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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2015 4:29:00 GMT -5
SELL IT? Heresy, woman, heresy! Laughing, someday, of course! It keeps me alive with necessary repairs, etc. When finished, it will have been worth it, and who knows, maybe even some of you might even come for a visit to enjoy it with us for a spell.
Just added plans to make/build automatic wrought iron gates between the entry posts, solar powered and controlled from the house above as soon as remod finished. If I die first, don't really care! Leaving it to Katie, anyway. Just a couple more years work and it will be glorious with property taxes frozen years ago due to my disability. Certainly couldn't afford to live anywhere else nearly as fine as this will be! We are thinking of putting it into a reverse mortgage, but we will see about that.
Work left? Bathrooms, kitchen, master bedroom, daylight basement, exterior decks and roof. If it takes me all summer to accomplish the roof job, so what? And no, those who have not wanted me to accomplish these dreams and ambitions will not share in them in the least! How well I know the will is the long arm from the grave! Now, I have finally resorted to narcotic pain relief, maybe can get some needed sleep, very late here.
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Post by snow on Jan 25, 2015 10:29:12 GMT -5
Be careful Dennis. Roofing is a hard job for someone with great health, so really hope you don't take too much on. All the best to you and Katie.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2015 11:47:22 GMT -5
Thank you for your care and concern, Snow. It is not the first house I've reroofed, I have Katie who puts her foot down when I would over attempt what I should no longer do. Fortunately have been blessed with certain brain functions which I make every attempt to trade for what my body no longer allows. Thanks again for your kindness and concern. It is somewhat like old military training, if one were expected to do the first day of training as their last, I for one could never have made it through those days, neither.
Some of you might like to know more, vicariously living with us on this ridge top at about 1000' elevation, with its 270 degree panoramic view, pasture, wooded lots and potential for two lakes, and glorious view of three volcano tops, and southern Washington USA Cascade Mountain range to the east and Willapa Hills to the west, with views of Silver Lake to the east, and the Cowlitz River to the west coming and going with clearing from temporary clearing resulting from various logging projects. Though I rarely drive a car any longer, I can still operate machinery of many types, so do that when I am able to keep it running, any way! And of course, spring, summer and fall here are my friends!
We managed to acquire a huge chunk (6' x 1' x 6") of old western red maple which we had split in two, plained and ready for finishing. I have bored 5 holes in the reset stone masonry that I have just completed less finishing in the beautiful old masonry wall in the main living area! What a chore that was. Today I will finish boring the holes in the back of the sanded and stained new mantle piece. Then with tough little Katie's help and some engineering, we will figure out how to lift that heavy beautiful piece into place and drive it on to its cantilevered projecting mounts with rubber hammers. Next comes the finish work, and by this time next week the inside of the living room should be remodeled and completed.
The smallest of the most recent litter of pups is very intelligent, and progressing with training nicely. At three months he (Buddy) knows and obeys many commands, including heeling and elimination! People are astounded to see a creature, less than a pound, behaving in such a manner, walking off lead at our heels, etc. The little goat herd is doing well also. No Lake Woebegone, Michigan stories here!
Ciao!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2015 13:50:51 GMT -5
Mary, I'm sorry, should not have responded so to your well intended comment. My sense of humor is not always appreciated.
Five years ago when Ylva died, my two children made it very plain to me that they just wanted me to give up and die also. These last years I rarely hear anything from my own offspring, who have tried to run my life from the day their mother died. Neither heard from them nor saw them through my most serious surgeries, and the both have outright said they want no form of any parental burden. Since Katie has come into my life, and the 15 cents on the dollar kind assistance from y'all here, things are not great, but slowly improve. This most desirous piece of property location continues to be a vision for me, and I want to improve it, though must do so slowly with tedious effort, which seems to be a quality within me my lovely mate loves and admires.
Knowing every dollar spent (having been a general contractor once) means four times that amount plus some appreciation to any heir, I simply want to leave Katie as well off as I possibly can. All would smile at the failing beautiful masonry fireplace, wall, and granite topped hearth which I have restored to previous splendor, even adding a gorgeous 3" x 12" x 6' solid old growth cantilevered red maple mantle above the heatilator vents.
Katie loves it. This is indeed a striking spot for a living room with a 10'x6' double plate glass window looking towards those volcanos and Lower Cascade Mountain range to the east. Once I had it like a park, if given enough time and strength, it will be so again.
