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More House Projects

Several other outdoor housekeeping projects were completed this month, in addition to the rock bed replenishment and re-leveling earlier in the spring. Early in July, I started re-staining the cedar canopies over the front doors, as well as the side garage door. In mid-July, I hired a company to do a professional wash and clean of all glass window and door exteriors, something that I used to do myself once a year. I was so pleased with their work that I will continue to hire them every year from now on.

I also solicited quotes for a pressure wash cleaning of all the ground concrete surfaces: front walkway, driveway pad, and the courtyard perimeter walkways. But the quotes came in so high that I decided to just buy a gas-powered pressure washer and do it myself. I completed this project over a few days in mid-August.

Visitors from Michigan

[6-8 June, 2024]

94-year old Aunt Nora and cousin Kay came down from Michigan for their annual spring-time visit to Ohio. Of course, get-togethers with lots of Filipino food.

Total Solar Eclipse

[8 April, 2024]

Today’s solar eclipse in which my home falls in the path of totality was one of the most amazing nature experiences I have ever had. The 15 minutes before totality was uniquely eerie, almost like the anxiety felt in the approach of a powerful thunderstorm. And totality itself was really something else — a dark, foreboding sensation like the arrival of twilight, but not quite. It was a very brief moment to enjoy, but one destined to become an unforgettable memory of a lifetime.

Path of totality, April 8th 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Event: Total Solar Eclipse, Monday, April 8th, 2024

Location: City of Powell, OH

Partial Eclipse Began: 1:55:43 pm

Totality Began: 3:11:50 pm

Maximum: 3:12:46 pm

Totality Ended: 3:13:43 pm

Partial Eclipse Ended: 4:27:03 pm

Duration: 2 hours, 31 minutes

Totality: 1 minute, 53 seconds

I was able to capture some images of my home, not the eclipse itself, (there are much better images online captured by professional photographers!) half an hour before, during, and half an hour after totality. Notice the shadow of the Hinoki cypress (and its disappearance during totality) in the foreground of each of the photos.

Fall at the Homestead

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, and for me, provides the best light and colors to take photos of the house and its surroundings. Here are some from a cloudy day in late October.

Buff, Polish, Shine

It’s that time of year: a total clean up treatment of my concrete floor. First, a buff with the Oreck orbiter. followed by a thorough vacuum, and finally, 2 coats of Zep’s High Traffic Floor Polish. For that shiny, glass-like finish!

Courtyard Landscaping

Spring is underway, and so are landscaping activities in the central courtyard. The citrus plants (Meyer Lemon and Calamondin) are outside and re-containered, and the 4-yr old juniper bonsai is out of its winter hibernation and now comfortably in its new ceramic pot. I also put together a new succulent centerpiece for the outside dining table. Continuing: a season-long battle with weeds!

Overall, everything’s looking good, so here’s to a great growing season!

A New Thermostat

The thermostat for the floor heater in my primary bathroom died recently (after almost 10 years!) so it got replaced this past weekend.

Reflectorized Driveway Markers

[10 December, 2022]

An annual undertaking: putting up my reflectorized driveway markers for the snowiest of those winter days. Winter is coming, and they say this year is going to be snowy.

Christmas Trees Are Up

[20 November, 2022]

Among this past weekend’s tasks was setting up the Christmas trees (from The Modern Christmas Tree). Three years in a row now that they’ve gone up before Thanksgiving.

Setting up the Classic 8-ft

Setting up the tabletop 3-ft Jubilee.

Fall's Peak

Just past the peak of Fall colors, and foliage surrounding the house, while still vibrant, is beginning to get scarce. Nights have also gotten chilly.

Summer 'Spring Cleaning'

Spent the afternoon this past Friday cleaning up and organizing my wardrobe and walk-in closet, and ended up with 3 large garbage bags of clothes, shoes, etc. for donation. Yesterday, dropped them off at the Volunteers of America (VoA) drive-through donation center in town. My good deed for the day.

Address Pillar, Revisited

I can’t believe it’s been over 4 years since I worked on this Address Pillar project. The thing is looking a little tired and now needs a makeover. So today, a 2-coat re-staining was in order. Here are a few before and after pictures.

Next year, I’ll need to spruce up the plants around the base and add a little more color.