COLD DARK ROOM

[Cathie G]

Good luck. What is a baking soda poultice?

It draws out the poison...whatever it is...with a type of salt I believe. I've used it too in many different ways. Epson salt is another good salt for sore muscles.

 

[CarolM]

Lots of work going on around here!!
Pics and video coming soon!

Ooooh. Exciting.

 

[CarolM]

It draws out the poison...whatever it is...with a type of salt I believe. I've used it too in many different ways. Epson salt is another good salt for sore muscles.

Good to know. !

 

[Cathie G]

You know Hawaii doesn’t have rabies either and they have rats.

This is getting more interesting...

 

[Cathie G]

I think softening your tap with rain water is a good idea.

I still suggest that you get an API master test kit so you can test yourself.

If you don't want to spend that much, you can buy individual tests. You could get just a pH test bottle. They have them at Petco or PetSmart.

Changes in water values can happen VERY fast, especially in a small tank. If you can't test yourself, you are dependent on the store being open, and you going immediately.

It's really easy to check pH. And any tests you buy, get liquid tests. Test strips are notoriously inaccurate, and when you are talking about, say, ammonia...a tiny bit makes a huge difference.

I followed your advice and my son's. My API testing kit will arrive soon. I find all of it really interesting so it's very worth it just to learn. I can lighten up a little after my tank's established. Then I'll find my little one.

 

[Cathie G]

We are supposed to close on our house May 6th. The sellers gave us permission to start building tortoise enclosures so they have somewhere to go as soon as we move in. We started today. They will be super tiny for now but the first month we are there we can enlarge the at a more leisurely pace.

I sat on the back porch swing and just enjoyed the peaceful view while Eric brought the kids back home after they helped unload the wood. We still can believe that this will be our home.

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Have so much fun!

 

[Cathie G]

I’m thinking with a property like that, coupled with the addition of real farm animals, cows, chickens, goats, a few pigs, some llamas, and more that one is NEVER done! Always something more to do... but fun.

Coming from the guy that can't wait to get more wood...hehehe...and tools.

 

[Cathie G]

Good evenooning all!

Before I hurt my knee, JoesDad and I booked ourselves into a Bittern Breakfast at RSPB Dungeness.

A very early rise (5am) to get to Dungeness point ... basically a large shingle peninsula into the English Channel... for a 7am start where we were taken round the reserve by a volunteer and a warden to heat Bitterns booming and identify other birds for a couple of hours ... followed by a hot breakfast of porridge, sausage and bacon rolls, tea/coffee, fruit juice and fruit.

Despite Storm Hannah and my leg, we went this morning. Hannah decided to dump most of her rain elsewhere so we ‘only’ had the gale force winds in one of the more exposed parts of the country.

We had a brilliant day, staying on after the guided bit, seeing 45 species including Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Raven and we heard the Bitterns (you will have to Google it - it sounds like someone blowing over the top of a large bottle)

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And we also found a Grass Snake
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A Field Vole
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And a teeny-weeny baby Smooth Newt that can have only just left the pond it hatched in (they’re a tadpole species)
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We’re feeling a little windblown now. Supermarket lasagne for dinner, a bottle of wine and an early night in order [emoji4]

What a wonderful day.

 

[Momof4]

Well, half is gone!! The video is boring because I had start & stop it because it was a slow process.


Cutting in half which was super easy!







Bye Bye!

 

[KarenSoCal]

I followed your advice and my son's. My API testing kit will arrive soon. I find all of it really interesting so it's very worth it just to learn. I can lighten up a little after my tank's established. Then I'll find my little one.

Great! Glad to hear this!

The nitrate test consists of 2 bottles. The instructions say to shake bottle # 2, but they don't stress this enough. The solution in bottle 2 tends to precipitate into crystals that adhere to the bottle.

So "shake" should say...bang bottle on the kitchen counter several times, then shake til your arm falls off.

Otherwise you may get a false reading on nitrates.

 

[KarenSoCal]

And me! Happy belated birthday! [emoji253]

Thank you Linda! Keep sending pix of Mrs B...really enjoyable!

We have a pair of doves nesting in the crook of a tree.

 

[Lyn W]

Good evenooning all!

Before I hurt my knee, JoesDad and I booked ourselves into a Bittern Breakfast at RSPB Dungeness.

A very early rise (5am) to get to Dungeness point ... basically a large shingle peninsula into the English Channel... for a 7am start where we were taken round the reserve by a volunteer and a warden to heat Bitterns booming and identify other birds for a couple of hours ... followed by a hot breakfast of porridge, sausage and bacon rolls, tea/coffee, fruit juice and fruit.

Despite Storm Hannah and my leg, we went this morning. Hannah decided to dump most of her rain elsewhere so we ‘only’ had the gale force winds in one of the more exposed parts of the country.

We had a brilliant day, staying on after the guided bit, seeing 45 species including Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Raven and we heard the Bitterns (you will have to Google it - it sounds like someone blowing over the top of a large bottle)

View attachment 270882
View attachment 270883

And we also found a Grass Snake
View attachment 270884

A Field Vole
View attachment 270885

And a teeny-weeny baby Smooth Newt that can have only just left the pond it hatched in (they’re a tadpole species)
View attachment 270886

We’re feeling a little windblown now. Supermarket lasagne for dinner, a bottle of wine and an early night in order [emoji4]

What a lovely day - I would enjoy something like that too.
It reminds me of the Newport Wetlands which I like to visit.
Sadly if the Welsh government have their way (which I think they will) that and 4 SSSI will disappear under a 6 lane motorway

 

[Maro2Bear]

Well, half is gone!! The video is boring because I had start & stop it because it was a slow process.


Cutting in half which was super easy!
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Bye Bye!
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Looking good! Ive helped move CONEXes around, but never cut one in half!

 

[Lyn W]

Yeah, but don't rats carry rabies? Rats brought the bubonic plague to the UK, didn't they? So why not rabies? Rats, ships???

Weil's (pronounced Vile's) Disease is something we can catch from rat and cattle urine in water. It can cause death but thankfully it's not that common. No rabies though.

 

[Lyn W]

For the cat lovers amongst us, meet Snowdrop.....................

I love the Specsaver ads!

 

[Maro2Bear]

Started on a new Cherry Bowl today....here are first pix...

The Chunk of Wood Rounded Up


On the Lathe & Spinning

 

[KarenSoCal]

Started on a new Cherry Bowl today....here are first pix...

The Chunk of Wood Rounded Up
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On the Lathe & Spinning
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About how long does it take from start to finish for a bowl like this?

 

[Maro2Bear]

About how long does it take from start to finish for a bowl like this?

As you expected, a lot depends. Today was cold and windy, not too conducive to a lot of outdoor things, so I spent some time getting the wood ready. Then did a few things outside, but it got overcast n windy so back inside and mounted up on the lathe and started getting in to round.

So, a lot depends. Depends on the weather, the wood, and how many layers of finish. A few days of on again, off again work.

 

[Momof4]

Not sure if you guys saw the National news but the California synagogue shooting was 2 mi from my home. [emoji20]
We live in a small town and never thought this would happen here.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Not sure if you guys saw the National news but the California synagogue shooting was 2 mi from my home. [emoji20]
We live in a small town and never thought this would happen here.

It’s just crazy, sad, and worrisome.