Jason and Jess came up to the farm this morning at 8 am and we ran a ton of wires. Not sure how many feet of wire we ran, but it was several miles I would imagine! I think we got a lot done today, though. So, that is good!
THANK YOU JASON AND JESS!!!!!
Looks like most of the tower cams on the big tower are ready to be turned on. Also the emergency management radios are ready to be hooked up to the antennas! Will still be awhile until we get electricity, though.
I think we were completely covered in dust when we left. There is so much dust up there because of all the work going on - the ground has been worked over. I was HAPPY to get a shower when I got back home.
There could be a significant outbreak of severe thunderstorms over portions of our region on Saturday. This is really going to mess with outdoor activities. Unfortunately it appears that it could be a rather significant event for some counties. Let’s hope not, though.
Some of the photos that Jess and I took today -
Jason bringing the big tonka toy over to the tower. Jess is in the swing
Jason pulling up to the tower
Take me higher!!!!
Click photo for larger images
Jason and Jess helping run wires to the big tower
Anything for OEM and weather!
Scary!
Running wires to the tower cams
Running more wires - and more wires - and more wires
OEM antennas
Jason climbing the tower
Digital antenna
I think I was completely covered with dust today
Jess helping to push wires up the tower and watching to make sure I don’t fall
Jason climbing up the tower
Jason running wires through the conduit
View to the west/northwest
Weather instruments
The house - I see a hawk there to the left above the roof line
Well, midterms are over. That means this set of classes is now half over! That means it won’t be long until I am completely finished. Looks like the end of August will be the FINAL FINAL test! Then - that is it. School is over. :) I will be happy to have the free time available! I guess I will concentrate on the house - not that I am not already concentrating on the house. :) But, it will feel great to not have to study, not have to worry about tests, not to have to worry about turning in homework!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO
Spent most of today at the farm. Running some wires under the house. Jason is coming up tomorrow and we are going to try and finish the large tower - running wires and antennas. Running some weather cameras, as well.
Holy cow. The year is half over. It is July. FALL will be here soon!!!! Then winter - then snow. Well, we hope it snows. We shall see. I think this is our year. SNOW! :) I keep dreaming.
Spent the morning at the farm. Tony came up and went over everything with the guys. Looks like everything is moving along. Hopefully they will start the insulation process in a week or two (looks like two now).
It was dry today. A bit windy - not bad, though.
We picked up some of the living room furniture. Storing it here in Lone Oak for now.
Rob was there today (works with Tony) and said Lowe’s should be paying us for advertising.
Click for larger image
Tony working hard
Tony - said I didn’t have enough photos of him - so here you go
Looks like they are mowing the terraces. Tractor looks small from this
distance
I took these photographs of the storm near Murray, Kentucky. Time was approximate 8:15 pm. The storm produced damaging winds in Murray. Hail was also reported.
Severe thunderstorm near Murray, KY. 8:15 PM
Click image for larger view.
Click image for large size photograph
Radar image of the severe thunderstorm as it moved through Murray.
Click image for larger version.
Well, we went from muddy to dusty. Another nice day, though. Temperatures were a little bit warmer - still not bad! We ran a few wires today. Picked out the tile for the countertop on the third floor (counter/bar area). Also changed the color of the tile around the fireplace.
The deer is back :) Checked this afternoon and I see she has returned. Must be a good feeding spot.
Otherwise, Rodney and the guys are working on the decks. Heating and air was there today. Everything is moving along.
Glad midterms are over. Waiting on my grade in one of the classes. Hoping for an A. We shall see.
Instrument shelter - nice blue sky this afternoon
Observatory deck on the top of the house :) Should be great for watching
meteor showers - storms - sunsets!
Weather camera wires
Looking north on the third floor.
Heating and air on the third floor. Coming along.
Third floor - looking east.
Wires wires wires wires
The weather room - waiting for the next stage of the building process
The decks are coming along.
Looking southwest - nice day
Looking southeast - few clouds today
We discovered an old cistern behind where my grandmothers house
used to be.
For some reason the comments section of the blog hasn’t been working. I think I have it fixed. So, if you are reading this add a comment so I can see if it is working. :) I think you have to put your email address and name - that should be it, though.
Spent most of today under the new house running wires for weather cameras. It was extremely windy and dusty at the farm. Blowing dust in the air. I think my car needs to be cleaned now.
Otherwise, it was a BEAUTIFUL day!!!!!
Daisy chillin the front window - Lone Oak
Running wires for weather cameras
View to the northwest - will make a nice camera view
Running the wires for the front view of the house weather cam
Weather instruments out back
Decks are being built
The guys are working hard - beautiful weather!
I saw this on the way back to Lone Oak. Took up the whole road!
Yeesh - what the heck is this???? Over 100 again today for the heat index. It is miserable outside. I want SNOW!!!! BRING ME SNOW! BRING ME SNOW!!! Chant - chant. I know everyone agrees. Right?
Okay - seriously though, it is freakin hot outside. Was at the farm early this morning and was so wet that I was shivering when I came inside to the air condition. All you have to do is stand there and you sweat. This weather is for - well for nobody.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT COOLER AND DRIER AIR IS COMING!!!!! A cold front will move through the region tomorrow. This front will lower temps and will bring lower dew points to the area. THANK GOODNESS! It can’t come soon enough.
Went to the moves yesterday with Julie. Saw "My Sisters Keeper". It was a GREAT movie. Highly recommend it. We are going tomorrow (Tony and his family) to see Transformers. Not sure if Dione or Tommy is going. Mariah has seen it already. It is also Tony’s birthday tomorrow.
We ran wires most of today at the farm for the weather cameras. I was under the house for awhile. Had to go back this afternoon. I was completely covered in dust and dirt. I don’t think I have been that dirty since - hmm not sure. Maybe when I was a kid???? lol Pretty covered up with dirt.
