Good morning!!!!

[RedNeckGeek]

Good Morning!!!! 55F @ 5:30AM. Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 79F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.

Nice ride, Rich. I should get out more, too!

Looks like good progress on the tank surround, Eric. How many gallons is it again?

I bet that smarted, Wng! Good news on the lightning bugs, sure miss'em out here...

More great crane pics, Ron. Ever shot any video of them? They look like they're dancing in that photo.

I'd find a new dentist before I paid extra, too, Don.

Two more CoVid-19 cases in the county yesterday, now up to 70 or so tests per day here, and still no deaths.:thumbsup:

Real smooth connection visit for the generator yesterday; the propane tech had everything he needed right on his truck, and knew exactly what he was doing. I put the battery in the genny, and was able to get it running without even reading any instructions (I did check the oil and antifreeze first, though).

Now just need to get the connection to the house done!

Made a quick trip down to the steel supplier for some pipe I used to splice the two pieces of top rail together on the solar panel rack. Called first and was told there would be no minimum purchase fee, but it was a different story when I got there. I wanted galvanized pipe, but ended up finding black iron in their scrap yard, along with some nice pieces of plate, for what they wanted for new. It'll rust, but I'll caulk the seam to slow it down. The splice is just a smaller, short section of pipe inside the top rail pipe, with a pair of bolts on each side tapped into it to keep the pieces together. I was able to get all the holes drilled and taped yesterday, and one top rail in place, before I ran out of steam. With everything in hand, and a good chance at no interruptions, I hope to finish the main frame today and get a start on the panel mounting rails.

TGIF gang!:drink:

 

[PJSprog]

61°F and thunder storms this morning, going up to 76° today. Chance for rain lasts ... well, through Sunday. Looks like it's going to be an indoor weekend.

Puttered in the studio most of yesterday evening. Tweaked some effects and EQing on guitar and bass tracks, but didn't record any new parts. Guess I'll have time to finish all of that this weekend. Got a request from an old friend, a guitar player I played with for about seven or eight years back in the 2000s, asking it I'd be interested in joining his Styx tribute band. He'd hinted at it about six months ago, when their bass player notified them he was moving to Florida. Styx was always one of my favorite bands, and it would certainly be a fun gig. I saw one of their shows a couple years ago, and their very good. However, I thanked him and told him I was too immersed in my own projects right now. Even after six years of "BarStar" retirement, it still feels weird to decline invitations to play.

Nice capture of the dancing Georges, Ron.

Hope Drew is doing OK.

 

[PJSprog]

The premier had put a 'ban' on traveling to cottages/camps during the C19 lockdown and HE went to his cottage on the pretense of checking the plumbing after the winter. After getting caught he said that you could go and check your plumbing, but to pack in your food and supplies.
Yesterday he lifted a lot of the travel restrictions and let marinas open along with a bunch of other things. May 2-4 weekend has been moved up to this weekend.

"Do as I say, not as I do."
Our Governor had a similar embarrassment not long ago. He shut down the entire state of Illinois, saying travel should only be for essential needs, then sent his wife and kids to Florida on vacation. Ruling class mentality. Recently, the medical board of my home county of Madison County voted 17-2 to allow reopening of businesses in the county. The Governor threw a hissy fit over it, threatened to withhold federal funding from any "disobedient" counties, threatened to revoke professional licenses of business owners, and even threatened to send in the State Police to enforce his mandate. The county has pretty much ignored his threats so far, but many of the larger cities have publicly announced that they're going to continue to follow the state's mandates.

 

[ronjhall]

Ron are the people in your county NOT doing social distancing and washing hands or do they just not work in your county?

They are doing social distancing in my area. Oakland county boarders Detroit/Wayne county on the north. Which has the largest totals. Here is a link that breaks down who is getting CV and who is dying in Michigan. Here is another site that shows exposure sites and state county data. I live about 10 miles west of a Walmart on Pontiac Trail that is/was a high exposure site. I do not have a reason to go to that area.

 

[ronjhall]

RNG, LP tank and generator look great.

Yes they are dancing. Getting setup on my camera to take a video takes time. I need to practice doing it.

