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Our Shang Board met for our annual spring on-site meeting on Sunday, April 28. It was a beautiful day to be at the ranch. We did a walk-through and discussed current projects such as the new shed placement. All set for a beautiful summer ahead.
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Happy New Year, All!
Just a quick report that all seems well at Shang. It was very pretty and cold or we would have spent 2 nights instead of one.
Only one fallen tree on the main road heading out yesterday that we could just move manually. We anticipate much more falling with the upcoming storms. Dan got a used chainsaw, so we were prepared :). He used it on a fallen tree behind the old shed, next to swing set. Cole and I did a lot of clearing in front of Grandma and Morfar's resting place.
We put up the panels on the back porch and used the blower to remove leaves from the patio. I noticed the olive tree next to arbor is really starting to span out and could use some trimming. I know you like to do this, Ingrid. It's nice to have for shading and I also like to see the hillside. It's getting a bit too thick, IMO. The woodshed is incredibly abundant -- FULL, full, full - whoo!
And we stacked the pile that was in front of the woodshed as requested.
Dan and I have thoughts of a propane heater for second floor. Perhaps Shang would get more use during cold months if there was a heat source on upper floors.
Wishing you all a happy, peaceful start to 2019!
Tessa
Just a quick report that all seems well at Shang. It was very pretty and cold or we would have spent 2 nights instead of one.
Only one fallen tree on the main road heading out yesterday that we could just move manually. We anticipate much more falling with the upcoming storms. Dan got a used chainsaw, so we were prepared :). He used it on a fallen tree behind the old shed, next to swing set. Cole and I did a lot of clearing in front of Grandma and Morfar's resting place.
We put up the panels on the back porch and used the blower to remove leaves from the patio. I noticed the olive tree next to arbor is really starting to span out and could use some trimming. I know you like to do this, Ingrid. It's nice to have for shading and I also like to see the hillside. It's getting a bit too thick, IMO. The woodshed is incredibly abundant -- FULL, full, full - whoo!
And we stacked the pile that was in front of the woodshed as requested.
Dan and I have thoughts of a propane heater for second floor. Perhaps Shang would get more use during cold months if there was a heat source on upper floors.
Wishing you all a happy, peaceful start to 2019!
Tessa
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Ingrid's Update
Fire damaged trees have been falling across the road quite regularly since the big fire event. Now, there is a particularly large concentration of trees across the road just below the cliffs.
Returning from town today, Allan was first blocked by a couple of trees. He walked home, came back with his chainsaw and found more trees fallen...thirty feet of solid trees across the road, his car on the other side, now trapped with trees fallen behind it as well! And more trees steadily snapping off and crashing down as he watched.
Of course, he could not do anything about it at the time, with trees still falling.
He will be spending Christmas day chainsawing, then has to get down to Steve's to house sit for a week. We've been trying to figure out if we could help.
Thought you all should know and be prepared to face such a situation if you're going up. No more storms forecast in the next week.
UPDATE:
Things didn’t look quite so overwhelming today as when it was pouring rain and trees cracking and falling.
Allan did not use the tractor. Just sawed into small pieces, removed by hand and raked. Car not smashed.
So back in order until the next storm.
Ingrid . (12/25)
Fire damaged trees have been falling across the road quite regularly since the big fire event. Now, there is a particularly large concentration of trees across the road just below the cliffs.
Returning from town today, Allan was first blocked by a couple of trees. He walked home, came back with his chainsaw and found more trees fallen...thirty feet of solid trees across the road, his car on the other side, now trapped with trees fallen behind it as well! And more trees steadily snapping off and crashing down as he watched.
Of course, he could not do anything about it at the time, with trees still falling.
He will be spending Christmas day chainsawing, then has to get down to Steve's to house sit for a week. We've been trying to figure out if we could help.
Thought you all should know and be prepared to face such a situation if you're going up. No more storms forecast in the next week.
UPDATE:
Things didn’t look quite so overwhelming today as when it was pouring rain and trees cracking and falling.
Allan did not use the tractor. Just sawed into small pieces, removed by hand and raked. Car not smashed.
So back in order until the next storm.
