Father’s Day!

~ Chuck ~ Leave a comment
Picture time with Will, Ben and Izzy!
Picture time with Will, Ben and Izzy!

I had a great day. The boys came back early from their Mom’s house to spend the day here. Will came over pretty early and Ben followed a couple of hours later. Ben was sick last night and slept in late tonight.

This morning we had planned on doing a long hike as a family. But, Ben didn’t feel up to it, so we postponed the hike until tomorrow. We got to enjoy the beautiful day at home instead.

This morning I worked with Will on his mowing/trimming skills for the yard. His summer chore is keeping the front yard in good shape, which takes a lot of oversight to make sure it gets done right.

Ben and I worked on a quick project – replacing a the sill cock on the south side of the house. I have had the replacement. The old one leaked and was difficult to shut off. A trip to home depot to get the right connector for the PEX piping and some time in the basement clearing the spider webs in the way and the project was done.

Will trying out the cordless trimmer around the front of the house.
Will trying out the cordless trimmer around the front of the house.

The boys and I also disassembled the old microwave, throwing most of the parts into the recycling and saving a few choice parts for later projects (such as a couple of strong magnets Will pulled out – one of which he promptly broke).

New sillcock installed.
New sill cock installed.

It is nice that things are calming down – of course just as the school year ends and the summer starts its mad dash towards fall. I can tell when life is more relaxed; I write more. I have found time to post pictures over the past 4 months, but not much time to write.

Tomato Cages (White Oak)

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I’ve been trying to get back into the workshop. However, it has been difficult with a 4-month old baby and two middle-school boys here half-time. So I started with simple. I have lots of lumber around and found some extra wire fencing to make some tomato cages. The cages are pretty simple, made from 1″x1″ strips I cut out of a white oak board. They are connected using exterior screws (yes they are designed for pocket-holes, but they work fine here). They are finished with one coat of spar varnish (again, something I had laying around).

I made two cages from the board I cut up, and may have enough lumber left over for a third cage.  I don’t think they turned out too bad for a couple of short evenings worth of work.  Hopefully the white oak will hold up for a few years. I’ll have to see how the L-shape works for a tomato cage.

Detail on the joinery for the tomato cage.
Detail on the joinery for the tomato cage. You can see the discoloration from only having one coat of varnish applied – but they will be outside. I’ll have to remember to recoat the cages in the fall.
In place in the garden (although the legs still need to be pushed through the weed-block fabric).
In place in the garden (although the legs still need to be pushed through the weed-block fabric).

Saturday Morning Hike

~ Chuck ~ 1 Comment

This summer, Ben is spending three days hiking in the White Mountains with my Dad. He hasn’t been too active this winter, so now the warm weather is here, he has to get back into shape for the hike.

This morning we decided to do a quick (and short) local hike up Lantern Hill (1.7 miles). It was a good climb, and a chance for him to break in his boots on a steep hill. We finished the hike in about 50 minutes with breaks and picture stops.

Ben pausing for a picture at the base of one of the rock walls on the hike.
Ben pausing for a picture at the base of one of the rock walls on the hike.
Selfie!
Selfie!
Pausing near the top of Lantern Hill.
Pausing near the top of Lantern Hill.

Dad visits

~ Chuck ~ Leave a comment

The weather this weekend was nearly perfect. Of course it wasn’t quite as nice as it was earlier in the week when I had to spend the day inside at the office (go figure). But it was nice enough to spend a lot of time outside.

My dad is visiting for the weekend – which is extra-exciting for the boys and fun for all. On Saturday we did a hike in the morning (yes, even the dogs enjoy guests). In the afternoon we went to the Preston park to watch Ben play baseball. Preston won. Ben is getting confidence to swing at the ball, even though this time he struck out (but better to swing than to not try at all).

Today we did another hike in the morning. Will joined us by biking ahead down the trail and sitting at his private spot along the stream (just downstream of a small waterfall). Ben is breaking in a new pair of hiking boots, trying to prepare for a three-day trip this summer to the White Mountains with my dad so he didn’t quite hike as far as the rest of us. And Isabella slept most of it.

This afternoon the boys and my dad biked up the hill into Norwich for a snack (donuts – go figure). And after everyone returned the family drove back to Norwich for a nice dinner at a new-ish brew pub. Will was even adventurous enough  to get onions on his hamburger. Ben will eventually get there – just not tonight.

HikingandBiking
The Curtis boys (and baby) looking good while enjoying a hike in the woods.

The two very beautiful Curtis girls dressed up for a nice dinner in town.
The two very beautiful Curtis girls dressed up for a nice dinner in town.