Jan 19 2024 I Shovel Snow at Clay St Apartment

Back stairs and basement door at our 418 Clay St apartment house, Watertown.

We have had quite a lot of snow here in Northern NY. 18 to 24 inches fell in Watertown. I spent a couple hours this afternoon clearing a big portion of the driveway at our Clay St apartment as well as cleared it from the back stairs. I started at 1:00 and was finished by 3:00. It was pleasant work, outdoor temperature was about 10 degrees. As I write this it is 11:00PM and temperature here in Chaumont is 1 degree.

Back stairs and basement door at our 418 Clay St apartment house, Watertown.

Back stairs and basement door at our 418 Clay St apartment house, Watertown.

Back stairs and basement door at our 418 Clay St apartment house, Watertown.

I also changed the low beam bulb in our 2019 Kia Sorento today. Bulb cost $19.00 at Wal-Mart. 

Chatted with brother Mark in Florida. He gave some wild news. 

Wind Storm Damage: Clay Street Door Replaced

Tuesday January 9, 2024, big wind storm tore door off our Clay St, Watertown apartment house.

It also caused wide spread power outages. My tenants on Clay St were fortunate that their power never went out. 

My brother Alan helped me replace old wooden door that was torn off at our
Clay St apartment house during wind storm January 9, 2024

Door was torn apart leaving the hinged side intact.

The rest of the door lying on porch floor.  

New steel door purchased from Home Depot in place. Waiting for better
weather to do the trim.

Receipt for steel door from Home Depot 

I bought a steel door from Home Depot for $364.00 plus $29.12 tax. 

May 24, 2023: Farm Market Guitar Gig Cancelled & Garden Plants

 (This post, just now published, recounts a day from back in May of 2023)

Portable billboard at Watertown Farm & Craft Market . My gig was cancelled because of rain.

Wednesday May 24th was the season opening day of the Watertown Farm & Crafts Market. I was to be the live music act that plays at every market from 11:00 - 1:00. However it was cancelled because of rain. Rather heavy, miserable rain. The market wasn't cancelled, just the lunch time entertainment. Oh well. 

I had to meet up with one of our tenants to fill out some form verifying some of her information for some sort of assistance she was applying for. So I took care of that.

Rhodes Greenhouses in Henderson, NY where I bought garden plants

By the afternoon the rain quit and weather cleared. So I went to Rhodes Greenhouse in Henderson and bought some tomato plants and impatien flower plants. Arriving home from that excursion we decided to have a salad and grilled Hofmann hotdogs for dinner. I made made a Columbia 1905 Salad. This dish was originally created in 1905 at the famous Columbia Restaurant in Miami, Florida. 

Grilling Hofmann hot dogs and enjoying Goose Island IPA beer.

Finally that evening we watched the finale of CBS reality tv show Survivor. 

That's how that day went.

New Years Eve & New Years Day 2024 Kia Sorento Rear Brakes

Grilling jerked chicken wings and enjoying Red Stripe beer in Chaumont, NY on New Years Eve.

New Years Eve saw mild temperatures and no snow in Chaumont, NY. The ground was bare. In early afternoon I grilled some Jamaican jerked chicken wings. The Better Half made some deviled eggs. We boiled a pot of salt potatoes. Served it up with some Red Stripe beer, a brew from Jamaica. 

We declined an invite a small New Years Eve party at B & M's house in Rutland. However, having eaten early in the afternoon  we felt differently by 6:00pm. So we decided to go drop in on them. They were surprised & happy we showed. We left after a couple hours getting back home about 9:30.  I stayed up to ring in the new year by watching the NY City Times Square ball dropping countdown. The BH hit the hay a half hour earlier. 

We drove the BH's car (2019 Kia Sorento) and on the way the brakes started making a scraping, gritty sound. 

New Years Day I replaced rear brake pads on our 2019 Kia Sorento.

New Years Day I inspected the rear brakes. The pads were wrrn down and needed replacing. Rotors were worn some, but not to where they need replacing. 