Ingrid . (12/25)
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Victor and I enjoyed beautiful fall weather at the ranch...warm sun, long shadows and ideal conditions (cool not too cold) for sleeping out on the back porch.
Very special sighting of a Bald Eagle perched in a dead tree. Also saw the gray fox that I have seen each of my last 3 - 4 trips up there.
Very special sighting of a Bald Eagle perched in a dead tree. Also saw the gray fox that I have seen each of my last 3 - 4 trips up there.
How we kept ourselves busy:
- Hauled two trailer-loads (4 bales) of straw and spread under various fruit trees for mulch. I think I am up to about 20 trees done, having done six with Allan earlier this year. Didn't finish spreading around a couple trees but have some straw clumps there ready to break apart, spread and tamp down.
- As we were working on the hillside distributing the straw mulch, we were also pulling and cutting yellow star thistle. We filled the back of the jeep with this nasty stuff then burned it in the incinerator.
- Star thistle seeds galore in the jeep led to having to do a thorough sweep-out of the jeep. Don't want to be the vector, spreading star thistle.
- Tidied up the remaining straw bales in the corral. Once these get soaked from rain, they will be much harder to work with. I hope to do more seeding at the dam, followed with straw to cover. I collected seed this year from the flourishing wild rye that I plan to use. The one steep area of the dam that we (Allan and I) seeded two years ago has done very well.
- We relocated the small construction remnant pile that was to the left of the woodshed. It consisted of smallish pieces of plywood and some roofing material. Some of the plywood is not holding up well. We put some rocks on the dirt behind the woodshed to rest the plywood on, then leaned them up against the back of the shed. the scraps of roofing material are draped over the whole. We later saw that there might be a better place to locate this out under the lean-to. We did put a couple of wood pallets together with some other pallets under the lean-to.
- Found the old ladder jacks out in the corral. I put them in the garage so they won't get any rustier and become useless. They are a functioning tool but maybe they will just be part of a decorative 'old tool display'. Either way, out of the rain.
- Victor tidied up the woodshed and stacked more firewood from the heap that is still on the ground. It hasn't been cold enough when we've been up for a fire yet, but when it is, and if it hasn't gotten soaked, this wood that hasn't made it into the shed is totally cured and should be used before going for the stacked wood. Victor left the wheelbarrow ready with firewood on the patio.
- Did a grade B sweep of the back porch (pretty darned good but not as thorough as I can be)
- Cleaned the fridge (again grade B)
- Moved a few limbs/cuttings from inside the compound to an existing pile in the corral. I realize this will need to move (along with a lot of other things). But, there is a small chance I will get it together to have the chipping program pay a visit at the end of this month.
- Brought white sugar....oh, someone already did. So, took my sugar back home.
- There were a few mouse poops on the kitchen counter. I had cleaned it thoroughly two weeks ago, so I know there has been a tiny visitor in the interim. Again, I do like having those disinfecting wipes handy.
- The lake seems to be filling pretty fast. not overflowing yet, but getting closer.
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Peter: We picked some persimmons & brought some to share.
Ingrid: A persimmon-a-day as they ripen, until they are gone, is my approach. 'Tis the season for that.
Work Update from PCM:
Nissan: Took bed liner out and removed a ton of crap. Cleaned the cab with soap and water, also rubbing compound on hood and wax to see what happened. The paint is really shot, but looks better. Will get some head liner spray glue and reset the detached material. I checked the tires and they were ok except the spare tire was 0 lbs. so put in 40 psi like the rest.
3rd Floor Door: The door is about done, just have to sand and paint. The rat chewing damage along the bottom is repaired with Marine epoxy, door panel split is epoxy tight and screwed, hinge cleaned and reinstalled with larger screws.
If I have time, I may go up the the ranch to install the door, water and install the new garage step I made. Also have the jeep hood hooks. The bathroom light switch needs to be wrapped with electrical tape.
Still have work to do on 3rd floor double windows to determine what can be fixed, etc. and make a plan. -PCM
Update from PWM:
Yes, the 3rd floor double window is not closing all the way and the locking mechanism is not working.
Since the board decided to keep the Nissan, my dad took it home for some TLC.
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Was up at the Ranch this past weekend with really nice weather.
