A Quiet Morning

As I look out the window, I see a frosted wonderland. Last night the moon looked full, even though I hear it will not be full for a couple days. This is a magical time of year. Many of us "kids" are watching the weather forecast hoping that Christmas will be white. Others are dreading a white world of bad roads and tough times getting their groceries home without slipping on some disguised black ice. Well, I am clearly in favor of the former. I like snow at this time of year. In anticipation of snow I bought a new 24" two stage snow blower. I already had a four wheeler atv with a wimpy snow plow so I made the wimpy into an awesome snowplow. As if these two are not enough, I also have a beautiful Allis Chalmers tractor with a big loader bucket. I think I am ready for the winter wonderland. Oh, yeah, I grew up in Minnesota atop an Allis Chalmers. So, I do know how to operate this magnificent machine. .
That handsome dog on the seat of "Allis" is Bandit. Of course, you agree with me that he is handsome.
Since last winter, I did some welding on the big bucked to make it better at scooping the hard packed snow up. Last year it would slide over the icy portions of the road. I am anxious for a chance to prove the worth of the modifications.
I say this morning is a quiet morning. I made one of my favorite breakfasts. You start with mashed potatoes from a previous meal. Melt a little butter in a hot skillet. Flatten out the mashed potatoes in the hot butter and cook that side until golden brown. Now flip them over and repeat on the other side. Add a couple eggs over easy and you have a wonderful breakfast for your quiet morning.
Later this morning I am going to see a demonstration for the Shopsmith Mark 7 at Lowes. A couple months ago I bought a spin off of the Shopsmith, a Woodcraft Multitool. It went out of business because of copyright infringement issues, but the accessories from Shopsmith are compatible with my Woodcraft. My Woodcraft works quite well for what it is. I have the saw, bandsaw, drill, scrollsaw, jointer, and sander. I am thinking of getting the lathe attachment as well. I have been watching on Craigslist for one, but have not found one yet.
Well, I am signing off for now. Have a nice quiet morning.
Kayak Bandit

Good Doggie

Well, I took bandit to the vet this morning, as planned. His swelling is down and he is doing great. The doctor told me that it is okay if he bends his knee as long as the ankle stays straight. The tendon does not get stretched to it's limit until both the ankle and the knee are bent.
You will notice that he now has a cone over his head to prevent him from messing with the injury. It is natural for a dog to lick at the wound, but with Bandit so bored, he is likely to take licking the wound to the limit. He had not licked at all until the bandage slipped down and exposed the stitches. The doctor recommended he keep the cone on since he is now somewhat adjusted to it. I feel so bad for his dignity!
In the video he is eating some Cheetos. I think he needs some wholesome food.
Kayak Bandit

Ready For Laminate

Here is what the kitchen looks like after all the countertops are installed. I am going to rest for today and install the laminate tomorrow. Notice that the sink hole is ready. It fits snuggly, but just fine.

I am taking Bandit to the Vet tomorrow because his bandage is slipping down his leg. I suppose it is because the swelling is going down and the bandage is not as tight as it used to be when first wrapped.
Kayak Bandit

Kitchen Update

Hi Everyone,
It is Sunday morning and I feel great! I survived the emotional trauma of my dog cutting his tendon in two. I made some great progress on my kitchen. And, I am taking next week off to nurse my doggie along toward full mobility.
I feel especially great because I am doing the fun part of the kitchen remodel. The nasty part of tearing out and breathing the remodel dust is in the past. I can now smell the new wood. I love building the cabinets. They are all roughed in and will get the laminate today.
The following video is from a couple days ago. Some of the cabinet face frames are not installed and the counter top is not on. If I get to work now, I may have video of that part by tonight.

