Never thought retirement would be like this
- Thread starter NancyNGA
- Start date
I see an "Ugly alpaca sweater" Contest in your future!
I need one with extra long sleeves, to cover my arms.
Maggiemae, believe it or not, I've never seen Deliverance. Just took a look at videos of a few scenes. Pasting this in here for the record.
Dueling banjos from Deliverance
Today I saw 4 goats in the pasture with the alpaca. I'd estimate the alpaca is less than 5 feet tall. He just looked big the other day. He's actually cute. I want one now.:love_heart:
I never did anything very exciting in my life, compared to other people. Maybe that's why insignificant little things are interesting to me---it's all relative. I like to try to remember little details from the past, try to pull up stuff that has been buried in the head by other clutter. Google Streetview really helps with that, and can be a real time waster.
One of my grandmothers lived in a very hilly part of WV with my uncle. I only saw her once or twice a year. My first memories of her are impossible to separate from her house. It was an old two-story, wedged in what you might call a bottleneck in a valley between two steep ridges, with a small creek running down the middle. There were 3 or 4 other houses close together in a row on up the valley, with a path out front, like a sidewalk, and the neighbors all had to walk by to get to their houses. There was no way to drive on up the valley.
I don't think anyone had indoor plumbing. The water in the creek often went over its banks in heavy rains. At least once before I was born, the water got up into the houses and people had to evacuate, so I was told. Drinking water came from shallow dug wells with hand pumps, and relatives visiting from Ohio, who were not used to it, would often get sick drinking the water. Probably why my immune system seems well developed. Ha!
The house was not in good shape. The upstairs floor sagged badly. The center piece seemed to be the dining room. I could draw a detailed floor plan right now. At first it had only gas lights and space heaters. They put out so little light and heat, you might as well go to bed early in the winter. It sat up off the ground on piles of stones, had large porches on the front and back, and 6 entrance doors! (Why so many? Fire escapes?)
None of these inconveniences mattered to me as a kid. I really liked that old house. Regrettably I have no pictures of it. This is the closest I can come---a picture of two cousins and me sitting on the front porch, probably around 1952. The older boy grew up there. He died just this summer, 2016. The other boy is still living in Ohio.
My uncle tore the old house down just a few years after that picture was taken, and built a new house for himself and his new wife, and a smaller house for my grandmother. This is an image captured from Streetview in 2007 from the road up on one of the ridges looking down at those two houses on the left.
The white building at the far right is a Methodist church. In fact my grandmother's old house was at one time the parsonage for the church. This is an image of just the church.
Note the two outhouses---men and women---are still there. There is a very old cemetery on the hill behind the church. The death dates on many of the tombstones were before the civil war. I think the church is still active. The front part hasn't changed a bit. Looks like an extension was built on the back. There was a dedication plaque on the side whose date happened to be the same as my birthday, only 7 years earlier. When I was very little, I told my grandmother if she ever forgot my birthday to just walk down to the church and check. She joked about me telling her that, almost until the day she died.
This post is already way too long. Will continue another time, maybe.
One of my grandmothers lived in a very hilly part of WV with my uncle. I only saw her once or twice a year. My first memories of her are impossible to separate from her house. It was an old two-story, wedged in what you might call a bottleneck in a valley between two steep ridges, with a small creek running down the middle. There were 3 or 4 other houses close together in a row on up the valley, with a path out front, like a sidewalk, and the neighbors all had to walk by to get to their houses. There was no way to drive on up the valley.
I don't think anyone had indoor plumbing. The water in the creek often went over its banks in heavy rains. At least once before I was born, the water got up into the houses and people had to evacuate, so I was told. Drinking water came from shallow dug wells with hand pumps, and relatives visiting from Ohio, who were not used to it, would often get sick drinking the water. Probably why my immune system seems well developed. Ha!
The house was not in good shape. The upstairs floor sagged badly. The center piece seemed to be the dining room. I could draw a detailed floor plan right now. At first it had only gas lights and space heaters. They put out so little light and heat, you might as well go to bed early in the winter. It sat up off the ground on piles of stones, had large porches on the front and back, and 6 entrance doors! (Why so many? Fire escapes?)
None of these inconveniences mattered to me as a kid. I really liked that old house. Regrettably I have no pictures of it. This is the closest I can come---a picture of two cousins and me sitting on the front porch, probably around 1952. The older boy grew up there. He died just this summer, 2016. The other boy is still living in Ohio.
My uncle tore the old house down just a few years after that picture was taken, and built a new house for himself and his new wife, and a smaller house for my grandmother. This is an image captured from Streetview in 2007 from the road up on one of the ridges looking down at those two houses on the left.
