Cleaning My Desktop...

It's hard to imagine this much dust collecting in our desktop computer, but that's what has happened. In fact, the one this one replaced strangled on dust before I bought this one back in 2007. So, once again, I have a choice, do it myself or take it somewhere. And of course, I am doing it myself. Currently I am having problems getting the heat sink back in place. We'll see how that goes next week...

By Odd Coincidence...

Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son

This year at St Mark in Salem Lenten devotions are based on Henri Nouwein's devotional study, based on the Return of the Prodigal Son.  This, and many other paintings of Rembrandt are in the Hermitage Museum in St Peters burg, Russia.

You would think that it would take a while to find someone who has seen the original, but you would be wrong.  Yesterday we found Betty Taunton, owner of the Spouting Horn Restaurant in Depoe Bay and she has been there.  While Betty is famous for her pies, she is also a world traveller. As an added bonus, she also has Montana roots.  While in her 80's she often puts in a full day's work and longs to be on the road again.

Here's how I did it

A called me this morning to say that the shower wouldn't shut off.  She fiddled with it hopefully, then called me to say that it was worst.  While I was formulating other plans for the day, this problem was not going to go away.  So call the plumber or fix it myself?  Seriously?  You do know my last name, don't you?

Luckily I just installed a new usb wireless internet adapter on this computer yesterday (thanks, Nate).So I called up this YouTube video and it is almost exactly the steps I took to complete the project!

And I finished it with only one trip to the Hardware store.  A first for me!

Wood Pecker

Jim, the Builder

Concrete Post Support

 For some time now, A has stressed the need for a hand rail along our front steps.  I decided to tackle the project.  It fought me all the way.  Setting the posts on the steps required drilling into concrete.  Bits I bought for this purpose did not perform as advertised so I had to make another trip across town to Lowe's.  Also recomended, a hammer drill. Result: two trips to Harbor Freight.

Lowe's sold me 1 1/4 Phillips head screws to attach to the concrete   Driving a Phillips head screw that long into anything but butter is probably not going to work.  They did refund my investment, but they are way across town from us.

  I stopped at Ace in West Salem and bought shorter hex head screws instead.

A Man can never have too many clamps

Important to get things level

Pocket Hole Drill prepares screw entry points

I hoped I would not have to do this

Figuring the Angle

Once Again, Fighting Me

Raining on My Parade

 Finished!

Member Playlist : Rhapsody

Member Playlist : Rhapsody

Songs that Cross Borders - Radiolab

I found this episode of RadioLab compelling since it speaks to the power of music in the human soul.  As I write this I am also listening to The National Lutheran Choir's Christmas album Love Looked Down, which evokes a spiritual mood.  So far this morning, I have listened to Perry Como's Christ is Born, one of the best Christmas songs, (also sung by Karen Carpenter) and a lot of Harry Belefonte.   If ever I have a stroke, play such music for me.

Songs that Cross Borders - Radiolab

Christmas ornaments I made with my scrollsaw

A Week of Walks -- Day Four

West Salem,  McD

I turn toward Walking Bridge

Bridge Approach

In sight

Looking North

Turn Around

Fishing Beneath Bridge

Back in West Salem

Waiting Car and Coffee

We are blessed with a pedestrian bridge from West to downtown Salem.  Over and back measures a mile so we know exactly how far we have traveled.  It's convenient and free to park at McDonald's or Taco Bell.   And one gets to see the Willamette River as well.  Today's weather was cool and dry, so it was a great day for the walk

A Mile a Day -- Day Two

First Christian

First Methodist

Day Care Field Trip

First Presbyterian

St Joseph

St Mark Bell Tower

     This week, I am going to walk a mile a day and post  from a different location each day.  Today  was church walk day.  In taking the pictures I was impressed by the number of churches with the word "First" in the title.

     We and the Roman Catholics chose "Saint" instead.  I guess that's our way of saying we're really first!

     As I finished my walk St Mark's chimes went off.  It was 3:56!   Why at that hour?  I'm guessing its a hold over from Daylight savings time when we were only four minutes off.

If we can't be first, we can be unique.

I'd Walk a Mile for a ... Good Health!

Earth Ball, Riverfront Park

Sternwheeler

Flood Swollen River

A Carefree Ride

Treats

Afternoon in the Park

People Galore!

Pride of the City

During WW2, there was a commercial which said "I'd Walk a Mile for a Camel!"  Well, I never did smoke

Camels, and haven't smoked anything for twenty years.  But I do try to walk a mile a day.  Salem' Riverfront Park is a great place to do this, especially on a rain free-day full of fall colors and lots of people.

Through a Rainy Windshield

I know, nothing like East coast damage, but sill...

Love our trees

Concrete slide

Closer View

Rain hasn't gotten these

Westview Estates started by putting curb and paving all the area streets without regard for building lots.  They didn[t know at the time where the curb cuts should go.  So when a house was added, the builder cut the curb and put in the driveway.  This left surplus blocks of curbing from where the drive went to be disposed of.  Builders are basically cheap and took the solution of dumping the blocks of curbing over the bank at the rear of the property.  We have a number of them on our back hillside.  This last week, a block of this curb broke loose and landed on the area I have cleared and treated with barkdust.  Since this chunk probably weighs half a ton I don't think I will be moving it very far.

I know, nothing like Eastern seaboard damage, but still...