Mosquitoes about killed me today up at the farm. Which is weird because I just told Julie that we had not been having any mosquito problems. I guess I shouldn’t have said that?
The trail cam caught another deer :) Not sure if it is the same deer as earlier in the week. Still waiting to get a coyote or something more interesting. A Bobcat would be cool - or a COUGAR! lol :) I would take a bear, as well.
Well, I see we had a guest blogger this morning. Mr. Tony Crouch. Cute :P Now I know how it feels to read the blog. lol
Was at the farm all day today. Looks like they are planting soybeans. The guys were there working on decking, wiring the alarm system, plotting out where the grounding wires go, worked on tower cams, Precision Audio was putting in wires, and finally the plumbing is moving along nicely.
Hopefully they will start on the decking in the next few days/week. Then insulation will go in. Siding - all the rest. :) ZOOM ZOOM - I hope!
Caught a deer in the trail cam. Doe. Also one snake today.
Click for larger snake image
The name that animal series continues - reptiles, as well
6:50pm - Deena asks if I have read Beau’s blog today. I remind her that it is early yet and I am not to the point in my day where I feel the need to do something that then causes me to realize it is time for bed, so no, I havn’t read Beau’s blog.
8:50pm - Begin to read Beau’s blog entry about Power Outage 09. I wonder if I should continue with this great read or reassemble all the paper in my shredder. The lid to the shredder is stuck. Beau win’s this round.
8:51pm - A thought deep in the recesses of my mind tells me that I already know the ending to Beau’s dramatic retelling of last nights event and I should just go lay down.
8:52pm - I too, like Daisy, turn my head back and forth at Beau’s ramblings. I too, like Daisy, fully understand what Beau is saying but wonder why I have yet wasted another moment of my life taking in his ramblings when I could be eating a snack, sleeping on my bed, or staring out the window at passing cars and racoons.
8:53pm - Just as I suspected, Beau’s story ends well with Joey, Daisy, and him all surviving the storm. I knew it would as I had not recieved a phone call from Joey or Daisy at any point in the day wanting me to begin Will readings and inheritance proceedings.
8:54pm - I briefly consider backing up and removing the 781 posts that is Beau’s life this past 2 years, but quickly realize that would only result in a frantic call/text/email to me. I pretend it all never happened and make my way to bed to sleep it all off.
A big lightning storm rolled right through Paducah and Lone Oak this evening. It wasn’t very wide but sure packed a bunch. We had numerous lightning hits in Lone Oak. Many close to us. Power went on and off several times.
Play by play details of everything that unfolded. I warn you that this becomes quite dramatic and could cause nightmares for young children and weak adults.
11:05 pm lightning storm hits. Frequent cloud to ground lightning. Lot of thunder.
11:10 pm – power goes out in most of Lone Oak. Large tree limbs fall in yard (two to be exact). One hits Daisy’s fenced area and knocks down the fence. Thankfully Daisy was safely inside the house. Estimate winds at 50 mph.
11:13 constant beeping beeping beeping of the backup power supplies telling me for some reason that the power is out (of course I already know this) For those who don’t know I have backup power supplies and they are large boxes that keep everything working properly for at least an hour when the power goes out.
11:19 power is back on – thank goodness.We survived another power outage.Daisy is happy.The beeping stops. I can continue working on my monitoring of the weather. That and watch some tv.
11:30 pm – power goes out again. Grumble. Oh well, it won’t last long. We hope. Hope is all you have in desperate times.
11:35 pm – Joey says he has to turn his homework in before midnight.I ask him why he waited till the last minute.No response.
11:35 pm - I suggest he tell his teacher that the power went out. He tells me they will then ask why he waited till the last minute to turn it in.
11:37 pm - now there is constant beeping of backup power supplies and it is starting to push me over the edge of sanity.They aren’t even in unison. I mean at least if they were in unity it would just be one loud beep. But, noooooo they are all beeping at different times. Sounds like a McDonald’s when all the french fry fryers finish at the same time.
11:38 pm Joey says he needs to finish his homework. I nod.
11:39 pm - the beeping noises are driving Joey to put his headphones on. Of course this leaves me hanging with only Daisy to talk to. Daisy just looks at me and twists her head from side to side - probably a desperate attempt to figure out what I am saying.
11:40 pm – Joey realizes we have a Verizon Wireless Card.Makes me go to the car and get it.Lightning has stopped now.Still raining.I brave the weather and retrieve the wireless card.Lightning flashes in the distance.It is freakin muggy outside. Winds are blowing at more than 3 mph now. Brutal.
11:41 pm – Daisy keeps running in circles trying to catch the flashlight light beam.She just can’t seem to understand the source of the light.Yet, she realizes the bears on the tv show (with the guy who feeds the bears up in Alaska) are not real. So, why she can’t quite figure out this whole flashlight issue - well I just don’t know.
11:42 pm – Joey complains because the Verizon Internet Card is slower than molasses on a cold Vermont morning (pretty slow). I think he should be happy he is able to connect at all.
11:43 pm – the constant beeping is starting to sound louder and louder (even though it isn’t).Now they are in unison at least – beep beep beep.
11:43 - we mention the ice storm.Ahhhhh yes – the sweet memories of “ice storm ‘09” Who could ever forget being without power for days on end. Fun times - fun times.
11:44 pm – I think I might make t-shirts that say “I SURVIVED POWER OUTAGE ‘09”
11:44 pm – Joey shoots down my idea.
11:45 pm – we discuss John (or is it Jon?) and Kate and how Jon blames everyone but himself for their problems.Also adds that the kids come first.We both wonder “since when” Why are we talking about this? Oh yeah, because it is the top story on FOX News. WTH
11:46 pm – Daisy can’t figure out where the flashlight light beam disappeared to (I turned it off).
11:47 pm – I suggest we start eating the food in the refrigerator before it goes bad.
11:47 pm – Joey shoots down my idea.
