tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79407232645303322412011-11-23T09:15:16.872-08:00Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.comBlogger3601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-16049996849330199912011-11-22T12:42:00.000-08:002011-11-22T12:50:08.026-08:00

You may remember a previous post in which a tree fell and no one heard it. (It did, nevertheless, happen) It had heart-rot, which, according to my arborist, Jerry, starts in the root and follows the root up the trunk into the heartwood. As this tree fell, it clung to its roots, pulling the ground open on the loose soil of its hillside. It created a vulnerability to the coming rains of winter and

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-52900514240044182582011-11-09T21:40:00.000-08:002011-11-09T21:41:59.130-08:00

I took a potted white bird of paradise outside today from its usual place inside the house to wash off a soft scale infestation. The mist setting on the water pistol works really good for this, gentle, but effective and non-toxic. I set the pot on a lower step, under a stone arch, wrapped a plastic bag around the base of the plant, covering the soil and the top of the pot, and leaned the pot at a

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-58427591540239865112011-11-05T21:49:00.000-07:002011-11-05T21:54:38.570-07:00

Lest I leave the impression that the lack of blog posts are due to the possibility that I have gone fishing, allow me to show you 'behind the curtain', so to speak ( ;-) ) ...what I have been up to. I have been fishin' for a troublesome electrical problem that volunteered to show up some months ago. A certain light fixture that is situated at the bottom of a dark flight of stairs leading to 'the

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-61737678731766168652011-10-23T22:42:00.000-07:002011-10-23T22:49:20.978-07:00

Here is the gate latch at the main gate to Searock; deceptively innocent and simple looking, but actually a complicated affair involving telephone lines, electrical solenoids, springs, buzzers, and a delicate balance between a positive closure and a heavy wooden gate that sometimes slams (too often) and sometimes stops short of closing (also too often.) A solenoid built into the latch receives an

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-18807496729533464302011-10-17T17:15:00.000-07:002011-10-17T17:16:52.627-07:00

I met this little lizard this morning.I was watering plants in the greenhouse and I thought he was a little dry leaf.He was feeling kinda out of place, so I scooped him up and handed him outdoors, where he happily scurried off. I was lucky to catch it with my iphone, so I thought I'd see if I could even upload it!

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-73624717260942361622011-10-14T21:58:00.000-07:002011-10-14T21:58:55.988-07:00

http://searock-mark.blogspot.com/2010/11/dry-stream-bed.html The work laid down last year proved inadequate. This year's new & improved version involves mortar and metal lath.  After digging out the impacted streambed of dirt-encrusted river rock, I excavated an additional couple of inches deep for shelves on either side of the deeper drain trench. After placing an edge of wet mortar and a cut

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-14211009853540101532011-10-10T20:45:00.000-07:002011-10-10T20:45:35.178-07:00

We were walking with some guests over towards the south side to look back at the house when I noticed a downed tree along the trail. It hadn't been down the day before.It just toppled over in the night, taking two other trees with it.It was not a small tree. About thirty feet of the top broke off and landed in the surf at the bottom of the cliff. There had been no sign of distress in the tree

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-59286741460441540802011-10-10T20:12:00.000-07:002011-10-10T20:12:59.416-07:00

We were priviledged to host a group of men who had been attending a conference in Monterey over the weekend. What a wonderful group of earnest, engaged young leaders and older mentors all interested in "making a difference"! In the photo above, a tech industry ceo and mentor talks about "truth telling" and making ethical decisions in business and personal life.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-5923395457505172662011-10-08T16:47:00.000-07:002011-10-08T17:41:05.450-07:00

The new lintel is in place, the columns on either side are set and the pieces missing from the top border are being set.Time to lay up the back wall: Once the back wall is layed up, the plaster repairs begin to the wall surrounding the fireplace.There's also the large crack on the mantle to patch. Into this crack and the crevices in the stone work under the damaged plaster, I injected an epxoy

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-72779327831586669932011-09-30T20:05:00.000-07:002011-09-30T20:05:22.439-07:00

Replacing the lintelGetting the brick columns setLaying up the back brickBack brick layed up and scratch coat on plasterMasking off crack for final filling after injecting with epoxy bonder

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-13029965334915286342011-09-30T19:54:00.000-07:002011-09-30T19:54:47.869-07:00