Called Auto Zone. They were open. Set of rear brake pads were $28.00 and tax. 

January 2nd 2024 finished rear brake pads on our 2019 Kia Sorento.

Before I got them installed H & D called. We went to their house and grilled hot hot dogs, drank beer & wine. Played Phase Ten, a card game. Good fun. Got home around 10:00pm. Had some egg nog with vanilla whiskey and coconut rum. 

January 2nd I was mildly hung over and finished the rear brake job on the Sorento.

Sidewalk is Finished, a Cool, Sunny Day, Mowed the Lawn

Tuesday, April 25th, concrete poured for new sidewalk. 

It was beautiful day here in Chaumont, NY. It was cool, about 50 degrees, a light breeze and sunny. Today the guys that did our sidewalk finished up, cleaned up, and went on their way. We are quite pleased with the outcome. The actual pouring of the concrete happened a couple days ago on Tuesday the 25th. I also mowed lawn for the first time this season. 

Tuesday, April 25th, concrete poured for new sidewalk. 

New Sidewalk at Chaumont House: Photos

TCR Construction, a Father & son duo set to work on replacing our sidewalk. 

Here are some photos of a new sidewalk being done at our house in Chaumont, NY.  The work is being done by TCR: Taylor Construction & Remodel. I found them from one of their business cards o a bulletin bard at a local grocery store. I had contacted 3 or 4 other builder/contractors to no avail. They either don't call back or are already booked up. I had one guy that was supposed to do it last summer but he got too busy. TCR called me back right away after leaving them a voicemail. A week after I hired them the guy from last summer called and said he was ready to do it. Too late. I and my brothers could have done the job, but I have more projects to do than I can keep up with. 

The sidewalk when we bought our house 30 years ago was made in 1926. We hoped it would make 100 years, but it was too bad to wait any longer.

New sidewalk construction at our house in Chaumont, NY.

New sidewalk construction at our house in Chaumont, NY.

New sidewalk construction at our house in Chaumont, NY.

New sidewalk construction at our house in Chaumont, NY.

New sidewalk construction at our house in Chaumont, NY.

New sidewalk construction at our house in Chaumont, NY.

New sidewalk construction at our house in Chaumont, NY.

A Long Drive: Carthage Hospital, Lloyd's of Lowville, Apple Store

 

           Bread & pastries from Mill House Market and a coffee mug from Lloyd's of Lowville. 

We put the Better Half through an endurance test Thursday, March 23.  We started the day by leaving the house at 8:45AM to take her to Carthage Hospital for a cat scan. She has been concerned about shortness of breath ever since the blood clots in her lungs as well as lingering effects of Covid. From there we drove 25miles to Lowville just to have breakfast at Lloyd's Lowville, a classic old diner dating back to 1939. 

This was the longest excursion we have taken since the BH broke her femur back in December. after breakfast she was somewhat uncomfortable but thought we should try to go to the Apple Store t Pyramid Mall, Syracuse.  I wanted to have them put a new battery in my iPhone 6s. So we did the. Took them about an hour and charged me $69.00, so that was pretty good. Put new life into my old phone.

Then we took a leisurely drive back home on US Rt 11. In Pulaski we stopped at Mill House Market where we bought some bread and a couple pastries. We got home about 3:30. That was a long day of sitting I the car. The Better Half was rather lame and sore afterwards . That evening both of her legs were achy as well as her butt from sitting so long. 

Vibrant Cardinal Photo

Cardinal, Chaumont, NY, snapped with Sony a6600 with a Minolta 500mm f8 AF lens.
photo copyright Gary Walts 2023

Yesterday I snapped this photo of a Cardinal in our backyard. Those birds are around our house all Winter so it wasn't an unusual sighting. What struck me this bird seed to be particularly vibrant colored. However, there was some unusual light filtering through the trees and brush, coming from behind the bird. Lighting. It's what makes a photograph. Camera was a Sony a6600 with a Minolta 500mm f8 AF lens.  

First Robin Sighting for Spring 2023

First Robin sighting at our home in Chaumont, NY.  