- Removed remaining persimmons at the top of the tree to remove attractant for bear
- Fixed pole pruner for persimmon tree trimming (new rope, attachment, etc.)
- Covered 1 1/2" water line along road where leak was found after ensuring it was dry
- Removed door to 3rd floor to take home for repairs (broken hinge, bottom needs trimming and edge to seal). Took paint for door to paint after repairs.
- Installed a much longer shield on the front gate cable to protect oak limb
- Installed new shelf in bathroom (replacing shelf above toilet)
- Replaced downstairs bathroom light switch (old switch was shorting out - flickering lights - most likely due to water damage on wall)
- Started to repair small stone wall behind round table - will finish over Thanksgiving
- Tested LED strip lighting (brought up by Ingrid) under the cabinets and it would provide very good light for counter top
- Dragged lake road and around burn pile area to smooth out dirt
- Took Nissan pickup home to clean, work on interior (fix cab lining), check lights, etc. - will return over Thanksgiving
- Measured site for new storage shed with blue flags at corner
- Cleaned track and mechanism at double window on 3rd floor. Will continue to analyze to fix locking mechanism.
- Watered around house - everything is very very dry.
- Trimmed corner area with old walnut tree at driveway, removed shoots, trimmed volunteer plum, dug out starter scrub oak
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We had a productive couple of days at Shang this weekend. New carpet is in and it looks great! We washed the floor 3 times before putting the carpet down, and wiped down all the wooden furniture including the intricate wood that holds the kitchen table. The new carpet shows dirt more and the current vacuum isn't working that great, so I suggest we invest in a new vacuum or if someone is willing to donate...?
Also, the blue couch is finally gone - yay! We successfully hauled it out along with the old carpet in Dan's truck. Owen, Randy and Katie removed and stored the acrylic panels from the back porch and watered all around the property. We were tempted to trim the tree that is dropping the white flowers by the stairs (can't remember the name) because it's hanging so low that many us were getting our head whacked by low branch walking to the garage/WC. It's got to be trimmed back.
The pump is working fine. I filled both gas tanks to leave a spare down at the pump. Water tank was left full. The lake is super refreshing - perfect temp for summertime!
Al had a surprise visit from David, Valorie and family, so it was wonderful to visit with them for a bit. Oh, propane is at 43% and I noted it in the book.
That's about it!
Tessa
Also, the blue couch is finally gone - yay! We successfully hauled it out along with the old carpet in Dan's truck. Owen, Randy and Katie removed and stored the acrylic panels from the back porch and watered all around the property. We were tempted to trim the tree that is dropping the white flowers by the stairs (can't remember the name) because it's hanging so low that many us were getting our head whacked by low branch walking to the garage/WC. It's got to be trimmed back.
The pump is working fine. I filled both gas tanks to leave a spare down at the pump. Water tank was left full. The lake is super refreshing - perfect temp for summertime!
Al had a surprise visit from David, Valorie and family, so it was wonderful to visit with them for a bit. Oh, propane is at 43% and I noted it in the book.
That's about it!
Tessa
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Tessa, Dan, Cole, Randy, Owen, and Katie headed up for the weekend to celebrate Randy's birthday and to take care of a few things at the ranch. It was pleasantly warm, not too hot, and we made sure we jumped in the lake a couple of times.
While at the lake, we noticed that there was a flycatcher next built directly under the pier, right by the ladder. First, we saw the distressed mother flying around the lake as we swam. Then, the fledgling was struggling to fly from the water. It was in a panic as it flapped its wings and couldn't quite catch air. It was getting exhausted from the effort, so we decided to carefully use a noodle to put it on the pier. We all left it alone as we quietly retreated. From the water tank, we could hear the mother reconnecting with the fledgling on the pier. They did seem to relocate, though, as they were not there the next day.
-Katie
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Again a beautiful, cold clear day at the ranch. Day-trip December 16, 2017.
This time Allan was there to help me and we got the acrylic panels put up on both porches.
Tasks:
Installed a new globe (glass shade) on the bathroom propane lamp, Allan had already put on a new mantel. We have two more as backup but they are not exactly the type we want. I will be ordering two of the type we are currently using to have on hand as backup.
Did a survey of kerosene lamp chimneys. We have a lot...various sizes.