The white building at the far right is a Methodist church. In fact my grandmother's old house was at one time the parsonage for the church. This is an image of just the church.
Note the two outhouses---men and women---are still there. There is a very old cemetery on the hill behind the church. The death dates on many of the tombstones were before the civil war. I think the church is still active. The front part hasn't changed a bit. Looks like an extension was built on the back. There was a dedication plaque on the side whose date happened to be the same as my birthday, only 7 years earlier. When I was very little, I told my grandmother if she ever forgot my birthday to just walk down to the church and check. She joked about me telling her that, almost until the day she died.
This post is already way too long. Will continue another time, maybe.
Wow, I swore I would never again try to write anything late at night and post it without sleeping on it first. The previous post is the reason why. Originally it was even longer, so I just kept randomly deleting sentences. Didn't even mention that property was sold almost 50 years ago, and I haven't been back since.
Just popping in here to mention who showed up at my house when I got home last night---the orange neighborhood cat! First time he's been back since the lady came by to say she was thinking of adopting him. He looks to have gained a couple pounds, possibly overweight now, even.
I warned her he would probably never like being an indoor cat. I've closed off the cat door to keep the possums and raccoons off the porch. Didn't try to tempt him with treats. He needs to move on. I'll have to say I've missed him a little. He was almost always waiting there for me when I got home at night, even though I knew it was just to check out what food I had to offer. I'll also say it's been nice not having to worry about him. Hope she hasn't change her mind.
Originally it was even longer, so I just kept randomly deleting sentences. Didn't even mention that property was sold almost 50 years ago, and I haven't been back since.Just popping in here to mention who showed up at my house when I got home last night---the orange neighborhood cat! First time he's been back since the lady came by to say she was thinking of adopting him. He looks to have gained a couple pounds, possibly overweight now, even.
I warned her he would probably never like being an indoor cat. I've closed off the cat door to keep the possums and raccoons off the porch. Didn't try to tempt him with treats. He needs to move on. I'll have to say I've missed him a little. He was almost always waiting there for me when I got home at night, even though I knew it was just to check out what food I had to offer. I'll also say it's been nice not having to worry about him. Hope she hasn't change her mind.
More pictures.
This is my grandmother in WV, apparently in 1955, holding my cousin, a girl. In the background is that church, and the car would be my parents' new 1955 Buick Super.
Here is that baby all grown up, behind her husband, just a couple of years ago. She will apparently be 62 soon, if not already. They travel most everywhere like that, unless it's raining hard.
This is my grandmother in WV, apparently in 1955, holding my cousin, a girl. In the background is that church, and the car would be my parents' new 1955 Buick Super.
Here is that baby all grown up, behind her husband, just a couple of years ago. She will apparently be 62 soon, if not already. They travel most everywhere like that, unless it's raining hard.
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Pappy
Living the Dream
Did the fancy scan for the new teeth today. Found out the surgeon's hand injury was from a motorcycle accident rolleyes. He will still be in physical therapy until March!
Surgery could come as soon as the end of February. Time is flying. Talked to his partner today, and he will do it unless I want to wait. I don't. In describing the procedure, he used the word "pray" twice. Not instilling a whole lot of confidence there. I think he was just trying to be funny.
Then out to check on the goats and found a future challenge. This was a large pine we had to fence around because some of the goats wanted to chew off the bark. It died anyway. How long before it falls on the fence? May be better just to let it fall. Probably easier to just repair the fence. The goats can be locked out of that section, otherwise I'd have to take care of it now. Lucky.
rolleyes. He will still be in physical therapy until March! Surgery could come as soon as the end of February. Time is flying. Talked to his partner today, and he will do it unless I want to wait. I don't. In describing the procedure, he used the word "pray" twice. Not instilling a whole lot of confidence there.
I think he was just trying to be funny.Then out to check on the goats and found a future challenge. This was a large pine we had to fence around because some of the goats wanted to chew off the bark. It died anyway.
How long before it falls on the fence? May be better just to let it fall. Probably easier to just repair the fence. The goats can be locked out of that section, otherwise I'd have to take care of it now. Lucky.
Friday (1/20): Called the dam repair contractor. Got answering machine and left a polite but pitiful message. This morning (Monday) his wife called and said they would *definitely* get to the job, but it would be a couple of months, because they had another client that was being difficult. I don't really care "why" anymore, because it never quite adds up. I know there is a better chance if his wife gets involved. layful:
Haven't been pursuing this because I'm not looking forward to it, especially in really cold or hot weather. It will mean at least 5 days in a row, where I'll have to be there when they arrive, when they leave, and available in between. Probably should watch too, but you never know when the irreversible things will get done. The lake seems healthy at the low level, but it *is* possible something would come up and I'd have to put the place up for sale suddenly. Not likely, but I'd like to be more ready for that than I am now, just in case.
