Ridgetop - our place and how we muddle along

[greybeard]

Proto USA" and KS

For mechanic type work:
Proto, K-D (I've never heard of KS) some Crescent, the older Thorenson, Idestro, P&C/Plomb, Williams and of course the Snap-On/MATCO/MAC tool truck brands are professional grade tools. You can (and I have) made a living with them. Blackhawk was not a bad tool either, one of P&C's brands. Of all the hand wrenches I ever owned and still own, Williams beat them all hands down. Not pretty and shiny, but when you put a 1 1/4" Williams box end on a nut, the wrench was going to win.
(trivia--P&C became Plomb which became Proto. A competitor named Plumb (spelled with a 'u') is often confused with the old Plomb tools but was a vastly inferior product. The 'o' in Plomb was often stamped as a closed top 'v' or diamond shape.)

Even the older Craftsman, B&D and Stanley, Husky, TrueCraft wrenches, ratchets and sockets are at best, entry level brand or semi-serious backyard/hobbyist type toolage. Like some of my girlfriends from the bad old days...'ok around the house but you don't want to get out on the road with 'em'.
The newer ones? I have no use for them even at my advanced age.
Kobalt (Lowes own brand) fits in this niche as well. They're 'ok' but you don't want to risk a job or your reputation on them, regardless of what their ads and commercials tout.
Sadly, Stanley has now bought all P&C brands but hopefully hasn't put their crappy quality into the Proto line.

The big draw for Craftsman was always their inexpensive buy-in, their pretty look, and their famous no-questions-asked return policy...especially for ratchets.

Newer Craftsman, Stanley, B&D (probably all one company at this point) is not much if any better than the Chinese junk you can buy at K-Mart.

Forget boxes and compartments for sockets. Buy as many socket rails of whatever type you like & as you need for each drive size and be done with it:
(not mine but I use this type, tho I also have some of the metal spring types)

Don't get me started on the rather odd sizes of 25/32" or 19/32" wrenches and sockets, but I'm probably one of the few here that has used them for what they were actually made for.

Someone gives you a socket and ratchet set like the one below, do 2 things as soon as you unwrap it from it's pretty Christmas/birthday/Father's Day paper. (3 if you count strangling whoever gave** them to you)

1. Take the sockets out of the cheap molded plastic box and put them on rails.
2. Throw the dam molded plastic box away because:
a. The molded plastic latch will soon break.
b. The molded plastic hinges will soon break.
c. The sockets are not going to stay in place if you drop the cheap molded plastic box with the molded plastic lid open.
d. The cheap plastic molded box takes up too much room in the box you are actually working out of.

** Men end up with a crapload of this kind of cheap extra sockets because wives, children, sisters, grandchildren, and girlfriends (very possibly may all be the same relationship if location is in the Southeast USA) all think it's a cheap easy quick way to fulfill some holiday obligation instead of buying the guy what he really wants or needs.

 

[Baymule]

Re: Shoes - I used to buy elegant hats a la Princess Diana. I lived where ladies lunched and wore hats to church. I had a closet of stilleto heels too for work and church. I loved them and some hats are still in my closet, but not 163 (found 2 more Craftsman sockets). My discard total is up to 167 now after discovering another partial set and many loose in stuff we brought home from Daddy's place.

We need 2 depths because of the corral panel bolts compared to standard bolts, but really a full set of spark plug sockets? That was in an old set of Daddy's. I kept it since I really don't know about spark plugs and when someone decides to change one, and says DW fetch me my spark plug socket, I will need to be able to instantly produce it lest my reputation for knowing where everything is should suffer.

I had already spent a week sorting and setting aside or disposing of non working tools and an entire wall full of miscellaneous nails, screws, nuts, bolts, washers, etc. sorted and stored on shelves in Daddy's huge workshop. Have plenty of those waiting for me to sort them in my shed. I will eventually have to sort out the various rusted screwdrivers, etc., and send them the way of the rusty drywall saws, frozen pliers, mastic coated putty knives, and other detritus that for some reason DH, DS1, and DS2 saw fit to throw into boxes and buckets for the trip home to me. I wonder if that was the trash they told me they had no where to dump before coming home . . . .

