Preparing for winter: What changes do you make to prepare for a different seasons?

tinkercreek comments on Sep 14, 2020:

emps have dropped quickly as a result of heavy smoke from the wildfires, so I got started today. Our winters are not typically too harsh, but I have noticed the squirrels hiding/burying their stashes much than previously, which is good information. I trimmed back some straggly rhodies and hydrangea, having already trimmed back a couple other trees and my vines out front. Am pulling up my garden salads that are fading. My trumpet vine is still vigorous, but I am starting to prune the monster down before big rains hit and all those leaves fall. Strawberries are coming out next, as they are now too shaded to produce much, then I will move their bed and the veges' for the same reason. Several bags of garden bed mulch need to be spread before leaves really start to drop. I bought new covers for my patio table and chairs and have them tied down, and the umbrella in the garage (cursed myself last year after rains began!). THEN I will have the gutters/downspouts cleaned, though I may do a preliminary on some areas that are easy to reach on my ladder. WHEW.

Hey,,, I don't care what they call it. If it's good, I'll use it. 😊 [amazon.com]

tinkercreek comments on Sep 13, 2020:

It had better be good for $20!

Emergency Packing List. What would you add?

tinkercreek comments on Sep 13, 2020:

My daughter sent me a great readiness list from the county, which included these property prep items: Inside ❑ Shut windows and doors ❑ Remove flammable window shades, curtains and close metal shutters. ❑ Remove lightweight curtains. ❑ Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors. ❑ Shut off gas at the meter; turn off pilot lights. Only a certified technician from your local gas company can turn the gas on again. ❑ Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions. ❑ Shut off the air conditioning. ❑ If time allows, take a video of your home for insurance purposes, focusing on expensive items and serial numbers. Outside ❑ Gather flammable items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, doormats, trash cans, etc.) or place them in an in-ground pool. ❑ Turn off propane tanks. ❑ Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures. ❑ Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. Fill water buckets and place them around the house. ❑ Don’t leave sprinklers on or water running, they can affect critical water pressure. ❑ Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night. ❑ Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle. ❑ Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you. ❑ Have a ladder available and place it at the corner of the house for firefighters to quickly access your roof. ❑ Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals. ❑ Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation. Don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel threatened.

Anyone else have times they have lowered their standards and regretted it?

tinkercreek comments on Sep 12, 2020:

Not thinking in terms of 'standards elitism', we all need to find out what traits/habits/attributes we find best suited to enhancing our lives, and what leaves us bedraggled and confused. Having tried a time or two, I have spent some time looking back at my choices to see patterns in how immature and misguided I have been, and unclear on my own values. Still and always trying to learn, and looking forward to making a clear choice in the future.

Just incase you need to see a little cock today. Here he is crowing and just hanging out.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 12, 2020:

He's stylin' with the 'do, too!

I am curious what kind of reaction the group has for canine all breed organizations.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 12, 2020:

Believing that LONG AGO the whole thing began with good intentions, the current breeding, mutilation, overpopulating, killing and misuse of dogs for pride and profit is largely vile and corrupt. There are always thousands of wonderful puppies and dogs needing good homes, so adding to that population or refusing to neuter/spay pets is cruel and irresponsible. I would never look for a 'purebred' dog, and don't believe that such even exists.

The many beautiful stages of a Double Delight

tinkercreek comments on Sep 12, 2020:

BEAUTIFUL pics, and blossoms!

Spent my Friday making sugar-free sweet pepper pickles.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 12, 2020:

Wow, great work!

Good point

tinkercreek comments on Sep 12, 2020:

Because ???

Christopher Titus [youtube.com]

tinkercreek comments on Sep 12, 2020:

Don't care much for his presentation, but I really appreciate his info and values.

My daughter's adopted child is 12 years old.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 11, 2020:

Those are tough situations, and you show a strong character to not criticize or argue, wouldn't make a difference to them anyway. Good luck getting through tomorrow! My thought would be to decide on an exit plan like stomachache, headache, anything you could tell someone, or just leave quietly. I don't know if I could take it.

My lemongrass bushes are sad looking.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 10, 2020:

Sounds as though you have a wealth of knowledge - hope it all works!

Since the lockdown I’ve been recording songs with my former and new congregations.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 9, 2020:

Lovely! (at 51:16)

I had several relatives lose their homes in the recent hurricane in La.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 9, 2020:

Happy Birthday!! Wishing you a fun and safe birthday trip, and I hope you have lots of elbow-room in Vegas!!

I took Meredith to the vet again today and she finally broke her fever! Poor girl had a low temp for...

tinkercreek comments on Sep 8, 2020:

She looks pretty comfy!

Happy back to work for all the other non-retired folks and happy continue to enjoy retirement for ...

tinkercreek comments on Sep 8, 2020:

My dear neighborhood held a distanced BBQ yesterday amidst a bizarre combination of a huge windstorm and wildfire smoke blown in by said storm. The food and drink caught unexpected garnishes from our many trees!