Today as I walked out to the wood pile I spotted a Robin picking bread crumbs in our backyard. (I put all of our stale bread out for the birds.)  Here in the North Country Robins are a classic harbinger of Spring. Always a boost to one's spirits spotting that first one. I snapped this photo with a Sony a6600 camera and a Minolta 500mm f8 AF lens. 

March Snow, Price of Gas & More

St. Vasllio's Greek Orthodox Church, Watertown, NY. Particularly scenic snow for mid March here in the North Country.

Yesterday, Wednesday March 15, I bought gas at the Valero station located at Court & Arsenal Streets, Watertown, NY. Price for regular 87 octane was $3.38 a gallon. 

Price of gas at Valero, Watertown, NY, Much 15, 2023.

Snow in Watertown, NY at St. Vasilio's Greek Orthodox Church, Franklin St. Quite a scenic amount of snow for mid March here. 

Today I checked on a tenant that says his place was broken into. He called police about it. Police think he is faking his story. He said it happened while he was in his bedroom, door closed, wearing earbuds while listening to music. He thinks person or persons entered to get out of the cold and take some drugs. I don't think his claim holds any water.

After that I went to the Sportsman's Barber Shop and got a haircut. Cost: $14.00 plus a $6.00 tip. 20bucks. 

Went toTarget and got birthday cards. Went to Kinney's Drugs & picked up iron supplement for the Better Half. 

Sam's Club where I picked up avocados, medjool dates. 

Got home and made dinner: Roasted chicken thighs, baked potato, and green beans. 

8:00 pm watched Survivor.

New Faucet & Lunch at Longway's Diner

 

New Delta faucet installed in the slop sink in our back shed. $58.32 from Amazon

Yesterday (Sunday March 12, 2023) I replaced the faucet on what we call a "slop sink" located in our back shed. These sinks are also referred to as laundry sinks or utility sinks.  Anyhow, back in February when the temp went to minus 20 below zero the faucet froze up. Upon thawing the cold water valve was leaking. I ordered a new one through Amazon. It cost $58.32. I ordered it after first looking for similar one at our local hardware stores, Lowes & Home Depot. What I got was a Delta brand. The original was a Peerless. Both are identical. Installation was a breeze, especially having done it before.

New Delta faucet, left, and old Peerless. Identical. 

After that we took a drive to Cape Vincent to check out the lake & river. Then to Depauville and finally Watertown where we decided to have a late lunch at Longway's Diner. I had a double cheeseburger and home fries. The Better Half had a beef bar b q with French fries. Bill came to $32.00 and change.  This outting was significant because it's the first time the BH has gone into a public place (other than Doctors office/hospital) since she broker her leg back on December 22, 2023. AND, she entered without using a walker or cane. 

Snow Sculptures and Cold Weather

 

Snow sculpturing at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY, a Snowtown Festival event.

This afternoon I snapped a few photos of snow scultors working at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY.  The temperature was in single or negative digits. Not sure. Overnight the temperature went down to 31 below zero. At this writing at 10:00pm it is now 19 degrees in Chaumont. No matter what, It was cold work outdoors today. 

This day is also the 4th day that the Better Half has been home from the Carthage Rehabilitation Center. She is doing very well. Now all to sleep on her side, either side, which is a major improvement. However, doing so makes her broken leg quite sore. At least it's bearable and we see progress, light at the end of the tunnel. 

Snow sculpturing at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY, a Snowtown Festival event.

Snow sculpturing at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY, a Snowtown Festival event.

Snow sculpturing at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY, a Snowtown Festival event.

Snow sculpturing at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY, a Snowtown Festival event.

Snow sculpturing at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY, a Snowtown Festival event.

Snow sculpturing at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY, a Snowtown Festival event.

Snow sculpturing at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY, a Snowtown Festival event.

Snow sculpturing at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY, a Snowtown Festival event.

Snow sculpturing at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY, a Snowtown Festival event.

Snow sculpturing at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY, a Snowtown Festival event.