We purchased a copy for the house from the author himself and had him inscribe it to The Brechts. Nothing about the house appears in the book, unfortunately, but pictures and information about local houses we see can be found within.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Happy Birthday Sandisfield! Sandisfield turns 250 this year and a visit to the (apparently largely rained-out) celebration they mounted down on Rte 57 yielded a new book about the town.
We purchased a copy for the house from the author himself and had him inscribe it to The Brechts. Nothing about the house appears in the book, unfortunately, but pictures and information about local houses we see can be found within.
We purchased a copy for the house from the author himself and had him inscribe it to The Brechts. Nothing about the house appears in the book, unfortunately, but pictures and information about local houses we see can be found within.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
I had Louis Ludovico over to give an estimate for moving the tubs to allow the bathrooms to be painted (subject of an earlier post). The estimate was about $1200.
He also noticed three other things:
1) The downstairs toilet has hairline cracks in the bowl and should be replaced. One with a smaller tank should be purchased which will save water, put less stress on the septic system, and because it would be smaller, potentially allow access to the riser to the upstairs bathroom.
2) The well is "contaminated" with insect and possibly animal matter because the well cover (outside the back door) is not sealed. He believes it should be re-done and, if we want, the well chlorinated, which has a temporary effect. Estimate for sealed cover: $300.
3) The filtration system attached to the water pump needs to be replaced. It helps keep grit, rust and other matter out of the house. He said it went bad a few years ago but didn't bring it up to Rena because she was dealing with a lot at that time. Estimate: $235 plus filters.
Lastly, Louis recommends that the water pump ALWAYS be turned off when no one will be around (which we always do).
He also noticed three other things:
1) The downstairs toilet has hairline cracks in the bowl and should be replaced. One with a smaller tank should be purchased which will save water, put less stress on the septic system, and because it would be smaller, potentially allow access to the riser to the upstairs bathroom.
2) The well is "contaminated" with insect and possibly animal matter because the well cover (outside the back door) is not sealed. He believes it should be re-done and, if we want, the well chlorinated, which has a temporary effect. Estimate for sealed cover: $300.
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| Well. |
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| Filtration System. |
Garden Faucet Leak
One day I noticed that there was a puddle surrounding the garden faucet that appeared to indicate a below-ground leak. I dug it up and found the part that joins the black, plastic water line that runs from the basement, and the metal riser that protrudes from the ground, broken. I think Paul may have hit it with the mower and/or the plastic simply deteriorated over time. I found the same part in town and replaced it.
One day I noticed that there was a puddle surrounding the garden faucet that appeared to indicate a below-ground leak. I dug it up and found the part that joins the black, plastic water line that runs from the basement, and the metal riser that protrudes from the ground, broken. I think Paul may have hit it with the mower and/or the plastic simply deteriorated over time. I found the same part in town and replaced it.
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| Dug up. Black plastic water line visible. |
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| The white plastic piece (with the red tag) is the new piece. The old one deteriorated. |
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| All put together with rocks at bottom for stability. |
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| Finished! |
It's late July and I've not posted in a long time mostly because I (we) have spent my time enjoying it and not writing about it! It's time to catch up.
So far this season we have done the following:
- fixed garden fence
- repaired faucet near garden
- cleared larger part of garden than last year and planted a variety of things
- re-vitalized the screened in porch
- had the phone restored (with old phone number - 413-258-4734)
- put in a cordless phone
- replaced propane line from wall to stove
- cleaned foreign matter (plastic, garbage) from compost pit
- purchased a used weed-wacker/edger
- put aluminum around some apple trees to deter porcupines
- continued cleaning/organizing barn
- trimmed roses and lilac
- other things I can't remember now
Sarah was here with us before she went back to Ireland and we had over Gary Danko, the contractor who assisted with figuring out the chimney leaks last season. Sarah wanted to get an estimate on painting the kitchen and both bathrooms. This is currently a work in progress.
So far this season we have done the following:
- fixed garden fence
- repaired faucet near garden
- cleared larger part of garden than last year and planted a variety of things
- re-vitalized the screened in porch
- had the phone restored (with old phone number - 413-258-4734)
- put in a cordless phone
- replaced propane line from wall to stove
- cleaned foreign matter (plastic, garbage) from compost pit
- purchased a used weed-wacker/edger
- put aluminum around some apple trees to deter porcupines
- continued cleaning/organizing barn
- trimmed roses and lilac
- other things I can't remember now
Sarah was here with us before she went back to Ireland and we had over Gary Danko, the contractor who assisted with figuring out the chimney leaks last season. Sarah wanted to get an estimate on painting the kitchen and both bathrooms. This is currently a work in progress.
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| Garden 7-29-12 |
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| Screened-in porch 7-29-12 |
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| New Gas Line |
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| Porcupine deterrent on tree. |
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| 7-30-12 |
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Arrived Saturday 4/28/12. All in order. Took Char to train station in Hudson Monday morning.
This trip: cleared more of garden, purchased stove stuff.
We noticed on our last visit that the old copper(?) gas line from the wall to the stove was very crimped. I have purchased the parts necessary to replace it and will do so after Sarah and Robin's visit later this week.
This trip: cleared more of garden, purchased stove stuff.
We noticed on our last visit that the old copper(?) gas line from the wall to the stove was very crimped. I have purchased the parts necessary to replace it and will do so after Sarah and Robin's visit later this week.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Happy Spring!
Arrived in afternoon of 4/20/12. All in order - only a little evidence of mice. There was much rain and wind the night of 4/22 but no leaks/seepage observed.
This trip: cleaned, cleared part of garden, inspected grounds, tested smoke detectors, cleared dead ferns from stone wall, moved two chives from garden to near porch.
Louis Ludovico did his thing on 4/16. He found that the water pump needed a new starter which he provided and installed for an additional $95. The bill for $310 has been left on the table for Sarah and Robin's visit.
This trip: cleaned, cleared part of garden, inspected grounds, tested smoke detectors, cleared dead ferns from stone wall, moved two chives from garden to near porch.
Louis Ludovico did his thing on 4/16. He found that the water pump needed a new starter which he provided and installed for an additional $95. The bill for $310 has been left on the table for Sarah and Robin's visit.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Winter Visit
Went up to the house to check on things. Everything in order. There were a few dead mice in the traps I left but no dead mice visible from the poison. In fact there were almost no droppings anywhere in the house! Hopefully, this holds till spring. I cleaned up the used traps and put down six new ones with peanut butter bait. See you soon!
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