensation like the arrival of twilight, but not quite. It was a very brief moment to enjoy, but one destined to become an unforgettable memory of a lifetime.
Path of totality, April 8th 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
Event: Total Solar Eclipse, Monday, April 8th, 2024
Location: City of Powell, OH
Partial Eclipse Began: 1:55:43 pm
Totality Began: 3:11:50 pm
Maximum: 3:12:46 pm
Totality Ended: 3:13:43 pm
Partial Eclipse Ended: 4:27:03 pm
Duration: 2 hours, 31 minutes
Totality: 1 minute, 53 seconds
I was able to capture some images of my home, not the eclipse itself, (there are much better images online captured by professional photographers!) half an hour before, during, and half an hour after totality. Notice the shadow of the Hinoki cypress (and its disappearance during totality) in the foreground of each of the photos.
Fall at the Homestead
Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, and for me, provides the best light and colors to take photos of the house and its surroundings. Here are some from a cloudy day in late October.
Buff, Polish, Shine
It’s that time of year: a total clean up treatment of my concrete floor. First, a buff with the Oreck orbiter. followed by a thorough vacuum, and finally, 2 coats of Zep’s High Traffic Floor Polish. For that shiny, glass-like finish!
Courtyard Landscaping
Spring is underway, and so are landscaping activities in the central courtyard. The citrus plants (Meyer Lemon and Calamondin) are outside and re-containered, and the 4-yr old juniper bonsai is out of its winter hibernation and now comfortably in its new ceramic pot. I also put together a new succulent centerpiece for the outside dining table. Continuing: a season-long battle with weeds!
Overall, everything’s looking good, so here’s to a great growing season!
A New Thermostat
The thermostat for the floor heater in my primary bathroom died recently (after almost 10 years!) so it got replaced this past weekend.
Doggone Sunset
[3 January, 2023]
Even puppies can appreciate a beautiful sunset.
Reflectorized Driveway Markers
[10 December, 2022]
An annual undertaking: putting up my reflectorized driveway markers for the snowiest of those winter days. Winter is coming, and they say this year is going to be snowy.
Christmas Trees Are Up
[20 November, 2022]
Among this past weekend’s tasks was setting up the Christmas trees (from The Modern Christmas Tree). Three years in a row now that they’ve gone up before Thanksgiving.
Setting up the Classic 8-ft
Setting up the tabletop 3-ft Jubilee.
Sunning on a Sunday
Sunday, sunny Sunday!
A Windy Day
The Japanese garden courtyard creates whirlwind vortices on windy days like today and apparently, its southwestern corner is an artful leaf collector.
Fall's Peak
Just past the peak of Fall colors, and foliage surrounding the house, while still vibrant, is beginning to get scarce. Nights have also gotten chilly.