11:47 pm – I start eating the food in the refrigerator.
11:48 pm – the strawberries have all been eaten.Checking to see what else we have to eat.
11:48 pm – I wonder if Tommy and Dione have power. Tony and Deena? My dad - mom? The world? Who knows. It looks dark outside. Zombies can’t be far off.
11:49 pm – read text messages from Jennifer R at WPSD.They have power issues, as well. Thank goodness - we have outside communications. At least we know someone is alive at WPSD. We push forward and pray to the power gods that power will be returned.
11:49 pm – Joey says he is getting his homework finished.Power or no power we push forward.Surviving the power outage one minute at a time.
11:50 pm – Joey says to stop opening the refrigerator. I am looking for food. I will not die on an empty stomach. I will survive this disaster. I won’t become a statistic.
11:50 pm – I remind everyone (well just Joey and Daisy) that our grandparents used to live this way.No response.
11:54 pm – still no power.Daisy isn’t happy.She is making grumbling noises.
11:55 pm – I look down the street and see that some of the neighbors in the distance have power. There is hope!!!! Keeping hope alive. They will come for us!
11:56 pm – time to break out the cheese!Joey turns down the cheese.So, I eat a few slices.The mixed batch kind from Wal-Mart.You get like four different cheese types in a package.I am a cheese fan. Daisy – not so much.
11:58 pm – I wonder how long my backup power supply will stay on.So far my computer is still on.Just not online.Too lazy right now to hook it up to the satellite internet.I already hooked it up once to Bell South – then that went out. That reminds me - I need to call the satellite internet people to hook up the new house. Make a note.
11:59 pm – don’t know how much longer we can hold on.It has been more than 30 minutes without the internet on this computer.Errr Joey has internet with the Verizon Card.I suppose I could hook up the Bell South to the backup power supply. I think it is still up and running.Then on the other hand – is there really a need?The storm has passed.Sounds like everyone at emergency management have gone silent.
11:59 pm – Joey turns his homework in.Just under the deadline. Thank goodness.
12:00 am – Welcome to June 23, 2009!Power Outage ’09 Continues!!!Wow it is midnight.Still no power.How do people live without power????
12:01 am – Daisy is staring at my cheese. That or she is staring at me and sizing me up. No doubt she is already contemplating her food source.
12:03 am – bugs bugs bugs.Flying insects are invading my space.I guess whatever flying insects were in the house have decided that my computer screen is their new home.I am getting the hand held vacuum cleaner.Screw PETA – I don’t care.These bugs are being sucked up.I am sure it will be a trip for them.They can all be together in one place that way.
12:04 am – dang - My backup power supply has gone dead.Now we are moving on to pen and paper.
12:04 am – Daisy protests the use of the handheld rechargeable vacuum cleaner.I push forward with the task at hand.Suck up the bugs.
12:06 am – getting warm in here.Air condition has stopped.Apparently the air condition will not work when the electricity goes out.Imagine that.I can’t sleep without a fan.I can’t sleep without an air condition. The silence would probably kill me. Not to be dramatic, but these are just the facts.
12:08 am – Joey informs me that France is going to ban those burkas that women wear (Muslim women).I approve of that message.They treat women like slaves.Why should women have to cover up in order to out in public.GO FRANCE!
12:09am – Power is still out.I tell Joey that I am suffering through the lack of internet.One minute at a time.Meanwhile he continues to surf with his laptop still having a few minutes left on it.Verizon Wireless Card appears to be working, as well. What would we do without Verizon? The beacon of light in every disaster.
12:10 am – debate taking my sleeping pill.Bringing a swift end to all of this. Decide against it.
12:11 am – Joey wonder how long our power will be out. No response from me. I am not the power genie. I have no control over this.
12:12 am – time to break out the poptarts.I hook up the toaster to the backup power supply.It immediately starts to rapidly beep.Then goes dead.45 seconds and the pop tart was warm.Oh well, it isn’t cooked all of the way through, but close enough!!! It’s not like there is a cookie dough recall.
12:13 am – Daisy stairs at my pop-top.
12:13 am – we are down to one last power supply unit.At least the constant beeping has ended.
12:14 am – eating my pop-tart.Strawberry flavor.Give daisy a treat to keep her quiet.
12:15 am – complaining to Joey that he has internet and headphones and that Daisy and I feel left out of the entertainment.
12:16 am – talk to Daisy about her treats.She just looks at me.
12:17 am – Joey complains because bugs are flying around his computer screen.I tell him this is because he has the only light source available for them to hover around. He wants to know where the bugs come from. Blaming me for some window not closed all the way. I ask for evidence.
12:18 am – Daisy is chasing my flashlight again.So dumb.Doesn’t she understand – there is nothing to catch.Sigh.
12:19 am – realization sets in.We have no power and it is getting warmer and warmer inside the house.I am writing all of this down in case we don’t make it through the night.Someone will find my writings and know that we pushed forward.Through all of the turmoil – through all of the darkness – and kept this diary of the events as they unfolded at our house.Perhaps to be read one day by some history class.How the earth ended in 2009.The power went out.Scary I know. I thought this was all supposed to end in 2012???
12:20 am – flashbacks to ice storm ’09.
12:21 am – Joey is taking a Facebook Quiz “How Southern Are You”I tell him that I can already answer that question for him and he doesn’t even need to take the test. He doesn’t respond to that. Won’t show me his answers.
12:22 am – he declares that he is a Yankee.Uh huh
12:22 am – flashlight is going dim.Oh no – this is how it ends.
12:23 am – break out new flashlight that Tommy and I bought after the big ice storm.I have several dozen 6 volt batteries.We are good to go on lights.At least flashlights.
12:24 am – realizes that without air everything smells like Daisy.I break out the febreeze.
12:25 am – Joey is gagging on the amount of febreeze that I am spraying around the room.