Bandit is bored. As I take him for his potty breaks, he looks beyond the fence with longing. But no, the mean guy at the end of the leash just hauls him back to the house as soon as finished with his do do. Some times I take him to the shop with me and he lays on a pile of sawdust while I work. I chose times that I am not using the planer because that machine is what makes the big pile of sawdust that he likes to lay on. The planer is very noisy and he is spooked by it.
Next year, for our family vacation, we are planning to go to Fort Stevens. We have not chosen an exact date yet. If you would like to join with us, let us know your choice of date. We are looking at late July or August.
Back to work,
Kayak Bandit

Bandit - - - Before and After

Mice Look Out

A person that reads my blog sent me this following link in an effort to help me with my mouse problem. They claim it works great. We will see, because I am going to try it.

How to Build a Mouse Trap

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

This is a way to build the best mouse trap. No more messy spring traps or sticky paper. This trap lasts for weeks.

Steps

1. Gather the necessary equipment (see "Things You'll Need").
   
2. Secure the coffee can lid on the empty coffee can with some sort of glue or contact cement.
   
3. Drill a hole large enough for the dowel rod in the center of coffee can lid as well as the center of the bottom of coffee can. This should allow the coffee can to spin freely once the Dowel Rod is inserted through the holes in the can.
   
4. Drill a hole in the side of the 5 gallon bucket a couple of inches from the rim.
   
5. Drill another hole in the 5 gallon bucket directly opposite the first.
   
6. Insert the Dowel Rod into one hole of the 5 gallon bucket, then through the hole in the lid of the coffee can, then out the bottom of the coffee can, then finally through the opposite hole on in the 5 gallon bucket.
   
7. Fill the 5 gallon bucket up with antifreeze so that there is about 5 to 6 inches of antifreeze in bottom.
   
8. Coat the outside of the coffee can with peanut butter.
   
9. Set the ramp up to the rim of the 5 gallon bucket.
   
10. Locate the coffee can so that it is in middle of the dowel rod in the center of the 5 gallon bucket.
    
11. Leave it and clean it out as necessary.
    

Tips

• The idea here is that the mice walk up the ramp and jump onto the coffee can in an attempt to get to the peanut butter. When they land on the coffee can, it spins and they fall into the bucket of antifreeze. The reason for the antifreeze is that it seems to preserve the mice so they don't smell. Works great in locations where you are not able to clean it out frequently.
  
• Be sure the holes in the coffee can are large enough to allow the coffee can to spin freely.
  
• Set the ramp in such a way that is no too steep for a mouse to walk up.
  
• If you're concerned about kids getting into the antifreeze, water works in place of the antifreeze.
  
• To make this a humane trap and avoid drowning the mouse you can also simply not put any liquid in the bucket. Be sure to check the bucket regularly so as not to starve the animal and to empty the bucket at a good distance from your house to avoid the mouse finding its way back.
  

Warnings

• Keep out of reach of children!
  
• Antifreeze is both attractive and toxic to most household pets. If you foresee this being a problem, substitute a different liquid.
  
• Use Plumbing or RV antifreeze. It's non-toxic and won't kill your kids and pets.
  

Things You'll Need

• 5 Gallon bucket
  
• Empty Coffee Can (with lid)
  
• Peanut Butter
  
• 1/4" Dowel Rod or something similar (a little longer than the diameter of the 5 Gallon Bucket)
  
• Antifreeze (get at any grocery or automotive store)
  
• Something to make a ramp that will reach the top of the 5 Gallon Bucket
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Build Your Own Small Mammal Trap
  
• How to Catch a Mouse
  
• How to Get a Mouse Out of the House
  
• How to Trap Cockroaches
  
• How to Make a Flea Trap
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Build a Mouse Trap. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

I am very sad tonight because bandit hurt himself really bad. He cut his right rear leg tendon completely in two where it connects to the socket. This is the socket on us that we call knee. He is in the hospital tonight and they will try to reattach the tendon tomorrow. He will not get to chase around at all for a couple months. I sure hope he heals up without pain.
You find out how attached you are to your pet when he is absent. My house is not at all the same without him.
I was planning to go get a cat today. Now that Bandit is hurt, I dare not introduce a cat. Bandit might think the cat is his replacement. Bandit will be confused, as it is.
Kayak Bandit