Now it is my desire that this be a much more gracious response to your wise counsel, helping you to understand a little better my mindset.
Thank you again, for your kind concern and comment, Mary.
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Post by Mary on Jan 28, 2015 14:56:33 GMT -5
I saw it as a joke. No offense. I have seen your property, slept in the end room. I probably saw the fireplace too.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2015 18:30:23 GMT -5
Why then, you can attest to the unique piece of property that this is then. Did we extend to you every hospitality? If not, then I am ashamed now! Next time you will be even more welcome, if you feel comfortable doing so, please pm me with who you are, as I have given up all attempts to keep current on that.
FYI, we only have painting and carpet cleaning left to do now in that Fireplace living room, before putting down the most exquisite wool and silk rug we acquired from China, and eventually reapolstering the old French Provincial love seat and sofa, which, yes, I want to do with my own hands!
The bedroom in which you slept is to become part of a new master bedroom, that old deck is gone, and a new one is being constructed out of materials salvaged, swapped for and garnered here and there. It will be finished, if the Lord allows and the devil don't interfere, with an indoor out door carpet I have had in storage for decades.
Thanks for your posts to this thread. I work a little rest a lot, read and post here, as many of you here had once become my family. They say blood is thicker than water, yet love is thicker than blood.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2015 17:27:37 GMT -5
Thank you for the p.m. Mary! I am definitely failing for I could not put it together. You certainly were and remain a most welcome guest.
Working preparing the floor for Katie's beautiful Asian hand tied one of a kind wool and silk rug for the living room afte repainting the room soon. How I want the place as best possible for her after I've departed this awareness!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2015 14:26:03 GMT -5
Just sold the last pup (pick of litter!) from the last whelping. Tyke and Dolly are sure paying their own way in life. Sorry to see this little "Buddy" go though, as he was the smartest of the litter by far, and fully house broken and trained to heel at three months, plus learning numerous other commands. He is perfectly formed and will weigh just a bit less than two pounds full grown as projects now. Now we have pups all across the Nation. Demand for "Tyke" as a breeder also grows locally, but much more slowly than the demand for his pups nationally. This pup is being sold as a service dog, and will continue in training for the next three to six months.
Amazing how MD's once laughed me out of their office, but now even refer patients to trainers/breeders. When "Tyke" sounded the alarm the second night I was in intensive care after open heart surgery a year and a half ago, that kind of put a medical stamp of approval on canine hypoglycemic detection for a number of medical Doctors as it became known and news of it spread around the VA staff @ Portland VA Hospital. When a dog alerts on a semi-conscious owner in the middle of the night, it becomes difficult for even skeptics to deny, however some still will. Why? The only proof is in the "pudding."
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Post by dmmichgood on Feb 4, 2015 15:39:23 GMT -5
Just sold the last pup (pick of litter!) from the last whelping. Tyke and Dolly are sure paying their own way in life. Sorry to see this little "Buddy" go though, as he was the smartest of the litter by far, and fully house broken and trained to heel at three months, plus learning numerous other commands. He is perfectly formed and will weigh just a bit less than two pounds full grown as projects now. Now we have pups all across the Nation. Demand for "Tyke" as a breeder also grows locally, but much more slowly than the demand for his pups nationally. This pup is being sold as a service dog, and will continue in training for the next three to six months.
Amazing how MD's once laughed me out of their office, but now even refer patients to trainers/breeders. When "Tyke" sounded the alarm the second night I was in intensive care after open heart surgery a year and a half ago, that kind of put a medical stamp of approval on canine hypoglycemic detection for a number of medical Doctors as it became known and news of it spread around the VA staff @ Portland VA Hospital. When a dog alerts on a semi-conscious owner in the middle of the night, it becomes difficult for even skeptics to deny, however some still will. Why? The only proof is in the "pudding." Glad there was "Tyke" there to alert the medical staff of your condition.
The realization of this approach of detecting cancer & other medical conditions dates back to 1989.
The ability of dogs to scent blood has of course been around much longer.
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Post by snow on Feb 4, 2015 17:07:05 GMT -5
I read the other day that they are beginning to believe cats have the ability too, but of course would be harder to train, if at all possible. The article I read was about a woman that was diagnosed with breast cancer after her cat kept poking her in a spot on her one breast all the time. Turned out she she did have a lump after she checked and they got it in time.
Glad to hear your dogs are getting known Dennis. That is so good.