I also sorted 3 boxes of paperwork that DH had previously placed in boxes "to be sorted" in the office. He never has time so I did it this am. Most was trash or old files so that was easily done before attacking the Tool/Workshop. I actually thought I caught a glimpse of a work bench countertop in the far corner. I turned quickly, but the junk was quicker and recovered it. I did accuse DS1 of bringing more stuff in at night under cover of darkness. He snickered but denied it. At least the heat has eased off and we are in the high 70's here.

Now, the final chapter of our brush clearing . . . of course, we went through this for several years until we finally got our Dorsets in 2010. We love our sheep! And they taste good too!

TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS OF BRUSH CLEARANCE (continued)

Chapter 6 - April

The Fire Inspectors are now a visible and threatening presence on our roads. Ripples of uneasiness stir through the community as we confront our annual dilemma – cut now and risk having to cut again; or wait and risk not finishing before the deadline. As we debate the pros and cons, we begin the search through the barn, sheds, outbuildings, garage, looking for the weed whackers, blades, clippers, gas can, rakes, etc. necessary to our task. Those persons organized enough to remember where they stored their tools the previous season get them out and gaze mournfully at them envisioning the back breaking labor to come. The rest of us go to the hardware store.

Sadly, despite the valiant efforts of our horsey helpers, our 200 foot clearances will not pass inspection. We will have to pick up our tools and get to work. Although our horses and mule still decline to go into the gully and eat the leafy growth, surprisingly, it would appear that cut brush is a delicacy.

We have learned this after stuffing 5 loads into our trailer and dragging it to the green dump, waiting in the long line of persons likewise encumbered with their own brush, finally unloading it, and returning home. The entire trip takes about 2 hours because of the long line of waiting cars, although the green dump is only about 5 miles away. We see our neighbors there, but no one speaks. The doom of brush clearance fills our minds. We are jealous of our places in line and when a commercial operator is waved in ahead us, there is a sullen growl of resentment. Finally, it is our turn and we begin the process of unloading. The cuttings appear to want to remain with us. They stick and stab us while we tried to wrestle them out of the trailer. Bloodied, we return home to anoint our wounds and continue cutting.

One day, missing dump closing time, we left the cut brush in the trailer, planning to dump in the morning. Next morning the brush pile was GONE, as if taken by the Little People during the night! The horses and mule seemed to be grinning. There were a few scattered fronds on the ground otherwise it might never have been there! This is excellent news! We now decide to just pile the brush where we cut it and let the horses and mule do their thing.

Next morning, we find that leaving the brush piles down the hillside does not work. Our four- legged freeloaders refused to venture down. Instead they are standing morosely at their empty feeders waiting for us to bring them breakfast. Annoyed at their laziness, we ignore them and begin cutting brush. Shocked at our heartlessness, they stand at the edge of the slope. Occasionally they stretch their long necks over to see if they can reach any of the tantalizing piles. Then they whicker at us disapprovingly. We will have to drag it to the top after all.

Apparently, not only is cut brush desirable to our equines, but it also tastes better the farther uphill it is carried by humans. As we struggle up the steep slope dragging large bundles of shrubbery, horsey faces appear over the edge of the hill. As we stagger over the summit our four-legged friends greedily converge on us, jostling for the best position to snatch mouthfuls of the suddenly tasty stuff. Note: Being jostled by a large horse at the top of a 50 degree slope, while dragging 70 lbs of brush, should be avoided. . . Note to self: Buy aspirin.

Although the horses won’t walk to the bottom of the hill to graze, they have cut down on the time it takes to load the brush into the trailer, drive to the green dump, wait in line, and unload the trailer. In fact, there is no point in loading the trailer since our equines will unload it overnight and scatter the stuff around anyway. Might as well just dump everything in a big old pile and leave it for them to help themselves.

It seems our four-legged freeloaders have come up with their own EQUINE CUNNING PLAN. We cut and drag uphill, they eat and scatter.