Demolition We also found the throat on the smoke shelf mostly missing...in it's place was a pile of rough old cement fallen from upper courses lain long ago. We used the remnant as a model and cast a new throat block, and cleaned out the old mortar. the cleaned off smoke shelf without throat block

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-63473289313228306112011-09-30T19:44:00.000-07:002011-09-30T19:44:59.604-07:00

Water intrusion, from leaky flashing perhaps, led to the 'jacking' of the lintel, the severe rusting of the angle iron spanning the fireplace opening. Brick columns on either side are collapsing... We also will repair some exfoliation at the back of the fireplace. We also want to patch this crack across the mantle.While we're at it, we'll scrape down the blistered efflorescence on the walls

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-37080426067101075462011-09-29T20:45:00.000-07:002011-09-29T20:45:22.279-07:00

A giant pine has died and left behind an eventual rotting hulk of randomly falling heavy wood pieces. With winter afoot we decided to get the biggg limbs off and reduce wind drag. The climber/cutter uses a bull rope and a tag rope and a ground crew to remove and lower limbs for safely hauling away or cutting up for firewood.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-5860115414591205082011-09-29T19:37:00.000-07:002011-09-29T19:37:17.981-07:00

A step railing detail we'd like to replicate here and there.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-28219566173290257352011-09-20T22:38:00.000-07:002011-09-20T22:39:26.279-07:00

"Room 5" just doesn't capture the ambience of this sun-washed, granite tile floored chamber in the greenhouse. I solicit your suggestions. I spent an hour or so in here today tending the plants, especially the heartleaf philodendrons in the hanging holder on the wall. It had been hanging down and trailing along the bench. Today I decided to place some brass hooks up on the rafter above that is in

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-37539003788706287812011-09-14T10:02:00.000-07:002011-09-14T10:02:45.293-07:00

Sixteen little pieces of glass carefully removed,cleaned and replaced for the crystalline shine to come through.Three more of these lanterns to go and all five will have been tuned up.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-85446201168270787912011-09-11T11:28:00.000-07:002011-09-11T11:28:54.985-07:00

Strong Son of God, immortal Love,Whom we, that have not seen thy face,By faith, and faith alone, embrace,Believing where we cannot prove; Thine are these orbs of light and shade; Thou madest Life in man and brute;Thou madest Death; and lo, thy footIs on the skull which thou hast made. Thou wilt not leave us in the dust:Thou madest man, he knows not why,He thinks he was not made to die;And

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-8497984755389854102011-09-10T11:22:00.000-07:002011-09-10T11:22:49.554-07:00

The tea trees have overgrown the entry wall and the clematis vine has overgrown the tea trees. The tea tree boughs extend 10 feet into the driveway area and are supported by what J calls "mercy sticks". The clematis vine is slowing killing the large tea tree at the entry gate, smothering it from above.Behind the overhanging boughs, the stone wall is covered with years of road grime and mold.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-58361338152906681452011-09-10T10:29:00.000-07:002011-09-10T12:54:17.288-07:00

The last of the windows and doors has been refinished. What a great feeling to get to the end of a large project that has been overdue. The teak had been weathered dull and lifeless. After sanding, the beauty of the wood popped right back out from hiding just under the surface. Scraping the muntins was a tedious, exacting procedure requiring care to not scratch the glass. A special tool was

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-83810706022412483362011-09-01T20:31:00.000-07:002011-09-01T20:31:18.492-07:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-56628034606536055502011-08-31T23:13:00.000-07:002011-08-31T23:13:40.099-07:00

Ladder to the stars. We don't climb on every rung, however. But it's not against the wrong wall. We climb out through the kitchen window: It makes me marvel at how they built this place to begin with. It all boils down to one rock at a time, and whatever it takes. And it takes time. When you take time to do it right, it's just one foot in front of the other, no undue risk-taking.  But you get a

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-34861938901610008782011-08-30T20:03:00.000-07:002011-08-30T20:04:48.350-07:00

Passion, overhyped and underrated,flowers under the radar,over the edge of the horizon, it sets a standard amidst the mundane and broken down, out of view. It gets picked up and trumpeted, hyperventilating virtue.In the bigger picture, a larger milieu,passion need'nt be lost in the cry and hue,Often misquoted, taken from context.And context degraded, then passion is too.   

