John F Dean

Rhubarb is a mystery to me.   In patterns I find unpredictable, I have had it flourish seemingly from the moment it is planted to struggle for years and die.  I have taken the cowards way out. I plant it in several locations on my property.  That way I am pretty sure one spot will work…even excel.

Su, I have attempted exorcisms on cats …with no luck.  Do you really think one might work on a dog?

Ned, I am afraid the pup (German Shepherd/Border Collie)has enough of a mouth on her to deal with the door.

Carla, that may explain why, collectively, I am never out of their sight.

I have never questioned that my Master Mouser and Shelter Pup were well above average in intelligence.  Lately, they have been having extended meetings with one another. This morning I found them sleeping together.  How much time do I have before I am locked outside and fed scraps?

Hi Jay,

Nice point. The most common recommended ratio is 12 feet of length for every 1 ft of rise.  I love it that here in the states people who have never read the Americans with Disabilities Act will quickly attribute various measures to the Act.  All the ADA says is “ reasonable accommodation”. ( Because others will be reading this well into the future, in some instances a 1:8 ratio is used.   My feeling is that the person in the chair might appreciate the more gentle slope.)

Good point on the landings.  My current plan is to place them where the ramp takes a 90 degree turn.  I may have a third one added one. One key issue is to allow enough space for the person and a helper to turn around at the landings.   I originally thought 4x 4 feet.  I am now thinking 6x6 might be more to the point.

Yes, I we have a WC.   Of course, there needs to be a realization that another WC might have different dimensions.  

I am examining how I built my back deck and stairs.  I overbuilt at critical points so that if a board rotted without being noticed it would not end in disaster.  I am envisioning a person going up the ramp by themselves and having a board fail.  It is clear I will build it myself.  Past experiences have told be that if I  hire someone, they will take shortcuts I don’t want to take.

Anyway, I found the nitrate free bacon at a grocery store about 30 miles away. I normally end up in the area about once a month, so it should work out ok.  

It is the old administrator in me.   Managers run their operations for today and next month.   Administrators run their operations for 5 to10 years from now.

Rumor are rumors. A coworker of mine bought a used Class C RV, drove it to Alaska and back to Indiana ….then sold it for more  than he paid for it.  Sounds like  good investment to me. I wouldn’t buy one , but they might be great for someone else.

This year I am experimenting with starting all plants whose seeds normally attract  mice, birds,etc indoors.  We will see how that works.

A History of English by Barbara Strang.  Is is a historical linguistics book.