Wear a Mask, But Act as If It Doesn’t Work

tinkercreek comments on Sep 8, 2020:

Nice to have all the proven rebuttal in one place!

Caption this

tinkercreek comments on Sep 8, 2020:

"OK, friendship is one thing, but if I hear one more CROAK out of you, I swear it's over!"

A couple recent projects around my yard: I finally decided to do something with a small space ...

tinkercreek comments on Sep 8, 2020:

I echo your appreciation of this group! Little joys, common frustrations, and great victories of being a gardner are so much better shared, and it's fun to see what others are working with, near and far. You clearly have much to keep you busy (don't we all?) and so great that Glenn could help you out with some. Your Coreopsis are lovely, and I admire the several varieties we have around here. I have a small showcase patch of Purple Oxalix (Love this!) in my front garden bed, now surrounded by Green Glow Oxalis, both behaving as annuals in part shade, and pretty thirsty. I put a small fence around them as they come up in spring to let them fill in without being stepped on. Garden on!

Antifa navy in Texas

tinkercreek comments on Sep 6, 2020:

Klan over board!!

Default to Atheism - The Catholic Thing

tinkercreek comments on Sep 6, 2020:

Snobbery of the faithful. It's all about arrogance, condescension, criticism and belittling of others, the imagined convolutions they go through to believe in their own worth - because churches tell them they have none. Oh, and that first paragraph: how dare anyone not 'label' themselves!!! 🤣

Saturday I picked beans...

tinkercreek comments on Sep 6, 2020:

Gardening trifecta, beautiful!

hi all 50 and older.. What advice can you offer someone who's only 30?

tinkercreek comments on Sep 6, 2020:

Each contact you have with an elder, start a conversation. Learn of their choices, the results, how they view things now. Respect and learn from their stories, remembering how many years they have lived through them. Talk with them about your life and listen to their impressions and advice. My regrets are in not asking enough questions of those with more experience! Buddha: "In the end only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you."

Is religious belief fueled in part by class prejudice and snobbery ?

tinkercreek comments on Sep 6, 2020:

Yes, certainly. The gracious kindness they expect of and imbue in their docile flock is far beneath their self-reflected status.

Yup never work

tinkercreek comments on Sep 6, 2020:

Brilliant!

How much to get a 7 year old dog vaccinated?

tinkercreek comments on Sep 6, 2020:

Pet vaccine clinics are great, and I've used them for years. Cost depends on which vaccines the dog needs so if you have previous vaccine records, do be sure to bring them along. If the vaccinating vet notices anything concerning in the cursory exam they do, and recommends follow-up care, be sure you take that advice!

Why & what tf?

tinkercreek comments on Sep 4, 2020:

I was dozing off at the intro line.

No kidding true

tinkercreek comments on Sep 4, 2020:

Boom.

I subscribed to something called truthfinder back in January.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 4, 2020:

Spokeo is also pretty good, but often has outdated info.

Scary isn't it

tinkercreek comments on Sep 4, 2020:

And I shall never do that.

Winter experiment.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 3, 2020:

What a pleasant spot to collect your mail, and I bet your postie appreciates it, also!

This tops them all (and in 2020, go figure).

tinkercreek comments on Sep 3, 2020:

That's quite the coinkidink! Through my studies of ancestry, I am certain I have 'secret' relatives, relations born descreetly of an earlier era. What fun it would be to meet!

Christian-Owned Wedding Venue Refuses to Host Mixed Race Wedding Because Jesus | Hemant Mehta | ...

tinkercreek comments on Sep 3, 2020:

Disgusting rot.

What’s the (funniest / most disappointing / weirdest / etc.) text you’ve gotten?

tinkercreek comments on Sep 2, 2020:

Brilliant, you did well!

Reality is rough these days.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 2, 2020:

Funny, but tragically so.

Assorted what-nots . . . .

tinkercreek comments on Sep 2, 2020:

Those are great!!

HELP PLEASE !!! Does anyone here live in or around Philadelphia PA.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 1, 2020:

I think we can tell who the scammer is.

Traded in my coveralls for the lab coat.

tinkercreek comments on Sep 1, 2020:

Aren't the coveralls much more convenient, don't get in your way while working?

Amazing Rhubarb trick.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 31, 2020:

That was fun! Now I just need to locate an available old railcar.

Hello everyone, new on here and I'm keeping an open mind. Have a great day

tinkercreek comments on Aug 31, 2020:

Welcome, and good starting point!

They have been with us a long time

tinkercreek comments on Aug 31, 2020:

Truth! About time we named them - sorry, "Karen's". '.

I'm not Karen, either

tinkercreek comments on Aug 31, 2020:

Thankfully, neither am I, and I continue to build my wine reserves. Just in case.