12:26 am – I ask Joey how long we can go on like this.He says we can go on as long as his computer works and he has the internet card.Sigh.
12:27 am – suggest finding a hotel.No response.
12:27 am – Joey believes we will be able to survive at least another hour with no power and is prepared to go all night.What a trooper.
12:28 am – Daisy and I discuss packing our bags.
12:28 am - Daisy packs her bag.
12:29 am – Chair is now wet because I over-febreezed it.Oops.
12:30 am – I realize that having poison oak everywhere is no fun.Go search for me medicine so the scratching will stop. It is worse when it is warm. Scratch - itch. Uggg
12:31 am – We finally break down and call Paducah Power. Joey googles the phone number.I call them.Ring 1 – ring 2 – ring 3.A lady answers.Very polite.She asks me what was wrong.I told her my power was out.She said where – and I told her my address.She believes they are working on it.I don’t ask how long it will be.I know better than that.
12:33 am – Joey discusses ear wax.Random I know.But none-the-less this is the conversation.
12:34 am – we discuss whether dead braincells become mucus.Don’t ask why – I don’t know.
12:36 am – Joey suggest we drive around and look for the electric company trucks.I give no response to that suggestion.I think we are ok.
12:37 am – discuss birthday cards vs e-birthday cards.Are e-cards real?Unsure.We are split on the decision.Joey notes that some cards are nice to have, but he hates throwing them away.On the other hand they build up quickly. Deena’s friend believes that E-cards are a child of Satan. Believes real cards are more appropriate.
12:38 am – Joey tells me that my “titties and nads” restaurant idea is a bad one.I tell him that “show me” and “hooters” do well.He says not the same.
12:41 am – discuss movies coming out this week.There are several new ones we want to see.My Sisters Keeper looks nice.Transformers also is coming out. What to see what to see. Well, I guess we will see nothing if the power stays out.
12:42-12:59 – deep conversation about family, house building, relationship, shot budgets, house budget, how to recoup money from house budget, and a dozen other subjects from one range of the spectrum to the other.
12:59 power comes back on.Joey looks at me and says “welp talk time is over” power is back on.We can return to our regular lives.
1:00 am – power is still on.House is becoming a bit cooler.
And so as quickly as it began it ends.Darkness to light. We HAVE SURVIVED ANOTHER PADUCAH POWER OUTAGE!!!!!!!
Beau - a recording of live events as they unfolded on Charlotte Ann Drive.
Well, summer is here! It feels like summer, as well. Temperatures the last few days have risen into the 90s. No different today - it was 99 earlier at Cairo, Illinois. 95+ in Paducah. Heat index values are above 100 degrees. Not nice! I would rather have snow. I am not supposed to say that, though. lol
Life is brilliant right now. It is difficult at times to see the forest. I think that has something to do with being in the middle of building a house and trying to finish college. :)
We had a wonderful father’s day - also celebrated Tony’s birthday and Joey’s. Everyone went to eat at Willow Pond Restaurant. There wasn’t a pond, but they did have good catfish.
I did not go up to the farm today. Yesterday my dad mowed and I ran the weed eater. The grass was getting pretty high. Lot of spiders and insects. lol Julie said I must have forgotten what it was like to live on a farm. :) Speaking of Julie - we went out to the movies last night. Saw the new movie "Proposal". It was a funny. Betty White plays one of the main roles. I don’t think I have seen her in very many movies lately.
Otherwise - we are moving forward with the house. The sunroom has been built. Windows are in. Tommy is wiring - ADS is running their alarm system wires - Precision Audio is also running their wires. Drowning in wires.
Tony is working hard to keep everything moving along. There seems to be an endless stream of items that need attention. Everything is going well, though.
Met with Dale the other day. It appears the cabinets are coming along nicely.
TON of tests this week. Quarterly tests and mid-terms. Not looking forward to the Ocean Mid-term. The class is hard.
I did capture a raccoon on my trail cam (up at the farm). The latest critter mugshot.
Raccoon
Cabinets
Fireplace
Cabinets and shelves
Dale who is building the kitchen cabinets - shelves - bathroom vanities
Well, life has become quite busy. Between all of these tests in school and building the house - doesn’t leave too much time for anything else. So, trying to pull back a bit and get some perspective. Somehow that seems to be easily lost when you are in the middle of everything. Just need to try and enjoy the moment and not keep thinking about the end process.
I had a very nice evening with Julie and Danny. Went to see a movie.
Tommy sent me these photographs and I thought they were wonderful. I do not know who took the photographs. But, I thought they were inspiring.
LOVE
SORROW
INNOCENCE
DEPARTURE
PAIN
SOLITUDE
MUSIC
RESPECT
COMPASSION
FRIENDSHIP
MUSIC
PATIENCE
STRANGER
RESCUE
BEST FRIEND
DIVINE
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…it’s about
learning how to dance in the rain."
Most of today was spent up at the farm working on the weather room. Tommy, Jason, Tony, Rodney, Scott, Bobby - did I miss anyone - was up there today. I think we got most of it ironed out. Placement of monitors. How we are going to wire everything. Where to place the modems, computers, and other instruments. Looks like everything is moving along nicely.
Don driving the Tonka Toy
Cumulus clouds developing in the heat of the day. We reached 93 degrees.
When will the rain stop? Rain Rain Rain. It won’t stop raining. More thunderstorms hit today. Some of them were severe with damaging winds. We had 40-60 mph winds in McCracken County. The farm picked up almost an inch of rain in the last 24 hours. This is on top of all the rain during the past week.
Looks like more rain chances tonight and tomorrow. Tough call on timing and placement. Hopefully not at the farm! Then a few hot days followed by a cold front with a squall line on Friday/Saturday.
Tough weather.
Some photos from the last couple of days…
Click for larger - a rainy Monday. Yesterday was very wet. Today was also
very wet.
The weather room! Windows are in.
The squall line that hit us today. Very intense. Lot of warnings.