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2015 20:41:58 GMT -5
The Sequoia Farm report
They have made a major medication change in my CHF treatment, have driven off 20 lbs of the rapidly gained 40lbs of excess fluid, no longer drowning in it. Katie is home and so am I, (yea!) Katie's aged mom is failing in Baton Rouge, however in good spirits and hopes to fly up for Katie's daughter Jillian's wedding in Sept.
We kept that tiny male Chi from the last breeding. Good thing, last week Tyke broke a hind leg, has to have it amputated today, so "there was a crippled man who has a crippled dog!" We also had him neutered so glad we kept little buddy, and he is just as delightful as tyke though not a hypoglycemic detector. Just barely 2 pounds, so a might smaller than Tyke. Tyke has pups in the oven, so that is good news.
A minus tide Thursday AM, nice weather forecast, so packing up my sunrunner disability scooter and Katie and I are headed razor clam digging on Long Beach. A first for her. Might try some fishing and crabbing. We both really like seafood, though she kind of draws a line at nori, sushi and sashimi. I like them though and kimchi! We will get some fresh oysters at Oysterville on the trip.
Well, it's not Lake Woebegone, however such is an update from this corner of the world. House slowly progressing. Many kind thoughts to many kind people.
DJ
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2015 14:13:16 GMT -5
Only time for a quick note. Katie dug her first razor clams. We got two limits, and a dozen oysters. Headed to Dr. office now.
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Post by emy on May 7, 2015 18:36:36 GMT -5
Doctor's office? Waiting to hear what that's about..
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2015 11:47:47 GMT -5
Doctor's office? Waiting to hear what that's about..
Hi, Emy, thanks for asking. Same old, same old.
There is a formula, I hear, for living to 110. Yeah, get a serious medical condition(s?) and have to take care of it (them?) Seems my very existence is one of medical care, one form or another, argh! Oh well, whatever works! For as much as I have been through, they ought to give patient doctorates! (Smile.)
For his part, tiny "Tyke" seems to be getting around well on just one hind leg. He is really a sweet dog, if animals can be so described, and the entire staff at the Veternarian's surgery said so, and that he is the sweetest, best trained Chihuahua they have ever encountered or worked upon. Since we have his slightly smaller "son buddy" for future breeding (he is a smaller carbon copy of his sire, though not a hypoglycemic detector nor quite as well trained yet, and not wanting "Tiny Tyke" to hurt himself further, we had him neutered.
Wee "Buddy" is just as gentle, smart and handsome of tiny dog as his sire though. Many people say they have never liked little dogs, but that mine are an exception. So much of a public attention grabber that they add a half hour to every trip in public. Both men and women seem fascinated by them. Katie has grown to really love them now also, and wept tears over Tyke's injury.
These super small usually healthy dogs seem to fascinate people, riding in their bag, bib of my overalls, or pocket. They make lots of friends as we journey through life. On the claming trip to Long Beach yesterday, we must have had a dozen to gather round, two of the men being very kind to gladly help us and teach Katie how to get the razor clams. So these dogs are one of our life's good parts, to be sure, and need very little care except for injury.
It is our practice to only breed free whelped females born of free whelped dams. We expect to have another litter soon, wanting to get a longcoat female to keep. Then our kennel will be about complete.
Working on the garden site as able today, I have clams to clean and oysters to shuck while Katie is away driving a disabled lady acquaintance of ours to a Dr. Apt some 45 miles away. Bye now.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2015 17:27:26 GMT -5
Yes, Mary, I remember your visit with many kind regards.
My infirmities make things slow going on the remod job. Nonetheless one does as much as they can.
Straw bale garden in and growing, corn patch about 12" tall, should easily be "knee high by the forth of July!"
Tomatoes, herbs, peas, brocoli, pumpkin, cucumbers, etc. all in and doing well!
Cutting ceramic tile for floors, putting cork down in entry way, completed pantry in kitchen (except for shelves) and installing new samsung microwave convection broiling oven yet this week, D.V. "Refer" with ice maker and cold water dispenser in its finished alcove. Soon will start on master bedroom suite. Much is slow and difficult to do due to physical limitations, yet one does what they can. Huge sigh.
Putting an antique lead crystal chandelier on eBay soon to get more needed funds.
Well, that's about it for those interested.
With kindest regards for those wanting them,
K & DJ
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2015 17:07:30 GMT -5
Would quit posting to this thread, but for the kind ones who read and or comment. Thank you. Though confined often by disability, I make every effort to do what I can. If I did not have someone so lovely as Kathleen in my life, I must confess pain would often be more than I can handle.
