It's Going To...Bee Great!

We saw it at Costco, and thought, "What the heck?"

So, we bought it and yesterday I put a nail in tree and hung it up. Now, let the nature begin!

This small building is to be a home for both bees and butterflies. The bees nest in the bottom part and the butterflies are supposed to hang out in the top part. I sure hope it works.

Apparently, according the the packaging (and comments from friends...), the bees that use this little thing are not honey bees, but another species. They build mud homes and lay their eggs. Then, you're supposed to take the bee home and put it in an outdoor shed. Next spring you bring out the bee home and hang it up again. Then, new bees with hatch and help out everyone.

I didn't know this, but we might have been raising these type of bees for years--in our shed, no less. Every time I need to dig something out of the shed that we haven't touched for years, there seems to be a mud nest on it. I always thought they were mud wasps, and I'm not particularly fond of wasps. But, if they were really bees, I'll have to look at these nests in a new light.

Like I said, I hope this works. I love the thought of having a home for pollenating insects that will be helpful for them and for us.

Time will tell.

Welcome To The New World...Of On-Line Panels

Today, as I avoided the heat of outside, I happened upon an on-line panel as it started on Facebook. It was hosted by my friend Ro (shameless name-dropping here...) for FanX. The topic was timely--making masks that are both functional and fashionable.

And I realized, it's the future.

FanX, Utah's biggest cultural celebration for close to a decade, is slated to open its doors this coming September. Many similar conventions have either chosen to go to an all-on-line format, or cancel the events all together due to the Coronavirus.

More of the New Normal, I suppose.

We made several masks months ago, but what was cool about this panel was making masks using materials to guarantee the coolest mask possible. If you have Marvel material, or DC, or Simpsons, or Disney, or material from any fandom, you can make a mask to show everyone your style.

Yes, on-line meetings and panels...the future--envisioned by such artistic programs as The Jetsons and Star Trek have come true! And we're living in it.

A Sunset For Kim...

The text message she sent was simple...Just seeing how we're doing.

The few words conveyed more than asking for an update--I could tell the person sending the text was hurting...

And, without even asking, I knew why.

She's been watching the news.

Me, in my little house snuggled in the Rocky Mountains, am about as far removed from events hundreds and thousands of miles away as possible, but feelings of pain, of empathy, of fear, of hate, of rage, of sorrow can cross those distances in the blink of an eye. 

We chatted electronically. I tried to lighten the mood, just like I've tried to do with others. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I told her I haven't been watching the news--I told her it's good to be informed, but it can be too much.

As happens often at my little house snuggled in the Rocky Mountains, the setting sun floods the western sky with beauty, unparalleled by anything man could ever create. Tonight, though my vantage point from inside our kitchen was not the best, I snapped a quick picture and sent the digital photograph to her, a state away.

For many, the world burns tonight--both figuratively and literally. As with any figurative or literal fire, it may die down, or may explode in intensity. No one knows which way it will go. But I do know that tonight's sunset was beautiful and calming and peaceful and real. It was created by the hand of God for those who would only look and feel His hand in all things.

Yes, she is hurting and the pain is real. The images she's witnessed that have followed only add to her pain. But, for every evil deed done, there are many many more good ones done to counteract. If it weren't so, humanity would cease to exist. I know it wasn't much, but I hope the simple picture of tonight's sunset helped. Because, if we would only look, we will see His hand in all things.

Names...At A Cemetery

The day was perfect in many ways. The hot weather hadn't hit yet--a wonderful day to gather, and to remember. As we assembled at our parents's gravesite, I scanned the hillside, the lawn awash with beautiful colors of soft flowers and hard stones, with an occasional American flag here and there.

I took pictures.

Here are the names I saw.

Hansen and Loynd...

Welling, Stine, Springer, and Tilley...

Brady...

And Taylor...

And many others.