Well, I put the camera in the backyard last night. Thought maybe I would capture another squirrel. But, it appears I captured something more menacing! I might need to call Tony with his racoon trap.
Thunderstorms will be likely over the next few days. I think the higher risk for severe weather will be on Monday and Tuesday. Will have to keep an eye on this situation. Several periods of showers and thunderstorms will likely roll through the region. I am thinking 2-3" of rain will easily fall on some of our counties. Widespread 1-2" of rain appears likely.
Going to the farm this morning - :) Might take my camera and put it somewhere out there. Maybe we can capture a deer!
So, I got a trail cam to see if I can capture some deer up at the farm. Or other animals perhaps
I put it in the yard last night to try it out and I captured a couple of squirrels. Maybe I will take it up to the farm tomorrow.
Went to the farm today with Tony. We walked through the house and went over everything. Noticed a few things we needed to add or change. Nothing major, though. Everything looks great.
Well, today is Joey’s birthday. SOOOOOOO - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
Storms last night (again). Will the stormy weather ever end? At least we have not had huge tornado outbreaks. Lot of minor events and just a lot of rain. RAIN RAIN RAIN. We picked up 0.70" at the farm. WET - that is the word.
We ran errands today - picked out some colors for the house - picked out some furniture that we liked. Took a plane ride and photographs from the air. Some some weird damage on the way back to Paducah. Uncertain what the damage was, though. No reports to the media or OEM. So, unsure what we saw. Was strange. Wish I would have gotten some photos of it, though.
School and house building - those are keeping me swamped and busy. Will be glad when school ends! SOON. :) Few months to go, though.
Had a wonderful time with Julie last weekend. We went out to eat and saw a movie. Always nice to catch up.
Jason and Jess have returned from Europe. I am sure they are trying to catch up on their sleep.
Today started out fairly early. Had to be downtown Paducah to work on some projects. Then I headed up to the farm. The guys were working on the heating and air. Looks like the duct work is coming along.
I actually saw about 50-100 Canadian Geese when I got off the interstate. They had landed in a field near a lake and were eating. I don’t recall seeing geese this time of the year this far south? It was quite odd. Maybe an early winter :) lol
I cut some branches off one of the trees that had some ice storm damage. Then worked on weather instruments up there and down here. Trying to get everything together.
BEAUTIFUL day outside. Barely a cloud in the sky. I LOVE IT!!!! Bring me about 10 more days like this. Wishful thinking, I know!
Wonder how Jason and Jess are doing over in Europe. I am sure they are having a blast.
Two of my tower cams arrived today. These will be integrated into the whole "weather" theme at the farm!
Some photos from today…click on image for larger photo
Duct work going in the top floor - I am excited!
Duct work - air/heating
Looking south towards the house
Looking southeast towards the house
Looking east towards the house
Looking northeast towards the house
Looking north towards the house (back of house)
Looking north/northwest towards the back of the house
Looking west towards the house
Looking west towards the house
Looking west/southwest towards the garage
The last set of instruments have arrived - still need to put these together
They will go on top of the house.
We have internet. I have been wondering how this would all work out. I mean we are in the middle of nowhere out there on the farm!!!! We had a T-line put in a few weeks ago. Today was the day to start it up and see how it would work. Great speed - everything works fine. Looks like it is almost as fast as Comcast - not quite - but close. I am glad to get this out of the way. It has been a concern all along. As much as we use the internet for emergency management, school, and everything in between.
Tony helped bring it all together today. He has been working with Shaun from qwest (recommended by Jason) to get the internet going. So, great job!!!!
Otherwise - VERY WET. We picked up almost 1" of rain overnight. It is one HUGE muddy mess at the farm. Mud everywhere. Terrible! MAYBE it will dry out in July or August???? Who knows. Looks active in the next two weeks.
Everyone was at the farm today. Plumbing, heating and air, electrical, Bobby - Rodney - Don, Tony, South Fork Lighting - and on and on and on!!!! Lot of decisions made today. Some changes. All good, though.
The house is coming along at lightning speed. Let’s hope we continue at this pace.
Rodney is heading to Chicago with Don. His mother is sick. So, a few days off for the guys.
Had lunch with Tony and Joey - then Danielle joined us with Deena and her friend Denise who seems like a very nice person! Fun lunch!
Well, June is here. That means it is meteorological summer. Weather people divide the year up into four seasons - meteorological winter - spring - summer - fall. Meteorological summer is from June through August! Makes sense to me.
I met with ADS at the farm today. Talking about the security system and my camera system. That went well. It also appears that the county has run their pipes for the water. We will have county water instead of well water!!!! That is great news.
Everything else is moving along.
Raining here today. Strong thunderstorms scattered over the entire region. No severe weather reports in our counties.
Some photos from today…
ADS Security
Got the long lens out today :) Farm to our north - well north! I can see
a house on top of New Columbia Bluff, as well. Click for large image.
A thousand decisions. What color trim for lights - what kind of lights - what color lights - what size lights - :) I am definitely not a micro-manager. But, I think there are 10,000 decisions left for the house!
Took two major tests today. One I did GREAT on - the other one - not sure. One I got my grade and one I did not. I am HOPING I made a B on the one. Unsure. We shall see. Lot of difficult snow questions. Snow and I have a love/hate relationship.
Sue Henry did a GREAT presentation last night at the photography club. Lot of people were there. Looks like the club is moving right along. I have only been to two meetings, though. I have tried not to start anything new - this past year. But, once I graduate then I will probably go more often!
Working on homework most of today. Will be up at the farm tomorrow and Thursday.
Sounds like Jason and Jess are having fun in Europe.
I took a few photos of Cumulus Clouds while I was out and about today - Paducah.
Exciting day :) Was awarded the Kentucky Colonel Award. What makes this even better is that my uncle Robert Dodson was also given this award for his service to the military. Coincidentally he was a meteorologist! Robert’s information can be viewed here.