Neat to have scooter, walking sticks, brace(s) and more as needed. Sometimes a humorous sight, I know. Gonna keep at it until just no longer possible.
The house and garden proceed.
One new "pup," his name is "sparky." Anyone interested? He is a delightful little creature, going to be heathy, under 4 lbs. 'Nuff about that.
The new tile floor has been laid in main level bathroom, awaiting joint mortar as mastic dries. I did the design using scrap pieces of ceramic tile, had to hire someone to lay it.
They have me on increased powerful diuretics to assist this CHF. Also must spend time each day as well as all night long with legs elevated. Seems to be helping some. Every trip to the VA though is very good self pity treatment, as there are just so many worse off. This coming couple of weeks there is scheduled another echo EKG and another shot into the right hip. If life really is one of averages, smile, some of us are making those averages better for others, huh, snow and you others disabled? I think of you every day, wishing you the best possible for you.
Our two doe goats are about old enough to breed, and come colder weather two larger wethers ready for butchering. BBQed, they are especially delicious. Oh, by the way the giant sequoia trees planted did not make it though all the fruit trees and grapes seem to have taken hold.
Well, that is update from this front... Wish some others of you would share more from your lives. Yeah, I know either too busy or wanting to keep such things private, so it goes...
DJ
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2015 16:43:45 GMT -5
Hey! Anyone in the Portland Oregon area up for going blue berry picking bright and early Friday AM.? Less than $2.00/lb u-pick!
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Post by emy on Jun 17, 2015 17:17:48 GMT -5
Hey! Anyone in the Portland Oregon area up for going blue berry picking bright and early Friday AM.? Less than $2.00/lb u-pick! I wish! But strawberry picking would be even better. Do they still have U-Pick stberries? How much are they? However, we do get lovely fruit from the NW thoough a distributor in Bozeman. They take a truck out, pick up what has been ordered and come straight through to ND!! Good prices, too. Will let you know next week what they are, just for kicks - or comparison. No strawberries though.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2015 18:18:15 GMT -5
Yes, still have u-pick strawberries at under $2.00/pound but thse beds are about over now.
Bought some in the store red big sweet and luscious. Also some new cherries called Strawberry Ranier. Yum! Very sweet, just not as tasty as i remember from picking cherries for $ as a youth. But that might be due to my aging.
Our own strawberries are ever bearing and last all summer. We have raspberries planted also this year, and of course blackberries grow as weeds. Lots and Lots of blackberries on this property. Anyone wanna come and pick some. (Grin, ten for you and one for me? Kidding!)
There are certainly plenty and sometimes three different kinds though it looks like just two this year.
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Post by Alan Vandermyden on Jun 18, 2015 3:26:53 GMT -5
Yes, still have u-pick strawberries at under $2.00/pound but thse beds are about over now.
Bought some in the store red big sweet and luscious. Also some new cherries called Strawberry Ranier. Yum! Very sweet, just not as tasty as i remember from picking cherries for $ as a youth. But that might be due to my aging.
Our own strawberries are ever bearing and last all summer. We have raspberries planted also this year, and of course blackberries grow as weeds. Lots and Lots of blackberries on this property. Anyone wanna come and pick some. (Grin, ten for you and one for me? Kidding!)
There are certainly plenty and sometimes three different kinds though it looks like just two this year. I wish too! A bit far from Guam though . . . We picked fruit often as children in California - blackberries in the summer-dry riverbed, strawberries for a low price, second-crop apricots and cherries (and peaches?) for the taking, then big canning days; lots of fresh squash, green beans, tomatoes and other veggies from our own gardens, canned into stews . . . we were spoiled with tasty, nutritious food!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2015 8:34:08 GMT -5
I will join you Dennis. Send your plane east and I will hop on. All ready went strawberry picking. Made jam, froze some and had to make rhubarb strawberry pie for the hubby. I worked on a blueberry farm as a teenager. They were wild blueberries. Low bush, back "aching" work.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2015 9:32:26 GMT -5
Hi Dennis, I see you mentioned blackberries, they make wonderful jam and are yum eaten fresh. Maybe save some bushes or train them on an espalier system safe from the goats. Agreed, blackberries make good pies, fresh, canned and frozen eating as well as wine. However in this country they grow wild, three varieties of 'em, and acre upon acre is a bit much! Hence the goats.