Good Dog

Don't ask me to be your huckleberry guide. I am a total failure. Joanne and I failed to find even one huckleberry. Some would say our day was a total flop. Okay, but let me tell you some of the offsets to it being a flop.
We had no more than started out when Joanne started pointing and getting very agitated as we approached this sign beside the road. It was a rather rude sign posted at the end of a driveway to a beautiful home behind a iron gate. Joanne announced that she had always wanted a closer look at this home and the "Garage Sale" would serve as a good excuse.
I had to turn around to get pointed into the driveway. It was no time at all before Joanne and the wonderful ladies hosting the garage sale were best buddies. Joanne negotiated a good deal on a horse themed trellis. Before we left, we were allowed to pet their horses. They were gentle and polite horses. I believe they are for sale, if you are interested.
We continued on. Bandit was, sort of, coughing enough to convince us that he was thirsty. We stopped beside the Ponderay River, north of Newport. I pointed to the river and Bandit ran about half way to the water and turned around, obviously looking for me to throw a toy to him. He would not go on to the water without assurance I would throw a toy. So, I threw his ball out into the water many times. He had a blast, but did not drink once. I think he intentionally misled us so he could play. What a manipulator!
We continued on to Marshall Lake where we enjoyed the view of the lake and several nice conversations with people there for recreation. It seemed to those we talked to that the berry picking was over. So, we decided to find a spot to have lunch. We chose the Newport City Park. Here we enjoyed a nice lunch prepared by Joanne as Bandit endeared himself to everyone else in the park. He would go to a different person and solicit them to throw his ball. It was fun to watch him convince the new person to throw it. He would run to them and drop the ball at their feet. If they did not reach for the ball, he would nudge it closer to them with his nose. This tactic always convinced them to throw the ball. Amazingly, he did get tired enough to lay down and drop the ball.
We found two more garage sales, Joanne made new friends, and traveled new roads on our return trip to Spokane. At every stop, I would open the back door of my Jeep, and ask Bandit to "Stay!" This impressed Joanne and others. I was likewise impressed. I think Bandit is a VERY "Good Dog".
Kayak Bandit

Sleeping In

This is the latest that I have slept in a long time. Bandit woke me up about five and wanted outside. I got up and let him out. Usually, I will do that and then make a pot of coffee. But not today. I went back to the still warm bed and slept soundly until eight.
As I look outside, the sun is shining bright. I don't lower my eyes to the ground, because I would be reminded that my lawn needed mowing a week ago. I has gotten taller in the ensuing time. Let's see. If it is two months until the first frost- - -I guess I cannot use that as an excuse to let the lawn grow. But, I read somewhere that your lawn survives winter better is you do not cut it right before it freezes. Drat.
Okay, I have decided to attack my projects today and play tomorrow. I will put the last of the camping stuff away, clean up the kitchen, mow the lawn, throw the frisbee for Bandit, tie up my dahlias, set out my berry picking supplies and then go grocery shopping. That should be enough for one day. It may even leave enough time to visit with some neighbors.
Tomorrow, I and some friends are headed to the mountains north of Newport to get huckleberries. I hope the timing is right. I was too early for the huckleberries on my trip to the coast. It will be a fun ride whether or not we find berries.
Kayak Bandit