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-20477864270364226062011-08-26T21:04:00.000-07:002011-08-26T21:04:15.112-07:00

A cypress tree was culled the other day and it afforded an opportunity to move an unsightly hose bib from an inconvenient location. Kind of a triple play. A vertical notch was chainsawed into the stump,the old hose bib was removed from its previous location and repiped 6' closer to the path and routed up the back side of the stump.  The notched out piece of tree stump was trimmed and replaced,

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-76709835825996017182011-08-26T20:49:00.000-07:002011-08-26T20:49:42.388-07:00

Stringing a wire for the passion flower vine to trail on one day I noticed a hole at the peak of the garage gable. A previous woody vine had evidently caused the stones mortared there to come loose and they were long gone. In the meantine, it must have seemed like an inviting portal to a variety of creatures, I assume, based on certain evidence I found prevalent in there. I mixed some mortar and

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-356849549458340082011-08-25T23:20:00.000-07:002011-08-26T20:29:10.983-07:00

  Not many blog posts lately, but work has been continuous. Oiling of window and door frames has been ongoing, and now only the last largest ones remain to be done.The library window wall consists of a 5' x 8' casement window flanked by two sidelights, one of which is also a casement opening. Typically, we sand the jamb (the frame surrounding the window sash or door), then remove the door or

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-8650905476993381912011-08-04T22:42:00.000-07:002011-08-04T22:42:45.141-07:00

Teak terrace doors facing the ocean take a lot of wear & tear. One door especially gets used more than others. Its drip edge moulding had taken on the shape of driftwood and was hanging loosely by old rusted nails. I had a local cabinet shop mill up some teak to the profile of the original shape...and fitted it into the rabet. A little oil once the glue dried and the new drip edge is ready to

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-59810273429933756042011-08-04T19:41:00.000-07:002011-08-04T19:41:26.849-07:00

Occasionally you come across a commercial establishment that clearly is head and shoulders above all the competition and puts the commonplace in the worst possible light. Mountain Feed & Farm Supply of Ben Lomond, California is in this category. It's the kind of store where you should go even if you don't need to buy anything there. It's a mini-vacation from the average franchise strip mall

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-21709585604463508362011-07-10T23:24:00.000-07:002011-07-10T23:24:27.080-07:00

It started out as a project to just clean up the beach of fallen trees and branches cast down from the wall cleaning project. We made some piles of wood, and naturally, the idea of burning it came to mind. I asked the fire department for a burn permit, but that season ended in April. Then the crew from the fire station came around to do their routine safety check to make sure brush and

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-35991270832944719432011-06-28T20:27:00.000-07:002011-06-28T20:28:06.865-07:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-47335220048800439582011-06-23T22:13:00.000-07:002011-06-23T22:13:19.557-07:00

Spinach, red pepper, tomato and 3 color string beans came through tonight for dinner. Deeply satisfying, though really a rather trifling offer, to bring a course to the dinner table from the garden. If our stretch of ocean were not a marine sanctuary, perhaps we'd also bring this: but I had to buy it at the local fish market, brought in from a ridiculous distance.Come this Saturday, local salmon

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-2599095766798713782011-06-23T22:00:00.000-07:002011-06-23T22:00:10.255-07:00

The Western Fence Lizard, a.k.a. blue belly. This shy fellow was snoozing in the fern I wanted to clean up this morning. He finally wandered off into the undergrowth. These are thought to reduce the incidence of Lyme Disease because they eat deer ticks as well as other insects. I'm always happy to see them sunning themselves on the rocks. I encourage my cats to seek warm blooded prey.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-84004077229670936542011-06-16T17:12:00.000-07:002011-06-16T17:13:32.380-07:00

Locals often to refer to the weather pattern this time of year as June gloom; foggy with a hint or tease of sunshine every other day or three.  It has been cool and overcast frequently, but we have half days of warmth and brightness so that they are much the more enjoyed and appreciated. Recent days have been filled with much work and preparation for guests. Now, everything is in order: Today 

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-340577898515123762011-06-10T21:35:00.000-07:002011-06-10T21:41:38.972-07:00

Reflection is a marvelous thing. In a fit of revelation I realized that the doors themselves provide a barrier to the dust of sanding the jambs, so after running masking tape over the gap b/w door and jamb on the interior side, I sanded and oiled the jambs of these doors to the terrace.Afterwards, I removed each door and set it up on horses to sand and oil.The sea wind seemed determined to catch