EQUINE CUNNING PLAN #4

Day 1
Humans weed whack brush. Humans drag piles of brush to top of cliff. Drop brush in pile. Get knocked over by horses and mule. Take aspirin. Weed whack brush. Drag pile of brush to top of cliff. Shove horses and mule aside. Drop brush in vicinity of first pile. Repeat.
Day 2
Take aspirin first. Weed whack brush and drag to top of cliff. Scream threats at horses and mule. Drop pile of brush anywhere. Fall downhill. Out of aspirin. Repeat.
Day 3
Buy more aspirin. Rake up scattered brush from previous day. Lock horses and mule in stalls. Ignore their repeated complaints and demands for release. Repeat Day 2 activities. Take more aspirin. Call chiropractor for appointments. Apply first aid to cuts and scrapes. Listen to horses and mule congratulating each other on success of their Equine Cunning Plan.

This Equine Cunning Plan has proved painful. We have cleared only a tiny space and now need chiropractic treatment for our backs, and antibiotic cream for our scrapes and cuts. We are out of aspirin again. We decide to abandon painful Equine Cunning Plan and look for Final Cunning Plan.

Chapter 7 – End of April



FINAL CUNNING PLAN #5

Day 1
Call brush trimming service.
Day 2
Fix iced drinks. Relax on patio, enjoying restful sound of weed whackers in the distance. Admire the sight of our sleek and beautiful horses and mule munching hay from their feeders. Fix more iced drinks, perhaps even adult beverages. Write check to brush trimming service. Congratulate each other on success of plan.

Our final Cunning Plan is successful! After much trial and error, we have achieved our goal of equine assisted brush clearance and beaten the Fire Clearance deadline!

Now, anyone have any ideas about how to attach a manure receptacle to the business end of a horse?

Back to the Tool/Workshop! I forge on . . . .




















Chapter 6 – April



The Fire Inspectors are now a visible and threatening presence on our roads. Ripples of uneasiness stir through the community as we confront our annual dilemma – cut now and risk having to cut again; or wait and risk not finishing before the deadline. As we debate the pros and cons, we begin the search through the barn, sheds, outbuildings, garage, looking for the weed whackers, blades, clippers, gas can, rakes, etc. necessary to our task. Those persons organized enough to remember where they stored their tools the previous season get them out and gaze mournfully at them envisioning the back breaking labor to come. The rest of us go to the hardware store.

Sadly, despite the valiant efforts of our horsey helpers, our 200 foot clearances will not pass inspection. We will have to pick up our tools and get to work. Although our horses and mule still decline to go into the gully and eat the leafy growth, surprisingly, it would appear that cut brush is a delicacy.

We have learned this after stuffing 5 loads into our trailer and dragging it to the green dump, waiting in the long line of persons likewise encumbered with their own brush, finally unloading it, and returning home. The entire trip takes about 2 hours because of the long line of waiting cars, although the green dump is only about 5 miles away. We see our neighbors there, but no one speaks. The doom of brush clearance fills our minds. We are jealous of our places in line and when a commercial operator is waved in ahead us, there is a sullen growl of resentment. Finally, it is our turn and we begin the process of unloading. The cuttings appear to want to remain with us. They stick and stab us while we tried to wrestle them out of the trailer. Bloodied, we return home to anoint our wounds and continue cutting.

One day, missing dump closing time, we left the cut brush in the trailer, planning to dump in the morning. Next morning the brush pile was GONE, as if taken by the Little People during the night! The horses and mule seemed to be grinning. There were a few scattered fronds on the ground otherwise it might never have been there! This is excellent news! We now decide to just pile the brush where we cut it and let the horses and mule do their thing.

Next morning, we find that leaving the brush piles down the hillside does not work. Our four- legged freeloaders refused to venture down. Instead they are standing morosely at their empty feeders waiting for us to bring them breakfast. Annoyed at their laziness, we ignore them and begin cutting brush. Shocked at our heartlessness, they stand at the edge of the slope. Occasionally they stretch their long necks over to see if they can reach any of the tantalizing piles. Then they whicker at us disapprovingly. We will have to drag it to the top after all.