Plus we are getting ready for a small herd of Nigerian Dwarf Dairy goats once fencing is in place. We have the little barn for alfalfa and hay storage and our little goat milking parlor and loafing shed.
We make our own salami, have a small stainless surge milking machine, small home 2 gallon pasteurizer, cream separator (goat milk comes naturally homogenized) and cheese presses for our own and family's consumption. I have kept my eyes open for such things in the past, and saved them through the years. Don't have much cash, but plenty of knowledge about self reliance on an acreage. Been a "Mother Earth News" subscriber back in my earlier years.
O
Nothing like hiking a trail, or walking along the road and finding a wild blackberry patch! I noticed that blackberries are already ripe in some places! I came across a wild blackberry patch while walking my dog a week ago, and there were already ripe berries on the vines. It's this warm weather I guess.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2015 15:10:52 GMT -5
Hooray! Harvest begins! More cucumbers than can be imagined (step daughter makes great pickles!), wild blackberries coming on, peppers (sweet and hot!) really tasty, sugar snap peas, corn growing close, herbs galore! Pumpkins growing, and surprise of all surprises, no deer in the garden! Two wethers fattening for fall slaughter.
Many tomatoes also on the way, beans, cabbage, broccoli. We've learned a lot!
Btw, how's winter in the southern hemisphere? We've heard no reports. Smile, we've already started the sun on its way back to you!
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Post by fred on Jul 19, 2015 4:47:27 GMT -5
Hooray! Harvest begins! More cucumbers than can be imagined (step daughter makes great pickles!), wild blackberries coming on, peppers (sweet and hot!) really tasty, sugar snap peas, corn growing close, herbs galore! Pumpkins growing, and surprise of all surprises, no deer in the garden! Two wethers fattening for fall slaughter.
Many tomatoes also on the way, beans, cabbage, broccoli. We've learned a lot!
Btw, how's winter in the southern hemisphere? We've heard no reports. Smile, we've already started the sun on its way back to you! Brrr, Dennis! An Antarctic vortex (I just love using the term without a clue as to what it means) has brought some of the coldest weather on record to eastern Australia. Snow has been falling along the ranges as far north as Qld, which has meant plenty of excitement for those who have never seen it before. Australian homes are not generally constructed with this type of weather in mind, so many are feeling it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2015 9:50:54 GMT -5
Oh, wow! Just must be part of that "global warming." Here on the northwestern coast of continental USA we get an occasional Arctic blast often referred to as The Arctic Express, and with the "fetch" as it is between AU and Anarctica, it is interesting to me such a winter scenario is so rare there.
What about you Kiwi neighbors? Does this blast from the south affect you folks, too?
Still a very nice summer here, but the entire Washington State is drying out. Fortunately our vey good well shows no lack.
Wishing you and everyone there a safe winter!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2015 22:45:52 GMT -5
What a dinner!" Just have to make a report on it! Katie made her first homemade pizza! Was/is it ever good.
For ingredients an extra crusty base, wonderful tomato sauce, three home grown oregano spices, Italian, Greek, and hot, a vegetarian, featuring home grown eggplant, onion, green pepper, sliced cherry tomatoes, black olives, chives, salt and pepper, three kinds of cheese, really really good! The eggplant and tomato sauce really added to it and no meat necessary! If you've never had eggplant pizza, you gotta try it! Yum!
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Post by Mary on Jul 21, 2015 4:27:06 GMT -5
She sure is a better cook than me. I buy frozen or cooked pizzas from the shop.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 19:54:26 GMT -5
Katie would be the first to tell you that I am the cook around here, but she fills in admirably when my lower extremities do not cooperate!
A while back I related about getting a huge beef liver, which I brought to nearly freezing after de-veining and trimming it before slicing into very thin slices, vacuum packing and freezing. Then I dethaw, rinse and dry thoroughly, put spices and small amount of flour in a paper bag, shake well and fry very crisp and brown in the least amount of flavorful grease possible.
Doing that tonight! Have even converted some devout liver haters to my way of fixing it with bacon and onions, condiment of choice, potatoes with garlic and fresh oregano spiced yogurt, broccoli with cheese, and cottage cheese with fresh chives, fresh cucumber slices with finely sliced green onions, a few shrimp, all soaked in diluted seasoned rice vinegar. So, must get busy! Won't ask if it appeals to anyone, because liver seems on the outs for most.
Nonetheless, wish we had friends tonight to share it with! Both Katie and I really like it, and she especially the way I fix it!
Bye now...
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