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-38521140081166822002011-05-20T21:23:00.000-07:002011-05-20T21:27:45.681-07:00

Climbed down last Monday to finalize this chapter of restoring the view of the wall "as the composer intended."There is more dirt there, I know, but no more mortared rocks placed by human hand below those now revealed.Rootlets and dirt form a matrix that glues itself into the nooks and crannies of every course of rock and mortar. They say gravity is the attraction of matter for all other matter

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-88818111372991733822011-05-20T19:30:00.000-07:002011-05-20T19:30:13.618-07:00

"Smearing oil on wood" Revitalizing the woodwork on the old manor is an ongoing project. Teak is a virtuous wood, prized for natural beauty, resistance to termites and weathering elements. All the door and window sash of the manor is of teak. While it holds up well to the elements, it weathers to an ashy grey. But it springs back to life when sanded and re-oiled. I'm using a product called "teak

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-11067957131560848682011-05-16T20:03:00.000-07:002011-05-16T20:03:28.227-07:00

and stops my mind from wandering... May rain took watering tasks off my mind for a day or two. Then we found a wastebasket in the greenhouse kitchenette was so fortuitously placed, along with a small bonzaied treelet, to catch the rainwater leaking in from a skylight that had slipped down from it's nest. With more rain in the forecast, I can't really let my mind wander too far, so I took the time

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-66544906233675579932011-05-06T20:46:00.000-07:002011-05-06T20:46:10.552-07:00

About 90 years ago, this fireplace was crafted under the guidance of Charles Sumner Greene.With each new fire, more brick exfoliated and crumbled from the back wall and the floor. A local mason was selected who happens to know the original family who owned this home, and repairs were undertaken.First, a shroud is placed to contain the dust from demolition: All of the badly deteriorated brick was

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-39021722518374896882011-04-23T22:01:00.000-07:002011-04-23T22:06:42.544-07:00

The clearing of the wall continues... ...with the revelation that much more......wall exists and has been buried for many years. After two 1/2 days more digging, an additional 10 to 12 vertical feet is exposed. A bit more dirtremains to be cleared, and then I'll wash it and reveal what's there.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-49319386897796008162011-04-23T18:25:00.001-07:002011-04-23T20:48:54.904-07:00

This bedframe is an extraordinary piece of craftsmanship by an extraordinary craftsman. However, it wasn't designed by someone who has to make up the bed. So difficult! And somewhat prone to breaking by the average occupant. This isn't the first time I've repaired this joint, but it's a more serious effort to avoid further iterations.Small holes about the diameter of round wooden toothpicks are

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-2951802533647337932011-04-13T21:57:00.001-07:002011-04-23T22:10:24.733-07:00

These two stools are part of an ensemble matching the bedframe repaired in an adjacent post. They were stained from plant plates (I suppose) allowing moisture to soak into the teak and leaving rings. The one on the left has been sanded already, with 120, 220 and 320 grit paper. Oiled with "teak oil" and returned to service:

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-81222692201718209292011-04-13T21:34:00.001-07:002011-04-23T20:17:12.129-07:00

First thing I noticed this morning when I was able to stumble out of doors was that the roses were bein' munched on by aphids.So I mixed up a batch of neem oil, 1 teaspoon to a quart of warm water, and went to sprayin'. First, I give the buds a flick o' the finger to knock the little buggers out of their revelry, reduce their numbers, and then let 'em have it with the wonder drug. Neem oil is the

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-58719137463135276002011-04-12T21:03:00.001-07:002011-04-12T21:05:05.728-07:00

Yes, the brush was already there and didn't need my intervention to "reveal" it. But the "view" was there, too. Some revelations are "selected" over others. "Choices" are a fundamentally human prerogative. This one is the chosen.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-18224975959070376912011-04-12T20:45:00.001-07:002011-04-13T09:18:18.864-07:00

A pile of chips generated from brush and wood trimmings processed through a wood chipper using gasoline, a fossil fuel, (here is the next "pile of chips"):then distributed biomechanically, by yours' truly, to pave a path to another biomass pile lurking beyond that far bush... This could devolve into a nonsensical Lewis Carroll kind of story... but it's not, not really. In math these are called "