In my opinion, the Farmington City Cemetery is one of the most beautiful cemeteries anywhere. I am, of course, biased.

We'll return next year...where there'll be more names added to the field.

KSL Classifieds...For All Your Raised Garden Box Needs

Right now (and it not be this way for long...) if you click on KSL Classifieds and enter the words: "raised garden box" in the search box, you'll see a couple of items we assembled in our driveway. Yes--it's the grow boxes I've been building and blogging about over the past couple of weeks.

Last weekend I took it to a new level--I put an ad on KSL Classifieds. If you're not familiar with this service, KSL is a media concern here in Utah. They had such a market share in the twentieth century here, it was ridiculous. It's been decades since I follow market share so I have no idea how influential they are now, but several years ago KSL opened up a website--classifieds--and they pretty much put the newspaper classifieds out of business.

I can't remember ever putting anything on KSL Classifieds, though I may have long ago. 

When I hit "post" on the website and listed my boxes, I had a strange, but somewhat familiar sensation. It's the same feeling I had when I submit a story for publication. It was different, in obvious ways, but some tings were the same. I felt like I was putting something out there--someting that I made--for others to judge. With a story, that's my best stuff, the best I could do. With the boxes...well, I can't say it's my best work, but it wasn't supposed to be. It was a box made out of pallets that some may want to buy.

The ad's been up officially for our days. As of this writing, it's received 275 views (admittedly, many of them are from me...) and ten "likes," more than other more expensive and better constructed boxes.

But no sales.

And, that's okay. I'm actually building them for us, but if others want them, I can always make more. I wasn't sure if any one did--so far no one's contacted us through the classified website. If you want to check out my KSL Classifieds ad, click: HERE. It's been a fun experience figuring out how to put the boxes together, searching for materials, and building them. If nothing else, it's given me some exercise and an excuse to be outside on the weekends.

Yes, at KSL Classifieds, you can find almost everything you need...

And even things you don't.

An Historic Parade...

Tonight, high school seniors in our neighborhood participated in a parade, a way for them to celebrate the accomplishment of graduation. For graduates and their families, continuing in the age-old tradition of graduation is a big deal. And because they piled into pick-up trucks festooned with balloons and banners and drove through the neighborhood, we all got to celebrate with them.

In speaking with my kids over the past couple of months, I've told them how we are living through history. I've told them that their grandkids are going to ask them what it was like to basically stop all activity and stay home for a couple of months in the spring of 2020. I don't think, when this all hit, that high school seniors believed the shutdown would cancel the last three months of their high school career. The things we didn't know...

As they trucks drove by, the guys looked cool, and the girls were all smiles...I guess some things never change.

It was fun to see neighbors, to share in their their joy, and experience an historic parade. Let's hope we never have to do it again.

A Few Of The Flowers In Our Yard...

I've been taking pictures--and sharing the photos--of flowers in our yard, lately. And not just flowers--I've taken a lot of pictures of many things in our yard. That happens when we're home all the time. This afternoon we loaded up the car to head to the cemetery and I spotted a bouquet of flowers my wife gathered from the yard to take with us.

They were beautiful.

I don't know if it's because of the quarantine or just because we avoided it the past couple of years, but this spring we've spent a lot of time in the yard. I know, at least part of the work is influenced by the shut down. We've put in a garden--the biggest one we've planted in years. When you enter a store and see empty shelves--a first for me and my family--you think about things like growing your own food.

The daisies, the rose, the mini-irises, and other assorted flowers was a fitting tribute for my parents and my wife's father. Their graves are in our local cemetery. I know those three people loved this little town and I believe they appreciated seeing some of the beauty that's found here.

In a few weeks, some flowers will die and others will thrive. Eventually, the temperatures will cool, the daylight will shorten, and snow will blanket the land once again. But until then, I'm going to enjoy the beauty around me. And hopefully, so will others.

The National Geographic Channel's "The Mighty Eighth"...