Put the new cover on the Weber BBQ. It seems to be very high quality. Does anyone need an 18" BBQ cover?
Kirsten came up to double check the horizontal match of the pattern for the curtains. This is something she had to do on site to get it right. Sewing, of course, has to be done at home.
Delivered Costco quantity of TP.
Bought the canola oil, brought it up, ended up coming back home with me. So, it will wait until next trip.
Need to bring steel wool for stuffing mouse holes. Have identified a suspicious spot in the main room.
Allan will be doing the annual winter water system shut-down: fill the upper tank, drain the line, disconnect pump battery and set on trickle charger. The 7K gallons has to last us until spring and risk of freezing is past.
Reminder: there is a leak in the water system somewhere between the upper tank and the house. The valve at the upper tank can be open to supply the house while you're in residence...for cooking/washing/toilets. If you're staying over, shut it at night. And, of course, be sure it is closed when you leave.
That's it.
Ingrid
This time Allan was there to help me and we got the acrylic panels put up on both porches.
Tasks:
Installed a new globe (glass shade) on the bathroom propane lamp, Allan had already put on a new mantel. We have two more as backup but they are not exactly the type we want. I will be ordering two of the type we are currently using to have on hand as backup.
Did a survey of kerosene lamp chimneys. We have a lot...various sizes.
Put the new cover on the Weber BBQ. It seems to be very high quality. Does anyone need an 18" BBQ cover?
Kirsten came up to double check the horizontal match of the pattern for the curtains. This is something she had to do on site to get it right. Sewing, of course, has to be done at home.
Delivered Costco quantity of TP.
Bought the canola oil, brought it up, ended up coming back home with me. So, it will wait until next trip.
Need to bring steel wool for stuffing mouse holes. Have identified a suspicious spot in the main room.
Allan will be doing the annual winter water system shut-down: fill the upper tank, drain the line, disconnect pump battery and set on trickle charger. The 7K gallons has to last us until spring and risk of freezing is past.
Reminder: there is a leak in the water system somewhere between the upper tank and the house. The valve at the upper tank can be open to supply the house while you're in residence...for cooking/washing/toilets. If you're staying over, shut it at night. And, of course, be sure it is closed when you leave.
That's it.
Ingrid
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Though this was mostly a caretaker/property manager type trip to the ranch, I did enjoy being there on a beautiful, cold, clear day.
Observations:
Tumble down of back stone wall, assume it is from bear(s) climbing in.
Also, tumble down of stone wall by round table, again will speculate it's bear-caused.
Lots of damage to the persimmon tree, no doubt it is from bear(s).
Tasks:
Delivered purchases.
From Home Depot:
From Bed Bath and Beyond:
From my home supply:
Ingrid
Observations:
Tumble down of back stone wall, assume it is from bear(s) climbing in.
Also, tumble down of stone wall by round table, again will speculate it's bear-caused.
Lots of damage to the persimmon tree, no doubt it is from bear(s).
Tasks:
- Installed new propane mantel in Mom's bedroom.
- Put new pillow protectors on 4 of the worst-looking pillows, making them much more presentable. There are still more pillows that could use this upgrade.
- Took home green bedspread from third floor (mouse pooped) and moved similar one from Mom's bed up there. Put cleaned white one back on Mom's bed.
- Put new plastic cover on 'new' back porch Queen mattress. Added some additional things to protect it since the acrylic isn't up yet. Did a quick lie-down test comparing the two queens and think the 'newish' one is an improvement over the old one.
- Tried putting the new cover on the Weber BBQ but it is too small. I measured the barrel and have now ordered a new cover.
Delivered purchases.
From Home Depot:
- 1-K kerosene
- bar and chain oil for chainsaw
- concentrated poison oak killer to be used with sprayer (in a cardboard box, top shelf house side of garage)
- Roundup concentrate plus for daubing on fresh-up trees & shrubs to present regrowth. Our old roundup hasn't been working.
From Bed Bath and Beyond:
- 2 packs of 2 pillowcase protectors. we still need more
- Queen mattress cover
- bag of tealights
From my home supply:
- Excedrin
- peanut butter for baiting mouse traps
Ingrid
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Carol King - I Feel the Earth Move