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-76090242512409422132011-04-11T22:57:00.000-07:002011-04-11T23:15:29.197-07:00

Taking my cue from a recent discerning eye, I scrambled down the rock face of the foundation today with a rake and a hose to rinse off several years of accumulated dirt. You can see it especially at the ledge about 20 feet below the top of the wall.Thickly compacted and enmeshed with rootlets, the dirt clings tenaciously to the rough granite surface .I had to start higher up and work my way

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-61127760551644342762011-04-11T20:40:00.001-07:002011-04-11T21:00:48.558-07:00

Glass from the chandelier in one of the bedrooms got washed today while replacing a burned out bulb.A work of art in itself, it also functions to illuminate. This is metacool. Also in the room this chandelier illuminates is this photo of the house in which this fixture is hanging, taken during construction, probably around 1921:Outside the window of this room this morning the sun was shining and

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-15122864757805420712011-04-08T18:26:00.000-07:002011-04-08T18:28:33.627-07:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-82077675088965561712011-04-05T20:17:00.000-07:002011-04-05T21:04:08.403-07:00

We all have our stop limits. Having them adjusted properly is crucial to having a nice day. Now that other issues have been resolved and hopefully no other unexpected situations arise, we can proceed to adjusting ours down at the greenhouse skylights.First we have to plug in the control box, which is an electric switch gizmo that allows the adjuster (me) to operate the tube motor that drives the

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-3399345323267389532011-03-28T21:42:00.000-07:002011-04-05T20:16:31.172-07:00

The new tube motor is in place and gets its open & close stop limits set, and final wiring is completed.Our attention turns to the tube motor controlling the north ridge vents. It hasn't been operating automatically as it normally has. It still opens and closes when the switch is operated manually, albeit, when the switch is put to the open position, the skylight closes, and when the switch is

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-65660385430912913112011-03-25T20:08:00.000-07:002011-03-25T20:48:10.474-07:00

Along the ridges of the greenhouse are venting skylights that open and close by means of tube motors that activate (via remote computer command) to rotate a steel shaft affixed to a rack and pinion assembly that is attached to the wood framed skylights. In the picture below, notice that a tube motor is in place along the left bank of skylights, while none appears along the right side. That's

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-80853088726518251262011-03-17T21:33:00.000-07:002011-03-26T23:30:48.489-07:00

The possibility of installing a web camera has arisen here at Searock. We are investigating the feasability and practical requirements. In the meantime, see if this conveys the idea:

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-45603435673258000382011-03-03T18:18:00.000-08:002011-03-03T19:11:51.270-08:00

There are 7 fireplaces in the house, 6 chimneys, and 17 'portals' distributed among those chimneys. By 'portals', I mean openings on the chimneys, out of which smoke would presumably be expected to come. But some of those portals are 'architectural', i.e. for 'show' only, and 2 minor ones are for attic ventilation only. The architectural ones are generally closed up with sheet metal. This was

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-1938554184646886602011-02-14T22:27:00.000-08:002011-02-16T22:50:53.984-08:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-82465838691907064922011-02-08T20:51:00.000-08:002011-02-08T21:00:23.978-08:00

A few days have passed and the 'copper green' fumes have dissipated. No further pellets have been spotted on the granite patio below, so it's time to close it up.The t &g redwood soffit boards lay up easily and get nailed off with the finish nailer:In a few minutes it's all done. You can't even tell anything was done. Closure.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-37208602991235610512011-02-03T19:55:00.000-08:002011-02-08T20:48:05.891-08:00

This is the door into the bathroom of the greenhouse, above which is the 'round room'. The floor area depicted in the photo below is directly over the door pictured in the previous photo.As I have been battling ants lately who like to use this bathroom door, I've been spending some time on my knees outside of it...not just praying. While I was down there one day recently I noticed some

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-51198756764650291372011-01-30T23:01:00.000-08:002011-04-23T20:17:12.130-07:00

These flowers don't seem to mind the mid-winter heatwave we've had this last week. They probably didn't mind the more seasonal downpour we had last night and this morning, either.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-27577998960184160812011-01-30T22:38:00.000-08:002011-01-30T22:48:43.422-08:00

Sunny day, clear morning, beautiful surroundings; and then around the next bend in the road comes a driver fueled up on drugs and alcohol and her head in a fog. Travelers were stalled for 3&1/2 hours while things were cleaned up and the coroner finished his business. The state highway we live beside sees a lot of this kind of activity. While traveling and sight-seeingthrough the beauty of