Lawn Chair Sleeping

During our trip to Deception pass, we spent a lot of time around the campfire. Sadly, for the dogs, they had to be tied behind us with short enough leashes that they could not entangle the chairs. The dogs always seemed sad with this arrangement.
After a while, Bandit resolved that it was the way it was and he would lay down and curl into a snug little circle with his tail over his nose. To me, he looked like a sled dog. What are those? Malamute or Husky? Bandit would get all excited if he was released from his leash and could pick up stray popcorn or other dropped food pieces.
Well, one evening, the kids coaxed him into a child's lawn chair. It was much too small for him to fit into comfortably. Nonetheless, he had a look of contentment. His back end was hanging over on one side and his face was resting on the chair's arm on the other side. One of his front legs was helping balance by dangling to the ground. It did not look comfortable to me. Yet, he was so very happy to be in that chair.
The next evening, the kids again invited him to that chair. Bandit eagerly got into it. He stayed in the chair until time to go to be. The kids had long ago gone to bed and it was only adults around the fire discussing why the dog liked the chair so much. We supposed that he was honored to be where the action was.
We talked about it quite a bit. Eventually, I got a larger lawn chair and positioned it near the fire and invited Bandit to lie in it. He was likewise, eager to get into this chair. He could get comfortable in this chair and stayed until bedtime.
Well, when I got home, I brought the same chair into the house. I set it up at the foot of my bed. I invited Bandit into the chair. He did not even try to get comfortable. He just sat there until he thought I was not paying attention and got down onto the floor and curled up there. I again invited him to the chair and stayed with him to assure him it was okay to be up on furniture. (He normally does not get to be on furniture) Eventually, he laid his head down. But again as soon as he had a chance to get down he took the chance.
So, what do you think the psychology of all this is? Does he really like the chair when at the fire, or is it that he likes to be in the circle by the fire with us?
Kayak Bandit

Deception Pass - - Day Two

Stephanie, Katie, Sophia, Lilyanna & Nick showed up last night. Stephanie is amazing at how quickly she can set up her camp. In no time at all, the camp took shape with a nice very large tent and a kitchen area.
The evening meal, one of my favorites, was pepperoni pizza. We use these little pie irons to make them. You put two pieces of bread inside the iron with pepperoni, cheese and pizza squeeze sandwiched between the bread. Sophia was first to make one. It turned out perfectly toasted.
After a meal of pizza, we had to have something for a snack. We make popcorn over the fire. It also turned out very good.
Thursday morning we had a hot breakfast and went letterboxing by Oak Harbor. We had a fantastic time. The view out over the Sound was a little foggy, but very beautiful. We grabbed some needed supplies and returned to camp just as Jenny, Greg, Dylan and Claire showed up. Our family is now complete. Steph made a delicious Spaghetti. And, the toasted garlic rolls were perfect. She also served Zuchinni. Yum!
It is now almost dark and we are about to have S'Mores and popcorn. I thought I would write a quick note tonight and hopefully write more tomorrow.
Kayak Bandit

Baker Lake

I spent last night at Early Winters Campground. I hiked into the mountains looking for some of the blue huckleberries. I did not find any, but picked some domestic raspberries that have gone wild.
I am sitting beside the highway jotting down a quick note. I passed the town of Concrete a few miles back. I am turning up into the mountains now and will likely not have internet again until tomorrow. I plan to stay at Baker Lake. I will check out the campgrounds and choose the one that I can paddle across to the east side of the lake to look for blue huckleberries.
I will post more in the coming days. I am having a blast. Bandit says Hi.
Kayak Bandit

Windy Day

Yesterday was very windy here in Spokane, Washington. It was windy enough that you had to lean into the direction of the wind in order to walk home from the bus.
Being annoyed by the wind is one thing, but I cannot imagine the wind added to the fires of California. I feel so bad for all that are suffering because of the fires and now those fires are fanned by the winds.
I was planning to go to the park and listen to a free concert last night, but the wind would have made it too unpleasant. I wonder if they canceled the concert. I did not drive by to see.
One good thing happened because of the wind. A few days ago, while throwing the frisbee for Bandit, I made a bad toss and it landed on the roof of my house. I was too lazy to get a ladder to retrieve it. So last evening, I confused Bandit when I was headed out the door saying "Do you wanna play fetch?" He was aware that I hand no ball or frisbee. I sat down on the front step. He came to me with this quizzical lock. But when I pointed toward the frisbee and said "there it is" Bandit understood.
It always amazes me how well he remembers. If he has lost a ball one day, say it gets stuck in a branch of a tree higher than he can reach, and the next he is out front again. The first place he goes is straight to the spot where the ball was hung up.
Bandit sure is a lot of entertainment.