Apparently, not only is cut brush desirable to our equines, but it also tastes better the farther uphill it is carried by humans. As we struggle up the steep slope dragging large bundles of shrubbery, horsey faces appear over the edge of the hill. As we stagger over the summit our four-legged friends greedily converge on us, jostling for the best position to snatch mouthfuls of the suddenly tasty stuff. Note: Being jostled by a large horse at the top of a 50 degree slope, while dragging 70 lbs of brush, should be avoided. . . Note to self: Buy aspirin.

Although the horses won’t walk to the bottom of the hill to graze, they have cut down on the time it takes to load the brush into the trailer, drive to the green dump, wait in line, and unload the trailer. In fact, there is no point in loading the trailer since our equines will unload it overnight and scatter the stuff around anyway. Might as well just dump everything in a big old pile and leave it for them to help themselves.

It seems our four-legged freeloaders have come up with their own EQUINE CUNNING PLAN. We cut and drag uphill, they eat and scatter.



EQUINE CUNNING PLAN #4

Day 1

Humans weed whack brush. Humans drag piles of brush to top of cliff. Drop brush in pile. Get knocked over by horses and mule. Take aspirin. Weed whack brush. Drag pile of brush to top of cliff. Shove horses and mule aside. Drop brush in vicinity of first pile. Repeat.

Day 2

Take aspirin first. Weed whack brush and drag to top of cliff. Scream threats at horses and mule. Drop pile of brush anywhere. Fall downhill. Out of aspirin. Repeat.

Day 3

Buy more aspirin. Rake up scattered brush from previous day. Lock horses and mule in stalls. Ignore their repeated complaints and demands for release. Repeat Day 2 activities. Take more aspirin. Call chiropractor for appointments. Apply first aid to cuts and scrapes. Listen to horses and mule congratulating each other on success of their Equine Cunning Plan.

This Equine Cunning Plan has proved painful. We have cleared only a tiny space and now need chiropractic treatment for our backs, and antibiotic cream for our scrapes and cuts. We are out of aspirin again. We decide to abandon painful Equine Cunning Plan and look for Final Cunning Plan.



Chapter 7 – End of April



FINAL CUNNING PLAN #5

Day 1

Call brush trimming service.

Day 2

Fix iced drinks. Relax on patio, enjoying restful sound of weed whackers in the distance. Admire the sight of our sleek and beautiful horses and mule munching hay from their feeders. Fix more iced drinks, perhaps even adult beverages. Write check to brush trimming service. Congratulate each other on success of plan.

Our final Cunning Plan is successful! After much trial and error, we have achieved our goal of equine assisted brush clearance and beaten the Fore Clearance deadline.



Now, anyone have any ideas about how to attach a manure receptacle to the business end of a horse?




















Chapter 6 – April



The Fire Inspectors are now a visible and threatening presence on our roads. Ripples of uneasiness stir through the community as we confront our annual dilemma – cut now and risk having to cut again; or wait and risk not finishing before the deadline. As we debate the pros and cons, we begin the search through the barn, sheds, outbuildings, garage, looking for the weed whackers, blades, clippers, gas can, rakes, etc. necessary to our task. Those persons organized enough to remember where they stored their tools the previous season get them out and gaze mournfully at them envisioning the back breaking labor to come. The rest of us go to the hardware store.

Sadly, despite the valiant efforts of our horsey helpers, our 200 foot clearances will not pass inspection. We will have to pick up our tools and get to work. Although our horses and mule still decline to go into the gully and eat the leafy growth, surprisingly, it would appear that cut brush is a delicacy.

We have learned this after stuffing 5 loads into our trailer and dragging it to the green dump, waiting in the long line of persons likewise encumbered with their own brush, finally unloading it, and returning home. The entire trip takes about 2 hours because of the long line of waiting cars, although the green dump is only about 5 miles away. We see our neighbors there, but no one speaks. The doom of brush clearance fills our minds. We are jealous of our places in line and when a commercial operator is waved in ahead us, there is a sullen growl of resentment. Finally, it is our turn and we begin the process of unloading. The cuttings appear to want to remain with us. They stick and stab us while we tried to wrestle them out of the trailer. Bloodied, we return home to anoint our wounds and continue cutting.