Chew on this for a while, then tell us what you think. [patheos.com]

tinkercreek comments on Aug 31, 2020:

Please read this:

Snakes shed their skins in a surprising place.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 30, 2020:

The details in nature are amazingly beautiful!

You know it...

tinkercreek comments on Aug 30, 2020:

Straight on!

Made the Hershey’s chocolate cake - recipe on the container...

tinkercreek comments on Aug 29, 2020:

Beautiful work -please let us know how the inside baked & tasted!

Hi all, Sorry I’ve been mostly MIA lately, Lots going on at work and once I’m done I want ...

tinkercreek comments on Aug 28, 2020:

It's good to escape to the beach! Hmmm, you brought along a photog?

Funny dancing frog

tinkercreek comments on Aug 28, 2020:

Those are some great skills with graphics!

Twas much ado about nothing.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 28, 2020:

Thanks for letting us know, and so glad you're OK!

Don't see that everyday

tinkercreek comments on Aug 28, 2020:

It's still fun to see!

My doctor would laugh!

tinkercreek comments on Aug 28, 2020:

This is great -doctors need a good a few surprises and laughs in their day, too!

The time here is 5pm.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 28, 2020:

We have another little run of heat coming next week, about the 4th one this summer. Again we will maintain highs of 90-96'F for about a week. I don't have AC, but a good surrounding tree canopy will keep my indoor temp to about 85', which is too high for me. I make good use of circulating fans to lower that!

Watching Liam Neeson’s “Ordinary Love” about a married couple dealing with the wife’s breast...

tinkercreek comments on Aug 28, 2020:

I had a similar reaction. For all the grand film-making and gritty content decisions, it can hit hard when one reflects on their own single life and how all of that would be missing. Sigh.

am i right?

tinkercreek comments on Aug 28, 2020:

Just a thought here, but wouldn't this imply trying to date women from a much younger age bracket?

Just one?.....

tinkercreek comments on Aug 27, 2020:

High time someone came up with a reasonable solution!

Going for the swinger vote

tinkercreek comments on Aug 27, 2020:

Just eeeuuuuwwwww.

It's all for the money 💰?

tinkercreek comments on Aug 27, 2020:

Care facilities are historically challenged at providing honest, compassionate care at honest fee-for-service rates. Being hit with pandemic circumstances has amped up every aspect of that environment with limited supplies, staff has left, bills unpaid, and just a massive cluster.

Every 1st Lady since 1913 has planted a rose in the White House Rose Garden.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 26, 2020:

This was done as blatant disregard for the US public appreciation, respect for presidential history, and staking a flag for her personal indulgence and entitlement - NOT what the white house gardens are meant to represent.

And the hits keep coming for Houston! Looks like Laura might do some damage.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 25, 2020:

Hold on and hunker down! We will look forward to your stories when it's blown over.

New Security measures taken to Protect White House Staff

tinkercreek comments on Aug 25, 2020:

That would be a great exchange for the security we are currently paying for, yes?

Oops lmao

tinkercreek comments on Aug 25, 2020:

There is no end to the surprise disclosures this year.

Official song of quarantine [m.youtube.com]

tinkercreek comments on Aug 25, 2020:

Brilliant, and brilliantly done! What a nice lift and a distraction to other antics this week.

Since God gives life, he can take life.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 24, 2020:

"God killed"? That would actually be ascribing the action of either natural process, accident or other humans to be 'act of god', as it suits the intended lesson. Magical thinking at its best.

I think I need to look for an adoptive family.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 24, 2020:

Oh, my dear, don't know how you live with all that. Pacific Northwest is delightfully open-minded for the most part, but things are getting crowded.

Catching the morning sun.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 23, 2020:

Awwww, it's a cozy pup-couch!

If you ever come across this website called (greatdealsus) they are crooks my mom tried to buy a ...

tinkercreek comments on Aug 22, 2020:

What the hell is this all about? I am completely grossed out.

Argh! All the inspections went fine on the little house I’m buying except we are waiting on ...

tinkercreek comments on Aug 21, 2020:

Glad things are moving along for you! I know nothing of well water procedures, but your kindness and good communication skills should take you far in getting that chimney fixed properly!

My youngest Rieka doing her best vulture immitation .

tinkercreek comments on Aug 20, 2020:

Silly girl!

Not sure if he is more concerned about the bike or the jeans.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 19, 2020:

Barefoot, no protective gear on either?? Not how we do it here, must be Florida?

Remember this guy.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 19, 2020:

Nasty man, that one!

I posted this meme on Memes R Us, but @lauren 's response made me think.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 19, 2020:

I do view and plan things differently, knowing I have no immediate backup. My great good fortune is in having several neighbors very close-by, where we watch out for and trust one another. It makes me a bit sad that I can't always reasonably just take off and go somewhere, but that is due more to societal changes than my own age.