Out today and the new neighbor now has a speckled donkey in with the goats and the alpaca. Other neighbor put his Confederate flag back up on inauguration day (Friday), but it's back down today (Monday). It was crazy windy out there today.
Leaning tree is still up there. It is being held up by a few cross branches. Won't stay that way long.
This morning (Monday) his wife called and said they would *definitely* get to the job, but it would be a couple of months, because they had another client that was being difficult. I don't really care "why" anymore, because it never quite adds up. I know there is a better chance if his wife gets involved. layful:Haven't been pursuing this because I'm not looking forward to it, especially in really cold or hot weather. It will mean at least 5 days in a row, where I'll have to be there when they arrive, when they leave, and available in between. Probably should watch too, but you never know when the irreversible things will get done. The lake seems healthy at the low level, but it *is* possible something would come up and I'd have to put the place up for sale suddenly. Not likely, but I'd like to be more ready for that than I am now, just in case.
Out today and the new neighbor now has a speckled donkey in with the goats and the alpaca. Other neighbor put his Confederate flag back up on inauguration day (Friday), but it's back down today (Monday). It was crazy windy out there today.
Leaning tree is still up there. It is being held up by a few cross branches. Won't stay that way long.
The creek that ran in front of my grandmother's house in West Virginia was *usually* dry in the summer, unless of course it rained.
One day some men were out there prying up large thin flat rocks from the creek bed. Three snakes came crawling out and raced toward the bank. My grandmother was deathly afraid of snakes. We ran to the house, as if the snakes were going to chase us. I was told they were copperheads.
I was 4 years old. I saw them, but can't prove it. Don't tell me you can't remember anything before 5 years old!
Question is why were those men doing that? Were they prying up flat rocks to use, say, to make a footpath, or were they actually hunting copperheads? I'll never know because we ran away. {sigh}
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Pappy, if you read this....
Since your family were stone masons, do you know if people ever dig up rocks from creek beds?
Sorry for this strange post, and question. It's been a strange morning, so far. Lots of coincidences.
One day some men were out there prying up large thin flat rocks from the creek bed. Three snakes came crawling out and raced toward the bank. My grandmother was deathly afraid of snakes. We ran to the house, as if the snakes were going to chase us.
I was told they were copperheads. I was 4 years old. I saw them, but can't prove it. Don't tell me you can't remember anything before 5 years old!
Question is why were those men doing that? Were they prying up flat rocks to use, say, to make a footpath, or were they actually hunting copperheads? I'll never know because we ran away. {sigh}
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Pappy, if you read this....
Since your family were stone masons, do you know if people ever dig up rocks from creek beds?
Sorry for this strange post, and question. It's been a strange morning, so far. Lots of coincidences.
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Meanderer, I can easily imagine living in my house in town, without the property out in the country. Essentially did that for 12 years before my parents moved up here, because I rarely went out to that property then. There would be plenty to keep me busy in town, and I have what I think is a perfect location in a perfect sized town. So yes I would miss the property in the country, but I know I'd get over it once the goats are gone. I've learned how to not dwell on things that only serve to make you sad.
Ideally I would like 75 acres in the middle of town! Definitely need your Imaginary Estate Agent. :lol:
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While we're on this subject, might as well take this opportunity to sort out all the other thinking I've done about this. Maybe I've done it already here This thread is getting way too long to check.
I would not like to live out in the country by myself. It is too isolated. I'm a bit of a loner, but even I have limits. Sometimes when you are out checking the fence by yourself it gets a little spooky and you start talking to yourself. Or I start taking pictures to post here on SF and annoy people with.
It seems clear that when I can't DIY anything anymore I should be living in town. But that doesn't mean I can't keep the place in the country until that time comes. Yeah, it wastes money, but I don't have any expensive hobbies, and don't care to travel. The goats have been good because they force me to check on the place out there regularly and make it look like someone lives there.
There is one unknown. I do expect the guy who's buying up all the property around me in town for rental, to make an offer one day that I would probably be stupid to refuse. I don't know what I'll do in that case. Depends on how old I am when it happens I guess. Things can change overnight though. Ya never know!