I came across the show by accident last week, but it was almost over. So, I set the DVR to record it when it came on again. Today I watch it.

I'm glad I did.

It was the National Geographic Channel's The Mighty Eighth; Heroes of the Sky. 

There's been books written, movies filmed, documentaries made about the battles over the skies of Europe during World War Two. I watched the program with interest, you see, my father was one of those tens of thousands of soldiers who went to England and thankfully, he returned.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to ever talk to him about his experiences, and maybe he wouldn't even want to discuss it, but I think there would be some details he could tell his children about. He passed away when I was eight-years old, and a child had other things on his mind to ask his father.

The majority of the documentary focused on the problems the Eighth Air Corp had between 1942 and 1944 when they suffered huge losses. My father enlisted and was sent oversees in 1944, near the end of the war. I don't even know how many missions he flew, and being a tail gunner on a B-17, I wonder if he had any stories of engaging the enemy.

This weekend, we turn our attention to those who serve and bled and died for us. It's a debt that forever remains unpaid, because there's no way for us to repay it. Thanks Dad, for all you did, and thanks to the others who did the same.

That Old Mouse Magic Podcast...A New Way To Get Your Disney Fix

There are many out there that are experiencing withdrawals. Their addictions cannot be satisfied in the time of Covid. They frit and fumble, they moan and mumble, and they yearn for the time when they can, once again, be gratified.

I'm not talking about things most people think about when they hear the word "addicted." 

I'm talking about Disney.

Yes, we have the movies, and the app, and pictures of vacations past, but for many, the inability to visit the parks, the resorts, even the cruises cause them angst. I know it's not a replacement, but help is on the way.

In the form of a new podcast, That Old Mouse Magic.

Jim Christian, a walking Disney encyclopedia, is your host and guide. If you know Jim, you understand there's not a better person for these roles. His love of the Disney universe is infectious, and I know he'll bring that attitude and experience to each episode.

The podcast is new, only three installments, but more are coming. Even if you don't know Mr. Christian, if you love Disney, subscribe. You won't be disappointed. And it may just help with the addiction many of you have.

If Only This E-Mail Went To Everyone...

So, the e-mail hit earlier today, another ad from Audible...

Or, so I thought.

When I clicked the ad, I saw something familiar. 

My own name on a book I wrote.

Yes, it's been over two years since my book was released. Any self-respecting author would have at least two or three books released since then. All I can say is, I'm working on it.

I thought seeing the ad was cool, then I wondered if others had been sent this particular ad. You get kind of excited thinking of the possibility of many, many people seeing this ad. I mean, Audible.com, and by extension, Amazon, is endless. The thought made me a little giddy, to be honest.

Then, reality hits and I returned to earth.

I know at least the basics of algorithms--like interests generate like ads. I may be the only one who saw this particular ad. I saw it because, not only did I write the thing, but I bought copies on-line, I bought an audiobook version, and I've blogged about it several times. My digital signature is all over this book, just as much as how my name graces the cover.

Ask any writer and they'll tell you, finishing the book is only Step 1. In many ways, it's only the beginning. I've found it interesting to watch first-time authors and see what they do after their baby has been delivered. And the choices open to new authors for marketing is unbelievable. With money--sometimes, lots of money--you can buy exposure, ads, blogs, reviews. I did not take this path, and many will say, the sales figures reflect that. I'm okay with my decision. A good number of those choices is throwing good money after bad.

Still, on a cloudy day in May when the world is insane, it was fun to see my book in my inbox. Maybe it'll happen again.

Metal Earth Figures...Very Cool Stuff!

The box sat on a shelf in my bedroom for almost a year and a half. I don't know why I waited so long to open the box. A few weeks ago we did some spring cleaning and the box rose from having things placed upon it to having its own spot.

It was time.