One day, missing dump closing time, we left the cut brush in the trailer, planning to dump in the morning. Next morning the brush pile was GONE, as if taken by the Little People during the night! The horses and mule seemed to be grinning. There were a few scattered fronds on the ground otherwise it might never have been there! This is excellent news! We now decide to just pile the brush where we cut it and let the horses and mule do their thing.

Next morning, we find that leaving the brush piles down the hillside does not work. Our four- legged freeloaders refused to venture down. Instead they are standing morosely at their empty feeders waiting for us to bring them breakfast. Annoyed at their laziness, we ignore them and begin cutting brush. Shocked at our heartlessness, they stand at the edge of the slope. Occasionally they stretch their long necks over to see if they can reach any of the tantalizing piles. Then they whicker at us disapprovingly. We will have to drag it to the top after all.

Apparently, not only is cut brush desirable to our equines, but it also tastes better the farther uphill it is carried by humans. As we struggle up the steep slope dragging large bundles of shrubbery, horsey faces appear over the edge of the hill. As we stagger over the summit our four-legged friends greedily converge on us, jostling for the best position to snatch mouthfuls of the suddenly tasty stuff. Note: Being jostled by a large horse at the top of a 50 degree slope, while dragging 70 lbs of brush, should be avoided. . . Note to self: Buy aspirin.

Although the horses won’t walk to the bottom of the hill to graze, they have cut down on the time it takes to load the brush into the trailer, drive to the green dump, wait in line, and unload the trailer. In fact, there is no point in loading the trailer since our equines will unload it overnight and scatter the stuff around anyway. Might as well just dump everything in a big old pile and leave it for them to help themselves.

It seems our four-legged freeloaders have come up with their own EQUINE CUNNING PLAN. We cut and drag uphill, they eat and scatter.



EQUINE CUNNING PLAN #4

Day 1

Humans weed whack brush. Humans drag piles of brush to top of cliff. Drop brush in pile. Get knocked over by horses and mule. Take aspirin. Weed whack brush. Drag pile of brush to top of cliff. Shove horses and mule aside. Drop brush in vicinity of first pile. Repeat.

Day 2

Take aspirin first. Weed whack brush and drag to top of cliff. Scream threats at horses and mule. Drop pile of brush anywhere. Fall downhill. Out of aspirin. Repeat.

Day 3

Buy more aspirin. Rake up scattered brush from previous day. Lock horses and mule in stalls. Ignore their repeated complaints and demands for release. Repeat Day 2 activities. Take more aspirin. Call chiropractor for appointments. Apply first aid to cuts and scrapes. Listen to horses and mule congratulating each other on success of their Equine Cunning Plan.

This Equine Cunning Plan has proved painful. We have cleared only a tiny space and now need chiropractic treatment for our backs, and antibiotic cream for our scrapes and cuts. We are out of aspirin again. We decide to abandon painful Equine Cunning Plan and look for Final Cunning Plan.



Chapter 7 – End of April



FINAL CUNNING PLAN #5

Day 1

Call brush trimming service.

Day 2

Fix iced drinks. Relax on patio, enjoying restful sound of weed whackers in the distance. Admire the sight of our sleek and beautiful horses and mule munching hay from their feeders. Fix more iced drinks, perhaps even adult beverages. Write check to brush trimming service. Congratulate each other on success of plan.

Our final Cunning Plan is successful! After much trial and error, we have achieved our goal of equine assisted brush clearance and beaten the Fore Clearance deadline.



Now, anyone have any ideas about how to attach a manure receptacle to the business end of a horse?

You are so funny!