My mom and dad went with me today. Joey, as well.
Kentucky Colonel is an honorary title bestowed upon individuals by approval of the Governor of Kentucky. It is not a military rank. Award of the title requires nomination from an existing colonel. Nominators are expected to consider the nominee’s service and contributions to the global community before making a nomination. The sitting governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky bestows the honor of a Colonel’s Commission, by issuance of a certificate.
The title Kentucky colonel has been around since 1813.When the Kentucky Militia was deactivated following the War of 1812. Governor Isaac Shelby commissioned Charles S. Todd, one of his officers in the campaign, as an aide-de-camp on the Governor’s Staff with the rank and grade of Colonel. Todd married Shelby’s youngest daughter two years later.
Early colonels actually served military roles. In the latter part of the 1800s, the position took on a more ceremonial function. Colonels in uniform attended functions at the Governor’s mansion and stood as symbolic guards at state events. By the late 1800s, the title had become more of an honorary one. However, since commissioned Kentucky Colonels are considered members of the Governor’s Staff and his honorary aides-de-camp, all are entitled to the style of Honorable as indicated on their commission certificates. This is rarely used, however; Kentucky Colonels are usually just referred to and addressed as Colonel. Info from Wiki.
Well, we went to see the movie UP this afternoon. It was a great movie. I love Disney and Pixar!!!! Excellent.
It was hot outside - nearly 90 degrees. I am not a fan.
My oceanography class if terrible - hard - difficult. Not lookin forward to this. This class may very well break my straight A streak. That is no good. It is a hard one.
Well, it was an absolutely GORGEOUS day! Rumors of rain today were greatly exaggerated. Barely a cloud in the sky! Loving every minute of it. Now, if we could just have 20 more of these days. I am sure I would be happy with that - I am certain a lot of farmers would be just fine with a dry spell.
I see Jason and Jess are over in Europe. I believe they arrived yesterday. They have already posted a few photos on Jason’s blog.
Otherwise - we went to the farm this morning and then to Maiden Alley to see a movie. The movie was called The Great Buck Howard. GREAT MOVIE! Five stars. Even saw a friend there - Stu who used to do some work at the Red Cross here in Paducah.
I see Sue was out and about at the car show - downtown Paducah. I know that because she posted some photos on her blog. Now if I can just pin her down for some "lunch" time!
I CAN’T believe that May is over. What the heck - time is FLYING by.
Took a few photos today at the farm - I have been posting ALL of the farm photos here
Anyway - here are some photos from today - you can click an image for a larger view
YAY - the spiral stairs have arrived!!!! These stairs will lead up to the
observatory deck of the house!
The back of the house
Looking west - southwest towards Joppa
Looking northward on this beautiful day!
Looking west
Looking northward at one of the farms to our north - near New Columbia
Joey on the top floor of the house
The top of the house - tall ceiling!
That would be me - top of the house
Front of the house
This tank will be buried - this is for the whole house generator
Ho hum - long few weeks behind us. Building a house is very exciting. It is also full of a thousand decisions. I am not the best at making all these decisions on colors, matching tile, and a hundred other type choices. :) Thankfully we have several people that are helping. I think I would literally go nuts trying to decide all of this by myself. I normally know what I don’t like, but the problem becomes what do you like. :) Julie warned me about this subject! She said there would be more decisions than I could ever imagine.
It is all fun and exciting, though. Just a bit stressful. Trying to remember to live in the moment. That is easier said than done. You are always thinking about tomorrow - finishing the house - finishing school - and on it goes. So, just trying to remind myself to enjoy the moment we are in and not think about tomorrows homework, tomorrows tests, the next decision that has to be made.
On that note - I will be glad when school is finished and we move into the house. I have said for awhile that I don’t really know what I will do once all of that is finished. I have also said that I know what I WON’T be doing. I won’t be spending so much time on the computer and being home. With no homework and with the house project finished I definitely want to travel some more. Explore some areas of the United States. Get more into photography - which I LOVE, but have had little chance to really spend a lot of time learning anything about the camera itself. So, I would like to spend some time doing that.
Hopefully we will hear from David once we finish the house or get closer to that point. Missing him and everyone else in Canada. We all seem so far away right now. Which I guess we are. One group or the other needs to come for a visit.
Missing photography lately - I picked some of my favorite photos that I took over the last couple of years.
Lot of work going on up at the house. Looks like the front porch and deck is coming along nicely. Tommy’s crew is working on the electric. Installing lights, wiring, outlets - all of that good stuff. Everything is looking great. Can’t wait to see the finished product. We are several months away from that. :) Fall perhaps?
Cloudy today. Wish the sun would come out. We need sunshine!!!!
The propane tank was delivered this morning. This will be buried in the ground. We will then run the propane to the whole house generator. This should keep us up and running during severe weather. That is the plan at least!
Well, Danielle officially graduated 8th grade this afternoon!!!! So, we are happy about that. I am sure she will have a great time in high school. For now, though, SUMMER BREAK!!!!
Did not go up to the farm today. Will be heading up there tomorrow morning. I believe the propane tank is going to be delivered for the generator. :) Worked with Jason and Johnny on the security camera set-up for the farm. Will have all of that on-line so I can watch the weather when I am away!!!!
Added some of my favorite travel photographs to this page CLICK HERE
Thunderstorms to our east - click for larger image
Tommy and his crew started putting the electric in today. Looks like they are moving right along. Bobby and his crew are working on the living room ceiling and front porch - second floor deck.
Scattered storms later today. Some could be severe.