I first saw these incredible metal figures at a hobby store. There were all type of things, cars, spaceships, buildings. They're amazing! I didn't think of them again until Christmas Day, 2018 when my son gave me a double set, a Star Wars R2D2 and Millennium Falcon package.

So, so cool!

I think the quarantine got me thinking of putting them together. I started with the one I thought would be easier--R2D2. I was wrong. Still, it's nice to begin with the tougher one--makes doing the second one easier and more fun. Then again, I might have just gotten better at putting them together.

When I finished each one, I showed them to the wife and kids. They, like me, thought they were awesome. It's interesting--when I look at them, I see the imperfections, the joints that didn't quite fit together perfectly, the places I could have done better. I wonder if they saw them. Probably not. I know when I first saw the examples at the hobby store, I didn't see imperfections or poor craftsmanship.

The pieces are so small--I had to use magnifying glasses to finish them. And when I was done, my fingernails were all scratched up. 

No, I shouldn't have waited almost eighteen months to put them together. Maybe if I get more, I'll get started on them much sooner.

The Joys Of Home Ownership...Today's Chapter--Pipe Repair

Just seeing that purple stuff that you slather all over the white PVC pipe followed by smelling the strong aromatic oder of the glue takes me back decades. 

And these are not necessarily good memories.

They're memories of frustration, mostly, and taking what seemed like endless trips to the hardware store.

My wife told me yesterday that an irrigation pipe had broke and water was flowing down our sidewalk. I should have investigated last night, but I didn't. For some reason, I thought the break had been higher up, or on someone else's line. 

Nope--it was ours. The connection had held true through sixteen years of pressurized summers and freezing cold winters--all in all, a pretty good run--had broken. And for some reason, that weak spot in the pipe decided yesterday was a good day to separate.

Tonight my oldest and I took upon us the challenge of home/yard repair. I also wanted to show my son how to fix PVC pipe. After all, he may be moving out and getting a home/yard of his own and he'll need to know this stuff.

The worst part was digging the hole. I had to go down several feet to reach the pipe. We took a trip to The Home Depot and purchased the required parts. I showed my son how to primer then glue the joints--showed him what I was shown back in the 1980s when irrigation water systems were installed on our street. Before that, we had watering times and we tapped into water from a reservoir uphill as it flowed downhill.

Pipped in irrigation water is wonderful, but fixing pipes is not. I remember constantly fixing the system my mom and us kids put in years ago. The most frustrating part was running out of one thing you needed--ONE THING--to complete the project. Then you had to go back to the hardware store for that one thing. No matter how much planning you did, you'd always have to go to the store--sometimes making several trips.

We finished up late. We'll test it tomorrow. Hopefully, I still remember how to properly fix a pipe--just one more joy of home ownership.

Customer Service...Thank Goodness For Chat

Life has changed in the past twenty or so years when it comes to customer service. Almost everything we do to resolve issues had gone from having to go somewhere to going to a website.

Customer Service has changed.

Today, my son had an issue with his latest purchase, and the boy was stressed. According to what he knew about his new toy, getting it going should have been a piece of cake. It didn't turn out that way. In fact, he was beside himself--thinking he had possibly thrown away good money on something that might not work. I couldn't help him until after work, but in the back of my mind, it sounded like an issue that could be resolved with either a phone call or an on-line chat.

Turns out Chat did the trick.

More and more I turn to the Chat option. I don't know what it is, but it seems those on the other end of the conversation know what they're doing. Sure, a phone call works, too, but with a chat, there's usually not a problem understanding someone's accent--or they understanding mine. I can't hear frustration in their voice, or other distractions. The chatting worker may be just as frustrated and distracted as their vocal co-workers. If they are, I don't know it.

Tonight's issue was quickly resolved via chat. My son was greatly relieved after the resolution. And I felt good that we were able to do it with efficiently. I guess something is lost using the Chat method. We are not two humans talking in order to fix a problem, and yes, it's a little impersonal, but there are trade-offs in all things, and to me, they're worth it. It's why I thought chatting would work tonight, why I chose Chat tonight, and why I'll keep looking for this particular method in the future.