 

[Ridgetop]

Greybeard - Thanks! I was hoping you would respond because I figured you would know. I did not know you could buy those little stick on thingys - "rails" - I will have DS1 look on line for them ASAP. We have both driver sizes. I saved all the Protos, and the Craftsmans, tossed the Taiwan & Japanese ones. I am now up to a total of 198 tossed, 166 saved, after finding more in a box from Daddy's. Opened another of Daddy's tool kits as I was finishing and found stuff that I cannot recognize as well as a nifty hand saw that takes a replacement Sawzall blade, Could have used that in some remodeling work several years ago. Now I have one.

DH identified the large metal things as pipe dies(?) used to thread large size galvanized pipe. Told me I could dispense with them too since he does not think we will ever need to thread big galvanized pipe. PVC is here to stay and sooo much easier and lighter to work with. I have plumbed with both and switched to PVC as soon as I could for all exterior applications. we seldom freeze here so exposed PVC is even ok. DH prefers copper for the house and redid all our house plumbing for the house. Another Ridgetop story there.

Bridge again today, then another go at the Tool/workshop for the next 3 days until it is finished.I finally found the far cupboards and counters last night!

The Santa Anas have come in with a vengeance. A big fire out in the southern edge of Ventura County - on the Los Angeles County line. Looks like an atomic blast. We could see the glow last night across the SF Valley. Winds are carrying it away from us towards the ocean. It jumped the 101 freeway last night. Lots of homes in its path. Another bad wind and fire season this year I think. Our sheep took refuge inside their shelter which I am pleased to report did not budge an inch1 But we turned out the donkeys and mules to run loose overnight. I don't like them in their exposed stalls when the winds blow or we have lightening. Afraid they will spook and break a leg. All four went down into the gully for protection. Still blowing. Damage check tonight.

Thanks again Greybeard for telling me about the rails. Will order some.

 

[greybeard]

DH identified the large metal things as pipe dies(?) used to thread large size galvanized pipe. Told me I could dispense with them too since he does not think we will ever need to thread big galvanized pipe. PVC is here to stay and sooo much easier and lighter to work with. I have plumbed with both and switched to PVC as soon as I could for all exterior applications. we seldom freeze here so exposed PVC is even ok. DH prefers copper for the house and redid all our house plumbing for the house. Another Ridgetop story there

Back last Spring, I gathered all my pipe dies, pipe cutters, most of my NPT taps (kept only one ea 3/8", 1/2" and 3/4") all my metal conduit benders and conduit and dropped them off at one of those do-gooder resale shops along with several rolls of 3/8 and 1/2 copper tubing. Previously gave away my 1" drive set but kept the 3/4" drive socket set and gave away one of my 240v stick welders.

 

[Ridgetop]

Might as well donate them to a good cause as the dump. My friend gave me a phone number last week for a Veteran's organization that she said takes everything and picks it up too. I am going to call them before I have DH take anything else to the dump. Hopefully they will take most of what we have. The stuff is usable but Goodwill and Habitat are too picky!

 

[Baymule]

I am glad that you are not in the path of a fire. Your story of fire clearance was belly jiggling funny, but the reality is horrifying. Stay safe.

 

[Bruce]

I have plumbed with both and switched to PVC as soon as I could for all exterior applications. we seldom freeze here so exposed PVC is even ok. DH prefers copper for the house and redid all our house plumbing for the house.

Both have now been replaced with PEX for source water.

 

[Senile_Texas_Aggie]

Miss @Ridgetop, I hope you and Miss @babsbag won't be affected by all of the fires out there.

 

[greybeard]

The big news on the tube and interwebs seems to be only about the celebrity homes that have burned or in the fire's path. There's a whole section on Googl News page about one of the cardashain's homes and someone named Alyssia something or another that are going to lose their mansions.....

Oh NO! Please..Not the celebrities!! Now you have our attention!!


One of thos weird K peoples said she 'left with just the clothes on her back".
Probably more clothes than she's been seen wearing in public in 5 years.
Don'tchur heart just go out to her?