Son made me a offer to buy my DJI Mavic Mini yesterday. Then I could buy a Air 2. Would like some of the features. But not sure I need to spend $1k for a drone. :confused3:

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Good morning to all! Low of 48, again going to mid / upper 70s. Breezy to windy. No rain chances. It is now 6 weeks since any measurable precipitation.

I did not get to do any staples yesterday. I decided to take our 100 lb propane tank to be filled along with 2- 40s for my son. That was simple and prices were dirt cheap to fill. After returning home, I could not get the 100lb tank hooked back up without leaking. There is a small o-ring in the valve, which I thought was the culprit. Tried using some o-ring lube to no avail. Mind you, this setup is only 8 months old, all new parts from the beginning.

So, another trip back to the supplier, took 3 more little 20 lb tanks to get filled (only $8) so figured to just fill them. Got 6 o-rings for any future issues. Returned home, put new o-ring in, tightened fitting..... hsssssssss... not good. Took off the whip hose from tank to the regulator and back to the supplier.
He was nice enough to just hand me a new hose (old one still had the tags on it), so back home. Took a couple minutes to install... no leaks. Double checked with soap solution... all good.

So a 1 hour job turned into 3 1/2 hours. At least it is operational. Staples happening today.

I /we have been thinking about building a small hobby / storage / shed wifey just wants to buy one, I want to build one. So, took the initiative To go up to one of the storage shed lots in the next town over. One of those buy or rent to own type places. The base prices are not too bad, but about 30% higher than building yourself. Here is the ridiculous part that I am sure a bunch of unsuspecting people fall for....

The monthly payments for rent to own seem very, very attractive. For instance, a $4K shed, one payment down at $200, it is delivered. You pay monthly sales tax of around $17 on top of that, so $217. Sounds attractive. There is not one mention about interest rates.... way down on the price breakdown, it gives you a ‘ total price paid ‘ if you go the full 36 months.... $7850 !!

When I asked the very nice lady what the interest rates were, she beat around the bush, saying that I would be better putting the cost on a credit card, even if it had a 20% interest rate. After some more prodding, she finally told me 46% !!! What!!!

Even if you pay it off early, you still get hit with a massive interest charge. NOPE not for me! It is absolutely crazy that companies like this are allowed to charge these rates, not be upfront with the rates, and not really have to disclose these practices if someone does not ask!

I will be ordering a shed from another family owned shed builder. A nice Mennonite family that is straight forward, honest, and about $800 cheaper to begin with. (Wifey convinced me that I am now too decrepit to build a shed, especially coming up into the high heat of summer).

I hope everyone has a great start to the weekend!

Sure wish Drew would check in....

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Got a request from an old friend, a guitar player I played with for about seven or eight years back in the 2000s, asking it I'd be interested in joining his Styx tribute band. He'd hinted at it about six months ago, when their bass player notified them he was moving to Florida. Styx was always one of my favorite bands, and it would certainly be a fun gig. I saw one of their shows a couple years ago, and their very good. However, I thanked him and told him I was too immersed in my own projects right now. Even after six years of "BarStar" retirement, it still feels weird to decline invitations to play.
.

I love Styx. I saw them about 5 yrs ago at our fair.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

RNG, nice generator!!

 

[riptides]

...

I will be ordering a shed from another family owned shed builder. A nice Mennonite family that is straight forward, honest, and about $800 cheaper to begin with. (Wifey convinced me that I am now too decrepit to build a shed, especially coming up into the high heat of summer).

Sounds familiar. Our pool house is a custom Mennonite shed. Its a 12X40 with three windows, three double doors and a single door. I was fired because I was not moving fast enough. LOL. I did manage to finish the interior. Electric, heat/ac, floor, drywall and paneling.

One would think that would have been a lesson learned, for the horse "run-in" that was built the last few years...no.....nope... I built that myself, went from a 12X12 to a 16X32....In the middle of summer....LOL

Should have just bought another custom building.

 

[kenmbz]

Good Morning all 75 going to 84! that's a 30 degree change for low and high in 2 days.
Time to plant the tomatoes and more outdoor stuff after our freeze warnings the last few days.

RNG - that is some generator, think mine would fit underneath it

Eric -that water tank frame looks really great.

Rich - love the bike - my father had a Triumph Thunderbird - think it was from 1950 - was fun to work on with the wiring mess (Lucas) and the constant oil leaks-bet the newer ones don't have these issues.

Stay Safe and be well all