Digging Up Old Stuff...Kids Think Dad's Cool

I thought the stuff was all thrown out--we went through a great purge a few years ago (we don't have a lot of space in our house and we can't keep everything...). I looked for my old books a few years ago and didn't find anything.

Turns out, I was wrong.

I found my original Dungeons and Dragons manuals, including my dice.

And my oldest son thought the book and modules were SO cool!

And, by extension, his old man.

My kids got interested in D & D a few years back. They bought all the things to play the games, the books, the dice, everything. Watching them play brought back so many memories. I was in jr. high school when my friends and I were introduced to the world created by Gary Gygax. We loved how the game didn't exist on a board, but in our collective minds. I haven't played the game in decades and I really should.

I showed the books and modules to my oldest. He dug right in and checked them out. He was impressed, so much so, he took pictures of each book and module and e-mailed them to his D & D group. Apparently, they were impressed, too.

I don't know how many other treasures are still undiscovered in the basement, probably, not too many. And I'm okay with that. After all, it's not necessarily the things you have that create happiness, but memories of good times sure can.

Sports Are Back, Baby! And I Even LIKE Soccer...

I heard the news a few days ago--soccer would resume...

In Germany.

In Des Bundesliga.

Now, I am a soccer fan. At this time of year, I'll watch MLS games, especially when the local team plays. And early Saturday and Sunday mornings, there's always British Premier League games. There's also German Bundesliga games on and I usually don't watch those. I haven't followed the teams or the players in that league the way I have in America and Great Britain. But now, because pretty much everyone else is shut down, I'll watch German soccer.

Of course, there were no fans. After the soccer, I caught part of a NASCAR race in North Carolina--again, no fans. I thought, since I wasn't at either event, the experience should be the same for me. But, I was wrong. Yes, the games were played, the race was run, but it wasn't the same. The games need fans. 

Still, any game is a start. I know millions--if not, billions--of people are scared of the prospect of opening things up too soon. The race in North Carolina will most likely not impact me whatsoever. It may impact others, however. I believe those involved in these events know what they're doing and they're taking every precaution they can take to make it as safe as possible, just like workers in grocery stores and hospitals.

I'm one fan, just a single viewer living in Utah. Watching a game on TV played half a world away made the world a little more normal. And, that's a good thing.

Spring Rain On Morning Flowers...

Saturday mornings--usually--are spent outside, in the yard. We do not live in a particularly warm climate area. Temperatures in the summer reach between 100º to 110º Fahrenheit in the hottest part of the year. Thankfully, that only happens a few weeks out of 52. Spring mornings are heavenly, if you're willing to pay the price of getting up early.

The best time to work in the yard is early, before the sun crests the edge of the mountain to the east, which sucks if you're not a morning person and you dislike yard work.

I don't know if it's because of the world shutting down, or not, but we've done more yard work this spring than we did all of last year--including me, which is surprising--especially to me. This morning I worked on a tool that will hopefully help us build more raised grow boxes. That has yet to be seen, but if that continues, it means more time outside, more time in the yard.

As I toured the grounds of Casa Taylor this morning, I spotted some flowers dripping with moisture. Had I my Nikon or my close-up lenses for my phone, I could have snapped some really beautiful pictures. I do like what I did get, though. The cameras on phones are incredible--and my phone's five-years old.

I know some who consider themselves morning people. And I know they can experience amazing things. There's a gentle peacefulness at 6:30 on a spring morning. Many birds have already started their day, and sometimes, sunrises can rival their evening counterparts. I know this, but when the decision to wake up early--especially when you don't have to--comes around, the lure of a comfortable bed, pillow, and down comforter can be just too strong.

Then again, if you go out and see beautiful scenery in the morning after a spring storm. the reward can sometimes be worth the price.