Kayak Bandit

Stupid Bandit

Today, was the day I chose to turn off the water and replace the last of the old galvanized pipes. I made sure I gave the bird bath a fresh dose of water, as well as Bandit's water bucket.
Shortly after turning off the water, I discovered I had forgotten one fitting to complete the job. So I loaded Bandit into the Cherokee and fetched it up from the local hardware store. I even parked in the shade for my best friend, Bandit. As I got back home, Bandit insisted on carrying his favorite ball from the Cherokee. What the heck, I let him. I usually leave it in the car for our letterboxing trips. I was much too busy to throw the ball for him, but he kept it close and hinted that he was ready to play catch whenever I was.
I was nearly done with the whole project when I could wait no longer to go potty. I dismissed the first and second urge, but this third one could wait no longer. So, I went down stairs to the extra bathroom. Just as I finished, a friend was calling me on the phone that was upstairs. I ran for the phone, but missed the call. Luckily, I had caller ID and was able to return the call.
Once we concluded our call, I went back to my plumbing project. I was up on a stool gluing the very last pipe when I heard slurping coming from the recently used bathroom. You guessed it. Bandit was not only drinking from the filthy toilet, he had also dropped his ball into the toilet for safe keeping while he drank. Gross!!!!!!!!!!!
I ran up and outside calling for Bandit. He came running straight to me, proudly offering me the ball to throw. He almost touched me with the contaminated ball. Instead, I told him to "STAY" while I returned to my project. I kept the outside door closed so he could not even think of coming inside.
I turned the water back on. I turned it on slowly and watched for any leaks. None. Good job, if I say so myself. Now I am ready to hang sheetrock.
I eventually went outside and got the garden hose out. Bandit loves the water hose. I sprayed water and he jumped and bit at the stream of water. I kept this up for a very long time, hoping beyond hope that it would cleanse him.
I was ready to give him away for a short time. Now that he is clean and he promised to never get filthy again, we are on good terms.
Kayak Bandit

Bare Walls

It is still the 4th of July, 2008, as I sit here to write this blog. It will post in the morning.
I began my holiday by doing my yard work. I edged the lawn before mowing. Bandit gets so excited as I get the lawn tools out. He knows that I will throw the ball for him while I work. Today was no exception. I threw it to the worst spots I could imagine. He could always find the ball though. I did wear him out. As I came into the back yard, he was laying next to his water dish panting. His ball was floating in the water. He was tuckered out.
Once the lawn work was done, I attacked the kitchen. I had gone as far as I could with the kitchen sink still in place, so today I tore that out too. Boy, was it a lot of work. When they built stuff back in 1952, they wanted it to last forever. Everything was nailed with big nails and the metal parts were all rusted. I now have it all stripped to the bare walls. So the next step is to reroute some wires and replace the galvanized pipes with copper.
I was going to buy a new sink, but looking the old one over, convinced me to reuse it. I am going to get a new disposer. I have most of the other materials I need to continue.
With no kitchen, I plan to eat on paper plates and cook most of my food on the bar-b-que. Tonight I had a nice steak and corn-on-the-cob. Yum yum!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Kayak Bandit

Friday

I hope all of you other single people had as much fun as I did last night. This Friday was even better than most. I came home from work fifteen minutes late because a detour prompted the closure of my normal bus stop. When the bus seemed to be late, I read the notice and walked to the correct bus stop. No big deal.
I had a wonderful Friday night meal of left over sausages from the letterboxing party. I even had a half can of beer. Yum.
Next, I washed the dishes.
After this I deserved a reward, so I scooped up a dish of vanilla ice cream and topped it with chocolate covered peanuts. Also pretty yummy.
The chair was quite comfy, so I fell asleep in front of the TV.
I woke about ten and went to bed. Bandit let a whopper of a fart as he lay down beside my bed. (his way of saying sleep well)
After such a wild single person night, I have to rest up a bit.
Kayak Bandit