Ideally I would like 75 acres in the middle of town! Definitely need your Imaginary Estate Agent. :lol:
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While we're on this subject, might as well take this opportunity to sort out all the other thinking I've done about this. Maybe I've done it already here
This thread is getting way too long to check.I would not like to live out in the country by myself. It is too isolated. I'm a bit of a loner, but even I have limits. Sometimes when you are out checking the fence by yourself it gets a little spooky and you start talking to yourself. Or I start taking pictures to post here on SF and annoy people with.
It seems clear that when I can't DIY anything anymore I should be living in town. But that doesn't mean I can't keep the place in the country until that time comes. Yeah, it wastes money, but I don't have any expensive hobbies, and don't care to travel. The goats have been good because they force me to check on the place out there regularly and make it look like someone lives there.
There is one unknown. I do expect the guy who's buying up all the property around me in town for rental, to make an offer one day that I would probably be stupid to refuse. I don't know what I'll do in that case. Depends on how old I am when it happens I guess. Things can change overnight though. Ya never know!
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Uh oh! Found more pictures of West Virginia.
My grandmother had a chicken house *way* up on the side of a hill so steep you almost had to climb up on your hands and knees in places. I found a picture of us headed up the path to feed the chickens and collect eggs. This is at the beginning, not the steep part. So funny.
The picture just seems to fade out to white at the top for some reason, but there is much farther to go. I remember those trips.
All these memory challenging exercises about that place are making me interested in the history of West Virginia, particularly the part bordering SE Ohio. There will probably be more.layful:
My grandmother had a chicken house *way* up on the side of a hill so steep you almost had to climb up on your hands and knees in places. I found a picture of us headed up the path to feed the chickens and collect eggs. This is at the beginning, not the steep part. So funny.
The picture just seems to fade out to white at the top for some reason, but there is much farther to go. I remember those trips.
All these memory challenging exercises about that place are making me interested in the history of West Virginia, particularly the part bordering SE Ohio. There will probably be more.
layful: 
Uh oh! Found more pictures of West Virginia.
I found a picture of us headed up the path to feed the chickens and collect eggs. This is at the beginning, not the steep part. So funny.
Wait for the eggs to roll down ????
:lol: Looks like you would have to mow down the weeds first in order to find them. Maybe get some mountain goats. But then you would need a fence. No easy solutions in life, are there.
Hi maggiemae! Have you been working on your winter projects? In 4 or 5 weeks winter will be essentially over. Time is flying. I've done nothing in the last 2 weeks.
My latest excuse: Stubbed toe on step ladder, foot swelled up for 3 days, hobbling around, sore for another 10 days. That excuse is now gone. Back thinking about the storage shelves.
My latest excuse: Stubbed toe on step ladder, foot swelled up for 3 days, hobbling around, sore for another 10 days. That excuse is now gone. Back thinking about the storage shelves.
With 12 windows, 3 doors, and 6 brick things (pilasters?) jutting out from the walls, there is little wall space for a large storage shelf in the basement, except for a couple places that are so far out of the way, I'd probably never use them. You cannot drill into granite stone walls, and the walls are too uneven anyway, not like concrete block. There are even more problems but too hard to describe.
I think this is why I never built shelves before. The problems sound familiar and rehashed.
After searching a lot, here is a design I like. Shallow, just about deep enough to hold a gallon paint can. It would have to be hooked to the ceiling and floor and would not be flush with the wall in places (i.e., not good). There can't be a bottom shelf on the floor.
The only alternative would be several narrow versions of this---maybe 18" wide. Possibly a better idea anyway. Still thinking... Better quit thinking and start soon, or forget the whole thing. Ha!
I think this is why I never built shelves before. The problems sound familiar and rehashed.
After searching a lot, here is a design I like. Shallow, just about deep enough to hold a gallon paint can. It would have to be hooked to the ceiling and floor and would not be flush with the wall in places (i.e., not good). There can't be a bottom shelf on the floor.
The only alternative would be several narrow versions of this---maybe 18" wide. Possibly a better idea anyway. Still thinking... Better quit thinking and start soon, or forget the whole thing. Ha!
Thanks for the suggestion. Here's the thing...
I want them to be shallow, and strong enough to hold a lot of weight. I want to be able to see everything on the shelf without looking behind things. Free-standing shelves that shallow would tend to tip over, or at best not sit straight, lean out or back. The floor may not be perfectly level.
If you mean already manufactured shelves, free-standing anchored to the ceiling might work, but most are made of plastic or metal. Plastic is not strong enough. Either would be too much trouble to try to anchor, and the anchoring would look ugly.
Might as well make them exactly the size I want them, then I can make them beautiful. OTOH, free-standing shelves are better than no shelves at all. So that may be the bottom line, if I don't get moving. :lol:
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