"Good food, good meat, good gawd, let's eat."

tinkercreek comments on Aug 19, 2020:

Well, I don't recall fearing exactly THAT result.

Does anybody else grow ground cherries?

tinkercreek comments on Aug 18, 2020:

Never heard of them! Would they grow in PNW? Sun & water needs?

Go Betty she is awesome

tinkercreek comments on Aug 18, 2020:

Spot on!

"How do you feel about a friendship that could lead to more?" a man asked today.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 18, 2020:

That scammer sent me the same message! Check out his profile for grammer & sentence patterns, a few other reliable clues. Busted. Update: looks like admin took care of them, thanks!!

New labor saving keyboard

tinkercreek comments on Aug 18, 2020:

That oughtta do it!

Lotus, moon flower and sunflower, check it out.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 18, 2020:

All beautiful, and nice touch with the sun illuminating the sunflower! Oh, and the curlers.

Late summer flower colour, in the UK.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 17, 2020:

Love the blues!

Edited on Mon Aug.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 17, 2020:

Sorry you are leaving, and I wish you happy trails, online or onland :-) !

My blue tree hollyhock.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 17, 2020:

Beautiful!! If I saw that I would think it a hibiscus, 'Rose of Sharon'. Is hollyhock different?

Religious Plot holes

tinkercreek comments on Aug 16, 2020:

This is brilliant, and a great read!

So, I'm doing laundry yesterday (my laundry room is downstairs) and as im heading up.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 16, 2020:

Oh, my dear, I'm with you on this one! Last November I had a hip replacement with great success, and after moving my living room furniture around last week I'm beginning to consider lumbar options. Aging is a hoot!

I'm in the process of getting one of those invisible aligners and I'm so excited.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 16, 2020:

Good for you, hope you have great success! I had braces on my lowers a couple years ago for the opposite, sliding forward and poking me in the lip. So glad to have them righted, and wearing that little invisible retainer at night is easy insurance.

Someone on Twitter said something snarky about Dolly Parton's recent admission that she thinks black...

tinkercreek comments on Aug 16, 2020:

Nicely done, though it's anyone's guess as to whether or not any of that will be able to creep into her consciousness.

Its the weekend. What do you have planned?

tinkercreek comments on Aug 15, 2020:

I am spending mornings doing a bit of gardening, then housework and my pup and I are parked in front of fans, with temps around 100+ for a few days and no AC. I'll be getting a video chat with my daughter & grandies soon, and hope to go for a neighborhood walk later as the temp drops below 85'.

About 40 years ago I shared a big communal house with a grad student from New Delhi and she turned ...

tinkercreek comments on Aug 15, 2020:

Your descriptions are scrumpious, and I can just smell the "Indian spices filled the house". Tamarind always evokes a memory of horseback riding through the mahogony forest on St. Croix, there being able to pluck a fresh tamarind pod from the tree to sample - sigh!

Pay special attention to the wording and spelling.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 15, 2020:

Hahaha, the Finkelsteins and the 12 decibels!!!

Good to know

tinkercreek comments on Aug 14, 2020:

Now THAT's funny!

Just sitting out here with this girl.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 14, 2020:

She looks like a lovely companion!

Todays harvest

tinkercreek comments on Aug 12, 2020:

SO PRETTY, I love purple and green!

I found this on facebook and thought it was appropriate

tinkercreek comments on Aug 12, 2020:

Can't fix stupid.

My Smokey just turned 5 years old on the last day of July.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 10, 2020:

They are brilliant dogs!

A rainy day here, unexpectedly, though much needed and it was not grey.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 10, 2020:

Makes me happy to see all of these, when my garden has quickly decided that fall is arriving!

You can't say that we the Irish don't know how to make fun of ourselves [youtube.com]

tinkercreek comments on Aug 10, 2020:

Now that's an army I could support!

Update for @cutiebeauty and others who might have a passing interest: container gardening of ...

tinkercreek comments on Aug 10, 2020:

Beautiful, and I may well be changing to containers only, to chase around my bits of open sunlight!

Our "bee hotel" after three years, is now occupied by a wide range of bee/wasp pollinators.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 10, 2020:

Great work, thanks for taking care of the buzzers!

An elderly woman walked into the Royal Bank of Ireland one morning with a purse full of money.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 9, 2020:

Great story, I can't stop laughing!

So, I'm going on a first date with a man I've actually known for about 4 years.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 9, 2020:

Sounds like you will enjoy one another's company! I think that's plenty to gain from a 'first date'.

This fall I will be planting a garden full of pollinator attractors. I am so excited.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 9, 2020:

You will have a magical garden of blossoms and wings!

Had a 5.1 earthquake this afternoon.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 9, 2020:

Wow, that is significant, hope you and yours are well. Off to look for news reports -