 

[Ridgetop]

Greybeard: Don't start an Ifundme account for poor Alyssa and the Kardashians yet. They probably went to their second or third vacation homes in some wealthy enclave where they have a second (or third) wardrobe. The shots on the news are always of million dollar places burning to the ground. Wealthy people always rebuild in those areas because they are scenic - look at the Florida hurricanes. You can't stop those people from rebuilding right on the beach!

The Santa Ana winds have stopped for a while, but are supposed to come back tonight and last for several days. Another fire above Burbank in Griffith Park yesterday. The fire in 1000 Oaks has now burned to the sea. DD2's boyfriend family evacuated and not allowed back yet. Town of Paradise burned to ground, killing a number of people before they could evacuate. That was a small town on the east side of the Sierras. Lots of retirees and small town businesses. Schoolteachers evacuated students by cramming as many as possible into their cars and riving ut of the town to safety. Lots of homes lost too, but they can be rebuilt. We are lucky to have enough property to keep sheep to graze everything to the ground. It may not be pretty, but it is safer.

As to our barn, I checked the pitch and I think we can probably just put roofing paper on and shingle it. DS1 will go up today with his roofing level and check the pitch. We originally used rolled roofing and hot tar, now they burn or melt the rubber (?) seams. DH says it is just a barn so if it leaks a little, no problem - BLASPHEMY! My barn is my temple . . . well, maybe not quite, but I do appreciate a dry barn when working! And a leaky barn causes moldy hay. The solar panels on the barn roof are either damaged or disconnected since the lights in the Tool/Workshop are not working. If we can roof it ourselves it will be cheaper. DS2 will be home for a week for Thanksgiving and he can get up there with DS1 and do the job. Although we really don't want DH to climb on any roofs, the pitch is not that steep and he will probably insist on getting up there too. 1200 sf is not that much - can probably get it done in a couple of days with 3 men. DS3 has a roofing nail gun, but the difference in roofing it ourselves and paying to have it done will pay for one if he doesn't come down before Thanksgiving. Also, our neighbor probably has one we can borrow. Although, it is always nice to buy another power tool . . . . I still have storage space in the almost clean Tool/Workshop!

Speaking of the Tool/Workshop - I made DH help sort the sockets I was keeping for him. I told him what Greybeard said in his post about sockets and socket rails. DH said that he knew about socket rails (then why wasn't he cleaning the Tool/workshop?) and would consider suing GB for alienation of affections since I was so impressed by his "superior" knowledge!
Silly man! He is so adorable!

So the Socket King apparently had more sockets than even I had had estimated! Final count so far:
173 sockets to toss.
321 SOCKETS ARE APPARENTLY KEEPERS!


I found the socket rails on Amazon Prime, BUT to house Socket King's 321 sockets I will need to expend about $200.00 in rails! My new plan is to re-sort the sockets and remove duplicates. I might not get rid of the duplicates (I plan to keep the Protos, and others GB recommended as professional grade) but they certainly do not need to be on rail systems in the tool chest. Besides, if we can house one of every size where they are easily identified and returned, there will be no reason for 10 of the same size socket. So socket dilemma will be postponed until I can sit down with my magnifying glass and size the sockets.

This weekend I will be working in the Tool/workshop on the never ending task of cleaning, sorting, replacing tools. I also found a nasty rat's nest in the empty bottom drawer of one bank of cabinet. I think I will scatter lots of moth crystals under the cabinets and in the drawers and cabinets with the tools. They seem to deter rodents as well as bugs so although the Tool/workshop might smell like my great-grandmother's winter closet, we will not open any drawers and have rats jump our at us. Oh Yeah! That has happened! FYI: Although LGDs know they are there and are interested in watching them run off, they do not bother catching and killing them! I think DH's replacement lap dog will have to be a rat terrier of some sort. Any suggestions while we are on the subject? Terriers are hard to train, so any suggestions on a trainable breed would be best.

Sheep need to be brought in by tomorrow in case Ewegenie actually lambs on marking due date of Tuesday, 11/13. Of course, they only do that when I neglect to bring them in on their due dates and leave them out because I "think" they are a week off . . . . that is when we have to retrieve them from the gully. Those stories later.

Back to the Tool/Workshop!