Home on the Hill

I better get on with the chimney replacement project or Santa might have a hard time getting down the chimney. The two chimneys are walled in between the kitchen and living room. I have been toying with the idea of removing the partition for a more open look. I would have to replace the fireplace insert and would have to see the main chimney going through the house. In the meantime I needed to get at the old chimney to replace it. No problem- I have power tools. As I pulled down the chimney pipes the picture didn't get any rosier. Here is the line up on the veranda out front. Don't think that black stuff oozing is supposed to be how they look. The white crap on the floor is where the baked insulation has leaked out. We'll bite the bullet next week and go to Vanderhoof to see if we can get all the parts we will need. In the meantime I am waiting for my heavy duty mechanic to show up so we can get the skidsteer running. I have a new snow blade for it. It should mak...

Every time I don't listen to that little, nagging, inner voice I come to regret it. Like checking out the chimneys during the summer when the roof is dry. Last week I wanted to fire up the main furnace but decided to inspect it and clean it if necessary. I removed the furnace end of the metal chimney and shone a light up the chimney to see whats what. Here's what I found: I'm not an expert but I don't think a steel chimney is supposed to bulge and have split seams and insulation cooking. So we have to replace it. 8 three foot lengths, athrough floor fitting, an attic insulation fitting. the best price we could find localy for Selkirk chimneys was $86 a 3' length. I hope the fireplace insert chimney is OK. But it's about the same age as the main chimney so who knows. I guess I'll find out when I cut a few holes in the walls. Needs or wants? Want a bandsaw - need a chimney. We'll start that project today. We are going to get at it through the...

It was time to drag the winter boots out. The ones to the left are a high tech version of the old rubber overshoe. This one goes up to the Knees so it has a built in gator. It is designed to go over a hiking boot but works well with shoes. If it gets really cold I can add a felt liner for sub zero comfort. The advantage to these for around town is I can wear my slippers inside and when I get to some ones house the outers come off easily and I can just wear my slippers inside the house. The everyday work boots are the ones we wear for doing yard chores or whenever we are going to be ( or could be) out in the weather for an extended period. If your moving at all these baby's will work to -40 or more. When it gets a little icy we will add strap on crampons for safety. Cold storage fridge update. We have all the controls now wired in and the ducts that take inside air and circulate it to the fridge if it falls below 0c (32F) and it's working great. Our skidsteer isn't up ...

We're in a full force blizzard today. I was going to go finish wiring up a friends place but don't even want to chance highway 16 in this stuff. So it's office work. I am rebuilding our main application and it is a total re write so a lot of work. Usually when I am in the office it's sunny and wonderful outside. Not so today. One of the things I really enjoy about our joint is the ability to have pets. They really brighten the place up - and they are darn good company. This is Boose, the outside cat getting some quality time in the morning. She helps with meditation. It's the purring. I think she likes my 'stash. Xena is demonstrating exemplary table manners. Note the plate carefully balanced on her front paws. We were out late last night for a round of night time blue ball. Her favorite sport. If I was only half the man my dog thinks I am.. Hope your having a great day.

Thank you.

Skid Stearless that is. My skidsteer is broken down and waiting for parts. Just a little nerve wracking as winter is approaching. Turns out one of parts was back ordered. The part was a pin in a gear assembly we're changing. It had to come from Paris, France. Well, la de da, won't I just ride a little higher knowing parts of my Case skid steer came from Paris. We are negotiating with a dealer in Prince for an eight foot snow plow. We are taking in the fork adapter so that they can retrofit it with a quick release plate that modern skidsteers use. I will probably also have to modify the hydraulic quick connects. A snow plow is about 10 times faster for clearing a road than just using a dirt bucket. I could get a snow bucket which is larger, but it still has the same weakness: You can only push the snow straight ahead - a snow plow lets the snow shed to the side. Haven't made a lot of progress on the shop. I put some blue tarps up to keep the snow out of the shop...