Things I need to remember for the house -
Look into doorbell system - placing of wall monitor on south side of media room for monitor wires - conduit for two outlets for the wall mounted weather instruments - lightning protection - security camera types from Johnny - pick up items from Ferguson - Lawntech DVD - Gary and placement of air conditioner upstairs - ceiling mount for media room and medio room closet - Bobby check window size in front top - see Tommy on deck mounted under lights - make appointment with Will next week with Deena - Ronnie return call -
We picked up 1.02" of rain over the last few days. We had a nice dry spell that lasted about a week. So much for dry weather. Looks active for the next few weeks. We could start to see a severe weather threat in the Central United States after day 4 or 5.
We had a nice electrical storm last night. Knocked out the cable internet for a bit. We had a ton of cloud to ground strikes around Lone Oak.
We are getting more thunderstorms today. Fun fun. Dry weather would be nice. Some of the windows won’t be in for another two weeks. So, we will be trying to keep the rain out.
We got to see Mariah’s car this morning. It was pretty messed up. Looks like they will total it. Maybe sell it for scrap metal. Mariah is recovering at home.
Reed Electric is installing the electric wiring. They will be there for 3-4 weeks.
Making the photos clickable now. So, for most of the photos you can click
on them to make them bigger. Hopefully this works!
Rain moving back into the region today. That pesky tropical low continues to impact our region. Can’t rule out some isolated severe weather.
Mariah is still sore. Talked with her for a little bit on the phone. Sounds like she might be in bed for a few days. Hopefully a speedy recovery.
The guys have the day off today - Memorial Day. Looks like everyone will start back to work tomorrow morning. Tommy Reed is coming to start on the electric. Johnny is coming from ADS. Dale is coming from Kentucky Lake to discuss the cabinets. Rodney, Don, and Bobby will be there working on windows. Not sure who else! I can’t keep up. Oh, Crowell Pool is also bringing the hot tub tomorrow.
School has started. Trying to juggle everything and not get stressed out. Easier said than done, though. Just need to keep up - that is all. Should be fine! Just a few months left and school will be completely finished. I will be happy! It will give me a bit more time to concentrate on other things. Like building my house! Still hoping to finish the project before winter. Not sure. It is hard to predict when a house will be finished.
Mariah wrecked this morning coming off the bridge leading from Paducah into Brookport. Thankfully she is doing okay. Few bruises and is a bit sore. The car was placed inside of a garage and we were not able to see it.
Some damage to a car wash as she went down an embankment.
Wow, this month is almost over. Yeeeeesh. The time it just passes so quickly. I try to slow it down, but that doesn’t seem to be working. I guess one can not slow time down. It is what it is!
The rain is falling from the sky this morning. That tropical low has finally pushed into the area. It never did develop into anything major. Just a weak tropical low. The rainfall to our south and west will be heavier than it is here today.
It was a great week! A lot was finished on the house. Shingles! Windows going in! Internet! Zoom Zoom! Had a wonderful lunch with Caesar and Geri at the farm earlier in the week. They brought lots of food!
Had dinner with Dione and Tommy - Jess and Jason during the middle of the week. Then saw a movie with Tony, Deena, and Tyler last night. Night At The Museum Part 2.
Reese is in town visiting, as well.
Looks like it will rain most of today - at least on and off. No severe weather. Can’t believe we have managed to escape significant severe weather for the most part this month. May and June are the peak months for severe thunderstorms. So, we have lucked out!
Looks like Tony is getting his business together down in Mayfield. Not sure when they will open. He has been hard at work, though. They have fixed up one of the buildings we own. Sounds like they are going to have a lot of people working for them.
Not much else to report!
Somehow I need to adjust my photograph sizes on WordPress. Deena says the photos are too large. I guess I am used to these large screen computers. I need to figure out how to fix it so the photos show up a normal size. Trying to trouble shoot the problem. Maybe I can figure it out!
Well, we are making great progress at the farm. We had to change a few window sizes - so they won’t be in until two more weeks. However, the garage windows are set in place and the guys installed the windows on the top floor this morning!
Electric will start going into the house next week. Then we will get the concrete pads poured for the air condition and generator. Going with a 45k generator. Should provide plenty of power when storms hit the area.
No snakes today!
Windows for the top of the house
Windows going into the top floor - Bobby - Don - Rodney working
today to get the windows in. Judy was helping, as well to get some
of the debris picked up around the house.
Well, today ended up being a very long day. Arrived at the farm a little after 9 AM and left around 3 PM. Most exciting was that Geri and Caesar drove up from Paducah to visit. I came them the "farm tour: and then we had a great lunch! I think everyone had a great time.
Stressful day figuring out some window issues. Hopefully we can resove these issues tomorrow. Crossing fingers. Sort of a big deal. We shall see.
I am so tired. So, cutting this short.
1. Building a house will make you older
2. There are a lot of decisions to make when you are building a house.
I headed to the farm this morning around 9 a.m. Everything was going smoothly until I got off the interstate and headed up the off-ramp at New Columbia. I pulled up to the stop sign and saw something in the road to my right. I looked over my passenger seat and at first thought it was a big cat. Then I rolled the window down and saw a big blob of fur. At first I thought that someone had run over a cat or some type of animal.
So, I backed up the car and parked off to the side of the road. I got out of the car and saw this big bunny rabbit looking up at me. It just sat there me looking at it and it looking at me. I am not sure which one of us was more surprised to see the other. :) So, I looked around and saw a pile of paper bedding (and some of that hamster cage bedding you put in the bottom of a cage) and a bowl beside the road. So, I put two and two together and thought - well someone must have left this bunny by the side of the road.
I went to pick it up and it hopped under my car. So, I reached under to pick it up and it hopped to the other side of the car. So, I went to the other side of the car and then it hopped back to the opposite side that I was on. The bunny did this a few times. Obviously it was smarter than me. It had this all figured out. Finally I decided I would poke it with something I had in the car. No luck. I finally backed my car up and it just sat there in the road.