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-43247770363778926372011-01-13T22:22:00.000-08:002011-01-13T23:18:10.758-08:00

I cut down a cypress tree that died a few years ago. It stood at the western-most edge of land on this continent. I saved a three-foot long section and cut it length-wise in half, leaving two half-cylinders of cypress wood. The rest went to land-fill. With one half I made a bench that I placed horizontally on the stump of the tree itself, facing west. The other half sat fallow for several years,

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-87609071951656711322011-01-01T20:06:00.000-08:002011-01-01T20:05:50.393-08:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-59199488494944171852011-01-01T19:56:00.000-08:002011-01-01T19:55:29.493-08:00

A great way to begin the new year...what's at the end of your rainbow?

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-86433702419082823612010-12-30T18:22:00.000-08:002010-12-30T18:20:43.595-08:00

The rock patio alongside the house in the courtyard is sheltered from thesun. Consequently, it cultures a thin film of mildew over time that, whenthe rains persist, becomes slippery.Powerwashing restores a bright, non-slip surface. The stairs also acquire aslippery film that I don't like to introduce to visitors. Now they have amore secure grip to them when taking that "flight".

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-62655340142865241952010-12-05T11:47:00.000-08:002010-12-05T11:46:12.627-08:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-67557224883170421822010-12-02T19:35:00.001-08:002010-12-02T20:07:29.471-08:00

Previous posts detailed how rats chewed through wires, disrupting internet connectivity at Searock.The local electronics store couldn't supply replacement parts, so we undertook to simply repair the power supply units. These are common "transformers" used for many electronic devices that plug into regular house current (120 volts alternating current AC)and convert the power to DC (direct current)

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-26582018509661207562010-11-30T19:35:00.001-08:002010-11-30T20:23:40.532-08:00

Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic association of a fungus with an algae. Although, theoretically, they cause no harm to the roof, at some point they begin to get out of hand. Their function in nature, beyond their own perpetuity, seems to be along the lines of turning their host into soil in some form or fashion, and since we still have a preferred use for the tiles on the

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-13763839056880097162010-11-27T19:00:00.000-08:002010-11-29T19:50:33.779-08:00

Unprovoked, the rats in the attic decided to hack our internet connection in the big house.Now, I'm an easy-going guy, not rattled by co-existing other species, as long as they cooperate and abide by boundaries based on mutual respect...I even bend over backwards to accomodate them when they ignorantly disregard territorial markers, as long as they don't disrupt day-to-day activities with

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-15811128721368359102010-11-17T17:43:00.000-08:002010-11-17T18:05:49.196-08:00

Along the path to the greenhouse is a sloped area that is prone to erosion during the rainy season. A dry stream bed seemed like it might be a solution.So I dug a shelfed trench and lined it with filter fabric. The deeper section of the trench I filled with fist sized chunks of granite culled from various digs on the property.Then I folded over the fabric and filled the remaining, wider area of

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-37009857611085226842010-11-06T20:07:00.000-07:002010-11-06T22:15:02.415-07:00

Time hiccups in the middle of the night (Daylight savings time). The segue from fall to winter intensifies.But the firewood is laid up and sheltered, the roof has been cleaned and patched, a few more stepping stones have been planted in the dirt path leading to and from the cottage door.Meanwhile, the kitchen garden is changing. Strawberries are quieting down, though carrots are still progressing

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-21859546620056027802010-10-30T12:20:00.000-07:002010-10-30T12:22:45.254-07:00

Here's a link to the blog of our friends, Faith and Roger Shaw and the home & school they are shepherding in Rwanda, with lots of great photos.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-81842606107677030252010-10-29T13:58:00.000-07:002010-10-29T14:00:09.091-07:00

The garage and cottage roofs (rooves?) got their annual cleaning over the last several days. A year's worth of leaf litter accumulates, and then whole biospheres develop in the troughs between rows of tile. Full-fledged plants take root in the composting litter as nature takes its course.Many tiles were broken by heavy-footed workers doing various maintenencechores, including this one, so after

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-51145341389315055152010-10-12T09:46:00.001-07:002010-10-12T10:38:47.483-07:00

