Monday, May 4, 2020

Update, Projects and A Rant

Where Are We Today


The Ridge
Priceville, Ontario
Six weeks have passed since we returned home from our winter in the south , and life is anything but normal, more about that later.
It was five days ago since I wrote that first line, I guess I got distracted, so I had better stick to it and get this post done before Ken posts that they have returned home.
Since we have been home, we have busied ourselves with getting "The Ridge" all set up, which I am sure you all know about by reading Patsy's posts. In my last post, I mentioned that I started building an RC kit. To update my progress, the wing structure is framed, the leading and trailing edges have been shaped and I am now getting ready to put the skin on the wings.
Left side

Right Side
So, what else have I been up to you may ask, well let me tell you. A couple of weeks ago now, while driving back from getting water, I saw on the side of the road a couple of cupboards, chairs and work tables that someone had put out for free, so I scooped them up real quick and brought them home for a use to be determined.
Finally, I decided to put the two cupboards up in the utility shed to help organize better then it was.
Cupboards installed in the utility shed

The two work tables are sitting just outside "The Hangar" where they can be used for any project. I used to have two of these in my hobby room at our sticks and bricks house with my band saw and drill press on, they were sold along with other items when we sold the house.
The two tables

One other major repair that I have done since returning here, is to replace the black tank dump valve, a smelly job to say the least. The valve is located just after the tank, and opened and closed by a pull/push cable, located inside a small compartment on the outside of the trailer. 




Here is the valve, just below the tank. The tank is located right underneath the bathroom floor.

The black handle is the remote pull to open the valve.

We have had a problem with this valve operation before and it seems to stem from the cable binding and making it almost impossible to operate.  So I decided to replace it with a standard operating valve, where I will just have to reach in through the basement storage area to operate the valve.
The replacement process is no easy feat, as to the confined working space, but with some grunting, groaning and a little blue air from an old man, I and a little help from Patsy got the job done.
Not an easy feat.
Here is the new one installed.


Now back to life, it is anything but normal. By now we are all getting tired of the physical distancing, the constant news stories, who's right, wrong or indifferent. In the beginning, we came home, did our isolation and  practiced the physical distancing.  I have to admit that I was at first upset by people that ignored the whole thing and said they were going to live their lives. I wanted to give them my two cents worth, but old age has calmed those impulses.  I realize that they are entitled to their opinions and I have to respect that, so I do.

The Hangar

We all have to decide what to believe from articles published by so called experts and news agencies. I for one , do not believe all the stories from the news , as stories have been proven false.
Our two countries were built on freedom through democracy, we say freedom came from the wars fought and the lives lost, and we should not forget that. Freedom also came with responsibility, to live by the laws made by those we elected to govern us, along with the right to march, protest and demonstrate peacefully to try and change those laws. I hope we all can remember that.
Home on the Ridge

Both our countries, each state /province, county, townships within counties, towns and cities  are handling this in degrees of difference, hard to fathom or make sense of.
 Normal cannot come soon enough.  For my friends and family, from now on, the next time we meet, if you are open to shaking hands or giving hugs, I am too. If not, I respect that as well. Remember, as with any cold, flu or sickness be sensible, wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and if you are sick, stay home, protect those who are at risk, especially the elderly.
That's my rant, no more said.
Thanks for tuning in, until the next time stay safe, healthy and take care.




 

14 comments:

  1. Bill, Looks like the Corsair is coming along nicely.When your radio or instruments crap out....remember to just fly the plane.

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  2. Well said Bill. Time to move ahead a little bit. I love your hobby but would not have the patience to do it.

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    1. Thanks Lorne, yes it is time we start to move ahead slowly. There days that I wonder how I have the patience also, but I do enjoy the building and flying.

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  3. The model cars I built as a kid are a far cry from your skill level.
    Might consider replacing the Valve with another Cable Control because crawling into the Basement when traveling will be a PITA.
    We are now living in a different world.
    Be Safe and Enjoy your projects.

    It's about time.

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    1. Rick don't sell yourself short, I have seen some of things you have built, you would certainly have the skill level. Being able to understand and think, is a big part of building any kit. As far as the valve goes, I only had to crawl inside the basement to replace it, I can open it easily from the outside. Yes we are certainly living in a different world.

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  4. I agree with you. I'll be so glad to get back closer to normal. Tired of others telling me what's best for me. Glad the valve is done and hope never again.

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    1. Yes lets get back to normal. I also hope never to have to replace that valve again.

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  5. Love your free things..those tables don't even look like they were used much! Boy do you have patience! Can't wait to see the finished plane! You know you've always got a hug from me! I agree with Doug and it's why we don't talk to some certain people anymore. Sad, but true.

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    1. Your right about the tables, hardly used. It surprises me of the patience that I have for some things. Always love your hugs!You would think by now that people could agree to disagree and not let difference of opinions come between them.

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  6. I loved the freebies!! Great job of recycling. Some repairs are more challenging than others but I'm glad to hear it's behind you. Common sense should be the order of the day with regards to all things, family, friends, strangers, shopping, fueling and living. We managed to do so BEFORE this virus, I think we can do so again with a few extra precautions. Fear is the enemy, not each other, we need to remember that. You folks continue to enjoy the Ridge, hopefully it warms up soon!!

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    1. Pat must be rubbing off on me after all these years, as she is the one who would pick up freebies, not me. Yes glad that repair is behind us. Hoping common sense prevails. You two enjoy your spot also, looks like a few days of cooler weather again but then warm temps.

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  7. Those free things were certainly a lucky find. Do not know much about building models but that looks very intricate and patience must be the order of the day. Looking forward to pictures of the finished project.
    We agree in the beginning everything happening, as far as restrictions, in both our countries made sense. Now the more we read in search of the truth, not the media's truth, we are starting to think what is happening is scarier then the coronavirus.

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    1. Yes a lucky find with the free things. Patience is certainly the order of the day, I think it helps that I enjoy doing it. Yes, I agree, what is happening is scarier then the virus.

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