I picked it up and put it inside my car. Then I noticed something out of the corner of my eye and there was another big rabbit. A black one. i then walked around and looked for more - I figured there must have been some sort of bunny festival that I wasn’t invited to. I didn’t find any more, though. So, I tried to pick the black one up. It was a bit fiesty, though. Kicking me and scratching me. It was not wanting to be bothered and I guess was not looking for another road trip. I finally got it in the car, though - reluctantly.
So, here I am off I24 with two big bunny rabbits in my floorboard. I wasn’t sure what to do with them. I called my sister, Dione. She told me to take them to the animal shelter in Metropolis. Project Hope.
Dione met me there. There were two guys and a lady working at the shelter. They came to my car and took the rabbits. I think they were happy to see them. lol The one guy said he was looking for some rabbits.
I don’t know what kind of rabbits there were. Dione called them long eared rabbits. :) Which, they were that if nothing else! They also were pretty big - fat. Hopefully they find a good home. I will have to watch for them on the shelters web-site. The one guy that was working there might keep them. Unsure. :) At least they won’t become coyote supper.
Here are some photos of the rabbits - the black one hid in the corner of the car.
The first rabbit that I found on the road off New Columbia exit
he was keeping an eye on me
This was the pile of bedding that was on the side of the road - and a little bowl
So, after all of that excitement I headed to the farm. Wow they have gotten a lot done over the last 2 days. The roof is almost finished. Looks like today or tomorrow for the shingles to be finished. Bobby and Don were installing windows!!!!!!! I was excited to see all of this.
I cut grass around the weather instruments, the well house, and marked the spot for the generator. Now we have to find someone that will put the propane tank in the ground. We thought West KY Propane could do that. No luck. Looks like we will have to call South Illinois Propane. Tony is working on that end of the project.
Verizon was at the farm yesterday and looks like the T-line is ready. We just have to call Qwest and have them turn it on. I will be anxious to see what kind of speed we get up there. Unsure - never used one. Maybe Jason and I can get the tower cam running and the weather instruments.
We had dinner with Dione and Tommy last night along with Jason and Jess. Jason and Jess are heading to the Meditteraneon on a cruise later next week. I am sure that will be fun. Hopefully the weather will be nice.
Sunny again today!!! We had a low of 45 at the farm this morning. Brrrrrr! Some clouds will approach the region over the next few days from the southeast. An upper level low is moving through the Gulf of Mexico.
This is where the whole house generator is going
Shingles are ALMOST finished!!!!! Woohoo!!!
Front of the house - shingles are finished.
Don and Bobby are putting the windows into the garage!
Windows for the top floor - east and west wall
Window for the top front of the house
T line is in place and I think ready to turn on
Upstairs - thinking about putting in a counter/bar here for the kids to put a fridge behind - microwave - stereo
The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father’s, but he has never collected unemployment either.
He’s a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you’re thirsty, he’ll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He’ll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to ’square-away’ those around him who haven’t bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.
In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.
As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .
A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.
Wow - what an incredible couple of days! The weather has been AWESOME! I will take it. Temperatures were in the 70s today with bright blue sky. We took Daisy to the park - she was not interested in the ducks. I think she needs to exercise more. We walked about 1/2 block and she was already give out. She is definitely not going to run any races.
Going to eat with Jason and Jess tonight - Dione and Tommy, as well.
I didn’t make it up to the house today. Going tomorrow. I have a feeling the shingles will be almost finished!!!!! Long way to go, though.
Working on school today. Classes started this morning. One test down already. Need to watch another lecture. Oceanography and Weather Prediction II for this semester. Then I am finished! Well, almost. I have one large test at the end.
Dylan had knee surgery today. Everything went great. I am sure he is out of it right now.
I noticed that on IE the web site doesn’t look right. Mozilla/Firefox it works fine. Everything is shunted to the bottom of the page (right side bar) on IE. I have no idea why.
Missing David, Erick, Doug and everyone in Canada. Not sure when we will make it up there. It will be awhile. Lots going on down here, for now.
It looks like they are about 60% finished with the shingles on the roof. So, that is great news. They are moving along at a fast pace. Verizon was also there today to install the T line. Not sure if they finished that or not. Will have to check tomorrow. Met with Tommy concerning the electric - met with a guy from Lone Oak concerning the floor tile and bathroom tile - met with the man with Massac County Water concerning the installment of county water. So - busy day
Looks like a busy week ahead. School starts tomorrow - thought it was today. Guess not.
WHO may raise the pandemic level to six. There have been a few cases in our region over the last few days. CDC believes 100,000+ are sick in the USA. Concerns are a mutation. Especially with Japan on-board now with cases. Hopefully that will not be the case.
A very nice day outside. Beautiful sky and temperatures.
The graduation went well :) I guess Dylan enters the real world now! I am sure he is excited!!!! After graduation we went to celebrate my birthday and Dylan and Danielles graduations. Danielle will graduate in a week or two.
Took a bunch of photos but had mega problems with my color. Not sure what is wrong - I guess I will have to take a look at the camera and see what is off. Can’t seem to correct it even in raw. So, the photos did not turn out very well. The color is way off - I made some of them black and white because it was so bad. For that matter something has been off for the last couple of weeks on the color.
Well, today Dylan graduates. That makes me a little bit older, once again! We are also celebrating Danielle’s graduation. We are celebrating my birthday, as well! It is sunny outside and will be a near perfect weather day. Go figure. It is about time!!!
Don’t look now but I think a tropical system may form in the Gulf of Mexico this week. A bit early for that type of weather. Some indications are that we could receive moisture into this region from the system as it pulls north. Way too far out to be making predictions, though. Will keep an eye on it.
Welcome to my journal. I call it a journal because I started this before "blogs" existed. Within this site you will find pages and pages and pages of my journey over the last 10 years. An incredible story of triumph, sadness, happiness, and intense battles. I run several web-sites. Most of them dealing with weather and photography - my passion. You can visit the sites through the links below. If you would like to know more about me then please visit my biography page by clicking Here.
and weather!
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