It's not (just) a house, it's a home! and it's supposed to be just for people (and their pets).But up in the eaves there are invaders who take advantage of the habitations provided by the cavities between rows of Spanish tiles. Mostly rats, I think, based on certain evidence they leave behind. The cavities run up the roof from eave to ridge...warm, dry and dark...with an occasional random passage

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-33256393235962940812010-10-02T12:46:00.000-07:002010-10-02T22:41:17.727-07:00

Added a stone border and some soil, leveled the planter and removed a cistus (rock rose) that competed awkwardly with the shape of the large rose.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-51454698997033971212010-09-28T19:42:00.000-07:002010-09-28T21:37:16.033-07:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-87398786971317306002010-09-28T19:41:00.000-07:002010-09-28T21:36:56.616-07:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-46131543061104822072010-09-28T19:39:00.000-07:002010-09-28T21:36:28.746-07:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-80412028314442609902010-09-10T22:51:00.000-07:002010-09-29T20:22:05.390-07:00

I saw the committee assembled, the gathering of the members of the board…The chairman of the board was discussing the reason for their meeting...The morning tide had brought a bounty for these feathered feasters, and they patiently took turns. The crows and gulls were interested, but kept a respectful distance, if also a disrespectful banter of complaint. My guess is this was an elephant seal,

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-2966885820321779572010-09-10T22:42:00.000-07:002010-09-10T22:41:06.240-07:00

Today's harvest of fresh berries. We had some heavy cream in the fridge that was threatening to go bad, so, after whipping it, we took care of both this evening.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-1125536270047532652010-09-10T22:12:00.000-07:002010-09-10T22:35:10.619-07:00

Driving through a local neighborhood after making a score at a garage sale recently, I noticed a yard with huge piles of neatly stacked firewood all over. I had been on the lookout for a new and local source since our pile was slowly shrinking, and I've experienced that if one doesn't act in a timely way in regards to these things, the availability of well-seasoned firewood can be limited when

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-44770433376304445612010-08-26T22:02:00.002-07:002010-08-26T22:07:55.013-07:00

The hottest day of the year, so far, it climbed into the 80's here today.Michaelangelo's long reach...

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-21464431432461959152010-08-26T22:02:00.000-07:002010-08-26T22:03:07.530-07:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-43215841622562408252010-08-20T18:09:00.000-07:002010-08-20T18:08:22.011-07:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-37450748506205195612010-08-20T18:06:00.000-07:002010-08-20T18:12:58.507-07:00

Various hedges and shrubs are trimmed and barbered periodically, conveying a sense of orderly chaos. You know the difference between a good and a bad haircut?

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-15135335802712776442010-08-20T17:58:00.000-07:002010-08-20T18:11:58.120-07:00

Pressing onward...we remove miscellaneous hardware where practical, sand,oil and replace...On this portion of the round room, all wood below the raintable is finished.(The raintable is a sloped ledge that projects out below the plane of the window sash to cause rain water to drip free from the fascia below.)

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-20706858629136804892010-08-18T21:12:00.001-07:002010-08-19T17:11:12.767-07:00

We sanded, oiled and reset the teak door in the mahogany jamb...removing the superfluous screen over the non-functional transom window above the studio door, replacing broken-off hinge leaf screws and leaving the door assembly in a fully refurbished condition...looks like furniture to me...the frame around the window is some unidentified 3rd species, neither fish nor fowl, ash nor oak nor birch..

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-59624381792559612602010-08-17T19:28:00.000-07:002010-08-17T19:58:25.217-07:00

Not for the first time, I found a small scorpion inside, this one nearly expired, inside where yesterday there was no sign. I've read that they're common here-abouts, and I've also experienced it, but they're always startling to come across. The doors and window sash of the main house are built from teak and mahogany. They, like the greenhouse red gum eucalyptus, are due for an anointing with

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-16310645519921610902010-07-29T21:22:00.000-07:002010-07-29T22:02:33.221-07:00

The ocean has been so quiet these last few days, even the egrets are thinking 'it's like tidal wetlands'. Perfect kayaking water...Around 6:30 I spotted an elder otter bedding down and getting comfortable on a bed of kelp just below the house.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-71747910981804742232010-07-27T19:23:00.000-07:002010-07-28T08:47:30.721-07:00

