Month: December 2005

December 31, 2005 – Corn Crib Renovation

highhopesgardens December 31, 2005

Another one of the “b list” items off the list today. The corn crib has three interior sections – one on each side used to store the corn and a middle section for equipment. We’ve already converted the middle section to a basketball court.

The two sides have large boards running diagonally like large X’s from the outside to inside walls to help keep the walls from bowing out when full of corn pressing against it. As I cannot imagine this ever holding corn on the cob like they did in those days, I wanted to reclaim that space for other uses. Here’s what it looks like before reclamation.
insdie crib
The boards are very wide, probably at least 10 inches wide, and secured very well. With a little bit of prying, sawing, and pounding, they can be convinced to come out and offer more wide open space.
insdie crib

December 30, 2005 – ICE MONSTER!

highhopesgardens December 30, 2005

Martin received a DVD of very old Superman cartoons. The quality is reminiscent of Ed Wood low-budget “b grade” horror movies. But the stories are simple (monsters vs Superman) and the outcome predictable – perfect for a 4 year old.

Martin has taken to the “ice monster” episode where a giant monster encased in a giant glass refrigerator at a museum predictably fails, the temperature warms, the monster escapes and wreaks havoc until Superman appears. Martin also got some sponge pills that “grow” into dinosaurs when soaked in water for a while.

icemonster

Martin has taken to freezing the sponge dinosaurs in a dixie cup and waiting until the ice melts around his monster and releases it from its icy suspended animation.

December 28, 2005 – The Beautiful Side of Drab

highhopesgardens December 28, 2005

The days of freezing fog have left behind many wonders.

Wonder on the maples…
icy maple

Wonder on the pines…
icy concolor

Wonder on the fence…
icy concolor

We got a “b” list item completed today – moved the fridge from the garage into the basement. It will use less electricity in the summer and be functional in the winter.

December 27, 2005 – Like Living in London?

highhopesgardens December 27, 2005

Since Monday night, we’ve been socked in with fog and temperatures hovering around freezing. There was a short time when the fog lifted and we were treated to a beautiful view of the thick, grey, unrelenting, never-ending stratus cloud deck above!

I’m not sure it’s exactly like London, since it may be a bit cooler. The fog is the price we pay for the relatively warm temperatures, snowpack, and Pacific air.