This trumpet flower vine that adorns the greenhouse is glorious in bloom, while Bumpkins has her eye on something rustling in the grasses nearby.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-65103462885309139292010-07-27T18:38:00.000-07:002010-07-27T18:38:45.549-07:00

Woodrow spent a week in rehab and made friends with this cutie, but he forgot to get her number. They make quite a 'special' couple though.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-67068097219865023332010-07-27T18:30:00.000-07:002010-07-27T18:29:32.723-07:00

Cleaning the greenhouse roof takes the good part, but not all, of a day.Same for it getting dirty again.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-15643293577941222692010-07-22T19:14:00.000-07:002011-04-23T20:17:12.130-07:00

We wondered for a long time what this plant's name was. Now we know. Tip of the hat to Gretchen at Gladsome Lights blog for providing renewed motivation to figure this out.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-54240751753256973392010-07-22T19:11:00.000-07:002010-07-22T19:09:58.741-07:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-519708340910729562010-07-19T19:46:00.000-07:002010-07-19T19:44:49.389-07:00

Scotty showed up to begin re-oiling the greenhouse and suddenly it'sstarting to look "just like a bought one".

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-9577053345385135942010-07-14T22:33:00.000-07:002010-07-14T22:32:49.615-07:00

...don't you think?

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-51398759300201184732010-07-13T23:12:00.000-07:002010-07-13T23:45:14.770-07:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-7222892087732801102010-07-13T21:52:00.000-07:002010-07-13T23:47:35.880-07:00

I heard a clankity-ding-clang coming from the road side of the fence and I looked over and saw this (see below)rolling to a stop in front of the mailbox. "An IED", I thought grimly. Any metal cannister with flammable contents under pressure is one, potentially. Edgy. This one fell off a passing camper RV, I guess. I didn't particularly want to inspect it closely until I was sure it was safe. So I

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-29920867568516413442010-07-08T18:43:00.000-07:002010-07-08T18:47:15.780-07:00

The bird nest turned up precipitately empty. Then I spotted some 'evidence' of rat in the vicinity, so I set the 'hav-a-hart' trap. I used that instead of the typical Victor snap trap because it was out in the open and I didn't want a cat or bird or other unintended prey to get injured. The next morning I had a huge mother rat. After dispatching her as humanely as possible, I reset the trap. A

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-19031581800587071622010-07-05T19:17:00.000-07:002010-07-05T19:28:32.214-07:00

A new copper gutter and downspout will spare us the cascade of runoff down our necks as we bolt in and out of doors in the rain next winter:A new spotlight is in place illuminating the courtyard barbecue:...and an existing light gets rewired and a new strap:The floor in the greenhouse roundroom that had footprints left by a massage-oiled-up guest has been restored: Every day or two I can gather

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-60286601843605909972010-07-05T18:57:00.000-07:002010-07-05T19:11:28.202-07:00

Some of the hatchlings have emerged....A trip to Monterey included this glimpse of a sailboat on the bay.We spread the mulch from the chipper around a quiet spot near the house where there is a bistro table and some log round stools fashioned from a tree that fell several years ago.We set aside some emergency water storage in BPA-free containers.We imported some 'mealybug destroyers' from Arizona

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-894103718095811052010-06-25T21:36:00.000-07:002010-06-25T21:35:22.185-07:00

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-84854156208844356812010-06-22T20:05:00.000-07:002010-06-22T20:47:18.772-07:00

Okay, not the most picturesque or fascinating of topics, but closing the circle in organic gardening is a worthy endeavor, especially when it means making your composting efforts hit paydirt.It's normally a tedious and back-breaking chore, emptying the bin of fully composted kitchen and garden waste, screening it and getting it back to enriching the soil your strawberries are ripening in. For me,

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-21494998313191239452010-06-22T19:58:00.000-07:002010-06-22T20:01:11.648-07:00

In a craggy crevice on the sidewall of the greenhouse is a nest with 4 tinyeggs. Mama chirped in aggravation and alarm as Angel trimmed and prunednearby, but by evening she had returned to her perch and was quiet andtolerant of my curiosity as to who was nesting there.No idea what her nameis, but she's definitly a cutie.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7940723264530332241.post-31883502683398936742010-06-18T21:43:00.000-07:002010-06-18T21:41:55.202-07:00

Dedicated to Sir Winston Churchill...

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10245302282566974627noreply@blogger.com1